To Motorhome or not ?

We couldn't make our minds up so we hired a motorhome for a months touring.

The experience convinced us that a motorhome had far too many disadvantages for our style of touring and comfort standards. We therefore brought a comfortable caravan and tow car to get the best of both worlds.

Try before you buy must be my advice.

Hi B.B,

Front came in at 1620kg rear 1880kg. The weighbridge weighs each axle separately.

thats good news.....but then theres the OH, clothes, food....water?

either way, its good ypu have access to a WB and use it, there are many who dont, and would rather 'not know'.....

good luck.

Hi PJ, all the advice above is good.    Whatever you buy, if it is not right you can change it.    Many people change after a couple or three years.   We moved over from a caravan, after 28 years, two years ago.     After buying, I got all the comments from experienced motorhomers on "buying a MH to replicate my caravan".     In fact, we went to the NEC after looking at hundreds of MHs, to buy a 7m van, but the compromises in that van were too many for us.    We had just retired and wanted to spend longer periods away across the channel.   Therefore storage space was the top priority, followed by bed layout.  We decided we needed a garage and two single beds that could also convert to a double.     Those priorities soon cut the suitable vans on the list.      I got lots of comments about the size and limitations of an 8m van, but I have never been limited.    I believe a lot of 6m MH drivers are just not very confident drivers and probably struggle to drive and park anywhere.    We see them every time we are out trying to get into a parking space or even onto a big pitch.      One commentator likes his small van because it mimics his car on the autoroute and he can get there quicker, well I am retired and not in a hurry and my 150bhp auto 8m van surprises me every time I drive it with its performance and economy.    We have two e-bikes for getting around.

There is only one reason I can think of to change, even though my wife has a full licence she wont drive it but thinks she would drive a 6.5m van, but I have my doubts!

Remember, we are all different, want and do things in different ways and we all make mistakes and learn from them!

Whatever you buy go and enjoy it, do some miles and dont let it sit on your drive too much...

BillC

One point I have not seen on here under the weight issue, is the drivers weight!     Unless you are a skinny racing snake, it needs attention.   Swift vans MRO weight includes the driver, but only 75kgs.    I have to add a fair bit to that and yes, I am trying to lose some.     Maybe in Spain starting next week!

BillC

"I believe a lot of 6m MH drivers are just not very confident drivers and probably struggle to drive and park anywhere."

Pardon? 

Not a great comment, KB.

It just doesn't occur to some van owners that others wouldn't ever want a big van, nothing to do with costs, driving, weight or anything else. 

Yours truly

happily installed small van owner......

PS friends of ours have just gone off for a long visit to Portugal in their small van....the dog has gone too, everyone happy. 

Our caravans got larger and larger and eventually  size does become a big issue if you are touring abroad. Having a compact Motorhome is a big advantage; it’s not about confidence, more about fitting into small Italian pitches, manoeuvring around tight sites, parking in supermarkets,  negotiating narrow lakeside and mountain roads, avoiding restrictions that apply over 3500kg and last but not least keeping the Motorhome on the driveway at home from time to time.

Hi hg,

Dont get me wrong, I have nothing against small vans or those that drive them and there is nothing wrong with the case you have made above.    Which goes back to my statement about we are all different and do things in a different way.        What gets my goat is the number of critics of big van owners.     My point about confidence goes across the board, cars, caravans and MHs.    Some people have lost confidence and dont know when to give up, others never had that confidence and should never get into driving off their drive.     And I reiterate, I said "a lot" not "all".

What I would like to see in this thread is some useful comments about how those, like yourself, who have smaller vans, cope on a day to day basis, travellling around Europe, without much storage space.   And that is intended as a genuine request for someone who struggles to see how the other half manage.

BillC

We are all caravaners, motorised or otherwise. For us stage of life and the associated 'commitments'  have dictated what unit we had. Now with just us two on board we are slowly downsizing once more. My advice would be consider as small a 'van' as you feel comfortable with and pay special attention to layout which suits best. Then, travel light, pack smart and only carry those rarely used items on trips where you definitely need/want them.