Honest opinion..

[Figaro]

Under 3.5 tons is the magic number if you go to Europe, for access etc

I don't understand that comment, can you explain please, I'm 3.8 ton and never had a problem in Europe.

 

[Vipar]

I am are recent newbie. I would suggest that you go to a MH rally and I am sure that if you quote your avatar name Jay Butts you will be invited to have a look inside. They are a friendly lot on here ( well most of them) ?

 

[mikebeaches]

You enquired about quality.

One simple piece of research you can do is check second-hand values, if buying new, or older vans of the same type/brand if buying used. The way they hold their prices will provide a guide to desirability.

And if you choose a 'desirable' brand you'll get more back when you sell, even if it's a tad more expensive to buy. You'll also sell quicker and easier.

As well as the German brands, don't discount ones from France, such as Rapido and Pilote.

Good luck with your search. ?

 

[MR. FUSION]

I don't understand that comment, can you explain please, I'm 3.8 ton and never had a problem in Europe.

Costs more on toll roads does it not ? I saw a lot of French/Belgian towns/villages recently with a weight limit of less than 3.5 tons during the day.

 

[Figaro]

Costs more on toll roads does it not ?

I think all camping cars are, or should be class 2. Some high ones get charged for class 3 so I read on here, but press the intercom and state "camping car" and it's reduced to class 2.
I've not done a lot of France, but when I have seen those weight limit signs, I do what the French would do and ignore them. Never been challenged so far

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[MR. FUSION]

I think all camping cars are, or should be class 2. Some high ones get charged for class 3 so I read on here, but press the intercom and state "camping car" and it's reduced to class 2.
I've not done a lot of France, but when I have seen those weight limit signs, I do what the French would do and ignore them. Never been challenged so far

Wait till Brexit matey, you will probably be assigned your own personal monitoring gendarme

 

[funflair]

I think all camping cars are, or should be class 2. Some high ones get charged for class 3 so I read on here, but press the intercom and state "camping car" and it's reduced to class 2.
I've not done a lot of France, but when I have seen those weight limit signs, I do what the French would do and ignore them. Never been challenged so far

That might work for some but I can assure you it doesn't work for us at about 3.3 metres tall, we are class 3 according to the rules and don't see how I can argue otherwise.

Martin

 

[Clarky]

Costs more on toll roads does it not ? I saw a lot of French/Belgian towns/villages recently with a weight limit of less than 3.5 tons during the day.

The 3.5t weight limit signs are nearly all for trucks only. They have the outline of a truck beneath the max weight.
There are a few, very few, places that have a 3.5t limit for all vehicles but it’s usually to stop through traffic not vehicles delivering or visiting the village.

On toll fees, unless you are over 3m. high or have more than two axles you wil normally be charged as Classe 2.

We are 4.5t and never have a problem in the several months each year we are in France.

Jay Butts. Best of luck with your search.

Richard

 

[funflair]

Ok, thanks all. I had looked at a couple of Knaus, the Sky models I think. That looked great for my needs and not too massive (compared to the coach built A class ones I’ve seen) yet far from cramped.

It may well be that I change it after a couple of years but I’m determined to get i right first time. Believe me, there’s plenty of questions to follow! Whilst I’m at it, the garage refillable (LPG) bottles that I’ve read about, are they worth investing in? Are the available garages easier to find than a standard butane camping gas supplier and do the refillable bottles have a standard Euro filling connector? Gaslow or Alugas???

Believe me you can get it right first time, we have had our first van coming up 8 years now and it doesn't rattle

Martin

 

[MR. FUSION]

The 3.5t weight limit signs are nearly all for trucks only. They have the outline of a truck beneath the max weight.
There are a few, very few, places that have a 3.5t limit for all vehicles but it’s usually to stop through traffic not vehicles delivering or visiting the village.

On toll fees, unless you are over 3m. high or have more than two axles you wil normally be charged as Classe 2.

We are 4.5t and never have a problem in the several months each year we are in France.

Jay Butts. Best of luck with your search.

Richard

I believe if you want to use the motorways in Switzerland and Austria over 3.5 tons you need a go box for tolls. Over 3.5 tons also means reduced speed limits in France.

I dont know specifically about the lorry symbol but some people are convinced it is a generic weight limit applied to all vehicles, so could you point out the relevant legislation please ?

