Is over seven metres a problem

[Guest 6berth+]

Hi - this is my first ever post!!!

 

We are just about to start looking for our first motorhome. We have decided on a coachbuilt with bunks so that we can put our two young children to bed in their own spaces but still have a living area to spend the late evening in.

 

We have tried a six berth and found that we could have used the additional table sapce offered by many seven berths. However, it doesn't appear that you can get a seven berth for under 7m.

 

Have I heard somewhere that 7 metres is a magical figure, over which causes problems for getting campsites etc. or have I made this up in my own little mind.

 

Thanks

[vindiboy]

6berth+ - 2009-12-20 8:31 PM

 

Hi - this is my first ever post!!!

 

We are just about to start looking for our first motorhome. We have decided on a coachbuilt with bunks so that we can put our two young children to bed in their own spaces but still have a living area to spend the late evening in.

 

We have tried a six berth and found that we could have used the additional table sapce offered by many seven berths. However, it doesn't appear that you can get a seven berth for under 7m.

 

Have I heard somewhere that 7 metres is a magical figure, over which causes problems for getting campsites etc. or have I made this up in my own little mind.

 

Thanks

Hi and welcome, my van is over 7 metres and I have never had a problem because of the length of it, you pay a bit more on ferries but small price to pay for extra comfort, camp sites have never been a problem either, but I was turned away from a site in Holland once but that was because my van has a tag axle [ two rear wheels in line ]and I was classed as a gypo as they favour twin wheel vehicles .Parking in car parks can be a bit problematic, but almost any van will require two parking bays,so if you have to pay for two bays ,why not fill them, good luck with your search.

[RonB]

It stands to reason that as you work up from a tent (remember them?) to an RV pitch size will become more and more of a problem on a busy campsite. Having said that we have only had one failure in about twenty years in obtaining a pitch for over 7m vans due to size.

 

Go for it, the advantages of room far outweigh any imagined size problems.

[Clive]

Just remember to get the back axle up to the bend before you steer the front wheels round. Then you won;t run over grandma's toes on the corner.

 

C.

 

 

[Guest 6berth+]

Thanks. That is really useful. I'm getting a little bit scared now. Never thought we'd get the money and now we have I'm so worried I'm going to make the wrong choice.

 

Thanks again

[Guest 6berth+]

That is really interesting thanks. I'd heard of that problem but didn't know what the campsite owners were looking for when they turned people away.

 

Thanks again

[Guest 6berth+]

Thanks. Will pass that on to my husband. I can't drive at all!

[Guest 6berth+]

Thanks. I'm coming to that conclusion. My children are only 2 and 5 and they will grow!

 

Thanks again

[Brian Kirby]

Whether it is a problem will depend upon where you want to go.  If you will mainly use motorways/main roads and stay on well located sites, no problem.  Buy a bus!

If you are likely to want to get to more rural locations on secondary roads, or visit smaller villages, especially in mountainous areas, then a more compact van will make life easier.  Buy a mini!

Remember too that the larger the van the heavier it becomes, but its MAM remains unchanged.  If you are only lisensed to drive vehicles up to 3,500Kg, you will struggle with 7 metres plus children and all their clobber.  You will need over 500Kg payload, and preferably near 750Kg.

More space is always attractive, but can limit how/where you travel.  More compact can be a bit "cosy", but you won't generally find you have difficulty getting to smaller places.  It is just one of the many compromises that has to be made.

However, depending on the ages of the children and how long you think you may keep the van, you could opt in favour of a 4 berth, with belted seating and dining seats for four, of which there are any number at 6 metres, or a little over, and consider accommodating your children in a tent/tents as/when they are old enough.  Gives them their own space, plus some degree of independence, and leaves you relatively undisturbed when you want to be.  Also becomes a useful pitch marker if you go off in the van!

Compromises.  Compromises.  Compromises.  Compromises.  You never get away from them!  :-)

[Brian Kirby]

6berth+ - 2009-12-20 9:22 PM Thanks. That is really useful. I'm getting a little bit scared now. Never thought we'd get the money and now we have I'm so worried I'm going to make the wrong choice. Thanks again

Ah, then what you really need is this book http://tinyurl.com/yj9hucq  However, I see it is sold out and the new edition is not due until June.  If you can wait that long, I would still suggest you get a copy before buying your van, because it could save you from making just the mistake you fear.  It is very informative, and will answer many questions you have not yet even thought of!  If you can't wait, try asking on here if anyone has a second hand copy they are prepared to sell.  Really, it is that good!

