Ideas for our perfect motorhome

[Stealaway]

We need to down size because of my wife lack of mobility.
I know that this first and best place to search for ideas.
We have had a series of 7metre motorhomes over the last twelve years but we need a smaller van.
Ideally a PVC with a fixed double bed 6 ft but not cross wise.
Revolving front seats, toilet but not nessasarily a shower.
Reasonable headroom but not a pop-up
Good heater.
I do like Fiat but I'm open to other makes.


We hope you can help folk's

 

[meanders]

You might want to join the draw for free tickets to the NEC motorhome show.
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/join-the-draw-for-free-tickets-to-the-2024-ncc-show.297443/page-2#post-5989691. That would give you a good idea of what is currently available. There is another thread where tickets are available for a tenner a time I think.

 

[hja]

Well obviously depends on nature of disability. Might be better with two longitudinal singles. Think you would be pushed to find longitudinal double. Can your wife get up a step? We have a 6.4 Globecar Sumit prime which is on a fiat ducato, swivel front seats, toilet, and shower, and two longitudinal singles. But you go up a step to get to them, which gives us a garage underneath.

 

[Stealaway]

Well obviously depends on nature of disability. Might be better with two longitudinal singles. Think you would be pushed to find longitudinal double. Can your wife get up a step? We have a 6.4 Globecar Sumit prime which is on a fiat ducato, swivel front seats, toilet, and shower, and two longitudinal singles. But you go up a step to get to them, which gives us a garage underneath.

That looks like a good option I'll have a look
How wide are the beds as singles?

Still not much spare payload at 3.5 tonnes?

Thanks for that

 

[hja]

That looks like a good option I'll have a look
How wide are the beds as singles?

Still not much spare payload at 3.5 tonnes?

Thanks for that

Don’t know exact width, but perfectly reasonable. We use two duvalays so each bed comfortably takes a duvala. There is an infill cushion down the centre, about 20/25 cm wide.
Payload we manage. Van had canopy and 120 w solar installed at new and we had two Gaslow cylinders installed, one large, one small. It is an auto. We took it to a weigh bridge on our first outing with one lightweight mobility scooter, about 17 kg, about half a tank of fresh and quarter tank waste water and a nearly full fuel tank. We were under the 3500 by about 75 kg. Since swapped battery to lithium, so saved a bit, but added another light weight mobility scooter. We take food with us, both tubs of pasta etc and tins of veg, beans etc. breakfast cereal, plus a full fridge. There is no oven or microwave. We don’t take lots of heavy stuff like slow cookers, just a Remoska. We think we are just about ok with full fuel and nearly full fresh water, empty waste.

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[Stealaway]

Don’t know exact width, but perfectly reasonable. We use two duvalays so each bed comfortably takes a duvala. There is an infill cushion down the centre, about 20/25 cm wide.
Payload we manage. Van had canopy and 120 w solar installed at new and we had two Gaslow cylinders installed, one large, one small. It is an auto. We took it to a weigh bridge on our first outing with one lightweight mobility scooter, about 17 kg, about half a tank of fresh and quarter tank waste water and a nearly full fuel tank. We were under the 3500 by about 75 kg. Since swapped battery to lithium, so saved a bit, but added another light weight mobility scooter. We take food with us, both tubs of pasta etc and tins of veg, beans etc. breakfast cereal, plus a full fridge. There is no oven or microwave. We don’t take lots of heavy stuff like slow cookers, just a Remoska. We think we are just about ok with full fuel and nearly full fresh water, empty waste.

I've a had a look and they do look nice but I was hoping to get a van a bit shorter than 6.9 mts but I guess I'm asking too much without having a transverse bed.
It looks like the compromise will have to be a 6.9 van.
I always thought that a PVC would be lighter than a coachbuilt motorhome ooops and weight is still going to be a constant concern.
Where did you buy your one?

 

[Nirvanauk]

Ours is 6.3 metres but you can get a 6m van with 2 single length wise beds.

 

[starquake]

I think the killer in your list is the non cross wise bed -> I'm 6"2 and found it near impossible to acheve in many PVC's (we when looking started looking at PVC's and ended up with a coachbuilt). Frankly I didn't fit transverse at all (comfortably) as the chassis wasn't wide enough, however I did fit along edges in PVC designs, but the access was very limited, and we found that a killer without a disability...
However we did find we could comfortably fit on the 2 singles avaialble in many coachbuilt at 6m..

The ones we liked that fit our requirements were the 2 singles in a 6m layout, Eldis, Bailey and Autotrail offer layouts like this -> we ended up with a 6.6m coachbuilt, but we equally liked the 6m designs (the 6m ones cost more!).. These can ALSO be made into a crosswise bed, but you get more space than you may think in some of the Eldiss and Baileys in this kind of layout. This is because you can make one single bed wider than the other (and more of a traditional single instead of a typical caravan single) by part pulling out the transverse bed if that makes sense to you. Bob Earnshaw has done some reviews of the Bailey 6m in actual use on youtube if you want to see how the layout works.

