Tugger to Funster ?

[Bootleg]

Hi, My wife and I had been caravanners for over 40 years but after she passed away friends suggested I change to a motorhome as it would be easier on my own (plus two Pointers !)
After searching for the right model I settled on a 2006 Autocruise Stargazer which was in excellent condition as it had a similar layout to my two berth caravan.
After a few trips however I found the following unexpected disadvantages :
1. The heater barely warmed my feet let alone the rest of the van when travelling in cold weather.
2. Despite packing with loads of towels/bubble wrap/foam everything seemed to rattle and creak- roof and window blinds, doors etc.
3. Parking was awkward in narrow bays - I always felt I was causing other users problems in getting into their vehicles .
4. As it had two parallel bunks there was nowhere to secure the dogs in case of an accident.
As a result I sold it and went back to a caravan but after a couple more years I a now wondering if I should try again as it would be easier to tour and take short breaks at a moments notice.
With hindsight I wonder if I would be better with a campervan as I understand they are more solid so wouldn't rattle as much, would be narrower so easier in car parks and could have rear seat belt anchorages to secure the dogs, although I realise space would be at a premium.
Would a campervan be warmer to travel in winter conditions and quieter on the road ?
I am hoping to go to the NEC show to research but practical experience is worth such a great deal.

 

[Sundowners]

Maybe something was wrong with your heating????------ I know that our van is really toasty in the cold---- but obviously we use more lpg----- if you were on EHU could you have used LPG and electric, a lot of vans can----i don't know if any pvc vans fit Alde heating but that's what you should look for, supurb IMHO

 

[pappajohn]

Maybe something was wrong with your heating????------ I know that our van is really toasty in the cold---- but obviously we use more lpg----- if you were on EHU could you have used LPG and electric, a lot of vans can----i don't know if any pvc vans fit Alde heating but that's what you should look for, supurb IMHO

I think bootleg is referring to the dash heater, not the hab area heating.

 

[pappajohn]

The dash heater is notoriously crap with such a big area to heat.
A temporary curtain or even a blanket across the cab behind the seats will make a big difference.
You will get rattles in any kind of motorhome.
Bubble wrap, tea towels, kitchen roll etc tucked in between crockery etc helps as does the LOUD knob on the radio.
It all made the same rattle noise in your wobble box but you just couldn't hear it.

 

[Bootleg]

Thanks for the replies. Yes it was the dash heater whilst driving which was the problem , the habitation was cosy enough when on site. I quite agree the "wobble box " would have been rattling as you say but cossetted in my towcar Mercedes I couldn't care .It is a bit disappointing to read that all motorhomes rattle as I did hope a well built van conversion would be better. I guess the only way is to hire one and see if I can put up with it.

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[Podney]

My old Rapido doesn’t rattle (much). Mind you ‘Er indoors does a lot of wrapping before we set off. None of the windows/lockers rattle.
Had you thought of turning the radio up?
Seriously though,hiring would be a good idea,especially if it has the layout you think you need.
Good luck in your search.

 

[nicholsong]

Re parking in narrow spaces, I suspect you were parking in places where you would not have dreamt of parking the car+caravan. In supermarkests it is usually possible to find a remote empty area or park with your door alongside a kerb/tree with the wheels hard-up against it leaving space on the other side for neighbours' doors.

As for size, you have mentioned 'campervans', presumably meaning like VW T6, but not Panel Van Conversions, which are narrower for parking(plenty of delivery vans in CPs) and have full facilities - shower, toilet etc. like a motorhome, just less internal space. Might be your compromise.

Geoff

 

[Bootleg]

Sorry, I am not used to the terminology yet. When I mentioned "campervan" I really did mean a PVC as I do like to be independent of site with my own shower/ wc.and having been used to the space in a caravan I am looking at the longer versions.Do members have any recommendations as to least rattly ? Would a Mercedes base be better than a Peugeot for example or is it down to the constructor ? As mentioned earlier do any have Alde heating, which I have been used to in the Cvan ?

 

[MHdreaming]

Not all motorhomes rattle our 2016 Burstner Nexxo has no rattles at all. However some items in the cupboards can, the worst offending item is the oven shelf we always remove ours and wrap it in a tea towel and put it in a draw when travelling. We use non slip mats in all the cupboards cut to fit.

 

[nicholsong]

Sorry, I am not used to the terminology yet. When I mentioned "campervan" I really did mean a PVC as I do like to be independent of site with my own shower/ wc.and having been used to the space in a caravan I am looking at the longer versions.Do members have any recommendations as to least rattly ? Would a Mercedes base be better than a Peugeot for example or is it down to the constructor ? As mentioned earlier do any have Alde heating, which I have been used to in the Cvan ?

