Smallest motorhome...

[Coolcats]

And is what the Hymercar range does

 

[TheCaller]

The Wildax Pulsar is as far as I know the only one in the UK which answers your requirements.
However if your were in Germany you could have on of these! As an L1 H4, it is taking things to extremes. I saw one in Langenargen in Germany a month ago. A couple on bikes stopped and took pictures, so strange it looked.
Broken Link Removed

That's interesting as the Vario 499 is not listed as a Globecar which is why I didn't mention it. That link you've put up has a Poessl picture. It would be worthwhile to contact the dealer to ask if it can be purchased as Poessl doesn't sell in the UK.

I think Globecar listed them for a few years - maybe around 2013 - 16. So there may be a few 2nd hand ones about.

 

[RubyOptics]

We downsized from a tag frankia to a Large PVC. The only difference in living in a smaller van is that everything is an interference fit. You need to think and plan a bit more. If our shower is brng used you cant get in the fridge. Other vans have different things you cant do at the same time

I tried one of the smaller PVCs at a show last year. It turns out I was an interference for in the shower!

 

[CWH]

If there is an argument at home we don’t run in to separate rooms.

You would in our house ........

Then I feel sorry for you

Ooh that's you told Popeye ! Now behave yourself!!!

 

[mitzimad]

have a look at the le strada range stunning vans

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Popeye]

Ooh that's you told @Popeye ! Now behave yourself!!!

Yes that was a wasted emoji wasn't it?

 

[frwjd]

Have a look at Nu-venture Rio's

 

[Downsie]

Three years ago my husband died and I had to sell our Rapido as the storage at home was so difficult to access. I missed the freedom and way of life hugely, and shamelessly lurked on Fun. Then a few weeks ago I found this thread and, thanks to CWH and Koppersbeat I discovered the Wildax Pulsar. It’s small enough (only me and a cocker spaniel!) and seems to have everything I want. The prospect of regaining my freedom is so excitin. The dealer I want to use doesn’t have one in stock to actually see, but I am seriously tempted to order regardless. Opinions please!

 

[Langtoftlad]

Join the Wildax enthusiasts group on Facebook... you'll get warts and all opinions
Just keep in mind that folk with moans are more likely to be motivated to air their grievances.
IMHO Wildax are not perfect but better than most.
The caveat to that being, I bought mine direct and before the Rapido investment.

 

[CWH]

The dealer I want to use doesn’t have one in stock to actually see, but I am seriously tempted to order regardless. Opinions please!

While I couldn't advise someone to buy sight unseen, I confess that I'd made my mind up before I actually saw a Pulsar at a show. Seeing and sitting in the demonstrator van made no difference - I signed up there and then.

Downsie I agree with everything Langtoftlad says - he and I got our WildAxes about one week apart direct from the manufacturer.
If you go on the Wildax Enthusiasts Group you might find somebody local who'd let you have a look at their Pulsar, Covid permitting. (Unfortunately we're about 650 miles apart or you could have had a look at my van!)
The brand new Pulsar has a couple of design changes from mine.
You need to think about a few things: will you be buying new or used? do you want manual or automatic gearbox? will you want a solar panel? etc.
If you have any specific thoughts or questions, no more lurking - ask away on here

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Conal]

Small motor homes

4.96m East Nuek Fifer S
5.4m Possi RoadCamp
5.4m Autosleeper Nuevo

5m Wildax Pulsar + spare wheel heated and insulated 80 litre water tanks, 60 litre 3 way fridge - my favourite!

5.5m Murvi Piccolo
5.5m Murvi Pimento
5.4 HymerCar Ayers Rock
5.4m Consort
5.2m Autosleeper Symbol
5.413m GlobeCar Summit 540
5.2m CS Amigo
5.41mKnause Boxstar 540
5.66m Nu-venture Rio

In no particular order. I don’t think the Fifer S is made any more - the M model is 5.41m

 

[Downsie]

So I’ve joined the Facebook group, as you say Langtoftlad warts and all opinions, but you’re never going to get a new motorhome with no snags, just so many things that might be not quite right. Having had three new Rapidos I’m not really bothered by their input. Unfortunately I can’t find anyone vaguely local with a Pulsar.

