Now we HAVE to downsize...

Minxy said:
We were parked on an aire in France in June next to a couple with a toddler, they had a pop top and used it during the day to put a small airer up there to dry the washed kiddies etc clothes.
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Great Idea thanks !
 
Downsizing doesn't have to be a PVC. There are low profile coachbuilts at 3500, we have one (16 years old) and it can be usable at less than 3500 as long as we don't carry toomuch stuff. It has a cavernous garage but obviously only light stuff in there. My tool kit has had a ruthless pruning, and we don't carry bikes.
 
The Wino said:
Don't tell me it's a conspiracy and NICE and the British heart Foundation are in it as well!

www.bhf.org.uk

NICE recommends statins should be a choice for more people to prevent heart attacks and strokes

New draft guidance from NICE has recommended that more people can be considered for statins to reduce their risk of having a heart attack or stroke
www.bhf.org.uk www.bhf.org.uk

If you want to believe in conspiracies at least just do it in a way that risks your own health rather than promoting it to othe
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It's not a conspiracy, per se, but it's no secret that pharmaceutical companies lie about the safety of drugs and that regulators like the FDA and MHRA have been hopelessly corrupted by industry money and aren't looking after the safety of the public as they should be.
 
BattyBurke#1 said:
It's not a conspiracy, per se, but it's no secret that pharmaceutical companies lie about the safety of drugs and that regulators like the FDA and MHRA have been hopelessly corrupted by industry money and aren't looking after the safety of the public as they should be.
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Are you saying that the British heart Foundation and nice are looking after industry rather than the public? If not why not just accept their advice as being independent and free from conspiracy theories.

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Back to a replacement van.

I just got an insurance quote from my previous insurer, Adrian Flux. In spite of saying I would ask Vanbitz to install an alarm and a tracker (Shadow VTS S5), they said the underwriters would want me to also install a "nanotracker'.

Looking at t-internet it seems to be another GPS device that attaches directly to the battery terminals. If it's the one by Parksafe Automotive, as far as I can see, it only has bluetooth connectivity, so I'm not sure of its purpose. The blurb does say it can monitor "driver behaviour' such as speeding and acceleration. Presumably this can only be interrogated in situ, following an accident (not theft). Is it legal for an insurance company to gather, and presumably use, information on "driver behaviour"?

Is this the kind of gadget that is offered to reduce insurance premiums for young/inexperienced drivers?

Anyone else encountered this?

If noting else, I guess it will be another drain on the engine battery when switched off.
 
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Langtoftlad said:
My metatrak non-starter also monitors driving standards
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Really? How? I have a Metatrak installed for me by VanBitz and it does quite detailed trip reporting including speed, but I didn't think it was also informing on me?
 
G-RMPS said:
Back to a replacement van.

I just got an insurance quote from my previous insurer, Adrian Flux. In spite of saying I would ask Vanbitz to install an alarm and a tracker (Shadow VTS S5), they said the underwriters would want me to also install a "nanotracker'.

Looking at t-internet it seems to be another GPS device that attaches directly to the battery terminals. If it's the one by Parksafe Automotive, as far as I can see, it only has bluetooth connectivity, so I'm not sure of its purpose. The blurb does say it can monitor "driver behaviour' such as speeding and acceleration. Presumably this can only be interrogated in situ, following an accident (not theft). Is it legal for an insurance company to gather, and presumably use, information on "driver behaviour"?

Is this the kind of gadget that is offered to reduce insurance premiums for young/inexperienced drivers?

Anyone else encountered this?

If noting else, I guess it will be another drain on the engine battery when switched off.
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Have you tried NFU? Insured our Carthago with them for £130k, no alarm or tracker required and £300 cheaper than Comfort who let me drive it of dealers premises without both fitted.

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jongood said:
It really depends on what you want to use it for, PVCs would be pretty cold for winter trips and very hot in summer, add to that the limitations for shower and toilet and you're looking at being mostly restricted to places with facilities in shoulder seasons. If thats what you want then perfect but its a long way from fulfilling our requirements.
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What do I want it for - light heartedly I describe the new Campervan as a mobility aid - following a small accident I am left with 3 herniated disks in my lower back and so can only walk for short distances comfortable. So then its back to the van and rest till the pain subsides - then its off again with camera in hand. Not for me the trips abroad just yet as theres enough places in the UK i want to explore again whilst having a cozy van that i can "furniture walk" around in
 
Well, time for an update. I needed a replacement van PDQ so just bought a 2025 stock Malibu van from a local dealer. I would have preferred different seat material and a diesel Truma but wasn’t prepared to wait 6 months for a bespoke order.

