Motorhome enquiry
We are thinking about changing our caravan for a motorhome with a fixed rear island bed preferably seperate toilet/shower but with Alde heating.
Our caravan has these but we now feel as we're getting older a motorhome will be easier to handle.
Any suggestions would be appreciated
Comments
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It’s a move many of us have made and I think every one of us who has done so would urge you not to try to replicate your caravan when choosing a MH. The reason is that you will inevitably end up with a big unwieldy MH that is far from convenient to manoeuvre and find yourself needing secondary transport such as a small car. Been there, done that!
In terms of MHs, big is not necessarily better so please think hard and have a good look around the various layouts and MHs on offer. As well as visualising yourselves living in it on site, imagine travelling on narrow roads, visiting the beach or supermarket etc. Good luck 👍
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As TW states you need to spend plenty of time considering the options. In total we spent a couple of years, visiting the shows and various dealers, as well as talking with friends who have made the transition. It would be a very expensive mistake if you got it wrong.
We had a large single axle Bailey Cadiz with Alde heating and quickly realised if we tried to replicate anything like that we would have to go over 3.5 tonnes. As I was approaching 70 at the time our aim was to stay under that as well as having a reasonable payload. You also have to consider where you are going to put all the things you carry in the car, chairs table BBQ etc. We decided what ever we went for we wanted decent garage, which ruled most UK models. We did want a fixed bed, which that layout provided over the garage. Although ours can be used as a double, we dispense with some of the weight that requires and use them as two singles, the stairs between them provide for very easy access even in our advancing years😂 Although we investigated a few PVC’s we decided that was just a step to far and ended up with a Hymer Exsis-t, just under 7 metres long and 2.21 wide. It has the Truma blown air heating, which although I don’t like it as much as the Alde, is a fair bit lighter and hence gives a bit more payload.After using it for 5 years we don’t regret our choice, or changing from a caravan. I will never go back. At the size it is, manoeuvring has not been a major issue, supermarkets have been OK as have most National Trust like places, with a bit of research.
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I know exactly what you mean about the PVCs being a step too far when moving from a caravan, Steve. For us it had to be done in stages from large coachbuilt to 6.4 coachbuilt, to 6m PVC, to 5m PVC, to campervan. It’s surprising how quickly we adapted to smaller vans and different layouts even though at the start we hated the models we eventually progressed to.
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Trini
We did the same 10 years ago and are now on our second motorhome. In my view that a motorhome is much easier to handle, in all sorts of ways, compared to a caravan. You basically start it up and drive off as you would a car. No checking lights, tyre pressures, nose weight etc, etc. Set up and moving off are also easier. That all sounds as if a motorhome is the panacea for everything which of course it is not. The major thing you need to decide is how do you intend to use the motorhome. If you intend to always stay on campsites and use other means to get around like walking/cycling/bus/car then size is not so important and you might well be able to replicate what you have in your caravan. However if the intention is to use the motorhome to visit places and want to park in towns and carparks then the smaller option would be wise. Having a caravan you are used to having beds all at one level. There are so many motorhomes now which have beds you have to climb up into or drop down beds, but still higher than you are used to you have to be comfortable that you can both manage with that. If you want low level beds like you have in your caravan you will almost certainly have to opt for a UK built model depending on the size you decide on. It does take some thinking about so take your time and look at as many as you can. Unless you are intending to buy in the next few months a visit to the NEC show provides a useful shop window on what is available which will either help or hinder! Final bit of advice, if buying new is to try and buy reasonably local to where you live which will make servicing and sorting any warranty issues easier for you. Good Luck.
David
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TW wrote - I know exactly what you mean about the PVCs being a step too far when moving from a caravan,
I think it also depends on what sort of size caravans you have had in your caravanning life. We've had various sizes including a really small Lunar Ariva, which we had no problems living with.
I think we'd have more trouble upsizing than, say, moving into a PVC, which will be a distinct possibility fairly soon methinks.
