Is it much harder to drive? Considering upgrading length from 6.140M to 7.77M

[CazPaul]

I have noted the very long overhang from the rear axle which is something I worry about. Would it “bottom” easily, say, going up a steep hill for example?

Yes, we have a steep drive then the road levels out so have always had to bear this in mind

Our Concorde is high off the ground but I still pump the rear air up a bit more when reversing out.

 

[maison]

We have had different sizes of motorhomes over the years.

Drivability has never been a problem, however......

.......parking is more difficult the bigger it gets

.......we like to turn off the road and visit anything that we see. Hill towns etc. There is no doubt that the smaller you are the easier detours are.

It is simply a matter of adapting your expectations to what is possible. Big, small, both have their advantages and shortcomings.

If you think you need the bigger m/h just adapt your trips to suit.

Whatever you decide, good luck and enjoy.

 

[jdk62]

We had an 8.1 metre van and in normal driving no problems at all. Reversing not a problem. Turning, having reversed needs more concentration.... you need more space than you think due to the overhang.

we changed our Moho to 7.4m in length and have no problems at all.

 

[The Coops]

If its on an extended wheelbase chassis then it has the turning circle of the Exon Valdez or the Torry Canyon! Our last Van was 7.5 metres on an extended chassis and was a bit of a pig for maneuvering and only had about 4 foot overhang, but was forever grounding till we fitted air assisted suspension but still a pig for maneuvering . Our new van is on a 6,5 metre chassis and is a revelation, it is so easy to maneuver despite being 1 metre wider. I would ask to take it for a test drive and find an empty ( and no height barrier car park) and try various maneuvers, . The other problem is the length of the overhang from the rear wheels to the rear bumper, the longer the overhang the greater chance of grounding on speedhumps, ferry ramps etc. Measure the overhang, and the height and the angle( remember Pythagoras) and you will get some idea of when it will ground out inless, as we did you fit air adjustable suspension and can increase the clearance. If you are not overly bothered by grounding out fit some sacrificial bits of metal on the chassis rails near the rear as a warning rather than then chassis or bodywork taking the damage . As has been mentioned many times before the longer the rear chassis rails the greater the strain if you fit a tow bar, again basic physics

 

[nicholsong]

As said above with care you will soon get used to the extra length and overhang.

For watching the back-end 'sweep' when negotiaing a corner have in mind the roofline as well, because of gutters, trees, parking signs etc.; to ensure coverage of this I have proper parabolic mirrors, not the stupid bits stuck in the corner of main mirrors. They also help greatly with joining a road at 45 degrees, particularly on Continent with rhd, or vice-versa.

Another situation that needs caution is parking in CPs especially S/markets, because the adjacent empty space can be filled by a long estate and the 'roadway' for turning is narrow. I usually park in empty space and across the bays for ease of exit - another 100yds is nothing to walk, for the 'wife'.

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