PVC width

I wouldn’t say a coachbuilt is warmer, CY, it depends on the degree of insulation. One drawback with the coachbuilt is the flimsier body more susceptible to damage. It’s swings and roundabouts. 

My brother, who drives buses in the Derbyshire Peaks and tour coaches, always says width is less of an issue than length except when you want to take a bus through a gap which is narrower than the bus itself. The reason is that on many roads, as I have found, it is easier to find a passing place for shorter vehicles and the turning circle is less making progress easier through tight areas. 

My son who drives a 7m delivery van says some places are harder to get to because of the van's length; width has never been an issue.

The only roads I won't take my 2.34m wide van down are those limited to 6'6" - there aren't that many. I do tend to avoid single track roads except for access and I do avoid them even when in a car.

PVCs have many virtues and are understandably attractive to many. Just beware of consequences and compromises that arise. 

Thanks to all of you for very helpful comments.  Overall the consensus points towards my own thinking that length is a major issue.

The model we had in mind is the new IH 680RL built on the Crafter.  It has an added advantage - in our opinion - in that IH are going to build it with a Hartal caravan door in place of the large sliding van door.  

In the light of comments I think we may be go back towards the idea of a coach built model. 

We are going to the South Coast show at Broadlands this weekend to see some models in the flesh.  

Our Autosleepers is 6.3m which is about the maximum length that I would like. The advantages include being able to park in a standard space or two in car parks at services and supermarkets without sticking out unreasonably.

I was told off for saying how much easier it is to park our 6m PVC by someone who suggested I was implying it was easy, HG.

I agree that the length of your MH is around the sensible max for manoeuvrability and parking. The shorter and narrower the better from that point of view.

Try not to think too much about caravan v M/H, a PVC is quite different and with a good lay out, particularly if you can fling the back doors open you wont feel cramped. If you try sitting in the front seats looking down through a van that has an open space right through you will find it's ok. The great thing about PVCs is opening them up in good weather and they really are easier to park.

The reverse of that is to check the van has a good level of insulation for cooler months, cab areas can get chilly.

I think Brue's advice is good.  We have been caravanning for nearly forty years so find it difficult not to make comparisons.  However, a part of the change is to do things differently and a PVC may be more suited to our needs.

Hillside Leisure are offering the Hopton, a Crafter conversion at just less than 6 metres which we might consider.