Does size really matter, mine is huge, any tips on what to be aware of?

[596]

Ok this is a serious question, we bought a new motorhome without really having a good look at it due to time constraints, yesterday we went to the NEC to see what we bought, we pick it up on Wed next week. When my wife saw it again yesterday (she had only seen if for 20 mins in a tight parking spot at the dealers while passing), she thought it looked enormous as you could see it in all its glory in the huge hall, she said I am never driving that! It’s 8.1mtrs long which I don’t see as a problem, I guess it’s just having walked past loads of tiny vans to get to it that it looked so big, in fairness there were others even bigger.

The overhang is 2.4mtrs which is a mtr longer than our previous one, can anyone with experience give us some tips as to what to what to look out for, I will be driving it around from Wed to Sun doing quite a few miles, I guess it’s giving turns a wider berth being one thing.

For going backwards we have twin reversing cameras and I’m having reversing sensors fitted so these should help while going backwards, for tight spots, I also have the Sena Expand system we use on our boat to communicate which is fantastic and hands free BROKEN LINK

Thanks

 

[Jaws]

Can't say I have had any issues with ours.. About 9mtrs with the bike rack on

 

[ambulancekidd]

The rear overhang offers the biggest chance of damage to yourselves or other road users.
Tight lanes in traffic where your turning left or right are tricky but, perfectly possible as long as you stay alert.

The length of the vehicle is the easy bit, when going backwards you tend to have your wits about you anyway & the camera's mean that with care there should be no mistakes.

Finally, here's wishing both of you good health to enjoy your new purchase.

 

[raysalaugh]

If you have driven an R V it should be a piece of cake driving something smaller. As already
mentioned you have to watch the rear end swinging out when turning.
Good luck.

 

[Paddywack]

I suspect with all your references in thread titles to the size of things you might be feeling small and inadequate?

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[Reallyretired]

8.1 m isn't particularly long. The overhang is what you have to watch out for particularly tight turns in fuel stations, just keep an eye on your rear corners in the mirrors.

 

[bertiebasset]

Have you thought of fitting rear steadies (caravan type). On our Savannah there is a longish overhang and there is noticeable sway inside the van when SWMBO moves about. We put the legs down if onsite for more than a couple of days. Works for us.

 

[Four of us]

And watch out going down ramps. We were next to a very sad chap in France who had given the back of his brand new van a real bashing coming off the ferry! Good luck.

 

[596]

Have you thought of fitting rear steadies (caravan type). On our Savannah there is a longish overhang and there is noticeable sway inside the van when SWMBO moves about. We put the legs down if onsite for more than a couple of days. Works for us.

I’m having Alko corner steadies fitted on the rear on Friday, plan is to raise with air suspension, lower then drop onto the steadies taking pressure off the rear wheels over winter on my driveway, I bought special spreader pads to put the steadies on to spread the weight ?

AL-KO Rear Telescopic Corner Steadies (Pair)

AL-KO Rear Telescopic Corner Steadies are specifically designed to be fitted to the AL-KO AMC chassis to provide a level and stable support to your motorhome.

www.primaleisure.com

Also bought the power drill attachment ?

According to the dealer nobody else has bothered, we did try and bounce around the van in the show yesterday and it was rock steady.

 

[596]

And watch out going down ramps. We were next to a very sad chap in France who had given the back of his brand new van a real bashing coming off the ferry! Good luck.

I’m fitting VB air suspension on Friday so can raise 8cm above rear axle not sure how that will relate to the very end, guess I need someone with an engineering pi brain ?

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[596]

I suspect with all your references in thread titles to the size of things you might be feeling small and inadequate?

Yes that is a problem being 4’11”




kneeling down

 

[Tea break]

As others have already said just be aware of the overhang when turning and in traffic as the rear will step out a fair bit when you turn. Not a problem really thats why you see hgv using two lanes when turning to avoid vehicles getting alongside of them because most car drivers don't have a clue of driving a large vehicle and cannot see the danger. You'll be fine I'm sure.

 

[596]

I’m guessing cyclist can be a worry when doing a left turn as you have to swing out to turn maybe confusing them and as you turn left it can make a mess.

