Downsizing from 8 mtrs to 6.35 mtrs. Can it be done?

[SteveRallye]

We went from 8mtr twin axle caravan to a 6mtr PVC Tribby, 2 days before we sailed to France (late delivery on PVC) Ended up with a spare bedroom full of stuff we did not really need as it turned out and had a great 1st trip away in it. The biggest saving was on insurance only £220 M/H insurance as against £900 for 4x4 and caravan insurance. It paid for 1st trip abroad.

 

[pampam]

Ive had big and would now prefer smaller

 

[nicholsong]

We have a 7m 'A' Class with a large garage and a long lounge area.

I think we would have no problem with dropping the 0.65m to 6.35m, half of it off the garage and the rest off the living area, but still keeping the drop-down overcab bed.

Since our garage is far from full I doubt that we would have to dump anything.

Still prefer to stay as we are with the bit extra space.

 

[Madmag]

We haven’t actually got our van yet but we have just done that parting with the big van in April 21 and chose an Adria 640SLB, for a number of reasons. We are certainly going to have to make some compromises but we are confident we can do it in that particular van layout & design, just waiting for it to eventually arrive now.

Excellent choice of van! But I’m biased. Had ours for 3 years and love it. Much more
Storage than our previous 7.4m van especially the boot area. The benefits to us far outweighed the small compromises. We have made a few small adaptations but no major changes needed.

 

[138go]

We downsized and we’re loving it. We go out and about every day of our holiday, just because we can. We still have everything we need, it’s just a bit smaller.

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[Larrynwin]

We had an enforced downsize from a 9m RV 6577 kg with twin slideouts to the 6.5m 3500 kg van we have now.

Disadvantages a large reduction in payload and carrying space , and reduced internal living space.

Advantages no limitations on available sites , much more nimble to drive and maneuverable in tight spaces, lower maintenance and running costs and all those bits you though might come in handy that never did you ditch.

 

[Folkranger]

Regardless of size, every time we change vans we end up with a load of stuff left over. Coul always have a garage sale.

 

[Suenliam]

Downsized from a 6.8m coachbuilt to a 6m pvc so much reduced storage space. Having ditched the "just in case" extras which were never used and the double items taken because we forgot we had it already we are surprised how easy it is. It is important though to organise the storage space efficiently. We have shelved the small wardrobe ( I rarely take my cocktail dresses on holiday) and use it for additional kitchen stuff. I think the real test will be the size of the fridge and lack of freezer, but with careful shopping I am sure we can manage. I also think I can manage without the small apperitif glasses, the fizz flutes and two sizes of water glasses, well maybe not the fizz flutes
Sue

 

[Harrogate motorhomer]

Had a Neo since 2019 & after first worrying about storage am now surprised how much we can take.I defy anybody to get more in the rear storage than I can! It’s a work of art. Only thing I’m not so sure of is how close we are on weight so we tend to travel with minimal water & don’t fill up with fuel. Other than that great van.

 

[jumartoo]

We've never had a van bigger than our present Hymer Tramp, but we've managed easily for months at a time. We do have to watch the weight because we carry two emtb's and an inflatable kayak on our longer, mainly summer, trips, so if we have a full tank of fuel we jettison some water. We've NEVER not been able to refill our water.

This the only "problem" but it's manageable.

(Of course we don't carry sheepsies )

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[AnnieB]

Downsized from a 6.8m coachbuilt to a 6m pvc so much reduced storage space

I also think I can manage without the small apperitif glasses, the fizz flutes and two sizes of water glasses, well maybe not the fizz flutes
Sue

Ditch the flutes. You can get much more fizz in a tumbler

 

[Keypresser]

We went from 7.65 to 7.5 now 7.45.
Slowly getting there.

 

[Monty777]

We went from a Hymer 655 Starline which I measured at 6.9 meters to a 6 meter PVC-didn’t get on with having to move the seats around to make the bed. We now have a 6 meter Hymer Exsis 414 which has loads of space and a huge garage which both mountain bikes fit into easily. When I emptied the old Hymer I was amazed at how much stuff we were carrying which in 7 years never got used……..

 

[WESTY66]

How are we getting on with the downsizing then Paul? Badknee

 

[Northernraider]

I went from 8.4m to 7 metre with no probs but it did have lots of storage. Went from 7 metre motorhome to 7 metre panel van and that was impossible. Not even a place to store outside chairs ,table etc. Hated it.

Went back to 8.1m and have loads of space but its slower and may not access as many places.

Both have their pros and cons but its gotta be comfortable inside and you need a certain level of storage.
Even more so if full-time or long term touring. Weekends here and there and the odd week are not the same

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[Badknee]

How are we getting on with the downsizing then Paul? Badknee

Not happened yet. Bobbie the Hobby is completely empty and all cleaned up ready to go and we can’t move in here for stuff WESTY66

 

[grumps147]

We looked seriously at pvc’s Paul but didn’t want a toad so decided against it two reasons, firstly on storage for the larger items when not having outside lockers with large item access. Secondly, the big squeeze while passing front to rear, which should not affect you. Having the toad could be the answer for carrying those larger items, albeit they could be awkward getting in and out.

the dog equipment and food will take a bit of room as well.

 

[Badknee]

We’re not sure on the toad at the moment (we deffo won’t be using it abroad). The plan is it’s going to be my darling carers car but we may not need to take it with us in this country either just using the Vantage to get about in. Not sure yet.

 

[Fdhadi]

We went from a Burstner A747 tag 8.3mtrs to a Rapido A Class 7mtrs.
No problem at all. Don’t take half the stuff we didn’t need and get 10mpg more.
It was a no brainier for us.