540 or 640

[Grey Fox]

Good Morning. We have narrowed our search to 2 PVC's, one is on a 5.4 and the other a 6.4 both on a Fiat Chassis. I really like the idea of keeping to 5.4 for the obvious reasons of ease of parking etc but am worried we may find the transverse beds just to small. I am 5' 10" and wouldn't be described as slim. My worry is that the small turning circle etc for the 6.4 may be a real drawback in small rural towns and villages both here and abroad or should I just work on the basis that if the front fits through the rest will follow - eventually. Thank you for reading my first post. I've got my cheque book ready and just need to make up my mind. I would ad that we have towed a caravan for many years.

 

[John Barrett]

We've had both sizes. If you can tow a 'van then you won't have any problems. The big one rules, OK?

 

[gpat]

I guess it depends how much you like living in a cramped environment. We couldn't manage with a 6.4m PVC never mind a 5.4m

The transverse bed will not work well in a narrow bed. We struggled with a coachbuilt and changed to an Island bed

Its horses for courses. 5.4m to me is a camper with a toilet and shower.

 

[David and Sally]

 

[Al n Val]

it all depends how you intend to use it, if it’s a vehicle just for nipping to the shops and making sure it fits in a carpark bay as being priority then the 5.4 will do that.

If you intend to use it as a camper for days, weekends or week/months away then trust me their is no substitute for space. You need to be comfortable

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[Mr Colpot]

We downsized to a 5.4m Vantage Cub and didnt have it long before we changed to a 6m Autocruise Rhythm. They both had longitudinal single beds. The Cub didnt have a walk through from the front seats so had to go as we used it all year round come rain or shine and it was no fun in the rain to get out the front and into the back. The Rhythm went because in the rain it was a bit cramped for us sitting in the back knee to knee but thats just us.

 

[Barti Ddu]

Why not compromise? Get a 5.99m Ducato-based PVC? Longitudinal beds and still fairly manoeuvrable.

 

[Waveski]

I’m a solo traveller and my 5.4 metre van is perfect. If there were 2 of us travelling I would definitely go up a size and look for a layout with longitudinal beds.

 

[Dramfineday]

Why not have a look at the slightly bigger 5.99 m range. Might just fit the bill.

 

[Grey Fox]

Many thanks for the replies and advice. We have gone for it, and put a reservation on a Malibu 640, hopefully made the right decision, but in the mean time already looking forward to getting it. I think I had already decided that I wanted the extra space, just looking for the comfort of having someone agree with me.

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[Simon Select]

Many thanks for the replies and advice. We have gone for it, and put a reservation on a Malibu 640, hopefully made the right decision, but in the mean time already looking forward to getting it. I think I had already decided that I wanted the extra space, just looking for the comfort of having someone agree with me.

The Malibu's are great vans. Congratulations!
Everyone we get in flies away we very rarely see them back!

 

[Tonks68]

Good choice with the Malibu 640, lovely van. Spent some time in it at this years NEC and was very impressed. Thats the top of my (retirement) wish list

 

[Gaston aires]

We were always glad we bought a 6.4 when we had a PVC.
Phil