Motorhomes 8m or more....benefits vs limitations

[bladerunner]

There is a certain width of road which can be stressy- wider and all’s good, narrower and people slow down. Loch lomand road is just too narrow by 1/2m but people drive relatively fast and there are hidden bends and lovely views. Add tourist busses and the odd fast bike and it’s a stop start.

 

[Clive Mott]

We enjoyed a Concorde Charisma for several years and it was brilliant for team get togethers inside and the garage took our two motorcycles.. Its size was a limitation on some Spanish sites but we never failed. The hight of the roll out awning made it necessary to use a ladder for the Safari room fitting, so we seldom did. Hanging onto that C1 became a worry so we snuck back to just into the 3500 catagory. Amazingly I have managed to hang onto the C1 which will now expire in 2023. Enjoy it all while you can. Clive.

 

[flyboyprowler]

A N & B Flair at 8.3m for us, and now thinking of going to 8.8 for the larger kitchen area. Otherwise the van is ideal. All I would add to the above is, think rear wheel drive, and air suspension and self levelling which will be a boon if you are alone and trying to level up on ramps by yourself!

 

[funflair]

thing that puts me off the Morello's and Concordes is that we find them a bit OTT.... all too much chintz.... and certainly the height puts me off a little too.

I have abbreviated your post

Isn't it strange how we all see things differently, we thought that MORELO and Concorde were quite understated and our MORELO is that plain that it allows us to add a bit of colour and fabric of our choice still no chintz though, we have friends who describe them as "sterile" likening to a dentists surgery, yes we are still friends.

 

[TrevChrizy]

I can never understand the need for oversized motorhomes on the road, here’s why, I travel in UK in summer, when it’s warm and all my time is either walking and visiting places nearby or in the awning in the evening or wet, cooking is either done outside or we have meals out. If it rains for long periods, we go home! or vacate to somewhere with a more respectable weather prospect.
When we travel out season to warmer climes, we don’t need the awning, too hot, just the roll out awning for shade, again eating and dining out.
We have a 7.0m m/h with a 3m trailer/ toad, which is plenty big enough and can negotiate most main roads.
Having a large m/h is maybe worth it if your on the road on a long trip, full timers otherwise it’s just another place to sit, watch tv, watch world go by from your window, to sum up when all said and done, it’s a place to sleep! May as well be at home

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[Sandyt]

A N & B Flair at 8.3m for us, and now thinking of going to 8.8 for the larger kitchen area. Otherwise the van is ideal. All I would add to the above is, think rear wheel drive, and air suspension and self levelling which will be a boon if you are alone and trying to level up on ramps by yourself!

Agree with your thoughts. Ours is an Arto 88EK, which has the larger kitchen of course. Also blessed with Goldschmidt full air, and auto levelling jacks. As you say, using levelling ramps on your own is not for the faint hearted. Not certain about the rear wheel drive, as not suitable for TAG axle, unless “full truck style”.

 

[Gaston aires]

I would say that you have to decide what you want to do with it. If touring is your thing go smaller. If staying put, go larger. When we had a Flair 8.5 mtr, I didn’t find the length a problem, more the height and width.
Layout is the real issue.
Phil

 

[MichaelT]

I can never understand the need for oversized motorhomes on the road, here’s why, I travel in UK in summer, when it’s warm and all my time is either walking and visiting places nearby or in the awning in the evening or wet, cooking is either done outside or we have meals out. If it rains for long periods, we go home! or vacate to somewhere with a more respectable weather prospect.
When we travel out season to warmer climes, we don’t need the awning, too hot, just the roll out awning for shade, again eating and dining out.
We have a 7.0m m/h with a 3m trailer/ toad, which is plenty big enough and can negotiate most main roads.
Having a large m/h is maybe worth it if your on the road on a long trip, full timers otherwise it’s just another place to sit, watch tv, watch world go by from your window, to sum up when all said and done, it’s a place to sleep! May as well be at home

So you are 10m long when travelling but 3m of that is unusable space?

 

[Leltel]

We have a Le Voyageur, 7.85m in length, not had any problems getting around in her.....so far

 

[Cocoro]

Hi Kilroy,

I am also a solo traveller with a Carthago Mondial 58H which is 8.4L/3.4H/2.38W. This is as small as I would go unless a specific layout provided me with what I currently have in a shorter length which I haven't seen so far. Payload is critical for me as I like to be able to take what I like without having to worry if I am overloaded or not. I think mine has about 1150kgs available but of course you must subtract the extras fitted to the van from that. Still no issues though. I've had a couple of six metre vans which provided more nimble driving but concluded that I spent far more time parked up living in it than I ever did driving it so upsized and have never looked back. I tow a car on a twin axle trailer also which was the very first time I towed anything in my life! A baptism of fire to say the least but we only fear what we don't practice and now I almost forget it's even there. Strangely when I drive without the trailer now it feels positively spritely and chuckable!

