Motorhome Length ?

We all have different views on what makes a perfect Motorhome, van conversion, or camper van. Hence the hundreds if not thousands of variables that are available. I get have been asked what’s the best a Motorhome, caravan, or a camper. I never advise but simply try to point out the disadvantages and advantages of each choice.

Regarding length, well we have a Motorhome with a large lounge large enough for eight people, a separate shower and toilet, a well laid out kitchen, large fridge freezer. It has four seatbelts and can sleep up to four, with a large over cab drop down bed and it’s just under 6m. I really don’t fancy driving anything any longer, and unlike some we have got ourselves into parking spaces where a larger van would have not been possible. Also make sure it will fit in your drive, if that’s where you intend to park it. Yes the longer vans look great, but speaking personally I don’t need anything any longer than what we have.
 
We all have different views on what makes a perfect Motorhome, van conversion, or camper van. Hence the hundreds if not thousands of variables that are available. I get have been asked what’s the best a Motorhome, caravan, or a camper. I never advise but simply try to point out the disadvantages and advantages of each choice.

Regarding length, well we have a Motorhome with a large lounge large enough for eight people, a separate shower and toilet, a well laid out kitchen, large fridge freezer. It has four seatbelts and can sleep up to four, with a large over cab drop down bed and it’s just under 6m. I really don’t fancy driving anything any longer, and unlike some we have got ourselves into parking spaces where a larger van would have not been possible. Also make sure it will fit in your drive, if that’s where you intend to park it. Yes the longer vans look great, but speaking personally I don’t need anything any longer than what we have.
I tend to agree . I've gone back to 5.99 pvc and it is so much easier parking , negotiating narrow streets etc . Obviously this suits me , and the dog .
I understand why people want more space but there are no free lunches !
Having said all that you adapt to the size of your van big and small . Just don't adapt the size of your van using a Spanish balcony !
Expensive
 
If you really want and might actually use a 6 bert - particularly all adults, the big issue will be payload.
6 adults is getting on for half a ton which is more than a lot of vans have available in real life.
Lots of threads on being over weight.
It sems to be very difficult to get dealers to provide actual weights of vans.
 
If you really want and might actually use a 6 bert - particularly all adults, the big issue will be payload.
6 adults is getting on for half a ton which is more than a lot of vans have available in real life.
Lots of threads on being over weight.
It sems to be very difficult to get dealers to provide actual weights of vans.

Mark, our van has a 635kg payload.
This figure includes a full water tank, full diesel tank, 80kg driver, and a 13kg cylinder. As it came with many accessories my dealer fitted equipment only weighed 30kg. Mainly a 4m canopy. But the 7.5m versions with large garages and more space only have 325kg payloads. Worth considering.
 
That's the problem manufacturers build heavier vans on the same chassis and provide bigger garages with reduced payload!
Madness really!

I reckon that if you want to frighten yourself takin a van to a weighbridge is the best way to go about it - but something we all ought to do.
In the limit running overweight will invalidate your insurance - whether any company will ever check is what most of us rely on?
 
If you really want and might actually use a 6 bert - particularly all adults, the big issue will be payload.
6 adults is getting on for half a ton which is more than a lot of vans have available in real life.
Lots of threads on being over weight.
It sems to be very difficult to get dealers to provide actual weights of vans.
Something I’d not thought of, chances are we would meet up with daughters and their partners somewhere, with them using own cars,
We plan on touring Europe for a few months at a time, and would be nice to meet up somewhere all together, hence the 6 berth,
Either that or two of them relegated to a tent.....
 
I'd be reluctant to have anything longer or wider than my 5.99 meter panel van (Globecar Globescout.)

It can still be tight negotiating car parks designed for cars. Even if you can squeeze in, if people then park both sides of you getting out again can either be impossible, or require lots of forward and backward shuffling, anxious mirror checks etc. Using two spaces fore and aft doesn't alter that. Seen plenty of big vans (often of a certain nationality) selfishly taking four spaces, straddling the dividing line to try to avoid this.