Ref weight, you may be surprised, the 6-6.6m vans on alco, we had a payload of 800kg when we purchased the van... It's quite relaxing knowing you can have full water, full waste, and still have no chance of getting to the weight limit.

 

[pjay]

Mine is 5.4mtrs and has 2 x lengthways single beds.




Pete

 

[Pausim]

The Malibu 640LE Vans have 2 singles but they are a double for most of their length and an extra infill cushion can be ordered to fill in the gap. There is also an option to omit the cupboard over the driver/passenger seats which gives more headroom for taller people. Put together with the same quality as other Carthagos.

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[Bernie P]

As i'm expecting the imminent delivery of a Globecar Summit Prime 640 I'd say that's a good option. Other one that caught our eye was the Globe-traveller Explorer range.

 

[Rapido925M]

We've been looking at changing vans BUT the step from outside to inside doesn't get down low enough for my wife on the vast majority of vans. Needless to say, no manufacturer seems to quote that value.
We refuse to use a separate step.

Gordon

 

[Minxy]

There are narrow coach builts being produced again so that might be more suitable as they will have a better payload than the equivalent sized PVC as the latter tend to be heavier due to the steel bodies.

 

[Stealaway]

We've been looking at changing vans BUT the step from outside to inside doesn't get down low enough for my wife on the vast majority of vans. Needless to say, no manufacturer seems to quote that value.
We refuse to use a separate step.

Gordon

We have a similar problem, but fitting an electric step is an easy option but we may also need a handrail fitted


I've just found this company and they are in Yorkshire.
They have a good range some with nice big single beds.
Has anyone had any experience of them?

Europa Range - Wildax Motorhomes

wildaxmotorhomes.com

 

[Stealaway]

As i'm expecting the imminent delivery of a Globecar Summit Prime 640 I'd say that's a good option. Other one that caught our eye was the Globe-traveller Explorer range.

That one is the one that caught my eye and seem to tick all the boxes

Summit Prime 640 | Globecar UK

globecar.co.uk

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[hja]

I've a had a look and they do look nice but I was hoping to get a van a bit shorter than 6.9 mts but I guess I'm asking too much without having a transverse bed.
It looks like the compromise will have to be a 6.9 van.
I always thought that a PVC would be lighter than a coachbuilt motorhome ooops and weight is still going to be a constant concern.
Where did you buy your one?

The Globecar Sumit prime is 6.4

 

[Orion]

We've been looking at changing vans BUT the step from outside to inside doesn't get down low enough for my wife on the vast majority of vans. Needless to say, no manufacturer seems to quote that value.
We refuse to use a separate step.

There are narrow coach builts being produced again so that might be more suitable as they will have a better payload than the equivalent sized PVC as the latter tend to be heavier due to the steel bodies.

Our Adria Compact is the same width as a standard Fiat Ducato, and at 7m only slightly longer than a lot of PVCs. Three different internal layouts and two bed options. I’ve fitted a Thule folding electric step to ours - mainly to compensate for the extra height when up on the E&P levelling - but it also makes access easier on the flat. GVW options from the factory are 3500kg & 3650kg, but up plating to 4250kg (2400kg on the rear axle) is possible with just the addition of rear air suspension assist.

Compact

The new generation Compact. Stylish, slim-fit and agile motorhomes, which can reach more places. Smart automotive styling and compact dimensions yet generous living spaces, with an unbeatable combination of style, practicality and comfort, all-year round.

www.adria.co.uk

 

[starquake]

We've been looking at changing vans BUT the step from outside to inside doesn't get down low enough for my wife on the vast majority of vans. Needless to say, no manufacturer seems to quote that value.
We refuse to use a separate step.

Gordon

Should say we found PVC's far worse in that regard than coachbuilts. I don't think we found a single PVC at any of the shows we visited that we didn't need a step with for my (short) wife (who even finds cab access difficult!)

Many of the British brands deal with this with the recessed step inside the door rather than an external step, which if combined with a lower-profile coachbuilt will be acceptable in many cases without a step -> though as you say not even all UK spec vans have this listed, and some do still need a step. I'm sure some EU vans will have similar internally recessed steps.

 

[Rapido925M]

We have a similar problem, but fitting an electric step is an easy option but we may also need a handrail fitted


I've just found this company and they are in Yorkshire.
They have a good range some with nice big single beds.
Has anyone had any experience of them?

Europa Range - Wildax Motorhomes

wildaxmotorhomes.com

BiL has a Wildax Elara (Mercedes auto, twin single beds) and really likes it apart from the eating position, where the rotated driver seat is too high and the side lounge seat is too low (slightly).

