6m vs 7m driving experience

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Travellin' Vet

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Hello All

I am on a high after hiring a motorhome and driving around South Wales in order to research buying a MH of my own, it was a 6.2m Bessacarr 5 berth. I found it quite easy to drive apart from the obvious diffence in width and manovreability compared to a car (even though I do have a Disco day to day :D ...)

Feverish nights spent on t'intenet have revealed no wisdom on MH length and how it affects driving experience, or ability to use camp sites in the UK. Given that I will be touring with three generations (G'parents over 70, myself and an anklebiter) I feel I need something over 6m, with at least 5 berths. The Olds wont sit in a cold awning at night (well, mine wont) and require all the mod cons to enjoy the trip.

So, my questions are:

1) Do you find going from 6 to 7m long makes it a very different drive, or to manoevre?
2) Do you find that camp sites are less accessible to 7m vs shorter MH's?
2) We found ourselves tripping over each other when it was raining (oh so infrequent in Wales...) and we were constrained to the inside, also the table a little too slim for two people to sit and eat side by side. I presume that these issues would be resolved by a wider, not a longer MH? (we didnt use the awning for extra space, it was ripped).

Thanks in advance,

Travellin' Vet
 
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Yes big difference between 6 and 7 metres although a lot don't think so.

It's only a metre they say and measure it out with their arms wife apart.

Stick it on the back of what you already have and I think it makes a big difference.
 
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7m is not long by MH standards. We had 6 now have 7, no problem at all.

But 5 berths is, 5 bodies is a heck of a payload.
 
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Just downsized from 7.5l x 2.63w (I think) x.3.2h 4.5t to 6.5x2.05x2.9m. 3.5t in time for my 70th.
This one much easier to drive, due to the width. Yes we trip over each other (and the two dogs) but we'll get used to it.
Decide what layout you want, first. That will to some extent set the dimensions.
No real difference maneuvering or accessing sites. Shorter bit easier in car parks/supermarkets

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Ah well I was going to say the opposite of Paul, go on then I will do anyway "it's only 0.8 metre longer than what you have hired.

Honestly,

1 OK its a bit longer for manoeuvring but can't be that bad as its still 1.5 metre shorter than ours and I can get that most places I want it.

2 I don't really think you will have problems with campsites.

3 You really don't wan't to be tripping over each other just for the sake of a bit of extra thought when driving.

In my opinion of course.

Martin
 
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It's the width rather than the length which I think is where the driving experience differs. There are a few slightly wider then standard (e.g. Bailey) but I wouldn't think it would make that much difference. You quite easily adapt to length - I've driven all types of vehicles right up to a 15m double decker coach. The problems with length come when you want to park it, the majority of campsites can easily accommodate 7-8m so that shouldn't be a concern. However carparks are a different problem as the marked bays are too small, unless they are dedicated motorhome bays, and parking "outside the box" often attracts surcharges etc.

You should really look at layout as your first concern given your plans and then payload. Does your licence allow you to drive over 3500kg? If not you are going to be seriously hard-pressed to find a 5/6 berth up to 3500kg that has enough payload.

I'm in full agreement with Martin above.
 
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Nigel Crompton said:
Just downsized from 7.5l x 2.63w (I think) x.3.2h 4.5t to 6.5x2.05x2.9m. 3.5t in time for my 70th.
This one much easier to drive, due to the width. Yes we trip over each other (and the two dogs) but we'll get used to it.
Decide what layout you want, first. That will to some extent set the dimensions.
No real difference maneuvering or accessing sites. Shorter bit easier in car parks/supermarkets
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2.63 would be very wide if that was the body width rather than mirrors, more usual would be 2.35 ish, but yes for sure too much width is more of a hindrance than the length.

Martin
 
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We started with a 7 mtr then 8 mtr now 9 mtr but then again there are two of us married so we need a bit of space.
Length has never been any problem as it’s all behind you, but do keep an eye on your GVW with five bodies on board.
 
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Yes, I think that width was the mirrors. The unnerving thing for me was that the A class bodywork overhangs the wheels a lot. Managed for 8 years tho' ...

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The other thing to take into account is the wheelbase, which affects the turning circle. Our PVC is 6.13 metres, but there is no overhang (basically there is a wheel in each corner) which means our turning circle is large. We have seen vans over 7m long with much better manoeuverability than ours because they have a shorter wheelbase (and a much bigger rear overhang).
 
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As has been said before most people adapt to any size after a short time bearing in mind most MH drivers at some point went from a car to a van so going from a van to a slightly bigger one is no different in my experience. I drive one of the larger Baileys and even at very nearly 8 M long and 2.5 M wide I don't find too many issues (hope that's not tempting fate) and have driven around many very narrow lanes in Wales, Scotland and the Devon Cornwall area, I occasionally get a few drivers of small cars who do not want to reverse out of the way on a single lane road expecting you to do so but when I tell them I will just put the kettle on while I wait for them to change their mind they usually become more obliging.
 
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I went from 6M to just short of 9M about 18 months ago. I also tow a car on a trailer. I use campsites, rally fields and CLs and haven't had any difficulty. In fact on my first trip I entered a crowded Tesco car park on a Saturday and after a lengthy tour through it escaped unscathed. (Although I won't do it again in a hurry :D .) The only real difference is having to look out for the swing of the overhang when moving away from close to anything. I had a recent sharp reminder to do better. In terms of driving a larger vehicle the width has a disproportionate effect on how it feels as has been said. The length not so much.
 
