New M.Home needed with BIG Garage

[YeoBlade]

I have sold my Swift 630G 7.4m 4tonne Coach built van and am seriously looking for a new one with a BIG garage door min height 1m12cm. It not being helpful that the garage entry size is very seldom mentioned in their sales literature, other than 'large'. There dont seem to (M)any about I can find Don't wont to go tag or over 7.5 maybe 8m long at a push. as it wont fin the barn, I want my scooter, Honda PCX, to fit inside as before, and mountain bikes. (I'm not going down the trailer thingy as I done that enough before) I'm thinking I shouldn't of sold it now .
Age up to 5 yrs old max, it seems microwaves are history like a nice gas fire is too, along with fullsize oven/hob. pref two rear over garage singles.

I'm trying to see the advantage of a A Class over a coach built, but not finding it other than can they look great, they often have a big front drop down bed and bigger arm rests in the cab, With disadvantages of more insurance, cost of relacing at cab bodywork lights screen etc. and with potential awkward servicing.

I've been to three local dealers and viewed hundreds of vans and went to the Bath & West Mohome Show yesterday
There is certainly no stock shortage out there, one place had all the visitor car park full of vans and a row of about ten new but 2024 models around the £129K 150K mark gathering dust, just as I was leaving a car transporter turned up with two more PVCs

This was what I was thinking roughly price and size wise , Ill have to have a look and take my tape measure with me

ALL compatible ideas really welcome please1

 

[colinm]

I think a Carthago or Malibu might have the door size you want.

 

[Mobilvetta]

I have a Mobilvetta motorhome with the two single bed configuration at the rear that can also be made into a super king-size bed with the infill. I carry a Honda PCX in its garage no problem, but I have to unscrew the mirrors to reduce the height, had mine since 2018 without any problems.

 

[Scotia]

Burstner 747 had a large garage but I don't know or never measured the door height.

 

[Rod]

I think a Carthago or Malibu might have the door size you want.

Our Cathargo 138 has the door size you are looking for.
We have a door on both sides.
They make coach builds with a similar floor plan

 

[Moped]

We carry our Honda scooter on a rack at the rear. Outside I know but no need to remove mirrors, easy to roll up ramp and anchor to rack, and there is a tall windshield fitted to deflect rain and wind which you cannot fit if the scooter is tucked away in a garage. Bikes go in the garage. The downside is a big payload is needed and inevitably a motorhome exceeding 3.5T is required which means a C1 licence. The scooter is covered with an Oxford cover for weather protection as and when.

What I have found is BIG garages with 350kg payloads inevitably come with a premium motorhome price. An external scooter mount opened up options and lowered the entry cost of suitable motorhomes significantly. Make sure the Alko chassis is heavy duty capable of taking the load, not the lightweight version normally used on 3.5T vans.

 

[YeoBlade]

I have a Mobilvetta motorhome with the two single bed configuration at the rear that can also be made into a super king-size bed with the infill. I carry a Honda PCX in its garage no problem, but I have to unscrew the mirrors to reduce the height, had mine since 2018 without any problems.

Thanks Mobilvetta, which model do you have ? They looks a nice finish inside and practical

 

[Moped]

Mobilvetta do offer a heavy duty chassis option which if carrying a scooter and bikes would be essential. A driving advantage of the heavy duty chassis is that it offers the driver a more car like driving experience with less flex and bounce. We have the heavy duty chassis on our 4.25T van and the driving experience compared to our previous 3.5T van is noticable. Less flex and bounce and superior handling on poor road surfaces.

 

[YeoBlade]

I think a Carthago or Malibu might have the door size you want.

Thanks Colin, yes, I see they do . As a premium price I may then need to go a bit older and I see many then are with the old comformatic Gbox definitely a possibility with a manual though

 

[YeoBlade]

Mobilvetta do offer a heavy duty chassis option which if carrying a scooter and bikes would be essential. A driving advantage of the heavy duty chassis is that it offers the driver a more car like driving experience with less flex and bounce. We have the heavy duty chassis on our 4.25T van and the driving experience compared to our previous 3.5T van is noticable. Less flex and bounce and superior handling on poor road surfaces.

Yes my swift was on the HD chassis with air on the back, never noticed any difference with or without 200 kg in the garage, I'll definitly be looking for that build

 

[maingate]

Burstner 747 had a large garage but I don't know or never measured the door height.

They are a Tag Axle at 8.2 metres long, so not suitable for him. Mind you, I would never buy a 7 metre+ motorhome unless it was a Tag Axle. They are as steady as a rock and it is impossible to overload them (unless you are a Blacksmith and carry an anvil).

 

[barryd]

Yes my swift was on the HD chassis with air on the back, never noticed any difference with or without 200 kg in the garage, I'll definitly be looking for that build

Both my Swifts have been extended Alko Chassis' with this latest one being the 4.25t model and it makes no difference to the handling with the scooter on or off the rack. You just don't notice it at all. Both rear lounge models though which are I believe lighter on the back end than other layouts.

 

[YeoBlade]

Mobilvetta do offer a heavy duty chassis option which if carrying a scooter and bikes would be essential. A driving advantage of the heavy duty chassis is that it offers the driver a more car like driving experience with less flex and bounce. We have the heavy duty chassis on our 4.25T van and the driving experience compared to our previous 3.5T van is noticable. Less flex and bounce and superior handling on poor road surfaces.

Yes needs to be the H D Chassis, I had an older 2004 Autotrail on the X244 which was 3.5t, had it up plated to 3.850 . Legal BUT even with air on the rear it drove terrible when loaded to limit. And some HD builds have been downrated to 3.5 I see, needs checking thoroughly.

 

[Mobilvetta]

Thanks Mobilvetta, which model do you have ? They looks a nice finish inside and practical

I have the Kea P65 which I bought new in 2018, didn't want the A class with the modified front end and large screen, very expensive to replace and I thought parts would be harder to get compared to the Fiat Ducato. I covered 33,000 miles now with only a few minor niggles that were covered under warranty. I did have air suspension fitted on the rear end and upgraded the weight. Marquis Preston after sales were very good to deal with, but I've been told some off the other marquis branches can be difficult. I'm on the two Mobilvetta Facebook groups, which I have found very useful.

 

[Geek]

,I want my scooter, Honda PCX, to fit inside as before, and mountain bikes.

In that case you also need to look at payload and rear axle weight limits as well as garage door size.

 

[YeoBlade]

In that case you also need to look at payload and rear axle weight limits as well as garage door size.

Yes indeed old one 4 Tonne so no problemo there. The best model I found that suits my needs is My Old One
I see, as time moves on, with the C1 licences becoming more likely if you aged around 45 or younger there is a fleet of 'Lightweigh't 3.5t models being made by some manufacturers (with minimum payload), which can be uprated to 3.850t Ducato.

 

[colinm]

The problem with those 'lightweight' vans is capacity of rear axle.