Brit or European?

DerryW

DerryW

Joined
Apr 30, 2018
Posts
2,267
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Location
Mid Suffolk
Funster No
53,655
MH
Adria Matrix 670DC
Exp
Motorhoming since 2018.
Food for Thought. Having recently visited the C&MH show at NEC, I couldn't notice how much more spacious and user friendly the layouts appeared on most British made HM's compared to their European cousins, all of which seem to be front dinette with the fixed table. Are their any European models with more of a lounge feel at the front.? Also why is the shower cubicle not a optional extra rather than part of the standard build. I fully appreciate for Full Timers the shower is an essential part of the MH, however for a lot of people who overnight between Aires and Sites IMO I believe the space taken up by the shower cubicle could be better used.
 
UK Lay out: rear lounge - lack of storage space, loads of people space
Continental layout: rear beds - lots of storage space, lack of people space

Each to their own
Depends on where you camp

If you mostly camp on a rainy windswept island, then the UK layout is good
If you mostly camp in the Summer and in places where you mostly sit under the awning, then the continental layout is best.

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bigguspeckus said:
Just idle curiosity Borr,,, why wouldn't you use a site shower?
Hows about a site WC?
Click to expand...
Picked up a verruca in a site shower years ago, took 6 months for the GP to get rid. Haven't used one since. I might use a site bog if I'm passing one when I need to go but wouldn't make a special trip.
 
Brains said:
UK Lay out: rear lounge - lack of storage space, loads of people space
Continental layout: rear beds - lots of storage space, lack of people space

Each to their own
Depends on where you camp

If you mostly camp on a rainy windswept island, then the UK layout is good
If you mostly camp in the Summer and in places where you mostly sit under the awning, then the continental layout is best.
Click to expand...
I've a continental with lots of storage space and lots of people space
 
Reallyretired said:
Picked up a verruca in a site shower years ago, took 6 months for the GP to get rid. Haven't used one since. I might use a site bog if I'm passing one when I need to go but wouldn't make a special trip.
Click to expand...
Ah, I see where ya coming from.
I keep ma Crocks on,,, gives them a nice clean too ??
 
Pausim said:
I wouldn’t even look at a motorhome without a shower and generally prefer the continental layouts.
Click to expand...

Ditto, also too many UK models have upholstery schemes like old people’s homes. The only choice is which shade of beige you prefer. There are exceptions e.g. Murvi.
 
Northernraider said:
I've a continental with lots of storage space and lots of people space
Click to expand...

Me too.
I wouldn't bother with a UK built van, hab door on the wrong side, not properly winterised, U shape lounge meaning make up the bed at night, take it apart in the morning. I just want to get up and have breakfast without any faffing about.
Shower is essential.

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Some of the posts above seem to assume no shower because there is no dedicated shower compartment. Not so we have a combined toilet, basin, shower compartment in 7m which is adequate for us without the trend for separate compartments which take up floor space to the detriment of forward living space, unless one goes for 8.5m plus with the extra cost.

Geoff
 
I’ve just spent 2 months trawling Germany, Holland and England looking for a motorhome.....agonising over layout. Went for Hymer B674 in the end. It’s all about the big garage and longitudinal fixed beds in that one....to the detriment of the small lounge....but hey want to sit outside under the awning in the heat. Having said that if I’m skiing in it then lounge size more important....but then can always lounge on the rear beds....struth I’m still going on about it and it’s too late....I’ve bought it !

Alex

7B1D72B0-5A6B-417D-89D9-94F088D04645.jpegCE4DA54D-DCBD-4250-9E2A-0218C13083BD.jpeg049BBD52-A1EA-47E3-A1E6-82055756E4F8.jpeg391C0849-FBD2-49DC-865E-734C8606B3B9.jpeg
 
Hymerbell said:
I’ve just spent 2 months trawling Germany, Holland and England looking for a motorhome.....agonising over layout. Went for Hymer B674 in the end. It’s all about the big garage and longitudinal fixed beds in that one....to the detriment of the small lounge....but hey want to sit outside under the awning in the heat. Having said that if I’m skiing in it then lounge size more important....but then can always lounge on the rear beds....struth I’m still going on about it and it’s too late....I’ve bought it !

Alex

View attachment 365658View attachment 365659View attachment 365660View attachment 365662
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We did a 'try before you buy' and rented 3 different layouts.
Very fast came to the conclusion that French bed/Side toilet was not the way to go.
Likewise rear lounge was almost equally bad.

Final one was a Hymer MLT570 with twin rear beds, 6.74m, same layout as you.
So we bought it.

But each to their own, it would be boring if they were all the same!
 
Derry Wilson said:
Also why is the shower cubicle not a optional extra rather than part of the standard build.
Click to expand...
What a weird idea. Surely the idea of a Motorhome is to have a self contained units without the need for external facilities apart from servicing every few days.

We are currently at the end of our second week in France every where we have stopped the only place to have a shower or go to the loo has been in our van.

We would never consider a van without fixed beds, fixed table & a garage and the hab door on the RHS also has to be LHD.

Too many Brit vans are built for caravaners with caravan layouts basically dinning rooms on wheels just not suitable for proper Motorhomers. Also no A Class vans and of course you get water ingress as standard.
 
