Your Motorhome. How Big is Too big?

[Reallyretired]

Yes the A Class space increase is very small, just a few inches in width at the front, however the perceived space is much greater.

 

[nicholsong]

Yes the A Class space increase is very small, just a few inches in width at the front, however the perceived space is much greater.

That few inches in width, and height, accommodates -

Gas locker next to passenger.

Extra side shelves and pockets beside driver and passenger

Extra bed length on the drop-down overcab bed

Higher ceiling, both for walking and for headroom in overcab bed.

As for the perceived space, it allows a 120 degree vista forward from the sofa seats looking through the windscreen and front side-screens, which also let in an enormous amount of light into the living area.

I personally would not sacrifice those advantages for a standard cab with a low w/screen and roof., plus armrests on cab doors etc.

In the upper echelons of 'A' Class the whole geometry of the cab area is re-designed compared with the base vehicle, which can change other factors.

 

[Bart]

6.3Mtr PVC here , me the Mrs and 2 small dogs , well happy with what we got.

 

[AlunandFelicie]

7.4m A class for us about a metre to long for the drive but the feeling of space is brilliant,fixed island bed

 

[funflair]

Is that ”real” space or perceived space?
They look/feel roomy when inside but if it’s the same size and layout. Isn’t the dash and seats in the same space, you just get massive dashtop, and a lot more glass???

To be fair it depends which "A class" vans you are talking about, Jon's N+B Clou is on a MAN truck and maximises the available chassis space by building the habitation over the engine with the dashboard as close to the windscreen as is practical, this is quite easy with the extra height of a truck chassis but not quite so easy on some other "A class" that are built on van derived chassis, for example Concorde N+B Flair and indeed our MORELO all have a modified layout where the whole dashboard pedals and steering are all lifted and pushed further forward so yes there is a "real" gain in space and build costs some other "A class" vans have a lot of space between the dashboard and the windscreen and even from the front seats to the edge of the van, end of the day there are reasons why some vans are a lot more money than others.

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

 

[Landy Andy]

This is ma pal Louise van ...she buily it herself, mobile pet groomer with 3 dogs of her own and lives in this. And shes well happy View attachment 638978View attachment 638979

Sorry but that ridiculous. You can’t even stand up in that, let alone live in it.

 

[Landy Andy]

To be fair it depends which "A class" vans you are talking about, Jon's N+B Clou is on a MAN truck and maximises the available chassis space by building the habitation over the engine with the dashboard as close to the windscreen as is practical, this is quite easy with the extra height of a truck chassis but not quite so easy on some other "A class" that are built on van derived chassis, for example Concorde N+B Flair and indeed our MORELO all have a modified layout where the whole dashboard pedals and steering are all lifted and pushed further forward so yes there is a "real" gain in space and build costs some other "A class" vans have a lot of space between the dashboard and the windscreen and even from the front seats to the edge of the van, end of the day there are reasons why some vans are a lot more money than others.

Ahhh. Ok that makes sense. I’m in the lower budget brigade, and I’ve only seen van conversions, so the dash has always been standard, so no real physical space, just a roomy feel. Which is nicer than just a van but not massively so.

 

[Northernraider]

Sorry but that ridiculous. You can’t even stand up in that, let alone live in it.

You can't!

But she does and is perfectly content and happy doing it

 

[busby]

Mine is a 7m however am away to look at 8 - 8.5m vans when I get home been parked up beside to many Morelos

I have to laugh when I see some of those huge vans taking the toilet cassette out,,,some are that small they would not last us a night..BUSBY

 

[Reallyretired]

I wouldn't like to have your guts/bladder if you can fill up a cassette in one night.

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

 

[busby]

I wouldn't like to have your guts/bladder if you can fill up a cassette in one night.

Was taking the pi.. but it does seem to be that the bigger the van the smaller the cassette..BUSBY

 

[EuroTrotters]

Having driven 8.5m. Loved it, rolling gin palace. I parked it and planted it in the most tiny of spaces to peoples amazement.

