Considering a motorhone
Discussion
Hi all, thinking of taking the plunge and getting a motorhome/van conversion. Bit of a loss as to what I'm after, or what I should look for so any advice would be great.
Requirements are:
-Less than 3.5 tonne gvw. As I'm not old.
-Ability to tow 2 tonnes (will be getting b+e) l, basically an mx5 on a trailer
-At least 4 proper belted seats, I have a 2 year old so he'll be in a car seat. More offspring could happen in the future
-Has a toilet/shower
-A layout that puts the child on the other side of the van to where we sleep or in his own separate bunk. Or even room (like converting the garage bit on converted vans with a 'garage').It's not that we don't like him, we just reckon it means we can enjoy some time to ourselves while he's asleep.
I think that's about it. I've seen a few Swift Kontiki 640s that work layout wise but I think most are over 3.5 tonnes. I'm pretty sure they can't tow much either, though stand to be corrected.
Budget is up to 15k for something nice, less than 8k for a van conversion in need of some work.
Appreciate any thoughts
Requirements are:
-Less than 3.5 tonne gvw. As I'm not old.
-Ability to tow 2 tonnes (will be getting b+e) l, basically an mx5 on a trailer
-At least 4 proper belted seats, I have a 2 year old so he'll be in a car seat. More offspring could happen in the future
-Has a toilet/shower
-A layout that puts the child on the other side of the van to where we sleep or in his own separate bunk. Or even room (like converting the garage bit on converted vans with a 'garage').It's not that we don't like him, we just reckon it means we can enjoy some time to ourselves while he's asleep.
I think that's about it. I've seen a few Swift Kontiki 640s that work layout wise but I think most are over 3.5 tonnes. I'm pretty sure they can't tow much either, though stand to be corrected.
Budget is up to 15k for something nice, less than 8k for a van conversion in need of some work.
Appreciate any thoughts
An old saying amongst motor homers is the best motorhome is your second. Layout is everything. May be worth renting one for a week to see what suits you best before shelling out on something that you later find to be unsuitable.
We have 4 belted seats, a big double bed over the garage at the rear (A garage as far as I'm concerned is essential - bikes - chairs - tables - pushchairs etc etc) and a manual drop down bed over the lounge for the kids. As they don't really come away with us any more, it stays up there on the ceiling not taking up any space and not getting in the way.
I know it's a bit of a generalisation, but check very carefully for damp and fit and finish on an English built van . . .
(German TEC on a Ducato chassis with 2.3 diesel)
We have 4 belted seats, a big double bed over the garage at the rear (A garage as far as I'm concerned is essential - bikes - chairs - tables - pushchairs etc etc) and a manual drop down bed over the lounge for the kids. As they don't really come away with us any more, it stays up there on the ceiling not taking up any space and not getting in the way.
I know it's a bit of a generalisation, but check very carefully for damp and fit and finish on an English built van . . .
(German TEC on a Ducato chassis with 2.3 diesel)
chopper602 said:
An old saying amongst motor homers is the best motorhome is your second. Layout is everything. May be worth renting one for a week to see what suits you best before shelling out on something that you later find to be unsuitable.
We have 4 belted seats, a big double bed over the garage at the rear (A garage as far as I'm concerned is essential - bikes - chairs - tables - pushchairs etc etc) and a manual drop down bed over the lounge for the kids. As they don't really come away with us any more, it stays up there on the ceiling not taking up any space and not getting in the way.
I know it's a bit of a generalisation, but check very carefully for damp and fit and finish on an English built van . . .
(German TEC on a Ducato chassis with 2.3 diesel)
Thanks, plan on renting one first. Forgive me for sounding like a tard but which brands are the UK built ones vs the European ones? We have 4 belted seats, a big double bed over the garage at the rear (A garage as far as I'm concerned is essential - bikes - chairs - tables - pushchairs etc etc) and a manual drop down bed over the lounge for the kids. As they don't really come away with us any more, it stays up there on the ceiling not taking up any space and not getting in the way.
I know it's a bit of a generalisation, but check very carefully for damp and fit and finish on an English built van . . .
(German TEC on a Ducato chassis with 2.3 diesel)
£15k can be an awkward budget, it's right on that crux between something a bit newer with a reputation for not being so well built (anything British) and something that on first consideration has you thinking "How much? For something that age?" from one of the better regarded (continental) builders.
Because you want a decent towing capacity (2,000 kg) whilst staying <3,500kg I think you may be looking more towards the van conversions. Motorhomes generally have a significantly lower maximum train weight than the base. The motorhome body adds a lot of rear overhang, the moment of which can affect the rear axle limits.
Another thing to consider. It could be that the cost of getting your C1 then C1+E and buying a 3,850kg motorhome with a higher MTW works out cheaper than getting your B+E and buying a 3.5 tonner with 2 tonne towing capacity. Slightly larger vans can work out better value as the C1 licence requirement is perceived as a barrier. And that's before you factor in the lower VED once you go over 3.5t. It will also give you layout options better suited to families and significantly better payload.
