Taller Motorhomes

the above is certainly true, in Tintent's case....

however many do take their vans abroad (and still manage to have proper holidays when there in them, and aboard boats and jets.....) and it should have been common sense for a company like Autotrail to build their van height at 2.99m or 3.00m rather than the seemingly random 3.03m.....a change of 3cm would have made virtually no difference to the usability of the van.

to have ignored this fairly important dimension or not to have been aware of it, might possibly be a little UK short sightedness, as it will certainly influence a fair degree of (non stay at home) UK purchasers.

BB, your extra height is obviously utilised. What I find puzzling is that the majority of UK designs don't appear to utlilise the extra height efficiently. Having looked round quite a few MH, the thing that strikes me is the height I climb to get into the accomodation. What are they doing with all that space underneath. It's not all running gear and suspension. The extreme example for height is fifth wheelers. A different beast, I know, but they seem to have what is practically a cellar sized storage below the accommodation floor level. Why do UK MH builders not use the space or reduce the height?

Cyber we have a Bailey its very low profile, no additional step required to get into van as the step has been lowered and once in the whole of the habitation floor is level. Not fully sure but I think its one of the lowest profiles on the UK market. The inside has plenty of head room even for a 6ft person.

an extreme example of use of a storage double floor is a passenger coach that can take many suitcases in the void...

however, the flipside is the number of steps it takes to climb up to the seating floor....

a typical Liner van like a Concorde might have six or seven steps up to the habitation area, but will have great full width storage between the floors.

underslung tanks might preclude this type of arrangement but may well lead to a very low floor, with easy access.

the downside might be the low level of the tanks means drainage outlets also low to the ground and therefore drainage into a container might be tricky.

however, its all horses for courses and these differences are just some of the things we buyers weigh up during the purchase process....

Michael, AFAIK the tolls are 'aware' of height, and possibly axles...not sure they can weigh vans, yet.

It is possible they use weigh in motion systems on the M25

I have a tall van, about 3.2m with aerial. Toll booths have a button you can press if you've a problem. State that you have a 'camping car' Classe 2, and they'll reduce the toll which has appeared to that rate. Pay and proceed. [I imagine they can check security cameras to see you.]

I dont think they were thinking about the idiosyncracies of the French Autoroute tolling system when they designed Autotrails. Why should they ? We dont have such systems in the UK, and are not likely to, thank goodness.

Using my Savannah never caused me any hassles, If you use your motorhome mainly on the Continent, far better to get one designed for that purpose, with the habitation door on the Continental side.Plus all the other design features better suited to Continental touring.

I think if Autotrail were to change to Alko chassis instead of using the standard Sevel chassis,  a few vital inches would be gained, and take them under this French 3metre limit. Plus make them handle a bit better,  Cart springs and solid rubber bump stops as part of the suspension, do not make for a smooth ride !  And as stated above, waste a lot of space under the bodywork.

How perceptive about Alko chassis as all AT Frontier models will be on Alko chassis for 2017. But guess the height? Yup. 3.03 metres!

But, who's going to admit to an extra inch?

Robert

Our Knaus has a Fiat wide chassis not Alko and it's well under 3m so it's not that.

There are more than one height of Alko chassis, i used to have an Autocruise Starburst, which was on a Super Low Alko chassis, no wasted space under that van, it had an internal water tank too. I dont think Autoroute Tolling even comes on Autotrails radar, and why would it ?

As for Knaus, well they are designed for Continental touring arent they. Door on Continental side, fixed tables, beds in the sky, no oven or oven in the sky also  and of course Autoroute tolling in the purchasing conversation, as it would be.

Well, Ray, AT is part of the very large Continental Trigano group which should know a thing or two about rules like these.....

anyway, its a pretty sweeping statement to suggest that if you buy an AT you wouldn't go abroad....

however, savvy customers might think the reverse and suggest that an AT isnt for them if they venture across the water, and that would knock sales.

i certainly wouldnt buy one if i thought there was the slightest chance i was going to pay significantly more on toll roads. i dont use them much, but do from time to time, and Class 2 is as much as im prepared to pay.