Which LWB high top !!!!

We have a Renault master .. we have a fixed bed at the back, shower, cooker, a extra bed/sofa in the front a full kitchen and a front dinette. I too was worried about driving and although sometimes my confidence goes I force myself to drive it, at first it does seem massive and I sometimes I clip a few kerbs 😂… but after a while it feels no different to driving my berlingo … the only thing I do rely on is reversing camera.
A fixed bed is a game changer I too have fibro so when you need to lie down you need to lie down.
Our bed is high but I manage with some wooden IKEA steps …
I hope you find what your looking for 😉
 
First things first, I would go to a couple of large dealers that have multiple vans in stock. Have a look at all of them. You’ll soon find out which ones are a no no, but you’ll also see some options that you hadn’t thought about.

Once you’ve done that, then it’s time to drive one. What you don’t want to do is buy one, only to find out 2 weeks later about another type that would have suited you better.
 
Herbenny said:
We have a Renault master .. we have a fixed bed at the back, shower, cooker, a extra bed/sofa in the front a full kitchen and a front dinette. I too was worried about driving and although sometimes my confidence goes I force myself to drive it, at first it does seem massive and I sometimes I clip a few kerbs 😂… but after a while it feels no different to driving my berlingo … the only thing I do rely on is reversing camera.
A fixed bed is a game changer I too have fibro so when you need to lie down you need to lie down.
Our bed is high but I manage with some wooden IKEA steps …
I hope you find what your looking for 😉
Click to expand...
Thank you hun and yes so you know exactly what I’m talking about, I really love being out in the van, but we have to listen to our bodies so we don’t crash xxx just opening the door and falling onto the bed sounds perfect. Open the back door and enjoy the views from bed lol
 
T5Mumma said:
Thank you hun and yes so you know exactly what I’m talking about, I really love being out in the van, but we have to listen to our bodies so we don’t crash xxx just opening the door and falling onto the bed sounds perfect. Open the back door and enjoy the views from bed lol
Click to expand...

Yes I do a lot of falling … normally when I have had a few wines 😂

We have had seven vans in total never seeming to be able to get it right .. but the fixed bed was the game changer ..it’s also an automatic which make life easier.
Make a list of everything you want from your van and prioritise … there no such thing as the perfect van as I have learnt seven expensive times 😆
 
Herbenny said:
Yes I do a lot of falling … normally when I have had a few wines 😂

We have had seven vans in total never seeming to be able to get it right .. but the fixed bed was the game changer ..it’s also an automatic which make life easier.
Make a list of everything you want from your van and prioritise … there no such thing as the perfect van as I have learnt seven expensive times 😆
Click to expand...
😂😂😂 @ wine

That’s what I’m doing hun, I’m watching tons of YouTube videos too with different layouts. I have a good idea what I want and where, just need to find it now. An automatic is a dream, depends on what we can get I suppose xx
 
Herbenny said:
Yes I do a lot of falling … normally when I have had a few wines 😂

We have had seven vans in total never seeming to be able to get it right .. but the fixed bed was the game changer ..it’s also an automatic which make life easier.
Make a list of everything you want from your van and prioritise … there no such thing as the perfect van as I have learnt seven expensive times 😆
Click to expand...
:unsure:13 vans in 20 years for us, as family grew & needs changed.

Then once the kids stopped coming with us, our requirements stabilised & we found our ideal compromise for how we use a van. After 11 years we have no intention, or want, to change it. :)
 
If you’ve got a T5 and looking to go bigger it has to be Crafter or Sprinter. The build quality and solid feel not forgetting the depreciation is a big factor for me and it goes without saying reliability and availability of parts is definitely better with a German van. IMO
 
For long trips/full timing.
No 1 space in the living area for those cold rainy days when ypi are stick indoors.
Then a decent shower which does not spray water pver the rest of the bathroom.
Finally a fixed bed or beds
 
jagmanx said:
For long trips/full timing.
No 1 space in the living area for those cold rainy days when ypi are stick indoors.
Then a decent shower which does not spray water pver the rest of the bathroom.
Finally a fixed bed or beds
Click to expand...

Yep, living areas (at separate ends of van if two of you) are king. At times we need our own space, especially when stuck inside.