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[PeteH]

The layout has to suit your needs. The Payload has to be able to cope with your needs. Liveability is the key word. ALL camper-vans are a compromise, even, Very large R-V`s with multiple Slide-outs!. What you can drive is Licence dependant too. That is something to be sure of, before you go shopping!.

 

[clanjones]

We bought our first and only motorhome, a Rapido A class, 4 years ago and have no thoughts of changing it. You can get it right first time if you do your research!

IMO these are well built motorhomes with a good reputation. What I will say is they don't work as 3500 kg vehicles i.e not enough payload.

It has been used summer and winter ( for skiing) and even though it is single floor all pipework is inside, no freezing issues. Like all MH some people will have had a 'lemon' but they are worth a look.

Good luck with your search.

 

[Clarky]

I dont know specifically about the lorry symbol but some people are convinced it is a generic weight limit applied to all vehicles, so could you point out the relevant legislation please ?

From a previous thread on the subject (there have been many in the past).
The poster is a very experienced, now retired, traffic cop so one presumes he knows about traffic signs:-

The weight can be changed to suit local conditions, but the explanatory wording is standardised across Europe. Such signs at French villages are there to stop large commercials trundling through the villages, not to stop us going in and spending our Euros.

If there is a need to stop motorhomes and similar sized vehicles going in, for example weak superstructure etc, the picture of the lorry will be absent and the restriction will then apply to all vehicles over the displayed weight.

Armed Gendarmes are not scary monsters and I'd be more than happy to 'politely' point to the picture of the lorry on the sign and then to my 'camping car' and if I ever fail to return from France, you'll know I didn't win the argument

IMO the application of the meaning of the signs is absolute and therefore no risk attached to driving beyond them, but I respect that some of y...........

 

[SpeedyDux]

Most rattles can be fixed with those sticky back felt pads or disappear when lockers are filled with clothing so don't be too picky about that.

If you choose the perfect motorhome for your needs first time, you will be very fortunate. Research is never wasted so keep going. Good luck!

 

[The Wino]

BTW, my requirements will have to be about reliability first due to the miles we intend to cover, a very, very close second will be layout. Fixed single beds that can be converted into a double with another double available periodically, like once or twice each summer. We will also need a garage big enough for two bikes.

I think you are thinking al the right things but remember at the end of the day even the most reputable makes come out sometimes with a lemon. If you are looking at any make thinking it is going to have guaranteed no problems you could well be dissapointed!

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[Nik]

Hi
Don't buy for now. Go and Hire one for a week or so just to see if you like it.

Like lots of others on here I speak from experience and discovered what bed layout we preferred and gained ideas about storage space, how things work (or not) so more of what to look for when we actually bought.
Having decided what we liked we then went to the NEC Show and spent the day looking at the various types, makes, all with our preferred layout and finally settled on which MoHo was right for us.
Now had it 4 years and travelled all the way down to the Sahara Desert, off to Greece next year and many other places Sur l'continent.
What ever you get enjoy and safe travels.
Best regards
Nik.

 

[Pausim]

I have had 2 Auto-Sleepers, 1 Knaus, 1 Hymer and now a Carthago. The Knaus was good, the Hymer better and the Carthago best of all. I would buy any of the German brands again but probably not an Auto-Sleeper. To me the German ones just feel better built, which is a shame because I would happily support local industry if it was producing what I want.

 

[138go]

We’re 4250kg and pay class two.

 

[MR. FUSION]

From a previous thread on the subject (there have been many in the past).
The poster is a very experienced, now retired, traffic cop so one presumes he knows about traffic signs:-

The weight can be changed to suit local conditions, but the explanatory wording is standardised across Europe. Such signs at French villages are there to stop large commercials trundling through the villages, not to stop us going in and spending our Euros.

If there is a need to stop motorhomes and similar sized vehicles going in, for example weak superstructure etc, the picture of the lorry will be absent and the restriction will then apply to all vehicles over the displayed weight.

Armed Gendarmes are not scary monsters and I'd be more than happy to 'politely' point to the picture of the lorry on the sign and then to my 'camping car' and if I ever fail to return from France, you'll know I didn't win the argument

IMO the application of the meaning of the signs is absolute and therefore no risk attached to driving beyond them, but I respect that some of y...........

Thanks for the info, I did see some red 3.5 signs in France without the lorry on, so there may be more than you think, but I was on the N roads a lot going through villages and hamlets.

