Best compromise of vehicle length V internal space for a PVC?

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funkiinnit

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Is 7m just too long for the shops and villages as opposed to 5.5m being cramped? 2 humans + 1 labrador. Previously lived in a B568 for a year with a big lab no problem but width around Irish lanes was. Then had a Possl 2 win (fixed rear bed), felt sardined.
 
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We have a 6.3 with rear lounge and I cannot imagine sharing the space with a lab (and his/her tail).
However a front lounge version would work as there is better “moving around” space and dog could have a bed between the cab seats and still join you in lounge area without being too much in the way.
Thinking of the IH front lounge which also comes in shorter version.

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6.3m for us ...the extra 30cms over the plethora of 6.0m vans means we have a longitudinal, and full size double bed in the back which avoids clambering over each other which is a big bonus. The flip side is in reality, we cannot fit in one parking space but thats not something we're bothered about so much

Not tried the extra dog feature yet...I think it would be tight in any van tbh with a labrador as well, but I'm sure some could make it work
 
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Don't go to Ireland.
If you live there move.
Shorten the dog.
 
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We've got a 5.4m that we used for 6 months around Europe. It will fit in a standard supermarket car parking space without taking the pee too much. Fixed transverse double bed, bathroom, kitchen with oven, fridge. There's not a lot of lounging room though. We don't care as we're mostly out-and-about. I wouldn't fancy a wet dog in there with me though.

My mum and dad have an AutoSleeper Symbol 5.4m with a much bigger lounge area in the middle of the van and the kitchen/bathroom at the back, but they have to convert this area to a bed at night. That layout might be more suitable?

My brother has a SWB VW Transporter and they rock'n'roll the bed and night and keep two Italian Spinones in it with them!
 
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mitzimad said:
ours is 6.8 and we have no trouble parking
Click to expand...

What do you have mitzimad?

We have 6.36m with the longest longitudinal beds we could find for tall hubby ... wouldn’t be without them.
If I could get an extra 30 or 60 to give a better lounge I would seriously consider it but the maximum length of a PVC we found was the 6.36m and I didn’t want a coach built.
 
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We have a bespoke 6M van with longitudinal double bed over a “shed”, plenty of storage in cupboards along side of bed, shower and C402 toilet.
Sink and 2-ring hob.
We use cab seats and a circular table. Bed acts as a “Roman lounge”.
Our layout is not dog friendly, but that wasn’t in the brief.
I wouldn’t appreciate additional length.
 
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We have a Globecar Campscout 6.36m long - 2 longitudinal singles or a mahoosive king size if we want at the rear, half dinette lounge at the front, kitchen and toilet opposite each other with 'hidden' shower in the middle so doesn't take up space when not in use.

We use it with 3, yes THREE dogs, two approx 10kg, one around 22kg (cross Staffie/Greyhound) and don't have a problem.

We use the rear beds as chaise longues if we want to slob out during the day, it also means we have a separate area if we need our 'own space' ... oh the dogs LOVE the beds too! :D
 
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Grianan said:
What do you have mitzimad?

We have 6.36m with the longest longitudinal beds we could find for tall hubby ... wouldn’t be without them.
If I could get an extra 30 or 60 to give a better lounge I would seriously consider it but the maximum length of a PVC we found was the 6.36m and I didn’t want a coach built.
Click to expand...

A few of the smaller main converters do a slightly longer conversion using a vw or merc as a base vehicle



There's probably others as well

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5.4m for us with rear transverse bed, dinette at the front and we travel with the two in my avatar, but I think 2 small dogs are easier than 1 large. Wet dogs isn't a problem for us, Poppy (Border Terrier) has a dog bag and Harry's (Schnoodle) hair is kept short and a good rub down sorts it.

It fits on the drive nicely, goes anywhere and is a fun little van to have.
 
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Between the PVC and the 2.35m width of your previous MH, there are the compact ranges from various brands. With Hymer, there are the Exsis-T, Exsis-I and M-LT that have 2.12m body width (2.22 taking into account the little bits that stick out at places). They exist in sizes starting at 6m.

Dethleffs has the Globebus range. Not Hymer-like insulation but budget pretty close to a PVC with much better space and comfort inside and better insulation for sure.

