Thoughts welcomed.

We looked in detail at various 6m, or less, base vehicles for conversion to our spec and really wanted a Sprinter. Unfortunately, from our point of view, only the PSA range were suitable for the end lounge layout that suits us.

This is due to the longer length of the cab which, in turn, reduces the usable load space behind the front seats in the Sprinter/Crafter. Issues with vans other than the Ducato/Boxer included some or all of the following: headroom, wheel arch position, fixed bulkhead, location of chassis and drive train fittings making under floor tanks etc virtually impossible to fit.

The Ducato/Boxers have a shorter cab than most and, being fwd, have more available space around the chassis fittings. I think this explains why PVCs based on other makes tend to have either the European type layout (eg La Strada) or the traditional rock & roll beds.

good point TW, the RWD 'gubbins' of the Sprinter takes up space, while the FWD of the Ducato has more room and allows for easy fitment of the lower Al-Ko chassis, even on some small (6m) coachbuilts...we have one...also allows for lower floor (double floor) and easier entry.

with the cab area taking up about 1.5m of the vans length, even on the Ducato, not making use of this space seems a shame IMHO, hence my preference for a front lounge (where cab seats become part of the lounge) rather than a rear one (where wardrobes and bathrooms get in the way of making good use of them

'downsizing' doesnt just mean less living space, it also (usually) means less storage space, which is why sometimes making use of the height of the van, as well as length, makes for efficient design.

beds over garages solves two problems in one go, lack of storage and 'lumpy' beds.....

of course, for some, access can be difficult which means going for lower beds and less storage. 

drop down beds over an A class cab take up no living space but provide a full sized one piece 'ready to go' bed....with no storage problems for all that bedding....as it lives on the bed.

all in one washrooms become the norm in small MHs, the cleverness of the design and use of space can be a deal maker or breaker.

swing wall and teleporter designs work well, Adria has even come up with a full width washroom/shower in its latest Twin.

kitchens, too, can be a compromise too far for some...but fitting all of the above into a small space is bound to cause a squeeze somewhere.

like all prospective 'downsizers' (assuming one has the vehicle 'right') like Micky will have to weigh up the priorities and the compromises or even try for a van that tries to be all things.....

i think these are rare, with only one or two making it at 6m.....but my preferences/compromises are different from others'.

perhaps Micky will get into more detail re: his own....

Exactly, BB. There are always compromises to be made and personal preferences come to the fore. Your preferred layout and mine are worlds apart but how good it is that we have the choice.

Downsizing was always going to be a compromise on space - that is accepted - but the real compromise for us was in the base vehicle which in the end proved to leave us no choice at all. We're getting used to it but having trouble remembering to use the left pedal. 

Auto-sleeper are the only manufacturer to offer our two essentials which are 1) Preferred layout: similar to 2 berth caravan.  2) Built on a Sprinter with DCT transmission.

If?we ever felt the urge to try again then a Merc base with the auto box would be first on list

Exactly why we bought the Suffolk, QQ. The rear lounge was duplicating the cvan layout and the Merc Sprinter 'proper' TC auto stands head and shoulders above the others. Sadly, it became time to move on.

totally agree, TW...

now why did i assume (wrongly) you would have ordered your Warwick on a Fiat chassis in order to get the Comfortmatic?

i realise it isnt a slush box and i also recognise your 'previous' with Fiat, but (as the bases are essentially the same) i thought you would have gone for the 'auto'.

i did try one, seemed OK, but i didnt have a Merc box to compare it with..

either way, i assume youre 'getting there' now...?

PS....for 'auto' lovers, the new Crafter (essentially an upgrade to the joint sister Sprinter project) now has the VW DSG box as used in most VAG vehicles...

Nail on the head, BB. You weren't able to compare it with the Sprinter.

There were two main reasons we stuck with the manual Pug. We found the Peugeot 2 litre 160 engine to be smoother and possibly more powerful than the Fiat 150 equivalent. Also the auto box in the Fiat is an electronically automated manual and, knowing how the control systems work and how it operates, it seemed wisest to swerve it. We both learnt to drive on vehicles without synchromesh gearboxes so a manual box is no problem (apart from remembering) but we liked the smoothness and convenience of the Merc TC auto box.

Yes, we're 'getting there' as you put it. Although not using it to stay in at this end of the year, we've both been driving it out and about visiting the delights this area has to offer. It’s smaller size proves it was the right thing to do every time we use it. In fact, as it’s little bigger than a car, we've been able to reduce our vehicle count from three to two. See, buying a MH can save money. 

Right then Micky, over to you...

we've chewed over base vehicles, transmissions, layouts, front/rear lounges, fixed/made up/drop down beds, fixed or removable tables, washrooms, storage, garages...

anything you favour?

a PVC or a small coachbuilt?

too soon to tell?

UK or Continental?

answers on a postcard.....

Wow, I thought Mrssf was bad enough!  I used to be decisive, I'm not so sure now!

To be honest I quiet like the Rapido PVC or one of their smallest low profiles. Mrssf fancies the Rio or the Chauson Dropdown. We've had several vans over the years, all with pros and cons. Loved our Gloucester on a Mercedes auto base we had. Best was the Rapido. Probably our best loved was the Autocruise Starburst (pre swift). The Merc was a great motor but I always felt the cab was more white van like compared with the Fiats/Peugeot we've owned which are more car like in my opinion. My dream would be the Mercedes 4x4 Hymer however I'm made aware it's just a boy toy thing, guess who reminds me of this over and over again? We are off to Manchester to look at some options in January as we can't make Birmingham. We've got a year or maybe two to do the research mind, that indecision you know, it plays a part too!