Never had an issue on campsites across Germany or the UK other than low trees here and there. I carry some hedge trimmers anyway for such moments! The route to your pitch can sometimes be a challenge but always made it and for a few moments of careful manoeuvring I have all that comfort. Having hydraulic Levelling Rams is a bonus with a van of this size and I wouldn't be without them. I'm 6ft3" but have no issues that in my van either but then I didn't really in my other two smaller vans except when showering. On that subject having a proper, separate shower cubicle with a door that cannot pop open during showering is one benefit of a larger van. The large bathroom space which extends across the width of the van was a real clincher for me but still has a closable door for the toilet room. As the van is quite tall with windows above head height outside I often get much better views over the top of caravans or hedges into the distance which is quite nice. I used to clear all evidence of occupancy in my smaller vans and tidy up but now as no one can look in I don't bother.

The other benefit is larger tankage. Unless you have a fully serviced pitch emptying the grey water tank and filling up fresh water can be a pain so having to do this less often is a boon. Large heavier vans tend to have larger tanks. I rarely if ever use campsite facilities so this is important to me. All in all I wouldn't go less than 8m.

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[Cocoro]

...mean't to add my van is Left Hand drive. As I spend much more time on the continent than in the Uk this has been wonderful but even in the UK it's presented few problems. Only at junctions when turning left and the exiting road is at an angle it can make it difficult to look right. My mirrors though are electric and if they are not enough I just lean over and look out of the window.

 

[Lenny HB]

So you are 10m long when travelling but 3m of that is unusable space?

My thoughts too.

 

[Abgs]

I’ve got an A Class Hymer Exsis-I ( LHD )

Weight: 3.500 – 3.850 kg - Length: 6.95 m - Width: 2.22 - Height: 2.77 m

Width is the key. The Exsis is pretty slim and lower than most A-Classes so you can take it pretty much anywhere. It’s only 15cm wider than a Fiat Ducato van. Being longer wouldn’t be a problem. It copes with very narrow lanes in Cornwall and West Wales. The NC500 in Scotland was no problem whatsoever.

LHD in the UK in this has been fine, It’s got big mirrors and although I have a three way reversing camera I rarely bother with it as it’s very easy to place into parking spaces just using the mirrors.

Decent beds., good bathroom and living space. Payload is the issue - there is loads of internal storage space and a huge garage but I’m pretty much on the 3500kg limit with two people and normal travelling gear, bikes etc. It can be plated at 3850kg but then more restrictive rules apply especially in France with their silly sticker laws.

I went with the Exisis as at 6’3’’ ( 190 cm ) it was the smallest I felt I could get away with. Internal headroom is about 6’6” (196cm).

That said I do find myself eyeing up 6.4m Van Conversions as there would be more occasions where I could use it, especially as a day van for going off Mountain Biking somewhere.

 

[Conniedriving]

8.3 mtr tag, Autotrail Chieftain no probs, just be aware of what you are driving,
Welcome and have fun
Joe

Pick my Cheyenne up in two weeks time
With fiat 500 on the back should be fun

 

[AndyVW]

When considering your MH dont get totally focused on the length. as there are some very important additional consideration to make.
The chassis your MH sits on ?
Front wheel drive van chassis are notoriously poor maneuverers and are very susceptible to traction problems, the longer they are there worse they get.
A rear wheel drive Van chassis is more suited to the longer Wheel bases but still has manoeuvre issues.due to wheel base.
A truck based chassis by comparison has a much shorter wheelbase for any given length over the van.
and by nature has a better turning circle.
Truck chassis and Coach chassis have to meet a EU directive for turning circles, Van chassis do not need to meet this requirement.
In layman terms look at were the driver sits in relation to the from Axel,
In a van its always behind the front Axel
In a truck or coach its in front of the front Axel.

