Mileo 202

[Shep]

Hi - I am seriously considering purchasing a Benimar Mileo 202 as I love the layout and is under 6m. However, I have a concern around the lack of storage space and would appreciate any hints & tips on how to improve this from either existing owners or previous owners. Did you find the storage adequate? Thanks.

 

[Steve N Tracy]

I put a chassis mount refillable gas system on ours, then the gas locker was avaliable for extra storage.

 

[irnbru]

It’s all about compromise. I guess it depends on how many people are using it, do you like to wild or prefer campsites where you would use outdoor mats, hook up cable etc.

 

[Shep]

What sort of figure are we looking at for the gas system as that's a possible option. I do prefer campsites and would be looking at two people the vast majority of time.

 

[irnbru]

How much pay load does it have ?

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[AXO66]

You can attach a storage box on the back where the bike rack goes.

 

[Shep]

Payload is about 520kg. yes I thought of storage box but then thinking well what would I keep in it it! As its probably stuff you want insidelike your foodclothes etc. I don't have sports equipment or anything like that.

 

[jtp890]

Will you be fit enough in 5 years to climb into the overcab? Check out Dethleffs they have similar layout, bathroom to rear, but the bed lowers over the lounge ares from the ceiling, much easier access for us oldies and nocturnal bathroom visitors.
Jim

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Payload is about 520kg. yes I thought of storage box but then thinking well what would I keep in it it! As its probably stuff you want insidelike your foodclothes etc. I don't have sports equipment or anything like that.

Just be careful on payload
Two of you would be probably ok but dont take the dealer’s word without them weighing one for you

 

[Shep]

Thanks everyone so far - I am getting the inference that with a bit of creative thinking and compromise the storage issue is not insurmountable. Like I said it’s best getting opinions of people who have/or do own one as those people will have figured out solutions.

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[SpeedyDux]

It does look as though the layout lacks enough lockers for clothes etc.

Perhaps the designers expected the occupants to bring only their swimsuits.

Edit:

Of course - it's the ideal MH for naturists!

 

[AXO66]

Does look a little short of wardrobes. Have a look at the Chausson 530. Same idea but has a smaller kitchen , that space being used for wardrooe across back and a boot .
We have the 510. Plenty of space for clothes and the outside boot valuable for extra gas cylynder , tools, outdoor stove, blocks and drinking water and spare wine.
Chairs are the camping type and squeeze in side locker under one of the side seats.
We weighed with one grandchild on boared, half water (60kg) half fuel and not much gas. Otherwise carrying all our kit. Came in at 3280kg.

 

[Ralph Hardwick]

We have just bought one. Although we had the same concerns as you, I did a lot of research and have found that, with a bit of imagination, it becomes a real 'Tardis'.

We are still in the process of fitting it out but we've added drawers and shoe storage in the upper wardrobe, a combination of 'really useful boxes' in the lower 'wardrobe', curver storage baskets in the open shelves and two 40 litre, soft, canvas weekend bags on the over cab shelves.

The lower, horizontal locker will take 2 recliner chairs (max 60cm width), 2 footstools, folding tables, and a few other bits.

The vertical locker will take a couple of folding chairs, ehu cable, water hoses and a fair bit more (still working it out as first week of ownership).

The kitchen storage is pretty good for crockery, cutlery, cookware, food stuffs etc.

The over cab shelf is enormous and with imagination can hold a lot of clothing.

We will finish out 'fit out' in a couple of days and I'll be happy to share a few imags and ideas.

However one of the best resources is to join the Benimar UK Owners Facebook group. They are very friendly and helpful and I have stolen most of my ideas from other members.

We had an additional 110Ah battery fitted under the driver's seat and twin 11kg Gaslow bottles installed. There is enough room in the gas locker left to relocate the jack and tools to there a clear out space in the lower 'wardrobe'/vertical locker.

Be aware that the shower room wall was moved out in the 2018 model to give more space in the WC. This reduces the amount of storage in the kitchen area, but does make the wardrobe/locker bigger as well as the WC and shower.

 

[Shep]

That is really useful. I was just about to look at other models but do love the lounge and kitchen. If you could send pictures that would be great.

 

[Ralph Hardwick]

Give me a couple of days as we are prepping her for her maiden voyage and we're still waiting for more deliveries from Amazon!

I really do suggest you join the facebook group as this is a fantastic resource and they really don't mind people who are enquiring before buying. I can attest to that as we have been pestering them for weeks with questions before we bought.

In our case, we were also able to make contact with the previous owner, through the group, to find out if there had been any issues before they PX'd her at the dealers.

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[Two on Tour]

We are off grid for most of our travels, so we have for the most time a redundant microwave which we use as a bread bin and while on the move we store bottled drinking water in the oven. Once again while on the move, the shower is used to store the external windscreen cover and the bag of worn clothes that need washing. Your kitchen sink again can be used for storage while travelling and our washing up drying mat is stored on top of the hob burners with the lid down which stops the rattles when on the move.

 

[Shep]

Hi thanks for this - I am starting to think that it is possible to make it work. Joined the facebook group too!

 

[Stoosal]

Shep. How did u join the Facebook group...I have tried several times but not had any reply to my join request....?

 

[Shep]

Hi - just answered the three questions and joined more or less straight away. Its a great group to join as well. Sorry cant be more helpful.

