Upsize or Downsize?

[mikebeaches]

Our Carthago's wheelbase is 3.525m, the Campscout's was 4.035m and it really does make a heck of a different not only with turning etc but when parking as we can put an extra half a metre of rear end over grass etc which we couldn't do with the Campscout so sometimes the front end stuck out too much and meant we couldn't use the spot but don't have that issue with the Carthago.

Gosh, hadn't realised that. Can understand it makes a significant difference.

 

[Terry242]

We downsized from 8 to 6.75m and find it suits our use very well. I often look enviously at some excellent PVC's but would want the XL for maximum internal space and by the time you add a bike rack and two bikes, it's the same length as my A class! And without the bike security of a garage.
As for payload, my van has a quoted 700kg but the i never check it and never will.

Terry

 

[Vipar]

As fuel gets more expensive that will become a factor, my old boxer did 35 mpg cost was not a problem, but if your only getting 20mpg it might make you think. I will have to sleep near the wife/ girlfriend

 

[Anjistar]

When we bought our PVC part of the research was listening to a nice chap giving a talk at one of the shows on starting out with motorhoming. He said buy the smallest van you are comfortable with. Given our requirements, that turned out to be a 6.36m Vantage Neo. We both drive it but mostly me because it's so nice to drive. Have had no problems parking so far.

 

[the1andonly]

We upsized to a 6m coachbuilt, plenty of space but have to move things about if we take the washing machine. weight not a problem at 3850kg. Could be used at 3500kg but too many advantages at 3850 until forced to downplate. Really depends on where you come from if some thing is big enough or too big (change the mindset not the van). The wife thought a particular lane was too small ,no problem apart from bushes scrapping down both sides and pushing mirrors in.
The odd scratch, no problem, i have no intention of selling.

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[Gillygrim]

My grandmother was a brothel keeper and looter in WW2.

Ivy

No disrespect to the OP but if any flame went out say on your gas cooker at home for a while would you then press the igniter or turn a light on, no.

Should of taken the lid off first had a look plus it would of released the gas so re ignition would of been safe but........

We as human beings learn from mistakes and it’s not a fault of the manufacturer.

Glad your safe and well.

The cynic mocks, but the skeptic questions, and hopefully reaches a sensible conclusion. I have concluded that irrespective of my desires and prejudices, the powers that be are more capable of dealing with this crisis than I am!

correct - When the Falklands War occurred and just after, British troops in the Falklands referred to the Islanders as "Bennies", after Paul Henry's character in Crossroads, who was often to be seen wearing a bobble cap like the islanders. Benny was a bit of a stupid character, so this was not taken too kindly by the islanders themselves.

The videos not bad but 10/10 for a most annoying soundtrack.

Perhaps they should have a man in front waving a red flag . It’s to many people living in to small a space all trying to get to the same place at the same time.

Depends on your insurance. When I checked on mine in the last lockdown, they said no problem.

We joined the CAMC when we bought our first motorhome three years ago because I presumed it was part and parcel of owning one.
We used a few sites when we did a short tour of mid and north Wales just after collecting the van, but apart from using the Baltic wharf one once when we were visiting our daughter in Bristol, haven't used any sites or had any other benefits from being members. So this year I cancelled the direct debit.
We very quickly realised we prefer to wild camp or use pub stopovers in the UK rather than campsites, and now spend more time in warmer climes anyway, where a suitable aire or sosta isn't far away.
We also use the tunnel (frequent traveller shared with another) not ferries to get to France so ferry discounts don't apply.

Not long had ours. We love it, using it to cook in and shelter when wanting to be outside sipping when it is raining.

Thank you for the update.

My heart goes out to all concerned, her family, the person who found the remains and the people who have to deal with the discovery.

A horrible time for all made worse by the uncertainly of if they have found Esther or not. Minds must be doing overtime with if, what if and how.

Been in France for 6 days now. Presently in Cluny, Macon area. Cold of a night , sunny days but only about 21c, pleasant enough. Heading further south and then Spain. Proof of vaccination needed in most bars and municipal swimming pools. Sites fairly empty. Some areas of Cluny have signs insisting you wear masks. Everybody seems sensible. the few places where there seem to be a few more people like street markets people wear masks. Not obligatory but most people in restaurants seem to choose tables away from others. Generally feels safe.

No way Im flying there and leave the motorhome sat at home, otherwise what was the point of buying it?

Looking at google I can get to south coast of France in 2 days from Bedford via tunnel leaving me 12 days to circumnavigate clockwise back to the tunnel and home?

