davoscar Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 Hello everyone My daughter (and son-in-law and two kids 11 and 6) are just beginning a search for a Motorhome. They currently favour an under 6m Hightop and have looked at Devon and Adria. Has anyone any suggestions - budget would be 30K (plus if necessary). Currently they use a tourer and even wonder whether they could keep the tourer but tow it with the new van and thus get access to the best of both worlds - what do you think. Any helpful suggestions would be appreciated thanks David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b6x Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 Hi With regards Adria.... The Adria 3-way (I think) is a four berth van, and pretty stylish with it too. The Adria Twin is technically a 2+1 (third berth very small). Not sure if it's available over here yet, but the Adria Maxivan is a four berth. Does it need to be a hightop? Personally, for four, I'd be tempted to look more at coachbuilt vans as a hightop would be very cosy with 4 moving around. Hope this helps a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian G. Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 Hi David We used to tow a caravan with Hightops, and found very few problems as it was useful having the camper for days out and bed back on the site. towing was no problem and fuel consumption did not drop as much as towing with a car. the only downside was being unable to just stop on route to look round a town etc. Also it depends on what licence your daughter and son- in- law have because of the gross train weight. This was one of the reasons I sold my caravan as coming up to my 70th I realised I would not be able to tow with the camper.Stupid really as Iwill be by law able to tow with an underpowered an low weight car but not a vehicle that can tow a caravan safely. Anyhow Hope your daughter finds what they want but remember a hightop is very cramped for four on a wet day. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted April 5, 2007 Share Posted April 5, 2007 This is one of the largest sectors of the Motorhome market, and they shouldn't have any difficulty finding suitable contenders. They may have quite a problem choosing, though!Apart from the ones you mentioned, there are vans in this category from C.I, Chausson, Hobby, Joint, Knaus, Mc Louis, Miller, Mooveo, and Weinsberg, that should fall within their budget. However, not the whole range from these makers are imported, and several of the importers appear not to be bringing in the relevant vans. It should be possible to arrange supply of any van from a given maker's range in left hand drive form, even if the rhd version isn't being brought over. They could save several thousand pounds on almost any of the above makes if they buy lhd in Europe, and import the van themselves. However, this would probably have little appeal unless they plan holidaying outside the UK.If they wish to tow the caravan with the van, which might be more flexible with the children, they might also wish to consider getting a low profile coachbuilt with four belted seats, but only sleeping accommodation for two adults and a single child's bed. If they keep the motorhome below 3,500Kg MAM, they will need B+E driving licences (if they don't already have these). The little one could then sleep in with them for a couple of years or so, until big/old enough for the two children to use the caravan while the adults get some night time privacy and peace in the motorhome!Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davoscar Posted April 7, 2007 Author Share Posted April 7, 2007 Thanks very much for your comments.Brian G you are very encouraging! The 70 rule isn't a problem for them at the mo....Brian K thanks for your considered reply as always; a Hightop is their preference as the vehicle will be needed for my Son-in-law's business needs as well, he does a fair bit of motorway travelling in the fluids technology business on his own account (www.johnnealeltd.co.uk).They appreciate the HT will be a bit cramped at times hence the thought of towing their existing tourer on occasions - but also the freedom of the day-van use of a Hightop is very attractive.Will keep looking..... thanks again David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted April 7, 2007 Share Posted April 7, 2007 DaveMy mistake. You said "hightop", and you were being accurate. Afraid I took your reference to mean a luton coachbuilt, which I'm sure you would have said if that's what you had meant!I do think they may be very well advised to keep, and tow, their tourer. There aren't many, if any, van conversions, high top or otherwise, that can truly claim to be 4 berth vans. Those that are, generally, have compromised beds in the roof, that are really only suitable for smallish children. I've no direct experience, but they have always looked to me liable to become very hot and stuffy, so not good for early bed times!The main problem with van conversions is the cost. Of the UK makes, all would seem to be out other than the Devon conversions, and these tend to have a 4' 0" bed only. However, they are on the Renault base, which has often been cited as the best of the panel vans. Against that, however, the new Fiat etc is supposed to be a considerable improvement over its, by no means bad, predecessor - so it would be worth comparing the two.Fiat as a base would open up the possibility of the new Adria Twin, for example, which I think is very impressively finished and, if used in conjunction with the tourer and its kitchen, would offer great practicality. Also, it would be worth considering the Trigano Tribute, which I thought had been supplanted by the Trigano group offerings under the badges of their various marques. However, for UK only, it seems!They will probably find it worth upping the basic engine spec to give the necessary power for the tow. Downside of the imports is the small fridges and two burner hobs, hence the comment about retaining the tourer. Best of all, probably, would be a VW T5 based van, but I think all of these will be ruled out on cost.Apart from the "off the peg vans", there are various converters who will give them more or less exactly what they want, but they'll need to do some homework on the companies, their workmanship, and their financial stability.However, against all of that, the outfit will be long! The lwb Sevel vans are just under 6 metres, so with the tourer behind they'll need to be careful when choosing their routes! I think Cornwall may be out of the question! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest starspirit Posted April 7, 2007 Share Posted April 7, 2007 Son-in-law's business needs as well, he does a fair bit of motorway travelling in the fluids technology business on his own account There are also many artists and experts in 'travelling fluid' and 'fluid technology' on here - but I've never heard it called that before? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davoscar Posted April 9, 2007 Author Share Posted April 9, 2007 Ha ha! I think you may be taking the p......Yeah their search is probably going to take a while; specialist converters are being considered. There was a sup article in MMM July 2006 about one in Shepton Mallet. Wyvern? We'll see David Thanks Brian again for your considered reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davoscar Posted April 24, 2007 Author Share Posted April 24, 2007 Just thought I'd say thankyou for help received. They are now sorted haveing settled on a La Strada Trento which is based on of Ford Transit LWB. Seems to tick all the boxes and the pull down bed is superb! Thanks a lot PS Have a bit of grief getting Motorhome Insurance because they intend to use for business purposes from time to time - MANY of the usual insurers won't do it - happily they got sorted sorted finally by NFU Mutual so lets hear it for the Farmers! David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fetch Carry Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 davoscar - 2007-04-24 4:03 PM happily they got sorted sorted finally by NFU Mutual so lets hear it for the Farmers! DavidThe farmers round here can't afford motorhomes, they have to get around in Cesnas or helicopters... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michele Posted April 25, 2007 Share Posted April 25, 2007 hang on I'll put on the market harborough and trot up give you a ride on the back.... :D You want me to fetch & carry you .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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