Motorhome/campervan with 5 seatbelts and sleeping 5
Discussion
Dear all, I have never owned either a campervan or motorhome but with a growing number of grandchildren I have started researching the possibility of buying a suitable vehicle for holidays with 2 adults and up to 3 children. I don't want anything too enormous as I am diabetic so I think unable to drive anything over 3.5t (am I right there ?).
Looking on Youtube it seems that the Affinity 5 and the Dreamer Family Van Select might fit the bill but could I ask the advice of you experts ?
The plan, potentially, would be for the van to be owned by me but also for use by my extended family.
Many thanks in advance.
Looking on Youtube it seems that the Affinity 5 and the Dreamer Family Van Select might fit the bill but could I ask the advice of you experts ?
The plan, potentially, would be for the van to be owned by me but also for use by my extended family.
Many thanks in advance.
We had a Swift Lifestyle 696 for 9 years: 6 belted seats, 2 double beds and a set of bunk beds at the rear for a sleeping capacity of 6. Reasonably well equipped and with tons of storage space (we regularly did extended trips around Europe with two kids).
Fairly long at almost 7.5 meters (iirc) but well under the 3.5 ton limit. Prices are still mental, we bought ours new in 2014 and sold it last year for 2k less than we bought it for after almost 45k miles - much to my regret now
Fairly long at almost 7.5 meters (iirc) but well under the 3.5 ton limit. Prices are still mental, we bought ours new in 2014 and sold it last year for 2k less than we bought it for after almost 45k miles - much to my regret now
Don't forget, that with 3.5t, with the driver and the 4 passengers your spare payload for taking luggage etc will likely be quite small. I'm sure most people don't bother with payloads, given the state of some car and caravan combos (I know your looking for a moho) I regularly see on the motorways, but bear it in mind if you want to stay legal.
As far as I know, it's a restricted licence if you treat diabetes with insulin for large vehicles and you can still drive a HGV for example, but the rules are quite tight and the licence only lasts 12 months at a time. We've got a HGV driver at our place who is diabetic (non-insulin) so you may be able to have an unrestricted licence depending on your circumstances, so the 3.5t may not be an issue.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life...
As far as I know, it's a restricted licence if you treat diabetes with insulin for large vehicles and you can still drive a HGV for example, but the rules are quite tight and the licence only lasts 12 months at a time. We've got a HGV driver at our place who is diabetic (non-insulin) so you may be able to have an unrestricted licence depending on your circumstances, so the 3.5t may not be an issue.
https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/life...
Edited by towser44 on Thursday 8th August 13:55
Edited by towser44 on Thursday 8th August 13:58
Edited by towser44 on Thursday 8th August 13:59
2 years ago we bought an Etrusco A7300DB, 5 belts, sleeps 5/6, massive garage for bikes, BBQ etc, 3.5T. Weighs 3t so 500kg for 4 passengers and luggage. It's also an auto, so I'd imagine a manual would weigh a little bit less. We're a year or so too young to be allowed to drive over 3.5T with ought doing tests so had to choose wisely.
That 5 seatbelts in a van conversion is so difficult.
Even in the Dreamer ut was only an option on a rare van that's been dropped from the UK range bow so you'll only find used, I'm a Dreamer dealer.
Coachbuilt wise there's loads of 5 or 6 seatbelt family layout things about from 6m bunkbed vans upwards but question is how much do you compromise what suits you layout wise for when the others are using it?
Even in the Dreamer ut was only an option on a rare van that's been dropped from the UK range bow so you'll only find used, I'm a Dreamer dealer.
Coachbuilt wise there's loads of 5 or 6 seatbelt family layout things about from 6m bunkbed vans upwards but question is how much do you compromise what suits you layout wise for when the others are using it?
How old are your children? You can get a VW Transporter conversion that seats up to six and with a pop top can sleep two 'upstairs', two on the rick n roll bed and one on a hammock that goes across the front seats. I recommend a drive away awning for longer trips to act as extra rooms for shelter, storage or sleeping in.
Hi
We purchased a Joa Camp 75T a few months ago - 5 seat belts and sleeping for 5. The layout was perfect for our needs - individual beds at the back (no climbing over the misses when I need to visit the toilet at night and they are nice and low compared to other vans, creating a more open feel), large lounge / dinner at the front that converts to a single bed and a drop down double bed over that. The kitchen is pretty basic but fridge is large and the washroom does what it needs to do. We had 4 in the van this weekend including two 12 years old and it worked a treat.
Its long at 7.4m but has good payload - weighed it at 3,380Kg with 3 passengers (misses and I are 'robust'), full tanks, two full gas bottles, food, camping chairs / table, clothes for a long weekend and bit n bobs - gives us another 120kg for any additional passengers, or gear such as awning - can increase a little by traveling with empty water tank if needed.
Its the budget brand of Pilote, and its definitely built to a price - quality is what i expected at the price point but I'm happy with it. Managed to get a pretty good discount and so far no major issues (a few niggles but nothing stopping us enjoying the van). Expecting residuals to be poor but will worry about that in a few years!
they do a shorter version (70T) and also versions with a island bed (70/75Q) if that works better for you
Hope thats useful
We purchased a Joa Camp 75T a few months ago - 5 seat belts and sleeping for 5. The layout was perfect for our needs - individual beds at the back (no climbing over the misses when I need to visit the toilet at night and they are nice and low compared to other vans, creating a more open feel), large lounge / dinner at the front that converts to a single bed and a drop down double bed over that. The kitchen is pretty basic but fridge is large and the washroom does what it needs to do. We had 4 in the van this weekend including two 12 years old and it worked a treat.
