Upsize or Downsize?

[TOT]

Towards the back end of last year, SHMBO and I decided that it was time to upgrade from our year old Adria compact to something more substantial - and so we put down a deposit on a new Moho expected later this year.

Following our visit this year to the NEC C+M show, we got the impression that a new trend appears to be starting up - reinforced by talks with a few dealers also, being that there are a number of people actually wanting to Downsize their Mohos to compacts 7.0m / 3.5t and below.

Wondering what the general consensus is out there folks?

 

[Lenny HB]

I think it depends on who you talk to, I would like to downsize to 7m but if we do it what we buy will be on maxi 4250kg chassis, hate having to worry about what you can & can't take with you. I'll worry about going under 3.5t if I lose my C1.

 

[Spriddler]

Following our visit this year to the NEC C+M show, we got the impression that a new trend appears to be starting up - reinforced by talks with a few dealers also,

In my experience dealers of anything will tell me that the product they sell and I want is in great demand.
Whenever I've changed cars dealers have assured me that nobody wants the model/colour/engine type that I have to part exchange but they can't get enough of the one I want to buy.

 

[Carpmart]

The key bit of information you've not told us is how you do, or indeed intend to use you MH moving forwards. This will undoubtedly be the deciding factor WRT to the size...?

 

[AndyPK]

We have a 7m ‘van, and it is (just about) the perfect size for us…..and our four dogs. A fixed-bed was ‘essential’, as was two large seats that we could put our legs up on……not easy to get in a ‘van much smaller I think. So it all depends upon your requirements, at the end of the day.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jdk62]

We really like the idea and easier access (travel wise) afforded by a PVC, but we looked at a lot and decided we did not want to compromise on space at the moment so have stuck with our A Class.

Thats not to say in the future we won't take the downsize plunge., but not for another couple of years at least.

 

[Speve]

We have no intention of down sizing as long as I am able to retain my C1 this year we can’t see why not? so will
Keep our 7.5m x4500kg van as we like the space and also as Lenny HB says no worries about payload also not concerned about length to much as to make parking easier you need to get down to -6 m and that’s a lot of space to lose

 

[EuroTrotters]

Looking to downsize to a 4 berth PVC.

And tow a caravan with it.

 

[AndyB57]

We downsized from a 7.5m Adria Coral to a 5.4m Consort Kite PVC and absolutely love the flexibility of being able to go and, more importantly, park virtually anywhere. As Carpmart says though, it all depends on how you intend using it…

 

[jumar]

Our van size depends on how we use the van...it has to carry bikes as well as us...current van is 16 years old...going to review everything in 5 years...can we ride, can we walk or are we still here...then we can decide what suits our capabilities/suitablities....the van has to suit us not visa versa....there has never been a perfect van...but just now as near as it could be...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GMLS]

Hopefully you are not influenced by trends more your needs
Having had 8.5m then 7.5m motorhomes, when the time came to change due to being just the 2 of us, we were open to a bit of a downsize. My wife has always been keen on pvc's but having looked at a good number, its a big change. We found what we think is the perfect compromise in a compact A class and waiting for our Rapido 854F. i'm amazed at the prices of some of the upper end pvc's and this vehicle is about the same price as some of those for substantially more space for a nominal increase in length over a lwb PVC and a bit more width but throughout the length of the vehicle.

 

[Minxy]

We stayed the same pretty much but went from a PVC to a compact A-class.

Globecar Campscout PVC: 6.36m long x 2.05m wide
Carthago C-Compactline A-Class: 6.41m long x 2.12m wide

Despite the similar sizes the different is massive, we now have a double floor, garage, better insulation and more usable space inside due to the straight sides. We loved the PVC but this is so much more comfortable and still as easy to park, in fact due to it having a shorter wheelbase than the PVC it's actually easier to park and has a much smaller turning circle.

 

[Littlewheels]

Went down, came back up,tried again but back up again, we cannot manage without the space and storage, last one we had only one night in it and that was enough. Horse for courses.

 

[Reallyretired]

I have just downsized but only a little 7.6m down to 6.8m. Main reason was to get to 3,5t after the gyp I've had with DVLA about my C1 at 70.
It doesn't actually seem much smaller, a bit less in the kitchen and washroom, though actually seems to have more storage. I actually carry a trundleable waste hog rather than just a bucket, less trips.

 

[Chris Laing]

You can upsize and still stay within the 3500kg limit with the new Fiat chassis. We've just upsized to a 7.4m Deffleths motorhome from 6998 Chausson with no weight difference.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

You can upsize and still stay within the 3500kg limit with the new Fiat chassis. We've just upsized to a 7.4m Deffleths motorhome from 6998 Chausson with no weight difference.

Have you taken it to a weighbridge unladen to see what the actual weight is?

 

[Chris Laing]

Have you taken it to a weighbridge unladen to see what the actual weight is?

It hasn't come off the production line yet and when it does I won't be taking it to a weighbridge as I trust the Specification.

 

[Minxy]

It hasn't come off the production line yet and when it does I won't be taking it to a weighbridge as I trust the Specification.

You shouldn't trust the specification as they have a 5% tolerance so that could easily remove a load of your expected payload capacity (see 2nd paragraph down on the right) so I suggest that when it arrives at your dealer you get them to weigh it before you accept it.