As expected, grim trade-in price. The dealer looked at our Hymer for 30 minutes and found everything we knew about, and more besides. A modest discount on the new purchase softened the blow somewhat, but now I need to sell a plane to balance the books.

First impressions, after two days loading and all of two miles to put some fuel in:

Auto and 180hp. What a change from “that” gearbox, and more power was obvious.

Large plastic trim piece fell off in the passenger footwell. Held on with not very sticky velcro.

Very flimsy feeling blinds in the cab which still let light in underneath. The base is a few centimetres above the dashboard. The distance between the blinds and the windscreen is insufficient space for the dashcam. The dashcam mount will just clear the blinds with the camera removed.

The ‘cave’ in the back is bigger than it looks. With some very careful measurement and the purchase of some Euro Boxes we managed to get almost everything from the Hymer in there. Including Q1000 BBQ and trolley, fresh and grey water carriers, loungers, small and larger tables, and those huge ramps. The Euro boxes are great. Parallel sides, so no wasted space and interlocking so you can mount one on top of another. Only downside here is no space now for a spare wheel/tyre, which worries me. But the van comes with no jack so no option for a DIY roadside change.

Similarly, inside there’s a deceptive amount of space though some is difficult to access due to the funny bed layout and storage under the table - even harder to get at as the table leg sits on the (optional, but included) carpet which covers the storage hole in the floor. By the way this section of carpet isn’t cut right, so is a poor fit. The other bits are better.

More to follow as we get used to it, if anyone is interested.
 
So what model layout did you get?
 
640 LERB “twin room”. I got a fiamma awning fitted by the dealer, no doubt cheaper than a Malibu option. However the winder and “rafter” are way too long to fit in the back, just another unanticipated minor aggravation.

Off to Spain next week, 6-weeks behind schedule. Via VanBitz.

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G-RMPS said:
Well, time for an update. I needed a replacement van PDQ so just bought a 2025 stock Malibu van from a local dealer. I would have preferred different seat material and a diesel Truma but wasn’t prepared to wait 6 months for a bespoke order.

As expected, grim trade-in price. The dealer looked at our Hymer for 30 minutes and found everything we knew about, and more besides. A modest discount on the new purchase softened the blow somewhat, but now I need to sell a plane to balance the books.

First impressions, after two days loading and all of two miles to put some fuel in:

Auto and 180hp. What a change from “that” gearbox, and more power was obvious.

Large plastic trim piece fell off in the passenger footwell. Held on with not very sticky velcro.

Very flimsy feeling blinds in the cab which still let light in underneath. The base is a few centimetres above the dashboard. The distance between the blinds and the windscreen is insufficient space for the dashcam. The dashcam mount will just clear the blinds with the camera removed.

The ‘cave’ in the back is bigger than it looks. With some very careful measurement and the purchase of some Euro Boxes we managed to get almost everything from the Hymer in there. Including Q1000 BBQ and trolley, fresh and grey water carriers, loungers, small and larger tables, and those huge ramps. The Euro boxes are great. Parallel sides, so no wasted space and interlocking so you can mount one on top of another. Only downside here is no space now for a spare wheel/tyre, which worries me. But the van comes with no jack so no option for a DIY roadside change.

Similarly, inside there’s a deceptive amount of space though some is difficult to access due to the funny bed layout and storage under the table - even harder to get at as the table leg sits on the (optional, but included) carpet which covers the storage hole in the floor. By the way this section of carpet isn’t cut right, so is a poor fit. The other bits are better.

More to follow as we get used to it, if anyone is interested.
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If you've no rear mounted bike carrier you could fit a rear door mounted spare wheel carrier. And carry a bottle jack.
 
G-RMPS said:
Well, time for an update. I needed a replacement van PDQ so just bought a 2025 stock Malibu van from a local dealer. I would have preferred different seat material and a diesel Truma but wasn’t prepared to wait 6 months for a bespoke order.

As expected, grim trade-in price. The dealer looked at our Hymer for 30 minutes and found everything we knew about, and more besides. A modest discount on the new purchase softened the blow somewhat, but now I need to sell a plane to balance the books.

First impressions, after two days loading and all of two miles to put some fuel in:

Auto and 180hp. What a change from “that” gearbox, and more power was obvious.

Large plastic trim piece fell off in the passenger footwell. Held on with not very sticky velcro.

Very flimsy feeling blinds in the cab which still let light in underneath. The base is a few centimetres above the dashboard. The distance between the blinds and the windscreen is insufficient space for the dashcam. The dashcam mount will just clear the blinds with the camera removed.

