Complete beginner weighing up pros and cons .

[Lottie fuzz]

Have been caravaning for a long time but don't want the hassle of towing so now looking to buy a starter motorhome. The question we're struggling with is around how easy it is to find parking when out for the day? We'll take bikes and happy to use public transport but want to do trips in the MH too. Any thoughts/advice appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Servo]

Rent and try? ah hi

 

[tonka]

I find it a good way to get some exercise. Walking, local buses etc. Once parked up I prefer to leave the van where it is.
It's all a compromise, the size of van you plan to get will also be a factor.
On the plus side over in Europe there are many places you can stop where a caravan can't use the French Aires / German stellplatz. We are currently along the Moselle river with motorhome stops all along from €5 a night. Caravans are restricted to campsites and those sites are making the most of charges.

 

[hilldweller]

The question we're struggling with is around how easy it is to find parking when out for the day?

Depending on the size of the MH it can be "quite" to "very" to "impossible".

Width wise they squeeze into a parking bay. Length wise, apart from some "hardly motorhomes" no chance.

 

[buttons]

Motorhomes come in all sizes, some are a doddle to park in town and some are not. Every motorhome is a compromise on another, you wont get it all in one package no matter how much you look or pay. Dr Who's vehicle is the only one that would suit all needs in one package....

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[Terry]

Hi if you stick to 6.5mtrs long or below you should have no problems parking up in larger places,bare in mind most panel vans/delivery vans are that sort of size.I spent yrs just jumping in the van and using it like I did my car while away. Things change and now I tow a car

 

[Minxy]

Dr Who's vehicle is the only one that would suit all needs in one package....

No way ... there might be Daleks or Cybermen in there !!!!

 

[HandyAndy]

I have a 2.2m wide 6.8 m long coachbuilt.. Whist I haven't a hope in hells chance of parking between lines in a busy carpark and being able to get out, I haven't really had any major issues with it in the last year..
I did park at the back of a grass type carpark down in Morgan porth once in the middle of high season and got a bit hemmed in but a couple of shunts later and I was out..
Also been down all of Devons best narrow lanes without issue (OK I knocked the mirror off in a hedge once and a BMW X5 knocked it off in another and didn't stop... but other than that it's been fine to take everywhere I've wanted to go, you just have to put a bit of thought into it first, that's al.

 

[GMLS]

Ours is 7.5m. We prefer to leave it parked up when touring an use public transport/walk/cycle but when shopping usually head for a big supermarket or out of town retail parks and never had any trouble. Most attractions/National Trust sites etc can cater for a M/H. Europe even easier.
Width difference between a panel van and coachbuilt generally not different enough to make that a consideration.

 

[Minxy]

Width difference between a panel van and coachbuilt generally not different enough to make that a consideration.

I beg to differ, a PVC is usually 2.05m whereas a coachbuilt/A-class can be anywhere up to 2.35m (more if an RV), it's not all about parking limitations but driving too, the extra width really does make a difference hence why we won't go to a 'chubby' one again and our new purchase of a narrow A-class at 2.12m.

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[HandyAndy]

width is definitely more of a concern than length IMO.
If the nose goes through, the rest will follow....
It's the worry that the nose won't go through that is the problem

 

[Puddleduck]

Ours is 7.5m. We prefer to leave it parked up when touring an use public transport/walk/cycle but when shopping usually head for a big supermarket or out of town retail parks and never had any trouble. Most attractions/National Trust sites etc can cater for a M/H. Europe even easier.
Width difference between a panel van and coachbuilt generally not different enough to make that a consideration.

That's what we do as well - but then I tend to use P&R or park at a retail park and bus in to the centre even when in a car.

 

[Lenny HB]

Either buy a smallish one or do what we do - don't bother with the UK we go where we are welcome.

 

[Janine]

My moho is 5.4 metres long - about the same size as a Tesco delivery van.

If I am going out for the day, I tend to set off early to have a choice of parking spaces. One with room to swing out when leaving is best!

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

This sounds like one of my wife's arguments getting me to change layout again. A thin A class that is 2.12 vs 2.35 ie 23cm or say 5 inches each side. What's 5 inches ...

