New model Symbol

We are looking to replace our 2005 Tribute which has a layout the same as the Symbol. The latest models has the fridge stuck up in the air!
How practical is this? Workspace in the kitchen area is always going to be tight so is the bit on top of the fridge useable?
The other point is the nearside bed with your feet under the wardrobe. Does this work alright?
The design problems seem to stem from the Ducato series going from 5.6mtr to 5.4mtr. We don't have space for anything longer than 5.6mtr.
Will be at Lincoln on Thursday.
Chris

Hi and welcome to the forum from chilly Bridlington 
Boaby

Every owner uses Symbol's high worktop for different things. We have an electric kettle and fresh water container plonked on it most of the time. Just above the fridge is the slide out worktop which gives much more useful plonking area when preparing meals.
Good for putting things on but too high as a preparation/ cutting surface.
Feet below wardrobe works fine and is a good feature. We store clothes here within two plastic boxes that are a snug fit and restrained by a bungee when travelling. In sleeping mode I have never had any worries about the space and not kicked the wardrobe yet! A final point is the high fridge is easier to access than a lower one and the cupboard beneath houses our hook up and coax leads plus the water filler hose.
Hope this helps.
Martin

Hi and welcome

We like you changed from  2005 Tribby and bought a Dorset (Special from Marquis by really a Symbol) but decided that the 2012 version was for us as against the 2013 on which was a slight model change for the Boxer.
Four reasons mainly
1. It is the same layout as the Tribby in all detail apart from being a much better build.
2. No step up into the cab
3. We didn't like the way the fridge was up in the air
4. The bed is super simple to make 

What we miss in the Tribby
1. The box to the left as you get in the sliding door
2. The fuel economy for the older fiat was much better
3. Funny but don't know why it does seem tighter in side
4 Banging my head getting into the drivers seat
5. Not having to use the front seats as part of the single bed make-up

Would I go back to the Tribby well no, the Dorset is much better put together has cruise control and better to drive, also don't think we would buy a new one mainly because of the single bed arrangement, but each to his own

Good hunting

David

A Dorset would be good but it looks like the last ones built were 2012, (when the base vehicle changed and got shorter?)
Really want one that is 0-2yrs old.
Got the hang of not hitting my head now. MPG is about 33-34 but not expecting this much from a new one.
Chris

Won't be buying a Symbol.
Having tried sleeping on a bed that was 58" long for my wife who is just 5'0" was definitely a non starter.
Also with the fridge stuck up in the air there was not enough space to prepare meals. Looking at the older Symbols it does seem the AS have lost the plot.
We will now buy a WildAx!

Excellent choice ,  Wildax seem to get very highly regarded with excellent customer care. Have you looked at some of the smaller van converters such as East Neuk campervans ? Smaller converters are willing to alter vans to suit customers requirements and would probably cost less than a 0-2 year old A/s Symbol price wise. Let us know how you get on.

but ........ do they have a fabulous owners forum?

Chrisp wrote:The other point is the nearside bed with your feet under the wardrobe. Does this work alright?

Have a similar arrangement in our Warwick Duo. Works perfectly for me,  may possibly depend on whether you are a restless sleeper?
NB the nearside is 6'4" now they use the extra space under the wardrobe.

Also you will find the shorter MWB chassis fits in regular car parks better than the LWB and XLWB vans.

Having owned a newer model Symbol for a few years, can honestly say that we had no problems with the workspace available. I suppose it depends on how much cooking / meal preps you will be doing in the van.
 I also agree with marbarsymbol regarding the fridge height, saves bending down to retrieve items from the fridge, we also used the top for the kettle and drink preparations. The cupboard below was also the ideal place to put the toilet fluid ready to hand when emptying the toilet from the back door.

Not wanting to upset others but I preferred not to have a large part of the roof removed to add the additional roof section added.

Hubert

Just to confirm that the bench seat approx 58 inch wide forms the o/'s bed with a 10 inch extension piece behind the drivers seat , to give a 5ft 8 inch long bed.
The other single is 6ft 4 inch.
These should both be long enough for your wife.
Enjoy whatever van you finally settle on, as it is a matter of selecting those features that work for you.
Martin

Had our Symbol since early this year and never even considered the fridge height an issue.

I dare say AS thought it would be a nice touch to raise the fridge to a more usable height (which it is) and save people having to stoop so much to access the fridge.

The little fold up worktop next to the hob gives additional prep space and overall I think it's a good design.

What you have to consider with these vans is the limited internal size will always mean there's a compromise no matter how good the layout is and some will like how it's done and others wont.