Making the move from Caravan to Motorhome

Kj, I think you are right to be unsure about changing to a M/H. There is no doubt that you will miss the room/space that your T/A gives you, you will also miss having a car to sightsee in, go to the shops in. I think I'm right in that neither of you ride bikes so everything will have to be done on foot. Thinking about this years holiday where you had a fair bit of rain, you just took the car out for the day, think about what you would do if it had been a M/H. Yes there are some that say just take the M/H out, it can be done but its an awful palarver putting everything away. As you often use the facilities in the van for showering it will mean that you have to either carry a wastemaster type container or move the van every 3/4 days to empty the waste water and fill up with fresh. If you are not going to stay on site anymore than 3/4 days this isn't a problem, likewise shopping, just do it as you move between sites. Sightseeing can be done between moves aswell but it does mean that your stays on sights are not long stays, this can be tiring if you are spending a lot of time driving each day (and we are younger) We have had the M/H for 4 years now and I don't miss having to do the water barrels etc. but on a 3 month holiday there are times that you want to stay put for awhile and the M/H brings its own problems, they are meant for short stays. I also think its a misconception that moving to M/H when you are getting older is the right thing to do, if you are not physically fit then it will affect how you sightsee.

This is not trying to put you off but I think it is a very big decision to make and probably you should try a M/H for a short break away to give you the feel of how things are done differantly.  The other way is to go over your last holiday and imagine it from a M/H point of view.

TG, a very good post.....

the 'getting older' thing, of course, has two sides to it....

some, who have towed might be starting to dislike it, along with the setting up of a caravan, and the whole 'water' thing...

these might think a small, go anywhere MH would be terrific...

others who wholely rely on driving might find the loss of a car, a compromise too far...

some who motorhome might feel that they need more help getting about so look at a car.....and something to go with it...a caravan, perhaps...

one things for sure, i dont think theres a MH that has large storage, large fixed double bed, large lounge for relaxing, walk in shower etc, etc, yet can be parked anywhere a car can...coming from a large TA is always going to involve compromise on size.....unless
one goes completely OTT with large MH and towcar....

perhaps this might be an option but it might not seem much different to a tower like Kjell but it would offset the need for a replacement towcar....?

All points raised will help Kj make an informed decision. My post was coming from our own experiance as former tuggers for 33 years. Kj has spoken of a desire to retain a full end bathroom as they use theirs all the time, this is where having waste water
and fresh water containers to top up come in handy. We have 2 long hoses that we can fasten together so usually top up the fresh tank that way if we are going to be in one place for a long time. The waste is a 20l flat black container, OH empties it regularly,
but we rarely shower/wash dishes in the van when abroad, unlike Kj. What I was keen to point out is that as you get older, some folk think that moving to a M/H will solve all the problems that they wish to get away from, like filling and emptying water containers,
however as pointed out that is not always the case. I will say that stopping en route for a break is much easier with a M/H especially if it is raining there
is no getting out of the car and into the caravan in the wet. Likewise if you arrive on site and its raining just find a pitch and park up, as Hitch says plug in the electrics later, no having to get out and park the caravan in the rain, wind down the legs
etc.  Some things are much easier with a M/H, but lets not always look through rose tinted glasses. For those that have caravaned for years going to a M/H  is a learning curve, some adapt to it (Hitch & Husky seem to have) others don't adapt and find themselves
moving back to a caravan. If you move back having got rid of the big tow car it can be an expensive mistake.

We met a couple while away this year who had gone from caravan to M/H, it isn't working out for them as his wife is in the early stages of dementia. They have a little dog with them aswell, it was very hard work for the man as he had to do all the driving,
cooking, water carrying (wife showered in van) it was awkward for them to go out sightseeing, shopping if it  wasn't close was difficult as he couldn't leave her in the van, awkwarkd to take dog. They are on the verge of giving up all together, but I think
they might go back to a caravan as we pointed out you will have a car to get around in, that should make things easier. 

Having met Kj and his OH I know they will take their time weigh up all that has been posted and make an informed choice.

I am interested to know why Kjell, or at least his wife, is considering a motorhome? We never owned a twin axle caravan but our last caravan was as long as you could get without being a twin axle. It had a fixed bed and rear washroom which was very nice. We now have a Bailey 740 which has a fixed bed but a side washroom which is not much smaller than the one we had in the caravan. We have a large lounge area made larger because we can also employ the cab seats. The kitchen is a decent size and we have a massive fridge/freezer. so overall we are not disadvantaged compare to our previous caravan. OK we don't have automatic transmission which would be nice but I seem to have driven 15000 miles perfectly OK without it. For anyone thinking of changing it can't be done on a whim there has to be concrete reasons for doing so. If transport whilst on site is likely to be a difficulty perhaps a car and caravan is still the best option?

David

I am interested to know why Kjell, or at least his wife, is considering a motorhome? We never owned a twin axle caravan but our last caravan was as long as you could get without being a twin axle. It had a fixed bed and rear washroom which was very nice. We
now have a Bailey 740 which has a fixed bed but a side washroom which is not much smaller than the one we had in the caravan. We have a large lounge area made larger because we can also employ the cab seats. The kitchen is a decent size and we have
a massive fridge/freezer. so overall we are not disadvantaged compare to our previous caravan. OK we don't have automatic transmission which would be nice but I seem to have driven 15000 miles perfectly OK without it. For anyone thinking of changing it can't
be done on a whim there has to be concrete reasons for doing so. If transport whilst on site is likely to be a difficulty perhaps a car and caravan is still the best option?

