Van or Motorhome?
Discussion
SWMBO and myself have often talked about spending a year touring Europe. We used to own an 80's VW LT (which I wish we still had as it was in amazing condition and I liked the styling) and have had a couple of caravans. It will be just the 2 of us and our 2 dogs.
I know we are still 2 or 3 years from being able to go but I figured it would be best to plan the trip properly. I also can't decide whether to get a fully converted camper van or buy a panel van and have it converted to our own specification? I'm not looking for the last word in luxury but I would like a few things like those listed below.
1. Relatively good MPG
2. Fixed double bed
3. Space for my dogs (a Labrador and a Jack Russell)
4. Access to the rear from the cab.
5. Aircon.
I've been thinking along the lines of a Mercedes sprinter with an awning but any advice and/or suggestions would be welcomed.
Mark
I know we are still 2 or 3 years from being able to go but I figured it would be best to plan the trip properly. I also can't decide whether to get a fully converted camper van or buy a panel van and have it converted to our own specification? I'm not looking for the last word in luxury but I would like a few things like those listed below.
1. Relatively good MPG
2. Fixed double bed
3. Space for my dogs (a Labrador and a Jack Russell)
4. Access to the rear from the cab.
5. Aircon.
I've been thinking along the lines of a Mercedes sprinter with an awning but any advice and/or suggestions would be welcomed.
Mark
We're starting a year-long europe & UK tour in January 2018. It's two of us and a dog. We've decided on an Autotrail Chieftain.
I know it's not what you've described, at the best part if 9 metres long; but a year travelling is very different to a holiday in a campervan.
I simply can't see how we'd do it in a van conversion and stay even vaguely sane; given that it'll be our home with all the "down" time that it needs to cater for. Not every day is going to be dashing about looking at wonderful things like you do on holiday. Some days it'll be pissing it down, some days you'll be ill; some days you frankly won't be arsed to do anything at all. Some might even be all three. I wouldn't want to have those days a maximum of 5 feet away from my wife.
I know it's not what you've described, at the best part if 9 metres long; but a year travelling is very different to a holiday in a campervan.
I simply can't see how we'd do it in a van conversion and stay even vaguely sane; given that it'll be our home with all the "down" time that it needs to cater for. Not every day is going to be dashing about looking at wonderful things like you do on holiday. Some days it'll be pissing it down, some days you'll be ill; some days you frankly won't be arsed to do anything at all. Some might even be all three. I wouldn't want to have those days a maximum of 5 feet away from my wife.
hornetrider said:
Do you have a limited budget? Reason I ask is I'm sure there's multitudes of motorhomes which fit your criteria.
Sorry, yes. I'd be looking at circa £20 - 22k, which could maybe stretch a little for something I really wanted.agent006 said:
We're starting a year-long europe & UK tour in January 2018. It's two of us and a dog. We've decided on an Autotrail Chieftain.
I know it's not what you've described, at the best part if 9 metres long; but a year travelling is very different to a holiday in a campervan.
I simply can't see how we'd do it in a van conversion and stay even vaguely sane; given that it'll be our home with all the "down" time that it needs to cater for. Not every day is going to be dashing about looking at wonderful things like you do on holiday. Some days it'll be pissing it down, some days you'll be ill; some days you frankly won't be arsed to do anything at all. Some might even be all three. I wouldn't want to have those days a maximum of 5 feet away from my wife.
Initially I had been thinking the same way (so it may not be too hard to convince me yours is the type of vehicle we should look for) but I guess I was just getting a bit nervous about potentially buying a vehicle that's much bigger because of running costs etc. I'll take a look at the Chieftan though. I know it's not what you've described, at the best part if 9 metres long; but a year travelling is very different to a holiday in a campervan.
I simply can't see how we'd do it in a van conversion and stay even vaguely sane; given that it'll be our home with all the "down" time that it needs to cater for. Not every day is going to be dashing about looking at wonderful things like you do on holiday. Some days it'll be pissing it down, some days you'll be ill; some days you frankly won't be arsed to do anything at all. Some might even be all three. I wouldn't want to have those days a maximum of 5 feet away from my wife.
agent006 said:
We're starting a year-long europe & UK tour in January 2018. It's two of us and a dog. We've decided on an Autotrail Chieftain.