But under 7m is so much easier.

 

[funflair]

Was taking the pi.. but it does seem to be that the bigger the van the smaller the cassette..BUSBY

I thought most "big vans" had black tanks so no worries in that department or maybe our definition of "big van" differs.

 

[Northernraider]

Is that ”real” space or perceived space?
They look/feel roomy when inside but if it’s the same size and layout. Isn’t the dash and seats in the same space, you just get massive dashtop, and a lot more glass???

Its definitely real space. My 7 metre hymer had much more space than my 7.3 metre iveco daily.

 

[jongood]

Ahhh. Ok that makes sense. I’m in the lower budget brigade, and I’ve only seen van conversions, so the dash has always been standard, so no real physical space, just a roomy feel. Which is nicer than just a van but not massively so.

I still think that if you were to compare a ducato based A class to a PVC you would find it significantly roomier because the more square shape and extra width of it allows everything to be pushed outwards so its possibleto fit more into the same length, tranverse beds being a big difference. You can also add improved insulation etc because you don't have the problem with the doors and the generally iregular shapes. Of course each version has its place and for example many people feel unable to adapt to the same size A class because ironically they feel bigger than they actually are.

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

 

[jongood]

Interestingly nobody on this thread has so far differentiated between the driving characteristics of van-based- and truck-based chassis MHs.

Truck chassis have a wider track, but apart from putting the wheels in line with the bodywork, instead of inset, does not make much difference.

Truck chassis have a longer wheelbase, so for the same overall length have less overhang.

Truck chassis also tend to be higher.

The last two factors make grounding a lesser problem for vehicles of the same length.

As trucks tend to be rear-wheel drive the steering angle can be sharper which affects the turning radius, but watch the rear swing.

I would prefer to drive the truck-based MH, but then I drove trucks that size before.

Actually Geoff my Clou on a MAN chassis is 1 metre longer but the wheelbase is only 100mm longer than my previous 7.4m Arto

 

[Northernraider]

I still think that if you were to compare a ducato based A class to a PVC you would find it significantly roomier because the more square shape and extra width of it allows everything to be pushed outwards so its possibleto fit more into the same length, tranverse beds being a big difference. You can also add improved insulation etc because you don't have the problem with the doors and the generally iregular shapes. Of course each version has its place and for example many people feel unable to adapt to the same size A class because ironically they feel bigger than they actually are.

Definitely. Even the width in the vario i was building is a lot less than the euramobil a class i now have. Its only 700mm longer but the width makes a big difference.

If i decide to do a self build now im planning to do it on either a vario pick up with a box body or a 7.5 tonne cargo or merc 814 truck so i get the width

 

[jongood]

Definitely. Even the width in the vario i was building is a lot less than the euramobil a class i now have. Its only 700mm longer but the width makes a big difference.

If i decide to do a self build now im planning to do it on either a vario pick up with a box body or a 7.5 tonne cargo or merc 814 truck so i get the width

I've seen some really nice ex library motors around. There used to be a guy on here libraryman stan?? Some of them are really decent motors.

 

[Old Gibber]

If you live and travel in the USA I suppose nothing is too big

Gina

Not actually true. Try taking large motorhomes onto some of the National Park campsites, for example Olympic National Park where the majority of RV pitches will accept no more than 21 ft motorhomes.

 

[Russell's Dad]

I still think that if you were to compare a ducato based A class to a PVC you would find it significantly roomier because the more square shape and extra width of it allows everything to be pushed outwards so its possibleto fit more into the same length, tranverse beds being a big difference. You can also add improved insulation etc because you don't have the problem with the doors and the generally iregular shapes. Of course each version has its place and for example many people feel unable to adapt to the same size A class because ironically they feel better than they actually are.

