What size Motor Home for small lanes in the UK?

[kevin@cheiron.]

Hello folks

I am planning on getting a small Motor Home. Just me to fit in.

I am not too stuck for suitable makes (I have already had advice from experienced folk), but I am stuck on what length to get.

The Wildaxe Elana suits me down to the ground, but it soooo long!

The Hymer 6.5 metre vans look really nice, but would a 6 metre van be easier for wild camping and small country lanes?

Any advice on maneuverability and parkability would be very welcome.

Thanks

thanks

 

[Koppersbeat]

My Wildax Pulsar is 5m long and perfect for myself and dog.
Currently in France and the build quality and equipment level has been much admired by fellow campers.

 

[kevenh]

With simpler driving in the UK a consideration, our MH is 5.7m long, 2.2m wide & 3m tall.

It's hitting overhanging trees with the height that still shocks mrskevenh & myself.
They must build the front of a MH from tough stuff.

On the road between Newbury & Wantage esp. had a few bangs. Maybe it's not a bus route

On topic, aside from the branches, our MH is easy to manoeuvre around our housing estate & where we've been so far with our newish purchase. EDIT: Malborough, Savernake, Snelsmore, Ridgeway - just off the Wantage Road & Arlington Business Park

 

[tacr2man]

length is not really a factor on small lanes untill you get over 8mts at least , width is more so , although once you are on a small lane even a car has to stop to pass if lane small enough . As for wildcamping size isnt that much of a factor majority wildcampers are in larger vans or bigger vehicles, from what ive seen/done

 

[addoaddo]

I would have thought a PVC would be better as they are narrower and generally lower than others

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[Wagoneer]

Length doesn't normally effect your ability to negotiate narrow country lanes in a PVC. Although the longer the wheel base does reduce the turning ability ie. manoeuvreability.

Standard parkinģ bays are 4.8m long....but for longer vans you can normally park the rear overhang over a verge on the perimeter of the carpark. My 6m long van was easy to park in a normal carpark.

 

[Top Hat]

A PVC is also less conspicuous when you are wild camping.

 

[Janine]

My moho is about the same width and length as a Tesco delivery van. Makes sense to me

I should add - Autosleeper nuevo 5.4m long.

 

[Lot lover]

Imho you should concentrate on your needs based on what you will do most in your MH, driving it or living in it.

As with other things in life girth (width + height) can be more of an issue than length.

Our old LV is 6.7 x 2.3 x 2.7 high and copes with rural France without our having a heart attack.

 

[rod_vw]

We have used VW T4s, T5s and now a T6, all have been LWB High roof models and have toured many areas of Britain, France and Germany without any problems either in town or country. The only restriction has been the height barriers in some car parks, we are just under 3 metres.
I've always considered going one size bigger quoting that the parcel delivery vans seem to be able to go anywhere. That is the VW Crafter / MB Sprinter types. As for the length, the current van conversion is just over 5 metres. The next size up comes in at just under 7 metres which could be a minor problem in supermarket car parks as our camper is our everyday vehicle.

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[mikebeaches]

A PVC would be ideal for starters - eg Ducato X250/X290 2.05 metres wide, compared to a typical coachbuilt at 2.3m - 2.35m.

Although length is less important, as others have mentioned, personally, I'd go for the shortest van you can live comfortably on your own - 6 metres or less if it was just me. Our van is actually the longer Ducato (6.36m), but for 2 of us.

The longer van can be slightly more challenging to find suitable parking, but not too difficult.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I’m finding my 5.4m + towbar bike carrier Autotrail 540 SE PVC quite easy to throw around the Scottish Highlands single track roads. I suspect the slight extra width of a coach built would be more challenging. The length ( or lack of) also saved a bit on a ferry charged by the m over 6m and it you can squeeze into some parking spaces.

For one person the 5.4n pvc works. But check the space for storage and what you might want to carry i.e. unless you go garage style under bed you might not fit many outside chairs.

Another thing to consider for wildcamping may be size if tanks and battery especially if you are going to be off grid 2 or more days. You may want solar and other stuffs.

 

[Khizzie]

With simpler driving in the UK a consideration, our MH is 5.7m long, 2.2m wide & 3m tall.

It's hitting overhanging trees with the height that still shocks mrskevenh & myself.
They must build the front of a MH from tough stuff.

On the road between Newbury & Wantage esp. had a few bangs. Maybe it's not a bus route

On topic, aside from the branches, our MH is easy to manoeuvre around our housing estate & where we've been so far with our newish purchase. EDIT: Malborough, Savernake, Snelsmore, Ridgeway - just off the Wantage Road & Arlington Business Park

LOL, I live in Newbury, my van is 6.2m long and 2.9m tall never had an issue anywhere in British or France whet I have my other abode...

 

[jezport]

Any PVC would be fine, as others have said length doesnt matter, its the width that counts

 

[MyrtleGuru]

Any PVC would be fine, as others have said length doesnt matter, its the width that counts

Until you want to turn round! In our 6.128m PVC we have got to most places you could get in a car, but even in that we have had a few squeaky-bum moments when it comes to manoeuvering. It does have a large wheelbase though. A 5.4m van would have been easier in those situations. If I were travelling solo, I would go for a 5.4m model.

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[Grianan]

How tall are you?
If you’re travelling alone and comfortably got in a transverse bed you’ve just won yourself 60cm so a 6m PVC would be generous. The only advantage of the 6.3m is longitudinal beds and bigger garage

 

[jezport]

Until you want to turn round! In our 6.128m PVC we have got to most places you could get in a car, but even in that we have had a few squeaky-bum moments when it comes to manoeuvering. It does have a large wheelbase though. A 5.4m van would have been easier in those situations. If I were travelling solo, I would go for a 5.4m model.

The question was for a motorhome for a vehicle for small lanes. Not a van that's easy to turn round. BTW I've done a number of islands in the Hebredes with mainly single lane roads in a coach built and now we have a 6.4m PVC and can tell you that even with a close to 9m van it was only ever the width that was an issue never the length.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Until you want to turn round! In our 6.128m PVC we have got to most places you could get in a car, but even in that we have had a few squeaky-bum moments when it comes to manoeuvering. It does have a large wheelbase though. A 5.4m van would have been easier in those situations. If I were travelling solo, I would go for a 5.4m model.

Agreed. The medium wheelbase 5.4m X290 PVC definitely has a tighter turning circle than the long wheelbase versions. Unless you really need a longer fixed bed and/or separate shower it ticks all the boxes as a solo MH.

 

[kevin@cheiron.]

Thank you all.

These replies have been really helpful.

I was looking down the wrong end of the telescope.

Having read the comments it seems to me that a 5.0 - 5.5m PVC is the route for me. Reason being I would be able to dump my car and have the MH as a dual purpose vehicle. That would save an enormous amount of cash and I could park it on the street at home.

I'm off to look at a Wild Axe Pulsar next week to get a sense of what's involved.

Many thanks.

 

[jimairi]

Having just moved to a burstner t645 brevio. Length 6.3 from a 7.5 m long I have to agree it's more about width avoid anything with long arm mirrors. That's my Tuppence worth hope it helps.

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[Koppersbeat]

There is a Facebook group called Wildax Enthusiasts Group which is free to join once approved.It has around 500 members and is for possible potential owners as well as existing owners.