From our experience and numerous visits of motorhomes during the last 14 months, there is a huge difference in the feeling of inner space between a 6m and even 6.6m van. 5.5m PVC are really cramped in our opinion.
 
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Grianan said:
Interesting, thanks ... am I correct that the Crafter and the Sprinter taper more at the top?
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Yes, the Fiat has less of a taper.
Stroppy Bird said:
I'm not sure but I suspect that they may not be as wide as I've only seen them with longitudinal beds rather than transverse.
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They are narrower - internally the Sprinter is 1662mm wide whilst the Fiat is 1870mm, a difference of 208mm (approx 8 inches).

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Stephane Bosman said:
Between the PVC and the 2.35m width of your previous MH, there are the compact ranges from various brands. With Hymer, there are the Exsis-T, Exsis-I and M-LT that have 2.12m body width (2.22 taking into account the little bits that stick out at places). They exist in sizes starting at 6m.

Dethleffs has the Globebus range. Not Hymer-like insulation but budget pretty close to a PVC with much better space and comfort inside and better insulation for sure.

From our experience and numerous visits of motorhomes during the last 14 months, there is a huge difference in the feeling of inner space between a 6m and even 6.6m van. 5.5m PVC are really cramped in our opinion.
Click to expand...
Carthago also have their 'Compact' versions too.
 
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Stephane Bosman said:
Yes, indeed, and they are great. Then there is that sticker shock. For us anyway.
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I assume you mean when you see the sticker with the price on ... not that someone sticks one on you!
?
 
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Is anyone running a 7m PVC?

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funkiinnit
If we were to change from our A class to a PVC my first port of call would be Vantage Motorhomes. We have travelled extensively over the years with either 1 or 2 dogs and have realised that floor space is one of the most important factors. Max length is 6.36 but (for me) the layout is perfect albeit they're a bit on the expensive side.

Motorhomes, Panel Vans & Campervans Leeds & UK

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For one person the 5.4m length is fine, and for many is all that will work so they can fit on a drive. It still won't fit into a standard car parking space. But a van this size offers limited storage, especially for anything of a bit of length. Hence the 6m PVCs being much more popular. I'd suggest 2 adults + dog would be very challenging in a 5.4m. But layout could be key, and I suspect you'll want an awning for the added space when parked up.
 
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Kannon Fodda said:
For one person the 5.4m length is fine, and for many is all that will work so they can fit on a drive. It still won't fit into a standard car parking space.
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Technically, correct. But it's close enough that you normally have plenty of choices of spaces at even a busy Tesco or B&Q. Most people don't go all the way to the end of their space, so with back-to-back spaces you can reverse in slightly over the line and the the front will tuck in. Or go for a space where you can overhang the back over a kerb. Or worst case, the front hangs over by hand span. All you've got to do is be more in the space than the average SUV driver.

20170904_102730.jpg

Hang over the back?

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Cheeky bit over the front (note the barrier is flush at the back).

20190509_113314.jpg

Even squeeze into tiny wonky spaces (free parking in Basel on the river).

So 5.4m does give plenty of flexibility. At the moment this is my only vehicle. The most important thing for me though is it fits on my drive and a 6.0m wouldn't.
 
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Further to my previous post:

Minxy Girl said:
They are narrower - internally the Sprinter is 1662mm wide whilst the Fiat is 1870mm, a difference of 208mm (approx 8 inches).
Click to expand...

I wasn't 'happy' with the figures I'd found on the original website so have looked at it again on the Parkers site and found these figures which I think are more accurate:

Max internal width
Ducato: 1,870​
Sprinter: 1,787​
= 83mm difference​

Internal width between wheel arches
Ducato: 1,422​
Sprinter: 1,350​
= 72 mm difference​
​
This means that the Sprinter is over 7 cm narrower internally at it's widest point than the Ducato and that is what IMV makes the difference between whether it's realistic to have a transverse bed or not, hence why a rear transverse bed PVC is usually from the Sevel stable (ie Ducato / Boxer / Citroen) rather than any of the other competition, the exception being where they have extension pods on the sides to give more width (eg some Hymer & La Strada models).​
 
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