Think I need a bigger boat

Macp

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Morning folks just joined. So just two trips in and I already realised I screwed up. Spent way too much money finding and buying my perfect VW Transporter and then spent way too much making it into a posh van that you can actually only sleep in. I didn’t want a pop top or kitchen and cabinets 🙄.

We just got back from a trip and loved it but disliked the lack of space.

So it seems to get what we want a high top Ducato/Boxer/Relay will be on the cards. And hope I don’t lose too much money selling the Transporter. Just need to find the right length van.

Thanks for listening, sorry to moan in my first post.
 
It has been said that you rarely get the van you consider the optimal first time around.
You seem to have enjoyed your experiences in a T4, so that's a positive.
Now you have a better idea of what you want in your next van, so a list of pros and cons might assist with the process.
Consider what you must have, what you could have and what might be nice but not essential.
Every van is a compromise in the end.
Good luck and happy hunting.

Davy
 
TeamRienza said:
It has been said that you rarely get the van you consider the optimal first time around.
You seem to have enjoyed your experiences in a T4, so that's a positive.
Now you have a better idea of what you want in your next van, so a list of pros and cons might assist with the process.
Consider what you must have, what you could have and what might be nice but not essential.
Every van is a compromise in the end.
Good luck and happy hunting.

Davy
Click to expand...
Many thanks for the reply. Just to be able stand up in it is the major requirement we have found.
 
Welcome from Co Antrim, i went for a big van to convert from day one, love the space inside and dont feel cramped.
view point b.jpg
van beds.jpg
 
Welcome. I think it all boils down to what you will use it for and for how long. We have only ever had two vans over nearly two decades of motorhoming. Two six berths. 7.5 and now 8.5m. We do however go away literally half of the year. Just the two of us but we fill every locker and garage space. If you are just away odd weekends or even a couple of weeks then you could of course go much smaller. I did look at 6m PVC vans for a while but we just couldn't make it work but I think its harder to downside than it is to upsize.

All I Can suggest is you think of your long term touring needs and don't make the same mistake twice by not going big enough. Secondary transport can be useful with a bigger van. We carry a Honda scooter but also sometimes folding bikes. Electric bikes are very popular. Some even tow cars.
 
Hi from Shropshire! (y)
I would say think long and hard about what your van usage is likely to be (how often used/how long for/where etc).
Would adding a pop-top top your current van,help get a few more years out of it?(or is just the wrong "type" of van?).

Just blindly going bigger, for the sake of it, thinking that will solve everything, might not reap the results you want? (To my mind converters sometimes cram far too much "stuff" into what should be spacious body shells, resulting in quite claustrophobic set-ups, so you only end up putting up a tarp or awning anyway?).

Having said all of that, having previously owned a flat roof Hiace van for over 10yrs (used at festivals and as general runabout) and currently still owning a 30yr old Granvia pop-top, vehicles of this size tend to get rammed to the gunnels when going away, and everything needs "deploying" on arrival (so not of much use if "wildcamping"?)

Of cause, knowing when you already have the "right" van, and not getting seduced by the bigger, shinier vans, is also a knack! :)
 
barryd said:
Welcome. I think it all boils down to what you will use it for and for how long. We have only ever had two vans over nearly two decades of motorhoming. Two six berths. 7.5 and now 8.5m. We do however go away literally half of the year. Just the two of us but we fill every locker and garage space. If you are just away odd weekends or even a couple of weeks then you could of course go much smaller. I did look at 6m PVC vans for a while but we just couldn't make it work but I think its harder to downside than it is to upsize.

All I Can suggest is you think of your long term touring needs and don't make the same mistake twice by not going big enough. Secondary transport can be useful with a bigger van. We carry a Honda scooter but also sometimes folding bikes. Electric bikes are very popular. Some even tow cars.
Click to expand...
Where on the electric bike do you fit the towbar? And does the towing drain the bike battery? :ROFLMAO:

Steve
 
A motorhome is like most things in life, a compromise.

When parked up you want everything and loads and loads of space. But that loads and loads of space is a nuisance on the road and more so if you want to get to remote places, and might be a nuisance to park at home. So you need an "essentials" list before you go looking. e.g. we would not entertain owning any sort of motorhome that does not have a proper inbuilt flushing toilet in a proper compartment with a proper door. That would rule out most pop up roof vans for instance.
 
When we bought ours 6 years ago my insisted on standing up to get dressed and plant of windows.
We found a mostly finished Renault Master. 12 months in I built a shower/toilet /wardrobe.
This year moved a raised floor at the rear for additional storage.
Once you use your cc an for while it is then that you realise what suits and needs are.
 
Welcome from The Algarve

If its just the two of you.
Stay around.6.metre coachbuilts
All mod cons, fits in anywhere.
We absolutely full timed in our first for 6 years

2 more, gave us 15 years of fun and adventures.
 
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