[Guest 6berth+]

Thanks for that. Our problem with a four berth is that my children are only two and five years old so we need a seating area for after their bedtime. I don't really fancy going to bed at 7pm!

 

We have seen several six berth for a lot less than 7 metres though. We tried a 6.4 metre one out and were fine in it. I just can't imagine how we will all fit round the table when the children grow a bit though. Maybe an awning is the answer

 

Thanks

 

 

[Guest 6berth+]

Thanks for that. I'll see if I can get a secondhand copy online.

 

Just getting to grips with posting. Think I might have just sent you a funny face by accident! Oops

 

They told me how helpful motorcaravanners are but I've been overwhelmed by the posts on here already. :-D

[vindiboy]

Brian Kirby - 2009-12-20 9:28 PM

Whether it is a problem will depend upon where you want to go.  If you will mainly use motorways/main roads and stay on well located sites, no problem.  Buy a bus!

If you are likely to want to get to more rural locations on secondary roads, or visit smaller villages, especially in mountainous areas, then a more compact van will make life easier.  I don't agree . mountains . small villages etc etc, I admit I am more experienced than the original poster but I believe that if the local hopper bus or concrete mix lorries can get to the remote places then I can get there in my Hymer. Brian ,I take my van anywhere I want to go. :-o :-o

[George Collings]

i take it you have ruled out putting them both in the overcab? However it is worth consideration for a few years as most small children love the idea of being up in their own den.

[vindiboy]

6berth+ - 2009-12-20 8:31 PM

 

Hi - this is my first ever post!!!

 

We are just about to start looking for our first motorhome. We have decided on a coachbuilt with bunks so that we can put our two young children to bed in their own spaces but still have a living area to spend the late evening in.

 

We have tried a six berth and found that we could have used the additional table sapce offered by many seven berths. However, it doesn't appear that you can get a seven berth for under 7m.

 

Have I heard somewhere that 7 metres is a magical figure, over which causes problems for getting campsites etc. or have I made this up in my own little mind.

 

Thanks

Hi again, a little tip for you, if you want to reply to a post on here ,click the QUOTE button on the post and it will appear in YOUR post, and we will know what you are talking about. hope that helps. Another really important thing to be aware of when buying a van is storage [ where are you going to stow everything you want to take with you ? ] and more importantly is PAYLOAD, { this is he amount of weight you can LEGALLY add to the van ] Over loaded vans can become difficult to handle and are Dangerous. :-o :-o :-o

[Guest peter]

6berth+ - 2009-12-20 9:38 PM

 

Thanks for that. Our problem with a four berth is that my children are only two and five years old so we need a seating area for after their bedtime. I don't really fancy going to bed at 7pm!

 

We have seen several six berth for a lot less than 7 metres though. We tried a 6.4 metre one out and were fine in it. I just can't imagine how we will all fit round the table when the children grow a bit though. Maybe an awning is the answer

 

Thanks

 

Our Burstner Marano is nearly 6.8 Mtrs long and it's a 3 berth. So I think that a 6.4 Mtr will be very tight for 4, especially with a fixed bed.

[Brian Kirby]

vindiboy - 2009-12-20 9:47 PM

Brian Kirby - 2009-12-20 9:28 PM

Whether it is a problem will depend upon where you want to go.  If you will mainly use motorways/main roads and stay on well located sites, no problem.  Buy a bus!

If you are likely to want to get to more rural locations on secondary roads, or visit smaller villages, especially in mountainous areas, then a more compact van will make life easier. 

I don't agree . mountains . small villages etc etc, I admit I am more experienced than the original poster but I believe that if the local hopper bus or concrete mix lorries can get to the remote places then I can get there in my Hymer. Brian ,I take my van anywhere I want to go. :-o :-o

Yeah, yeah, yeah!  Our van is just on 2 metres wide.  We went down one street in Merida this autumn with about 5cm clearance each side.  I guess your Hymer is about 2.3 metres wide.  So, you do the arithmetic and tell me how wanting to get down a 2.1 metre wide street would enable you to do so!  :-) 

As to the local hopper, the driver doesn't, in all probability own it, and it probably carries a few dents and scrapes as testament to where it is driven - that he won't overly care about!  Drivers of concrete mixers?  If the road is a bit tight, they just lean on the landscaping, or other vehicles!  Have you tried arguing with roadside trees in a motorhome?  Most common result: trees 1, motorhome 0!  Motorhomes are only made of chicken poop and lard, you know.  :-)

Besides which, I do not say in the quote that these places are not accessible, I say that if such destinations are your preference "then a more compact van will make life easier".  Do you truly dispute that?

