Help needed....motorhome models

Hi

Thank you all for your comments. I have been through all the thinking about layouts, equipment,use etc over the last 3 months + and hence arrived at the above spec.

It seems there is actually only a small percentage of MHs that are designed around U lounge (and 7m) so my search will just have to continue. (Front parallel lounge might just work but nothing else!!).

Thank you again for your comments.

I can see your desire to 'replicate' what you have in your caravan (nice open parallel seating) but this is often where issues lie ahead....

mainly to do with the fact that you don't have a tow car to put all your stuff, so decent storage and access is important, as is the fact that all this stuff (along with th OH and water supply) weighs plenty and has to be carried aboard a single vehicle.

MHs aren't caravans with engines....that engine and cab area take up room (when compared to a caravan) and this means either a compromise on how the inside works or on extra length (and weight).

while I agree UK rear lounge vans will be fairly plentiful on the second hand market, they don't excell in storage or (when you get to 7m or more) payload....

then the smaller you go, the less options you have for lengthways single beds, if this is another 'must' on the list....and you won't have a car to zip about in...

PVCs can give long rear beds and reasonable payloads but space wise will likely be a step too far coming from a caravan...

what are the specific reasons to change?

All above comments are worth noting.

I made this transition a couple of years ago and opted for a Bailey 68-2 that meets your specifications. However, more info on this model can be found on the Bailey website.

The best way to find a Motorhome that gets anywhere near your wish list is to go to Motorhome shows and see if any of the hundreds of different layouts and fittings in the Shows come anywhere near your requirements.

Whatever you get will be a compromise as the 'perfect' Motorhome does not exist.

We bought from Lincoln Show six years ago and after getting in and out of numerous Motorhomes, and a headache and weary limbs, settled on second hand one that suited us and our budget – and we still have it.

No-one on a forum knows exactly what suits you and only you can make the decision about spending a considerable sum – get out there and do a lot of viewing.

If you buy second hand make sure you know the payload - don't take the sellers word for it but get it weighed – a small payload will severely restrict what you can carry.

If the Motorhome you buy has a refillable Gas system, a Solar panel, a second leisure battery and a B2B it will mean you can go anywhere without restrictions and the World is quite literally your lobster.

Best of luck in your quest.

Can you forgo the Alde heating? To be honest I've had it previously and the latest Truma is much improved. In my opinion it's on a par in many respects and I've been very surprised by it as I really thought I'd miss the Alde. 

Sorry eiflow I know this isn't related to your question but I just had to ask Justus2 why "visiting supermarkets between sites" wasn't possible with a caravan?! Surely you could use your towcar......?!

Ps in relation to your original post I agree with everyone who stresses the importance of storage in whichever MH you choose, especially if you tour all year round; you definitely need somewhere for muddy boots and soaking wet outerwear😊

And the Trumer can also be used as a "cooling"mode in warmer weather

I think the key words are 'between sites'. It’s my reading of it that J2 means en route while towing the caravan. 

Incidentally, we have no storage accessible from outside but manage to dry footwear and waterproofs successfully. It’s largely a matter of having quick drying items and using a little ingenuity.👍🏻

I would suggest going the the NEC later this month, you will be able to survey most options in one hit. You may even come away with a modified spec of what you want.

I am considering the same transition and as we have as dog am looking to a van conversion that suits, I have some ideas of what would work but trying to keep an open mind until I have been to the show.

Thank you for clearing that up, although when we are on a big tour we generally stock up before setting off to the next site, so I still don't find a caravan restrictive in that sense but I take the point.

Could you expand on what you mean by using "ingenuity" to dry your footwear and waterproofs? I'm intrigued 😊

Apologies again for digressing from the original post but I'm really curious now.