First questions

[peterpiper]

Hi all, I'm trying to narrow down which MH to go for and at the moment I'm debating between the CI Carioca 656, a Swift Kontiki, or an Auto trail tracker.
So.... Has anybody any experience of any of these or can anybody advise? .. I

 

[Carol]

Hello Welcome to fun.

 

[138go]

You have spelt one of them wrongly it should read Swift Konleaky

I would check the weight of the Autotrail Tracker as the payload is not great and you may need to upgrade it. The weight is around 3200Kg so you have 300Kg payload. Back axle weight limit will be 2000Kg.

CI Carioca 656 has a large payload something like 600Kg

If you have a C1 Licence then you can drive over 3500Kg. If they are over 3500Kg then the road tax is cheaper.

Don't just take the Dealers word for the payload. You need to see it in black and white and know how much fuel and water was in it.

 

[peterpiper]

You have spelt one of them wrongly it should read Swift Konleaky

I would check the weight of the Autotrail Tracker as the payload is not great and you may need to upgrade it. The weight is around 3200Kg so you have 300Kg payload. Back axle weight limit will be 2000Kg.

CI Carioca 656 has a large payload something like 600Kg

If you have a C1 Licence then you can drive over 3500Kg. If they are over 3500Kg then the road tax is cheaper.

Don't just take the Dealers word for the payload. You need to see it in black and white and know how much fuel and water was in it.

Thanks for the info. Yes I had heard that about the Swift Shame really because I really like the look of those.

I'm afraid I'm going to have to do my homework regarding payloads etc because as things stand I just don't get what its all about

I do have a C1 licence at least!!

 

[138go]

Payloads are easy. Everything that goes in the MH is payload. That includes fuel, bikes, gas bottles, people, bedding, food, water, chairs, tables etc. etc.

You first need to know how much your chosen MH weighs. It can be difficult to find out because extras add to the weight and they don't all weigh them the same way.

Anything that is on a standard chassis will probably have a weight limit of around 3500Kg and a rear axle weight of 2000Kg. Maxi chassis have bigger wheels and tyres and weight limit is around 4250Kg with rear axle weight of 2400Kg. So a 7.5m MH on a Maxi chassis should give you enough payload depending of course on what you want to carry with you.

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[peterpiper]

Ah I'm beginning to understand now thanks. I think what we need to do is maybe firstly get a list together of what we think we want from a MH ie: Layout, and how long we are likely to be in it for at any given time. I've seen a lot of them online but not actually ventured out to see any yet. The choice and variation is certainly mind boggling!!

 

[Rob and Val]

and a warm welcome from us. If you subscribe (£15) then you will have access to all the wonderful resources that the club has; e.g. The Motorhome Buyers Guide which is a comprehensive guide that could possibly save you thousands of pounds.

 

[TerryL]

Ah I'm beginning to understand now thanks. I think what we need to do is maybe firstly get a list together of what we think we want from a MH ie: Layout, and how long we are likely to be in it for at any given time. I've seen a lot of them online but not actually ventured out to see any yet. The choice and variation is certainly mind boggling!!

Yep, you're getting the right idea. Don't worry too much about Swift and damp; yes it has happened in the past but in reality it's not just Swift. 'Tis a running joke on here.......

Now is the time to go look at a few different types - you don't say where you are but there will probably be one of the bigger dealers not too far away. Look for one that has a good range of used models otherwise you're going to be lead towards a particular brand.

 

[scotzsue]

Hello and welcome. As said before get an idea of the type of layoout you think will suit, then get to a big dealer and try the vans out, try beds for size imagine how you will use it, do you need extra belted seats, retro fit is not an option. Then when you are sure the layout is as you want, hire a van with the same layout. could save you a few grand. Enjoy your search, don't take anything sellers tell you at face value.

 

[Puddleduck]

Layout and payload are the big issues (assuming the price is right).

Any van we have been interested in we have had taken to a weighbridge and assumed that the fuel tank and fresh water tanks were almost empty and the waste tank half full. We also assumed there was no driver on board when it was weighed. That gave us a base weight to add onto all the essentials.

One van we were interested in was overweight when unladen so that was an immediate "scratch off the list" as it was already at the top of our budget and the cost of up-plating (even if that was possible we didn't even check) would have not been possible at that time.

For two of us with bikes and kayaks we need a minimum payload of 500kg but have 650kg for peace of mind. It is the rear axle that you really have to watch as that is the axle that tends to get overloaded. How you pack your van makes a massive difference to weight distribution.

As others have said go and have a look around a dealer and do some tyre kicking. Take a note book and a camera You don't say where you are based but you might find there is a funster near you who would be happy to show you their van.

Make lists of what is essential and what you really detest. Then a list of things you would like but would compromise on.

Oh, and (this sounds peculiar) sit on the loo and pretend you have just "been". On our last van I found my feet didn't touch the floor and I am a tall lass! I felt like I was a child again when sat there.......... some vans are so cramped you might not be able to manipulate the loo roll (leaving the rest of the scenario to your imagination)

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[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

 

[Jake Royd]

Welcome.
If I am correct one thing to consider is how many belted seats the MH provides.
Some British built MH's have a lovely set of bench seats right behind the cab seats.
However these are not if I am correct legal to carry passengers in.
I think in Europe you must have forward facing belted seats for all occupants.
ie. 4 berth , 4 seats , 4 belts is a very good layout to have.

A bench seats layout can be very useful and attractive in a dealers but bear in mind how you will travel and how many people can legally travel in it.

I have heard of some insurance companies not paying out a third party claim , fully , if a passenger is carried illegally in a MH that then has an accident and I have head stories of French authorities stopping 'British layout' MH's and perhaps checking how many are on board.

These last two points are hearsay so I suggest you ask the question of others on Fun may be able to be more learned about this.