Newbie wanting to transfer - caravan to motorhome

Oldnut replied on 25/09/2022 10:19

Oldnut

Posted on 25/09/2022 10:19

Good morning everybody, we currently have a Fendt 750 le vogue and a Touareg tow car. The caravan is currently occupied by two Ukrainian lady refugees! Given the cost of fuel/insurance for both, (I have recently bought a disel polo runaround, 60 instead of 30mpg) I thing we would like to sell those on and try motorhoming, we have avoided in the past as always parked the van, france or wherever then gone in the car exploring, went looking at used motorhomes yesterday trying to see the best layout (only two of us, me 75 plus two dogs) what looked like the nicest combination was a 2007 Burstner Elegance I 690G, whilst we always like the fixed bed (island in the Fendt) the 'price' of having it up two steps giving the garage underneath seems too hard to ignore(we have recently bought a pair of ebikes, the thought of them exposed to tealeaves on the rear gives me the shudders) the shower in this was exceptionally spacious, the double floor is a bonus, the only thing that looked a bit wrong in the layout was kitchen worktop space, cooker with adjacent sink, no worktop. Having had a google there appears to be two different engine sizes, 2.3, in the one we looked at plus a 2.8, does anyone know why the difference? Unlike cars there is no given mpg figures, what is anyones experience? Any advice at all much appreciated.

Rgds

Mike.

4 replies

Wherenext replied on 10/10/2022 15:14

Member

Wherenext

Caravanner

Posted on 10/10/2022 15:14

I'm sorry that no-one has bothered to reply Oldnut. Your post may well have been over delayed in arriving on here.

I can't answer any of your queries but by posting it may attract some Motorhomers to look in and at least give you some help.

We're not normally this shy at helping others.

eurortraveller replied on 10/10/2022 15:29

Member

eurortraveller

Posted on 10/10/2022 15:29

I can’t answer your question either but wonder whether that motorhome is over 3500 kg, and whether at your age you have the appropriate licence to drive it ?

Tinwheeler replied on 10/10/2022 15:32

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 10/10/2022 15:32

The Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen 2.8 engines were used in the older (rectangular headlights) vehicles until late 2006. The X250 model (teardrop headlights) then arrived with a variety of engine choices - 2.3 being one of them. The X290 (slimmer headlights) arrived around 2015. Over the years, many engine variants have been used with each Euro classification usually bringing a change in engine CC and/or BHP. Obviously the older the engine, the more polluting it will be with consequent costs associated.

There is a lot of info online. Here’s just one example.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_Ducato

Other base vehicles such as Mercedes are also used by some converters.

Tinwheeler replied on 10/10/2022 15:50

Tinwheeler

Campervanner

Posted on 10/10/2022 15:50

EuroT makes a very good point. For instance, I spotted this 2007 model with a 2.8 engine so it’s clearly built on the old base vehicle. The advert says a C1 licence is needed to drive it which means it is over 3500kg and licence renewal for those over 70 will incur a medical examination.

While it is entirely your choice, there is no way I personally would want a huge A-Class (total body replacement) van of that size. You mentioned using your car for sight seeing while away and I fear you would find using a van of that size a complete pain for such an undertaking. One of the most common mistakes made by those new to motorhoming is to buy a van that proves to be too big in terms of manoeuvrability.

Good luck in your quest.