Big or small?!?!

[RubyOptics]

Hey all,
We find ourselves in the incredibly fortunate position of being able to replace our 20 year old Burstner with a new van, but we are really torn between getting a long (7-7.5 metre) van or a shorter (6-6.5m) one. We so far have mostly used off-grid stops and don't really use sites that much. Also, we have a 14 year old daughter and an 11 year old son as well as a 32kg dog. Our current van is 6.3 metres with an overcab and bunk beds at the rear with the typical 4 seater dinette seating.
Whilst we love the van, we both feel that we don't really have any "lounging" space. Our daughter lives in the UK, so normally it is only the 3 of us + dog travelling and even when our son is in bed, the dinette doesn't give us the space to spread out so to speak, not without leaning on the window frame (far from comfortable) with my feet nearly touching the kitchen counter.
The euro-style layout vans (twin rear beds that make into a huge double with a double drop-down over the lounge) would seem to give us the space we need, as well as giving the kids their own beds when they are both here. The only problem we have is that this size van would mean we can't keep it at home due to the length of our driveway. We are worried that this would cut down our using the van due to the faff of getting it from storage, putting it back again, etc etc etc. So I wanted to ask you lot what you opinions are? If you keep a van in storage, do you feel it's been ok? Or do you wish you could have it at hand for those spur-of-the-moment "let's go away" decisions? If you have a shorter van suitable for 4, what is your layout and does it improve over the traditional dinette layout?
Many thanks as always for your suggestions and insights!
Joe

 

[Bustup15]

All depends how far away the storage is? We are fortunate as its less than a mile and means we can access it easily.

 

[RubyOptics]

All depends how far away the storage is? We are fortunate as its less than a mile and means we can access it easily.

Storage would be around the same as yours, but still means we can only pick it up when the storage facility is open. Same for dropping it off as well.

 

[tomag]

Have a look at the Dreamer living van could answer all your wish list

 

[RubyOptics]

Have a look at the Dreamer living van could answer all your wish list

Beds too small, I'm rather tall I'm afraid!

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[TUCANO]

Wow lucky you to have such a problem, great. My present and fourth van lives on a lockup site 9 miles from me, only the two of us so I can't comment on the length of your van, mine is only 6 metres, it could be a problem if I was to think of it as such but should I need the van I simply swap it with the car or I get driven there and then drive back. I can also run there, or back, although advancing years is slowing me down

 

[intransit ;)]

Morning all, we to are very fortunate in that our house sale to downsize is going thru' and we set off over the weekend to look at Motor homes... first was a Hobby 750 (8mtr)...Ruth sat down, said right I'm squatting in this till its paid for!!
Our logic? we toured Australia for a year in an 18ft Poptop caravan, went just about all round the coast, even though just the two of us in our 50's and 60's respectively we looked back and needed more room so Hobby size and comfort is far better than we have imagined..
Length yep.. going to need storage.
Build quality? yes surpassed all the rest of the vans we looked at ......after I 'enticed her out with a big bar of chocolate.'
What I'm contributing here is we accept all sorts of compromises in this life, and to have t nip out and collect the van surely should'nt sway choosing what is the perfect M/home for your situation and enjoyment....for me it's a none starter, Fact...we need storage, collect it as and when and off we go, and we surely will.
My 3 'pence worth

Regards G

 

[RubyOptics]

Wow lucky you to have such a problem, great. My present and fourth van lives on a lockup site 9 miles from me, only the two of us so I can't comment on the length of your van, mine is only 6 metres, it could be a problem if I was to think of it as such but should I need the van I simply swap it with the car or I get driven there and then drive back. I can also run there, or back, although advancing years is slowing me down

I absolutely realise how luck we are and indeed pointed this out in the first sentence of my post!

 

[RubyOptics]

Morning all, we to are very fortunate in that our house sale to downsize is going thru' and we set off over the weekend to look at Motor homes... first was a Hobby 750 (8mtr)...Ruth sat down, said right I'm squatting in this till its paid for!!
Our logic? we toured Australia for a year in an 18ft Poptop caravan, went just about all round the coast, even though just the two of us in our 50's and 60's respectively we looked back and needed more room so Hobby size and comfort is far better than we have imagined..
Length yep.. going to need storage.
Build quality? yes surpassed all the rest of the vans we looked at ......after I 'enticed her out with a big bar of chocolate.'
What I'm contributing here is we accept all sorts of compromises in this life, and to have t nip out and collect the van surely should'nt sway choosing what is the perfect M/home for your situation and enjoyment....for me it's a none starter, Fact...we need storage, collect it as and when and off we go, and we surely will.
My 3 'pence worth

Regards G

We realise that either decision is a compromise. At the moment the van we have is compromised on space, but we have this problem and are used to dealing with it. I've never had a longer van (well, other than a 2 week rental) and never had one storage so I'm asking others who DO have them in storage how big of a compromise they feel this is.