My daughter is about to collect a SolarisXL on 2 March: bunk for her and 11y old daughter, rear bathroom, Fiat auto. We must have looked at over 100 vehicles at NCC and she narrowed her choices down to 3 vans with this becoming the clear favourite on second viewing. Obviously I would only let her buy something of reasonable quality.

Gordon

 

[Stealaway]

BiL has a Wildax Elara (Mercedes auto, twin single beds) and really likes it apart from the eating position, where the rotated driver seat is too high and the side lounge seat is too low (slightly).

My daughter is about to collect a SolarisXL on 2 March: bunk for her and 11y old daughter, rear bathroom, Fiat auto. We must have looked at over 100 vehicles at NCC and she narrowed her choices down to 3 vans with this becoming the clear favourite on second viewing. Obviously I would only let her buy something of reasonable quality.

Gordon

The Wildax Europa also look a good compromise
Not sure about watching the tv from the captains seats. We would leave the bed made up permanently.
Leather/PCV edging on the cushions might be uncomfortable.
Must make sure that there is an electric step.

We have seen a S/H one for sale but I'm pretty sure the payload will be a problem. The previous owner has a towbar fitted, a wind out awning and aircon

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[PaulC70]

I gotta ask why you need a smaller van due to your wife's mobility? What is the issue that's linked to the size of the van?

I only ask as my wife's mobility isn't great either and we have a Bailey Autograph at 7.9m and fixed french bed. I cant see how a shorter motorhome would make her life easier.
As said about getting in / out - she does have difficulty getting in and out but we use a seperate step on the hab, also front cab doors have now got extra steps fitted by myself which has made her life a lot easier.

 

[Sapper520]

Take a look at the Sunlight Cliff 640. 6.3m. Easy to uprate or order the maxi chassis for even more payload.

We had the 600, and loved it.

 

[Stealaway]

I gotta ask why you need a smaller van due to your wife's mobility? What is the issue that's linked to the size of the van?

I only ask as my wife's mobility isn't great either and we have a Bailey Autograph at 7.9m and fixed french bed. I cant see how a shorter motorhome would make her life easier.
As said about getting in / out - she does have difficulty getting in and out but we use a seperate step on the hab, also front cab doors have now got extra steps fitted by myself which has made her life a lot easier.

Parking our motorhome close enough for my wife to walk into a town for instance is a big issue.
We have an invalid badge but many spots are far to small for a motorhome.
We use our van for touring everyday so being able to stop for a look around anywhere is the major concern.

 

[PaulC70]

Parking our motorhome close enough for my wife to walk into a town for instance is a big issue.
We have an invalid badge but many spots are far to small for a motorhome.
We use our van for touring everyday so being able to stop for a look around anywhere is the major concern.

This is what we do, im nearly at the end of our January 9 days and we get round the getting into town by either staying in the centre of said town or when not feasable, use the mobility scooter I bought her. If I was to say the best upgrade to the motorhome? The wife's mobility scooter! It's transformed her (and by association) my enjoyment of the motorhome.

 

[martin2603]

Looked at the Rapido c55i 6,72 meters A class. Twin singles with infil , very well thought out design , the island bed version has much less room. We are considering downsizing from an 8.5 tag. This was my first choice. Diesel and underfloor heating . When I looked at the Westfalia Columbus at more money it would be a no brainer. It I is also a Slimline.

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[PaulC70]

Stealaway Todays trip, Chester for the day. Parked in Little Roodee Car park where we can stay tonight, less than a mile to town which my Mrs wouldn't cope with never mind back again, but scooter out, 8 mile range and she will be perusing the shop windows and the market thats on today in less than 10 minutes.

 

[Stealaway]

This is what we do, im nearly at the end of our January 9 days and we get round the getting into town by either staying in the centre of said town or when not feasable, use the mobility scooter I bought her. If I was to say the best upgrade to the motorhome? The wife's mobility scooter! It's transformed her (and by association) my enjoyment of the motorhome.

She does have electric wheelchair we thought would be better for going into shops. It can be a god send but not every day

 

[Manxcat]

If money is no object I would go for a Wingamm Oasi. Brilliant in every way and very compact. When we were looking at them last year another amazing plus is a 7 year warranty even for the fiat engine.

 

[Stealaway]

If money is no object I would go for a Wingamm Oasi. Brilliant in every way and very compact. When we were looking at them last year another amazing plus is a 7 year warranty even for the fiat engine.

Thanks for that but they are at a premium price --- I'm not sure that they will sell many and far too much for me

 

[Soycd]

We are getting an Adria Twin 640 SLB. Longitudinal beds and just under 6.4 metres. Our first choice was A Globecar Summit 640. We were put off by the dealer, who didn't really have much knowledge of the vehicle, couldn't guarantee a price and didn't know if there was space for a roof mounted aircon unit at the back of the van! Pity as they are really nice vans.