SPRINGSTEEN MONZA OHLIFE 23 (english)

Program:
1 - Lac de Côme, 2 - Venise, 3 - Monza, 4 - Turckheim
The concert is scheduled for July 25, so we receive
the motorhome on July 21 at 3pm. With
time to prepare it, we left Nomade Motorhomes
around 5pm. We had planned our trip
so as to leave in the late afternoon for the longest
stage (888 km), Beersel - Menaggio (Lake
Como). We would then leave Menaggio for Venice,
297 km away, where we would stay for 2
days. From Venice, we’d head back to Milan,
where a cab would take us to the concert at
the Monza circuit. The next day, we’d start the
return trip home, stopping off at Turckheim in
Alsace (420 km) and then heading for the Hannut
office (462 km), to give the motorhome a
good clean before returning at the agreed time
on July 28.
As recommended in the Nomade Motorhomes
instructions, it’s important to remember that
while driving a «Van» or a «Grand Van» is similar
to driving a very large car, you need to get
used to not only the width, but above all the
length. Remember to widen curves, especially in
built-up areas, to prevent the rear wheel from
climbing the kerb. Or, even trickier, in some
campsites when the «roadways» are more than
narrow... And trees tend to lean against the bodywork.
Fortunately, the occupants of these holiday
resorts are used to it, and provide excellent
service to the more novice.
Such was the case at the Menaggio campsite
on the shores of Lake Como. Admittedly a very
pretty spot with its small pebble beach, but their
fairly narrow, terraced paths don’t really pose
any problems, just on arrival and departure. A
little patience, a great helping hand and you’re
all set! Prego! «And that’s just as well, because
I wouldn’t do this every day,» said Marie-Pierre
CASEY in the 1985 «Pliz» commercial.
It’s also worth remembering that, while the
«Van» drives at legal speeds without a care
in the world, and brakes well, it’s important
to anticipate traffic conditions,
even more so than in a car. This applies
to slowing down and overtaking,
as well as steep climbs and descents,
due to their greater weight and higher
center of gravity. With a little practice, you
can manage the power required and the cooling
of the brakes. The Ducato started out as a utility
van. Burstner has done a good job with the
fittings, using high-quality materials. The beds
provide ample comfort. In the pop-up roof, you
benefit from wide openings that let you enjoy
the view. The mattresses are comfortable.
The blinds, cleverly integrated into the windows,
offer all the privacy you could wish for, and are
also very aesthetically pleasing, even if they need
to be operated with care. In terms of comfort,
space is at a premium, but getting around and
using the furniture is easy.
On the driving side, these FIAT vans are surprisingly
upright and the pedals are rather tiring.
It’s surprising that the Stellantis Group, which offers
these vehicles under different brand names,
has ergonomics that don’t provide the comfort
expected even of professional drivers. Indeed,
it’s easy to be surprised when, on approaching
a roundabout, the Ducato collapses on the front
wheel outside the bend - and not just the motorhome
in this test, we found that the Peugeot
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