 

[intransit ;)]

point taken chap. Cheers

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[Guigsy]

We've got a driveway that's short enough that I'm expecting the neighbours to complain when our new 6m motorhome is ready for pickup... Stuff 'em.

But I there's so much more convenience on the driveway than it being in storage. Cleaning and maintenance at your leisure. Stocking up the night before you go away. Knowing it's not been stolen! Knowing that the battery isn't flat. Do you load the car with all your stuff and leave it at the storage while you're away, or do you have to get someone to drop you off and bring the van back to the house (and then the reverse at the other end).

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Think you are putting your own barriers up . How difficult is it to drive to storage a mile away.
This is what i do if going away for the weekend. Collect Thursday evening upto 7 oclock. Leave van outside drive. Load up set off Friday lunch return sunday unload return van between five and seven easy,

 

[Bustup15]

Storage would be around the same as yours, but still means we can only pick it up when the storage facility is open. Same for dropping it off as well.

Unless the access hours are very restrictive I don't see any major issues - ours is open 8am - 8pm 7 days a week. I think you just accept the slight limitations and work around them?

 

[bigtree]

We keep our 8m van in storage which is 30 miles away, don’t have a driveway and live at the end of a small cul de sac. Luckily the neighbours haven’t objected when we bring it home to get it prepped for going away. It is coming up to ten years of ownership so hasn’t really bothered me

 

[Spriddler]

I really appreciate having mine on my drive for doing all the maintenance jobs and preparation for trips. The only downside is that crims would know when I had gone away but at least I'd have taken my most valued/valuable possession with me.

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[StephandJohn]

We have to keep ours in storage. It's only 10 minutes to get there but I'd love to have it on the drive to make it easier for loading up. There's only the two of us so the u shaped lounge with over head cab for storage is fine. 6.6metres long. It wouldn't be so easy with two almost grown children and the dog as well so you might have to compromise and get storage for a longer one.
Just one more consideration; how long will the 14 year old want to go on holiday with you?

 

[Tombola]

Whilst we love the van, we both feel that we don't really have any "lounging" space.

This was the exact reason we went from a panel van to a coachbuilt, for more "lounge" space.
yes I agree for parking etc not as easy but Id go back to a panel in a second, SWMBO wont

 

[Ridgeway]

Our vans have always been stored away from home, originally 500m away, then 10km away, then 5km away and now <1km away (it's getting closer...) and it never changed how we have used it. Now it's in the same village i go by bike to take things around, do odd jobs etc.

One factor that's always helped us is that we can can leave it on the drive overnight before we go away (have to check with our neighbour first) and so i bring it around the day before, fill up the water, connect up the mains and switch the fridge on. Could you still manage to do that and squeeze the van on for say 12-18hrs before setting off ?

 

[Itsmcb]

We have to keep ours in storage. It's only 10 minutes to get there but I'd love to have it on the drive to make it easier for loading up. There's only the two of us so the u shaped lounge with over head cab for storage is fine. 6.6metres long. It wouldn't be so easy with two almost grown children and the dog as well so you might have to compromise and get storage for a longer one.
Just one more consideration; how long will the 14 year old want to go on holiday with you?

Ha, another two years max is my experience.

 

[StephandJohn]

Our vans have always been stored away from home, originally 500m away, then 10km away, then 5km away and now <1km away (it's getting closer...) and it never changed how we have used it. Now it's in the same village i go by bike to take things around, do odd jobs etc.

One factor that's always helped us is that we can can leave it on the drive overnight before we go away (have to check with our neighbour first) and so i bring it around the day before, fill up the water, connect up the mains and switch the fridge on. Could you still manage to do that and squeeze the van on for say 12-18hrs before setting off ?

Not having it on the drive means we can't do the last minute jobs so easily. It's not a big problem but would be great if we could.

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[barsteward]

Slightly off your original question but could you fit a 7m on your drive such as a Compactline

 

[Itsmcb]

My van is in storage about 15mins away from home. We (now only my wife and I ) load the car and drive there then unload into the van and leave the car in the van space. Takes maybe half an hour or so. We have been doing it that way for about 5 years and have it down to a fine art. We have dedicated boxes for clothes etc which fit directly into the storage areas and always pop a bag of ice into the freezer to cool the fridge.

 

[TUCANO]

I absolutely realise how luck we are and indeed pointed this out in the first sentence of my post!

