Ryan's Dream - Need Help! (1 Viewer)

[RyansDream]

I am calling out for help from anyone who may be able to assist me in piecing together a dream for my family but more especially my eldest son Ryan who is living with a life limiting illness.

Ryan is 11 years old & has been diagnosed with a condition named Juvenile Batten Disease, a neurological degenerative illness. Ryan has lost his sight & is suffering from seizures. At present we are unsure for certain of his life expectancy, one thing we are certain of however is that we are going to make the most of the time that we have together as a family.

Ryan is our eldest boy & has 1 brother & 4 sisters.

Ryan has expressed a great desire to travel across Europe in a camper van on holiday.

I have hunted high and low to try and find a vehicle that could not only sleep all 8 of us, but seat all eight of us whilst travelling, and I have struggled!

I have found vehicles that can sleep eight but can only seat 6, or I have found huge RV's but I don't have a suitable license, or a wallet big enough to rent it as well as to fuel it!

If anyone has any suggestions my ears are pinned open.

Thank you,

Loynes Family

 

[andyman]

I would be looking at a self build, if that is not possible search ebay and the like you may find a self built M/H that fits the bill.
What class license do you hold ? are you limited to 3500kgs.

Andy

 

[Geo]

I wish you well in your quest to fill Ryans dream But he has set you a task and a half
Even the biggest of the American Rvs only usully sleep six
There is one who's name escapes me(may be a Safari Trek) built for the hire market that does accommodate a family of eight but quite rare over here
I dont think any Euro sized van will have the carrying capacity for eight persons and equipment
Your best hope would be a coach conversion that could be driven on a car licence subject to when you passed your test
Geo

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[pappajohn]

just wrote a very lengthy reply to this thread but it dissappeared :Sad:

basically it read.....
doubtful you'll find anything with 8 belted seats suitable for travelling.
most euro motorhomes usually only have 4 belted seats inc driver and passenger.
it is allowed to travel in rear facing seats (dinette) without belts but not advisable.
some have side facing belted (lap belts) seats but, in my opinion, they are more dangerous than no belts at all.

even the big americans usually only have two forward facing belted seats...driver and passenger...plus possibly dinette seats, mine has free standing dining chairs so just the two belts up front.

 

[Reallyretired]

Pity this ones sold

However shows that such a thing does exist

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Alternatively you could see if you could modify something. I once looked round a old 6 berth Glendale that had extra bunks put in all over the place and could sleep 12 !

Another possibility is something like a Kon-tiki 640 which sleeps up to 6 but will seat lots (though lacking seat belts), and tow a caravan for the extra sleeping accommodation. not the most mobile of combinations.Or tow a caravan behind a minibus.

 

[Geo]

If you do find an eight seater motor home consider towing a small caravan too
Not the best solution but doable:thumb:

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[pappajohn]

My understanding is Ryan's family are looking to rent not buy, so self builds and coach conversions are out of the equation.

I have found vehicles that can sleep eight but can only seat 6, or I have found huge RV's but I don't have a suitable license, or a wallet big enough to rent it as well as to fuel it!

 

[Reallyretired]

One to rent here, though pricey but is 8 berth

http://www.erento.co.uk/hire/vehicl...motorhomes-caravans/motorhome/5602149059.html

 

[pappajohn]

However shows that such a thing does exist

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.

i see seating for eight, at a very tight sqeeze, but 'bed' sleeping for only four.
very poorly worded and confusing advert.....eight berth should read seating for eight. oh:

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[Reallyretired]

Cheap one here to buy.

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[Reallyretired]

i see seating for eight, at a very tight sqeeze, but 'bed' sleeping for only four.
very poorly worded and confusing advert.....eight berth should read seating for eight. oh:

Ithink there is a 'dropdown' over the front seats and the side settee probably makes a double. I know thats only 6 but perhaps thers some more somewhere else that we can't see in the photos.

Edit Just found the fourth double which is a pull out over the main bed. Thus is 8 berth though in 4 doubles, not ideal for kids but luckily the're still quite small.