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I wouldn't worry about older vans and the motorway. Unless you're planning on driving 3 tonnes as if it's a saloon. I've a, early-90s NA 2.5l Ducato based Hymer and it eats up the miles at 90kph without trauma and efficiently sipping the diesel (relatively speaking). It's not everyone's driving style, but it's certainly not traumatic.
Because you want a decent towing capacity (2,000 kg) whilst staying <3,500kg I think you may be looking more towards the van conversions. Motorhomes generally have a significantly lower maximum train weight than the base. The motorhome body adds a lot of rear overhang, the moment of which can affect the rear axle limits.
Another thing to consider. It could be that the cost of getting your C1 then C1+E and buying a 3,850kg motorhome with a higher MTW works out cheaper than getting your B+E and buying a 3.5 tonner with 2 tonne towing capacity. Slightly larger vans can work out better value as the C1 licence requirement is perceived as a barrier. And that's before you factor in the lower VED once you go over 3.5t. It will also give you layout options better suited to families and significantly better payload.
.
I wouldn't worry about older vans and the motorway. Unless you're planning on driving 3 tonnes as if it's a saloon. I've a, early-90s NA 2.5l Ducato based Hymer and it eats up the miles at 90kph without trauma and efficiently sipping the diesel (relatively speaking). It's not everyone's driving style, but it's certainly not traumatic.
You need to do a bit of homework. I'd go out and buy a few of the motorhome mags such as MMM or Practical Motorhome. They give good basic rundowns of the layouts and manufacturers and also provide a good guide to second hand values.
Off the top of my head, the UK manufacturers of coach builts are -
Swift (also badged as Bessacar)
Autocruise
Autotrail
Autosleepers
Off the top of my head, the UK manufacturers of coach builts are -
Swift (also badged as Bessacar)
Autocruise
Autotrail
Autosleepers
Thanks all, I had considered the c1+e approach. Judging from a local training provider that'll be £1600. Whether that's worth it I'm not sure, factoring in the faff cost. I'd love to have it though.
I'm leaning towards van conversions. The quality varies wildly though. Just a case of finding the right one. Or leaving budget to make right.
I'd seen a '95 Swift Kontiki 640 for sale locally and that triggered my thoughts on going for a coach built.
Absolute minefield!
I'm leaning towards van conversions. The quality varies wildly though. Just a case of finding the right one. Or leaving budget to make right.
I'd seen a '95 Swift Kontiki 640 for sale locally and that triggered my thoughts on going for a coach built.
Absolute minefield!
Hymer, Dethleffs, Burstner, LMC, Hobby, I may have missed a few. All German built and timberless construction I think.
An older Merc based hymer would serve you well. Plenty of scope for engine swaps too.
Hymer S600/S650 from around 93 are always a good bet. Hold their value really well too.
Our 93 hymer is dry as a bone but being based on the aforementioned MK1 Ducato it can be hard work to drive.
If you have the licence don't rule out the American built ones too. They offer quite a lot for the money and are often on LPG.
As mentioned rent one and try it for a while. It's not for everyone and it's a decent sized outlay if you don't like it.
An older Merc based hymer would serve you well. Plenty of scope for engine swaps too.
Hymer S600/S650 from around 93 are always a good bet. Hold their value really well too.
Our 93 hymer is dry as a bone but being based on the aforementioned MK1 Ducato it can be hard work to drive.
If you have the licence don't rule out the American built ones too. They offer quite a lot for the money and are often on LPG.
As mentioned rent one and try it for a while. It's not for everyone and it's a decent sized outlay if you don't like it.
Reading this with interest and apologies if it’s highjacking the thread. Similar situation to the OP except no children here but our budget is similar (£15,000). Looking for a Motorhome for weekends away motor racing but must be capable of towing an open twin axle trailer and car. (car is 1100 Kgs, trailer unknown). My biggest concern is not struggling to tow and not having to constantly stir the gearbox just to jug along. Don’t think I any concerns over weights as passed my driving test in 1988 although happy to be corrected.
More daft questions incoming. So something like this
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Ticks all the layout boxes, but assuming it's a GVW of 3.5 tonnes does that leave the square root of naff all payload? And could it actually tow something if you fitted a tow bar?
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2...
Ticks all the layout boxes, but assuming it's a GVW of 3.5 tonnes does that leave the square root of naff all payload? And could it actually tow something if you fitted a tow bar?
Payload is usually ok with the 500-series Hymers, I have an older B564 and it's pretty comfortable for payload (mind you, it's uprated from 3,200 to 3,450kg and the original limit would have been a bit squeaky). Train weight for towing, I'm less certain about.
That gives two questions you'd need to ask:
- is it the 2.8l turbo or NA? the advert tactfully forgets to say.
- a photo of the plate for the weight limits.
That gives two questions you'd need to ask:
- is it the 2.8l turbo or NA? the advert tactfully forgets to say.
- a photo of the plate for the weight limits.
What about something like this?
They seem to last forever
https://www.facebook.com/groups/684866674946777/pe...
They seem to last forever
https://www.facebook.com/groups/684866674946777/pe...
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