Seen it happen on aires too, first big van parks, no problem. Then another arrives and parks tight up alongside, even making opening doors and squeezing out difficult. sometimes a third the other side, even if there are plenty of other spaces (why do they do that and cluster together instead of spreading out ?) Next morning piggy-in the-middle cannot get out, tapping on doors requesting neighbour to move temporarily sometimes unfavourably received or just ignored.

Huge advantage is that it's allowed into all French Villages and medieval towns, and through width restrictions, sometimes mirrors need folding, many of which don't allow anything longer or wider to enter. Fits into most roadside parking bays and at 2.25m wide, 2.05 m mirrors folded it doesn't stick out into the road. Rear wheels right at the corners, minimal overhang, drives very nicely.

Have looked at similar size low profiles, but they are mostly all wider, on a shorter wheelbase chassis so a large rear overhang to wag out, garage behind the rear axle so weight in the wrong place and loads up the rear axle by more than the actual mass in the garage (lever effect), whilst unloading the front axle so compromising braking and steering. (Custom) towbar load limit compromised, add on air suspension sometimes needed for adequate handling and to trim out rear suspension sag. Also adding extra mass and complication.

I have a light 250cc trail bike that could fit on the standard Fiat towbar on a rack without exceeding the towbar specification. I don't think that would be possible with a large rear over-hang.

Forward facing seats for four, full size double bed (loads of storage underneath), Passenger seats and table convert into nice single bed, fourth person can sleep in aisle on a camping mat, or on sites or suitable wild places we put up a 2-person tent for them. Wouldn't want to take the guests on a long tour, but it's nice to have them visit for a few days, sometimes using budget airlines to meet up. They enjoy the cosy experience and have returned, so it can't have been that bad.

Next van may well be a shorter PVC, there are some nice ones now with ingenious layouts. Meanwhile it suits me and my partner very well, obviously not for all.

Further, you may find that driving such a large van might be quite intimidating if stepping up from 5.8m. Try to have a go in one first.

Met a couple is Southern France who had done that on retirement, upsized to an apartment on wheels for just two people (though it would take six), planning long tours. The wife drove it just twice, then refused to ever do so again. Leaving the husband to do all the driving, which he didn't enjoy either, their confidence was gone. Already had a couple of incidents with tree branches on country roads, dents, one ripped off the TV aerial, and being unable to pass other large vehicles on narrow country roads sometimes requiring backing up, which they found a nightmare.

They had also realised that they were way over their weight limit,(something like 4.5 tonnes) even just for the two of them, loads of clutter in the garage including a small washing machine (???), twin rooftop air conditioners, big heavy generator to power the aircon,, electric bikes, big solar install, full length awning with sides and front, extra batteries, extra water tank, they'd really gone to town on the fit without thinking it through.

A lumbering cumbersome underpowered beast that couldn't cope with mountainous regions, impossible to do hill starts, front wheel drive, wheels just span in the dry on modest gradients, nevermind in the wet, marginal brakes, bogged down as soon as the soil was damp after overnight rain requiring towing out by local farmer. That was on a site, good luck finding a helpful one if wilding it. Rreversing uphill, well you know the Ducato problems with that. Poor clutch, weak at the best of times, nevermind on a heavy big van with unsuitable gearing.

Their dealer should never have done it, just happy to take the money I suppose. Definitely not fit for purpose.

Were also approaching 70 so becoming concerned about retaining rights for over 3.5 tonnes, health beginning to falter. This was their first long trip in the big van, they bitterly regretted their decision, and were resigned to selling it and downsizing once got home. A huge financial hit, leaving little left of the retirement lump-sum. They were very taken with my Globecar and completely re-thinking their ideas.

