Looking at Buying A Motorhome. Advice Welcome!

No licence or weight restrictions and I think I said in my original post that we would be changing from car + Swift 2 berth touring caravan so combination is going to be around 3000kg. I was more concerned  by the potential limitation on payload that a 3300kg MTPLM for the Fiat C404 Compact has; and the adequacy of a 120BHP engine, especially if needing to accelerate from a standing start onto those motorway style traffic islands where traffic hurtles around.

Steve

Good point, TW, and I'll try to supply the correct stuff, if someone else does not do it first, when I can get to a real computer. I know it's not worth trying on this phone with a postage stamp screen and no mouse.

You seem to be managing quite well so far but let me help you out on my phone.

3050kg is the max unladen weight for road traffic laws as applicable to cars.

3500kg is the max laden weight that can be driven on an ordinary car (B) licence.

That's it in a nutshell. You can add any details when you get off your phone.

A supplemental question, if I may. We've been narrowing our outstanding queries and have hit the 'the smaller m/h for ease of travel but the larger m/h for range of facilities' conundrum.

We like the look of the Dethleffs Sunlight T60 Active 5.99m with 140BHP engine, BUT you have to use a ladder to reach the bed and a couple of Reviews said that it fouled the bathroom door [3am visit problems?]

The Lowdhams Dethleffs Sunvan T66 Dealer Special is 6.65m long, so has the fixed steps BUT comes with the basic 120BHP engine. I'm trying to speak to Lowdhams to see if the engine can be remapped/upgraded to 140BHP and the associated cost.

There's just the two of us, but I'm not certain whether a 5.99m m/h might feel a wee bit cramped. If anyone is using this length of m/h successfully, or has any thoughts, all advice will be welcome!

TIA

Steve

Steve, our PVC is 5.99m and is as big as we want to go, perhaps bigger than our ideal. 

No way would we buy anything that utilised a ladder or steps to get into bed. That's for younger, fitter folk but perhaps you fall into that category. For us, nothing could be simpler than unrolling a couple of sleeping bags and adding pillows.

As for space, again it's mindset down to what you are happy with and what adaptations you're prepared to make. Whatever space you have, be it large or small, you will get used to it. Our first caravan (avatar) was only 10ft long and seemed spacious at the time.

Btw, I can tell you're not a person who chooses to access CT via Latest Activity. The likes give that away😂😂

Thanks TW.  If we ever meet up post-covid I’ll show you my 15 year old phone and you can have a good laugh!  Here are some more details straight from GOV.UK website.

First thing is the Driving Licence restriction(s):-
Category B - if you passed your test before 1 January 1997
You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). .

Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997
You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).

You can also tow heavier trailers if the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer is not more than 3,500kg.

Then there is the Speed Limits. It’s the fourth block down that introduces the “Motor Caravan Restriction”.  I suspect it is to keep the heavier motor caravans in line with the van on which they are based,

National speed limits
 
Built-up areas mph (km/h)
Single carriageways mph (km/h)
Dual carriageways mph (km/h)
Motorways mph (km/h)

Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles
30 (48)
60 (96)
70 (112)
70 (112)
Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers
30 (48)
50 (80)
60 (96)
60 (96)
Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)
30 (48)
60 (96)
70 (112)
70 (112)
Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)
30 (48)
50 (80)
60 (96)
70 (112)

Hope that helps folk who are wondering what my short comment was all about.
 

Wow, Nav, who'd have known it, eh?🤣

We have a 6m A-class with drop down bed for me and a rear over the garage single bed for her who refuses to use the drop down bed. We find our van OK for 3 weeks away in Britain. If we were going across the water or for more than 3 weeks, we'd probably go for 6.5m with single beds. Our A class is almost a foot wider than a PVC.

Out & About Live/Motorhome Matters have just issued its 2021 guide to buying a motorhome. Think its a fiver.

TW; March's First Rule is never make life difficult, when, with a little effort, you can make it impossible ...

As for being young, that was a long time ago. Caused such a stir when I was born, they held a coronation.

We looked at the Hobby Van equivalents but were concerned about being able to store/transport bikes under the bed; that and the kitchen area being exposed to the elements when the side door is opened, although this does deal with cooking fumes!

Lowdhams don't seem interested in returning my emails/enquiries so I may be forced to rule out the SunVan Dealer Special and look at the Sunlight T60 Active ...

I agree re filling of available space. 13 years ago, in our early/mid 50s, Elaine & I Backpacked Prague to Budapest and were all set to book in at a Youth Hostel that had been a Soviet Army Barracks. Most of the queue had overtaken us on the walk to the Hostel, and, when we reached Reception, the Manager said, 'It's notfor you. Come ...'. He led the way to a student 6 bed gf flat [w/machine in bath!] in a sheltered courtyard, with own front door etc. Dirt Cheap 'Old Fogies Special' and v. comfortable

Steve

It was the width that prompted us to downsize from a coachbuilt to a PVC. The narrower width makes quite a difference to manoevring and parking. It's ideal for going places like the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

We've done 6 weeks away in the UK with no issues. The wardrobe might be minute but the roof lockers are very roomy.