 

[tonyidle]

I’m having Alko corner steadies fitted on the rear on Friday, plan is to raise with air suspension, lower then drop onto the steadies taking pressure off the rear wheels over winter on my driveway, I bought special spreader pads to put the steadies on to spread the weight ?

Steadies aren't jacks and they, and their mountings on the van, will not cope with the weight that would otherwise be supported by the rear tyres. They are likely to be mounted on the rear-most part of the chassis extension (or even the floor) which will be damaged by any attempt to effectively raise the vehicle.

 

[tonyidle]

As others have already said just be aware of the overhang when turning and in traffic as the rear will step out a fair bit when you turn. Not a problem really thats why you see hgv using two lanes when turning to avoid vehicles getting alongside of them because most car drivers don't have a clue of driving a large vehicle and cannot see the danger. You'll be fine I'm sure.

................. and be very aware when leaving a parking spot close to a wall or fence. Don't ask me how I know .

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[596]

Steadies aren't jacks and they, and their mountings on the van, will not cope with the weight that would otherwise be supported by the rear tyres. They are likely to be mounted on the rear-most part of the chassis extension (or even the floor) which will be damaged by any attempt to effectively raise the vehicle.

I have the heavy duty chassis and the fitter recommended them to take the pressure off the rear wheel, they are one of the best companies in the country for specialist vehicles, are they wrong?

 

[596]

................. and be very aware when leaving a parking spot close to a wall or fence. Don't ask me how I know .

That’s exactly what I want to learn about, REAL previous experience, I guess it’s constant mirror watching but also gauging the length and swing, maybe I will play around for a few hours in a quiet area to get the feel for it, thanks for sharing your experience ?

 

[rosalan]

Like when driving in France, after the first few minutes, where driving on the right causes some people to doubt their abilities it all feels normal. I doubt if the vehicle will feel large at all.
The only practical problem may be finding a suitable parking spot.
I usually use supermarkets car parks and park at the furthest part so that the two or three spaces I occupy cause least disruption for other users.

 

[Anthea M]

The caravan and motorhome club to lessons to gain confidence .( I’ve never done that!) they were at the NEC but you do have to book.

 

[Oldbob]

The body and chassis is designed to take weight in one direction. If you start pushing in the other direction from the rear you will slightly warp the body.
Once warped then silicone gives out and you have a mobile shower unit when it rains.
If you want wheels off the ground in winter or less weight on them, jack up as per manufacturers guide and then block under the axles.
As people have also said, tight turns in lanes with the overhang bad, plenty of tailswing, also ferries and grounding out, especially if rear steadies are below chassis level.

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[martin2603]

Don’t put too much in the back locker, you’ll loose traction and steering!

 

[tonyidle]

I have the heavy duty chassis and the fitter recommended them to take the pressure off the rear wheel, they are one of the best companies in the country for specialist vehicles, are they wrong?

My reply was obviously a generalisation. I'd assume he knows his stuff .

 

[596]

My reply was obviously a generalisation. I'd assume he knows his stuff .

I take on board what you say, for winter I will probably Jack it up and use axle stands, the corner steadies were for when having sex with a 2.4mtr over hang in the afternoon in France, nothing worse than a rocking van with neighbours smiling when you come out, that’s what others have told me ? I have never needed them

 

[Chris S-S]

I am 11.5mtrs long with my bike rack, I would just say watch your mirrors and rear view cameras and you will be OK, just remember to take your time.

 

[Gellyneck]

As noted a number of times watch out for the tail swinging out and the a**e grounding on steep \ rapid incline \ decline changes. The ferry guys had to put down boards to get us on the ferry to Orkney a couple of weeks back.
Also check the actual distances when reversing using the rear view cameras as some give a bit of distortion on the picture particularly at the sides given their wide-angled (not quite fish-eyed) format.
You'll quickly get used to it so don't worry too much.