 

[Popty]

Towards the back end of last year, SHMBO and I decided that it was time to upgrade from our year old Adria compact to something more substantial - and so we put down a deposit on a new Moho expected later this year.

Following our visit this year to the NEC C+M show, we got the impression that a new trend appears to be starting up - reinforced by talks with a few dealers also, being that there are a number of people actually wanting to Downsize their Mohos to compacts 7.0m / 3.5t and below.

Wondering what the general consensus is out there folks?

Hi, we've sold our moho and toad (swift sundance 590rs, and smart car) up sized to an American rv, best decision to date, can now enjoy the extra space,and a fixed full size 5' bed, no more climbing up to the over cab bed, proper shower, big fridge freezer, and great off grid with a 4kva generator

 

[scotzsue]

We downsized a couple of years ago to a 6M low profile 3 berth, now take motorbike on an easylifter. We both renewed our C1 though, would like a bit more living space but there are always compromises. Wish we could have found the same van with the front drop down bed though.
My pefect van would be low profile rear bunks with bottom one able to be raised and so have a garage l shaped lounge and drop down bed, not found one yet though.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

It hasn't come off the production line yet and when it does I won't be taking it to a weighbridge as I trust the Specification.

A very silly thing to do, most converters make use of the 5% tolerance so it could easily be 150kg heavier than you think.
Very few vans over 7m can be run legally at 35.t.
Have you weighed your current van in full holiday trim?

 

[Fdhadi]

We have downsized.
Had a Burstner A747 7 berth 8.2mtrs with only 4 of us but enjoyed the space and payload.
Last summer just the 2 of us. Decided we didn’t need half the stuff we took along.
The daughters (19/22yrs) would still like to join us every now and then so opted for twin rear singles and a drop down bed.
We now have a Rapido 855F A class which I have just uprated to 3.700kg. It’s just shy of 7mtrs so cheaper on the ferries and about 10mpg better on fuel. We’re more than happy with the change which definitely works for us.

 

[weebill]

We downsized from a 7.5m Burstner A class we toured in for 10 years to a 5.7 m coachbuilt Dealer special
which has been uprated to 3.5t giving a payload of about 850kg (Verified on weighbridge).
Having been quite restricted by parking issues with the large moho it’s a delight to be able to park in any car park with the coachbuilt which has opened up many more areas to visit.
Ferry prices are halved and we can park in out of the way places easily.
The interior is fairly caravanesque ( we have to make up the bed) but is quite spacious when you swivel the front seats.
Each to their own and it will always be what you prefer but we have found it advantageous to downsize.

 

[Minxy]

We downsized from a 7.5m Burstner A class we toured in for 10 years to a 5.7 m coachbuilt Dealer special
which has been uprated to 3.5t giving a payload of about 850kg (Verified on weighbridge).
Having been quite restricted by parking issues with the large moho it’s a delight to be able to park in any car park with the coachbuilt which has opened up many more areas to visit.
Ferry prices are halved and we can park in out of the way places easily.
The interior is fairly caravanesque ( we have to make up the bed) but is quite spacious when you swivel the front seats.
Each to their own and it will always be what you prefer but we have found it advantageous to downsize.

Out of interest what have you got now?

 

[weebill]

Out of interest what have you got now?

We now have an Elddis Platinum 2 special from Perthshire Caravans based on an Autoquest 115.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Graham Mew]

Towards the back end of last year, SHMBO and I decided that it was time to upgrade from our year old Adria compact to something more substantial - and so we put down a deposit on a new Moho expected later this year.

Following our visit this year to the NEC C+M show, we got the impression that a new trend appears to be starting up - reinforced by talks with a few dealers also, being that there are a number of people actually wanting to Downsize their Mohos to compacts 7.0m / 3.5t and below.

Wondering what the general consensus is out there folks?

It depends on your priorities, ask yourself, is it to keep to the A and B roads with a large motorhome with a restriction of parking or do you wish to travel on C roads ie down lanes leading to the coast example. The later was our priorities, hence a 5.7mm long with no restrictions apart from hight barriers. The choice is yours.

 

[mikebeaches]

still as easy to park, in fact due to it having a shorter wheelbase than the PVC it's actually easier to park and has a much smaller turning circle.

That's interesting. I'd assumed your Carthago would have the same underpinnings as your Campscout?

 

[Monty777]

We sold our Hymer 655 Starline in 2020 and bought an Autosleeper Warwick Duo which at 6mtr we thought would be an ideal downsize. One week on the NC500 convinced us that there wasn’t enough storage and having to move the seats around to make up the bed wasn’t going to work for us long term. When we got home from the trip we traded the Autosleeper for an A class Hymer Exsis I 414-6 meters long, shorter wheelbase, loads more storage, and it sleeps 4 with a garage large enough to take both bikes, outside chairs, and loads of stuff. Very happy with it so far-out planned trip over the channel will prove it.

 

[jezport]

We downsized from a tag axle frankia to a Globecar Campscout Revolution and 5 years on we are still happy.
Remember that a downsize isnt a downgrade!

 

[Minxy]

That's interesting. I'd assumed your Carthago would have the same underpinnings as your Campscout?

Our Carthago's wheelbase is 3.525m, the Campscout's was 4.035m and it really does make a heck of a different not only with turning etc but when parking as we can put an extra half a metre of rear end over grass etc which we couldn't do with the Campscout so sometimes the front end stuck out too much and meant we couldn't use the spot but don't have that issue with the Carthago.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}