Livingstone L2 or Hobby Siesta 555 FS

[cmvrgr]

I am very confused.

Both models are made in 2007.

My question is simple and related to the size of the vehicles as I want to drive them in urban environments in Europe.

Hobby is 24cm wider than Livistone and 20 cm shorter.

Is it more difficult to drive it in cities because is wider ? Will be easier to park as is 20 cm shorter ?

As Livingstone is a Van will it be more agile is cities ?

Hobby has more facilities and is more modern in the interior. Livingstone feels very long but more crammed.

As I do not have a prior experience with motorhomes your advice will be helpful.


Livingstone 2 is using a webasto diesel heater and truma for water heating. Hobby is 4 berth with a french bed and an overcab bed.

(I do not have the actual pictures of both motorhomes so I randomly downloaded a couple from internet just for comparison).

Livingstone 2 dimensions

L 6m
W 2.05 m
H 2.65m

Hobby Siesta 555 FS

L 5.8m
W 2.29 m
H 2.8m

 

[Nabsim]

In general the width dictates things more than length although length can mean you struggle more with parking bays.

I don’t know either vehicle so can’t comments on species with them

 

[Debs]

You may need to consider a few things.....how many of you are there.....can you manage in a small space or do you need a larger space......one is a panel van conversion and one is a coachbuilt conversion. What sort of usage do you envisage for the van. As for driving, whatever you choose you will soon be at one with the vehicle......and one more thing....this pastime can become very addictive, and you may want to spend more and more time away! Happy hunting.

 

[maingate]

A lot of people buy a smaller motorhome than they need with their first purchase. Maybe that's because motorhomes look huge when compared to a car. I reckon you should go for the bigger one otherwise you might regret it later.

 

[cmvrgr]

I need to be able to sleep 3 people only for a couple of weeks per year. It will sleep one person the most of the time.

I need to use either of them as a combination of a mobile office and everyday vehicle in urban environments.

This is the reason why I am very sceptical about how important are their dimensions.

I will need to use them 98% in urban areas and that is the reason why I am so sceptical if the width will be greater problem than the length and and the opposite.

Hobby 555 is the only vehicle of it's type that I found with 5.8m length but in urban environments will attract more thief as is very obvious that is a motorhome.

If someone has driving experience from 6m panel Van and 6m Overcab will be very nice to advice if length vs width is more important for urban environments.

 

[Deleted member 12539]

I need to be able to sleep 3 people only for a couple of weeks per year. It will sleep one person the most of the time.

I need to use either of them as a combination of a mobile office and everyday vehicle in urban environments.

This is the reason why I am very sceptical about how important are their dimensions.

I will need to use them 98% in urban areas and that is the reason why I am so sceptical if the width will be greater problem than the length and and the opposite.

Hobby 555 is the only vehicle of it's type that I found with 5.8m length but in urban environments will attract more thief as is very obvious that is a motorhome.

If someone has driving experience from 6m panel Van and 6m Overcab will be very nice to advice if length vs width is more important for urban environments.

Looking at your requirements, it would seem the Livingstone would be the better choice, in my opinion.
If your intention is to use it as an everyday vehicle, then parking would have to be a consideration. A portable awning would increase your living room (on a campsite) if/when you want to spend longer periods away. A campervan is less conspicuous in an urban environment too, compared to a big slab sided bit of plastic coachbuilt.

I have an A class of 7m, still able to park in car parking spaces (with overhang) but given your situation, I would change to a campervan.
This is just my opinion however, and you may find (as has been said) you want to spend more time in the van and could regret getting the smaller van.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[caledonia]

Definitely go for the van conversion if your main use is urban. It’s more secure than a coach built van and will attract less attention.

 

[ricc]

the panel van conversion will be cheaper and easier to repair minor bodywork damage. itll even bounce of things that would crack the panels on a coachbuilt.

 

[cmvrgr]

As I am examining all the parameters of what is the best I think a campervan is a more viable option in urban environments especially in large cities as width is very important factor for narrow streets. Also you travel faster as you have better aerodynamic shape with the additional benefit of lower fuel consumption.

Security is another great factor as it blends better in urban environments especially if you remove the brand stickers, choose white color that are the most of work vans. Removing other parts like the the awning will help even more to be more discreet in cities.

Also I think that 5.4m is the more viable option to find easier places to park.

I would like to thank everyone for helping me out to make my decision.

 

[trevskoda]

The van with the large cab overhang will use more fuel,better to look at a low line model.

 

[Channa]

I have heard of a \hymer but never a Livingston spare parts etc an issue ? Hymer are well established I would poosibly more drawn towards that

Channa

 

[cmvrgr]

I will find something else at 5.4m. I decided to drop both options.

 

[Makkai]

I have a similar problem. My driveway is limited in length, and thus I need a motorhome that is max 5.5m. I have only rented 7m plus motorhomes in the past. I am considering squeezing in a Hobby Siesta. Autosleeper nuevo is also an excellent sub 5m option, but the really cool ones are from Japan. For some reason, all the ones from there are sub 5m and the engine is inside the driver's cabin. For me, van conversions are not an option. The shower, toilet and other comforts are compromised. I will basically be as well off folding down the back seats of my MPV. Have fun with 2 kids in the rain in a Livingstone. But sure I can see the marketing of a more modern camping experience is appealing to some. Any tips for short motorhome alternatives would be appreciated.

 

[Nabsim]

The op mentions using whatever van in city’s, to my mind what type of engine is probably going to be more of an issue than the dimensions of the two vans mentioned. Clean air zones tighten all the time, I know mine was ok in London LEZ but is not okay in the ULEZ.

 

[TJBi]

The op mentions using whatever van in city’s, to my mind what type of engine is probably going to be more of an issue than the dimensions of the two vans mentioned. Clean air zones tighten all the time, I know mine was ok in London LEZ but is not okay in the ULEZ.

Definitely worth looking into current and planned clean air zones and the criteria; a few cities are well on the way to banning diesel engines.

 

[witzend]

the panel van conversion will be cheaper and easier to repair minor bodywork damage. itll even bounce of things that would crack the panels on a coachbuilt.

As well as the above most of the van/body parts will be easily obtained from a main dealer while in Europe and easily worked on which was something I gave consideration to when buying our van