The damage that they had sustained to their soft aluminium skinned panels was going to take specialist repairs, maybe lengthy and costly. My PVC would probably have shrugged it off, and even if damaged any competent bodyshop could probably have repaired it in a few days. I've come across a similarly constructed van in Italy that had been caught out in a hailstorm, hail the size of golfballs or bigger. Actually it looked like a golfball. Total write-off, the new owners bought it at auction for a pittance, they weren't bothered by the cosmetics, though it did attract comments.

Sorry if this sounds like doom and gloom, just trying to give you some things to consider before going big. Do enjoy whatever you decide on.
 
That's the problem manufacturers build heavier vans on the same chassis and provide bigger garages with reduced payload!
Madness really!
I reckon that if you want to frighten yourself takin a van to a weighbridge is the best way to go about it - but something we all ought to do.
In the limit running overweight will invalidate your insurance - whether any company will ever check is what most of us rely on?

If you suspect your overweight and then have a serious crash just chuck some of your gear out on to the roadside, and blame it on fly tippers should an insurance assessor get nosey. ;)
 
In the limit running overweight will invalidate your insurance - whether any company will ever check is what most of us rely on?

Oh yes they will. As will the Police if you are involved in an accident that merits an investigation, with prosecution to follow. There are also spot checks. I know where they do them near me, and have been waved in once. All clear (just).

If lucky you might be allowed to say dump your water and anything else to get it back in weight, maybe just a fine, maybe some points, and a ticking off if you are lucky, I don't know, but if it's fundamentally overweight, many are, you are screwed.

Besides, it's just unsafe. Brakes are sized for the load. A simple test, if you can't get the ABS to kick in on a practice dry road emergency stop there is something wrong. If they have faded before you have come to a halt from max. legal speed something is very wrong. Its a brutal test, but worth doing once.Testing on the rollers for an MoT doesn't compare.

And keep your distance, fully loaded vans cannot stop in anything like the distance of cars, even lightly laden lorries. I know, having had to swerve onto the hard shoulder to avoid a sudden pileup ahead, couldn't have stopped before rear-ending the cars ahead.

Front car a Rangerover had inexplicably bounced off the central reservation barrier (no reservation, just a concrete barrier), rolled then blocked the outer two lanes then mayhem ensued, lots of Audis and BMWs trashed, doubtless all too fast, all too close. . At least there was a hard shoulder to escape to otherwise I'd have become part of it. Watching the pileup develop behind me was terrifying, every subsequent vehicle tried, some better than others, but each had to react to what was going on ahead, each reaction time stacking up until the poor people at the back of the convoy stood no chance whatsoever. All lanes and parts of hard shoulder (sensible people) full. 5 hours later I got past, having provided tea and biscuits to some very shaken up people before I ran out.

A lane could have maybe been cleared in 30 minutes, but accident investigation had to happen first, I was interviewed having seen the whole thing develop.

Lesson learned, keep out of the outside lane as much as possible, there's nowhere to escape to and bad things usually start there.

No excuse not to weigh, and keep an eye on your mass budget thereafter. I have plenty of public ones to use. A little Googling will find them, e.g. here are mine:

 
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I'd be reluctant to have anything longer or wider than my 5.99 meter panel van (Globecar Globescout.)

It can still be tight negotiating car parks designed for cars. Even if you can squeeze in, if people then park both sides of you getting out again can either be impossible, or require lots of forward and backward shuffling, anxious mirror checks etc. Using two spaces fore and aft doesn't alter that. Seen plenty of big vans (often of a certain nationality) selfishly taking four spaces, straddling the dividing line to try to avoid this.

Seen it happen on aires too, first big van parks, no problem. Then another arrives and parks tight up alongside, even making opening doors and squeezing out difficult. sometimes a third the other side, even if there are plenty of other spaces (why do they do that and cluster together instead of spreading out ?) Next morning piggy-in the-middle cannot get out, tapping on doors requesting neighbour to move temporarily sometimes unfavourably received or just ignored.