Understood.

I would not expect any base veicle chassis to rattle after all they are engine, chassis and maybe a cab(on a 'C' Class.

I have only had one MH(N&B Arto for 10 years) and I am sure most do not rattle when empty - its the contents! As said if it really bugs you use the non-slip matting, bubble-wrap etc. But I am sure PVCs will be the same.

Quite a lot of MHs with Alde heating but I get the impression they are more upmarket ones and probably heavier. I do not know about Alde in PVCs - wait for answers.

Geoff

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[buttons]

Hi, My wife and I had been caravanners for over 40 years but after she passed away friends suggested I change to a motorhome as it would be easier on my own (plus two Pointers !)
After searching for the right model I settled on a 2006 Autocruise Stargazer which was in excellent condition as it had a similar layout to my two berth caravan.
After a few trips however I found the following unexpected disadvantages :
1. The heater barely warmed my feet let alone the rest of the van when travelling in cold weather.
2. Despite packing with loads of towels/bubble wrap/foam everything seemed to rattle and creak- roof and window blinds, doors etc.
3. Parking was awkward in narrow bays - I always felt I was causing other users problems in getting into their vehicles .
4. As it had two parallel bunks there was nowhere to secure the dogs in case of an accident.
As a result I sold it and went back to a caravan but after a couple more years I a now wondering if I should try again as it would be easier to tour and take short breaks at a moments notice.
With hindsight I wonder if I would be better with a campervan as I understand they are more solid so wouldn't rattle as much, would be narrower so easier in car parks and could have rear seat belt anchorages to secure the dogs, although I realise space would be at a premium.
Would a campervan be warmer to travel in winter conditions and quieter on the road ?
I am hoping to go to the NEC show to research but practical experience is worth such a great deal.

Hi and Welcome.....

 

[Grianan]

Hi we have recently bought our first campervan (PVC motorhome), our background is caravanning and tenting. When I read your first post I immediately thought a PVC sounded ideal for you.
Ours (Globecar Campscout) only has insulation it came with and has the Truma E heating .... it was toasty warm a couple of weekends ago when it was just above zero outside.
We travelled our dog under the fixed bed ... he’s a very tall labradoodle type but had plenty of room.
It was fine to drive around Aberdeen to get to my daughter‘s student flat and we road parked outside easily. At Tesco we parked away from the store as, like you, I don’t want to inconvenience anyone ...
As for rattles, we used non slip matting in drawers to keep plates, cutlery etc from rattling and I thought there were none until we hit a bad bit of road but generally it was great.

Strikes me the very best thing you could do is hire one in a layout you think would suit, and if you love it buy one! Good luck!

 

[Brakers]

Hi there.
It’s funny what different people worry about or can’t stand, I for one have a Autotrail Cheyenne 8.6 meters and although things do rattle a little bit it has never bothered me. I never wrap anything up to reduce the rattle as I’m not irritated by it. But I suppose driving HGV vans for most of my life and a reduction in effective hearing helps.
Each to his own.
Best Wishes Tony

 

[scotzsue]

It can take a bit of practice packing things like pots and pans and plates so they don't rattle but once sussed it is automatic. So do hire a layout you like, If it is fine apart from the rattles from crockery etc go for it. you will find your own way of keeping things quiet.
Oops forgot

 

[Bootleg]

Thanks for all the welcomes and sensible advice. I think the next step is to hire one .I will have a look at the layouts when I visit the NEC and then see if I can hire a similar one. Interesting that MH Dreaming's German motorhome doesn't rattle. I had been looking at a Burstner.

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[martin2603]

Pack it carefully and you will be rattle free, I have no rattles in my 8.5m tag

 

[MichaelT]

We had same issue with the heating when travelling, always felt cold on our legs so last time out we had the Truma heating on when travelling and it was much better (in fact we had it too warm). Obviously using gas all the time and we do have crash sensor on regulator but it did solve the problem.

 

[Bootleg]

That is interesting , I didn't know you could run the habitation heating whilst driving.

 

[Nostrovia]

That is interesting , I didn't know you could run the habitation heating whilst driving.

You just need a crash sensing (and cutting off) regulator, eg:

 

[Brakers]

@Bootleg Hi there this might be of interest to you I hope.
Best Wishes Tony


https://www.truma.com/uk/en/faq/operate-truma-heaters-while-driving.html

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[Techno]

Funster and tugger