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We too had various sized caravans, WN, from the 10ft Bluebird in my avatar up to a massive T/A Bessacarr and many in between. If you go for a PVC, I’m sure you will soon adapt. I think it’s the narrower width that takes most getting used to but, when it comes to storage, I’m always surprised by the large capacity of the roof lockers.
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"They say" you will not find your ideal motorhome until your third! We swapped from a caravan with a bed that had to be made up (we had had fixed bed in the past) and a super washroom with big shower, wardrobe, drawers etc. We had done our research, knew not to replicate, knew about 3500kg limit. We selected a 6.4m motorhome, settees to be made into beds, decent kitchen (oven, grill, microwave) smaller washroom, but still a shower with a swing wall, so not everything got wet. After a couple of years we found we were not so keen. A few internal design issues, but also, although "normal" width, so not easy driving down narrow roads. We also didnt like the comformatic gear box. We have swapped to a 6.4m PVC with a true auto gear box. Fixed single beds, but a couple of steps (with storage) make it easy to get in and out, even at night, garage under beds is great. Still adequate shower with swing wall. Narrower than motorhome so driving easy and parking not too bad (height barriers excepted). Kitchen is now two burner hob and remoska if on hook up. But still plenty of work surface. This is very definitely the van for us. When we first swapped from from a caravan we looked at PVCs and thought "no way". True, our motorhomeing habits have changed, so more nights with out EHU, easier to do one night stops. We rarely stop more than 4 nights anywhere, but didnt with the caravan either. We also use our van facilities in preference to those on a site.
So I think the smallest you can manage is best. Think hard about how you want to holiday. Which in a way comes back to why you are swapping. We wanted to get rid of all the faff of hitching, unhitching, and to no longer tow, but also for it to be easier to move between locations.
I endorse everything every one else has said. But one other thought - investigate payloads. A bigger van doesnt necessarily mean a bigger payload. The payloads listed in catalogues are notoriously wrong, often being an underestimate. Have a search on other forums about payload to get a good idea.
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Over 4 and a half decades we have moved ‘backwards and forwards’ several times between trailer tents, caravans, PVCs and motorhomes. The change have always been down to need and circumstance. As children arrived, grew up, flew the nest and now older age changes were inevitable. Never regretted any change but we were always mindful of the demands associated with the changing stages of our lives.
Presently we have a smallish motorhome with no fixed bed, just two long bench seats making single beds at night. It suits us for now but one day another PVC or caravan may just be more appropriate. My advice would be do your research, embrace those inevitable compromises all options bring, make your choice and then enjoy to the full.
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We have a 6.36m PVC love it. Plenty of room, in fact the kitchen area is bigger than in our previous MH which was a little longer. The compromise with a PVC is that the bathrooms tend to be smaller, doesn't bother us in anyway but I know for some that would be an issue.
The long lounge seats can be slept as singles or a king size bed.
The cab seats on our version can both be turned around and we have a round table on a pole that we can use either in the front cab area or in the rear lounge area.
When we are away in warm weather we can leave the beds as they if we so wish. We tend to spend most of the day outside, only going in once it cools down or gets dark.
We can go anywhere that white van man can go and often take it off site for the day. We even go out from home for the day to the coast or the hills. It's so nice to have everything with you should you need it.
You won't regret it.
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Trini, I suppose if we had confined ourselves to sites like the ones at Bristol, Oxford and Cardiff we could have parked a motorhome on site and walked from there - but we didn’t. We used sites without shops and sites without bus stops. We didn’t cycle either. We absolutely needed a car to get around.
We had small caravans with minimal equipment and didn’t mind that - but we had a car to go places every day. We decided that if we had a motorhome we simply could not tour as we wanted too. So we never bought one.
The fundamental question is not about beds, it’s Can you manage without a car?