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[596]

As noted a number of times watch out for the tail swinging out and the a**e grounding on steep \ rapid incline \ decline changes. The ferry guys had to put down boards to get us on the ferry to Orkney a couple of weeks back.
Also check the actual distances when reversing using the rear view cameras as some give a bit of distortion on the picture particularly at the sides given their wide-angled (not quite fish-eyed) format.
You'll quickly get used to it so don't worry too much.

I checked the rear view camera and it didn’t give any reference just a downwards view, I asked them to adjust it so I could see the a little of the rear, what’s the point if you don’t know where your rear is? Simple things and easy for them to adjust but I wonder how many people don’t see any of their van in the rear view screen? Thanks ?

 

[Gellyneck]

I checked the rear view camera and it didn’t give any reference just a downwards view, I asked them to adjust it so I could see the a little of the rear, what’s the point if you don’t know where your rear is? Simple things and easy for them to adjust but I wonder how many people don’t see any of their van in the rear view screen? Thanks ?

Yip, that's how ours points, rear of van and a good few feet of "road". Some units can also be set-up with coloured lines overlaid on the screen to give an indication of how far to go. Generally red, yellow and green.

 

[596]

Yip, that's how ours points, rear of van and a good few feet of "road". Some units can also be set-up with coloured lines overlaid on the screen to give an indication of how far to go. Generally red, yellow and green.

I’ve got the colours in my car but don’t think Swift go that posh ?. It’s just when the salesman showed me I just saw road, so no relation to where the van actually was, now all sorted but you need to check all these things, I guess my handover on Wed is going to take the full day, I will be checking absolutely everything, I’m not driving back 4 hrs for any warranty work, if it’s not right I won’t be taking it end of story, they know this as I have made it crystal clear, it’s just a shame the poor dealer has to rectify the sloppy Swift workmanship, it seem it takes much longer to correct than for Swift to do the job properly, I actually think the quality controller at Swift needs a good talking to, if one exists!

 

[bigtwin]

I’m having Alko corner steadies fitted on the rear on Friday, plan is to raise with air suspension, lower then drop onto the steadies taking pressure off the rear wheels over winter on my driveway, I bought special spreader pads to put the steadies on to spread the weight ?

AL-KO Rear Telescopic Corner Steadies (Pair)

AL-KO Rear Telescopic Corner Steadies are specifically designed to be fitted to the AL-KO AMC chassis to provide a level and stable support to your motorhome.

www.primaleisure.com

Also bought the power drill attachment ?

According to the dealer nobody else has bothered, we did try and bounce around the van in the show yesterday and it was rock steady.

Steadies aren't jacks and they, and their mountings on the van, will not cope with the weight that would otherwise be supported by the rear tyres. They are likely to be mounted on the rear-most part of the chassis extension (or even the floor) which will be damaged by any attempt to effectively raise the vehicle.

I have the heavy duty chassis and the fitter recommended them to take the pressure off the rear wheel, they are one of the best companies in the country for specialist vehicles, are they wrong?

My reply was obviously a generalisation. I'd assume he knows his stuff .

I take on board what you say, for winter I will probably Jack it up and use axle stands, the corner steadies were for when having sex with a 2.4mtr over hang in the afternoon in France, nothing worse than a rocking van with neighbours smiling when you come out, that’s what others have told me ? I have never needed them

I‘d be (very) surprised if the HD chassis extends all the way back to the rear of your vehicle (particularly given your 2.4 metre overhang). Consequently, you are (very) likely to have chassis extension. This is not unusual but the quality/robustness of the extensions can vary considerably (did you take the opportunity to peek under the van when you saw it?). Corner steadies are just that and you’d do well to heed the caution advised earlier in the thread. If you wish to relieve load from the wheels, get proper levelling jacks fitted.

I’d venture to suggest that you’ll be in a minority in terms of taking precautions to relieve the load on the wheels when in storage. You may be trying to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.
Perhaps you could post up a poll to find out how much of a minority you’d be in?

Ian

 

[pappajohn]

plan is to raise with air suspension, lower then drop onto the steadies taking pressure off the rear wheels over winter on my driveway

DON'T!
Corner steadies are only to prevent movement, they don't have the weight capacity to carry ANY weight.
If you want to do as planned then have hydraulic Jack legs fitted.

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