Pro's and Con's, size.......

[Wizz]

Still in a dilemma-about what to buy.
My heart says motorhome 7.5mtrs long, 3850kgs,
My practical side says 7mtrs long, 3500kgs,
Any observations would be gratefully received.
Thanks in anticipation.

 

[Ivory55]

Unless the extra half a metre is stopping you parking at home on the road it makes little difference.

 

[Wizz]

I may possibly be over thinking this, but I am doing my best to make the very best, first time , never owned one before choice. Having wanted one for years, and now about to part with the best part of £65,000.
To say I'm slightly nervous may be a good description.
Just doing all I can to get it right......

 

[scotzsue]

What's wrong with 7M 4000kg?

 

[chaser]

I may possibly be over thinking this, but I am doing my best to make the very best, first time , never owned one before choice. Having wanted one for years, and now about to part with the best part of £65,000.
To say I'm slightly nervous may be a good description.
Just doing all I can to get it right......

Why not buy an older van, say up to 10 grand, at the lower weight, see how it goes.

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[nicholsong]

Why £65,000? No need to spend that much to get a good quality secondhand MH.

 

[phil1946]

The difference between 7 and 7,5 metres is of no consequence unless you are limited for space at home to park it, VED is cheaper if over 3500 Kgs and, after layout, space and the ability to carry what you need are important. Try to buy your third Motorhome first as mistakes are costly - layout is everything and is different for everyone so no-one can advise what is best but you need to view lots of options preferably somewhere where you can spend a lot of time, alone, to try all the sitting and sleeping options and fully check out the cooking and bathroom areas. Living in it is even more important than driving it as you are likely, unless you are a trucker in disguise and want to do huge distances, to spend more time living in it than driving it.

 

[Pausim]

When it comes to driving I find width far more important than length. I currently have an A Class of 2.22m width. It is heaps easier to drive on B roads than the 2.4m C Class I had some years back.

 

[Wizz]

Thanks for the above.
My rationale all though, maybe daft in some peoples eyes is- we want a twin single beds dedicated rear bedroom, which dictates a lot of what comes next when choosing a MH.
New, because I know nothing about anything that may need fixing, and fairly useless at most types of DIY.
I accept at this stage I don't even know what I don't know!
So the most sensible thing for us is to buy new, as nearly new is hardly worth bothering about when seeing how little the price reduction is.
The width of what we have narrowed things down to is 2.3mtrs

 

[Nanniemate]

As you are making such a large investment and concerned, hire as many as possible different types models for weekends you will be surprised how much you will learn (but don't take my advice cars houses and campervan all bought within an hour.) In addition to this if the sooth sayers are correct there will be a huge abundance of vans available (also have you read some of the stories about new vans. A nearly new one should have had all the issues sorted so the first owner gets the hassle and you get the results. Everyone will have a different opinion just get out there and enjoy, don't get stressed over it is should be a pleasurable experience not a chore. HAVE FUN

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[Ridgeway]

It's rare that length is a limiting factor to many things in a van, weight however is a limiting factor to almost all things in camper vans......

If you can go above 3.5t then do so all you'll be forever wondering why you hadn't. The only downsides to that are some toll road costs, especially in Europe and potentially additional driving test requirements at certain ages.

My guess as well is that many people get their first van purchase wrong and then correct it within a few years..... not ideal if you need to factor in new van value loss.

 

[TheTwoOfUs]

Just be aware of licence requirements if over 3500kg and payload if under 3500kg. Plenty of threads on here about C1 licences.

 

[mikebeaches]

Thanks for the above.
My rationale all though, maybe daft in some peoples eyes is- we want a twin single beds dedicated rear bedroom, which dictates a lot of what comes next when choosing a MH.
New, because I know nothing about anything that may need fixing, and fairly useless at most types of DIY.
I accept at this stage I don't even know what I don't know!
So the most sensible thing for us is to buy new, as nearly new is hardly worth bothering about when seeing how little the price reduction is.
The width of what we have narrowed things down to is 2.3mtrs

A couple of points:

Width 2.3 metres - remember that will be the body width - significantly wider when you factor in the long-arm rear view mirrors.

At 7 / 7.5 metres long, you are talking about a reasonably big van - think very carefully how you are going to use it. Are you fit enough to walk or cycle independently of the van, because it won't be ideal for popping into the village for a pint of milk or a loaf of bread...