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….and it’s perfectly possible and easy to manage without a car or bikes or public transport, as we do, providing you choose a MH that meets all the purposes you need. 👍🏻
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Dependent on how health issues surrounding both myself and MiL work out in the next few months will determine the timescale of any change TG.
I'm just seeing what's available at the moment and investigating lay-outs to sort the wheat from the chaff. Your sort of van is probably what we'd be looking at if touring is still viable. If not then a smaller day outfit.
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When we had our first PVC it was really not that much bigger than a Discovery. It would go anywhere that car could go and we loved it. In fact I’d love one now truth be known. So yes, with one like we had we could do without a car and it would do so much more than a ‘normal’ car in our experience.
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Agreed, Micky. This was our 5m PVC parked in front of a VW Transporter. We had no trouble parking that!
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Yes, Tinny, very similar to ours, in fact it was our ‘car’ and so much more. The only dimension I had to be aware of was the height, but that was no real problem at all. It transported many items which would never fit in a car as part of our normal lives and even became a removal van for our children when taking those fledgling steps from the family home. No problem on long camping tours either.loved it!
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Even with a larger MH such as ours, we don’t find a car necessary.. It just requires a slightly different style of touring. We still visit sites without shops and bus stops, just usually only for a day or two. We don’t cycle but we do walk. Where as we typically stayed for a week or more and would visit four or five sites on a tour, now we normally use 15 /18 sites in the same period. Shopping is normally done on route between sites and the tall fridge freezer in our van easily accommodates five days worth of supplies for when touring in the remoter parts of Scotland.
Thats not to say we don’t seek out sites that have transport links as this opens up greater visiting opportunities, it’s just not a deal breaker if they don’t.
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Totally agree, and that’s where membership of the CaMC is an advantage to us who tour in this way. It is a network of sites across the Uk not just one site. The CaMC don’t have a minimum of nights stay which means you can tour as described staying at one of their sites for just one night or more nights according to your tour itinerary. This is great for motorhomers who tour in this particular mode. Unfortunately the other club often stipulate a minimum of 2+ nights at their sites, I’ve even seen a few commercial sites stating 3, 5 or even 7 nights minimum stay. This membership to a network of sites is what has appealed to many of us, long may it continue.
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I hestitate to offer anyone advice on what to buy when it comes to motorhomes or caravans. Only the individuals making the puchase can decide what is suitable for THEM. The only things I would say about size is that the width of campervans is not very much different to most motorhomes. It is the length and height that has more of an impact on where you can drive and park. It is also important to obtain payloads that suit your needs to stay within the law and keep the insurance provider happy. Keep to a motorhome at or below 8 meter in length and you will not have any problems on most campsites. 3 meters or below in height will also help in reducing toll costs on the Continent and result in very few restrictions on where you can travel.
As to layouts, >this guide< might help
peedee
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I agree that it’s near impossible to suggest a layout for other people,PD, but I can’t agree on sizes. Most coachbuilt vans won’t fit in one supermarket parking bay widthwise but a PVC will. Hence, there is a noticeable difference. Also, I consider 8m to be too big for many roads and sites in this country. You tow a car so must find your MH inconvenient to use in many places. My absolute max would be 7m, with 6m being preferable.
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I don't always tow a car TW, infact the last tour I did in this country in 2022 of about 30 days was around the Scotish Boarders without a car. It all depends on what I am doing and where I am going and what there is to see. I would not dream of towing a car around the Scotish Highlands or on the Continent but would if I was touring Devon and Cornwall. Last time I was out, only a few weeks ago, it was without a car! Parking for motorhomes is improving all the time in the UK and it is becoming much less of a problem than even a year ago and of course on the Continent it is not a problem I have encountered at all.
Most people who own motorhomes have a car anyway, all you need is to make sure it is suitable for towing behind a motorhome and the only extra outlay is the method of towing and then you have the best of both worlds, the freedom a motorhome offers and the ability to stay on one site for a prolonged period if one so desires.
