Help needed....motorhome models

I suspect if you find all that in a 3500kg van you’ll have such a small payload it’ll be almost unusable but perhaps somebody else knows more than I do.

I'd  certainly  start  by  reading  magazines  such  as  M. M. M.,  Practical  Motor caravanner  { ??  Motorhomer  ??  can't  remember  so  I'll  check  &  re-post  the  names }

Plenty  of  info  in  there  on  layouts,  pricing  etc 

Titles  as  promised    Eiflow, :--

       MMM    (  the  Motorhomers'  magazine    £4.25  )

And         

      Practical  MOTORHOME    (  £ 4.20  )

Two  very  different  mags  so  well  worth  buying  BOTH  !!

I wouldn’t get too hung up about the Alde system. We had it on our caravan and it was excellent but a 7m motorhome is well insulated and has a much smaller interior area. Blown air will heat up much quicker and still give an even temperature.

eiflow

You didn't specify what berths you need. 2,3,4,5,or 6. Though the models you have looked at are both two berth so I assume that's your need .....

One thing to bear in mind with fridges in MHs as opposed to caravans, eiflow, is that you will likely spend time out and about in your MH which will mean more time with the fridge running on 12v, or gas if you're parked up. It's therefore likely that your fridge will be subject to more temperature fluctuation than one in a caravan left on EHU for several days at a time.

I agree with the comment about not getting hung up about Alde as the blown air heating is very effective in the smaller space of a MH and, likewise, I’d say don’t get hung up on the idea of a big fridge/freezer. Both the Alde and the large fridge are likely to eat into the payload of a 3500kg van.

Have you checked out Caravanfinder where you can select MHs by layout as well as by other criteria?

http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/motorhomes.html

Good hunting!

one issue might be the need (or not) for the rear lounge to be configured to sleep as two singles...this will undoubtedly require a longer lounge than some vans have....where transverse sleeping is the only option.

storage (and poor/small external access) is another Bain of many coachbuilt rear lounge vans.

think where all those wet/muddy boots, levellers, leads, mats etc are going to travel and where will you put dripping wet outdoor coats...

to overcome the 'external storage issue' I mentioned above, some converters have become very innovative and now you can have your cake (rear lounge) and eat it (full size bike garage underneath)....à la Hymer in this picture of the Duo Mobil 534.

..also drop down bed (transverse or longitudinal for easy exit) in cab remains in place during stay so no bed making required...

a few used examples about which should keep the price down...a bit..

however, likely to be a 'last a lifetime' van....

We find that now we have a van conversion rather than our previous caravan and car, our touring style has changed. Where we previously stayed for a week on one site we now rarely stay more than 4 days then move on a few hours further away. Also visiting supermarkets between sites every 4 days or so in the van is possible / easy where it wasn't easy or even an option with a caravan. We also find that food for 4 days fits in the smallish fridge quite easily.

Sound advice so far.

U-shaped loungers are perceived to be a British motorhome quirk. A good bet, therefore, is to focus on UK manufacturers including Elddis, AutoTrail, and Auto Sleeper. Few Continental manufacturers built rear lounge motorhomes in the past. Like caravans, layouts change regularly  

MMM's website has guides to motorhomes which may help. Tower fridges and Alde heating are fairly recent accessories. 

Do the requirements reflect the way the motorhome is to be used? Weight and length are important requirements and focusing on them will  help you identify options.