I’ve taken the fixed table out of both of our last two Hymers and fitted twin swivel arm tables it gives much more space and you can stow the tables in a wardrobe when not required, works for us but others love the big in the way fixed table.?

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Yes...only troubl
Brains said:
We did a 'try before you buy' and rented 3 different layouts.
Very fast came to the conclusion that French bed/Side toilet was not the way to go.
Likewise rear lounge was almost equally bad.

Final one was a Hymer MLT570 with twin rear beds, 6.74m, same layout as you.
So we bought it.

But each to their own, it would be boring if they were all the same!
Click to expand...
Yes...only trouble now is that because the longitudinal beds at the back are so good I’m thinking the drop down is now redundant...unless of course I am banished to it in the middle of the night. You get some that have cupboards instead of a drop down which would help as the B674 doesn’t seem to have as many cupboards as my old B544. Having said that you can’t have an A Class without a drop down...just wouldn’t be right ! Good for a hot panted hitch hiker as well I suppose.
 
Coming from a roomy caravan we were set on getting a rear lounge. Making the bed up every night has never been an issue for us. Took less than 5 minutes. But soon found in the sizes we were looking at I.e. 6m van conversation that there was next to no storage space under the rear lounge seating to even put bedding.
our fixed rear bed, which lifts up for access if needed has tons of storage. Front lounge is cosy, but hoping to get decent weather so sit outdoors!!
 
Lenny HB said:
Too many Brit vans are built for caravaners with caravan layouts basically dinning rooms on wheels just not suitable for proper Motorhomers. Also no A Class vans and of course you get water ingress as standard
Click to expand...
Well Borr, we're Brits with a Brit built Moho (which we love). Since Spring 2017 we've toured extensively across Europe, living in Moho approx 50% of that time.
Our 8mt Autotrail Scout has performed faultlessly over the 22,000 miles,,, with no water ingress,,, (which, allegedly, comes as standard?) and, up until we read your post, we considered ourselves "Motorhomers".

Now,,,
In a light-hearted fashion Borr I'd like your opinion,,, (and any others reading this)
Are we Motorhomers,,,
Or are we "Proper Motorhomers"...
Or,,,
are we forever condemned to be "Non Proper Motorhomers",,, coz weez godda Autotrail?!

Replies onna post,,, to this page...
ThankEe kindly. ??
 
Hymerbell said:
Yes...only trouble now is that because the longitudinal beds at the back are so good I’m thinking the drop down is now redundant...unless of course I am banished to it in the middle of the night.
Click to expand...
We do find it quite useful, been on an Aire with a huge slope impossible to get level but with the drop down bed you can sleep across the van. I've been banished to it when I've had the lerge and throwing up all night.
Odd occasion daughter & granddaughter have come with us an used it.
Hymerbell said:
Having said that you can’t have an A Class without a drop down...just wouldn’t be right !
Click to expand...
Liners like Morelo, cupboards are standard drop down bed is an option.
 
Jewellbags said:
Love a hot shower in my MH when it’s wet and cold outside and stepping out (of shower not MH) to be greeted with full blast diesel powered blown air heating.
Click to expand...
Carnt get ma head around using diesel as an indoor fuel medium to supply heat,,,
Diesel STINKS!
Is there no diesel smell from these heaters???
 
bigguspeckus said:
Carnt get ma head around using diesel as an indoor fuel medium to supply heat,,,
Diesel STINKS!
Is there no diesel smell from these heaters???
Click to expand...
Balanced flue like the gas heaters so only your neighbours will smell it. Even the if the combustion is correct there won't be much smell.
 
Hymerbell said:
Yes...only troubl

Yes...only trouble now is that because the longitudinal beds at the back are so good I’m thinking the drop down is now redundant...unless of course I am banished to it in the middle of the night. You get some that have cupboards instead of a drop down which would help as the B674 doesn’t seem to have as many cupboards as my old B544. Having said that you can’t have an A Class without a drop down...just wouldn’t be right ! Good for a hot panted hitch hiker as well I suppose.
Click to expand...
We have an A Class without a drop down bed and it feels much nicer. Neither of us need the headroom but the extra height gives a much greater sense of space. The extra cupboards are great and the 40kg weight saving is useful too. The infill for the rear beds gives us the option of making a good sized sideways double when we want it.
 
bigguspeckus said:
Well Borr, we're Brits with a Brit built Moho (which we love). Since Spring 2017 we've toured extensively across Europe, living in Moho approx 50% of that time.
Our 8mt Autotrail Scout has performed faultlessly over the 22,000 miles,,, with no water ingress,,, (which, allegedly, comes as standard?) and, up until we read your post, we considered ourselves "Motorhomers".

Now,,,
In a light-hearted fashion Borr I'd like your opinion,,, (and any others reading this)
Are we Motorhomers,,,
Or are we "Proper Motorhomers"...
Or,,,
are we forever condemned to be "Non Proper Motorhomers",,, coz weez godda Autotrail?!

Replies onna post,,, to this page...
ThankEe kindly. ??
Click to expand...
Well , in my opinion you’re proper motorhomers but then I’m biased in your direction as we too have an Autotrail ( Apache 700 ) without leaks so far ( 4 years old ) and we love the rear lounge layout , it’s great for crashing out when us gets back from the pub !

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