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I'm looking to buy my first MH in the next few months, intending to do a couple of trips of maybe one-two months each over the winter to Spain/France/Italy. I'll mostly be on my own, though my partner may join me at some stage for a few days.
So, I need a MH that's very comfortable for a fairly fit, tall, fifty-ish male, and OK for limited periods for two. If I like the lifestyle I intend to go fulltiming for at least a year from summer 2009, all over southern Europe. My budget for buying the MH will be about 20K, maybe a bit more for something just right.
What features should I look out for when purchasing with fulltiming in mind, doing quite a lot of wildcamping? I'm thinking of things like water capacity, gas system, winterised or not, heating/cooling, cooking facilities. I do like my home comforts and I would rather drive a bit bigger MH than risk feeling exceedingly cramped, though I do understand that as far as accessing out-of-the-way spots is concerned, the smaller the better.
Any tips?
______________________________________________________________ Doc
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Build a man a fire and you keep him warm for a day.
Set him on fire and you keep him warm for the rest of his life.
The following members of MHF thanked DocHoliday for this posting
well, Brian was a bit hard on you, Doc . But you have to do all the trying out of sizes & layouts and see what fits with you. Do loads of delaers if possible, and try the remaining outdoor shows. If I wanted to full time, I would really need a fixed bed, either in a coachbult, or an A class.
______________________________________________________________ Still sat at my desk, not at the wheel of the motorhome
The following members of MHF thanked bognormike for this posting
Do you intend to keep a base somewhere or will all your worldly goods be with you in the van ?
Storage, storage and more storage....
Are you happy to make up a bed each night or would you prefer a permanent bed. Three ways of achieving this; a proper permanent bed in the back - but this takes up space, an overcab bed , but you or your partner might find it claustrophobic or hard to get into or 2 single long bench type seats which can be made into a huge double. These have to be made up each night but there are quick fixes for that.
Do you cook a lot ? Do you want an oven / microwave / freezer ?
Someone will be along to talk about solar panels, extra batteries, generators etc etc soon I'm sure.
G
The following members of MHF thanked Grizzly for this posting
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I'm looking to buy my first MH in the next few months, intending to do a couple of trips of maybe one-two months each over the winter to Spain/France/Italy. I'll mostly be on my own, though my partner may join me at some stage for a few days.
So, I need a MH that's very comfortable for a fairly fit, tall, fifty-ish male, and OK for limited periods for two. If I like the lifestyle I intend to go fulltiming for at least a year from summer 2009, all over southern Europe. My budget for buying the MH will be about 20K, maybe a bit more for something just right.
What features should I look out for when purchasing with fulltiming in mind, doing quite a lot of wildcamping? I'm thinking of things like water capacity, gas system, winterised or not, heating/cooling, cooking facilities. I do like my home comforts and I would rather drive a bit bigger MH than risk feeling exceedingly cramped, though I do understand that as far as accessing out-of-the-way spots is concerned, the smaller the better.
Any tips?
Hi Doc and welcome.
A good place to start might be by working your way through the posts in this General Fulltiming Chat forum.
Some of them may not be relevant but others may well answer some of your queries, at least in part.
Rather than a list, you will probably find more success in taking one query at a time in a post to allow answers to concentrate in one place.
I'm looking for a house - can you advise me ? How long is a piece of string ?
I think my query was a little more targeted than that. I live in a house, and I would try to help you with what I know to be the pros and cons of various house features. I've never used a proper MH let alone lived in one.
For example:
I have no idea how much water one person might consume whilst wildcamping, so it would be useful to know how big other people's water tanks are - I don't want to have to be filling up with water every day.
I've seen adverts for the Gaslow system - is it really worth the expense?
Do MHs get unbearably hot in summer or horribly cold in winter?
I'm sure there are many other considerations for fulltiming that I won't have thought of, and that's why I'm asking you guys who have lots of experience.
______________________________________________________________ Doc
-------------------------------------------------------
Build a man a fire and you keep him warm for a day.
Set him on fire and you keep him warm for the rest of his life.
The following members of MHF thanked DocHoliday for this posting
Welcome to the club Doc, and I'm sure you will not be disappointed as we are a pretty friendly and helpful bunch.
In your case however Bognormike and the others are quite correct. There are so many variables, and each one is so personal, so there simply are no short cuts to the right decision.
You will have to do a lot of research, visit loads of shows, talk to every motorhomer you can pin down . . . . and if you are like the rest of us there is still no guarantee you will get it right first time.
We didn't, but our second van is a definite improvement.
If I wanted to full time, I would really need a fixed bed, either in a coachbult, or an A class.
Thanks, Mike, I was thinking that. I guess an overcab would be OK (but no easy way I can think of to test that out in a real, get-fast-asleep-get-up-in-the-night situation!). A fixed bed at the back over a garage would be better, but it takes up so much space. I would want somewhere separate to lounge/watch TV etc.
Anyway, folks thanks for the tips so far, keep 'em coming.
Gillian, I have read a lot of the forum, but I'll keep digging
And errrr .... just how big are your water tanks, or is that a closely guarded secret?
______________________________________________________________ Doc
-------------------------------------------------------
Build a man a fire and you keep him warm for a day.
Set him on fire and you keep him warm for the rest of his life.
The following members of MHF thanked DocHoliday for this posting
Thanks, Mike, I was thinking that. I guess an overcab would be OK (but no easy way I can think of to test that out in a real, get-fast-asleep-get-up-in-the-night situation!).
You could hire a M/H for a week or so, and get in a good supply of beer to ensure the right conditions for testing.
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. But you have to do all the trying out of sizes & layouts and see what fits with you. Do loads of delaers if possible, and try the remaining outdoor shows. If I wanted to full time, I would really need a fixed bed, either in a coachbult, or an A class.
I think my query was a little more targeted than that. I live in a house, and I would try to help you with what I know to be the pros and cons of various house features. I've never used a proper MH let alone lived in one.
