Moving to Motorhome
Hi All, your collective wisdom please.
Age is catching up with us and we are actively considering moving from caravanning for 40 years to a motorhome so that we can continue to go away as often as we want to.
We don't want a MH that is so big that we cannot realistically take it out for the day and we don't see the point of a big MH towing a small car (and this would give us A frame problems in France anyway). We are looking for a medium sized MH that is big enough for habitation but compact enough for days out/supermarkets etc without stopping and parking being an issue.
We have our eye on a Bailey Adamo 69-4 which is about 7m length and 2.4m width.
Leaving aside the question of Bailey MH quality which is another topic can I ask if anyone can pass on their experiences with a MH (of any make) with those approximate dimensions? Would it be suitable so that we are not static on a site and totally reliant on public transport.
Thanks
David
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You wouldn’t be static but you would have to think and plan carefully. Ours is 6.94 / 2.25 and whilst we occasionally take it to say a National Trust property or visit places on route we generally look for sites where we can use public transport. No problem in supermarkets to restock supplies however.
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At that length you will have problems in England for parking. You will rely on being able to occupy and pay for two car park bays. That is without considering height barriers. We have a 6.4 m PVC and can often get our back hanging over at the back or we can park on the road where bays are not marked out. We do research car park opportunities before going to any town and use google maps to consider access to landmarks, tourist attractions etc.
I would also consider payload with a van at that size unless you have a C1 license.
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In my opinion, and I know others will disagree, a MH of those dimensions would be too big for the use you want.
You are on the right track in sensibly thinking things through with regards to getting out and about but, for example, the van you suggest will occupy 4 spaces in a supermarket car park so will not be that easy to park. Even a 6m PVC needs 2 spaces lengthways unless it’s possible to park with the rear overhanging a verge. We had a 6.4m coachbuilt at one time and that was just about manageable but still needed 4 spaces to park. Keep your eyes open when you’re out and consider where and how you would access places and park if you were driving a 7m MH.
Good hunting!
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We are still 'young' enough' to have our caravan but I do like the 'simplicity' of pitching a MH without all the bits needed for a caravan but having one it fits in with our current touring style - using the car to access road and places especially for walks in the Lakes .
We have thought about making it easier by having an auto engage mover and an automatic leveling system where the steadies are moved down as well. Then all that would be needed is water and waste, which again could be made easier by systems which by-pass the aquaroll and a service pitch which we already use. EHU would of course be the same (for us anyway).
If you have thought about this then just ignore but we'll probably do this before going to a MH.
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My view? Put the £75,000 cost of a Bailey into accounts earning nearly £4000 a year interest. Start to spend the capital too. Go to smart hotels. Rent comfortable cottages. Fly to Lanzarote or Cyprus. Have a look at New Zealand. Forget that cumbersome motorhome. There’s a whole range of opportunities beyond campsites. Good wishes for a new life ahead.
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To some extent it does depend on where you intend to use it. We do half of our touring in France and it is rarely an issue as there is generally an Aire within easy walking distance of what you want to visit. These can be used just as a parking space while you visit, or for an overnight stop.
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I agree with SteveL and will go as far as to say that a motorhome is a liability in the UK. In Europe motorhomes and motorhomers are made welcome with excellent motorhome only parking areas made available either free or at quite low cost. In the UK such facilities are rarely found. Caravanning in the UK is much easier.
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David
I think, from what has been said, I generally agree that if you want to use a van for day visits the more compact the easier it would be. Fortunately we were free of that restriction so we went for something larger, initially, when we swapped our caravan for a motorhome. It pays to really think how you will use the motorhome before making what is an expensive decision. We prefer to stay at campsites and explore on foot or by public transport although we have occasionally visited large country houses between sites, with our current motorhome, which is slightly smaller than the Adamo, although only just. Supermarket parking is usually fine and we shop en route if on a tour. If I get the chance I usually use Google Maps or Earth to check out access motorhomes. I wish you luck.
David
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You need, literally, to think outside the size of box you are used to when moving to a MH.
As other wise heads have advised, if you are primarily looking to use one in this country, and don’t want to be using public transport, walking or cycling, then the more compact you choose, the easier your touring life will be. You mention that you want to use it for days out as well, which is great, as the more the engine is fired up, the less issues you will get. Again, think as compact but comfortable as you can. This is our touring choice, in the UK, go out in our MH every day to visit places, move on, and when not on holiday, we go for full days out with our own cafe, rest room and facilities. Even a shower after a cycle ride😁A smaller unit will give you a lot more options in the UK. Where you can get to, where you can park up, where you might want to legally overnight somewhere, such as using pub stops. Forget if you want, most of your caravan habits, and consider a more compact, travel light existence that is easy to deal with, easy to set up, pack away, and you can take almost anywhere, even in the UK. I would suggest nothing larger than 6.5 metres, and as slim as possible, if you can find something that suits your personal circumstances.
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My two penny's worth as a new MoHo owner in the course of moving from motorcycles to my Hobby 6 metre van: You may want to consider a couple of Ebikes likely folding to go with your van. Although my Hobby T500 is super easy to park my intention is largely to leave it on site and use the Ebike for sightseeing, shopping and exercise. The two will compliment each other and keep me supple and fit for longer than might be the case otherwise.
As to van length (and width) being new I can only sensibly advise that driving the Hobby is very little different to driving a car. I doubt that can be said of something 7 metres long but do not have recent personal experience to say more.
Chris
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In my opinion a van that size is too big for days out, shopping etc but the easy answer is to hire one for a week and see what you think.......
To some extent I agree with euro traveller, when age starts to catch up with us it will be nice hotels, cottages and the Amalfi coast.
No interest in New Zealand though, a day on a plane, ugh.......
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We have a Benimar Mileo 243, 6.99m x 2.35m & height with aerial is 3.05m.
We have no problems with supermarket parking but as others have said, days out give varying degrees of 'difficulty'..... not only with parking bays with which we have been 'challenged' about but height restrictions also in many car parks.....
Add to that restrictions on using your facilities in the said car park if you want a cuppa or a bit of lunch.....
We also try to make use of local transport whether here or in the EU as we tend to mix our stays with short & longer stops.
After many years of camping we spent a long time reviewing spec, what we felt would suit & have never regretted buying what we did although many do....
There has been the odd occasion when we have taken our car (wife driving it) to use for visiting local areas but obvs not when we visited NC500/Wales & the SW.....
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After about 30 years of caravanning we switched to a coachbuilt Motorhome for 6 years and now have downsized again to a Wildax PVC (panel van conversion) which is around 6.4 m. We hope to do our first long trip to France soon but have already formed a number of impressions. Firstly, it is much easier to drive and park than the rather cumbersome coachbuilt. Second, we hope that there will be no damp issues that we had with the coachbuilt, Third, yes, there is less room in the lockers but that’s a question of taking less and being more ingenious with packing. We don’t anticipate the sleeping arrangement to be any less comfortable. As to what suits you, it is a very personal thing so you may end up switching a few times as we have done.
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