I know it's not what you've described, at the best part if 9 metres long; but a year travelling is very different to a holiday in a campervan.
I simply can't see how we'd do it in a van conversion and stay even vaguely sane; given that it'll be our home with all the "down" time that it needs to cater for. Not every day is going to be dashing about looking at wonderful things like you do on holiday. Some days it'll be pissing it down, some days you'll be ill; some days you frankly won't be arsed to do anything at all. Some might even be all three. I wouldn't want to have those days a maximum of 5 feet away from my wife.
Is she really that bad ? - 5 feet is only just outside her reach.........I know it's not what you've described, at the best part if 9 metres long; but a year travelling is very different to a holiday in a campervan.
I simply can't see how we'd do it in a van conversion and stay even vaguely sane; given that it'll be our home with all the "down" time that it needs to cater for. Not every day is going to be dashing about looking at wonderful things like you do on holiday. Some days it'll be pissing it down, some days you'll be ill; some days you frankly won't be arsed to do anything at all. Some might even be all three. I wouldn't want to have those days a maximum of 5 feet away from my wife.
As agent006 says, for a year away I'd get a decent sized motorhome (ie a cab/chassis with a coachbuilt body on the back) rather than a campervan (ie a converted panel van).
We've just sold an ELWB (extra long wheelbase) high-roof Transit campervan (6.4m long), which was great for a couple of weeks away, but much longer and we'd go a bit stir crazy (2 adults + 2 dogs). We've now got a motorhome which is about a metre longer and a bit wider. Not much bigger I admit, but with a fixed bed, shower, loo, kitchen, decent lounge, big awning and a good sized garage (ie store) at the rear. We want to go away for months in the UK and Europe rather than weeks, hence the upgrade.
Be very careful if buying a coachbuilt however. They can be prone to damp ingress/rot even at a relatively young age and in the price range you're thinking about. Get a habitation/damp check done to make sure it's OK (or buy a damp meter, research where to check in the van and do it yourself).
It'll be a great adventure in the right van. There are plenty of forums for advice and guidance to help you decide which type of van would be best for you. Have fun
We've just sold an ELWB (extra long wheelbase) high-roof Transit campervan (6.4m long), which was great for a couple of weeks away, but much longer and we'd go a bit stir crazy (2 adults + 2 dogs). We've now got a motorhome which is about a metre longer and a bit wider. Not much bigger I admit, but with a fixed bed, shower, loo, kitchen, decent lounge, big awning and a good sized garage (ie store) at the rear. We want to go away for months in the UK and Europe rather than weeks, hence the upgrade.
Be very careful if buying a coachbuilt however. They can be prone to damp ingress/rot even at a relatively young age and in the price range you're thinking about. Get a habitation/damp check done to make sure it's OK (or buy a damp meter, research where to check in the van and do it yourself).
It'll be a great adventure in the right van. There are plenty of forums for advice and guidance to help you decide which type of van would be best for you. Have fun
Buy the layout you want, and deal with the shortcomings of the brand. I keep getting told to look for a hymer, but I've not found a single one with a layout we want.
Our main requirement is a full size fixed bed with a decent amount of headroom. This seems to rule out most transverse bed hymer, burstner etc; and the french style beds aren't long enough.
Sorry, mini rant over...
Our main requirement is a full size fixed bed with a decent amount of headroom. This seems to rule out most transverse bed hymer, burstner etc; and the french style beds aren't long enough.
Sorry, mini rant over...
I must admit I have often thought a Hymer seemed a pretty safe bet. I like the quirky styling of the older ones especially, although I would probably opt to buy something a little newer for the sake of reliability.
I'm off to scan the classifieds but thanks for helping me make a decision chaps. It's much appreciated.
Mark
I'm off to scan the classifieds but thanks for helping me make a decision chaps. It's much appreciated.
Mark
FWIW...
