A Class to 6M PVC

[WESTY66]

I know Jim has downsized to a 6m pvc, anyone else done it with success?

Anyone done it with regrets?

The Rationale in my thinking is that when I retire I’d like to go touring to the far east of Turkey and the far south of Morocco and my thinking is that ideally it should be done in something that’s fixable (manual as opposed to comfortmatic etc) something that’s easily recoverable (6M pvc van as opposed to 7.5+ A class) and should it get minor damage, worse case scenario get the hammer out and bang it out and weld if necessary to get home when the trip is up (if you bump an A Class you’re Gaffer taping up and turning round for home if you’re lucky) also there’s the benefit of under 3.5t which makes it easier to reverse europe once through Germany, does this make sense??
If that’s a yes can someone please convince Mrs Westy

 

[Gellyneck]

OK, I'll start the bidding @£9.99 for the Carthago after you downsize.

ps the £9.99 is for Mrs W so that'll meet your "convince Mrs W" of the sense in doing so!

 

[jongood]

I know Jim has downsized to a 6m pvc, anyone else done it with success?

Anyone done it with regrets?

The Rationale in my thinking is that when I retire I’d like to go touring to the far east of Turkey and the far south of Morocco and my thinking is that ideally it should be done in something that’s fixable (manual as opposed to comfortmatic etc) something that’s easily recoverable (6M pvc van as opposed to 7.5+ A class) and should it get minor damage, worse case scenario get the hammer out and bang it out and weld if necessary to get home when the trip is up (if you bump an A Class you’re Gaffer taping up and turning round for home if you’re lucky) also there’s the benefit of under 3.5t which makes it easier to reverse europe once through Germany, does this make sense??
If that’s a yes can someone please convince Mrs Westy

IMHO PVC are too restrictive for longer trips - yes I know people do them but the lack of space small bathrooms and no garage wouldnt do for us.

When you retire you will have time to do bigger trips so you would probably be able to enjoy the space of a bigger motor and the toys you would be able to carry. We ve been to most countries in Europe, and Morroco x 5 and are considering going to Turkey next Autumn, all in largeish A classes. When Ive had problems Ive got them fixed, the base vehicles are supplied in most accessible countries.
I would ditch the comfortmatic though.

 

[Lenny HB]

should it get minor damage, worse case scenario get the hammer out and bang it out and weld if necessary to get home when the trip is up

They can often be more difficult to repair as often to dress dents out the interior cabinets have be removed also you can't weld with wooden cabinets attached to the body.

 

[WESTY66]

OK, I'll start the bidding @£9.99 for the Carthago after you downsize.

ps the £9.99 is for Mrs W so that'll meet your "convince Mrs W" of the sense in doing so!

Simon Select has outbid you by a considerable amount

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[PP Bear]

The can often be more difficult to repair as often to dress dents out the interior cabinets have be remorse also you can't weld with wooden cabinets attached to the body.

You popped the cork on the bottle of red buddy

 

[Gellyneck]

Simon Select has outbid you by a considerable amount

Ah, but my offer is cash in (Mrs W's) hand!
Bet he won't match that!

 

[WESTY66]

Ah, but my offer is cash in (Mrs W's) hand!
Bet he won't match that!

I’ll bet you 85k he will

 

[Lenny HB]

We have looked at PVC's a few times, just wouldn't work for us mainly lack of storeage space & expensive bikes on the back is a no, no.

Main reason we have gone for a CompactLine virtually no bigger than a PVC but with bags of storeage and a big garage.

Insulation in PVC's is rubbish so you will be using a lot more gas & leccy keeping it warm.

My mate with a E-Line had a Malibu PVC on order, I suggested he looked at a CompactLine, he then changed his order to a CompactLine.

 

[Gellyneck]

You popped the cork on the bottle of red buddy

Don't think so!
It's the hot melt glue on the flaps of the case of red breaking you heard!

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[PP Bear]

Don't think so!
It's the hot melt glue on the flaps of the case of red breaking you heard!

Maybe it’s the stink bugs then

 

[WESTY66]

We have looked at PVC's a few times, just wouldn't work for us mainly lack of storeage space & expensive bikes on the back is a no, no.

Main reason we have gone for a CompactLine virtually no bigger than a PVC but with bags of storeage and a big garage.

Insulation in PVC's is rubbish so you will be using a lot more gas & leccy keeping it warm.

My mate with a E-Line had a Malibu PVC on order, I suggested he looked at a CompactLine, he then changed his order to a CompactLine.

I could use the pvc as an everyday driver till I retire, prob not a good idea to go to work in an a class (although I do it every now and then)

 

[bellabee]

We've just been commenting today on the number of people you see huddling outside pvc's. on small chairs, at small tables, grimly trying to enjoy their breakfasts when the outside temperature is struggling to hit 5 degrees.

 

[treblid]

We ve been to most countries in Europe, and Morroco

We did all that in a VW T6 camper!

 

[Nirvanauk]

If it was cold out then wouldn't dream of eating outside. plenty of room inside at either the main dining table or the 2 side tables.