 

[pappajohn]

Cheap one here to buy.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tiffin-Allegro-6-8-Berth-Motorhome-Diesel-Tax-MOT-/290542293051?pt=UK_Campers_Caravans_Motorhomes&hash=item43a5ab903b

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tiffin-Allegr...ns_Motorhomes&hash=item43a5ab903b[/quote]same same as the other one....seats for eight, beds for four.

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[pappajohn]

Ithink there is a 'dropdown' over the front seats and the side settee probably makes a double. I know thats only 6 but perhaps thers some more somewhere else that we can't see in the photos.

Sorry, they are overhead lockers so we're back to beds for four.

 

[Reallyretired]

Sorry, they are overhead lockers so we're back to beds for four.

I don't like to argue with you pappajohn but description says;
Here for sale we have our much loved motorhome.

The layout of the motorhome is as follows:

Driver and passenger seats are both captain seats and swivel right around to face the rear. [HI]There is a small double bed above the front seats[/HI] (matress not included).

The living area has a [HI]3 seater settee which pulls out into a double bed[/HI] and two rocking/swivel arm chairs with seatbelts. There is also a small table between the two seats. The seating is covered with matching throws as the original upholstery is showing signs of age however there are no tears or stains.

The kitchen has a sink with double drainer, microwave and four burner hob with extracter hood and a full sixe fridge freezer. There is plenty of cupboard space in the kitchen area and hot and cold running water.

The bathroom has a half bath, shower flushing toilet and hand basin. There is a new shower curtain and mirrored vanity cupboard.

The rear of the camper has had the cushions removed and been replaced with a[HI] new kingsize matress[/HI]. [HI]There is also another small double which pulls out from the cupboard above[/HI] (matress not included). There are two wardrobes one full size and one half size with five drawers underneath.

That makes 4 doubles (even if 2 of them are lacking mattressess

 

[pappajohn]

Ooops...my sincere appologies.:Blush:

should have read the discription instead of looking at the pictures oh:

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[barryd]

I reckon our Kontiki 640 would sleep 8. The rear lounge bed is massive and would easily sleep 4 kids long ways in sleeping bags as long as they werent big kids. 2 more in the front dinette double berth and 2 in the double over cab bed.

As you say though seat belts would be an issue as you would have to seat two in the rear lounge which has no belts. Dont know if it could legally be adopted.

Its a big van with loads of seating but 8 people in it long term?

 

[RyansDream]

Thank you all.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions, but unfortunately I don't have the money to purchase an RV/Camper Van.

Thank you nearlyretired I will look into that one that was for rental, although slightly more than I think I can afford I will still enquire.

Thank you.

 

[pappajohn]

if you're think of hiring for just a week then one week to travel across europe just isnt long enough unfortunately.
it can take 2 or 3 days just to travel across france if you want to stop off anywhere.
we took four days to drive through france to barcelona, driving maybe five hours per day.

it may be long enough to venture into northern france/germany/belgium or northern spain but you'll be driving all day.:Sad:

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[MrMotorhome]

Have you considered, two vans for maybe two / three weeks?

Andrew

 

[Reallyretired]

I would think about Barryd's suggestion of the Kontiki 640 because as he suggests, the four girls could probably all sleep on the kingsize bed at the rear.
The KonTiki is much more reasonable on fuel consumption than the RV (my old 650 used to give at least 25 to the gallon) and will be cheaper to hire. In addition they are usually rated at MGW of 3500kg and so can be driven on a car licence, even a new one.

Hope you find a way :thumb:

 

[pappajohn]

as long as the one for hire is no more than 7500kg (very unlikely it will be over) and you passed your driving test before 1997 then you should be ok.:thumb:
if you passed after 1997 then you wont be licenced for it unless you've taken a test for that weight.:Sad:

on a limited budget fuel costs could be an issue.
it will probably have a 6.5ltr diesel or a 6.8ltr to 8ltr petrol engine and may do 10 to 15mpg.

i figure its better to let you know now rather than be disappointed later. :Sad:

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[chatter]

