Drover
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I have exactly the same problem.I always wanted one but the wife said there wouldn't be enough room.
However, I have always found them to be surprisingly spacious.
.mine won't even look at one.
I have exactly the same problem.I always wanted one but the wife said there wouldn't be enough room.
However, I have always found them to be surprisingly spacious.
Fixed double over cab bed (something that seems to have gone out of fashion with motorhomes) Double dinette which could be used as another double but we don't intend to use it for sleeping. Galley kitchen, cupboards, fridge freezer, and a compact toilet with basin and shower.
About the same accommodation as a large high top van conversion or a small coach built motorhome.
I really don't understand why the overcab bed has all but disappeared as a feature in any new Motorhomes. As you say, it gives a permanent bed without taking lots of room from the living space.The fixed double over the cab is our favourite feature. In all my years of trailer caravanning, even with a large 'van, I have never had a satisfactory layout that allows a permanent bed without the whole 'van feeling cramped.
I really don't understand why the overcab bed has all but disappeared as a feature in any new Motorhomes. As you say, it gives a permanent bed without taking lots of room from the living space.
I have a double overcab bed on my motorhome and I keep it made up ready for use and it doesn't require messing around with moving cushions around and losing seating space, or dropping an electric over-lounge platform that stops the seating area being used if anyone wants to have a sleep or laydown.
I agree. Guessing that old age and/or health immobility might put some people off the overhead cab bed option?
But the drop down cab bed is a really excellent idea, imo.
Looked at Laikas and Autosleeper Mirages etc. that had the drop down cab beds before lockdown, all very workable and didn't affect the seating arrangements, but now those vehicles would be too big for me. Not because I can't drive them, but the dreaded 70 approaches (C1), plus we got to some places in Ireland in the old VW that you would really struggle to reach (or even be impossible) in bigger vehicles.
The little Autosleeper we have now is grand and I love it, despite having to make the bed/beds up every night.
On my Autotrail, it is officially a 4 berth motorhome - 2 on the overhead cab and 2 made from pulling the extensions on the two facing sofas together.However, if you travel solo it is pretty much perfect as you can extend one side bench as a permanent bed if you wanted to be really lazy on occasion, and still room to move around as normal during the day![]()
This is the reason why my van tends to be a solo-occupant van for any trip extending more than 2 nightsAlso, it does work well as a two-person camper - but only if both of you have the same approach to on board housekeeping ...!!!![]()
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I really don't understand why the overcab bed has all but disappeared as a feature in any new Motorhomes. As you say, it gives a permanent bed without taking lots of room from the living space.
I have a double overcab bed on my motorhome and I keep it made up ready for use and it doesn't require messing around with moving cushions around and losing seating space, or dropping an electric over-lounge platform that stops the seating area being used if anyone wants to have a sleep or laydown.
I would never get up that step with dodgy knees!![]()
Fixed double over cab bed (something that seems to have gone out of fashion with motorhomes)
You need to check your figures.You have touched on an interesting point there. My truck has a MAM of 5850Kg. I hadn't stopped to think that takes it into C1 class. I had expected to drop my C1 when I reach 70 but assuming I still have this I will be renewing it.
EDIT: I may be misunderstanding this? The vehicle has a Gross Vehicle Mass of 3500Kg and a Gross Train Weight 0f 5850Kg
So if I dropped the C1, would it be legal to drive it on a Category B licence? That seems to allow up to 3500Kg plus trailer?
We had to move away from lutons as we got older the wife has two new hips and can't climb easily and also makes numerous visits in the night I also make a few so climbing over partner just didn't work.I really don't understand why the overcab bed has all but disappeared as a feature in any new Motorhomes. As you say, it gives a permanent bed without taking lots of room from the living space.
I have a double overcab bed on my motorhome and I keep it made up ready for use and it doesn't require messing around with moving cushions around and losing seating space, or dropping an electric over-lounge platform that stops the seating area being used if anyone wants to have a sleep or laydown.
Yes that was a typo. GVW 3500Kg so the truck on it's own with the camper etc cannot weigh over 3500Kg. The GTW includes a trailer so you can have that as well with a normal BE licence.You need to check your figures.
MAM 5850 / GVW 3500 doesn't make sense.
If you think your figures are correct please tell us (with photos) where they come from.
If (as I suspect) the correct figures are GVW 3500; MAM 3500; GTW 5850 then you are OK without C1.
If you can keep the C1 then do so. You never know what you'll want to do in the future.
I lost mine because I inject insulin and was unlikely to pass the medical.
It is even more confusing as it has the air assist rear suspension but all that appears to have done is raise the axle 2 weight not any of the totals. That is I guess just to allow for the fact with the camper on the rear overhang puts the centre of gravity quite far back so more load on the rear axle and not much of it on the front.
There is no one size fits all motorhome, we all have different needs and wishes. This one suits our needs at the moment. Agreed the step is pathetic, that came with it, we are looking for a good folding two step but have not found one yet. It has a proper toilet in a decent compartment, that was a must have. There are all sorts of demountable campers available and many are very basic inside with just a pull out porta potti under a seat, that would not have been what we wanted.
It does look top heavy but it is fine to drive, just don't expect to go round corners like you are in a sports car. The truck has uprated air assist rear suspension.
We have just retired at a relatively young age so intend to enjoy ourselves while we are still fit and able. All the time we were working and with limited spare time, we could never justify the cost of a motorhome that back then would not have got much use, which is where a trailer 'van wins, no tax, no MOT, simple diy maintenance and you don't even need to insure it if you don't want to. But trailer caravanning is very different to motorhoming and touring and that is what we want to do now.
Hi,There is no one size fits all motorhome, we all have different needs and wishes. This one suits our needs at the moment. Agreed the step is pathetic, that came with it, we are looking for a good folding two step but have not found one yet. It has a proper toilet in a decent compartment, that was a must have. There are all sorts of demountable campers available and many are very basic inside with just a pull out porta potti under a seat, that would not have been what we wanted.
It does look top heavy but it is fine to drive, just don't expect to go round corners like you are in a sports car. The truck has uprated air assist rear suspension.
We have just retired at a relatively young age so intend to enjoy ourselves while we are still fit and able. All the time we were working and with limited spare time, we could never justify the cost of a motorhome that back then would not have got much use, which is where a trailer 'van wins, no tax, no MOT, simple diy maintenance and you don't even need to insure it if you don't want to. But trailer caravanning is very different to motorhoming and touring and that is what we want to do now.