Verdict
The A-class sector seems to get more competitive each and every year. Rapido’s 880F certainly isn’t short of rivals, but it’s equally certainly up there with the best at this price. You’ll have plenty of homework to do on the budgeting. The Select Pack is a must, though.
Pros
None
Cons
None
Big lounge, big beds – that’s the theme for Rapido A-classes in 2019. The 880F is not strictly a new model for this season, but it has been stretched by some 10cm.
Inevitably, there’s a bit of a price stretch, too. As ever, the starting cost needs to be scrutinised. For example, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an 8F series Rapido without the £3,600 Select Pack – the usual bundle that’s too tempting to miss. You might want an engine upgrade from the standard 130bhp, too.
Comparing specifications and deciding exactly what you want is part of the fun of buying a motorhome, but layout is paramount.
We viewed this early example at Nottinghamshire-based Brownhills, one of seven Rapido dealers across the UK. Plus, it should be noted, a further 150 or so dealers are spread throughout Europe and beyond (there’s one in New Zealand, for example).
The generous garage will certainly be a reason to buy. This model includes a shower attachment and lashing points, with access on both sides
Living
Inside, this 880F has the Castello furniture finish and Denver soft furnishings. Up front, you’ll find the usual Continental-style lounge.
That forward-facing double travel seat can be made L-shaped for on-site use; you’ll find it pretty easy to seat five around the fixed pedestal-leg table which has a hinged top, making access to and from the lounge much easier.
Kitchen
The main kitchen unit, on the nearside, houses a three-in-a-line gas hob, with the oven set low, below a cutlery drawer. There’s more storage at the upper level, and an extractor unit. Other neat touches include a smart towel holder and a rack for spice jars.
Across the corridor is the 149-litre Thetford fridge/freezer, with a tambour-doored locker above for the retractable TV mount.
Washroom
A sliding door seals off the back of the 880F. Beyond are the separate shower cubicle and washroom, en suite to the island bed.
The step-in shower cubicle has folding doors, and the panelling supports a handy wire basket and the riser bar.
On the off-side, the toilet room boasts a rather stylish handbasin. Not the deepest, perhaps, but it has a proper metal swan-neck tap.
Other practical features include under-basin locker storage, toilet roll and towel holders, a coat hook, and – very Rapido – a sliding door/mirror vanity unit with elasticated retainers. Another overhead locker has a mirrored door.
Beds
The pull-down double bed is manually operated. Like the island bed, it has a Bultex mattress on a slatted base. There’s a rooflight overhead and lighting on both sides.
The island bed at the rear of the 880F is flanked by wardrobes and ledges, with lockers overhead and neat paddle lights.
Storage
The generous garage will certainly be a reason to buy. This model includes a shower attachment and lashing points, with access on both sides. And you can optimise storage space by raising the island bed by up to 30cm.
Technical Specifications
| Payload | 435 kg |
| MTPLM | 3500 kg |
| Shipping Length | 7.04 m |
| Width | 2.35 m |