i know I want a new manual version and an outside shower for my companion who loves to plonk herself in muddy puddles! I would be very interested in your opinions on solar panels, do they really keep the batteries topped up? Do all Pulsars have the same panel? The dealer said he could put an inverter in (mainly for an 800w travel hairdryer and charging devices). My main worry on not seeing it is the shower, you describe it as usable CWH, is it big enough to function reasonably? I’m pretty much average build.

i have had 5 motorhomes over the years and hadn’t realised until I read your comment CWH that we had chosen the vans from magazines etc but did go and see one before ordering. In every case we got it right, so this time the only difference would be not having that check.

Thank you so much for that list Conal, I looked up the East Nuek Fifer S and the CS Amigo neither of which appealed, and the others are longer. Glad the Pulsar is your favourite, have you got one? Length is really an issue. Coincidentally the Wildax dealer in Bracknell who bought my last van when I had to sell, is the closest Wildax dealer. When I spoke to him yesterday he still remembered the difficulty they had in getting out the 6.4m van (also wider than the Pulsar by far). They were also very fair then.

 

[CWH]

My main worry on not seeing it is the shower, you describe it as usable @CWH, is it big enough to function reasonably? I’m pretty much average build.

I find the shower perfectly ok, but the new model has a fixed washbasin which reduces the space somewhat; so this would be a question to ask of the newer model owners on the f/b group.

I'm curious as to why you want a manual gearbox. I insisted on automatic when we got our first m/h to protect my left knee; Him Indoors was against the idea but the m/h was MY dream so that's what we got; he wouldn't have anything else now and his car (the Pulsar is mine, he doesn't travel) is an auto. I've heard this from so many people: they don't want auto but when for whatever reason they get one, they soon get used to the different way of driving (it's easier!!!) and wouldn't go back to manual.

 

[Conal]

Downsie
No, we have a mobile house! An Autotrail Delaware because my wife needs room to move around as our sleep patterns are different. If I was travelling alone I would chose the Pulsar.

 

[davidroxburgh]

We too are very interested in the Wildax Pulsar. At prevent we have a Westfalia Columbus 6.363 m long and have been very pleased. However we realise that before too long age will influence the kind of vehicle we use and the Pulsar was an eye opener in seeming to be the potential combination of daily drive and go away vehicle.

I take the point that we would lose fixed beds but the two sliding doors and the potential to make a bench opposite whichever sliding door suits ie UK or abroad is very clever.

We saw one at Southern Motorhomes at Bracknell. They seemed very helpful but did not have an auto model. It may be a few years before we change and hopefully by then the scarcity of new models will have abated.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[CWH]

They seemed very helpful but did not have an auto model.

I had to order mine as an auto, and wait while it was sourced and built; I wanted the Fiat Comfortmatic gearbox but unfortunately they don't make this any more, you get the new fully automatic, which may be even better!

 

[busby]

Just remember 2 people in a tiny van is like being in a prison cell when the bad weather stops you getting out. If you argue, it can be like hell on earth with no escape. Could the 2 of you survive being locked in an average bathroom together for 24 hours or more?

We have managed 6 months every year away in our 5.2 metre van for years with no problem.Its not as if in any van you go for a walk round in it..We have a better lounge for the odd bit of bad weather we get when away than many much larger vans.In fact we had a 7 metre Dethleff with a fixed bed but the lounge and kitchen were not as good as the van we have now.. BUSBY.

 

[pappajohn]

Try one of the Chinese imports.
Usually Isuzu or similar.
They seem to get imported because they can't pass their extremely tough MOT equivalent which evidently makes California's MOT laws seem so lax as to be worthless.

Have a look at this importer for an idea of what there is.
https://www.ts-export.com/page.php?page=about_motorhomes

 

[Downsie]

On talking to Jack at Southern Motorhomes yesterday they have a silver auto coming in a couple of months. I can’t find anywhere in the south east that has any stock. I’m going to take the plunge in the morning and order the manual blue Pulsar that they’re expecting in Jan/Feb. You’ve reassured me about the shower CWH. Not bothered about the basin if the footprint is ok. It’s going to be manual as that’s what I’m used to (50 years since I drove an automatic!) and I’m keeping the car. Glad it’s got cruise control though.