I'm trying to help here, not parade my snicket running prowess, and I think more compact vehicle do, indeed, make accessing smaller places much easier.  Thinking such things through before buying is the key to relaxed travel, which is surely what we are all seeking?

[Archiesgrandad]

I do not find our van at 7.57m a problem and go wherever I please, and if the trade delivery vans and local buses can get through then I probably can. Just take you time and be sensible, but do think about the overhang at the rear, on our van it is horrendous, and is more of a problem then length or width, we've actually been stuck once and scraped up a fair amount of tarmac on other occasions.

 

AGD

[vindiboy]

Brian Kirby - 2009-12-21 12:39 PM

vindiboy - 2009-12-20 9:47 PM

Brian Kirby - 2009-12-20 9:28 PM

Whether it is a problem will depend upon where you want to go.  If you will mainly use motorways/main roads and stay on well located sites, no problem.  Buy a bus!

If you are likely to want to get to more rural locations on secondary roads, or visit smaller villages, especially in mountainous areas, then a more compact van will make life easier. 

I don't agree . mountains . small villages etc etc, I admit I am more experienced than the original poster but I believe that if the local hopper bus or concrete mix lorries can get to the remote places then I can get there in my Hymer. Brian ,I take my van anywhere I want to go. :-o :-o

Yeah, yeah, yeah!  Our van is just on 2 metres wide.  We went down one street in Merida this autumn with about 5cm clearance each side.  I guess your Hymer is about 2.3 metres wide.  So, you do the arithmetic and tell me how wanting to get down a 2.1 metre wide street would enable you to do so!  :-) 

As to the local hopper, the driver doesn't, in all probability own it, and it probably carries a few dents and scrapes as testament to where it is driven - that he won't overly care about!  Drivers of concrete mixers?  If the road is a bit tight, they just lean on the landscaping, or other vehicles!  Have you tried arguing with roadside trees in a motorhome?  Most common result: trees 1, motorhome 0!  Motorhomes are only made of chicken poop and lard, you know.  :-)

Besides which, I do not say in the quote that these places are not accessible, I say that if such destinations are your preference "then a more compact van will make life easier".  Do you truly dispute that?

I'm trying to help here, not parade my snicket running prowess, and I think more compact vehicle do, indeed, make accessing smaller places much easier.  Thinking such things through before buying is the key to relaxed travel, which is surely what we are all seeking?

I do have a GO Backwards gear and I am VERY good at using it :-o :-o :-o

[malc d]

vindiboy - 2009-12-21 2:23 PM

Brian Kirby - 2009-12-21 12:39 PM

vindiboy - 2009-12-20 9:47 PM

Brian Kirby - 2009-12-20 9:28 PM

Whether it is a problem will depend upon where you want to go.  If you will mainly use motorways/main roads and stay on well located sites, no problem.  Buy a bus!

If you are likely to want to get to more rural locations on secondary roads, or visit smaller villages, especially in mountainous areas, then a more compact van will make life easier. 

I don't agree . mountains . small villages etc etc, I admit I am more experienced than the original poster but I believe that if the local hopper bus or concrete mix lorries can get to the remote places then I can get there in my Hymer. Brian ,I take my van anywhere I want to go. :-o :-o

Yeah, yeah, yeah!  Our van is just on 2 metres wide.  We went down one street in Merida this autumn with about 5cm clearance each side.  I guess your Hymer is about 2.3 metres wide.  So, you do the arithmetic and tell me how wanting to get down a 2.1 metre wide street would enable you to do so!  :-) 

As to the local hopper, the driver doesn't, in all probability own it, and it probably carries a few dents and scrapes as testament to where it is driven - that he won't overly care about!  Drivers of concrete mixers?  If the road is a bit tight, they just lean on the landscaping, or other vehicles!  Have you tried arguing with roadside trees in a motorhome?  Most common result: trees 1, motorhome 0!  Motorhomes are only made of chicken poop and lard, you know.  :-)

Besides which, I do not say in the quote that these places are not accessible, I say that if such destinations are your preference "then a more compact van will make life easier".  Do you truly dispute that?

I'm trying to help here, not parade my snicket running prowess, and I think more compact vehicle do, indeed, make accessing smaller places much easier.  Thinking such things through before buying is the key to relaxed travel, which is surely what we are all seeking?

I do have a GO Backwards gear and I am VERY good at using it :-o :-o :-o

I think that is the point that Brian is making.In a smaller van you don't get so much practice backing out. ;-)

[Guest JudgeMental]

But an unnecessarily big van is just more grief and more cost and more restrictions.......

