john grey Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 hi fellow campers. just my luck when I decided to join your forum and put my first post on, that the system would go haywire. maybe its an omen, telling the wife and I who have been caravanning for thirty years, to continue damaging our backs, hitching on and off (and yes, we did try a motormover) and so, save our retirement fund. basically, we think the time is right for us to have our first MH and I was looking for anyone who might advise on the ford hobby transit van. we dont have a lot of space or width behind our humble abode ( gates about 8ft wide). I dont fancy the thoughts of driving a very large or wide vehicle but I think I could handle the transit. I like the fact that you can stand up in it, as opposed to the pop-up roof types or the sliding door types which I wouldnt like at all. can anyone advise if this is a good choice or are there any other similar types that would be worth a look. I was informed by the moderator that some of you may have replied to my post already but it was lost (in space) and so would very much appreciate if you would give me your valuable opinions once again. thanks to one and all John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terrytraveller Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Hi John and Welcome, I always thought Hobby MH's quiet large and very nice. We have a Autocruise Stargazer which is about the smallest you can buy with two single full length beds in a large day lounge configuration, overall length is 6mtr and around 7" 2" wide with mirrors folded. We use it a couple of months at a time, twice a year in Europe, wouldn't like a smaller MH for spending that sort of time in it. We did have the Autocruise Starfire before 5.5mtr, but found the bed configuration, which utilised the front seats as part of the full size twin bed layout, too uncomfortable. I expect you are going for the end bedroom layout? very nice, but it always seemed a waste living space to me, people who have converted to them would never go back to the Day Lounge/Bed layout. Regards Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjl Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Hi We purchased a Hobby T550fs in may last year which i think they have renamed Hobby Van. Very pleased - one problem with Ford base dealt with under warranty by local dealer. A few niggles to get sorted under warrantly when it goes in for first years habitation check but nothing to lose sleep over. We changed from a duetto and the Hobby is 6 inches wider which is noticeable plus i miss the rear vision of the duetto (even if it was limited). Covered 7000 miles in 9 months over some very steep and high passes and it climbed all hills well ( albeit in bottom gear up one really very steep road in the Dolomites!). Just back from Skiing where we had <-12C at night and it was nice and snug. Bed is a little to high as is the toilet but a plastic step sorts that. It works for us. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Quite a few motorhome manufacturers currently build below-6m-long, below-2.18m-wide coachbuilt models (ie. roughly similar in size to the Hobby Van). However, if you plan to buy in right-hand drive form and from a UK dealership, I think you'll find yourself restricted to a Dethleffs Globevan or Globebus, Hobby Van, Hymer Van 522, Knaus Van TI or (the expensive) La Strada Nova. As all the base vehicles are competent in terms of road performance and cab ergonomics, and all the motorhome converters have good reputations, it's going to be up to you to choose which best suits your requirements or taste. The March 2007 issue of "Which Motorcaravan" magazine has an article comparing the Hobby Van, Dethleffs Globevan 1, and Rapido 707F. The Hobby and Dethleffs both have Transit chassis and '1970s Habitat-chic' interior-design features (my opinion, not WM's!), while the Fiat-based Rapido is more conventionally stylish décor-wise, but, at 2.31m wide, not dimensionally skinny. Which Motorcaravan's "Checklist" section groups motorhome models by type (overcab, low-profile, A-Class, etc.) and by price within type, This format should be helpful to you in selecting those vehicles that meet your size and wallet limits. Once you've reduced your shopping-list to manageable proportions, then will be the time to view the motorhomes themselves. You might wish to reconsider your rejection of panel-van conversions ("sliding door types"). Relative to caravans, motorhome interiors can appear very claustrophobic and a panel-van design that combines a clever interior layout and wide entrance, plus a 'safari room' outside for campsite stays, could be an attractive alternative to a small coachbuilt vehicle. IH Motor Campers and Murvi spring to mind as builders of panel-van designs that make innovative use of limited interior space. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john grey Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 hi Terry thanks for your welcome and yes, the wife did think that the end fixed bed was a waste of living space until I reminded her, of all those back breaking years, making up beds and re-arranging cushions etc, plus we have a large dog and the garage would be an ideal kennel for him at night, if I could get some sort of fan arrangement built into door or rear. thanks for your help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john grey Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 Oh Dear Peter, the dolomites and ski-ing, the cost of this van is going up by the minutes, here was me thinking, we might even go to Blackpool if we had an all in one vehicle!!. glad you are happy with yours regards John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john grey Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 Hi Derek Shall get me copy of Which motorcaravan. with regard to the sliding door, I take your point about the awning but it was more the height restrictions that sliders seemed to have that put me against them. thanks for the advice regards john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peterjl Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Hi John Just to add to the list - off to Morocco with Desert Detours in April! Re dog - our labrador sleeps in the passenger footwell - when the seat has been tyrned around there's bags of room - mind you she's is small for a lab! Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 JohnTo Derek's list you could add a quadruplet of A class vans, also circa 6M long and sub 2.3M wide. Dethleffs Globebus (yes I know its in Derek's list, but there are both A class and coachbuilt versions, and I think he's referring to the coachbuilts), Knaus C liner and V liner, and new Hymer Excis. All more expensive, of course! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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