LMC Innovan 560: Fiat vs Ford

A certain desperation currently determines the happiness of camper builders. The list of production problems that drive many CEOs to despair is therefore quite long. The problematic supply of the popular Fiat chassis plays an important role in this. LMC, among others, has found a solution to this by building the new LMC Innovan 560 based on a Ford Transit. However, this is not entirely without consequences.

Fiat has incurred quite a bit of skepticism in these turbulent times by failing to fulfill delivery agreements in the camper market. Like every brand, the Italians are suffering from a shortage of chips and other crucial components. The demand for new campers continues to exceed capacity and the issues surrounding Corona are putting further pressure on production. But in addition, a large number of Ducatos have also been promised to Amazon. That deal means that Mr. Bezos is allocated 5500 units annually, which is therefore unavailable to camper builders. These manufacturers do not just sit idly by. It leads to choices that are at the expense of Fiat.

LMC Innovan 560 On Ford

LMC's decision to use a Ford Transit for the Innovan 560 bus camper is understandable given the circumstances. But whether this means you are putting a better bus camper on the market has a few caveats. Fiat has been the best-selling camper chassis for years, with good reason. Ducatos are a lot wider and often longer than the alternatives. In addition, the Fiat is also a price-conscious basis and the service network for Fiat campers is more extensive than for other brands.

Narrower and Higher

Fiat's are available in lengths 500, 540, 600 and 640. The Ford Transit used by LMC has the name 560, but actually measures 600 cm in a parking space. So that's not the problem. The width of this bus is rather a head-scratcher. A Ford Transit is nine centimeters narrower than the Ducato. The maximum length of a transverse bed in a Ford is therefore only 1,88 meters. For those tall Dutch people, this is a size that is reminiscent of an old-fashioned box bed. To prevent this group from waking up with cramps, a few crucial centimeters could be gained with a more commonly used extension in the side wall. A kind of slide-out at the foot end is another solution. You fold it back while driving, so that the appearance and aerodynamics are not unsightly during the ride. However, LMC has not yet decided whether these fixed or flexible ears will be included in the design. However, the LMC Innovan 590 with the raised roof of the Ford does look a bit better. The LMC thus achieves a comfortable standing height of over two meters.

Walk through

Another disadvantage of a narrow bus is that the passage is limited. Nine centimeters less space seems like little space, but in terms of width, such a small difference gives a completely different interior. The kitchen unit is therefore made up of three different elements that are progressively smaller in height and depth. This benefits the flow, but limits the usability of the kitchen. The bathroom is also extra compact, but that is something you encounter in most bus campers.

Reliability

Every brand makes a mistake sometimes. For example, the new Mercedes Sprinter already has quite a few recalls, or Volkswagen sometimes wants to put something new on the market too early, before it has been properly developed. Fiat also has a few problems. In any case, it is quite difficult for Italians to tighten the screws of a terminal block tightly, resulting in faltering electronics. In the recent past, a machine was also delivered that could start to show annoying malfunctions, preferably just after the warranty expired. Ford's sin in this light was a bad batch of injectors that caused engine problems. A problem that is now a thing of the past, but for which the brand has nevertheless been severely punished. Perhaps a little too sturdy, because no matter how annoying it is when your camper holiday ends on the hard shoulder, structural problems with what is basically a company car are not sustainable. No brand will see the wrath of a fleet manager as good marketing.

The price of a new LMC Innovan 560 on a Ford Transit basis is not yet known, but the intention is to keep the same amount as the Innovan 600 on a Fiat Ducato basis.

More information: www.lmc-caravan.com

Looking for a used bus camper? Then take a look campers.nl of www.camperscaravans.nl