Caravan to Motohome

julesdean replied on 23/05/2023 17:43

Posted on 23/05/2023 17:43

Hi there

Looking for some advice as we are trading in our caravan and want to move to a motorhome.  We have a good idea of what we want in terms of storage and room, but just want a bit more insider knowledge on the following:

We have looked at a motorhome which is 5.95m in length and one that is 6.95/8 and just want to understand in the world of motorhomes if that is a big issue re parking, moving around etc.  Does it make a big difference.  We prefer the slightly longer model as there is a lot of storage which we feel we would need especially having a dog and an older teenager sometimes in tow.  What is considered a good practical size range for motorhomes, going to the supermarket/places of interest etc?  

Our reason for moving to a motorhome is not to pitch up for a week/two at the same site and stay put, but how easy is it to move around with a motorhome realistically in the size range above.  We envisage moving it off pitch for the day sometimes, going to the beach etc, visiting a place of interest and returning for the evening before moving on to the next site.  Is this realistic?

If we did want to stay at the same site for a longer period that didn't have public transport for instance, is it the norm to hire a car for a short time?

How easy generally is it to park the above size range of motorhome and what do we need to be aware of? 

Any input would be much appreciated.

Many thanks

 

 

  

Takethedogalong replied on 24/05/2023 14:13

Posted on 24/05/2023 14:13

You, and others have found your happy place, it’s a bit different to ours, but nothing wrong with eitherπŸ™‚

Good research and a list of essentials v desirables are a good start to any move from caravan to MH, and vice versa, and these will differ depending on personal likes, dislikes and circumstances. We tour very differently with caravan.

Hja replied on 24/05/2023 14:54

Posted on 24/05/2023 10:39 by peedee

Space to stretch out or do your own thing without interfering with what your partner wants to do.

peedee

Posted on 24/05/2023 14:54

Plenty of pvc where you can stretch out.

SteveL replied on 24/05/2023 15:02

Posted on 24/05/2023 15:02

We switched from a Bailey Unicorn Cadiz to a 6.94 m Hymer coach built in 2019 after several years of research. We tour as much in the UK as over there and decided there was no way we would be happy with the space provided by a PVC. We did consider the almost identical model to the one we purchased at 6.5 m but I could not get the drivers seat far enough back to be comfortable. Something to be wary of if you have long legs.


We tend to spend between two and four nights on a site and look for those with good walking direct from the site or good public transport links to what we want to visit. Even when we had a caravan and spent a week at a site we preferred not to use the car if at all possible. Generally the MH stays put for the duration, although occasionally we take it off site to visit something not accessible in any other way. Such as the Castle of Mey and Dunnet head last year and various National Trust places on other occasions. A bit of research and occasionally a phone call is worthwhile to check on parking. We tend to shop for food when in transit between sites. There is normally plenty of parking away from the store front, although whilst we fit between the lines we do require two spaces lengthwise, or somewhere we can overhang. Often, particularly in holiday areas, there is a small gaggle of MH’s in a corner.

The above suits us and we have really enjoyed our MH. We don’t regret changing and won’t be going back to a caravan ever. However, as you can see from the comments, others do things differently. There is no right or wrong, just what is best for you.

Rocky 2 buckets replied on 24/05/2023 15:04

Posted on 24/05/2023 13:38 by Derwa

We tour in Europe for up to 8 weeks at a time in a VW campervan, two adults and a dog, mostly fine weather but sometimes not. No drive away awning. Nothing wrong with a 5m van, never felt crowded or that I wanted more space, just brilliant to have the flexibility and freedom. I think it depends on what you're used to and what you want to do when you're away, how much you want to take with you and how you spend your days. We don't watch TV for example so there's never a question of one person wanting to find a space away from the TV. 

I think if you'll sometimes be accompanied by teenagers then you need more space inside and also for the packing of tents etc so a bigger van might make sense, or a smaller conversion and keep the caravan for those occasions when the kids want to join you maybe. 

Posted on 24/05/2023 15:04

Poptop sleeping-waking up to seeing feeding Deer not 10’ from the camper, they never think to look up. . .Stuff that dreams are made of DπŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»πŸ‘πŸ»

near Malvern Hills Club Campsite Member photo by Andrew Cole

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