A question of length, under 6m vs 7 metres? Views pls

[Paddyfrog]

Hello Everyone,
We are on the cusp of acquiring a second-hand camping car, we are living in France.
Our gut feeling is to go for the shorter vehicles, under 6 metres, for ease of manuvrability - wild camping, exploring old town centres and narrow country roads..........
Today we saw two, one of 6m and one of 7m. We were very, very enamored with the layout of the 7m vehicle, took it for a test drive in a town, found it fine to drive around with...... and inside it couldn't be better.
So I ask you experts about your experience about having a 7m vehicle? We intend to explore at the weekends, we are lovers of ancient architecture, so want to see medieval towns etc. Hence our decision to opt for the shorter version. But having seen and driven the 7m version..... wow, perfect. We could both imagine spending protracted time in it, perhaps two months, Jan and Feb, in south of Spain to escape the worst of the winter freezes here in France. The space in the 7m vehicle was amazing.
Any pointers please?
Thank you - I can see from earlier snooping that you are a very friendly bunch!

 

[suavecarve]

Oh and welcome !

 

[Langtoftlad]

As previously mentioned - layout trumps everything...
but
payload is king!

It's been a topic of hot debate on here recently, if you've been following the forum for any time. I think funsters have concluded;

• that many motorhomers travel overweight
• that many motorhomes are not fit for purpose
• that published weight figures cannot be relied upon
• that dealers can be 'economical' with the truth about weight

The 3000kg weight, 500kg payload sounds a bit "exact" to be accurate.
Whether you're buying privately or from a dealer, I'd be getting them to weigh the vehicle before parting with any money.
*caveat to that is whether it can be uprated as a paper exercise and your licence allows you to driver a heavier van.

 

[Lenny HB]

View attachment 154324 Welcome.....
if you can get the front through the gap the length generally follows
Whichever you choose you will have lots of fun exploring

That's a wide road, mirrors aren't even in the hedge.

 

[Lenny HB]

We have found for maneuverability width is more important than length. Our first van was 6.79m x 2.35m wide, last one was an Exsis 7.2m x 2.22m wide even with a long overhang found it more maneuverable it tight spaces one of our favorite pastimes is getting stuck in hill top ancient villages.
Just changed to a 7.49m x 2.22m wide a bit longer but has a longer wheelbase with a shorter overhang so should be easier, haven't noticed any difference yet but we have only driven it home from Belgium not got it registered yet.
Also find A Class's easier as the sides are flat much easier to judge the width in tight gaps.

We have found from experience if you want to run with full tanks (why wouldn't you) that 500kg of payload for two people is a bit tight. Don't forget it may have 500kg in basic form but could easily have over 200kg of extras added. You also need to be aware of rear axle loading we uprated the Exsis to 3850kg but only gained 150kg due to rear axle being on the limit.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[cruiser]

Oh and one other thing. If you go for the 7 mtr van. And it is over 3.5 ton please make sure that your licence covers for it. And if you are over 70 you will need a medical for it. Ok if under 3.5 ton. And welcome to the mad house.

 

[Teuchter]

There are only three things that really matter in a van as long as it starts, drives well and stops and they are :-

Layout, Layout & Layout!!

Go for the 7m

 

[Lorryman100]

View attachment 154324 Welcome.....
if you can get the front through the gap the length generally follows

That looks awfully like the wrong way I went into VanBitz place last year!! Spot on with the analogy, though tight turns can be an issue, unless you close your eyes and go for it.

 

[Minxy]

We have found for maneuverability width is more important than length. Our first van was 6.79m x 2.35m wide, last one was an Exsis 7.2m x 2.22m wide even with a long overhang found it more maneuverable it tight spaces one of our favorite pastimes is getting stuck in hill top ancient villages.

Been there, done that, still try to do it with our PVC but can usually escape now!

Just changed to a 7.49m x 2.22m wide a bit longer but has a longer wheelbase with a shorter overhang so should be easier, haven't noticed any difference yet but we have only driven it home from Belgium not got it registered yet.

One downside with having a longer wheelbase is that the turning circle is greater so whilst you won't have such a 'sticking out bum' when you turn, the turning itself could be a little bit more tricky.

 

[Infinity31]

As previously mentioned - layout trumps everything...
but
payload is king!

It's been a topic of hot debate on here recently, if you've been following the forum for any time. I think funsters have concluded;

• that many motorhomers travel overweight
• that many motorhomes are not fit for purpose
• that published weight figures cannot be relied upon
• that dealers can be 'economical' with the truth about weight

The 3000kg weight, 500kg payload sounds a bit "exact" to be accurate.
Whether you're buying privately or from a dealer, I'd be getting them to weigh the vehicle before parting with any money.
*caveat to that is whether it can be uprated as a paper exercise and your licence allows you to driver a heavier van.

That's so true. We have a new van on order, when looking at vans we found that when a few extras had been added many had pitiful payloads.

Most dealers attitude was to poo poo this, even when I pointed out to one that a 170Kg payload with just me, 90% fuel and full water was not acceptable for a van with 4 belted seats.

I don't have experience of long vans, we have a LWB T5 (5.3m) that I can drive and park just about anywhere. As others have said, once you get to 6m you lose that ability so why not get the one you want.
I also would get the seller to weigh it before you decide to buy.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[yodeli]

for 'stuff'.

Hi and Bienvenue from Toulouse South West France!
How many seat belts ? In France, you are meant to keep 75kgs per seat belt as you could have passengers.

Now about length and parking and visiting etc... lots of aires are within a few minutes walking from POIs. It's one of the best things in France. Could be more of a problem if you go touring in the UK lol!
Germany seems to be fine as well according to the posts on here. In any case you very often have bus stations or even train stations which are closed to municipal camp sites or even Aires.

Carry on reading on here, some will probably find other pros and cons!

PS: Can you speak French?(funnily I feel like a few bits are coming from translated French....) Very easy to ask before any particular trip whether the parking place is next to the medieval place you want to visit.

 

[Forestboy]

Layout Layout Layout
If you get the 6m just because of size you'll always wish you'd got the 7m, don't do it.
Never seen a 6m van yet that had a layout that was useable for anything more than weekend use.
Layout and payload are king
Do get it weighed on a weighbridge before parting with any money.
Good Luck

 

[Paddyfrog]

Oh, I've just got in from a tough day at work...... and found all these wonderful, supportive, exciting, encouraging replies!
I'm just going to settle down and digest them all, and then let my BB (Best Beloved) make up his own mind too.
Thank you for taking the time to hold our very Newbie (shaky) hands. Much appreciated!

 

[rob0114]

We are new to this as well & have a sub 6M van with large lounge, fuĺl size shower & decent kitchen area-the compromise? Drop down bed from ceiling over lounge. Suits us as we are up at the same time & out & about exploring. Several makes have this layout-we have a chausson. I would say as well as as layout & payload consider what you are using your van for & how the pros & cons add up.For instance we are in Italy skiing & the short van has performed very well on Alpine roads though plenty of bigger vans on site. Does your head in thinking what van-did it for 6 months!

 

[Spidey]

Our first van was a chausson 6 m flash 510 and it was perfect for the two of us. But found it a bit crowded if the girls came along. We managed fine though. Quite often i would want to get up early and hubby likes to lie in now and again. We have increased it by 1 m and it has made a huge difference.