We went from 6 m PVC to 6.4m A Class. We changed as I am 6'3" and I wanted more space, mostly a bigger space to relax when the weather was poor, as it was in our Spring break in the Algarve, Spain and France. I can now stand up with some spare headroom throughout the van, we no longer have a shower curtain, the transverse bed is no longer 'just about big enough' ( and we have another one above the cab), the view out the front is much improved, our bikes are now in the garage instead of on a rack (which made the van over 6m anyway ), the lounge area is bigger and feels much bigger than it actually is, the floor is all one level, we can pass each other in the galley, the van is warmer and has better storage due to the double floor. My only gripes are... the van is 10cm wider, the cab door is on SWMBO's side and we are much more conspicuous, being a white motorhome instead of a grey van. Oh, and we are skint!!! ( broke, as our southern UK neighbours would say).
We didn't feel the need for a bigger van, but fully understand that a bigger van =more home comforts.

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

 

[hja]

We had a 6.4m m/home and now have a 6.4m PVC. Much happier. Easier to drive because it's just that bit narrower. And being a grey van we tend to merge in more than a white box.
OK - 6m would be really nice for parking, manoeuvrability etc, BUT need two fixed single beds and garage/underbed accessible storage (for fold down mini mobility scooters) from rear doors. Also a useable shower and reasonable kitchen.
SO 6,4m suits us fine. Just the two of us, no dogs or bikes. Like to use own facilities. Tend to cook not eat out.
Horses for courses, as they say.
Love looking round the big giant vans at the dealer however, surprising what you can find that you dont like!!!

 

[Mike59]

Ours is 10.5metres, with the slides out the space is great. Never had any trouble with the length, it's surprisingly easy to maneuver when you get used to it

 

[tonyidle]

Is that ”real” space or perceived space?
They look/feel roomy when inside but if it’s the same size and layout. Isn’t the dash and seats in the same space, you just get massive dashtop, and a lot more glass???

The glass makes a huge difference. The extra width in the cab does offer more room and storage on one or both sides. The 1/2 acre dash top swallows all sorts when parked up.

 

[GAVLAD]

A reassuring read for me going down to Spain on my own in my 9m tag axle

 

[Landy Andy]

I still think that if you were to compare a ducato based A class to a PVC you would find it significantly roomier because the more square shape and extra width of it allows everything to be pushed outwards so its possibleto fit more into the same length, tranverse beds being a big difference. You can also add improved insulation etc because you don't have the problem with the doors and the generally iregular shapes. Of course each version has its place and for example many people feel unable to adapt to the same size A class because ironically they feel bigger than they actually are.

I’m talking about a coachbuilt to an A class.
I can’t do transverse beds as I’m 6.4 and a constant pisser. Longitudinal singles only

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

 

[Jackd]

BTW, if Dennis (the poor sod) lived local to me, I'd be taking him for a pint, and a much needed blokey type of break from Karen. I bet she has a pair of boots, very much like Nancy Sinatra's.

Dennis isn’t allowed to drink beer……

 

[jongood]

I’m talking about a coachbuilt to an A class.
I can’t do transverse beds as I’m 6.4 and a constant pisser. Longitudinal singles only

Must be interesting in a landy then

 

[varaizian]

in Jan 2006 we moved permanently to live in the holiday home in the Charente Maritime that we bought in 1989. We bought a second-hand 6m Chauson to try it out and to see more of France. Living at the end of a narrow lane lined with rough stone walls and a right-angled entrance I knew it was tight but the gates are 5m wide and inset by about 50cm so I didn't worry. I then discovered that getting in was ok but getting out is impossible going forward. The turning circle of the rear wheels is completely different to the front. I have to reverse out very carefully and take a bite or 2 to line it up. It it was 20cm longer it simply wouldn't work; so 6m is just perfect for us!

 

[RidersofRohan]

‘the stress of it all is making his Rohan shirt and trousers ‘Moist’

That was needlessly personal.
Also Rohan clothing does not get moist under any circumstances, it has high wicking properties which means it is either wet or dry but never moist.
Also my Bailey is 6.6 metres long and I made a damn fine attempt at parking it in your yard, even your charming assistant said so when helping me out of the cab.

 

[Boldly]

Dennis isn’t allowed to drink beer……

Oh yes I am !!

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