8 Metre Plus Motorhomes

[dwrights]

Hello Everyone,

Currently looking for a new to me MH. Has been around 6 years since I last had one and that was a 2015 Swift which was around 7 metres long. Thinking back I managed ok with it, a few scratches down the sides from hedges when in Cornwall but that was about it.
Currently I'm in two minds what to go for, one minute I’m telling myself to be sensible and buy something like this PVC which is new,

Malibu 640 LE Skyview

and then I see something like this which looks amazing although it’s nearly 10 years old but looks great value for money,

Niesmann Arto 88

My question is, what are the larger motorhomes like to live with? I might be going full time in the future hence looking at the larger vehicle. I know that I wouldn’t be able to get close to towns but it has a large garage to fit a scooter in.

Anybody else took the non sensible option?

 

[Brains]

Anything much over 6.7m will limit where you can park.
A typical LWB minibus, and a Sprinter/Crafter/Transit/Master are all around 6.7m for that reason.

Personally I'd limit my search to under 7m

 

[WESTY66]

Hello Everyone,

Currently looking for a new to me MH. Has been around 6 years since I last had one and that was a 2015 Swift which was around 7 metres long. Thinking back I managed ok with it, a few scratches down the sides from hedges when in Cornwall but that was about it.
Currently I'm in two minds what to go for, one minute I’m telling myself to be sensible and buy something like this PVC which is new,

Malibu 640 LE Skyview

and then I see something like this which looks amazing although it’s nearly 10 years old but looks great value for money,

Niesmann Arto 88

My question is, what are the larger motorhomes like to live with? I might be going full time in the future hence looking at the larger vehicle. I know that I wouldn’t be able to get close to towns but it has a large garage to fit a scooter in.

Anybody else took the non sensible option?

Everyone does

 

[Mickthefis]

I have had a 88lf for 2 years never had a problem uk. France or italy even whent to sardinia last july for 7 weeks just take your time

 

[EuroTrotters]

I would want RWD Sprinter or iveco

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[Ridgeway]

It honestly depends on how you would use a van ?

If you like parking in town then you know a PVC is the solution however if you’re happy parking out of town and using bike/bus etc to get in then no problem with a bigger van.

Extended trip usually = more gear and more space is then good.

If you’re likely to stay put in places and then venture out without the van then again a larger van is fine but it will limit your range and what you can do.

We love our 8.5m NiBi and I’m sure the size will suit us for the next 10yrs although we do plan on going down the mini A-class route at some point in the long future.

 

[zac]

Had my 8.5m tag axle for last 8 years and never had an issue with parking. We want the extra space and comfort a larger vehicle gives you without being squashed and in each others way. Or as much as you can in these confined spaces. It's each to there own though as how you use it will dictate what you need or what you can put up with. Like others say large vehicles are not good in small towns so it's a trade off on what you can and cannot do without.

 

[Guigsy]

Anything much over 6.7m will limit where you can park.
A typical LWB minibus, and a Sprinter/Crafter/Transit/Master are all around 6.7m for that reason.

Personally I'd limit my search to under 7m

I've previously had a PVC and now I have an a-class. Both under 6m. The 2.3m width of my a-class also limits parking. I could squeeze into a parking spot between two small cars if I needed to. Now I need to find a car park that's empty at the far end and pretend I'm not overhanging several spaces when I pay and display.

However, the coach build body with the extra width also makes it far more livable inside. There's room to stand up and stretch, whereas the PVC was just a narrow corridor.

If I were full timing though a British winter, I don't think a PVC would be suitable. Too cold and too cramped with too little storage for warm clothes and drying your inevitably damp coat out. Coach builds are generally much better insulated (although British ones, less so).

 

[Carpmart]

I’m in my sixth year with a 9.35m Motorhome. There really are not that many places we haven’t gone because of just the size.

 

[Guigsy]

I’m in my sixth year with a 9.35m Motorhome. There really are not that many places we haven’t gone because of just the size.

Multistorey car parks (but only the ground floor):

Middle of Basel:

I think size does matter.

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[Pausim]

Hello Everyone,

Currently looking for a new to me MH. Has been around 6 years since I last had one and that was a 2015 Swift which was around 7 metres long. Thinking back I managed ok with it, a few scratches down the sides from hedges when in Cornwall but that was about it.
Currently I'm in two minds what to go for, one minute I’m telling myself to be sensible and buy something like this PVC which is new,

Malibu 640 LE Skyview

and then I see something like this which looks amazing although it’s nearly 10 years old but looks great value for money,

Niesmann Arto 88

My question is, what are the larger motorhomes like to live with? I might be going full time in the future hence looking at the larger vehicle. I know that I wouldn’t be able to get close to towns but it has a large garage to fit a scooter in.

Anybody else took the non sensible option?

I have downsized from an A Class to a Malibu Van and have no regrets whatsoever. My A Class was one of the smaller ones but I still found moving to the van liberating.

The non sensible option is not something I would have taken to most of the places I visited last year. These included South Devon, Pembrokeshire, Northumberland, Dumfries/Galloway and The Borders. I am not saying all parts of these areas would have been inaccessible in the larger vehicle but some of them certainly would have been.

 

[Freo]

My thoughts, for what they are worth …

I used to have an 8.6M Euramobil tag axle. Due to changed circumstances, I now have a small 6M long, but full 2.3M width, Rapido A class.
I have to say that I miss the luxury of the big tag but I don’t miss the hassle of towing a car on a trailer. For me, some additional form of transport is very necessary with a larger vehicle. (I don’t have a motorcycle licence, and anyway I’m not keen on push bikes, scooters, etc, in the rain/snow/sleet.) When touring in areas like Cornwall, for example, then obviously a small, runaround vehicle allows you access to a lot more locations than would be possible with just a large vehicle.