If you have your licence, the world is your oyster for choice.
The N&B below is 8.5m

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[Northernraider]

I can never understand the need for oversized motorhomes on the road, here’s why, I travel in UK in summer, when it’s warm and all my time is either walking and visiting places nearby or in the awning in the evening or wet, cooking is either done outside or we have meals out. If it rains for long periods, we go home! or vacate to somewhere with a more respectable weather prospect.
When we travel out season to warmer climes, we don’t need the awning, too hot, just the roll out awning for shade, again eating and dining out.
We have a 7.0m m/h with a 3m trailer/ toad, which is plenty big enough and can negotiate most main roads.
Having a large m/h is maybe worth it if your on the road on a long trip, full timers otherwise it’s just another place to sit, watch tv, watch world go by from your window, to sum up when all said and done, it’s a place to sleep! May as well be at home

I had a 7 metre mobilvetta and a Renault clio toad.
I found the places i used the car to visit i would have got to with the motorhome had i not been towing the car that seems pointless to me unless i was staying in one place for weeks on end so i sold it again .

I have a 7 metre mh at the minute and a cheap toad again which ive only actually ever towed with the motorhome twice ...and one of those trips was towing it home.

7 metre is the golden size for all round use id say .and i live in mine fulltime with 2dogs

 

[Al n Val]

More or less the 1 thing that made us buy our 8.8 mtr tag axel was the fact that the lounge area has 2 long seats either side so we can put our feet up on a night and chill out, that and we wanted a fixed island bed. The room we have inside is great and thats told to us when everyone comes into our van for a chinwag or beer or 2 as we can't get in theirs as its too cramped, although this is not important for some i'll admit.

I've now added a chassis mounted bike/scooter rack on the back which makes us around 9.3 mtrs so taking care when getting onto pitches comes into play especially when reversing, but the bonus is the rack pushes the hedges over now rather than the back bumper

Its 3.03 mtrs high so we get class 2 at the tolls and have a toll tag so the barrier just lifts up, its made travelling so much easier.

Do we need the space, hell yeah we do, its out first venture into motor homing and we'd struggle with less room inside, and if we were full timing i'd want more tbh. If we change this one i'll consider having a slide out or 2.

Self levelling?? we wouldn't be without it, manual gearbox?? not a chance, wild camping?? don't really do it but never say never. I've done europe 5 times up to now and find RHD no problem but i do have a co-pilot.

Are their times when it all goes tits up?, yup, especially when the co pilot disappears round the back of the van out of mirror view whilst waving her arms frantically in any direction she chooses hoping i'll not run her over, its really funny afterwards but at the time the air is often BLUE

cheers Al

 

[two]

I've not read the other replies, so this may have already been said:
You can have just as much fun in a clapped-out delivery van as you can in a palace on wheels. You might even get more excitement from the former as you can take more risks with it and squeeze into smaller places. There's also the satisfaction of achievement.
For a solo person, I'd expect you to be able to travel comfortably in a PVC (panel van conversion). The top-of-the-range models are extremely comfortable. They are compact but that means less to clean and less to scrape. The big ones can be difficult without someone outside to guide you between (or under) an immovable object.
Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll enjoy the freedom it brings. Try not to take your 'home' with you or the difference will not be so noticeable.

 

[pandas]

I can never understand the need for oversized motorhomes on the road, here’s why, I travel in UK in summer, when it’s warm and all my time is either walking and visiting places nearby or in the awning in the evening or wet, cooking is either done outside or we have meals out. If it rains for long periods, we go home! or vacate to somewhere with a more respectable weather prospect.
When we travel out season to warmer climes, we don’t need the awning, too hot, just the roll out awning for shade, again eating and dining out.
We have a 7.0m m/h with a 3m trailer/ toad, which is plenty big enough and can negotiate most main roads.
Having a large m/h is maybe worth it if your on the road on a long trip, full timers otherwise it’s just another place to sit, watch tv, watch world go by from your window, to sum up when all said and done, it’s a place to sleep! May as well be at home

Myself cannot understand the need for a trailer. Each to their own!

 

[Three Stars]

Hi,

From previous posts it seems that you want to carry a scooter and a bike and you may want to spend long periods living on the van. If you also want air suspension, hydraulic self-levelling jacks, an awning, large house batteries, a LPG tank and additional tanks for fresh water, waste water, and toilet waste, which all make life more comfortable and convenient, the choice of chassis is crucial. A van built on the Iveco Daily chassis was what we chose after ten years' experience with a tag axle Fiat Ducato. The additional one metre length hasn't been an inconvenience and the turning circle is smaller so manouvring is actually easier. Both our vans have been LHD and the only issue on UK roads is visibility when filtering in to a main road. With careful positioning, you can use the window in the offside habitation to see oncoming traffic. We have also fitted additional convex rear view mirrors.

The choice of such vans pre-owned is much greater in Germany but it may be some time before you can get there to see any. However, you can still browse available stock on the internet to get a better idea of what is available. We did a lot of research before choosing our current van with the aim of keeping it until age or infirmity makes us choose a different pastime. Build quality, level of insulation, payload, and ease of access to components, were among the important issues. In the end, there was only one manufacturer that fitted the bill. You don't see many Phoenix vans in the UK and they don't spend much money on publicity, but they're well worth checking out.

