Caravanner looking to change to motorhome (1 Viewer)

BriannYe

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May 4, 2017
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Southampton, UK
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Having been a caravanner for many years have reached that stage in life where it would be time to change to a motorhome. Only the two of us but cannot decide between a panel van or a coachbuillt. Only downside is i am rather tall at 1.99 metres which makes the bed choices very interesting. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 

denisejoe

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Aug 6, 2014
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My advice would be to look around at local dealers and decide what is the best layout for you. At your height a van conversion may be a bit narrow.
 
Jan 8, 2013
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At that stage of life and length, I would be wanting a fixed bed - Coachbuilt.
Welcome to the club.

:HelloThere:

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Sep 26, 2013
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Having been a caravanner for many years have reached that stage in life where it would be time to change to a motorhome. Only the two of us but cannot decide between a panel van or a coachbuillt. Only downside is i am rather tall at 1.99 metres which makes the bed choices very interesting. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
You may have to consider leg surgery to give you more choice
 

Jim

Ringleader
Jul 19, 2007
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Adria Panel Van.
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It depends on the touring you want to be doing. If I were going around the World I'd probably do it in a panel van. Otherwise, with regular holiday style touring you'll really appreciate the space and storage that coachbuilt can give. Best of luck yy
 

Allan & Loren

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Dec 8, 2014
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I'd think carefully about the type of travelling you'd be doing and where. Having owned caravans you should be able to make a list of likes, dislikes, must haves, etc then I'd go and visit a large dealer like Brownhills plenty of stock and take my time looking at everything. Good luck in finding the right vehicle

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BriannYe

BriannYe

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May 4, 2017
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Thank you for your replies. Yes have spent many hours on the internet looking and just going round and round in circles. Thinking that when i retire we will tour around Europe and see all the lovely places off the beaten track as well as those on the main line!
 
Oct 29, 2012
887
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essex
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20 years (unless you count my dads VW which makes it 52 years with a few gaps!!)
A class. you know it makes sense:)
 

smiffy64

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May 3, 2017
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What I can tell you is that the fixed bed in my Dethleffs T7150 is almost too short for me and I am 5ft 9inches.

I cannot say for other fixed beds. My MH is 7.6M too, and I think Dethleffs could have added a couple more inches to the bed.
 

smiffy64

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May 3, 2017
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I have just measured my bed and it is 1.8M long and width is 1.35M. So I think that rules this particular MH out for you then! Unless you lie on it yourself diagonally.:)

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Jun 10, 2010
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My pearl of wisdom is , do not buy a safari room until you have used your motorhome a few times.

So many ex tuggers fall into it, then realise that their holidays have changed and they don't use the motorhome in the same way that they used the caravan.
 
Jan 31, 2016
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If I were going around the World I'd probably do it in a panel van. (y)
wouldn't a panel van be too cramp for full timing / worldwide travels ?

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grumps147

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Jun 6, 2010
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:hot:Ok, now everyone, clutch your sides laughing at the silliness of this.

A tall person and the first thing that springs to mind is beds. There are others, but one is very important.

The toilet. It's not pleasant, no.2's with the toilet door open because you physically can't shut the washroom door and sit on the loo. I can just manage it in ours, and I am not as tall as you.

So as well as lying on the beds, sit on the loo.
 
Mar 16, 2010
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w2fOur low profile has a huge transverse bed the width of the motorhome over the garage at the back.

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Oct 29, 2008
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We have a larger than average panel van, the best of both worlds.

Good height
Lots of versatile storage
Kingsize electric bed
Easy to drive on narrow roads
Easy to park
Massive payload
4 seat belts
Can sleep up to 5 (uses most the van)
 
Oct 29, 2012
887
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essex
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Rapido 9090df
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20 years (unless you count my dads VW which makes it 52 years with a few gaps!!)
My pearl of wisdom is , do not buy a safari room until you have used your motorhome a few times.