David

David, as we were discussing weights/licenses etc and how tricky it might be for Kjell to find what hes looking for at 3500kg, and i know you run your 7.45m van at 3500kg, i was just checking some payload figures as i guessed this model would be 'tight',
especially as Bailey's figure of 458kg only includes 20ltr of water in their MIRO figure (so 80 kg lost with a full tank) and you still have to add Margaret (say 75kg), and i know you have a roof mounted satellite system (say 25kg) etc....so you're now down
to just 278kg before you actually put anything into the van, not to mention that long overhang and the effect on the rear axle loading.

Bailey also reckon that 'essential habitation equipment' (whatever thst means but could be levelling blocks, leads, water/waste containers, hoses etc, etc) comes to another 129kg which leaves you with just 149kg before you get round to loading all the stuff
belonging to you and Margaret....clothes, shoes, boots, bedding, toiletries, books, etc, etc...all a lot heavier than we think....you must be pretty close to the overall weight but, perhaps, closer than you would like on the rear axle.

i was wondering if you had ever got round to weighing the van fully loaded? if not, it might be a good idea, that rear axle might well be struggling.....

this is a intended to a be a friendly, constructive post, based on my knowledge of weights/payloads, it might raise awareness if you havent already checked the van at a weighbridge....

I wrote a long reply, and then lost it, so will have to start again, bear with me!

So......requirements.......details.....

OH has a (invisible)medical disability, and now she has had to have a half shoulder replacement, due to a fall, she needs me to help her with showereing.  This is a serious set-back for her, and has definately knocked her confidence.  She hates fuss, but
she needs certain facilities.

So we need a good shower cubicle, a wet room is NOT an option.

We need good space in the van/MH as we do long trips and have a reasonable amount of stuff with us. Good storage for some  outside stuff  is also essential.

We want a fixed bed.  A bed that does not need a ladder to get into as joints are a bit creaky.

Otherwise we like a BIG fridge, some decent kitchen space as we rarely eat out, and the ability to fit air con is essential, as is a wind out fixed awning.

Plus we would like to be able to take the grandchildren (2) along occasionally.

Alde heating would be preferable as we really like it.

Oh!  .......

And we already have a tiny Smart car, so would get a trailer so we can tow it  behind a MH.

And automatic transmission is essential, we have driven nothing else since 1972, though we both have full manual licences.

We would only buy new, we have not had good experiences with second hand purchases.

Price....hmmmmm...yes it is not going to be cheap!  Up to £80k is do-able as we would sell the caravan, which would raise maybe £10k

We might as well spend it now as it go to pay for our "care" in 10 years time!!

With no trade in we would hope to get a better deal?

Air con and gaslow systen we would swap from caravan.

The main problem with the conti vans is they do not seem to use the Alde heating?

Kj the type of M/H you are looking for could be double that. Having said that have you considered the Bursner Nexxo Sovereign t720 twin beds or the t740 island bed, the 720 has a rear washroom while the 740 has a rear bedroom and shower one side and the
toilet and sink other side the door goes across the van making it a nice large ensuite.

http://www.buerstner.com/uk/motorhomes/semi_integrated/nexxo/nexxo_sovereign.html

We saw them at the Glasgow show they also do a garage version but the beds are high on that model.

If we were changing ours it would be for the t720

Edit. just seen your latest post, the Bursners come with an awning fitted as standard, the version I quoted is a 2 berth but they may do a 4 berth model.

The t720 and t740 are low beds not high ones, they have huge storage underneath.

just had a quick look at the Buestner website (it has a payload configurator tool) and, for example, the Sovreign T740, at 7.5m was always going to be tricky at 3500.

just adding a couple of the 'essential' packs, and auto transmission only leaves 200 odd kg before adding any personal kit...

Kjell has now mentioned a towbar for his trailer.....so, engine upgrade (possibly) and towbar and electrics probably kill a van of this size on 3.5t.

Kjell, looking at your (extensive) requirements....in effect, reproducing your current caravan) perhaps it might be worth considering the steps required to get your lost license groups back?

large rear beds (island or singles) with an across the van washroom, walk in shower), with (say) twin upfront sofas is going to be a big van.

some manufacturers have squeezed this format into a van under 7m but you would view this as cramped, im sure...

you have to remember that the engine and dashboard take up the first 1.5m of any MH, so to get internal space of 6m, the van will be at least 7.5m long....and be pushing the 3.5t limit...

had a look at an Autotrail Tracker FB, and this looked possible but again, payload is virtually non existant....

a similar layout to the above (and a van we had previously) is the Swift Bolero 684, at 7.04m, now this manages just over 500kg payload even with the auto transmission...we certainly had no probs at 3.5t and i know Peegeenine has just bought another one.

ok, front lounge with twin sofas fairly roomy, good kitchen, tall fridge/freezer.....now, for you, potential downsides....this is a french bed model so only access to one side of the bed...this was never an issue for us as OH sleeps all night and only i
ever popped to the loo at night. if you need access to both sides of the bed then it will be twin singles or an island version...longer and heavier...

also, washroom....when we had our van, you had to walk through the shower to get to the toilet...a wet room....but recent change has seen the shower and toilet swap places so the the shower is now a fully enclosed unit behind the toilet....

this seems to me to be the largest, most spacious layout you will get at around 7m, which, in turn, os about the longest you will be able to make work at 3.5t, bearing in mind the auto box, fixed bed and towbar......