Huge advantage is that it's allowed into all French Villages and medieval towns, and through width restrictions, sometimes mirrors need folding, many of which don't allow anything longer or wider to enter. Fits into most roadside parking bays and at 2.25m wide, 2.05 m mirrors folded it doesn't stick out into the road. Rear wheels right at the corners, minimal overhang, drives very nicely.

Have looked at similar size low profiles, but they are mostly all wider, on a shorter wheelbase chassis so a large rear overhang to wag out, garage behind the rear axle so weight in the wrong place and loads up the rear axle by more than the actual mass in the garage (lever effect), whilst unloading the front axle so compromising braking and steering. (Custom) towbar load limit compromised, add on air suspension sometimes needed for adequate handling and to trim out rear suspension sag. Also adding extra mass and complication.

I have a light 250cc trail bike that could fit on the standard Fiat towbar on a rack without exceeding the towbar specification. I don't think that would be possible with a large rear over-hang.

Forward facing seats for four, full size double bed (loads of storage underneath), Passenger seats and table convert into nice single bed, fourth person can sleep in aisle on a camping mat, or on sites or suitable wild places we put up a 2-person tent for them. Wouldn't want to take the guests on a long tour, but it's nice to have them visit for a few days, sometimes using budget airlines to meet up. They enjoy the cosy experience and have returned, so it can't have been that bad.

Next van may well be a shorter PVC, there are some nice ones now with ingenious layouts. Meanwhile it suits me and my partner very well, obviously not for all.

Further, you may find that driving such a large van might be quite intimidating if stepping up from 5.8m. Try to have a go in one first.

Met a couple is Southern France who had done that on retirement, upsized to an apartment on wheels for just two people (though it would take six), planning long tours. The wife drove it just twice, then refused to ever do so again. Leaving the husband to do all the driving, which he didn't enjoy either, their confidence was gone. Already had a couple of incidents with tree branches on country roads, dents, one ripped off the TV aerial, and being unable to pass other large vehicles on narrow country roads sometimes requiring backing up, which they found a nightmare.

They had also realised that they were way over their weight limit,(something like 4.5 tonnes) even just for the two of them, loads of clutter in the garage including a small washing machine (???), twin rooftop air conditioners, big heavy generator to power the aircon,, electric bikes, big solar install, full length awning with sides and front, extra batteries, extra water tank, they'd really gone to town on the fit without thinking it through.

A lumbering cumbersome underpowered beast that couldn't cope with mountainous regions, impossible to do hill starts, front wheel drive, wheels just span in the dry on modest gradients, nevermind in the wet, marginal brakes, bogged down as soon as the soil was damp after overnight rain requiring towing out by local farmer. That was on a site, good luck finding a helpful one if wilding it. Rreversing uphill, well you know the Ducato problems with that. Poor clutch, weak at the best of times, nevermind on a heavy big van with unsuitable gearing.

Their dealer should never have done it, just happy to take the money I suppose. Definitely not fit for purpose.

Were also approaching 70 so becoming concerned about retaining rights for over 3.5 tonnes, health beginning to falter. This was their first long trip in the big van, they bitterly regretted their decision, and were resigned to selling it and downsizing once got home. A huge financial hit, leaving little left of the retirement lump-sum. They were very taken with my Globecar and completely re-thinking their ideas.

The damage that they had sustained to their soft aluminium skinned panels was going to take specialist repairs, maybe lengthy and costly. My PVC would probably have shrugged it off, and even if damaged any competent bodyshop could probably have repaired it in a few days. I've come across a similarly constructed van in Italy that had been caught out in a hailstorm, hail the size of golfballs or bigger. Actually it looked like a golfball. Total write-off, the new owners bought it at auction for a pittance, they weren't bothered by the cosmetics, though it did attract comments.

Sorry if this sounds like doom and gloom, just trying to give you some things to consider before going big. Do enjoy whatever you decide on.

