Tired but happy after another viewing!

[RubyOptics]

So today marked the beginning of the "serious" stage of our search...we went to view our first camper with the possibility of buying. It was a nice little 1997 <Broken link removed>. Was a long drive to go view it, around 4.5 hours each way due to some major, unavoidable roadworks, but well worth the drive. We were amazed at how TARDIS-like it felt. The van is only just over 5m in length, so shorter than the majority of PVC's on the market, but due to the height it felt suprisingly spacious inside. We also were impressed by the roomy and airy feel of the overcab bed, I think the three windows and high ceilings really helped in this regard. The bathroom passed the "sit on the throne with a book" test as well as the imaginary shower test as well. A really cracking little van from my inexperienced point of view!!

"So, did you buy it then RO?" I hear you ask??!! Well.....no, we didn't, and i'll explain why...For us it was too compromised. If we consider it for just me and SWMBO, then there are significantly cheaper options around as we wouldn't need 4 seaat-belts. If we consider it for us and the 2 kids (even though our plan would be to take a smallish throw up tent for site use) then the second bed/table arrangement is simply too cramped. My 13 year old daughter is nearly 5'10" already, and our son is shooting up by the day, so even for an overnight aire stop on the way to somewhere, it's simply too cramped. So thank you all for the invaluable advice to look, look and look again. While the shows are fantastic and really interesting, the fact is that layouts have changed over the years, and due to our budget, we have to look at an older van with an older style layout. This showed us a lot of things that we like and maybe more importantly, some we didn't.

Next stop, an older style bunk-bed van, maybe around 6 metres, with the beds down the rear drivers side. Let the hunt commence!!

 

[Snoopy]

Good luck

 

[TheBig1]

look on the bright side, 9 hours on the road showed you that you can travel and made you realise what you want, what you need and what is available may be a compromise

 

[Nikki]

What a lovely little van, good find tho! Proves that you've got a good nose for it!!!

 

[RubyOptics]

Thank you all for the kind replies. Nikki it really was very nice. A few age-related niggles, but nothing that couldn't have been sorted fairly easily and cheaply. TheBig1 I knew the driving wouldn't be a problem, I love driving long distances! It was my first test-drive of a motorhome though, which was an experience/11 Felt really quite nice, although two things did shock me....seeing the bodywork sticking out in the rear-view mirrors and how bad the brakes were compared to a normal car! Will certainly be driving with a healthy respect for braking distances/conditions when I do make a purchase! The compromise aspect was one that really did show itself yesterday...we were already aware of it, both from my research here as well as a bit of common sense I guess...but was a really helpful experience for sure!!

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[Nanniemate]

Wait until its full then see what the stopping distances are.... don't for get if you have fluid tanks when you are raking the liquid pushes you forward
Enjoy the shopping but be careful it dose not become a hobby in itself. If you look for long enough the kids would have grown into adults and moved on

 

[ambulancekidd]

Was a long drive to go view it, around 4.5 hours each way

Well with every van you see, the idea's can form in your head & your doing the right thing by imagining yourselves in the motorhome.

Incidentally, where was this motorhome?

 

[RubyOptics]

ambulancekidd the Van was about 30 mins away from Katowice in Poland.

 

[bigtree]

If you are looking at something small and on a budget,how about something like this and if not there are plenty more like it on mobile.de.
Broken Link Removed

 

[RubyOptics]

bigtree thank-you for taking the time to post. I have already looked at those Concorde vans, indeed I posted on here regarding them. Sadly, it's borderline on the price and to be honest, looking at the length of the van, I think it would be even more compromised for us than the Knaus I linked. It's a fantastic use of the space available, but considering the length is only 2cm shorter, the Knaus would beat it hands down for interior room. I do love the sliding rear door though, but can't have everything!!

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[Buddha]

Good luck with the hunt! Unfortunately everyone looks for something different and only you can decide what that is. The Dusseldorf show is excellent for getting ideas but you need two days there. Happy hunting.

 

[bigtree]

bigtree thank-you for taking the time to post. I have already looked at those Concorde vans, indeed I posted on here regarding them. Sadly, it's borderline on the price and to be honest, looking at the length of the van, I think it would be even more compromised for us than the Knaus I linked. It's a fantastic use of the space available, but considering the length is only 2cm shorter, the Knaus would beat it hands down for interior room. I do love the sliding rear door though, but can't have everything!!

Happy hunting.

 

[Daniel-J]

I hope you find what you're looking for!

 

[63720]

Our last van was an 08 Knaus. It was as light as a feather, we could brim the tanks, fill the garage including 2 bikes and still be under 3.5t. We only changed it because we wanted twin beds.