Dont know if this is of help but the ebay add i will put on is a 6 berth the guy who owns it has a business where he sells to people and as long as they look after the motorhome will buy it back so it might be worth giving him a ring. he aims his business at folk from the usa/australia/new zealand that come over for a few months to a year or so who buy a vehicle of him as it is cheaper than renting then he buys it back when they go home.Obviously he doesnt buy back at what you pay but it could work out cheaper than renting in the long run. dont know how many belted seats there are in the one i will put on but should you ring him he might be able to help

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[pappajohn]

I would think about Barryd's suggestion of the Kontiki 640 because as he suggests, the four girls could probably all sleep on the kingsize bed at the rear.
The KonTiki is much more reasonable on fuel consumption than the RV (my old 650 used to give at least 25 to the gallon) and will be cheaper to hire. In addition they are usually rated at MGW of 3500kg and so can be driven on a car licence, even a new one.

Hope you find a way :thumb:

its our night to disagree....

problem with the kontik may be weight.
8 people and enough luggage for a foreign trip may just be too much

 

[barryd]

I think that will be a problem with most vans. The 640 does have a good payload though about 700KG I think (or could be more, cant remember)

Any Euro van is going to mean cutting down on what you take. You really will have to travel light

Any true six berth van with a big rear lounge, front dinette and over cab double will probably provide enough sleeping space but they will all come back to the same problem of seat belts. Unless you can find a van with belts in the rear lounge as well as the front dinette its no good. The 8 berth rental posted earlier seems the only real candidate unless you take a 6 birth van and a small car following?

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[chatter]

thinking about this overnight and the only real option would be an 8 seater minibus and largish caravan/awning with a pup tent/3-4 person tent. All the children are under 11 so unless they are all very tall they would all need booster seats or proper child car seats for the younger members and 3 point belts not only for travel over here but also in europe.
The caravan and tent would give the option of maybe dad in tent with boys and mum in caravan with younger girls at night

 

[Ambilkate]

Hi Loynes Family, There are projects, that can help fund dreams. Talk to the specialists connected to your son, they should have uptodate info on such projects or put you in touch with the appropriate people to help you look for funding. I know there used to be shcemes out there that would fund family hollidays, in such conditions.
Hope this helps you.

 

[hilldweller]

Am I the only one to see another side to this ?

The poor lad has a terrible disorder, it must be a terrible ordeal for all of you, but is sitting in a bus for hours on end with 8 people a treat or more of an ordeal for him ?

Would a normal coach trip in a decent sized vehicle be more appropriate ?

Is there nothing better you/we can come up with. Sort of swimming with dolphins, something pleasant and tactile ?

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[RyansDream]

Thank you Brian for your thoughts, both myself & Nikki my wife have suggested such ideas to Ryan but when he fixates on something there is no swaying him.

Last year we drove over to Catalonia as a family & he thoroughly enjoyed it, and having learned about Rome & the Romans he has it in his mind that he wants to go to Rome. Besides who am I to try and sway him away from what he would like to do?

Re whole campervan / rv was a thought as to how to make things a bit more comfortable for him whilst traveling & less hassle than pitching a tent like last year.

Thank you all so mug for you suggestions and help.

 

[yodeli]

Whatever you managed to work out , and i do hope you'll find a way to make ryan's dream come true, i just wanted to say , if you happen to be around toulouse on your way to Rome (don't know if it's a possible way to get there), you'll be very welcome to stop and stay for the time you'll need at my place , which could save a few euros expence. Just keep on mind i'll be in England in August so obviously won't be at home to make this possible.


Amicalement


frankie

 

[hilldweller]

having learned about Rome & the Romans he has it in his mind that he wants to go to Rome.

You know, he might be right. I found it incredibly moving walking the old forum of Rome knowing the likes of Caesar walked on these very stones. In reality there is not a huge lot left to see so who knows he may feel something we don't.

Rome is not good for traffic but excellent for public transport. We stayed on the coast at Lido di Ostia, the old port and now holiday resort. Loads of decent cheap hotels. But most important a train service right to the centre of Rome for €3 per person ( then ). Run every 15 mins and takes about 15 mins.

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