Changing from A/S Symbol to Warwick Duo

I'm considering changing from my A/S Symbol to a Warwick Duo and am wondering if there are any problem points I should watch out for when viewing/ test driving the Warwick Duo. I'd appreciate Warwick Dou owners experiences/observations. Are you all happy with your vans. Any advice you can provide will be gratefully received.

Thanks Dave

A wee bit more information on the age and model of the vehicle you have in mind would help ?

Morning Charliefarlie - were considering purchasing an A/S Warwick Duo, age about 2010. Any info you can provide will be appreciated.

Dave

We changed from a Duetto, which is similar in size to your Symbol, to Warwick Duo six years ago. The extra 600mm or so in length made such a difference to the internal space and the layout is so much better.

If you're looking for a five year old Warwick Duo the main things to look for are any signs of previous accident damage and to check all the appliances are working. It is particularly important to check the Truma heater is working on both gas and electricity in both heating and water heating modes, as its very expensive to repair. Likewise, check the fridge in all modes. If the cab has aircon make sure that it is working.

There are no doubt things that I have forgotten to mention but these are probably the main ones.

Good luck!

Many thanks Nimbus your observation on the extra 600mm and the layout is what's making us think of changing - are you thinking of selling?

Many thanks Nimbus your observation on the extra 600mm and the layout is what's making us think of changing - are you thinking of selling?

Dave - No chance. We like it too much.

The current Warwick Duo has "improvements" that we find are retrograde and we couldn't be persuaded to change.

The only thing that we find slightly irritating with ours is the narrowness between the kitchen and the toilet. But every van is a compromise.

Thanks for your observations nimbus - is the gap between the toilet and kitchen any narrower than on your previous van?

1) From the 2014 model year, the interior is quite a bit lighter, due to AS changing the 'wood' used for construction and this does help a bit compared with earlier models.

2) We changed from a Duetto on a MK7 Transit and it is quite true that the extra length does make a big difference.

3) The double bed is much more awkward to make up in the Duo than the Duetto. In the Duetto we slept across the width of the 'van and never used the fill-in cushions at all (they lived at home). Making the double up was just a case of flicking two levers and sliding the bases into position. The Duo is a pain in this respect.

4) Using the Duo as a 'van with two singles is really good, with both beds being permanently available 24/7 (we keep the sleeping bags laid out on the bases at all times, so no storage issues).

5) There is considerably more storage in the Duo than the Duetto / Symbol

6) The underslung gas tank is a good thing and we have not had any problems with filling it in the UK, France, or Germany. If travelling further afield, say Norway, it might be as well to take a few free-standing Calor bottles as well (connect via the BBQ point).

7) The profusion of lights in the Duo is great, you will find a light for every occasion.

8) The Duo does have a rather 'corridor' feeling to it due to the narrow space past the kitchen / toilet room area.

9) The 'hanging' wardrobe of the Duo causes us no problems at all and in fact is bigger than in the Duetto.

10) The dark privacy glass does afford some privacy and does seem to keep the interior a bit cooler than plain glass / plastic and being glass can be cleaned on the outside without risk of scratching.

11) We have fitted a swivel for the passenger seat and this is a mod that I do really recommend, as it gives two separate areas for leisure activities of an evening, as well as making the entrance through the side door rather easier when the seat is turned.

That will do for the time being .........  Michael

Dave - The gap between the toilet and kichen is much the same on both vans I would have thought. But on the Duo this corridor is more used as an access between the lounge area and the front of the van and the sliding door exit. It really isn't a problem for us as my wife is small and it's easy to squeeze past. But for larger people it could be a nuisance.

nimbus wrote:Dave - No chance. We like it too much.

The current Warwick Duo has "improvements" that we find are retrograde and we couldn't be persuaded to change.

The only thing that we find slightly irritating with ours is the narrowness between the kitchen and the toilet. But every van is a compromise.

Hi Nimbus

We have quite an old Symphony.  It's 1998, 4.7 metres.  We've been to motorhome shows, and as far as campervans go, we really rate it regardless of age or price.  One of the things that we like about the Symphony over a newer Symbol is that the latter has a (to us) pointless skylight where our duvet over cab storage is.

What are the things in the later Warwick that you see as disimprovements?  Can you tell me the age ranges of your vs the newer model?

Marc

I'm not sure when the Duo changes were made but were probably within the last year.