 

[Ralph Hardwick]

Will you be fit enough in 5 years to climb into the overcab? Check out Dethleffs they have similar layout, bathroom to rear, but the bed lowers over the lounge ares from the ceiling, much easier access for us oldies and nocturnal bathroom visitors.
Jim

My wife suffers with her hips and knees so a high bed is out. The big advantage of the Mileo 202 is the fact that the bed comes right down to just above seat height. All you have to do is lower the table and put the side backrest cushions out of the way.
Belinda is 5'2" and can get into the bed straight from the floor, but finds it a lot easier with a small step.

Of course, the downside is that the reason it can come all the way down is because there are no lockers underneath. Thereby restricting the storage. As with all things motorhome related; compromise is king!

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[Ralph Hardwick]

Choosing a motorhome is a very personal thing. We created a list of dealbreakers (will never compromise), really would likes (might compromise if there was something else really special), and nice to haves (things we could od without or add later).

Originally we looked at a Roller Team T590, then a Swift Champagne 622, followed by a Swift Rio 320 but finally settled on the Benimar. Each of them ticked different boxes in different ways.

Things we liked about the Mileo 202 (not in any specific order):

Less than 6m
Hab door on UK side
Low bed
Proper 4'6" bed
Largish kitchen
Large fridge with separate freezer
Oven with electric hob and gas
Gorgeous, large, comfy lounge
Useable toilet and shower
Able to take 2 x 11kg refillable gas
External BBQ and shower points
Large 125 l freshwater tank and 100 l waste tank
Fitted as standard with 110 Ahr battery and 140/150W solar
Simple to add an additional 110 Ahr and extra solar.
Well equipped cab
150 bhp engine

As an off-grid camper, it ticked many, many boxes straight off the forecourt. With a few additions, extra battery, solar, toilet cassette it had the potential for many days of self-sufficiency.

We paid £46k for a 2017 model with 7k miles and 3 years warranty. That included an alarm, rear sensors, gas bottle, and battery upgrade. They also fitted a crash sensing regulator so we can use the heating whilst driving if needed.

 

[thebriars]

Just be careful on payload
Two of you would be probably ok but dont take the dealer’s word without them weighing one for you

My Benimar was pretty well spot on the advertised weight.

 

[thebriars]

Shep. How did u join the Facebook group...I have tried several times but not had any reply to my join request....?

Did you answer all the questions? It is specifically for Benimar owners, you should get a quick response if everything is correct.

 

[thebriars]

What sort of figure are we looking at for the gas system as that's a possible option. I do prefer campsites and would be looking at two people the vast majority of time.

A simpler system is to fit a single 11kg Gas-It bottle, perhaps with the Gas-It sensor so you can accurately tell how much gas you have left, and then use the other half of the cupboard for levellers, buckets and cleaning stuff.

 

[Shep]

That’s certainly an option.Ta. (All new stuff this to me )

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[thebriars]

.. of course you could buy a larger model plenty of storage space then.

 

[Minxy]

What sort of figure are we looking at for the gas system as that's a possible option. I do prefer campsites and would be looking at two people the vast majority of time.

A simpler system is to fit a single 11kg Gas-It bottle, perhaps with the Gas-It sensor so you can accurately tell how much gas you have left, and then use the other half of the cupboard for levellers, buckets and cleaning stuff.

There's a second hand Gaslow system in the classified ads for a bargain price so worth having a shuftie at, if you don't end up fitting both bottles you can soon sell the other on. Personally I wouldn't have just one bottle though as there's always the risk that the sensor could play up/not give a true reading and you'd be out of gas, you could have a smaller non-user refillable (eg Calor) as a backup leaving some space above it for storage.

As for using the gas locker for storage you MUST make sure you do NOT block any of the vents and also that there is space to allow any leaking gas to drop down to them unhindered - do NOT store buckets or anything else that is a solid container in there as they can fill with gas!

 

[thebriars]

There's a second hand Gaslow system in the classified ads for a bargain price so worth having a shuftie at, if you don't end up fitting both bottles you can soon sell the other on. Personally I wouldn't have just one bottle though as there's always the risk that the sensor could play up/not give a true reading and you'd be out of gas, you could have a smaller non-user refillable (eg Calor) as a backup leaving some space above it for storage.

As for using the gas locker for storage you MUST make sure you do NOT block any of the vents and also that there is space to allow any leaking gas to drop down to them unhindered - do NOT store buckets or anything else that is a solid container in there as they can fill with gas!

You obviously haven't tried the new Gas-It sensor, it is very accurate. Its also accurate enough to be able to observe gas leaks too. Also the chances of a bucket filling up with gas is pretty remote. Whilst travelling there will be enough air currents through the gas locker to clear any gas out, and whilst stationary much of the gas will diffuse naturally.

Personally I've got better things to worry about.

 

[Minxy]

You obviously haven't tried the new Gas-It sensor, it is very accurate. Its also accurate enough to be able to observe gas leaks too. Also the chances of a bucket filling up with gas is pretty remote. Whilst travelling there will be enough air currents through the gas locker to clear any gas out, and whilst stationary much of the gas will diffuse naturally.

Personally I've got better things to worry about.

Having had a gas leak due to a 'professionally' fitted BBQ point leaking and experiencing what a fire in a MH is like you do it your way and I'll do it my way!

 

[thebriars]

That's why I do that sort of thing myself.