Motorcaravan Guide

Cushie

I think what you suggest is easy enough to do on this forum because you can hide the length of the URL behind a shortened version of the link. I think that is more difficult when working from a printed magazine if I have understood you correctly? But thanks for the heads up and I have used your link to find the file in question which I will look at later.

David

Thanks, David , glad you found it useful. It is used regularly in computer magazines which if my memory was better I would quote. One is something like "bitly"  and the other escaped me! Cheers

Thanks for posting this link Cushie - it should be very helpful to newcomers to the MH fraternity and also a good reminder to old hands.

Not sure about the statement on page 10 regarding needing a medical and eye test every two years after age 70.  I renewed mine last year for a second time after age 70 and got a three year licence.

Thanks Jim, not caught up on page 10 yet but an approaching sell by date myself. One year at a time, lucky for some!

One or two odd bits in it, like don’t carry food, buy when you get to your destination and don’t carry ANY fresh water. I’m all for putting money into the local economy but you probably don’t want to check in and then take your van straight out to shop, and not many sites are close to shops. Surely you either take first meal with you or shop on the journey. Also we would have tubs of pasta, rice etc and a few tins in the van anyway. And as for fresh water, surely that depends on payload, fuel economy etc. And again, as a motorhomes, you are likely to want water on the journey, flushing the loo, making a cuppa.

Cushie

I thought it would be useful to make your thread "sticky" so it remains at the top of the listing. We often get new motorhomers asking for advice so it could be a useful read for them.

David

I hope I’m in the right place for some advice? at present we’re caravanning but going to have to change how we holiday.  I’m thinking a small(ish) motor home, don’t want to tow a car behind it, and would go out each day in it, how practical would that be? We’re not fit enough to erect a driveway awning and for a couple of years have been incapable of putting up a caravan awning.  I realise there will be height limitations for where we’ll be able to park and shop etc, it goes without saying we can’t ride bikes.

I really hope you can give us some practical advice.

That’s exactly what we do and for the same reasons. Take a look at panel van conversions which, in my opinion, give you the best of both worlds in that they can be used like a caravan yet, mostly, are small enough to go out and about to do your sight seeing. They’re narrower than coachbuilt vans too. We found the 6m AutoSleeper Warwick Duo pretty much ideal. Any longer and you might have problems parking when out and any shorter might be cramped inside. There are loads of makes and models available with varying layouts. I’m sure you’ll find something to suit.

That looks like a good option, but we really need something with 4 seat belts, two berth is fine but we help out with grandchildren sometimes during the school holidays and they live quite far away so need our own sleeping arrangements.  What would you say would be the next ‘step up’?

There are loads of 4 berth panel vans around at 6m. The ubiquitous Adria Twin has a front lounge with 4 seat belts and a double bed at the rear (this is transverse which might be an issue but longitudinal bed versions, within 6m are available) and a proper, modern pop top with another double.

this config also available from brands like Malibu (Carthago), Pilote, Rapido, Dreamer, Globecar and Hymer etc....note these are all European brands (they do proper beds) and will have decent storage under the beds accessible from the rear.

a uk type rear lounge (make up bed) with pop top would also fit the bill but storage (remember this will be for four) won't be in the same league.

good luck.