 

[CWH]

You’ve reassured me about the shower @CWH. Not bothered about the basin if the footprint is ok.

Mine has a drop-down basin situated above the loo so it doesn't impinge on the footprint at all..
The new design has a fixed basin on the wall opposite the door so it does narrow the shower at about waist height, but I've spoken with owners of the new one and they're happy with it, and I can see advantages.
See 7m28 in this video:

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Koppersbeat]

The shower is absolutely fine in the Pulsar.I have changed the head to a trigger operated one to save water.
The top lockers are a little bit high for me as I had a shoulder operation 2 years ago following a fall in my garden.I have a fold up stool which is great. We had 3 Rapido A class vans and I sold the last one when my husband died 5 years ago. Wildax is now owned by Rapido incidentally.
My cocker spaniel adores the van. If you fancy a day at the beach when we are all back to normal give me a shout.I am 200 yds from East Wittering beach and 2 miles from the famous West Wittering beach.

PS I had an extra leisure battery and a solar panel which works well. I later added a Snipe satellite which just fits nicely on the remaining roof space.

 

[CWH]

I also have the 2nd leisure battery, solar, and fold-up stool!

 

[Koppersbeat]

Downsie if you intend going abroad when you get your new van I highly recommend as a solo traveller to get a Toll Tag. I know cocker spaniels are super intelligent but their front paws are not long enough to collect a ticket ! btw I feel on top of the world when driving my Pulsar.I can’t wait to get over to France again.I have a tunnel booking and a Newhaven/ Dieppe voucher for missed crossings this year.

 

[kevenh]

Thanks all for you replies. Having reflected on costs and our ability to get away just now, I think we’ll leave motorhoming for a bit.

Shame. But certainly tiers & lockdowns don't make motorhoming that easy.

If you do revisit the idea, look at the car park space you have.
That will help narrow down the motorhome choices.
Our drive space available was 2.3m by 6.5m
We've a great Compass Avantgarde 120 that fits on with some free space to get around all sides.

Is the size requirement less about parking and more about your OH comfort levels doing her share of driving?
mrskevenh doesn't look forward to driving our MH but she's practised. First at 5mph on a campsite road and then later on short sections of a drive between campsites.
Now she's happy to do a spell of driving if she had to but otherwise it's my job.
She's on the insurance so I wanted her confident in being able to get us home - if needed.

 

[Otter Spotter]

A travel lodge room?

Rodney you plonker

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[tribalbrit]

 

[Downsie]

Ok, so I’ve done it, ordered a Wildax Pulsar this morning! Being made in Dec, should be ready in Jan so I shall expect it sometime in Feb. Koppersbeat thank you for confirming that the shower is good. I don’t feel confident enough to consider France yet, always loved being abroad in the van though, so you never know.

 

[CWH]

Ok, so I’ve done it, ordered a Wildax Pulsar this morning! Being made in Dec, should be ready in Jan so I shall expect it sometime in Feb. Koppersbeat thank you for confirming that the shower is good. I don’t feel confident enough to consider France yet, always loved being abroad in the van though, so you never know.

Whoop-whoop-de-whoop!!!!! Well done that girl! It's a cracking van, you'll love it and everything it opens up for you.
Maybe the three of us should do a Pulsar Procession somewhere, sometime next year - we'd only take up as much space as one RV!!!

 

[Downsie]

Definitely sounds like a plan!

 

[Otter Spotter]

Ok, so I’ve done it, ordered a Wildax Pulsar this morning! Being made in Dec, should be ready in Jan so I shall expect it sometime in Feb. Koppersbeat thank you for confirming that the shower is good. I don’t feel confident enough to consider France yet, always loved being abroad in the van though, so you never know.

Well done, we went to Wildax’s factory and test drove a couple of vans, what impressed me was their design and workmanship, couldn’t afford a new one and ultimately had our own built but had we had the cash we would have bought Wildax.
I hope you have many years of fantastic travel and times in your new wheels.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}