Good post sharpie.

The 7m and larger vans may look better (Thats a matter of opinion). But I simply don't see the point of driving anything larger than what I have either.
If you can get all you need into a smaller van, that's seems logical to me.
But thats simply my opinion, others will think otherwise, hence the massive choices out there.
 
Hi all,
I’m after a bit of help/ information.
We have owned our current Motorhome for about five years, it’s proved to be great, but a bit tight when our daughter and son in law stay with us
Although it’s 5.8m long, the beds are above cab, tight headroom, and rear lounge converts to bed.
We will shortly be in a position to buy a new, or newer motorhome, and know the layout we want, fixed rear bed, and either a drop down bed over the front,,,,A Class, or a BIG above cab bed, and preferably a bed in the front lounge,,,,this probably means a long motorhome.
Issue is,,,,,, how do people cope with the longer Motorhomes, we rarely if ever stop on sites, preferring to Wild camp, or stop in pub car parks,
We manage with the 5.8m long rig, even though we stick out a bit, but wonder how the likes of the 7m rigs or bigger manage.
Are they a big problem in car parks, unwelcome in pubs or does your trips away require planning in advance,
Would welcome your knowledge and findings on living with these bigger motorhomes, just so we can decide on a size
Many thanks......
Hi Bobtaylor,
we have a 7mt motorhome and we have done 2 pub stops with no problems, but dont use motorhome much. carparks can be a problem as any or most motorhomes are bigger than a car. there are lot of places around. we find our larger motorhome is better for us, there is only 2 of us but that is what we prefer, and is handy if you family want to join you now and again. happy hunting enjoy. Rita
 
Hi, ours is 7.2 Metre and up to now not had a problem parking . Like others say ,another 2meters added not really a problem especially when Wilding. We also manage to get in towns, villages , there is normally somewhere to get in ,even if we have to have the rear overhanging a bit over verges etc. For us , better to have the space and comfort rather than be cramped for the sake of not being able to park in every spot! Rear bed set up full time for us too is the way to go 👍
Hi Harley, Yes agree with you ours is 7 metre, and we have not had a problem either. Rita
 
I'd be reluctant to have anything longer or wider than my 5.99 meter panel van (Globecar Globescout.)

It can still be tight negotiating car parks designed for cars. Even if you can squeeze in, if people then park both sides of you getting out again can either be impossible, or require lots of forward and backward shuffling, anxious mirror checks etc. Using two spaces fore and aft doesn't alter that. Seen plenty of big vans (often of a certain nationality) selfishly taking four spaces, straddling the dividing line to try to avoid this.

<snip>

Have looked at similar size low profiles, but they are mostly all wider, on a shorter wheelbase chassis so a large rear overhang to wag out, garage behind the rear axle so weight in the wrong place and loads up the rear axle by more than the actual mass in the garage (lever effect), whilst unloading the front axle so compromising braking and steering. <snip>
Not sure that selfishness or nationality has much to do with parking strategies in car parks - more a case of prudence if the car park has been designed with narrow alleys and there are no suitable pairs of end spaces available.
A shorter wheelbase with rear overhang may offer parking options that are not available to a similar length vehicle with a long wheelbase and no overhang (see photo), but yes, weight distribution can be an issue
, so very much swings and roundabouts
.
WP_20180412_11_35_19_Pro.jpg
 
Not sure that selfishness or nationality has much to do with parking strategies in car parks - more a case of prudence if the car park has been designed with narrow alleys and there are no suitable pairs of end spaces available.

Disagree. Supermarket car parks are designed for cars. Being able to park a big van in one is a bonus not to be abused.

