Complete newbie with a couple of questions.... (1 Viewer)

[baxlin]

Hi all,

I'm enjoying retirement, and am starting to think that maybe a motorhome might be a good idea, but I've just lost, through attaining age 70, driving licence groups C1 and D1. This means the max MAM weight I can drive is 3,500kg, that's all up weight, including fuel, water, passengers etc.

What would this restrict me to, please, with regard to type of motor home/camper van?

Second question, I note many vehicles are four berth, but only have two seat belted seats. What are the rules for number of passengers?

Apologies if these Q's are too basic, but thanks in anticipation.

Malcolm

 

[Riverbankannie]

If the MH has 2 belted seats then 2 people can travel. No extra passengers.
Our Ducato 6.3 m panel van conversion for 2 people is just below the weight limit when loaded. If you want anything bigger then you will be looking for a lightweight base such as Hymer

 

[Diggerdi]

, I'm a newbie too, picked up our brand new motorhome three weeks ago. Regarding 3500 kg vehicles the important thing is payload. We have a 2 berth, 4 belted seat moho and our payload is 680kg, which is plenty for us. We actually got it weighed last week, fully loaded for a weekend away apart from food and it came in at 3220 with half a tank of fuel and half fresh water. If you search for the thread "Countdown" on here you will see that Mickey1 bought a new motorhome and found with just himself, fuel and water he was only left with 60kg payload! Don't always believe the manufacturer's payload claims.

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[Peter JohnsCross MH]

You can reclaim the D1 if you want providing you can pass the heart stress test, 10 minutes on a treadmill basically and no history of heart problems

Peter

 

[jollyrodger]

&

 

[EX51SSS]

View attachment 154511
If the MH has 2 belted seats then 2 people can travel. No extra passengers.
Our Ducato 6.3 m panel van conversion for 2 people is just below the weight limit when loaded. If you want anything bigger then you will be looking for a lightweight base such as Hymer

Isn't that seat belts are only required on forward facing seats but if side or rear facing then more can travel.
The reason I'm saying this is because our style Exsis has many configurations and the ones that have forward facing seats have seat belts but rear or side facing don't

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[baxlin]

Thanks, much food for thought

 

[pappajohn]

You can reclaim the D1 if you want providing you can pass the heart stress test, 10 minutes on a treadmill basically and no history of heart problems

Peter

C1 Peter....C1

D1 Is for minibus use.

 

[suavecarve]

Father in law has a Dethleffs Globetrotter 3 berth but only ever used for 2.
He is fully packed with 1/4 tank of water, Gaslow, solar, extra battery, awning, no bikes and no wife and set for 6 months away in the morning.
500kgs left ! or 335 after he has filled up with water and put the mother in law in there !

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[scotzsue]

If you need 4 seatbelts get a van with 4 seatbelts, 3 point on forward or suitable rear facing seats. Our insurance, states we are insured to carry the number of people the van has seatbelts for. Wouldn't want my nearest and dearest travelling unsafely.
Have seen the damage that can be done in an accident where seatbelts were not worn, wouldn't wish it on anyone. The early Swift escapes had a lightweght chassis and a good payload, but you couldn't fit a towbar.
oops Have fun looking and make sure you try the beds for size and the loo for comfort.

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

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[The Dudess]

 

[WynandJean]

Hello and welcome from West Midlands.



Wyn

 

[irnbru]

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[Mickey1]

Mickey.

 

[jumartoo]

Hi and welcome from Spain.

If you do decide to buy a motorhome you're in for the most exciting, interesting, confusing and frustrating time of your life. BUT once you've done it, and got it right you'll (hopefully) not regret it.

 

[Andy H]

Welcome to Fun.

There are plenty on here without a C1 on their licence, myself included. Some on health grounds and some on age.

There are plenty of vehicles at 3.5T. We've just bought our first, a 6m PVC. We spent ages looking, weighing pros and cons of a PVC versus coach built. Our personal choice was a PVC. Check payloads, and get the right layout for you. I'm no expert but I would imagine at 3.5T, longer vehicles will generally have less payload than shorter ones. As with with many things in life, compromises will have to be made, just decide what's important to you.

Andy