Its long at 7.4m but has good payload - weighed it at 3,380Kg with 3 passengers (misses and I are 'robust'), full tanks, two full gas bottles, food, camping chairs / table, clothes for a long weekend and bit n bobs - gives us another 120kg for any additional passengers, or gear such as awning - can increase a little by traveling with empty water tank if needed.
Its the budget brand of Pilote, and its definitely built to a price - quality is what i expected at the price point but I'm happy with it. Managed to get a pretty good discount and so far no major issues (a few niggles but nothing stopping us enjoying the van). Expecting residuals to be poor but will worry about that in a few years!
they do a shorter version (70T) and also versions with a island bed (70/75Q) if that works better for you
Hope thats useful
Good luck with the search - I'm in a similar position, albeit the 3 additional kids I'm looking to accomodate are my own and need to be with me on each trip.
I'm very happy with my Knaus BoxDrive 600XL but in spite of considering whether to convert the front passenger seat to a bench for an extra belt, I think the van is too small for five of us so re-evaluating my options (again). At the extreme end, I'm considering selling it, buying myself the 911 I've promised myself for years and renting motorhomes for the odd holiday every couple of years. At the other end of the spectrum, we're off to the NEC in October to see what else floats our boat since I've now had motorhomes/campers of various varieties for 10yrs and think I'd struggle to be without one.
Each time I think I've landed on something, I'm not happy with the set-up of the 5th belt. Most 4 belt vans with an additional seat tend to be rear facing with just a lap belt on a precarious setup which I'm not happy with any of my kids using in the event there were an accident. Closest I've come to finding the van which feels right at the moment is the Dethleffs Family XL which, although the rear facing 5th & 6th belts are lap belts, they are part of a lounge area and look more solid as far as keeping everyone in situ in the worst case. It also seems to represent quite good value for the spec, quality of build and winterisation on offer.
However, my other issue is that I don't like Fiat's and most family vans are built on those chassis. I've been spoilt with Sprinters and the current MAN TGE.
My feeling is we're at a real crossroads as far as motorhoming is concerned for a while. The market is pretty skewed towards 4-berth setups across budget, mid-range and high end and when you add to that the fact that I can't realistically house anything >7m on my driveway, I'm bringing in a whole world of pain for storage solutions etc.
Out of interest, what is your budget?
I'm very happy with my Knaus BoxDrive 600XL but in spite of considering whether to convert the front passenger seat to a bench for an extra belt, I think the van is too small for five of us so re-evaluating my options (again). At the extreme end, I'm considering selling it, buying myself the 911 I've promised myself for years and renting motorhomes for the odd holiday every couple of years. At the other end of the spectrum, we're off to the NEC in October to see what else floats our boat since I've now had motorhomes/campers of various varieties for 10yrs and think I'd struggle to be without one.
Each time I think I've landed on something, I'm not happy with the set-up of the 5th belt. Most 4 belt vans with an additional seat tend to be rear facing with just a lap belt on a precarious setup which I'm not happy with any of my kids using in the event there were an accident. Closest I've come to finding the van which feels right at the moment is the Dethleffs Family XL which, although the rear facing 5th & 6th belts are lap belts, they are part of a lounge area and look more solid as far as keeping everyone in situ in the worst case. It also seems to represent quite good value for the spec, quality of build and winterisation on offer.
However, my other issue is that I don't like Fiat's and most family vans are built on those chassis. I've been spoilt with Sprinters and the current MAN TGE.
My feeling is we're at a real crossroads as far as motorhoming is concerned for a while. The market is pretty skewed towards 4-berth setups across budget, mid-range and high end and when you add to that the fact that I can't realistically house anything >7m on my driveway, I'm bringing in a whole world of pain for storage solutions etc.
Out of interest, what is your budget?
OP - that's a good budget and opens up a huge number of options for you. Unfortunately, less so in the new market given what prices have been doing of late but certainly a great bunch of used vans.
Shame about DiL - have you considered hiring a van for all of you to give a go first? She may well get the bug if she actually gives it a go. Our next-door neighbours did something similar for a family holiday a year or two ago. Wife did it under duress and came back one of the biggest fans of it.
Shame about DiL - have you considered hiring a van for all of you to give a go first? She may well get the bug if she actually gives it a go. Our next-door neighbours did something similar for a family holiday a year or two ago. Wife did it under duress and came back one of the biggest fans of it.
VW T5 /T6
3 up front, 2 in the rear
Pop top sleeps 2
2 on the rock n roll and 1 on a cab bed or pop 1 or 2 in a drive away awning.
Sounds like you have the space for a proper motorhome though which I'd choose purely for space and own toilet / shower etc.
I live our T5.1 but it will in time be replaced for a proper motorhome
3 up front, 2 in the rear
Pop top sleeps 2
2 on the rock n roll and 1 on a cab bed or pop 1 or 2 in a drive away awning.
Sounds like you have the space for a proper motorhome though which I'd choose purely for space and own toilet / shower etc.
I live our T5.1 but it will in time be replaced for a proper motorhome
agree re renting - my better half wasn't that keen but we did a trip to New Zealand and toured in a motorhome and she was won over. Also renting allows you to try different layouts, glad we rented 4 different layouts of vans over a few years so had a clear view of what we wanted (and didn't want) before we invested the cash!
Good luck!!
Good luck!!
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