The ‘cave’ in the back is bigger than it looks. With some very careful measurement and the purchase of some Euro Boxes we managed to get almost everything from the Hymer in there. Including Q1000 BBQ and trolley, fresh and grey water carriers, loungers, small and larger tables, and those huge ramps. The Euro boxes are great. Parallel sides, so no wasted space and interlocking so you can mount one on top of another. Only downside here is no space now for a spare wheel/tyre, which worries me. But the van comes with no jack so no option for a DIY roadside change.

Similarly, inside there’s a deceptive amount of space though some is difficult to access due to the funny bed layout and storage under the table - even harder to get at as the table leg sits on the (optional, but included) carpet which covers the storage hole in the floor. By the way this section of carpet isn’t cut right, so is a poor fit. The other bits are better.

More to follow as we get used to it, if anyone is interested.
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Is there a jack and bottle of gunge under drivers or passengers seat?
 
G-RMPS said:
Thanks for all the sympathy/empathy votes.

The fun starts now. How to minimise the inevitable compromises, starting with 3500kg max.

Island bed seems to be the first thing to go. We don’t fancy climbing up to over-cab beds, or transverse doubles, or French beds (for the same reason) or caravan-style on two benches, so it’s looking like two proper singles or somesuch. It’s beginning to look like we may join the woosh-bang brigade.

There are dozens to choose from and, as snowbirds, we want to be away PDQ. We’re restricting our choices to reasonable build quality which will probably eliminate most - obviously bias rather than researched facts! Our Hymer never had quality issues once we had replaced the stupid plastic kitchen drawer hinges with steel ones.
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Woosh Bang is no longer with the new vans are they all (I think) have silent close which is electric for the last bit. However if you try really hard you can still get the same effect!
 
There’s gunge and a compressor, but no jack. Battery and electroblock under passenger seat. Space for a 280aH lithium under driver seat.

I’ll consider a rear-door-mounted spare wheel but I suspect I’ll already be at 3500kg. I’ll get it weighed this week, after the Navigatrice’s clothes are on board. Fortunately very limited space for shoes :)
 
MichaelT said:
Is there a jack and bottle of gunge under drivers or passengers seat?
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My Malibu 640 Van came EBL and batteries beneath the seats. The spare wheel, carrier and jacking option adds 39kg to the van and G-RMPS may not have enough payload left.

Edit. Already answered by G-RMPS .

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G-RMPS said:
There’s gunge and a compressor, but no jack. Battery and electroblock under passenger seat. Space for a 280aH lithium under driver seat.

I’ll consider a rear-door-mounted spare wheel but I suspect I’ll already be at 3500kg. I’ll get it weighed this week, after the Navigatrice’s clothes are on board. Fortunately very limited space for shoes :)
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The 640 has room for a wind down spare wheel carrier underneath the van.

Edit. I should add that applies to the Malibu 640, other manufacturers may have filled the space with tanks etc.
 
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G-RMPS said:
Well, time for an update. I needed a replacement van PDQ so just bought a 2025 stock Malibu van from a local dealer. I would have preferred different seat material and a diesel Truma but wasn’t prepared to wait 6 months for a bespoke order.

As expected, grim trade-in price. The dealer looked at our Hymer for 30 minutes and found everything we knew about, and more besides. A modest discount on the new purchase softened the blow somewhat, but now I need to sell a plane to balance the books.

First impressions, after two days loading and all of two miles to put some fuel in:

Auto and 180hp. What a change from “that” gearbox, and more power was obvious.

Large plastic trim piece fell off in the passenger footwell. Held on with not very sticky velcro.

Very flimsy feeling blinds in the cab which still let light in underneath. The base is a few centimetres above the dashboard. The distance between the blinds and the windscreen is insufficient space for the dashcam. The dashcam mount will just clear the blinds with the camera removed.

The ‘cave’ in the back is bigger than it looks. With some very careful measurement and the purchase of some Euro Boxes we managed to get almost everything from the Hymer in there. Including Q1000 BBQ and trolley, fresh and grey water carriers, loungers, small and larger tables, and those huge ramps. The Euro boxes are great. Parallel sides, so no wasted space and interlocking so you can mount one on top of another. Only downside here is no space now for a spare wheel/tyre, which worries me. But the van comes with no jack so no option for a DIY roadside change.

Similarly, inside there’s a deceptive amount of space though some is difficult to access due to the funny bed layout and storage under the table - even harder to get at as the table leg sits on the (optional, but included) carpet which covers the storage hole in the floor. By the way this section of carpet isn’t cut right, so is a poor fit. The other bits are better.

More to follow as we get used to it, if anyone is interested.
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Don't sell the RV12!!
 
We owned a Malibu 640 for nearly three years. We solved the bike problem by fitting two Bromptons (not electric) into the cave, plus all the gear for two months in Europe.