But a good shower dropped off our ‘essentials’ list after 18 years. We need to pump out the black stuff every 4/5 days so find a nice campsite. And a spay down or strip wash sees us through.
 
jagmanx said:
For long trips/full timing.
No 1 space in the living area for those cold rainy days when ypi are stick indoors.
Then a decent shower which does not spray water pver the rest of the bathroom.
Finally a fixed bed or beds
Click to expand...
Exactly what we are after xx
 
MrRob said:
:unsure:13 vans in 20 years for us, as family grew & needs changed.

Then once the kids stopped coming with us, our requirements stabilised & we found our ideal compromise for how we use a van. After 11 years we have no intention, or want, to change it. :)
Click to expand...
That sounds like you all have had so much fun adventures and memory making xxxx
 
caledonia said:
If you’ve got a T5 and looking to go bigger it has to be Crafter or Sprinter. The build quality and solid feel not forgetting the depreciation is a big factor for me and it goes without saying reliability and availability of parts is definitely better with a German van. IMO
Click to expand...
Thank you, I appreciate everyone’s comment, thank you for taking the time. I have been looking at sprinters
 
Stay 6m long or less. Once you go above that there are lots less places to park. Also harder on ferries etc. There are lots of vans manufacturers to choose from - we went with the Adria Twin as we like the big window in the roof at the front - gives lots of light. They do both sideways and across styles of beds too - and have and auto close door if you want it.
 
Wow I would love to see pictures hun, sounds amazing
Thanks for the length advice, it’s a good one
 
If you prefer the stealth look of panel vans, then I think you are right in looking for a LWB. Panel vans just don't make as good use of space as coachbuilts & A Class etc.
To have a fixed bed, loo/shower, kitchen area plus a lounge area of any meaning in a MWB panel van is very hard to achieve. ( I was almost going to say impossible, but the TARDIS came to mind :LOL: )

Mines a MWB, just over 6M with tow bar. Even that doesn't fit within the marked lines in many car parks and encroaches on to the next bay, so no harm in encroaching a metre more.
Ok, some ferries may be a few quid more, but not always.
I can't think of any places I've been in my van, I wouldn't go in a 7M LWB. The extra width of a coach built would be much more of a PIA for me. Fitting through 6"6' width restrictions is a massive bonus living in London too.
 
mark61 said:
If you prefer the stealth look of panel vans, then I think you are right in looking for a LWB. Panel vans just don't make as good use of space as coachbuilts & A Class etc.
To have a fixed bed, loo/shower, kitchen area plus a lounge area of any meaning in a MWB panel van is very hard to achieve. ( I was almost going to say impossible, but the TARDIS came to mind :LOL: )

Mines a MWB, just over 6M with tow bar. Even that doesn't fit within the marked lines in many car parks and encroaches on to the next bay, so no harm in encroaching a metre more.
Ok, some ferries may be a few quid more, but not always.
I can't think of any places I've been in my van, I wouldn't go in a 7M LWB. The extra width of a coach built would be much more of a PIA for me. Fitting through 6"6' width restrictions is a massive bonus living in London too.
Click to expand...
That’s amazing advice thank you, I would rather have extra length over extra width and I have seen a few good builds. I have a plan as to what layout I prefer, it’s just finding it at the right time.

I don’t mind paying the bit extra when travelling if it means we have what we want, in the space we want
 
T5Mumma said:
That’s amazing advice thank you, I would rather have extra length over extra width and I have seen a few good builds. I have a plan as to what layout I prefer, it’s just finding it at the right time.

I don’t mind paying the bit extra when travelling if it means we have what we want, in the space we want
Click to expand...

Please keep us updated on the search. I loved van hunting and it’s cheaper to enjoy it through others ;-)
 
It is up to you, and I'm sure you'll get lots of opinions, but there is a huge difference between parking for 6m vs 7m. I've driven both. 6m usually overhangs about foot - 7m by 4ft. Yes they both overhang - but in many car parks one is acceptable and the other blocks access for others. And if you park at the edge you can often stick 1ft over the grass side whereas sticking 4ft over ...... Mind you space inside 7m is significantly bigger. So I would say it depends where you intend to want to park.

And on ferries - some I know you can get on with the cars 6m or less. Over that needs special payment or possibly not on at all. I take mine to Greece so meet lots of ferries.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top