We looked at the new Duo at the NEC in February and we couldn't see the advantage in reworking the kitchen area. My memory is not brilliant but I think they've done away with the stainless sink drainer for a starter. A tv is now not offered as an option and the aerial point is now on the nearside, inside the wardrobe, presumably expecting the tv to be wall mounted on the wardrobe wall. Not an ideal position, particularly when viewed at a very acute angle from the offside seat. But the biggest mistake in my opinion is doing away with the two drop down doors to the front of the nearside berth. To access this space now means lifting the seat, not a problem unless, like us, you keep folded sleeping bags under the wardrobe. These and other clutter would have to be removed before the seat could be lifted. On our van we use these two spaces for slide in plastic storage boxes which are easily accessible without having to lift the seat.

I've fitted Remis cab blinds that work really well. But Autosleeper in their wisdom have used a different make of blind, the front one being horizontal which only closes as far as the rear view mirror, leaving a largish gap at the top. I have read that they're now changing to using a Remis type blind.

But it doesn't change the fact that it's still an excellent van but maybe one that is no longer at the top of our list.

nimbus wrote:
the front one (blind) being horizontal which only closes as far as the rear view mirror, leaving a largish gap at the top.

 
This is only partially true. The blind does raise as far as the rear view mirror / reversing camera screen, which is then in the way. What you then do, is just bend the mirror down a bit and up goes the blind.

Thanks to all who have contributed to my initial question regarding changing from a Symbol to a Warwick Duo. All your observations are noted especially the extra 600mm making such a difference. Were a bit disturbed by the mention of the darker wood interior on the older models. If anyone's got a fairly new model that their just fed up with and want to get rid of at all costs please contact me - you could be making an old man very happy.

Ours is a 2009 and has lighter wood, as are most of the others I've seen. I have seen the Marquis version in darker wood and I quite liked it, but so don't be put off by it. 

And my observations above on the current model are my personal opinion and others may disagree!

Thanks nimbus, I hadn't realised there were differences in wood between Marquis and other versions, I thought they were all just made by Auto-Sleeper? Can you enlighten me please.


Dave.

Spinney Motorhomes have a used Warwick Duo with the dark wood

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

they did have a new one with the light wood but that's gone now. They do have a new Kemerton with the light wood which may give you an idea of how much lighter the interior is with the light wood..

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

We had a 2011 Duo with the dark wood and preferred it to the light wood on our XL. One thing that I disliked about the Duo is the overhanging wardrobe. Apart from that I agree that some of the latest modification are retrograde. Whale filling system, no drop down doors to the seating area and the cab blinds.

Just to add, the Duo was non Marquis and the XL was a Marquis supply.

The Marquis version is the Sussex which came in three different layouts.

Thanks, most helpful, Paulmold, pity Spinneys is so far away from us. Rawners why did you dislike the overhanging wardrobe, what made you change to the XL, we particularly want two separate beds that's what attracts us to the Duo. Dave

We changed to the XL for the little bit of extra space. We considered the fixed bed but thought the bed was too small and the washroom too restrictive. To access our home I have to turn into a drive with large Victorian stone gate posts, anything wider than a van conversion would be a problem. So our choice is limited, unless we move, once through the opening I could park up any MH on the market, and more.

We made up the bed and I got the wardrobe side, can't change after 45 yrs married. Being over 6ft I awoke with bruised shins more than once, that said the space was useful for storing the bedding.

Dave, the duo is a great van, I'm sure you will enjoy it.

Have just sold our caravan and bought a Warwick Duo.  So, no previous experience...
But looked at the 2014 kitchen layout and the newer one. In my view the newer one is a big improvement:
1. The 4 drawers hold a lot of stuff.
2. Prefer small oven/grill rather than large oven.
3. The drawer below the oven grill is VAST - swallows saucepans, bottles and more.

I really love my first motorhome, but wish it came with a solar panel.

I was surprised to find battery flat after being left for only 15 days in summer temperatures.
Not everyone can keep a motorhome at home with mains plug-in available.
I am having to have a solar panel fitted on the roof - quite an expensive 'extra'!!

Lorraine Amos wrote:I was surprised to find battery flat after being left for only 15 days in summer temperatures.
Not everyone can keep a motorhome at home with mains plug-in available.
I am having to have a solar panel fitted on the roof - quite an expensive 'extra'!!

You will need a battery to battery link in order to use the solar panel to keep both the habitation and the vehicle battery charged. The biggest source of power drain when at home is the alarm (assuming you have one fitted) and this is connected to the starter battery.

A last question about the Warwick Duo. When using the two single beds, where do the seat backrests go - in any pictures the beds are seen made up and the backrests are know where to be see?