In general, it was great, but we wanted to add an awning, spare wheel, and possibly change the Bromptons to e-bikes, and that was when the problems started. Those items would have easily taken us over 3500Kg.

Big decision time - should we up-plate or sell?

The final decider occurred last January when it turned very cold. The diesel Truma, could keep the van warm (but struggled on EHU), but the problem was that the boiler is under the shorter bed, and gets so warm as well as being noisy, that my wife was too hot in bed, so we had to turn the heating off over night.

It’s not fun waking up to the van being 5 degrees in the morning, so decision made. Bye Bye Malibu, with quite a lot of regret, as it is intrinsically a good van, but doesn’t meet our requirements in our frequent winter trips.
 
G-RMPS said:
Well, time for an update. I needed a replacement van PDQ so just bought a 2025 stock Malibu van from a local dealer. I would have preferred different seat material and a diesel Truma but wasn’t prepared to wait 6 months for a bespoke order.

As expected, grim trade-in price. The dealer looked at our Hymer for 30 minutes and found everything we knew about, and more besides. A modest discount on the new purchase softened the blow somewhat, but now I need to sell a plane to balance the books.

First impressions, after two days loading and all of two miles to put some fuel in:

Auto and 180hp. What a change from “that” gearbox, and more power was obvious.

Large plastic trim piece fell off in the passenger footwell. Held on with not very sticky velcro.

Very flimsy feeling blinds in the cab which still let light in underneath. The base is a few centimetres above the dashboard. The distance between the blinds and the windscreen is insufficient space for the dashcam. The dashcam mount will just clear the blinds with the camera removed.

The ‘cave’ in the back is bigger than it looks. With some very careful measurement and the purchase of some Euro Boxes we managed to get almost everything from the Hymer in there. Including Q1000 BBQ and trolley, fresh and grey water carriers, loungers, small and larger tables, and those huge ramps. The Euro boxes are great. Parallel sides, so no wasted space and interlocking so you can mount one on top of another. Only downside here is no space now for a spare wheel/tyre, which worries me. But the van comes with no jack so no option for a DIY roadside change.

Similarly, inside there’s a deceptive amount of space though some is difficult to access due to the funny bed layout and storage under the table - even harder to get at as the table leg sits on the (optional, but included) carpet which covers the storage hole in the floor. By the way this section of carpet isn’t cut right, so is a poor fit. The other bits are better.

More to follow as we get used to it, if anyone is interested.
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Isn’t the spare underslung ?
 
I’m in the same boat also with 4250t Bessacar but waiting til April to see if government fall in line with Europe and increase weight without C1 to 4250. Although why they would get that right…

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G-RMPS said:
Last week, all set for 3 month's in Spain. Van loaded and almost ready to go. Ferry, campsite, hire car all booked months ago. Just one problem. Driving licence renewal, which I applied for at the beginning of September. It finally arrived, two days before we were due to set off. With the C1 missing :-( Next day, I got a letter saying the C1 had been revoked "have not met the required standard", whatever that means. I had been required to take an exercise stress test weeks ago which, as far as I knew, had gone OK. Certainly I had had no qualms about undertaking it, and it didn't seem particularly "stressful" at the time.

So, the van is in storage and I cannot drive it.

Step one. Cancel the campsite, hire car. Reschedule the ferry to November. Cost £12, but the £600 now re-invested in a club cabin for the future.

Step two. Decide what to do with the van. One option was to try to sell it for cash with a dealer. Dealers forecourts are stuffed with unsold vans. So doesn't sound like a practical proposition. Another option was to try to sell it privately. In min-December? When I cannot even demonstrate the van without a valid driving license. So part-exchange maybe? What replacement could carry a Hymer's load of possessions and remain below 3500kg, and at what incremental cost? Lennie says it's impossible. He may be right.

Episode two to follow!
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How many times in your life have you ever been stopped and put on a weybridge especially in Spain forget it go and enjoy your holiday.
 
Rozzer said:
I’m in the same boat also with 4250t Bessacar but waiting til April to see if government fall in line with Europe and increase weight without C1 to 4250. Although why they would get that right…
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Europe haven't actually done it yet. Asfaik looking likely but waiting for individual states to implement.
 
Any Malibuers got switches like this? These are above the fridge. Starting from the left, the first one is the retractable step. The next one along doesn’t appear to do anything. Should it? The remaining three are lights, and all work as expected.

1737306778159.webp
 
G-RMPS said:
Any Malibuers got switches like this? These are above the fridge. Starting from the left, the first one is the retractable step. The next one along doesn’t appear to do anything. Should it? The remaining three are lights, and all work as expected.

View attachment 1002225
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Possibly the awning light?

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