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Topic: Need help with campervan or motorhome

Message posted by jadenorthborder on 23/4/2012 at 12:20am

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jadenorthborder

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My husband and I have decided we want to buy a motorhome or campervan and travel to Europe for a year.

We have no idea what to get, there will be me the husband and a dog, we are selling all our furniture giving our jobs up and heading for Europe to travel around for a year or more.

We have no idea what to buy, it's not going to be brand new but we need enough space for the two of us and the dog.

If anyone can give us some advice it would be greatly appreciated.

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Message posted by happybonzo on 23/4/2012 at 5:56am View Profile Quote Tell a friend
happybonzo Diamond Member Outfit: Laika Ecovip 100 & Quasar Location: Ndidis Kraal Joined: 20/6/2003 Posts: 3551 Site Reviews: 37 Tent Reviews: 1 Gallery Images: 3	From my own point of view, the bigger the better

Message posted by magnolia on 23/4/2012 at 6:08am View Profile My Homepage Quote Tell a friend
magnolia Diamond Member Outfit: Lunar Newstar 58 Location: North Yorkshire Joined: 31/5/2004 Posts: 2885 Site Reviews: 6 Gallery Images: 0	There is a specialist website called motorhome 365 which has lots of information on it. Linky Hope you find the info you need. I think my one main demand would be a fixed bed with a lounge area.

Message posted by dodger148 on 23/4/2012 at 8:17am View Profile Quote Tell a friend
dodger148 Standard Member Outfit: A-S Windsor Location: Joined: 10/10/2004 Posts: 71 Site Reviews: 2 Gallery Images: 0	Its a very personal thing, like a house. You need to look round for a few months, dont rush into buying

Message posted by Tentz on 23/4/2012 at 8:26am

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Tentz

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How much do you want to spend? Without an approximate figure nobody can really advise you. It would be good to buy a vehicle that was at least built in this century tho. You can find large motorhomes, Hymers, American RVs etc, 20 odd yrs old in excellent condition for reasonable prices but spares could be a problem if you get mechanical problems on the road in Europe & going for a vehicle of popular make as new as possible would help in keeping your trip trouble free.

You say motorhome or campervan, good luck to you if you want to live for yr in a VW camper, I lasted 3mnths in one yrs ago. If you think you can do it ok, but most would chose a motorhome as large as they could afford within their budget.

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Message posted by addbuyer on 23/4/2012 at 8:57pm

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addbuyer

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i wouldnt do it in anything less than our current motorhome which is an Autotrail chieftain. Its got the fixed bed,large kitchen and two long sofa's. Huge garage for all the chairs, BBQ, safari room and even a twin tub washing machine etc. Good luck if you do it, I would love to but family need me and the wife wouldn't let me go anyway

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"All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy."

Message posted by addbuyer on 23/4/2012 at 8:58pm View Profile Quote Tell a friend
addbuyer Silver Member Outfit: Autotrail Chieftain Location: LA Joined: 09/3/2005 Posts: 168 Site Reviews: 0 Gallery Images: 1	hope she doesnt see this ------------- "All I ask is the chance to prove that money can't make me happy."

Message posted by badger54 on 23/4/2012 at 9:31pm View Profile Quote Tell a friend
badger54 Silver Member Outfit: mclouis motorhome Location: kent Joined: 30/5/2011 Posts: 113 Site Reviews: 4 Gallery Images: 0	We travelled for 6 months in the USA in a 28ft MH, and that was more than adequate. We currently have a 22ft Ducato conversion with fixed rear bed and I would have no hesitation in spending a similar amount of time in that. Our long trip was done during hot weather and so most of the time was spent outside. Good luck.

Message posted by minicamper2001 on 26/4/2012 at 1:00pm

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minicamper2001

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First decision for me is whether you want toilet and shower on board? And consider payload, ( how much stuff you can carry weight -wise, including passengers, water, camping gear etc and not dangerously overload the van) if you are full-timing, you may want to keep some of your own things around you. MMM used to do a comprehensive list of new vans, including details like payloads, and some of them were laughable.

Message posted by Mick S. on 28/4/2012 at 12:08pm

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Mick S.

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You may want to consider on with the hab door on the 'other side' if its for Europe. No point stepping out into the traffic if you can avoid it.

This 'fixed bed'thing bemuses me. Every single one ive seen is just about big enough for one person to sprawl out, and even then theyve usually got a lump sawn off one corner. Me and the mrs arent big folk, but one of these beds cant compare to our vans, which is close on seven foot square.

Message posted by harleyjohn on 30/4/2012 at 7:06am

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harleyjohn

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We have a Auto roller 100, with huge fixed bed across the rear, with wind up adjustable height, massive garage under neath which will carry a 150kg motorbike if needed. a pay load of over 800kg and four berth to boot. Total length of motorhome 6.24 metres (approx 20ft)

We are very happy with our fixed bed

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Message posted by path20 on 02/5/2012 at 7:51pm View Profile Quote Tell a friend
path20 Platinum Member Outfit: Location: The North West Joined: 31/8/2005 Posts: 771 Site Reviews: 1 Gallery Images: 0	The couple who own the garden/DIY shop in Ainsdale Village(Southport) have just done exactly that.Closed up shop and toured Europe for over 12 months.They had a 5th wheel with a Misubishi Warrior Pickup.I'm sure they would give you some tips as I see you are in Lancashire too.

Message posted by dharl on 03/5/2012 at 2:21pm View Profile Quote Tell a friend
dharl Standard Member Outfit: VW T5 TDI SWB Location: Hampshire Joined: 10/8/2009 Posts: 20 Site Reviews: 5 Gallery Images: 1	Talking about size......would suggest also need to think about weight of the m/h, ie is a C1 needed?

Message posted by minicamper2001 on 05/5/2012 at 2:49pm View Profile Quote Tell a friend
minicamper2001 Diamond Member Outfit: VW camper Location: West country Joined: 13/11/2004 Posts: 1775 Site Reviews: 2 Gallery Images: 0	OP must be out hunting for the ideal van!

Message posted by Technophobe on 10/5/2012 at 9:43am

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Technophobe

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Jade,

Have you taken a look at Go Motorhoming Europe from Vicarious books? (look it up on Amazon) it's a mine of valuable info about full timing or extended motorhome use.

As others have said, how much you are looking to spend is the key. As for size, I note the points people make about bigger vans for extended use, but consider whether you really want to drive (and most especially park) something 7 metres plus long. Our Hymer is just a shade under 6 metres (bit more with the bike rack) but as an A class (called B class in Germany), the pull down cab bed saves loads of space and the double floor means stuff can be stored out of the way.

Do bear in mind that, if you are going away for a long period, you may want to take a lot of stuff - in which case it is easy to overload and exceed max weight. Some vans have alarmingly small payloads - for extended use, anything under 500kg is going to be a squeeze! You can have the van replaced to increase payload, but this may entail fitting heavy duty springs etc.

Jon

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