So many ex tuggers fall into it, then realise that their holidays have changed and they don't use the motorhome in the same way that they used the caravan.
unless you want to buy mine of course;)
 
Jan 31, 2016
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We have a larger than average panel van, the best of both worlds.

Good height
Lots of versatile storage
Kingsize electric bed
Easy to drive on narrow roads
Easy to park
Massive payload
4 seat belts
Can sleep up to 5 (uses most the van)
What have you got?

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Oct 29, 2008
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since 2008
What have you got?
Globecar Campscout (R)evolution
2016-09-10 12.44.22.jpg
 

Kingham

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Nov 20, 2016
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Having been a caravanner for many years have reached that stage in life where it would be time to change to a motorhome. Only the two of us but cannot decide between a panel van or a coachbuillt. Only downside is i am rather tall at 1.99 metres which makes the bed choices very interesting. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

w2f
I made the move from caravans several years ago and my first motorhome was an attempt to recreate the internal space of our twin axle caravan with fixed bed. The motorhome had an island bed and a second double bed for the kids, loads of internal space, but due to the exterior dimensions, we ended up using it like a caravan, driving to a site and not moving the van until we left.
Our second motorhome was a compromise, when the kids stopped coming away with us, physically smaller, but still plenty of space and payload for two.

I've now gone solo and downsized again to a PVC and it is an ideal size to accommodate me, my black Labrador and a kayak. It has a fixed bed which is 6' 3" long, on which you would just fit if you sleep with knees bent, but the bed is quite narrow at 4'. Loads of room for me, but I'm not sure how couples manage with it.

Certainly for me, a jump from our caravan straight to a PVC would have been a jump too far.

Best of luck with your hunting.
 
Nov 30, 2009
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Pickering
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PVC the PUG
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Since 2009 with motorhomes several caravans then tents before that.
IMG_1418.JPG
If your the sort of couple that stay for days on end on a campsite, or spend months in Benidorm for eg, or are very sociable and have lots of folk coming into your van whilst on site, then it's got to be a big motorhome like an rv or a class .
If like us two , you like to tour about. Only have a small dog and don't bring the kids anymore, like to wild camp, like to get off the beaten track , Enjoy your own company , rarely ever hook up , then a pvc would suit you. Especially if you've built it to your exact requirements.
We've had several caravans , then a big 7 birth MH when we had 3 kids and 2 dogs, but now Pug is our guilty pleasure.
 
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BriannYe

BriannYe

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May 4, 2017
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Thank you everyone for your input. You have given me plenty to think about. Your right the options all depend on how you will use your motorhome. So at the moment still undecided but a bit clearer than we were a few days ago!

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Sep 23, 2013
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Your height is going to be your biggest issue. I'm just a little less tall than you & found that you can immediately dismiss any PVC with a transverse bed (which is most of them) unless you are comfortable sleeping on your side with your knees bent. In any van, however large, check that you can use all the facilities. Bed length & internal height are often mentioned in the brochures, but knee room in the loo never is!

I have the Globecar Campscout & the bed length is barely sufficient. Have a look at the Campscout R - @jezport will confirm, but I suspect that if you sleep on the top bed slightly crossways, you would be able to hang your toes over the end of the bed if necessary. You can do that in the ordinary Campscout if you set up all the bed infills, but if we do that, my disabled wife can't climb into bed. It might work for you though, if you are both agile.

The Revolution will also give you the extra internal height. I'm just brushing the roof - you would have have to stoop a bit in ours.

In almost any van, even many A-class, you are going to be looking for a bed without solid bulkheads at both ends. If you restrict yourself to beds that are long enough for you to sleep stretched out between bulkheads, your short list will be very short & I suspect very expensive. :(
 
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BriannYe

BriannYe

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May 4, 2017
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Thank you "The Caller" for your interesting post. Have aeem the Põssl d line summit 640 which has twin beds of 200cm plus the roof height being taller so may nip over to Germany to see it. Have spent more time eliminating vans than approving!
 

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