Symbol Plus review in Practical Motorhome

Latest edition contains a 'live-in review' of the Symbol Plus. All appears very positive.

As a past Symbol owner I often felt that AS were missing something by not having a 6m version, particularly given its attractive front lounge.  I'd even thought about what I would do with the extra 600mm in length, and felt a bit more space in the shower room, a bigger fridge and a wet locker would be my preferences. I'm clearly not cut out to be an AS designer because it seems a high end L-shaped kitchen is what it's all about, even within the constraints of a 6m van. 

PVCs offer several distinct advantages, including rear door access and flexible use of space but both of these are surrendered in the Symbol Plus.  No doubt the kitchen is lovely but devoting that amount of real estate to something that can only be used as, well a kitchen, seems to me not a good use of space in a van conversion.

No doubt AS feel it has great brochure appeal, which is rather born out by their need to mention a built-in coffeemaker early on in their blurb.  I'm clearly getting old as I just don't understand how that sells motorhomes.  Moreover, every review I've read seems to think this is a "wow" factor.   What a crazy world, I mean, ... really?  Whatever you think about 1970's drip-feed coffeemaking technology, why would you want to tie up valuable worktop space in that way? 

My prejudices aside, at least it increases the choices available.

I had a nosey aboutin one a few days ago whilst my van was getting its hab service. My first thoughts were it was really spacious at the front end. Liked the shape of the kitchen but very little work surface and when cooking , my back would be to the living area in the front. Didn’t like that so much . What I love is the ability to throw open the rear doors in dry weather. I wasn’t too impressed with the storage.

PM mag raved about the storage and the amount of worktops.

Hmmmmm lack of worktop space was the first thing I noticed. Maybe that’s most important to me as we both cook like we are at home ! Lol and work top spaceis generous in the fairford

It looks a nice van but a built-in coffee maker?  It reminds me of an AS van produced some years ago that had a built in IRONING BOARD! That caused much amusement and scoffing at the time...Ironing in the van...give over!

Have they done anything with the lounge seating ? the single seat near the door was fairly pointless, and the bench sofa behind the drivers seat was uncomfortable, having no knee roll and no rake to the back. Having said that the rest of the van was a delight. Spent many happy hours touring.

We have the luxury of the magnificent ironing board in our Warwick.
Must agree it is the most pointless piece of kit in an otherwise excellent van. (Other than to hide 25% of our holiday cash!)
Any suggestions what we should/could do with it?

I too was keen to see the new Symbol Plus but my wife soon pointed out a problem.
We have a small dog which needs to go out at about 6 o'clock in the morning. One of us takes the dog out through the rear door with the aid of a step fitted to the towbar, the other makes the tea. We then go back to bed and watch the TV. for an hour or so.                                                                                                    With the new Symbol Plus the bed by the sliding door would have to be made back into a seat and the bed clothes put somewhere before one can get out. The other half if still in bed would be on show for all to see. 
Malc.

Malc.

Have they done anything to improve the access to the offside rear light cluster? On the Stanway you need to cut the material covering the access holes and then be a contortionist to get to the offside lights.

It's exactly the same kitchen and bathroom by the looks of things?

I think only the lounge layout is different, re a length-ways sofa and a third travel seat which is now obscuring the doorway.

So you'll still need to be a contortionist to get to those rear bulbs

That's my thinking as well!
It s nice to know AS listen to owner's feedback and incorporate them in new designs.

I had a symbol for many years and loved it.
The whole raison d'etre of the Symbol, the reason one accepts the rather compromised bedding arrangement, is that it is a small van and parks in car sized spaces.
Once you go LWB 6m van then that is lost.

AutoSleepy_Don wrote:I had a symbol for many years and loved it.
The whole raison d'etre of the Symbol, the reason one accepts the rather compromised bedding arrangement, is that it is a small van and parks in car sized spaces.
Once you go LWB 6m van then that is lost.  

Exactly why I bought one and also loving it although the shorter length was for fitting on my drive rather than car parks.
The lack of rear doors on the plus would be another deal breaker for me personally but I’m sure will work for others.

Still fighting with the girlfriend as to who gets the toilet side of the double!! Going to try lengthways with the double made up on the next trip, any tips Don?

After much discussion and thought we went for the normal Symbol because of the length which makes parking easier together with the ability to open the rear doors. So A/S have produced a different beast with  all most the same name. But Im sure it will appeal to a different segment of the market who liked the Symbol configeration but want a tad more space in the bathroom. Sales will indicate if they have got the design right.