Both look like lovely vans. However, If you’re thinking of going full time, then I imagine that the extra storage capacity and comfort of the tag would be essential. At least, it would be for me. (Being honest, I’ve never been full time but I have had some experience of extended, long holidays in both of the above vans.) The extra space for lounging around in the van all day in the event of crap weather would be a consideration, too. I can’t imagine that it would be very pleasant being cooped up in a small space for very long. In fact, I find my current van just a wee tad limited for lounging in, although it’s bearable - but only just. I’ve often seen an apparent need to keep PVC side doors open in some fairly cold-ish weather - maybe to feel less cramped. Not for me. I like to be comfortably snug inside me van on a cold day.

Another consideration for me would be the winterisation capability of the van. I’m not sure but I think that the Arto will be classed as “Fully winterised”, whereas the Malibu might not be. Also, it looks like Truma blown air heating in the Malibu. It doesn’t say, but I think it may be an ALDE heating system in the Arto. The ALDE system is far, far superior in my experience. Guigsy makes a very good point above about the potential difference in overall vehicle insulation, too.

A lot depends on your overall intended use, though. If you are touring, frequently moving locations, and wish to have easier access to a wider choice of out-of-the-way locations, then I would think that the fuel efficiency and convenience of a compact PVC would be a bonus. However, if you would prefer to park up and create a base in one particular location for a while, and then make day trips to experience the surrounding area, then the larger vehicle along with a scooter, small car, etc, can work very well. In the end, it’s your choice. It seems to me that you’re leaning towards the tag axle. If I was thinking about full timing, then I would be, too. However, your vision of how you would use a Motorhome may well be vey different to my own.
(Given your previous experience, I assume that you’re well aware of the need for a C1 license for the Arto.)

 

[bigtwin]

Anybody else took the non sensible option?

It makes no sense to go for the Malibu.

It’s all about perspective.

Ian

 

[Brains]

I personally have always thought the words 'full timing' and 'motorhome' don't go well together.

A motorhome is designed to be regularly on the move, It's fine in one place for a few days.
You do not want to become a 'fishmonger' (A SellFish individual who, like fish and overstaying guests, needs to move on after a few days)

A caravan is designed to be in one place for multiple days (or even weeks) in the same location.

If I was a genuine full timer that spent most of the year in two or three countries, I'd be looking at a caravan.
I think being cooped up in a motorhome mid winter in one location in the weeks at a time would be very depressing, no mater where it was.

Obviously if I was constantly on the move to a location (Morocco to China via the Silk Road for example) then the motorhome would be the best option, but you then change from being a 'Full Timer' to being an 'Overlander'.

 

[Carpmart]

I personally have always thought the words 'full timing' and 'motorhome' don't go well together.

A motorhome is designed to be regularly on the move, It's fine in one place for a few days.
You do not want to become a 'fishmonger' (A SellFish individual who, like fish and overstaying guests, needs to move on after a few days)

A caravan is designed to be in one place for multiple days (or even weeks) in the same location.

If I was a genuine full timer that spent most of the year in two or three countries, I'd be looking at a caravan.
I think being cooped up in a motorhome mid winter in one location in the weeks at a time would be very depressing, no mater where it was.

Obviously if I was constantly on the move to a location (Morocco to China via the Silk Road for example) then the motorhome would be the best option, but you then change from being a 'Full Timer' to being an 'Overlander'.

I shared some of your fears around long term motorhoming! Having done it now for a few years, I can say with some authority; one man’s ‘cooped up’, is another man’s liberation!

Caravans mean less travel.. even parked up for long periods, the Motorhome is the right choice for us!

Love the weather, the diversity of people we meet and the reassurance of always being at home in my comfortable, big yet cosy Motorhome!

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[Northernraider]

As a fulltimer in an 8.4 metre my opinion is you need space to be comfortable, you carry more than those just on holiday. And if you can drive then you'll take a big van to most places others take small vans.

That Said avoid tag axle, get rear wheel drive and preferably on an iveco or Mercedes chassis that will gave a higher payload .


Towns and cities aren't for motorhomes. If you really must visit one then park on outskirts and take a bus or train in to town.

Fulltime and uncomfortable isn't a good option.

 

[Northernraider]

I personally have always thought the words 'full timing' and 'motorhome' don't go well together.

A motorhome is designed to be regularly on the move, It's fine in one place for a few days.
You do not want to become a 'fishmonger' (A SellFish individual who, like fish and overstaying guests, needs to move on after a few days)

A caravan is designed to be in one place for multiple days (or even weeks) in the same location.

If I was a genuine full timer that spent most of the year in two or three countries, I'd be looking at a caravan.
I think being cooped up in a motorhome mid winter in one location in the weeks at a time would be very depressing, no mater where it was.

Obviously if I was constantly on the move to a location (Morocco to China via the Silk Road for example) then the motorhome would be the best option, but you then change from being a 'Full Timer' to being an 'Overlander'.

Wouldn't live in a caravan full time if you paid me . That's just cold damp and more hassle than it's worth .

 

[dwrights]

Wow, What an amazing response for a Saturday. I have thoughts of you all sat in your MH’s drinking coffee typing on the Macbook pros.
Great comments, I will take them all on board. Iveco & Merc chassis duly noted down. I’m swinging towards the larger van to be honest. Whats the worst that can happen?

 

[Northernraider]

Wow, What an amazing response for a Saturday. I have thoughts of you all sat in your MH’s drinking coffee typing on the Macbook pros.
Great comments, I will take them all on board. Iveco & Merc chassis duly noted down. I’m swinging towards the larger van to be honest. Whats the worst that can happen?

Nah I'm sat drinking beer over looking a beach on an android phone