 

Ours is a 6.6 metre 4 berth, with 2 king size beds. one over a large garage at the rear and one in the luton at the front. with both beds occupied the living/lounging/kitchen/bathroom areas are free to be used at any time. No beds to make up out of 18 cushions*-) and kids safe and comfortable in rear bed that they can play on as well.......they can move to the luton when a little older.

 

think long and hard before you do this :-S

[colinfrier]

Hi

I am 7.2 M and do not find it a problem even on minor roads remember if a delivery van can get there so can you and if a bus can then youv'e loads of room.Pay head to Brian's post re weights at 7+ meteres with clobber you will find it hard to get under 3.5 tonne look for 700kg payload as a minimum but don't always beleive the blurb ask to have it weighed see for yourself.

I think its 90% fuel 2 gas cylinders full tank fresh water spare wheel and tools to change whats left is your payload???

[RonB]

Gone blank - had a senior moment 8-)

[Shaun]

Seeing the various responses, it reminds me of a couple of years ago, when I sought advice here as to my first motorhome. I remember thinking 'sod that for a game of soldiers,' when size of vehicle was dismissed as no more than a minor inconvenience. I've since settled for a 6m van and wouldn't want anything bigger.

 

Delivery drivers, certainly those with larger vehicles, are likely to have had specialist training. It's their job, which they do for more hours per week than many of us will do in a year. Accordingly, they're much more likely to take tricky situations in their stride.

 

Even at 6 metres, I get irritated when I can't get a good swing into busy parking bays at supermarkets and DIY stores. I think I'd cry if I was driving anything longer. Many's the time, I've tried getting nearer to the action....to park in the more car-like locations. Invariably, I've been forced away from the main drag into the bigger car parks.

 

Personality comes into all this. I snarl at local councils who haven't cut protruding branches which cause me to swing into the middle of the road, to avoid the inevitable scratches in the paintwork. I hate oncoming vehicles which cause me to stop because there's not room for both of us, but only me is prepared to stop.

 

I also hate all the blind spots in a motorhome, which require a greater level of concentration than I have with a car.

 

Perhaps if a prospective motorhome owner has a calmer, less irritable driving disposition than the likes of me, then maybe vehicle size will be less of an issue. Otherwise, I'd suggest the driver faces up to any driving foibles he/she may have before getting carried away with the fanciful notion that size isn't an issue.

 

Shaun

 

 

[Brian Kirby]

I've no intention of starting a tiff, or impugning any of my fellow poster's manhood, or whatever, but some of the statements above just don't chime with my experience.  "I can go anywhere a delivery van can go, or anywhere a bus can go."  Well, fine, providing, in the case of the delivery van, it is as wide as your motorhome.  Some are, but I'd suggest most aren't.  They are narrower. 

On a narrow road, confronted by a delivery van (removal van, dustcart, combine harvester etc etc) coming the other way, you have no option but to find a place where you can pass.  Field gate?  Hmmmmmmm!  Well, if it is nice and dry, and the ground stable, fine.  However, if it is a sea of mud, better to reject that, and reverse further back down the road until............. what, exactly?

Alternatively, you can just pull over onto the verge (there isn't a drainage ditch or culvert hiding in the long grass, is there?), hope it is stabilised, never mind the "Bomford pruned" trees and hedge (or is that a stone wall hiding behind ivy?), the scrapes in the soft aluminium side sheets can always be filled, and the window marks will probably polish out.

Oh yes, we can get through, and were aren't on the way to anywhere in particular, so never mind the time it takes to arrive.  After all, the whole purpose of the trip is to spend time travelling, never to arrive.

Can you go where a bus can go?  I should bleedin' well hope so, the bus is far larger than most motorhomes!  So what, exactly do you do?  Do you scour the area looking for signs of bus routes, so you can drive down them?  When driving in completely strange territory, down roads you have never travelled before, how, exactly, do you confirm that it must be OK because it is a bus route, so it will be safe to carry on?  And does the bus turn right, or left, at this T junction (we must follow its route to be sure of arriving)?

Come on folks, don't mislead novices.  These "I've never had a problem so no-one else will" arguments only stand until you have the problem.  We've been in some tight spots, of the kind I've illustrated, and all I can say is that they were just a bit interesting in our 6 metre long x 2 metre wide van.  Add more length, and more width, and we'd have had real problems.

When I travel, I travel.  I like the scenic routes, and try to avoid the main roads, but I still travel with the intention of arriving at my chosen destination at about the planned time.  I don't want to spend half a day fillying around with the local dust cart en route.  A smaller vehicle makes this easier and more certain.  That is my point regarding size, no more, no less.  Surely, this is self evident?  Surely it is valid advice?