Changing an RV for a smaller motorhome

[Jenmelmar]

I read on here some time ago about someone who had exchanged their RV for a smaller notorhome and was very pleased with what he got. Have any other members downgraded in size and if so, what have they purchased and are happy with? We are on the look out to do this but there are so many choices out there we do not know where to start!

 

[tuscancouple]

I read on here some time ago about someone who had exchanged their RV for a smaller notorhome and was very pleased with what he got. Have any other members downgraded in size and if so, what have they purchased and are happy with? We are on the look out to do this but there are so many choices out there we do not know where to start!

Last year we went from a USRV to a PVC which caused a few challenges . pm me if you want our feedback, however we really like the smaller vehicle size after 11 years with the RV.

Mick

 

[big map]

We had an RV for 10 years
We now have a Euro-Treka IB
I am very happy with it.

 

[Simon Select]

Check our our site, I am one of the few dealers that would happily have an RV on my forecourt!

 

[tacr2man]

I read on here some time ago about someone who had exchanged their RV for a smaller notorhome and was very pleased with what he got. Have any other members downgraded in size and if so, what have they purchased and are happy with? We are on the look out to do this but there are so many choices out there we do not know where to start!

Make a list of what you are willing to give up on , and what your must haves are , that will sort the wheat from the chaff eg having room to move in the shower

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[eddie]

I did I changed last year from a 34' Gulf Stream to a teeny weeny Windsport 27B

 

[Larrynwin]

After having three RVs as a result of licence change we had to downsize .
Bearing in mind the lounging space available in an RV we wanted something with adequate space to put our feet up without using the bed.
Many motorhomes have restricted space to lounge up front with a dinette type area and room for maybe four people at a push although some UK models are better for space.
We finally opted for the Hymer B544 an A class which has a drop down bed as the main bed and is permanently made so just seconds to drop down for sleeping .
With the bed up this arrangement with two side seats and the two front swivel seats gives seating for around 8 if entertaining and plenty of room to put your feet up and watch the box.
At just 6.5m long this has been an excellent replacement for our very missed RV.

 

[Mikey RV]

We went from this. 35ft

to this 30ft

Do I miss the RV, yes for space inside. Do I prefer what I have now, yes. It’s so much more practicle, more mpg, better built, better heating system, a garage, etc etc. It’s not so much the length, it’s the width and height of the RV that cause the problems. Having said all that I loved the RV.

 

[Jenmelmar]

Wow! Both of those vehicles look amazing! For us it is the width and height as the main problem. We do a lot of house and pet sitting and we are excluded from so many places as we are too wide/high especially. So I appreciate your reply-we will be looking over the next few months as we are back in UK in May for the MOT for the RV. Need to have it sorted for our return to Europe in October Thanks

 

[PeteH]

I sold mine 2012. As I could not be arsed to continue to do the whole Licence bit every year (Post 65). Still have to do it every 3! (C1). After we had a Caravan for a couple of years, But traded for a Rapido / Ducato. and now A Rapido Mercedes. The transition was "enlightening" especially per the "payloads" (or lack thereof) The first one had to be uprated to 3780kg just to get it legal!. Space is one thing you do miss, but after a while if you have the right layout for your needs, you soon get used to it. For us unfortunately drop down beds are not an option, but we mange with the "French Bed" layout.

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[Allanm]

We sold our Winnebago Brave (10 metres long with wide body) and bought an old Swift We replaced that with a new Burstner TI 736 last year
Obviously it’s a lot shorter (7.5m) narrower and .5 metres lower.
Both vehicles have rear island bed, separate shower and bathroom in the middle of the vehicle that can convert into a full width bathroom. Seating is different up front though
We lost lots of storage that we didn’t really need and the RV had seating for 10 up front whereas ours seats 6 round a fixed table.
there’s just two of us and we don’t miss the size of the RV
Our new van is easier to manoeuvre, cheaper to run and keep warm and enables us to go to places we could only dream about in the Winnebago.
basically, we lost a lot of space but gained manoeuvrability.

 

[Jenmelmar]

Thanks so much for your reply. We are spending some time studying the various options, and there are a lot! I want something smaller, my husband is not worried about the length-just the height & width! I want to avoid LPG if we can-so we will see who wins

 

[PeteH]

I suppose, IF money would run to it, I would try and get one of these. . You can still run it on a C1. The Q or T would be favourite. Sadly they no longer make them. But good second hand ones come up now and again.

 

[SteveRallye]

Some of the layouts on offer on various models now are great considering the overall size. Just met some friends with a Chauson and talk about Tardis. As the saying goes the possibilties are endless.

 

[PeteH]

To some extent, I favour a drop down bed, as way to maximise space. However, sadly, I have yet to see one that comes down far enough to allow easy access for someone with serious mobility issues. If the bed height is much more that that of the Sofa, it becomes a mountain to climb at bedtime, and in the middle of the night could be downright dangerous. The last show we went to, virtually every van had a garage with the bed above and 3 or more steps needed to access.

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[Jenmelmar]

Thanks for the replies. I like the Chauson, but couldn't see the price! We are limited in what we could buy as we need to get part exchange for our RV-and not sure how many dealers would do that. We are searching through, but everything is a compromise! I want a vehicle max 7.5m, automatic, no over the cab bed, and ideally, with a garage to put a scooter in the back! My husband favours the Euro Trek which has a slide out and is almost 8.8 metres, although it is narrower and lower than the RV. So we will have to see what we end up with! Hopefully something smaller than what we have now and not on LPG Thanks for the comments

 

[PeteH]

Intersting comment in Jenmelmar`s last post. Per the use of LPG. With the current adverse bias against Diesel. Is there a place for Petrol/LPG vehicles as motive power for Motorhomes?. Would bear some discussion I think?.

 

[Sundowners]

I found that LPG is great (and cheap) when it runs ok but it is another load of electrics to play up----- we had several v8s running on LPG and had quite a few issues with them------ like I say good when running ok though-----i will run diesels as long as I can!!!!!------we run 4 at the moment ------the oldest is a 1986 nissan terrano 1----- I intend to keep it 'till I die if I can!!!!!!!!!