I beg to differ, a PVC is usually 2.05m whereas a coachbuilt/A-class can be anywhere up to 2.35m (more if an RV), it's not all about parking limitations but driving too, the extra width really does make a difference hence why we won't go to a 'chubby' one again and our new purchase of a narrow A-class at 2.12m.

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[ToBoldlyGo]

Is 5,4m really as large as a Tesco van? What motorhome is it, very compact?

My moho is 5.4 metres long - about the same size as a Tesco delivery van.

 

[Minxy]

Is 5,4m really as large as a Tesco van? What motorhome is it, very compact?

Autosleeper Nuevo:

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Motorhomes come in all sizes, some are a doddle to park in town and some are not. Every motorhome is a compromise on another, you wont get it all in one package no matter how much you look or pay. Dr Who's vehicle is the only one that would suit all needs in one package....

Yeah but I don't like that shade of blue!

 

[Janine]

Is 5,4m really as large as a Tesco van? What motorhome is it, very compact?

Autosleeper Nuevo. Small but perfectly formed ?

 

[Reallyretired]

Very significant is where you are. In the UK its often a problem to even park a car, but as long as you avoid the UK you shouldn't find it a problem finding somewhere to park a medium size 6-7m motorhome.

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[Graham of Madrid]

Dr Who's vehicle is the only one that would suit all needs in one package....

Yes but it's getting on a bit and getting parts for it will be a nightmare. And I've not seen a sonic screwdriver in Halfords yet !

I look out for busses and delivery vehicles when I'm approaching villages and towns then I know I'm OK with my 2.3m wide van. Generally we walk/use public transport rather that get too close to town. Big shops like Lidl are out of town and much easier to use. My Garmin indicates if the route is safe for wide vehicles so tend to look at that though it's not the best for navigation

 

[buttons]

Yes but it's getting on a bit and getting parts for it will be a nightmare. And I've not seen a sonic screwdriver in Halfords yet !
I look out for busses and delivery vehicles when I'm approaching villages and towns then I know I'm OK with my 2.3m wide van. Generally we walk/use public transport rather that get too close to town. Big shops like Lidl are out of town and much easier to use. My Garmin indicates if the route is safe for wide vehicles so tend to look at that though it's not the best for navigation

You would have a problem getting a large RV into any Lidl car park that I have ever been into. They are not like Tesco car parks..

 

[Nixdorfer]

Yeh but if its using tardis technology at least the buggers will never get in it. That yale lock has defeated everyone who tried throughout time. Saves you a grand at vanbits.

 

[Nixdorfer]

Parking is one of my concerns as we only bought our Autocruise 2.3m x 6.8m in April, previously used a vivaro camper van so lot smaller. Not tried to sell the Vivaro yet so still used it a few times since if we've been away for one night or was just me as so much easier than trying to park the biggun or go into town. Took it to lincoln show to make a brew ?. Ones too small and no loo etc, the others a bit big just for a day out or single night. Beginning to wonder if should sell both and go for something in the middle. Too busy so need to free up time and get some longer holidays in it first as only used it for 7 days total so far. May then realise its not that difficult after all.

 

[MikeD]

Check out the distance from the back axle to the rear of the motorhome.

Over 7mtrs and you can have a fair bit of sideways swing at the back end when you turn the steering wheel.

The rear of our 7.1mtr Autotrail used to swing right over the average sized pavement if you had a tight turn out from the side of the road.

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[Nixdorfer]

Good point, seen some MH with such a massive overhang I'd be afraid of taking cars or pedestrians out when turning.

Ours is quite short there compared, downside is has a longer wheelbase so not as manoeuvrable. Note so self.. Avoid humpback bridges. Pros and cons

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

Ah yes I recall the wow moment we first stepped inside a Nuevo when we had our Symphony!

 

[Podney]

Small van/pvc.....easy
Medium van......in UK not very easy.
Large van..........often impossible.
You have to like walking,or biking,or have a moped/scooter,or tow a wee car.
We find that we have to spend more time researching CL’s,sites,and Aires to make sure they are accessible for what we want to see/visit,and if you do that,then size is generally manageable.
Enjoy!

 

[autorouter]

We have a 7m Hymer with large garage underneath the fixed rear bed. We carry two small scooters (125cc and 100cc) plus two folding bikes. Park in one spot for a few days and go out exploring on the scooters/bikes. They will easily go up mountain roads and though small villages where a MH will not go. Parking is no problem.