Upsize?

[Davej0355]

My current motorhome is 7.4M long and 2.35M wide. I am considering upsizing to 8.0M long and 2.47M wide. I am not so concerned about the length - more the width. Having recently come back from Devon in my current MH I can see that the increased width would be a challenge. I would be interested to hear views from those driving similar sized vehicles (as the one I am considering) on how they find driving in this country and in Europe - is it really a limiter or something you get used to? Also have you had difficulties in getting site pitches and access? Thanks

 

[BikerGraham]

We have a Bailey autograph which is wide at 2.49m. Did a month in France for our first holiday in it in September without any concerns for the width. Went through some narrow streets in villages and Dijon.
One thing to note is that whilst the van width may be bigger than many. Including the mirrors it is no wider than many. It’s 2.77m including the mirrors.

All in the mind. It’s still narrower than many artics

 

[Guigsy]

I went from a Ducato van to a 2.35m A-class early last year. The width is definitely the biggest issue for me. Some urban roads with parked cars, narrow lanes in North Norfolk and Cornwall have been ok, but not exactly relaxing. But driving around Europe on holiday this year, I loved it. No issues with the width on the continent.

I don't think I'd go any wider. If there was a 6m van similar to mine, but 'compact' so it was 15cm narrower, I'd take it.

 

[Terry]

It’s only 2ft longer and 6 in’s wider than your current van so I doubt you would notice much difference. When I had a 9 myr van I got used to it within a couple of miles, just the same as a smaller van

 

[Minxy]

I went from a Ducato van to a 2.35m A-class early last year. The width is definitely the biggest issue for me. Some urban roads with parked cars, narrow lanes in North Norfolk and Cornwall have been ok, but not exactly relaxing. But driving around Europe on holiday this year, I loved it. No issues with the width on the continent.

Hubby finds it more relaxing driving abroad but even there having a narrower MH makes it even better.

I don't think I'd go any wider. If there was a 6m van similar to mine, but 'compact' so it was 15cm narrower, I'd take it.

That's why we ended up with a Carthago C-Compactline at 2.12m wide (+ mirrors) and only 6.41m long, having had 3 PVCs (2.10m x 6.36m) we didn't want to go 'fat', if we hadn't been able to get a narrow A-Class (or coachbuilt) we'd have stuck with PVCs.

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

 

[MR BLO]

Once you go fat you won’t go back. Never had a pitch issue on site or aire. We have taken our rather w-i-d-e Bailey down some really narrow roads no problem, typically trucks and buses go through so can we.
The couple of times where we have come unstuck was down to inconsiderate parking which to be honest would have caused a PVC the same issue. Oh and the time I missed the 7’6 bridge restriction sign on Dartmoor.
We knew that we would have to compromise some of the smaller wild spots when we got the fat van, but with a good satnav we don’t even particularly plan due to our width.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Nothing is too Big! Treble 7 dump trucks Caterpillar! 8 meters ....................when you need a camera to see the other side of the road is when you need to know you are a wide load!

kev

 

[nicholsong]

When I was agency driving I used to be driving a transit one day and jump into a 7.5t the next(wider than a Bailey)

If the mirrors next to you go through so will the rest - but watch the low level wing mirrors on the cars.

 

[WESTY66]

Nothing is too Big! Treble 7 dump trucks Caterpillar! 8 meters ....................when you need a camera to see the other side of the road is when you need to know you are a wide load!

kev

Sorry to be pedantic kev but it’s Cat TRIPLE 7
But the Cat 797’s carry a few ton more
Makes our Cat 772 look like a sack barrow

 

[Ian Bosman]

My current motorhome is 7.4M long and 2.35M wide. I am considering upsizing to 8.0M long and 2.47M wide. I am not so concerned about the length - more the width. Having recently come back from Devon in my current MH I can see that the increased width would be a challenge. I would be interested to hear views from those driving similar sized vehicles (as the one I am considering) on how they find driving in this country and in Europe - is it really a limiter or something you get used to? Also have you had difficulties in getting site pitches and access? Thanks

My experience of being in a motorhome 2.3 wide is that the roads off the A roads in Devon are too narrow for absolute peace of mind while driving.

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

 

[Minxy]

I have a question for those who want 'wider' MHs ... what does it really give you and what does it prevent you from doing ... is the extra width gain worth the loss of accessibility?

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

Treble...triple.....potato or.......Spud!

Sorry to be pedantic kev but it’s Cat TRIPLE 7
But the Cat 797’s carry a few ton more
Makes our Cat 772 look like a sack barrow

.................I had to work out what Pedantic meant for a mo then? ...................

Kev

 

[Guigsy]

I have a question for those who want 'wider' MHs ... what does it really give you and what does it prevent you from doing ... is the extra width gain worth the loss of accessibility?

The layout of my 2.3m wide Geist i585 is pretty much the same as the 2.1m wide Chausson X550. The ~20cm of width in my van does add a hell of a lot to the feeling of space inside. I also get several outside lockers (still no proper garage though).

Geist i585:

2020 (20) GEIST Explorer Comfort I 585 (Under 6m!) 2020 For Sale in Kendal, Used Motorhome Dealer Cumbria - E S Hartley Limited

GEIST Explorer Comfort I 585 (Under 6m!) 2020 and more available for sale in Cheshire, Merseyside, North Wales, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cumbria, E S Hartley Motorhome Centres

www.eshartleygroup.co.uk

Chausson X550:

The X - Chausson

The X550 is neither a van nor a motorhome: CHAUSSON has invented a new generation of vehicles combining the agility of a van with low profile comfort. Compact on the outside, spacious on the inside

www.motorhomes-chausson.co.uk

My family all descend on Wells Next to the Sea in North Norfolk every summer. When I had a panel van, I'd not be too stressed about the country lanes and we'd go out to explore every couple of days. With our wider coachbuild, I tend to leave it on site and cycle places, get a lift with someone with a car or take the bus. Even on the "main" coastal a-road, there are quite a few narrow spots with poor forward visibility where, if you meet the bus coming the other way, you're going to be reversing back past some very close stone walls. I've been down a few lanes where the mirrors were scraping on both sides. 20cm makes all the difference! So it does decrease accessibility in extreme situations.

However, the extra width does make if far more spacious inside. Last year we had several days of heavy rain and we were glad that we could stretch out.