What are your thoughts on Motorhome vs Campers?

[Davej0355]

The question is, what would I get next? The answer is, its my decision and it is down to personal choice. So what am I looking for - I would like to get further info based on other peoples experiences/recommendations

We have a near new 8.4M MH (previous MH was a 7.4) which is a fantastic MH but we are starting to feel that it may be too big for US! We haven't got to any final decision as yet but, we are considering if we should downsize to something around 7M. We have only been MH'ing for 3 years and have spent a lot of our travels on sites near bus stops etc rather than taking the MH to places and potentially missing out on driving to attractions etc. We now think that having a smaller van might be a better option and possibly tow a car

Do people with 7m vans get out and about readily eg happy to take them to normal car parks/supermarkets/attractions .... (except height) - obviously they do but what do they consider before setting off - obviously need to pack things away/levelling etc
MH vs Camper - we like single beds (we only need 2 berths) and I think that a MH will offer better storage rather than campers and their beds are more comfortable???

Vehicle recommendations - I would ideally like a MB or VW chassis - only as our first MH was a Fiat A class which was rather noisy. Any recommendations on models that you particularly like? There are lots of places to look at reviews but the models/combinations arent always obvious

Like I said we only want shared experiences/knowledge so that we can work out our next steps - Thanks in advance - Happy travels

 

[Davej0355]

Cathago Compactline i141, 6.67m,

Our first van was 2.35m, the last two 2.21m, the Compactline is only 2.12m only a couple of inches wider than a PVC.

Very nice

 

[Davej0355]

We were looking to down size from 8.5m and 7.5m coachbuilts to something optimised for an active couple for off griddng ,rallys and European touring.We initially looked at luxury pvc's like IH and Vantage etc and really like a rear lounge but need storage for kayaks, emtbs and all that go with them.We came to the conclusion that the pvc's (even a DIY conversion I considered) would not quite tick all the boxes and then found the Rapido 854f A class (still awaiting delivery!). For a similar length to the xlwb pvc's we were looking at and a bit more width you get a massive amount of extra space and for similar or less money.It has a fairly narrow but full height garage behind the u shaped lounge we wanted which with a tow bar will give us plenty of storage and carrying options.We've never really had a single issue with the longer vehicles and don't expect the width to be a concern where we do most of our traveling.We dont stay sites for a week or 2 but if we are staying for 3 or 4 days very happy to use the bikes or public transport. Good luck with finding a compromise that works for the type of touring you do.

Looks very interesting thanks

 

[EuroTrotters]

All I can suggest is, make sure you are self sufficient.

So

Toilet
Shower

A must

 

[Barti Ddu]

That new Chausson X650 looks interesting as it’s slim like a PVC.

We saw a Chausson X650 (or possibly an X550) in France last year. Very striking looking in its black and white wedge style graphics with blue accents. It's appearance is decieving. On first glance I couldn't work out if it was a PVC, an A Class or a coachbuild. Very compact and narrow on the outside. I'd be interested to have a look inside one.

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[Davej0355]

Many thanks to all for your thoughts. Very helpful. Have a good weekend

 

[Pablo19]

We upsized from a 6M to 7M and haven't found it restrictive getting out and about but use full size emountain bikes so no hassle and the reason why we went to a MH with a garage to store them and keep them out of sight.. It's a Knaus Sun Ti 650 MEG by the way.

 

[helen peters]

We recently bought our first van….but had spent ages researching and looking. We wanted self sufficiency and manoeuvrability. We narrowed the field down to a Chausson 6.4m coach built and an Adria Twin 6.4m van. In the end the van won, and so far we have been more than happy with it. The very large drop down bed at the rear allows us to transport our bikes internally along with all our other ‘stuff’ in the very large garage under the bed. With the bed raised up to the ceiling this gives a huge space for storage, sitting, working on bikes etc. The front has a small but sufficient living area and the kitchen is fine for us two. The bathroom is very clever with a moving partition wall that converts it into a shower cubicle and keeps everything else dry. The Twin comes in 3 layouts….one has twin beds at the rear but we preferred the large double….we can sleep transverse or longways. And so far parking at the supermarket has been easy and driving round narrow country lanes no problem at all. We love it!

 

[Peavy]

Bathroom was one of the main reasons we bought ours.

 

[Russell's Dad]

We moved from a 6m PVC to Compactline Carthago. What made us (me) decide to change van, was a week in Tavira when it rained almost constantly. The 6m Globescout PVC got a bit claustrophobic at the front end for me ( I'm 6'3").
The A Class is pretty much the same footprint ( we needed a bike rack on the PVC) and is on a short wheelbase. It is a good bit taller, but has a double floor eith masses of storage. The living area is just so much more spacious and a good bit more headroom. We just wish it wasn't white, as the PVC was dark grey and very discrete for free camping.

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[BillandHelen]

We have a Wildax Elara on the 7m Mercedes sprinter chassis. our view is that wherever a DPD driver can go then so can we! We like solidity, drive, safety of a panel van along with its narrowness which we have found to be more important than length of the van. The downside though is the relative narrowness inside, you really need to try the beds/shower/sitting etc to ensure it works for you, in ours it help to be slimmish to use the shower!!
We have 2 single beds, a really usable bathroom, terrific kitchen with large fridge, induction/gas hob, oven and microwave. Fully off grid capable, 120l water inside, 40l gas tank, 200amp lithium and 2000w inverter. Large under bed garage with room for 2 electric bromptons/chairs/tables and assorted junk.
would thoroughly recommend, with previous proviso re narrowness.

 

[Davej0355]

Thanks All for your thoughts. The final verdict from us is that we have traded our coachman travelmaster (8.4*2.47), for our wildax altair rs (6.84*2.04) which we picked up on Monday. Main reason for selecting was fixed bed, storage all on a man chassis and all electric internals. Now looking forward to our next travels. Thanks all

 

[seasideBill]

We recently bought our first van….but had spent ages researching and looking. We wanted self sufficiency and manoeuvrability. We narrowed the field down to a Chausson 6.4m coach built and an Adria Twin 6.4m van. In the end the van won, and so far we have been more than happy with it. The very large drop down bed at the rear allows us to transport our bikes internally along with all our other ‘stuff’ in the very large garage under the bed. With the bed raised up to the ceiling this gives a huge space for storage, sitting, working on bikes etc. The front has a small but sufficient living area and the kitchen is fine for us two. The bathroom is very clever with a moving partition wall that converts it into a shower cubicle and keeps everything else dry. The Twin comes in 3 layouts….one has twin beds at the rear but we preferred the large double….we can sleep transverse or longways. And so far parking at the supermarket has been easy and driving round narrow country lanes no problem at all. We love it!

Similar experience for us, we’ve owned a 6m PVC for several years and love the permanent transverse bed and large storage area that provides below. We’re just about to upgrade (assuming it ever arrives) to the Adria Twin 6.4 on the basis that the extra length provides space for a proper shower (too many PVCs have impractical showers with curtains), and twin beds so we don’t have to climb over each other in the night (getting old). I’m happy to take on the extra length, but width would be a deal breaker as we often find ourselves negotiating buses and HGVs on country lanes. I think generally speaking, if you can find somewhere where you can park a 6m van, you could often get a 6.4m in there as well e.g 2 spaces in the supermarket.