In one case I was driving around looking for a place, all taken, it was full. A chap waved me over, turned out he was the manager, and explained where there was good free street parking about 100 yards away. Then we got chatting, seems that van had turned up that morning, taken up four places, then the occupants strolled into the very picturesque town for the day, never been into the supermarket. He'd checked the CCTV. Meanwhile it was peak time, that van was taking up four spaces that otherwise would have been filled by genuine customers, each taking less than an hour to do their big shops that day. So far he reckoned he'd lost at least 16 genuine customers, maybe £2000, because they couldn't park, so would have gone to the other supermarket just down the road.

He expected that it would still be there overnight, or even the next day too, no custom from the occupants. Was a regular occurrence, sometimes a whole gang of them. Planning to put in a height barrier, also 2 hour maximum parking. Sympathetic to me once he had seen my nationality on the number plate.

Also seen elsewhere, usually the same nationality.
 
All depends on driver, I can park my 7.2 mt. van in a single parking space without taking too much more than your average car. I would NEVER take up 2 spaces let alone 4 spaces in a car park,super market park. If you can’t park correctly then you should not be driving it..
 
All depends on driver, I can park my 7.2 mt. van in a single parking space without taking too much more than your average car. I would NEVER take up 2 spaces let alone 4 spaces in a car park,super market park. If you can’t park correctly then you should not be driving it..
It's not just a question of parking correctly, it's also a case of being able to get out of a parking space when others have parked around you and there is insufficient room to turn as you emerge from the space.
 
It's not just a question of parking correctly, it's also a case of being able to get out of a parking space when others have parked around you and there is insufficient room to turn as you emerge from the space.
Correct. So if in doubt don't do it and find somewhere else.

We are not entitled to drive things in spaces that were never designed for them, you have to use some common sense and avoid getting into situations that you may not be able to get out of. Not the fault of the cars that park alongside you, it's entirely your responsibility to think it through. And avoid inconveniencing others. Never mind selfishly abusing things with the four space straddling the middle tactic that seems to be customary with some.

My local dump (sorry, recycling centre) was "upgraded" a few years ago, they put in a chicane to prevent vans from being able to access. Very snotty jobsworth official stopped me, I just wanted to unload some bags of garden waste. I got a grilling, was I local (had seen this coming, showed council tax bill). Looked like a van, as if, its a motor caravan, registered just the same as a car, not a commercial nevermind LGV van. How heavy was it ? 3.3 tonnes. </= 3.5. Just like a car. Didn't believe me so showed him the plate and the V5. .Got a sneery comment that 120 HP was pitiful. for such a thing (idiot). Politely asked him if I could back up through the exit to avoid the chicane. Total refusal. So I took the chicane with him running after me yelling, and got through with inches to spare, was very confident it would fit, and dumped my stuff. Then attempted to get his name to report him to the council, he walked away. The other workers sympathised. Not had that problem since, nor seen the the jobsworth again.

Point being that my panel van was agile enough to just negotiate a chicane that had been specifically engineered to defeat it and damage the tyres in the attempt, whoever designed it must have had psychopathic tendencies. Not sure any other make of 6m van could have got through. That's why I like my PVC, it's got me through, into and out of places that I'm not sure anything else of similar size could have managed.

But it still has its limitations. So I have to think carefully every time. It is still a big long heavy truck, not a car.
 
When it’s time to get a HUGE supermarket resupply I tend to either get it very late at night or Very early in the morning during the midnight hours if I’m covering distance OR on my way too or from a park up. I have also asked permission to have it delivered at one of my overnight ‘Site Pit Stops’ that’s Around every 5 weeks or so.
Easy really!.
 
I was in Kelso last week parked up in the carpark next to the garden centre.
A 7.5m van turned up and parked in a bay with the van sticking out blocking the passing place in the carpark. They headed of for about an hour, then came back with some shopping. I watched two locals commenting on the van, pointing towards it, they came back and drove off completely unaware of the annoyance they had caused, and they gave us all a bad name. Our 5.99m van just about fitted in a parking space, we were sticking out about 18 inches but not blocking the passing space. There is no way this van should have been in this carpark, it was simply to large.
 

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