The choice of what to own is one for the purchaser alone. there are pros and cons for whatever you own.
peedee
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You know as well as I that towing a car legally behind a MH isn’t quite that simple, PD 😄😄. As I said earlier “Been there, done that”.
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peedee,
I must admit the idea of motorhome towing a car to me sounds like the owner has made a mistake. It sounds like a [very] expensive [and potentially confusing] alternative to car towing a caravan.
But we are all different and I'm glad we approach the problem from different directions.
Colin
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I did say “legally” which means complying with towing laws in this country, including considering weights. It is not a simple issue.
However, I doubt if the OP is interested in this so I’m leaving the toad issue there.
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Colin
I must admit that when I caravanned I thought much the same but since becoming a motorhomer I have slightly changed my outlook on the idea. I don't think I will ever tow a car but the option to do so does open other opportunities. With a caravan you have no option but to take the car as you need it to tow the caravan. With a motorhome, towing a car just gives you an extra option and flexibility. So if you are going away for a couple of days and staying somewhere within easy walking distance or public transport you leave the car at home. On the other hand if you are staying in a more remote area you might take the car to give you extra options. So really it is a choice thing. Once on the IOW we hired a car for a few days. A bit on the expensive side but a lot cheaper than buying all the bits you need to tow a car and also you don't have to compromise on the size of car you use at home.
David
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Some good practical advice from folks who have swopped over from van to MH/PVCs.
I would just say that deciding all the reasons why you want to change is essential, and you need to have a “like”, “dislike” review to make sure your likes far outweigh your dislikes, otherwise you won’t be happy.
We have both a small MH and a small caravan still, but in truth, we barely use our caravan any more. It will at some point probably end up doing seasonal duties somewhere we like to spend a lot of time in one place, allowing us to take our car. But at the moment we are loving roaming around from place to place, moving on when we feel like it.We use our MH daily when away, and that’s smallish 5.5m, but we do have a storage box if not taking bikes. We are fit and well enough to walk, and as I say we cycle, but both of us loathe buses, so we wanted to be able to use our MH daily, as it gives us everything we need, kitchen, warmth, loo, even a shower after a swim. It’s a mobile cafe, rest room, bird hide, etc…..
Make some decisions on what/ how/where you like to travel and live.
How will you cope not having a car.
Travel as light as possible, ditch the clutter, but keep the comforts.
Be open minded about layouts, and think about possible important compromises.
Happy hunting, and hope you drop on what’s right for you. We only looked at one MH, bought it on sight. We are now into year 10 with it, and despite the odd glance at a few other much newer outfits, we haven’t been tempted at all, as our little MH works perfectly for us. (we might downsize on the next dog, two big Labradors and it can get a bit like Twister🤣🤣)
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Given all the advice you have been given this might sound a bit counter intuitive. Many have suggested smaller is more flexible. That is true if you want to take the motorhome off site during your stay. However if you decide that you want to pitch up on site and get around by other means then a longer motorhome might well be a good option particularly if you want to maintain a similar amount of space you have in the caravan. We started with a 7.5 metre motorhome which had a French Bed and a decent lounge. We changed to a 6.6 metre motorhome with two single beds. Because it is relative compact we have added a Fiamma back box to store our chairs and odds and ends which means it is now 7 metre long! One of the reasons for changing was we thought a smaller motorhome would mean we would visit more off site. We the exception of one visit that has never materialised as we tend to use sites with access to transport options. We have visited Castle Howard between sites but it wouldn't have really matter had we still had the longer motorhome. We do slightly regret not going for something with decent sized single beds and a larger lounge. Never had any problems filling with fuel or stopping in supermarkets en route with a large van.
A final thought which I am not sure if anyone has mentioned, seriously think about an automatic gearbox regardless of size.
David
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Yes, I think we would opt for Automatic if we renewed.
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