If you plan to spend plenty of time touring abroad in warmer climes, you won't necessarily need quite so much internal living space, as more time will be spent out of doors.

Having previously owned 2 coachbuilt vans, we now have a 6.4 metre x 2.05 metres wide panel van conversion, GVW 3,500 kg and with comfortable wide fixed twin beds in the rear.

Plainly, it is 'horses for courses', and there will always be some sort of compromise. But it's a big decision spending £65k, and only finding out later that it wasn't quite the right choice would be a pain...

For me, the most important thing is to try to work out exactly how you are most likely to use the van, because there are many different styles of motorhoming.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[nomadic]

If you choose "new", then make sure you are "local" to your supplier, returning a bran new van 200/300 miles away creates cost , and difficulties can arise from warranty "issues". I agree try to make sure you get an over 3500 Kgs which will provide more payload, make life easier, any extra's you purchase will reduce your payload, so the higher MAM is important.

Good luck with your search.

 

[TerryL]

We bought our van at 2 years old, with only 5000 miles on the clock and in as new condition as you could hope for. With it we got every extra that Swift did at the time and of course any snags had been taken care of - the only "problem" was a failed battery which the dealer replaced, not unexpected when we found out the (sad) history. We also got it at considerably less than the then current new price - what's not to like?

My point is there are loads of vans around, bought new, that have susequently been found to be less than ideal (i.e. they bought the wrong one!), it's simply a matter of finding "the one" that suits you. There's no need to put yourself through the possibilities (probabilities?) of problems with a brand new purchase - yes everyone would prefer something unused but don't let your heart rule your head.

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[Sandancers]

Just be very aware of the payload. If your going for a 7m MH rated at 3500kg just make sure that it has enough payload available for everything you want to take with you.

You might want to read Jim's guide to payloads before parting with your hard-earned !

 

[Chris]

My Mum always told me size doesn’t matter.

It’s not the size of the ship, it’s the motion of the ocean.

 

[Lenny HB]

We have had a 6.79m a 7.52m and currently a 7.5m, the 6.79m was the hardest to drive as it was a low profile and 2.35m wide. The last 2 have been 2.21m wide and A Class the current 7.5 is the easiest to drive although longer it has a long 4.4m wheelbase with a shortish overhang. A Class vans are much easier to drive than standard CB vans.

7.5m at 3850kg you might be struggling for payload better to have the maxi chassis at 4250 or 4500 kg.
I doubt if a 7m van at 3500 kg will have enough payload.
Ours is 7.5m at 4500 kg with over 1350 kg of payload takes a lot of stress out of Motorhoming not having to worry about what you take with you.

 

[138go]

We've just downsized, mainly to avoid the C1 medical palaver. I've definitely come to the conclusion that small is better. When we're in France and Spain we sit outside. When we motorhome in the UK, we're either in the pub or we sit in our blow up awning. You don't really need a big motorhome.

Stick to the 3500 but do be wary about your payload.

 

[Minxy]

A 7m MH at 3500kg is going to be very tight on payload IMV.

I can understand you wanting to get one but to go out and spend up to £65k on something you hardly know anything about is astonishing and worrying - yes I know people do it but it doesn't mean they should.

Please 'learn' about stuff before you commit to a particular MH, assuming that buying new means no issues isn't correct, all MHs can have issues, be they new or used, so you still need some knowledge.

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[CazPaul]

I think size is a big issue, if another half a metre makes no difference then 7 to 7.5, 7.5 to 8 and so where do you stop

We have gone from 8.33 to 6.48, still top of the range A class but so easier to manoeuvre.

 

[Lenny HB]

If you choose "new", then make sure you are "local" to your supplier, returning a bran new van 200/300 miles away creates cost , and difficulties can arise from warranty "issues".

Sorry I don't see that all 3 vans we have had we bought in Belgium warranty issues have never been a problem and over the 3 vans we have saved £50k over buying in the UK.

 

[Minxy]

Sorry I don't see that all 3 vans we have had we bought in Belgium warranty issues have never been a problem and over the 3 vans we have saved £50k over buying in the UK.

Well, yes and no ... it depends on the warranty issue, the agreement with the selling dealer about having work done by others or if you have to return to them to have it done.

