Full Timing Query (1 Viewer)

[Jaylee]

Hi there

Happy new year :thumb:

We are in the planning stage, looking for a motor home to tour this year with a view to full timing mainly in uk. We are looking at older Hymers, but have recently read a blog which said some MH not suitable as the don't have double floors, we're not sure why this means and which MH have them, any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks
Jayne

 

[DBK]

A double floor means the vehicle has two floors and in the gap between them things like water pipes are run so they are protected from frost. There will of course be insulation used as well in the floor.

 

[Jaylee]

Thank you

Are there certain makes which have them, or is it down to the model sorry to ask so many questions we really are very new to this!

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

 

[Reallyretired]

European motorhomes as a rule are fine for winter touring even without a double floor, with water tank and all plumbing inboard. The only weak point is the waste tank and these can be insulated and/or heated or if only occasionally in freezing conditions just leave the drain open with a bucket under it..

Some British motorhomes have pipe runs under the van and these are very likely to freeze.

 

[Jim]

Hi Jayne,

Full timers tend to need plenty of space, most will be carrying winter coats in lockers that also hold beach towels. Double floored motorhomes tend to have much more storage space, though don't forget to check your payload limits :thumb:

For a glossary of Broken Link Removed like Double Floored you can Broken Link Removed :thumb:

 

[Jaylee]

Hi Jim

Thank you for the advice, In your opinion would a B544 Hymer be big enough for full timing, we're trying to keep the size below 6m. We have a B&B which we will let as a holiday let, seeing the agents this month, so we are used to 'living' in just a couple of rooms!

Many Thanks
Jayne
:thumb:

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

 

[phase3begins]

Www.motorhome365.com is a specialist full timing site that might be useful.
Paul

 

[Taran_Las]

This is a double floor. Picture from a Hymer B524. This area is heated by the habitation system where pipe runs, batteries, tanks etc are located.

Click on thumbnail to enlarge



Also used to house skis etc.

 

[stcyr]

Hi Jim

Thank you for the advice, In your opinion would a B544 Hymer be big enough for full timing, we're trying to keep the size below 6m. We have a B&B which we will let as a holiday let, seeing the agents this month, so we are used to 'living' in just a couple of rooms!

Many Thanks
Jayne
:thumb:

We lived fulltime in our MH, which is the same as a Hymer, for over 2 years. Coldest was down to -22c. No problems at all... :thumb:

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

 

[HymerB544]

Full timing

Hi Jayne

We actually have a Hymer B544, a 2006 (56) plate with a 2.8jtd engine and a 3.9 tonne chassis which even with aircon and auto satellite system on the roof, bike rack etc, gives us around 800kg payload. The van is 6.6m long, so I doubt you'll get any 544 under 6m, though I may be wrong about older models.

We don't full time, but we have used the van for a couple of months at a stretch without any problems. The van has a huge lounge (twin facing settees, of which one is l shaped with two travel seats, both belted). It has a double floor which easily swallows all our gear including bodyboards, Cadac BBQ, recliner chairs,
Water waste hog, outdoor table, windbreak, etc.

Would I use it to full time? Not sure! Anything is possible of course. We once lived for three weeks in a mountain tent whilst backpacking in the alps, but in a motorhome you do need space for yourself as well as for your gear. The bathroom and kitchen areas in our van armore than adequate and the lounge allows you to sit several feet apart if you so wish as well as sleep in separate beds (one in the dropdown, one in the pullout settee). The wardrobe holds enough clothes for two for a few weeks and there is tons of cupboard and under-settee storage too. So I suppose on balance I'd say "yes".

Happy hunting!

 

[aba]

we fulltime in ours no problems but it is supposed to be a 6 berth.
payload is a big factor as is dual use living areas although having to change the lounge into a bed can be a major setback hence why we chose this van.
it has a kingsize bed above the cab which we use as the main bed, a u shaped lounge in the rear and a dining area in the middle, both of these turn into beds if required.
also I chose a standard van front end as apposed to an A class mainly because of availability of parts like a broken front grille / windscreen from a phesant strike or other minor incident can be sorted in a couple of days cheaply and easily as apposed to running into thousands and having to wait weeks for parts to be made / shipped as some are not readily available from say autoglass etc.

 

[Jaylee]

Thank you all, great advice, so much to consider, off out to look at some Monday, going to take it steady though and get the right one. Thank you for your patience with this haven't got a clue newbie

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

 

[DrRogerRam]

Hi, here's a link to the travels of a couple & their dog & 'Dave' their B544 http://www.ourtour.co.uk/home/

There's stacks of useful advice + I love their YouTube channel where there are clips of their adventures across Europe & North Africa-the one where they are careering down a sandy road & turn left desperately trying to retain traction is amazing.

Their van is ancient but still made it with some repairs! They were away for a couple of years letting their house as you intend to do. I really miss their daily adventures because they are home now. Hope you enjoy & good luck with your travels.

 

[Jaylee]

Thank you great link, had a quick look and intend to start reading from the begining.

Just reading
Marie Potter and the campervan of doom, which is absolutely hilarious, they really struggled with their Hymer at 1st, we will hopefully use it to tour the uk before going across to Europe

Many thanks again or the link :thumb:

 

[DrRogerRam]

Thanks for your thanks!

Someone else that I follow on YouTube is Alan Heath who has lots of useful stuff about choosing a van, solar panels, water etc..

http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ywofJqcBW8KKNZOfY9KhA

Couple of other points

1. Peter Hambilton is a Hymer specialist

Link Removed

as is Nick Legg at Bundesvan Link Removed. He will help you find & import one if you wish

We got our new one from here due to trade-in & price (very helpful) Link Removed

Hymer Club International also advertise members' Hymers

2. Should you wish cross the channel Tesco Clubcard vouchers can be tripled up to give you a free crossing if you have enough vouchers. Our dog much prefers this!

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

 

[Jaylee]

Thanks again, great links loved Alan's tour round his Hymer. Lots of great info really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

 

[HymerB544]

Edgehill

Hi again,

We bought our Hymer from Edgehill too. Their premises are not huge but they usually have a stack of new and used Hymers in, and they have a very loyal customer base, with several vans passing through the business having been part exed by returning customers. Lee and his dad put an awful lot into customer service and the effort they put into pre collection preparation has to be seen to be believed. Well worth a look on their website and worth visiting if you are close enough. Streets ahead of the big dealerships such as Lowdhams and Brownhills in our view.

Gary