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Hi to all, just joined hoping to get lots of info in relation to MHing in your country. We have a caravan here in Australia and usually are travelling around with that behind the trusty Toyota, we have both been retired for 10+ years, 63 and 62 years old, but looking forward to heading to U.K & Europe for a change of scenery. We "free" camp here in Oz majority of the time so hoping to do the same over there.
We are planning to be in U.K. sometime in March 2012 and purchase a MH and travel around for a year or so. I have been checking out various sites and am thinking about a Fiat Ducato, 2007-2009 model with rear "U" shape lounge area, approx. 23ft, with double bed over cab.
I am looking for some advice and wondering which is the better way to go, Right Hand drive or Left Hand drive, Right or Left habitat door! Originally I found Insurance was going to be a big problem, but we seem to have overcome that.
Looking forward to hearing from experienced MHers as to some helpful information and also to meeting many of you as we travel around.
Regards Neil & Fran
possibly you might find various coachbuilds interesting,
should be somewhat winter-capable , when staying a year in
europe.
LH-steered vehicles as Eura/Dethleffs/TEC/LMC are possible candidates.
regards
Jan
______________________________________________________________ riding an "old camel" made by Rimor
The van layout you describe is a very british layout, Swift/Autotrail/Bessacar/Eldiss and several other british makes, so that would probably mean the habitation door on the left and a right hand drive.
The majority of continental vans Burstner/Hymer/Chausson/Rapido etc have a front seating/dining area with bed at the rear. They could be left or right hand drive as lots are imported into the uk. However the habitation door would still be on the right.
It is purely personal choice and probably depends on where you intend to spend most time during your year, in uk or the rest of europe.
I don't think "Free" camping is quite so available either here or in europe but no doubt someone will be along to correct me
Whatever van you decide on hope you enjoy your year of travel.
hya sorry i have just registered with this site today have tried to go on to introduce us but can't seem to get any where do you have to subscribe to do this. how did you get your message on?
we bought our van last year "lotte" have not had a proper holiday in her yet just weekends cannot wait for some quality time in her
Hi welcome to the Motorhome facts and your plans to travel UK and Europe in a Motorcaravan. You have already been given good advice on type of M/home so will not add anyother info - But Free Camping is not as easy as Australia would advise joining either Caravan Club or Camping and Caravan Club and tale advantage of thier CL's or CS's small 5 pitch sites which avarage £10 per night, they located thoughout the country. On the Continent France has it's Aires and Germany Stala Plates which located in or near towns and are free or cost a nominal fee Best of Luck
Welcome. Where do you live? Although I only know Sydney, Melbourne and Castlemaine/Bendigo
Re Choice of MH
LHD/RHD? Since you are touring UK and France I think it matters not much. I live in Poland with a RHD MH and find it no problem. Remember you will not be overtaking very much since you have a year! I would fit 'parabolic' mirrors in addition to the standard ones - very useful anyway and especially when on the 'wrong' side of the road.
WINTER For even the S. of France, I would suggest you look for a fully-winterised MH, i.e. this really means one with a double-floor, which houses the tanks and pipe-work, which is heated. These are almost exclusively Continental, not UK, so layouts may not suit.
LAYOUT Your stated preference is 'U'-shaped lounge. As said above, this really confines you to UK-made, as it is not common among Continental models. Aft lounge will rule out a 'Garage' and while you may not wish to carry a scooter or bikes, they can be invaluable for storage for long-term touring - you need summer and winter clothing!
So already you have first compromise: fully-winterised or rear lounge?
DOUBLE BED If you are considering a layout which means the overcab bed is your main bed, I recommend that you look at 'A' Class vehicles rather than 'C' Class, because the width of the bed is not restricted by the width of the original van cab.
These suggestions would steer you towards a Continental 'A' Class, which pushes you up a notch on the price, but if you are only looking at the depreciation over one year that may not make much difference in cost and a lot more comfort and better quality.
You did not mention how long you have in Europe to look for the MH and whether you are confined to UK - there are good prices to be had in Belgium/Germany.
You did not mention budget, so some of my ideas may be too expensive. If you have time, buy privately, but certainly sell privately.
Hope this helps. Any further Qs ask here or PM (Personal Message) to me.
Good Luck.
Geoff
Re: Aussies looking forward to MHing in UK & Europe
Originally I found Insurance was going to be a big problem, but we seem to have overcome that.
Hello and welcome........
If you really have solved the insurance problem can you pass the answer on please. I have had trouble even arranging insurance for an exchange with Oz and NZ licence holders so a solution would be welcomed.
______________________________________________________________ Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
Yes wild camping in Oz is very easy loads of space loads of sun etc.... over here there are plenty of "jobs worth people" saying you cant do that!!! on the contenent its much more simple to come and go when you feel like it...... very similar to camping in south africe... again loads of space
My view is, it dose not matter a jot if its left or right hand drive or the hab door which side its on it matters not to me..... I have a right hand drive van at this time with the hab door on the right.... its german made and all they have done is to put the driving wheel on the right and the rest of the build is left for the normal german market... the van i have is indeed and bed over the cockpit and a rear "U" shaped lounge..... realy it was for when guests come with us, there is rear lounge converts into a double bed.... only been to Sydney and up to Brisbain so far....
Hi to all,
We are also living down under and plan to go to Europe in May or June and buy a motorhome for 2-3 years. We thought of buying a right hand drive in the UK and ship the vehicle back to Australia after our travel but it seems the motorhomes we consider ( Hymer and Detleffs) have the habitation door all on the right side which makes it impossible to have the vehicle licensed in Australia. ( ref our newcomers introduction)
So its back to the planning stage and a left hand drive purchased in Germany, unless I find a Hymer Lionheart somewhere in the UK
Rudi
(Very quickly, so that we do not go 'off topic' and get slapped by the Moderators)
I have RHD, which Poland will not re-register, because 'unsafe', despite 100s of Polish LHD on UK roads every day. EU pursuing Poland!
BUT position of habitation door? Is that only for 'A' Class with no cab doors? Even then, surely in Aus there is enough space to pull off 1/2m. to open door?
If long answer Mods will (quite rightly) expect us to go to a separate topic.
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hya sorry i have just registered with this site today have tried to go on to introduce us but can't seem to get any where do you have to subscribe to do this. how did you get your message on?