 

[Helen Ariel]

We recently got our 1st motorhome and as we had some quite specific requirements and hate the darker wood and patterned upholstery alot of the second hand vans come with we ended up going for new. We did heaps of research and looked inside lots 1st. Being under 40 i needed to stay at 3.5t and we wanted 7m for parking ease also. Payload is tight but with 2 of us, a labrador, 2 bikes, bbq, awning, surf stuff and all the other general stuff, full tanks and gas we can make it work. Payload was around 580kg. Most people on here seem to say you never get the right van 1st time but if you do your research and know what you want i think you can. We love everything about our 1st van.

 

[Lenny HB]

Well, yes and no ... it depends on the warranty issue, the agreement with the selling dealer about having work done by others or if you have to return to them to have it done.

Last van we had warranty work done locally, current van & first van taken back to Belgium. £50,000 pays for a lot of trips.

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[Cheshirecat57]

Still in a dilemma-about what to buy.
My heart says motorhome 7.5mtrs long, 3850kgs,
My practical side says 7mtrs long, 3500kgs,
Any observations would be gratefully received.
Thanks in anticipation.

Well, trust me I speak from experience
if you spend 65k on new, spend 2 nights in it, decide its “wrong” and take it back, your dealer will offer you around 50 k max for it.....

Forget the new vs used argument.....RENT one and then RENT another one 4 weeks later but a different layout
It will be the best couple of grand you ever waste

And finally, dont fall into to the trap that the “bargain” you are looking at is th3 last bargain their will ever be
good luck

 

[jonasw19]

Big snip

At 7 / 7.5 metres long, you are talking about a reasonably big van - think very carefully how you are going to use it. Are you fit enough to walk or cycle independently of the van, because it won't be ideal for popping into the village for a pint of milk ......

Mike makes a very good point, try to work out what you want to do in a motorhome.
We knew nothing except we wanted a van to tow a glider around the uk in the summer for 10 day gliding competitions, we bought an Adria Twin second hand which did exactly that.
One day we ventured abroad without the glider and discovered the continent, never knew it was there. We went for 15 days which exposed the drawbacks of the Adria (for us).
So we rethought our uses for a motorhome and after a happy 18months traded the Adria for an Autosleeper Suffolk auto.
Happily sculled around the continent for several months at a time.
After 5 years and the Autosleeper beginning to fray a little, in 2016 we bought a new 7.75m van which fixed most of the shortcomings of the Autosleeper.
We still have this van.
My somewhat laboured point is that you may not appreciate all the finer points of motorhoming or indeed how your needs may change over time.
We still go gliding with the campervan(the original purpose) but we take the car to dig her ladyship out of any stray fields, using the van more as a caravan in the UK, for approx 40 days a year. We also do about 120 days touring Europe each year during spring and autumn, this was not in the original brief but has become the primary driver for much of our life.
Enjoy your van, but keep an open mind.
Jon
Ps
1st Panel van 5.99m
2nd Overcab coachbuilt 6.4m, 3.5ton
3rd 7.75m lowprofile 4.25ton

 

[Sapper520]

If you choose "new", then make sure you are "local" to your supplier, returning a bran new van 200/300 miles away creates cost , and difficulties can arise from warranty "issues". I agree try to make sure you get an over 3500 Kgs which will provide more payload, make life easier, any extra's you purchase will reduce your payload, so the higher MAM is important.

Good luck with your search.

We started off looking for 2nd hand, but after a year of looking at overpriced vans described as ‘Great Condition’ (some people’s idea of Great Condition wasn’t ours!!) we decided to go new. We were able to order exactly what we wanted, unfortunately our local dealer could get no where near the deal we achieved with a dealer 3 hours away. Would loved to have stayed local, but we saved thousands.
The dealer we are buying from assures me the 5 year warranty (both vehicle and habitation), they are including in the sale, can be repaired locally if anything happens.

 

[Wizz]

Many thanks to everyone who has taken the time to add their thoughts.
The information and advice is really helpful.
Much appreciated.

 

[funflair]

Sorry I don't see that all 3 vans we have had we bought in Belgium warranty issues have never been a problem and over the 3 vans we have saved £50k over buying in the UK.

But you are pretty "hands on" Lenny and could/would fettle any little niggles yourself, if you are dependent on a dealer it would be good to have them close.

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