SWB Or MWB for my use case?
Discussion
The wife has put her foot down, no more flights (She’s Terrified; a particularly bad descent into Rhodes was the final straw) so I will be building a “Dayvan” to drive down into Europe a few times a year for the holidays.
I am stuck on what to buy.
Crucially, this will not be slept in, we will still be using hotels; this is purely to drive down in, stop for lunch, have access to facilities have a nap, use for day festivals etc. I see the necessities as seating, storage (lots of), toilet, wash down shower, fridge, power (Solar?).
I’d rather have a high roof, MWB sprinter etc, so I can stand up and in that case I would make a wet room with a shower and toilet as we do quite a bit of hiking and OW Swimming. My only concern is parking. I’m not keen on a pop-top really as I just don’t think it’s big enough honestly.
Does anyone have any advice on this? I may choose to use it daily to go to work but haven’t decided on this yet.
I am stuck on what to buy.
Crucially, this will not be slept in, we will still be using hotels; this is purely to drive down in, stop for lunch, have access to facilities have a nap, use for day festivals etc. I see the necessities as seating, storage (lots of), toilet, wash down shower, fridge, power (Solar?).
I’d rather have a high roof, MWB sprinter etc, so I can stand up and in that case I would make a wet room with a shower and toilet as we do quite a bit of hiking and OW Swimming. My only concern is parking. I’m not keen on a pop-top really as I just don’t think it’s big enough honestly.
Does anyone have any advice on this? I may choose to use it daily to go to work but haven’t decided on this yet.
stevemcs said:
You can get the Transit custom as LWB High roof if you wanted to keep it smaller. However if you can go with something bigger then MWB Sprinter or Transit woulb be my choice.
Any thoughts on the downside of the MWB? I’m thinking parking and perhaps the Eurotunnel? Edited by Ry.Clarke on Saturday 12th April 16:33
An SWB Ducato (and its sister Citroen/Pug/etc) at 5.4m is close enough length to the LWB Transporter (5.3m) but usefully wider and taller, and still can somewhat fit into a normal parking space.
If you don't need a fixed bed there's plenty of layouts with decent bathroom and kitchen space.
There's even something like the Wildax Pulsar which is on the XSWB 5.0m Ducato with a high roof.
If you don't need a fixed bed there's plenty of layouts with decent bathroom and kitchen space.
There's even something like the Wildax Pulsar which is on the XSWB 5.0m Ducato with a high roof.
Truckosaurus said:
An SWB Ducato (and its sister Citroen/Pug/etc) at 5.4m is close enough length to the LWB Transporter (5.3m) but usefully wider and taller, and still can somewhat fit into a normal parking space.
If you don't need a fixed bed there's plenty of layouts with decent bathroom and kitchen space.
There's even something like the Wildax Pulsar which is on the XSWB 5.0m Ducato with a high roof.
This is incredibly helpful, thankyou for this. If you don't need a fixed bed there's plenty of layouts with decent bathroom and kitchen space.
There's even something like the Wildax Pulsar which is on the XSWB 5.0m Ducato with a high roof.
I’d say just consider high roof vans can be a real problem with parking in certain car parks, multi storey especially but also some standard outdoor car parks put height barriers on which can cause issues.
I’m not a camper expert but I have a lot of experience driving vans for work and the high ones can be very frustrating at times.
I’m not a camper expert but I have a lot of experience driving vans for work and the high ones can be very frustrating at times.
Jamescrs said:
I’d say just consider high roof vans can be a real problem with parking in certain car parks, multi storey especially but also some standard outdoor car parks put height barriers on which can cause issues.
I’m not a camper expert but I have a lot of experience driving vans for work and the high ones can be very frustrating at times.
Mine is a high top, and you have to look at your use and geography. I mainly use mine rurally, rarely go into cities. When I do go into cities in my van I use park and ride etc. Theres a growing number of beach carparks and similar that are sprouting barriers to block campers, but again that's what my feet and bike are for.I’m not a camper expert but I have a lot of experience driving vans for work and the high ones can be very frustrating at times.
We have a L2H2 Sprinter so the MWB with the high roof. We use it as a day van, mostly to put all the MTB in the back for security. Love being able to stand up in it and get changed etc. Due to the large volume of air, and less windows seems to stay quite cool in the summer. We insulated it and in the winter it is pleasant too.
Parking isn't too bad, get a good reverse camera or sensors. The van width is no bigger than a car, normal spaces are fine, we usually find a parking space where you can hang the rear over a grassy bit and it fits perfectly. Like others have said the height is the biggest issue, underground carparks are not going to happen, and too many outdoor parking spaces have those height barriers which can be a pain. However we have travelled all over Europe in ours without major issue, just check the heights on websites etc. Lots of Switzerland underground car parks we could fit in as most are designed for SUV's with roof racks for skis.
The best upgrade we did was swap to proper alloys and fitted Agilis CrossClimate tyres. Loads of grip for those off road parking sites and good for winter time, also makes the ride so much more comfortable.
Took a long time but we found our sprinter with automatic and air-con. The 2 best options but very rare as expensive for a fleet company to buy.
Parking isn't too bad, get a good reverse camera or sensors. The van width is no bigger than a car, normal spaces are fine, we usually find a parking space where you can hang the rear over a grassy bit and it fits perfectly. Like others have said the height is the biggest issue, underground carparks are not going to happen, and too many outdoor parking spaces have those height barriers which can be a pain. However we have travelled all over Europe in ours without major issue, just check the heights on websites etc. Lots of Switzerland underground car parks we could fit in as most are designed for SUV's with roof racks for skis.
The best upgrade we did was swap to proper alloys and fitted Agilis CrossClimate tyres. Loads of grip for those off road parking sites and good for winter time, also makes the ride so much more comfortable.
Took a long time but we found our sprinter with automatic and air-con. The 2 best options but very rare as expensive for a fleet company to buy.
Owning a Vito and a Sprinter... for your use I'd be buying a Vito - probably wouldn't bother with a pop top they're only useful if you're cooking in the van or need extra sleeping space
Faster, quieter loads of choice with Auto and Air Con, better mpg, cheaper on ferries and Tolls, park anywhere
Faster, quieter loads of choice with Auto and Air Con, better mpg, cheaper on ferries and Tolls, park anywhere
Purely an aside here. Apologies.
I was struck by the OPs reference to a bad descent into Rhodes. We'd flown there before with no issues, so wasn't sure what the problem was.
Anyway, a few days later we were off to Rhodes on an Aegean charter flight, and were on pretty much final approach, when suddenly full power was applied and up we went. Next thing we knew we were setting down at Kos!
It seems the cross-wind at Rhodes was too high for a landing (20 something knots I think).
There was I wondering what OPs partner was worrying about. Perhaps I know now
We got there later that day when the wind dropped...
It hasn't made us swear off air travel and into our campervan only, but I can understand the trepidation now.
I was struck by the OPs reference to a bad descent into Rhodes. We'd flown there before with no issues, so wasn't sure what the problem was.
Anyway, a few days later we were off to Rhodes on an Aegean charter flight, and were on pretty much final approach, when suddenly full power was applied and up we went. Next thing we knew we were setting down at Kos!
It seems the cross-wind at Rhodes was too high for a landing (20 something knots I think).
There was I wondering what OPs partner was worrying about. Perhaps I know now
We got there later that day when the wind dropped...
It hasn't made us swear off air travel and into our campervan only, but I can understand the trepidation now.
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