"Just Looking......"

Thanks for all your research BB!

I would say 90% of the time it would just be the 2 of us, but being able to add the grandchildren would be the ideal.  They are only 6 and 10, and quite slim, I'll need to get their Mum to weigh them. 

Write your comments here...in 2 years they would be 8 & 12 so would weigh a lot more remember.

....and might want to take bikes etc....

totally different tack.....

buy the van you want/need....island bed, nice shower etc...reasonable payload and space for two....

would need to have a 'half dinette' lounge (with sofa on the other side) to allow seatbelts for g'kids...

.....and then when kids are with you, tow a very small trailer (sorry) for all the kids' clobber..and any of ypur heavy stuff to keep within payload...

..small so that it can easily be manoevered on pitch..

...and with just the two of you travelling, no need for trailer as sufficient payload and space....

Yes, that idea had crossed my mind, especially as we would possibly want to tow the Smart when just we two,  at least in UK.

It is only our idea that we might take the GKs occasionally, they have never been with us in our caravan, or expressed any interest in coming.  If we did take them it would not be on a long trip, either in distance or time. Bikes would be negotiable.

The idea of some extra seats/beds is more for DD to be able to use the van when they have little ones, plus for us (who will be assisting with child care no doubt) to be able to take them along.  She has already suggested that we could/might like to do this in the future!!  So just wanting to keep our options open.

OH had showed me the "transporter" shower, she was not sure about it, what sort of dimensions does it have?

We have a real problem up here trying to view any MHs, so few dealers.  Going to the show in October would be good, but we have a friend's wedding on the 15th, and a prior appointment on the  10th, will need to see if we can fit it in somehow.

Really appreciate your help and advice.

"OH showed me the "transporter" shower, she was not sure about it, what sort of dimensions does it have?"

...van being serviced, should be collecting soon and will measure for you...

the trailer thing could be sorted as and when the g'kids decide to come (or not) .....

if you get a van that suits you, and the trailer is not needed, you still have the 'right' van.....

tricky decision but try and build in as much flexibility as possible so as to keep options open....

Kjeinn I saw this today, its a PVC but seems to tick a lot of your boxes, 4 beds, 3.5t, all teh mod cons etc.

We ahve a Knaus Sky TI and are really pleased with the quality and layout.

https://www.knaus.de/en/camper-vans/boxstar/boxstar-630/layout-plans/630-freeway.html

Thanks Michael, had a look, but it is a bit on the small side.

We do up to 3 month tours in Europe and UK, so need a decent amount of space, both for living and storage.

Also, need a proper, permanent, shower cubicle as we almost always use our own facilities.

It is an interesting design though!

OH has a few Knaus on her list, including the TI 700 MX models, but they are a bit longer than I would ideally want.

Kjell, although this particular van is on a 3850kg uplifted chassis, it might be workable at 3500kg.

either way, a nice open lounge, 4 berths and belts, lovely island bed, walk in shower, decent kitchen (apart from the Tec Tower oven), decent underbed storage....in a 7m Hymer A class.

a discontinued model i think..?but very nice indeed....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-HYMER-B-598-4-BERTH-A-CLASS-DUCATO-2-3-MULTI-JET-MOTORHOME-/351778556950?hash=item51e7a2cc16:g:8P0AAOSw0kNXgRkj

Thanks BB, have shown that to OH and she reckons "we" have a similar current model on the shortlist!  It does seem do-able at 3500 as you say.  Will need to check the current weights.

It is certainly the layout we are thinking the most suitable at the moment.

We are heading south in September, so hope to find a few dealers to look around, see what we can see of the ones on the shortlist.

Plus, as I maybe said elsewhere, I have been "persuaded" that we should attend the exhibition at the NEC in October for serious research!

A suitable nearby site has been booked, so the caravan will get an extra outing.  Just need to organise tickets now.

KJ just as an FYI we have the knaus sky ti 700 mx (island bed) with a lot of extras fitted, 2nd battery, awning, solar panel,  satellite dish etc. Got it weighed and with full tank of water, half tank if fuel some clothes and myself it came in at just underived 3500 kg. I think this year they have reduced weight and if you take the extras off it nay work for you.

Michael's van is around 7.5m and this is a fairly typical weight...at, or close to 3500kg....might just manage with two people and chattels but starting to get tricky when adding even kids and stuff...

in that ebay search i did. there were several other vans which would have matched your criteria (just), some new a s so e second hand...

Auto sleepers is a popular brand (though holds little appeal to me personally) and there was a Burford (with rear bed and washroom behind) which was advertised on 3500kg at £60+

might be worth a look but MUST be weighed as part of the viewing due to manufacturers 'variances' of +/- 5%.