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[funflair]

When considering your MH dont get totally focused on the length. as there are some very important additional consideration to make.
The chassis your MH sits on ?
Front wheel drive van chassis are notoriously poor maneuverers and are very susceptible to traction problems, the longer they are there worse they get.
A rear wheel drive Van chassis is more suited to the longer Wheel bases but still has manoeuvre issues.due to wheel base.
A truck based chassis by comparison has a much shorter wheelbase for any given length over the van.
and by nature has a better turning circle.
Truck chassis and Coach chassis have to meet a EU directive for turning circles, Van chassis do not need to meet this requirement.
In layman terms look at were the driver sits in relation to the from Axel,
In a van its always behind the front Axel
In a truck or coach its in front of the front Axel.

If you have your licence, the world is your oyster for choice.
The N&B below is 8.5m

Spot on Andy If I was traveling solo I might be tempted to a sub 8m Loft on the Eurocargo chassis, I know it's not MAN but Would have to be the 4cyl to stay under 7500kg though.

 

[Conal]

I have a 7.9m Autotrail Delaware. The same model is now just over 8m.
mine is 3.03m high.

I have often wondered why manufactures don’t build to fit into the dimensions for tariffs on ferries, motorways etc...

On one hand I can understand that, when people are paying so much for a motorhome, the higher charges are not that important (for me £200 each time I travel through France to Spain if I use toll roads), but I also understand the view that it should not be that hard to make a motorhome just within the specs ie: 3m high and 8m long in my case, so why wouldn’t you, as it would be more attractive to the potential buyer?

 

[MichaelT]

I have a 7.9m Autotrail Delaware. The same model is now just over 8m.
mine is 3.03m high.

I have often wondered why manufactures don’t build to fit into the dimensions for tariffs on ferries, motorways etc...

On one hand I can understand that, when people are paying so much for a motorhome, the higher charges are not that important (for me £200 each time I travel through France to Spain if I use toll roads), but I also understand the view that it should not be that hard to make a motorhome just within the specs ie: 3m high and 8m long in my case, so why wouldn’t you, as it would be more attractive to the potential buyer?

Totally agree, we have a Dethleffs Esprit comes in at just under 3m high so great for tolls etc. new version is 3.05 (I think) so you need to win the lottery if you want to use tolls if you bought one. People who design MH's do not seem to use them themselves...

 

[Al n Val]

Totally agree, we have a Dethleffs Esprit comes in at just under 3m high so great for tolls etc. new version is 3.05 (I think) so you need to win the lottery if you want to use tolls if you bought one. People who design MH's do not seem to use them themselves...

that is very true, i personally know the guy who developed the Comanche 11 years ago and he's never had a motorhome and doesn't intend to ever get one, weird innit lol.

 

[Al n Val]

I have a 7.9m Autotrail Delaware. The same model is now just over 8m.
mine is 3.03m high.

I have often wondered why manufactures don’t build to fit into the dimensions for tariffs on ferries, motorways etc...

On one hand I can understand that, when people are paying so much for a motorhome, the higher charges are not that important (for me £200 each time I travel through France to Spain if I use toll roads), but I also understand the view that it should not be that hard to make a motorhome just within the specs ie: 3m high and 8m long in my case, so why wouldn’t you, as it would be more attractive to the potential buyer?

Do you get class 2 every time you go through a toll, so far there's only ever been one on the way home through France last march who charged us class 4, that was a sickener tbh, 96.70 euros just for 1 toll .

Al

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[Conrad J]

Hi Kilroy, bit surprised no-one has given the usual advice to someone buying for the first time - rent a 'van. It's a good way to see what you need and what you thought you did but don't really.

 

[Conal]

Al n Val
Been the Spain via France twice and not used the tolls yet. £200 each way is too steep!

 

[pandas]

Hi Kilroy, bit surprised no-one has given the usual advice to someone buying for the first time - rent a 'van. It's a good way to see what you need and what you thought you did but don't really.

I think they have several times but it does matter driving home the point

 

[Al n Val]

Al n Val
Been the Spain via France twice and not used the tolls yet. £200 each way is too steep!

i’ve done it a few different routes and it’s usually less than 90 euros so for me it’s well worth it

 

[Conal]

Al n Val
I have looked at the route given on here and the Michelin toll price guides but could have made it cheaper by cherry picking. When we go again we will avoid the non toll roads around Riemes - terrible in rush hour!

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