News From The Front Line

In Defence of Swift….
I have read a few posts on various forums recently about the shortcomings of Swift Motorhomes which I feel I must balance.
Everyone likes a bandwagon. A vehicle to jump on which is reasonably comfortable, filled with folk relishing fun, frivolity and let’s face it, a good time.
People like to be in with the in crowd… it’s easy, let’s face it. There’s an undeniable tendency for people to gravitate towards social scenarios that positively affirm each other’s beliefs, dislikes, dare I say bias, prejudice….
There are various views on school uniform. Some might say…. (in the words of Clarkson) (that the Stig wears a uniform)), that uniforms in school help to prevent bullying, enable an amount of ‘levelling of the field’. Others maintain that the uniform disables the expression of free will essential for the progression and growth of young minds.
As an adult Motorhomer I am neither Clarkson, The Stig, Young, A bully, In with the in crowd, or prone to jumping on waggons of dubious musical bias.
We’re nearly five months into a fourteen month tour of Europe with our two lovely children. Don’t get me started on the Europe thing….
We purchased our 2009 Swift Kontiki 675 from Don Amott in Derbyshire after months of research. Fixed twin beds in the rear for the kids (which with a flourish converts to a king size double), a spacious double overcab for us with an option for one of us sleeping on the sofa when it’s too hot to co-habit “fnar fnar”. A fab kitchen with three gas rings and an electric plate when on hook-up, enough kitchen storage for the four of us… (Might as well be six with my appetite for consumption) a fully automatic fridge, 12V, 240V and Gas, microwave and extractor hood.
The Garage is enormous. There is another smaller storage space under the bench seat on the offside which houses ramps, BBQ, tool kit, hook up stuff, Gaslow stuff, screen wash etc. etc. The upholstery is comfortable and robust (our kids haven’t destroyed it yet!)
We have driven across Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria and have now reached Greece. The ribbons of tarmac in France and Germany will never test a Motorhome like the former. The ride is really good and guess what….. It’s really quiet when the stereo isn’t on… The only bug bear there is if I pack the crocks before we leave, instead of Sian, the plates and glasses tend to rattle a bit.. Honestly if any roads were designed to test the expertise of the body builder these are the roads
In short, as you probably guess, we are really happy with our Swift. It has carried us for over 10,000 miles so far without a complaint. It has housed us, looked after us, demanded very little of us in terms of maintenance or upkeep, and we look upon it as our home.
Swift could have specified the smaller Fiat engine but didn’t…. The 3L Turbo power plant was the perfect pairing for this 4.5 tonne lump. (5.5 tonne train weight for those wishing to trail a couple of big fat Harleys)
I fervently wish that people would refrain from sticking the boot in just because they can. I believe that there was an issue with the CI MoHo’s, now RollerTeam, at the rear with regard to damp ingress, I have been invited into a Hymer ‘A’ class (yes the much vaunted Hymer) where I have had to stoop in the lounge area because the roof has not been designed to accommodate 20th century male as well as the oh so fashionable drop down bed (you couldn’t seat four comfortably round the table either).
There was a MoHo trending on F.B. this week which cost a million quid. I’m sure within a week or so of living with it I could find things that could have been built, suited me better…
I know there are a lot of happy Swift Owners out there. (By the way my in-laws own a Swift Static Caravan which has also exceeded expectations)
Constructive criticism is good, it enables us to make informed decisions but comments on forums like “I would never buy British, or the base van is good, it’s the body builder that’s poor” isn’t constructive. Or informative (perhaps).
Consider jumping off of that band waggon, steering a course in your own and finding peace and tranquillity.