- We switched to a fixed bed MH as it is an arse having to make it up and put it down every day...especially when its very hot and/or you have a few beers in board
- Despite that, the ability to have a decent sized lounge area is important as you will be spending a great deal of time in it.
- On the aircon: if you mean cab aircon, then great. If you mean habitation aircon then just be aware that many sites don't like you using it (or indeed may not have the amperage to support it (on hook up) and you wouldn't be able to use it much without a hook up (you can use a generator but not ideal).
- We switched to a fixed bed MH as it is an arse having to make it up and put it down every day...especially when its very hot and/or you have a few beers in board
- Despite that, the ability to have a decent sized lounge area is important as you will be spending a great deal of time in it.
- On the aircon: if you mean cab aircon, then great. If you mean habitation aircon then just be aware that many sites don't like you using it (or indeed may not have the amperage to support it (on hook up) and you wouldn't be able to use it much without a hook up (you can use a generator but not ideal).
Look at water, gas, waste water capacities, a lot of new vans are more for campsite use and have tiny tanks, which for me, goes against what a motorhomes about.
Obvious thing is the newer the van the new engines have greatly improved mpg.
I'd always go for a coachbuilt or A class for the kind of trip your planning, and I don't fall for the everything that comes out of Germany is superior.
Obvious thing is the newer the van the new engines have greatly improved mpg.
I'd always go for a coachbuilt or A class for the kind of trip your planning, and I don't fall for the everything that comes out of Germany is superior.
For the kind of trip you're planning, I would always go A-class. You'll need somewhere comfortable, safe and well insulated if you're going away for a year and going to encounter all kinds of weather etc.
Now it just so happens that I have just what you're looking for, which is now surplus to requirements as it's being replaced. PM me if you'd like some details. It's a bit over budget but happy to meet somewhere in the middle if it's something you could stretch to.
But unswayed by me, I wouldn't really entertain a camper or panel van conversion for anything other than short-ish trips.
Now it just so happens that I have just what you're looking for, which is now surplus to requirements as it's being replaced. PM me if you'd like some details. It's a bit over budget but happy to meet somewhere in the middle if it's something you could stretch to.
But unswayed by me, I wouldn't really entertain a camper or panel van conversion for anything other than short-ish trips.
If you are going for a year, get the biggest one you can.
Musts for me would be:
- Shower & bog
- Garage for the dogs / stuff
- Heating
- Big tanks
- Solar & couple of deep cycle batteries
- Bike rack (I stick one on the tow bar)
Forget about MPG (they are all rubbish) and Air Con (you won’t be driving that much in the heat, save the driving for night time or early mornings).
I have a Geist Matterhorn which is a coach built Mercedes Sprinter 518 chassis with a big box on the back. It is 8m long, 3.2m high and 2.4m wide. I would consider spending a year with it, but only just.
I would go with a Winnebago, having been in one at a race meeting they are something else.... nothing like our tiny European boxes.
Musts for me would be:
- Shower & bog
- Garage for the dogs / stuff
- Heating
- Big tanks
- Solar & couple of deep cycle batteries
- Bike rack (I stick one on the tow bar)
Forget about MPG (they are all rubbish) and Air Con (you won’t be driving that much in the heat, save the driving for night time or early mornings).
I have a Geist Matterhorn which is a coach built Mercedes Sprinter 518 chassis with a big box on the back. It is 8m long, 3.2m high and 2.4m wide. I would consider spending a year with it, but only just.
I would go with a Winnebago, having been in one at a race meeting they are something else.... nothing like our tiny European boxes.
Thanks chaps.
A Class certainly appeals to me.
Yes, was cab AC I meant. (sorry)
I'm probably being way too fussy but am struggling with some of the interiors I'm seeing. I'm sure there will be something out there, when the time comes. Having talked it over with SWMBO I am realistically looking at early 2020, due to her job etc, so it'll be a year earlier that I hope to get a vehicle. I figure that will give time to get to know it and do any servicing etc.
I know MPG is never going to be great but what would the average 2.3 diesel A class manage?
A Class certainly appeals to me.