 

[Jay Butts]

Loads of epic info yet again, many thanks. Just a little message to those that have bought twice. When I’ve mentioned that I spend time researching stuff I buy, I do to the point that my Mrs and friends think I’m OCD. I promise, when I buy I will know every single specification regarding every van from 50 to 75k; no exaggeration, I mean everything...I will become an oracle right down to materials used, quality of unseen components and the inside out knowledge of the electrics, mechanical components, seals, heating, loo, refrigeration etc, etc..... I’ve bought many things over the years and everything has been bought with this same attention to detail. For me it’s part of the fun. It’s not a bind, I love it....

Just sayin’

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[Jay Butts]

You might laugh at this but try the toilet out for size first! Some motorhome designers seem to run out of ideas and common sense when they get to the loo and stick it anywhere it fits. I speak from experience having bought a brand new Chausson a few years back only to find that on its first trip abroad when I wasn’t using campsite facilities I couldn’t sit on the damn thing no matter how hard I tried. Legs dangling (it was on a plinth), a cupboard on one side forcing me to cross my legs and a curved door the other side. Have you ever tried pooing stood up? It’s not nice and it’s not clean so we had to buy a replacement van (loss = £10,000) when we got home. Salesman’s comments, "it’s funny that, you’re not the first person to say that about this model".....

Anyway, we have had 2 new English vans, both average to poor build quality. Very squeaky and rattly on the road. Staples and nasty wood bits where you couldn’t see.

2 new French vans. Much better but still built to a price point with shabby upholstery, evidence of cost cutting and sometimes noisy on the road.

2 new German vans. Wonderful quality build by comparison with our others. Well designed facilities. Lovely and quiet on the road. Nice to drive, no wood construction. Worth every penny of the perceived higher cost.

Love it Bob...

 

[DerryW]

BTW, my requirements will have to be about reliability first due to the miles we intend to cover, a very, very close second will be layout. Fixed single beds that can be converted into a double with another double available periodically, like once or twice each summer. We will also need a garage big enough for two bikes.

We have a 2016 Adria Matrix 670SL meets all your criteria

 

[Jay Butts]

We have a 2016 Adria Matrix 670SL meets all your criteria

Oooh, another to check out! Many thanks Derry....

 

[BishBosh]

Beware some beds are short. We tried a couple of Autotrail Motorhomes for size and was surprised that some of the beds were shorter than others, also if they have a very rounded end my feet were hanging off when I laid down and I’m only 5’ 11”.

 

[The Wino]

You enquired about quality.

One simple piece of research you can do is check second-hand values, if buying new, or older vans of the same type/brand if buying used. The way they hold their prices will provide a guide to desirability.

And if you choose a 'desirable' brand you'll get more back when you sell, even if it's a tad more expensive to buy. You'll also sell quicker and easier.

As well as the German brands, don't discount ones from France, such as Rapido and Pilote.

Good luck with your search. ?

It depends on if you are looking at amount of money lost or % of value lost. I suspect some of the less prestigeous brands actually lose a lot less than the premium ones on both counts.

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[BusyBuilder]

Were currently travelling through europe, and weigh 4250kg, only charged class b on toll roads.
We have used mainly Aires, of one sort or another over last 4 weeks. Having lpg and 250w solar makes a big difference. In over 4 weeks its cost is £17 in gas (no heating).
So something else to consider.

 

[Silver-Fox]

Believe me you can get it right first time, we have had our first van coming up 8 years now and it doesn't rattle

Martin

I agree, we found what we didn’t like and made sure those things weren’t in our van ?

 

[Mr porky]

We have a long van at 9 metres but as we are 2.99 metres high we are under the magic number of 3m tall hence we have only been charged for class 2 ie camping car and that does make a huge difference in the cost of travelling on toll roads.
Personally I wouldn’t go over 8m long again, even go down to 7m and we travel extensively and although the bigger van is super comfortable big separate shower big fridge and a usable kitchen it can be restrictive in some smaller villages.
Get good solar panels and good leisure battery’s.

 

[mikebeaches]

It depends on if you are looking at amount of money lost or % of value lost. I suspect some of the less prestigeous brands actually lose a lot less than the premium ones on both counts.

You may be right?

I posted on the basis of my own experience. However, appreciate your view.

 

[Blue Knight]

I did start off considering the brilliant Mobilvetta K Yacht 80.......

Is it 'brilliant' because the majority of new Mobilvetta vans are running 'brilliantly overloaded' due to their brilliantly poor payload or is it their brilliantly poor quality internal fixtures that wins it over for you.

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