Motorhome recommendations for 5

[SeanfromClon]

Hi everyone,
I was wondering if anyone would have any recommendations for a family of 5 with three kids under twelve. We are in Ireland and aren’t located all that close to dealers so any brands/model advice that have a solid reputation (mechanically and leakage) would be appreciated. Hope everyone gets some much needed August sunshine, thanks.

 

[MichaelT]

Thanks for the advice. We were looking at some Rimor models and they look good spec wise but a bit uncertain about how they might perform if we decide to do an overnight trip to the beach during the winter. Based on the advise I’m wondering if we are being too optimistic with the idea of assuming 500kg load weight would be sufficient for 5. Would anyone have a rough figure for the weight allowance that a family of 5 travelling relatively light would come to?

Think holidays on a plane, we pack 2 cases and they weigh about 19kg each so just clothes are nearly 100kg. Then think about the weight of the people, if you all average 40kg that's another 160kg gone as only the driver is allowed for in the base weight. Pots and pans, cutlery food, towels, bedding, TV, etc etc

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Thanks again for the feedback. To the best of my knowledge (relatively minimal knowledge at this point) I’d say there would be little open over here during the winter as the numbers of people passing through the west in particular would be quite low. Having a motorhome would allow us to pull in anywhere we feel would be suitable so we wouldn’t be dependent on places being open. I have to say the biggest wake up call for me has been how almost all the replies in relation to the weight issue have been quite confident it will be a big problem making 3500 with 5 on board. I wonder is anyone is aware of a website that objectively lists the unloaded weights of most motorhomes and camper vans and caravans etc.

I seem to remember that there is a similar motorhome ' fun' type group in Ireland called 'Motorhome Craic', and I once met the administrator whilst on holiday in Benidorm.
Some of his members were on an organised ' rally' in Benidorm, and he explained the group format, a very similar set-up to motorhome fun, which included information on wild, or Off-grid motorhoming , chat and even vans for sale from members, specifically within Ireland.
Might be worth a Google looksee.
Good luck in your search for a suitable van.

 

[The Wino]

You could look at a Chausson flash 3 we had one for our first MH. I think you might still struggle a bit with the weight when you're all in it. Be aware that the kids will grow fast although they will probably get tired of going on holiday with you faster than you think!

 

[Riverbankannie]

Think holidays on a plane, we pack 2 cases and they weigh about 19kg each so just clothes are nearly 100kg. Then think about the weight of the people, if you all average 40kg that's another 160kg gone as only the driver is allowed for in the base weight. Pots and pans, cutlery food, towels, bedding, TV, etc etc

Kids stuff, bikes, scooters, wet gear, extra boots and shoes, drinks. Outside camping chairs and table, BBQ.
Factory fitted or owner added extras, automatic gearbox, larger engine, awning, solar, bike rack, tow bar,
There was a chart somewhere on here that had a list.
We have a converted van with lightweight materials and just the 2 of us. We are on the 3500 limit.

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[scotzsue]

Another thought re weight ---- and a biggie--- Insurance, your vehicle has to comply with the law to be insured, read the small print. It's in there somewhere, along with the being roadworthy, taxed/mot'd

 

[peterc10]

You will often hear people say that in the past they used a 3500kg motorhome with 5 up and it was OK. The important question is did they ever weigh it when it was full?

 

[starquake]

We weighted our "light" 740kg payload 66-2 motorhome with 2 people in it, 1 small dog, a 20% water load, 75% fuel load, and 2 6kg gas tanks with us, our clothes for a weekend, bedding and "normal van stuff" (windbreak etc, toilet fluid top up) (and a fridge full of food, and enough alcoholic beverages to last the long weekend) We were 2280kg, ie, 220kg off max load, so 2 people + actual load was near 500kg. There is no conceivable way I can see a 5 person, plus food for a week fitting in 3500kg, just get a C1 and get a larger van is my advice. For 2 people you can do it, for 5 not a chance. The food was the surprising thing, a crate of lager, meat for a weekend and such, a full fridge load effectively we worked out was 50kg ITSELF weighing it after, think about it, 10 cans of 500ml lager, is 5kg alone.. Thats not discounting the second crate of lager in the storage locker etc. It was an eye opener, and we are now on only adding things to van if we take soemthing of equiv weight out, as if we were going offgrid with a 100% water and fuel load, for some scottish touring, with a larger food load, we'd probably be at max weight.

 

[SeanfromClon]

Thanks for all the excellent advice everyone, it’s very clear to us now that there are no realistic short cuts to having a holiday with 5 on board for under 3500kgs. We are still thinking of buying in maybe October as I feel it might be a time of year when there is a best chance of receiving a discount, we will stick to travelling in Ireland on as low a load as possible and I’ll apply to do the c1 licence and then hopefully we can head abroad!

 

[Nanniemate]

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This model has all the seat belts you need but you would need to check the weight