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I have had a variety of motorhomes and in my opinion width is more of a factor than length though overhang is important too. I find an A class easier because it's the same width all the way, whereas I always had to be conscious that the back of a coachbuilt is wider than the cab.
Site wise 7m is not long and shouldn't be a problem.
 
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I moved up from 6m to 7.5 and didn't notice any difference. To me the advantage is all about the living space.

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If you’re worried about width go for the narrower versions Hymer Exsis & DL they are only 2.22m wide.as far as length goes it doesn’t make a lot of difference once used to it and you are going to need all the space you can get with five people travelling. A thing to note is that Hymer do have some good honest payloads but you need to check them.?
 
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Width Is my first priority. My current A class at 2.22m is very significantly easier to drive than my previous 2.35m coach built. I am looking forward to my new A class which is only 2.12m wide. All of them are/were/will be about 7m long and it has never been an issue for me.
 
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We're 8.6 metres and neither of us find it difficult to drive. I'm another that think the width is the thing that you have to get used to - but that too doesn't take long.
 
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The length as already mentioned is not the biggest problem, once on the move you won't notice it, you just have to be aware when overtaking that you are that bit longer than your car, you also need to all for tight corners you just can't turn the wheel without first clearing the length of the motorhome.
As for your passenger list a 7m motorhome isn't the biggest space for four adults, add a child and that space gets all the smaller.
 
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Overall weight has already been mentioned.
The extra length normally extends your tail.

This has two effects - anything loaded on rear has more effect on your rear axle - bikes, boxes, towbar.
Your rear will swing out more to the opposite direction of your front wheels .

E.g. you want to pull away from somewhere with cars or obstacles either side of you. As you start to turn out of a stationary position in n a car park to the right your tail will kick out a bit to the left and vice versa.
Just means you use mirrors properly and frequently.

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We went from a 6.8 up to a 7.2 and now have a 7.5m, not really noticed any difference with the length. The 7.2m van and the current 7.5m are both only 2.21m wide now that does make a difference with some of the places we end up.
An A Class is much easier to reverse & get through narrow gaps and a much nicer driving experience.

With the amount of people you are looking at carting around you are going to be looking at vans of 4500kg and above with decent payloads of at least 1000 to 1200 kg min.
 
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We went from a c class mh to a PVC and with the pvc being more skinnier it is so much more better on narrow roads.
 
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The length break point seems to be 8mtr , anything less can pretty much get in anywhere site/aire wise.
From a driving pov 9mtr up starts be be noticeable maneuvering . payload is more of a factor as the length goes up , staying below 3500kg gets critical. 12mtr certainly needs a lot more preplanning for parking , but isnt insurmountable from personal experience :) .

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I hear most people saying that a wider van is an issue but as an owner of a Bailey Autograph (at best part of 2.5 Metres wide) I can say that whilst she may have a bit of a fat bum she still manages to wriggle it into the same places as her skinny friends, you just need to prod it in the right places (a bit like someone else I could mention but being a gentleman who is adverse to pain I will keep quiet)
 
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Gerby said:
I hear most people saying that a wider van is an issue but as an owner of a Bailey Autograph (at best part of 2.5 Metres wide) I can say that whilst she may have a bit of a fat bum she still manages to wriggle it into the same places as her skinny friends, you just need to prod it in the right places (a bit like someone else I could mention but being a gentleman who is adverse to pain I will keep quiet)
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Yesterday I had to squeeze past a Calor lorry on a narrow bit of a B road. I barely got my 2.22m through without scraping it through the hedge. There is no way I would consider buying a 2.5m motorhome for use on the narrow roads and villages found where I like to visit.
 
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Thanks guys for all your replies. I am indeed fortunate enough to be of the generation who can drive >3.5T on my current license.

To be clear, there will be four, not five in the MH, 3 adults and 1 kid - possibly there is an assumption that my soon-to-be-ex-spouse will be there, too - he won't! :sneaky:

So, I am getting that length isnt the problem, unless I want to be frequenting Spanish favelas and Tesco carparks at high noon (I dont - not yetawhile anyway) but width and payload/manoevrability are, along with the floorplan, so, to my next question.

I'm looking at bunk beds somewhere in the mix as a space-saving device - does anyone know if, when the advert says 'two adult-sized bunk beds', they speak the truth? Or are they only suitable for Ewoks and generally short and slim people?

Thanks again,

Travellin' (soon to be footloose and fancy free) Vet
 
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Travellin' Vet said:
they speak the truth?
Click to expand...

There's always a first time.

Are bunk beds "a space saving device" ? On the basis that they are always taking up space it has to be no.

Ours, like many others takes two lounge seats and converts them into a double bed in a minute. Now that is space saving.
 
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Travellin' Vet said:
Thanks guys for all your replies. I am indeed fortunate enough to be of the generation who can drive >3.5T on my current license.

To be clear, there will be four, not five in the MH, 3 adults and 1 kid - possibly there is an assumption that my soon-to-be-ex-spouse will be there, too - he won't! :sneaky:

So, I am getting that length isnt the problem, unless I want to be frequenting Spanish favelas and Tesco carparks at high noon (I dont - not yetawhile anyway) but width and payload/manoevrability are, along with the floorplan, so, to my next question.

I'm looking at bunk beds somewhere in the mix as a space-saving device - does anyone know if, when the advert says 'two adult-sized bunk beds', they speak the truth? Or are they only suitable for Ewoks and generally short and slim people?

Thanks again,

Travellin' (soon to be footloose and fancy free) Vet
Click to expand...
Take the bed sizes as a nice guide
Make sure you take a tape measure everywhere/ every time you actually view a mo ho

If you are 5’9” IMO you need at least a 6 foot bed, especially if it is narrow
 
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