PVC width
My wife and I find ourselves increasingly drawn towards the idea of PVC for the ease of navigation through small towns and villages, single track roads and so on. However, we are unsure about how well we may manage the switch from a standard width caravan to the rather elongated and narrow living space of a PVC. The particular model we have in mind is 6.8 metres so loss of width should be compensated by length; at least that is my theory.
How have others managed this particular paradigm shift?
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Q, don't forget that the cab occupies part of that 6.8m so the hab unit will be roughly 1m shorter.
There's no getting away from the fact that they are narrow inside. We move one at a time. It fair takes me back to the early days of caravanning when vans were so much narrower and shorter. I can't tell you how to manage in the reduced space because we all have our own ways of coping.
The model you're looking at is 6.836m, I believe, so you might as well consider the 7m Lunar on a Merc. Personally, I thing 6.5 is the absolute max for sensible use. Ours is 6m and, ideally, we would have liked 5.5.
As I keep saying, you really need to get out there and view some and test drive them. A paper/virtual exercise is just no comparison and your theory may well fall apart.
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at 6.8m this is a pretty large PVC, and I'm wondering what model this might be...is this the LWB Merc with this body length....loads at 6m and lunar Landstar at 7.1m....what's on the 6.8m platform?
depending on layout, there might be pinch points, usually between kitchen and washroom...
...and the long wheelbase might hinder manoevrability....
despite the 'full' width of the Stanton, I'd have put this as roomy as most PVC's and probably more manoevrable...
yes, in absolute terms the PVC is slimmer (and this really does help) I would feel that much extra length might undo some of that advantage.
had you mentioned a 6m PVC I might have said it was 'overall' an easier drive (but not necessarily a better layout for your requiremnts) but at 6.8m I'm not so sure....
btw, I don't have a PVC but our 2.12m wide van is pretty slim compared to the Stanton....
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It isn't very big, MM, which is why we bought a 6m.
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The Crafter used by IH is 6.836m, BB.
The length will certainly hamper manoeuvrability. The RWD Sprinter, though, has a much smaller turning circle than the FWD Boxer/Ducato.
Given Q's penchant for the Merc, I can see no point in buying any PVC other than the Lunar if he wants something of that length. It wouldn't do for me, mind.
I really feel Q needs to experience PVCs 'in the flesh'.
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even on the Sevel 5.4m version, a front lounge, rear kitchen van can work (like the Symbol....).
there are even some continental fixed rear bed vans (Adria, Malibu etc) on this platform...the compromise will be the kitchen/washroom, but for their usual market (outdoor cooking and lounging) it's the bed that's the important bit...
tiny vans in cold, damp UK weather may not work as well....
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One of the Autotrail V Line models is on that 5.4m base. It's a rear lounge model but the bunks are only around 4ft long. It wasn't for us, much as we would have preferred the shorter wheel base.
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yes, I was wondering which Merc conversion it was....of course this IH model is brand new....on the new Crafter...
i agree, one has to drive a few to start to get the feel of how the different widths and lengths affect the different aspects of driving...and even parking....
despite the cachet of the Merc chassis, there's no way I'd even look at a Lunar....I've been in a few at shows out of curiosity...it killed this cat
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I’ve not even been in a Lunar so can’t comment on build quality etc. Just knowing it was 7m was enough to put me off.
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There are quite a number of slimline coachbuilts now so the orientation towards PVC is not quite so essential. The advantage of a coach built is that it gets you away from that sliding door. Probably warmer than PVC's too, a consideration in our iffy climate.
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I wouldn’t say a coachbuilt is warmer, CY, it depends on the degree of insulation. One drawback with the coachbuilt is the flimsier body more susceptible to damage. It’s swings and roundabouts.
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My brother, who drives buses in the Derbyshire Peaks and tour coaches, always says width is less of an issue than length except when you want to take a bus through a gap which is narrower than the bus itself. The reason is that on many roads, as I have found, it is easier to find a passing place for shorter vehicles and the turning circle is less making progress easier through tight areas.
My son who drives a 7m delivery van says some places are harder to get to because of the van's length; width has never been an issue.
The only roads I won't take my 2.34m wide van down are those limited to 6'6" - there aren't that many. I do tend to avoid single track roads except for access and I do avoid them even when in a car.
PVCs have many virtues and are understandably attractive to many. Just beware of consequences and compromises that arise.
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Thanks to all of you for very helpful comments. Overall the consensus points towards my own thinking that length is a major issue.
The model we had in mind is the new IH 680RL built on the Crafter. It has an added advantage - in our opinion - in that IH are going to build it with a Hartal caravan door in place of the large sliding van door.
In the light of comments I think we may be go back towards the idea of a coach built model.
We are going to the South Coast show at Broadlands this weekend to see some models in the flesh.
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Our Autosleepers is 6.3m which is about the maximum length that I would like. The advantages include being able to park in a standard space or two in car parks at services and supermarkets without sticking out unreasonably.
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I was told off for saying how much easier it is to park our 6m PVC by someone who suggested I was implying it was easy, HG.
I agree that the length of your MH is around the sensible max for manoeuvrability and parking. The shorter and narrower the better from that point of view.
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Try not to think too much about caravan v M/H, a PVC is quite different and with a good lay out, particularly if you can fling the back doors open you wont feel cramped. If you try sitting in the front seats looking down through a van that has an open space right through you will find it's ok. The great thing about PVCs is opening them up in good weather and they really are easier to park.
The reverse of that is to check the van has a good level of insulation for cooler months, cab areas can get chilly.
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I think Brue's advice is good. We have been caravanning for nearly forty years so find it difficult not to make comparisons. However, a part of the change is to do things differently and a PVC may be more suited to our needs.
Hillside Leisure are offering the Hopton, a Crafter conversion at just less than 6 metres which we might consider.
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