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Post by emmunbee on Mar 22, 2008 16:56:44 GMT
We are new to this site... so please forgive if I haven't got the protocol yet. My wife and I have an Autosleeper Duetto; in the past an Autosleeper Symphony ...and over the years (38) have caravanned and camped extensively. Now with diesel here (E. Midlands) at 115p/l we are v seriously wanting to downsize. But to what? We both like the high top Romahome with the pullman layout but dealers are short on the ground here. The alternative is the high top Autosleeper Mezan - clearly a copy of the Romahome - but we do at least have an Autosleeper dealer up the road at Newark. THUS TO THE BIGGIE... can anyone say what the pros and cons of each are. Thanks in advance.
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Post by playallday on Mar 22, 2008 17:50:53 GMT
Welcome to the forum, you will find all sorts of answers here and all sorts of nice people. There is a thread (or 2) on Mezans which you might find useful. As to protocol, it seems to be of the ethos that those who don't know, ask; those who do know, tell!  Seriously though, you will find the site full of information and opinions and the friendliest of people. I wish you success in your hunt. Jean |
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Post by Derek on Mar 22, 2008 18:29:03 GMT
Hi Emmunbee Welcome to the site, here is a thread that may interest you. Mezan Thread We have a 2004 Duo Hylo which is pre Pulman layout, we are quite happy with it and have no plans to change it. We have only come across one Mezan, the owner had previously had Autosleepers and had stayed with the make. They did not seem very pleased with it unlike most Romahome owners who won't shutup about how good they are  I would recommend speaking to Ant at Avon Motorcaravans in Bristol, in fact it may be worth a trip down the motorway. Good luck in your deliberations Derek |
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Post by Graham on Mar 22, 2008 18:35:10 GMT
Hi Emmunbee Welcome to the forum, Derek just beat me to it by putting a link to the Mezan thread, its seems the Mezan is getting quite a few bad comments from people who buy them and would appear a poor copy of the Romahome models. I agree with Derek have a trip down to Ant at Avon Motors, we live in Nottinghamshire and its not far down to Bristol really, you will be assured good advice. Here is Ants website: AVON MOTORS. (Other Romahome dealers are available) Best of luck I hope you get the van of your dreams. Graham |
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Post by emmunbee on Mar 22, 2008 18:41:10 GMT
Thanks to everyone who has given advice. I had heard that the A/S Mezan could be problematic. A trip to Ant seems likely. Thanks again.
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Post by snobbyafghan on Mar 23, 2008 14:01:26 GMT
We bought our Dimension from Morans in Ludlow which wouldn't be quite as far for you to travel as Bristol is. They are a family-run business and we had a good experience buying from them.
If you don't mind the extra miles, Ant is, of course, No1 top-man. In fact, so far as dealers are concerned, Romahome buyers are well served - at least so far as Ant and Morans are concerned which is not something that can be claimed about all makes of van.
Doug
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Post by ant on Mar 24, 2008 9:04:18 GMT
Hi Emmunbee.
Putting aside the huge axe I have to grind as a Romahome specialist, you will undoubtably get a better price for your Duetto from an Autosleeper dealer when buying a Mezan. Having said that ( this is where you may detect a bit of bias on my part), the Romahome has a far better build quality than the Mezan, not just the bits you can see but behind the scenes as well. The new Romahome bodies come with a 10 year GRP body warranty, nobody else in the entire industry are willing to say that about thier bodies. Without wishing to risk any legal reaction from Autosleeper, the Mezan was developed at a time when Autosleepers were going through a difficult time financially, it was copied directly from the Romahome to save development costs and then built to minimal budget. While it looks perfectly well made fresh from the factory, the budget build soon begins to show through. Simply pushing the side of the body and seeing how it flexes compared to a Romahome demonstrates the cut corners in the build process which ultimately will effect the longevity of the vehicle.
The Pullman seating and belted seats was the reaction from Romahome, this has proved to be a pretty fatal blow to the hopes of Autosleeper making any real in roads into the small Motorhome market.
The Nu Venture, while not built to the same standards of a Romahome ( sorry just had to get that in again), also has the Pullman seating and would make a better second choice than the Mezan.
Which ever way you decide to go, you've made the right start by asking, and there's no better place to ask about the vehicles than on a site like this that has plenty of small motorhomers all with their own tales of joy and woe.
Ant
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Post by yamaha on Mar 24, 2008 9:53:39 GMT
Just adding to what Ant has said about the Mezan - when we saw it first at Earls Court, we thought initially - WOW - that's pretty.
Then, as we looked around it, doubts began to emerge - what sealed it for me was the Meccano - looking hinge arangement on the front for the elevating roof - I couldn't believe how flimsy it appeared.
Mike
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Post by Derek on Mar 24, 2008 11:38:03 GMT
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