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Zaskar said:
Eventually, when we can afford to overwinter in Spain, we intend to downsize to a European rig, but one thing is certain. It HAS to be an A class, there's no way I'm going back to an overcab bed.
Hi Zaskar,
I am interested in why you would downsize from an RV for a long trip to Spain?
We have been overwintering in Southern Europe for the last 2 years but have now gone for an RV to give more room, have I got it all wrong?
I am interested in why you would downsize from an RV for a long trip to Spain?
We have been overwintering in Southern Europe for the last 2 years but have now gone for an RV to give more room, have I got it all wrong?
Keith H
Good morning Keith.
Sorry for lateness of reply but my computer access is limited to work at the mo'.
Basically, like most things in life, and especially 'vanning, there's no absolute right or wrong. It's what suit YOU.
ffiona & I have fulltimed in RV's for nearly seven years now and we absolutely LOVE them. For fulltiming in the UK, I'm firmly convinced that NOTHING comes close as far as space/comfort/warmth and storage.
However, over the past 7 years, we've flown out to Sertorium (near Benidorm) a couple of times per year to stay for long weekends with my folks who overwinter in a twin axle caravan. One thing we've noticed is how much time is spent outside in a deckchair. We came to the conclusion that WE wouldn't need such a huge bus when generally speaking, the whole point of overwintering in Spain is for the better weather and consequently, you're not trapped indoors so much and dont really need so much space. This, obviously, depends a great deal on the layout of your 'van.
e.g A mate of my Dads flew out for the w/e to stay with him. Saw the life, thought this'll do for me and came back and instantly bought a new 'van and went back. Trouble is, he didn't research properly. He bought ( I think) a CI Carriosa? which had nothing more than a dinning area. Consequently, he spent 7 months sat upright in the 'van with no slob out area at all. It was all sacrificed for the permanent rear bed which in a van THAT small is too much IMHO. It's OK if your gonna tour a lot, but when your gonna spend 6 months in one place you want a decent couch.
Sounds like a contradiction doesn't it. Fact is, if you've been there, you'll know that although the days are warm, the nights draw in quite quickly and can get VERY cold so you need some decent slob out room.
Our ideal would be a European A class with drop down bed, ie. Dethleffs, Rapido, Euromobile etc (dont get me started on Hymers! ).
We'd like one with a rear lounge, that way you get plenty of slob out space and also have the benefit of a large drop down bed without the hassle (and believe me after 6 months it is hassle) of shifting cushions EVERY night.
We see at least 4 or 5 RV's every time we go and I can't deny that I'd love to take ours, just once, just for the fun of it. But, long term and considering the not insignificant running costs of RV's, I recon that a Euro A class would be the best bet for US. You may feel completely different and who's to say your wrong? Certainly not me!
edit = ps.
ps. Before you bought the RV, what van/layout did you have for overwintering?
Once we have bought our RV and toured the USA we will return to tour the UK and Europe.
Now having visited and stayed in Spain for 7 months I know one of the biggest problems we will face is finding sites with pitches and access large enough to accommodate an RV.
When we went to Spain it was at the beginning of Dec and we to thought we would be outside in the sun socialising however when it rains in Spain it really rains, also the nights soon get dark and very cold, we even had snow in Jan.
Our twin-axle caravan with large awning and annex soon shrunk in side hence the need for us to buy a 3 or 4 slide-out RV to maximise our living space.
If you can suggest any Spanish sites that can accomodate RV's I would be very greatful
Thanks to Zaskar & Micknpat for replies.
I haven't looked at some of my early messages so sorry for the delay in replying.
Zaskar, I know we are all different but I just wanted to hear other points of view. Yours are very interesting & I can see your reason for doing it your way.
Our fist 2 winters spent in our last van in the South taught us a lot and we even considered changing to a large caravan, mainly for the convenience of having a vehicle - we miss not having a car! So Chris Cox here we come to get the A frame fitted.
We also met people returning after the winter with very different ideas of what constitutes the 'perfect' way to spend time over winter in Spain with many changing their ideas.
We loved our 2 years although making beds does become a bore, especially after a few drinks! So the choice was to try the RV way this year.
Our previous van was a Bessecar 7.5m with the scooter on the back. a rear bathroom, a large kitchen & fridge with separate freezer. The front had two bench seats we made into two single beds, which we had to dismantle each morning except when traveling. A Ducato 2.8 TD completed the rig. We also had a large drive away awning (large enough to get the scooter in) that allowed us to go shopping in the van if needed.
It will be interesting to see how we get on with the RV in this the first year, I will blog so you can see our travels.
Micknpat, there are sites in S. Spain that will take RV's. On our return trip last year we traveled up the Med. coast of Spain with the sole purpose of identifying sites that could take the larger motor home. For instance La Manga has large pitches, & although now booked up for this winter, come March (when we were there) they will have plenty of room as many northern Europeans return home.
I would not have changed the two years we have already done, we learned a lot & now look forward to the next experience.
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UK
).
socialising 
however when it rains 
in Spain it really rains, also the nights soon get dark and very cold, we even had 
snow 