One issue I found, and I don't know if its changed, but when you load the card with Euros those can only be used for adhoc arrivals. If you look and see there are say 4 spaces and you decide to book, you have to pay by card online it will not use the credit you have loaded. Also you needed to pay for the ability to book. The Aires are great in my opinion,and the ability to view availability and book is equally convenient. If they have changed the ability to pay for booked spaces from the account loading please sing out.

If someone ask me why not. I'd answer .I don't want to.
Simples

Our Carthago's wheelbase is 3.525m, the Campscout's was 4.035m and it really does make a heck of a different not only with turning etc but when parking as we can put an extra half a metre of rear end over grass etc which we couldn't do with the Campscout so sometimes the front end stuck out too much and meant we couldn't use the spot but don't have that issue with the Carthago.

I agree with Minxy that reversing in allows the overhang to take up spare space but just a word of warning - I had parked rear end in at a Supermarket. I'd found an out of the way corner, not obstructing any other drivers etc. Went to shop and was called over the tannoy to move the vehicle. I rushed out to find an irate lady in a mobility scooter who was unable to get behind my van. Abject apologies were rejected so I just moved as quickly as I could and have always been very careful since then. It seems no matter what/where we park there will always be a chance of unwittingly upsetting someone.

 

[Gillygrim]

Don't know how I've managed to get all those quotes in with my post - only wanted Minxy's.......

 

[Mark and Mindy]

We had 2 different 5.4m, one which needed the beds making up every night and one with a fixed transverse bed, but we're upsizing to 6.36m to get a longitudinal bed, bigger washroom and bigger fridge. I chill out in the evenings and sit on the bed with my back to the washroom wall, in a 5.4m van my feet were touching the back door and I had to sit bolt upright, Mark watches films at the dinette end, the dogs are with whichever one of us they want to be.
6.36m van is on order... waiting, waiting, waiting...

 

[Minxy]

Don't know how I've managed to get all those quotes in with my post - only wanted Minxy's.......

I assume you've added 'quotes' as you've read other threads, then when you post on one and do 'insert quotes' it plops them all in, not just the one for that particular thread ... you can just edit your post and delete the ones you don't want.

 

[Gillygrim]

Probably !! Although I wasn't reading anything else. So how do I just get the one I want.....

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[Rosemary1]

Don't know how I've managed to get all those quotes in with my post - only wanted Minxy's.......

I was amazed - I never seem able to quote more than one at a time!

 

[eddie]

The trend looking at our returning customer base is downsizing, this also seems true with my closest friends all who had until recently RV's and have reverted back to smaller European motorhomes

My last few RV's have been 36' 33' 30' we currently have a 29' camper and have a new van on order, a 7m European camper the first European we have ordered for over 20 years! so we are also "trending"

Electric bikes has been our motivation, we love them and are really enjoying some of the amazing cycle trails that have been created, and now want to be able to do more CL & Pub stops to get access to more cycle routes, and Lithium batteries make being off grid at these locations so much more "do'able" whilst still having "essentials" such as hair driers not important to many I know, (I can spot them walking around at the shows ) but non negotiable with my wife

 

[Minxy]

I was amazed - I never seem able to quote more than one at a time!

I usually have a few tabs with different threads open at a time and often press

which adds it to any other posts I've quoted already using this option but not yet inserted into a new post.

If however I press

that post I've snipped will be immediately put in the reply box at the bottom of the thread I'm viewing and not added to the other posts I've quoted using

.

If I flit between threads using

and then choose to insert posts into a thread I can inadvertently post all the quotes I've been snipping away at into that one thread unless I remove them so if I do this I quickly have to edit my post to remove the 'stray' ones!

I think that makes sense!

 

[Gillygrim]

I'll try that next time I want to post some highly significant fact !!!
Thanks, Minxy !

 

[Vipar]

Ok you win a medal

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[VXman]

I don't see the point in what the current trend is. It's about what works for you. We went for a 7.5m X 2.3 Coachbuilt based on what layout/accommodation we wanted. We felt this was the smallest we could have with a requirement of a fixed rear single beds. (Can't be doing with climbing over the otherhalf) Not found it to difficult for parking generally.

 

[Garfields]

We downsized from a tag axle frankia to a Globecar Campscout Revolution and 5 years on we are still happy.
Remember that a downsize isnt a downgrade!

+1 Like jezport we have the Campscout Revolution works for us and a bit longer than the previous van. Have upped the payload, loads of space but we were pushing the 3500kg with all our essential "stuff" in
I'm sure it would not be the van for others though.
Its not the size it's what you do with it that matters.