I'm New Here

[Montezuma]

Two points often overlooked, . . . . maybe ?

Firstly: Rear overhang, relative to whatever you may wish to carry mounted on the back, or load into a rear storage area. Some SWB vehicles have hefty overhangs, mind you so do some MWB outfits. The overhang issue is also worth bearing in mind with regard to parking, moving off, and getting out of tight-spaces ?

Secondly: Manually operated drop-down beds. I could mange ours when I first purchased the MH, but now it's a struggle. Not only due to my age, and being generally decrepit, but if you were to hurt your back during holiday golf or tennis sessions, then operating a manual drop-down bed is not a lot of fun. When I hurt my back during one particular holiday, I either slept on the floor, or asked a kindly neighbour to manipulate the bed for me. (The wife is neither big enough, nor strong enough, to do the job).

 

[siwhitehouse]

Ours had windows on each side so you can get ventilation but as you know heat rises and in summer....... Good idea to actually try one. The ladders are notoriously thin steps that hurt your feet but I got an old wooden step ladder and cut it in half and added cheap carpet tile to the treads.

The cat is optional....


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The one I'm looking at this weekend has a window on one side, which would mean leaving something open 'downstairs' to get a draught I suppose. Although I've just got back from living in Colombia for two and a half years: I am not suffering from being too hot right now!

That cat takes no prisoners by the look of it.

 

[siwhitehouse]

AndSi.

We had a Hymer with a drop down bed, and it was really comfortable, but without a skylight it tended to get quite warm up there!

Our current Hymer has a drop down bed that comes a lot further down, and it’s perfect.

Just remember that if you need to get out of bed in the middle of the night that it’s not just a case of getting out and stepping into the floor - there maybe be steps involved!

Oh, I'm of an age where I will definitely have to get down in the middle of the night!

I really like the look of a lot of Hymers, the price tags less ;0)

 

[siwhitehouse]

Hi & welcome! Have a look at here https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/events/ & here https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/events/?layout=grid&page=2 for some Fun rallies & campsite meets with fellow friendly Funsters for when you get your new motorhome

Thanks for the links!

 

[siwhitehouse]

Yes my sister was delighted to win one and I was thrilled for her, but her's is slightly heavier than mine although both MH's look the same size but she had to get a lorry licence to drive it whereas my MH I only need a car licence to drive it.

They might look a bit top heavy but driving it there's no problem at all. If you can drive a long wheel base van you can drive this no problem. The only 2 things I watch out for is...a) the height over the drivers area due to the over the cab bed is the highest point but I have the measurements on a sticky note on the drivers sun visor for a quick double check before I drive in ..mainly into a garage for diesel or under a bridge...and b) the tail swing when taking a tight turn, mainly watching out for vehicles coming up beside me from behind and not allowing for the tail swing. I go away in it more than my hubby, I do all the driving, if I can manage it, anyone can My MH is now 17 yrs old this year and it has more than paid for it's self long ago, hubby once said he was going to sell it...I replied...careful lad, it's not covered under life insurance He never mentioned it again It's mine, not his

Thanks Shango

That's good advice about keeping the height clearance to hand. When I had my Duetto I started out being overly nervous about taking corners and calmed down after a while. I'll have to beware of being overconfident this time, I reckon.

That's some fierce protection of your motorhome!

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[Puddleduck]

I had a "vital statistics" list on a slightly larger than credit card size laminated card. Height, width, length, tyre pressures etc on one side and insurance & breakdown details on the other.

Fixed behind the sun visor with a second copy on the navigator's sun visor. Very useful. Luckily insurance & breakdown never needed.

 

[siwhitehouse]

We had a 6 berth, 1 fixed, overcab, bed and 2 make ups, was great for taking the grandkids but making up the rear lounge bed got to be a pain, and it wasn't fun when john removed the ladder to my bed and went off for the morning bread without replacing it
will have a look for who made our 'to fit' memory topper, jus so you dont use them it has now lost 4 inches all round. still works ok but is annoying.
the other essentials for me are, sufficient seatbelts, payload, external access to locker space and mega adjustable drivers seat as I am a bit of a short **se
Good luck with your search.

Thanks Scotzsue

It's just me so I'm looking at 2-4 berths. Also, there's noone to leave me in the lurch upstairs! It sounds as though John still hears about that particular mistake =0)

I've got a topper I bought for the Duetto that I can use in the first instance. I hadn't considered getting one fitted, so thanks for mentioning that.

I've read up a bit on payload and generally I'll be travelling light, although I do like to get a decent shop in when I set out.

 

[siwhitehouse]

Two points often overlooked, . . . . maybe ?

Firstly: Rear overhang, relative to whatever you may wish to carry mounted on the back, or load into a rear storage area. Some SWB vehicles have hefty overhangs, mind you so do some MWB outfits. The overhang issue is also worth bearing in mind with regard to parking, moving off, and getting out of tight-spaces ?

Secondly: Manually operated drop-down beds. I could mange ours when I first purchased the MH, but now it's a struggle. Not only due to my age, and being generally decrepit, but if you were to hurt your back during holiday golf or tennis sessions, then operating a manual drop-down bed is not a lot of fun. When I hurt my back during one particular holiday, I either slept on the floor, or asked a kindly neighbour to manipulate the bed for me. (The wife is neither big enough, nor strong enough, to do the job).

Thanks Montezuma

I looked at a motorhome yesterday and your advice was really useful. It has a fair-sized overhang and some storage space towards the back. Fortunately, it has a double floor and has a fair bit of storage in the middle of the vehicle.

Fingers crossed, I'm off for a test drive tomorrow.

 

[Montezuma]

I hope that all goes well for you !