Yes, was cab AC I meant. (sorry)
I'm probably being way too fussy but am struggling with some of the interiors I'm seeing. I'm sure there will be something out there, when the time comes. Having talked it over with SWMBO I am realistically looking at early 2020, due to her job etc, so it'll be a year earlier that I hope to get a vehicle. I figure that will give time to get to know it and do any servicing etc.
I know MPG is never going to be great but what would the average 2.3 diesel A class manage?
MPG-wise, they're all about the same. Weight will have some bearing but once you're on a run, aerodynamics is what counts and ultimately they've all got the same...........as in a lack of!
It also depends on where you'll be driving it. If you're sitting on a motorway at 60mph, you're going to get worse mpg than you'll get by sticking to the A-road equivalents and pootling at 50mph - the latter being what I would seek to do if I had a full year at my disposal. I mostly stick to motorways since I'm time limited. But for example, my Mercedes 2.7l 5-cylinder manages an average 22mpg over all the time I've had him and pretty much spot on that for 60mph (Satnav verified) cruising. I've seen up to 28mpg cruising through the Scottish Highlands at a fairly constant 50mph. I've seen down to 15mpg driving up mountains.
Those figures look terrible when compared with your average car these days, but when compared with the fact you won't be paying for hotels, your average cost of overnight is free-EUR 15 per night and suddenly it doesn't look that bad. Even at an average of 20mpg for my NC500 adventure, it still cost me less than £500 for 2k miles.
I've heard that 2.3 Fiats are pretty much the same. You have to work them harder, whereas with nigh on 160bhp on tap and more torque out of my Merc engine, it's not as strained as the 130bhp Fiat lumps. It's horses for courses but I'd suggest you don't bank on more than 25mpg and I wouldn't let it worry you in the context of overall costs.
It also depends on where you'll be driving it. If you're sitting on a motorway at 60mph, you're going to get worse mpg than you'll get by sticking to the A-road equivalents and pootling at 50mph - the latter being what I would seek to do if I had a full year at my disposal. I mostly stick to motorways since I'm time limited. But for example, my Mercedes 2.7l 5-cylinder manages an average 22mpg over all the time I've had him and pretty much spot on that for 60mph (Satnav verified) cruising. I've seen up to 28mpg cruising through the Scottish Highlands at a fairly constant 50mph. I've seen down to 15mpg driving up mountains.
Those figures look terrible when compared with your average car these days, but when compared with the fact you won't be paying for hotels, your average cost of overnight is free-EUR 15 per night and suddenly it doesn't look that bad. Even at an average of 20mpg for my NC500 adventure, it still cost me less than £500 for 2k miles.
I've heard that 2.3 Fiats are pretty much the same. You have to work them harder, whereas with nigh on 160bhp on tap and more torque out of my Merc engine, it's not as strained as the 130bhp Fiat lumps. It's horses for courses but I'd suggest you don't bank on more than 25mpg and I wouldn't let it worry you in the context of overall costs.
The 3l v6 turbo diesel in mine dues low to mid 20s when loaded and mid teens when towing. Mid to high teens when empty of everything. I dont go over 60 but do it all on the motorway / autoroutes.
I had a Roma Ace sponge (Ducato 4t chassis) with the Fiat 2.2TD which didn't do much better, maybe 1 or 2 mpg. Towing was worse as it couldn't really deal with the weight and you had to virtually rag it all the time (hence the upgrade to the Merc).
As others have said it is all about weight, aero and hills.
I had a Roma Ace sponge (Ducato 4t chassis) with the Fiat 2.2TD which didn't do much better, maybe 1 or 2 mpg. Towing was worse as it couldn't really deal with the weight and you had to virtually rag it all the time (hence the upgrade to the Merc).
As others have said it is all about weight, aero and hills.
If you are touring Europe why not buy one in France.There are millions for sale at every budget.
UK motorhomes have different specs to European,like having an oven,smarter decals etc.
www.leboncoin.fr will keep you out of mischief for a very long time.
UK motorhomes have different specs to European,like having an oven,smarter decals etc.
www.leboncoin.fr will keep you out of mischief for a very long time.
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