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[treblid]

Insulation in PVC's is rubbish so you will be using a lot more gas & leccy keeping it warm.

I would totally disagree with that if you buy a decent continental brand. Our Burstner Elisio is very well insulated.

 

[treblid]

We've just been commenting today on the number of people you see huddling outside pvc's. on small chairs, at small tables, grimly trying to enjoy their breakfasts when the outside temperature is struggling to hit 5 degrees.

Don't recognise that.

Plenty of room in our PVC. We usually find it's the big MoHo users that sit outside because they have tiny windows and slot for a habitation door.

 

[EuroTrotters]

We have looked at PVC's a few times, just wouldn't work for us mainly lack of storeage space & expensive bikes on the back is a no, no.

Main reason we have gone for a CompactLine virtually no bigger than a PVC but with bags of storeage and a big garage.

Insulation in PVC's is rubbish so you will be using a lot more gas & leccy keeping it warm.

My mate with a E-Line had a Malibu PVC on order, I suggested he looked at a CompactLine, he then changed his order to a CompactLine.

Did you order the 4.25 Ton Lenny?

 

[Lenny HB]

Did you order the 4.25 Ton Lenny?

Original was but after the fiasco the only one I could get hold of is on a 3500kg chassis but it looks like it can be uprated to 4250 with the 9 speed auto has same wheels and hubs as the 4250 chassis.
At Carthago City at the mo can't see if they have any Compactline in the showroom. What to see the Al-Ko chassis plate to see what the rear axle max is.

 

[Soycd]

We've gone through a number of different van layouts/styles including the biggest which was a Buerstner 747. We've an Adria Twin 640 SLB (PVC) arriving in November (hopefully) Our last one was a Challenger Vany PVC, 6 metres. We'll see how we get on with extended journeys in the future. I think it's all about trade off. You have to have some perspective and be able to compromise. Will a 6.4 PVC be ok for longer journeys? Only time will tell. We do intend to spend more time on extended journeys so we may find we want more space. If that happens then we'll sell up and get something different. Suck it and see is the answer, I think.

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[Abgs]

We went from a 7m Manual A Class to 6m Sprinter PVC Auto. Put 19,000mile on it in 15 months as it was very drivable, including going to Southern Morocco. When we arrived in Maroc we assumed everyone would be in PVC's as they are more rugged. Nope.... loads of A Class and Coach-builts and PVC's.

The A Class brigade, mostly French it seemed, were there in typically 7.5m ish A-Classes towing trailers but we also came across a few Concordes and newish Morelos along the way.

We really ran out of comfort on that trip and so started looking for something a bit bigger as soon as we got back to the UK. Now have the 6.4m Compactline. I'd happily take that to Morocco or something bigger.

 

[bobandjanie]

We went from an A Class to a PVC in 2013 full-time for two years, then got our apartment in Spain in 2015 and rent it out April until October.
We then half time we changed our PVC in 2018 for another and been booked since we left at the end of March and go home in 10 days, once you get out the the habit of carting cr@p that you thought you needed it's fine, very easy to travel and we free park most of the time. Bob.

 

[Lenny HB]

once you get out the the habit of carting cr@p that you thought you needed

Now where is the fun in that.

 

[Guigsy]

We lived in a 5.4m Ducato PVC for 6 months while we toured Europe, moving nearly every day. The secret is you use it for driving, sleeping, parking whenever you want and going out to see the world. But don't plan on spending any free time actually in it.

We've swapped to a 6m A-class. It's far more livable. But I do miss the flexibility and ease of use of the van.

 

[treblid]

I think it is too easy to pigeon hole all PVCs into one type. As with all other motorhome categories there many choices and many layouts. I have been in large motorhomes have no more leisure space that our PVC.

Some have more creature comforts than others. Some have more storage. What suits one person will not work for another.

You need to prioritise what is important to you, what layout would work and then decide if the difference is that great.

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[hja]

Our 6.4m PVC has a garage. Plenty of storage.

 

[WESTY66]

Our 6.4m PVC has a garage. Plenty of storage.

That’s the one (well the 6m one) that tops the list atm. Living space isn’t a premium in a chic c line as the sofa protrudes a little too much into the walkway, but everything else is great.

 

[DBK]

As a PVC owner the only major disadvantage for us is the lack of waste and fresh water capacity plus of course the limitations of a single cassette for the loo.

We get around this by finding a service point every day. Therefore, I'm not sure the vehicle is ideal for extended use in the wilds. For that you need something bigger and probably an A class.

 

[Lenny HB]

Our 6.4m PVC has a garage. Plenty of storage.

But can you get two full size bikes, twin tub washing machine, spare cassette, paddleboard, spare wheel, wind break, awning mat &loads of tools, table & chairs in it?

We can in our A Class plus loads of other stuff.

 

[treblid]

As a PVC owner the only major disadvantage for us is the lack of waste and fresh water capacity

What capacity are your tanks? We can go at least 4 days in ours. We have 100L fresh water, 90L grey and a single 18L cassette.