What should our next MH be

[barryd]

Hi all

Currently we have a 1996 Swift Kontiki 640 purchased privately in May 08 for £16250. Done 13000 miles since then in it including a recent 3 month trip of Europe. We may full time (or part time) next year. Still only got 46000 on the clock.

We were lucky as we have been very happy with this model and there is nothing about it we don’t like apart from its Age and the fact that if we do full/part time it will probably need replacing in the not too distant future.

Question is with what and when. Should we get a couple more years out of it first as the depreciation wont be too bad or should we change now before we embark on our next big adventure?

The definite requirements would be as follows

Big U shaped rear lounge like the Kontiki and large windows at the back
Enough payload to take 100cc scooter with a bit to spare (on the limit at the moment at the back)
Forward dinette
C Class / Luton with good size over cab (storage mainly)
Reliable and powerful engine (currently on Peugeot 2.5tdi Boxer which is ok but struggles sometimes on long uphill drags)
Full cooker and Fridge Freezer

From my basic research I think the Kontiki 645 with the 4000KG base and 3ltr 160hp engine is the obvious choice but I am open to suggestions. I certainly dont want anything smaller and would consider bigger such as TAG Axle type van but not an RV.

Budget £30K-£45K Would rather get an older van that is more of a quality and reliable build than a newer one that looks nice but will fall to bits.

Even if we wait a year or two its probably worth starting the research now as it took me ages to decide on the 640 Kontiki and then even longer to find the right one!

Cheers
Barry

 

[coventrycraig]

We have a kontiki like yours - a 1996 with the U shape lounge. Have you enjoyed yours, we have had ours just over a year and have really enjoyed it.

Sometimes we could do with a bit more room and if you have the money, some of the newer kontikis look great.

How about one of them hobby motorhomes? just a thought!

all the best

Craig

 

[Telstar]

whatever you choose, check the weights. I don't know what the new vans are like but some of those tag axles and a-classes didn't have much weight carrying capacity.

Here's a thought though. Where I used to store a c*****n there was a guy who spent every winter in Portugal and the summer here. When I got rid of the c*****n he had just changed his little bambi (all of 1000cc) for a transit hightop. He said that he took one pair of socks with him, to drive down south then he never needed them again. Makes you think, do you really need everything that we carry. If he could manage for 6 over winter in a bambi why do we need such large vans.

Jon

 

[barryd]

Cheers Chaps

Yes we have loved the Kontiki and to be honest from other posts on the other MH sites Im starting to wonder if we should just hang on to it for a couple of years.

dont want an A Class as we love having the back lounge and separate forwar d dinette. Its great if you get parked near the sea or a river or a view point as you back it right up and can see straight out of the huge back or rear windows (you also less likely to overlooked on a crowed aire as everyone else is the other way around). Not really fussed about a large garage as ours although low stores loads of stuff and there is tons of storage space in the van including the Luton.

I thought the whole point of a tag / double Axle is that they had more payload? Whats the point in dragging 2 extra wheels around if they dont give you more payload.

Barry

 

[maingate]

Cheers Chaps

Yes we have loved the Kontiki and to be honest from other posts on the other MH sites Im starting to wonder if we should just hang on to it for a couple of years.

dont want an A Class as we love having the back lounge and separate forwar d dinette. Its great if you get parked near the sea or a river or a view point as you back it right up and can see straight out of the huge back or rear windows (you also less likely to overlooked on a crowed aire as everyone else is the other way around). Not really fussed about a large garage as ours although low stores loads of stuff and there is tons of storage space in the van including the Luton.

I thought the whole point of a tag / double Axle is that they had more payload? Whats the point in dragging 2 extra wheels around if they dont give you more payload.

Barry

Burstner 747 tag axle has 775kg payload

 

[barryd]

Good payload, even a bit more than our Kontiki. No rear lounge though. I think it was a good idea to start looking now even if we keep ours for a while as finding the right van is not going to be easy!

Thanks though for the tip