Hoping to purchase a motorhome and need advice.

If you get something in the 6 metre range, you might be able to find something that gives you a bed option, ie long enough for sleeping in singles down the interior, but then if you opt for making it up, will give you a huge across the interior bed in less than 5 minutes.

We find that the secret to touring comfortably is to carry as little excess paraphernalia as possible. Hence we can now do a 5 minute pitch up from brakes on to first cup of coffee, and a ten minute depart, which takes all the faff and work out of proper touring around and using the MH to go out each day. Suits us.

Our first motorhome had a fixed bed and it was very convenient. However it rather dictates the length on the motorhome unless you are prepared to have a transverse bed over a garage which is a popular layout in Continental vans. Because we wanted a smaller van we opted for one that had single berths which had to be made up each night. Not quite so convenient but in practise it only takes a minute or two and you do get it down to a fine routine after a few attempts!

David

Ours is end lounge with 2 parallel bunks. They will make a huge double but we use them as 2 singles and save the palaver of bed making. We shove the back rest cushions into the cab to get them out of the way then simply unroll sleeping bags and add pillows. The beds are comfortable and wide enough. By day, we sit relaxing with our feet up.

Although some people love the fixed bed layout, I think they compromise on space elsewhere - the kitchen, in particular. 

The rear lounge layout does give a fair bit of living space but I do like a nice big garage for bikes and "stuff" 

I will add WEIGHT, as in payload is something that needs looking into thoroughly!

The newer motorhomes have little to spare sometimes. Check what's included before the remaining payload is quoted. That will be water, fuel, driver (again check the allowance), ?passenger  - often not. Then extras like solar panel, awning. That way you'll know if there maybe an option for bikes, towing etc. Don't forget bedding, clothes, food, pots, pans and alcohol will all add to weight too 😉. Get the one you like weighed before committing, so you know what it actually is, rather than the manufacturer quoted, that way you can calculate accurately for your weights and travel needs. Ensure you know how much water and fuel is in the vehicle at the time of weighing.

I'm on the look out myself for a smaller one, lots to consider 😉 but I do know which layout suits us, from hiring when in NZ on family visits. 

There are some good threads on here about not using EHU electric Hook up and weight uses. The search facility is rubbish sadly 😢. Try Google, no ehu posts by merve and weight by boleroboy. Neither post regularly these days.

Don't want to bring you down but better to know than be stopped and fined, having to unload before you can continue.

It's a great hobby and I'm sure you'll enjoy it 😀

Our 'stuff' is pared to the minimum essentials and we have a bike rack, although we don't have bikes🙂. It's very true that we all have different ways and choices and find ingenious ways to do things.

I wonder if that old saying about stuff expanding to fill the available space is true?

We previously had a coach built motorhome at 6.6m very nice and comfy but found it a bit awkward for doing days out with it in the UK. 

We know have a 6.3 m panel Van conversion. The layout is the same with a rear lounge with twin seats that convert to 2 very good sized single beds or 1huge king sized bed. Beds easy to make up, pull base out about 6 inches, drop the back cushions into the space, roll out bed roll, take pillow out of cushion cover, job done.

The will always be a compromise with any van ours is the bathroom, it's a wet room so small but it works fine if having to shower in it. We tend to stay on sites more when staying for longer periods so this is not an issue. Touring it works well as we can park it almost anywhere. 

Plenty of cupboard space, overhead lockers and underbed store. The kitchen is the one place I won't compromise on it has to be functional our is, has plenty of worktop space and cupboards.

We have a tow bar that the bike rack fits onto for 2 ebikes. Plenty of payload for what we need.

Cab seats turn round to form a small front sitting area with a small round table, big enough to eat a meal at. This means in good weather we can leave the beds made up if we do wish.

What ever you do, please take your time to choose it's an expensive mistake if it's wrong.

Most of all enjoy it, when you do get to France it's motorhome heaven.

Yep, a bike rack can be used for a lot more than bikes😁 We have a Winter Thule storage box that fits on ours. Takes stuff that we might need, but don’t want inside. I brought some Christmas trimmings (otherwise known as fir tree branches) back from Bolton Abbey Site one year after a storm😉 

If you’re looking for a fix bedded motorhome under 6.7m then have a look at the Adria Twin panel van conversions. They are very versatile and will take a bike rack on the back. We’ve had two such vehicles in the last 10 years and would recommend the Adria brand. We’ve since moved to a larger Burstner Ixeo and we love it but its a little restrictive when it comes to parking in car parks and the payload is somewhat reduced compared to a Panel Van Conversion.