Yeah I know you did so what is the point of your exclamation mark, I think you have taken offence when none was intended

 

[nicholsong]

Hey all,
We find ourselves in the incredibly fortunate position of being able to replace our 20 year old Burstner with a new van, but we are really torn between getting a long (7-7.5 metre) van or a shorter (6-6.5m) one. We so far have mostly used off-grid stops and don't really use sites that much. Also, we have a 14 year old daughter and an 11 year old son as well as a 32kg dog. Our current van is 6.3 metres with an overcab and bunk beds at the rear with the typical 4 seater dinette seating.
Whilst we love the van, we both feel that we don't really have any "lounging" space. Our daughter lives in the UK, so normally it is only the 3 of us + dog travelling and even when our son is in bed, the dinette doesn't give us the space to spread out so to speak, not without leaning on the window frame (far from comfortable) with my feet nearly touching the kitchen counter.
The euro-style layout vans (twin rear beds that make into a huge double with a double drop-down over the lounge) would seem to give us the space we need, as well as giving the kids their own beds when they are both here. The only problem we have is that this size van would mean we can't keep it at home due to the length of our driveway. We are worried that this would cut down our using the van due to the faff of getting it from storage, putting it back again, etc etc etc. So I wanted to ask you lot what you opinions are? If you keep a van in storage, do you feel it's been ok? Or do you wish you could have it at hand for those spur-of-the-moment "let's go away" decisions? If you have a shorter van suitable for 4, what is your layout and does it improve over the traditional dinette layout?
Many thanks as always for your suggestions and insights!
Joe

Hello again Joe

It seems you have two dilemmas.

1. How to provide beds for you two as a couple and for 2 teenagers (one not quite yet) of different sexes who need separate beds, plus lounging space. Thus longitudinal singles seems to be the answer.

2. Second dilemma is can you get that onto your drive or accept storage?

I sense from the way you asked for advice on the storage question that you realise that 7-7.5m is really needed.

As you know we are able to keep ours at home but in UK I did keep mine in storage, but at my work base so I could look after it periodically.

I think that maybe to help your decision making you should consider exploring some storage options and establishing what is available in respect of :-

Distance
Security
Access - some places give 24hrs, via key or security code.
EHU

In relation to taking off at short notice, do you:-

a) ever decide after closing hours of storage?
b) do you leave everything in the MH ready to go?
c) can you park in your street overnight?

In relation to b) you may like to look at my post, and other responses on that aspect here -

MH pressed into emergency use

We have just pressed the MH into emergency use. This morning we woke up to water leaking through the ceiling. Turned out to be the water heater in the loft, so had to turn off the stopcock. Leak now stopped but no hot water, so pressed the good old Arto into service for shower this evening...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

I shall also be sending you a PM in relation to Polish aspects of changing MHs which may not be appropriate to a general UK MH forum

Best Wishes

Geoff

 

[RubyOptics]

Yeah I know you did so what is the point of your exclamation mark, I think you have taken offence when none was intended

No offence taken! I got 40 last month, we have no mortgage left to pay and are looking to buy a new motorhome during a world wide pandemic. Just wanted to reiterate that we are very aware how incredibly fortunate we are!!

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[AG 2602]

We keep ours in storage (farm) about 5 miles from the house. We keep enough clothes and other essentials on board so that we can get away quickly for the odd weekend. But we bring home to load if we are going for longer.
Ours is 7.4M wouldn’t go any smaller because we spend the daytime walking/socialising and evenings lounging, Netflix and red wine! So number 1 for us is the lounge and fixed bed. We are also in the process of taking out the MASSIVE dining table to replace with a Lagun leg and table top to give us more flexible space.

 

[scotzsue]

We changed from a 7.3 M 4 berth to a 6M supposedly 4 berth, but only for an odd night, we knew that when we purchased, said while we were awaay, thank goodness we don't have a dog not even enough room for a border terrier. We use an awning with camp beds for the grandkids, if we were trveling with 2 kids and a dog, the van we have would not really be suitable. take a good look at the lounging space too. We have always kept vans in storage. can be a faff but we have it sussed.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Ag2602 your old table hasnt got the moveable frame has it . Im looking for one .

 

[pampam]

we had an 8.5 m van and had it in storage,we would go in car pack it and pick it up, park on the road for an hour to finish off the packing and off we would go....simples

 

[Snoopy]

Lots of different ways to see how it will suit your needs for not just now, but in the near future?, We can just fit zebedee 22 foot on our drive, but not permanently, so it's in storAge thankfully 10 min walk, plus side it's safer, we can access it, anytime, negative but is bringing it down to the drive, it's sideways on lucky with the neighbours...so far, just means moving our cars on and off, not really a problem, ideal would be space to leAve zebedee on the drive, so we could go out to play any time, I've become to just appreciate, like you hAve, just fortunate to be in a position to have the MH..good luck

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