[Dibbles1]

HermanHymer: I hope this new adventure is bringing some long-forgotten anticipation and pleasure into your lives. Lord knows, you deserve it!

Hi Viv

Thank you

Wow! I'm so impressed, lucky girl :wink: I totally understand that getting under your skin.

I got Al to go out in the little Hymer today and he was fine, he said it felt a little weird, the width aspect. But I think he surprised himself. Which was lovely to see.

He was amazed at the turning circle. Suedew mentioned they were surprisingly good for that.

Debs

 

[Dibbles1]

nicholsong: slowly slowly catchy monkey

Hi Geoff :wink:

lol I know, I got a bit carried away.

Have definitely come to my senses today you'll be pleased to know.

Going to look more, wait and catch that monkey

Debs

 

[Dibbles1]

zebedee We are going to look at trikes on Monday . . . . .

Yes!!! You're right. I'm going to wait and 'catch that monkey' and we're definitely going to go to the Malvern show.

Will not be parting with my dosh for quite a while now.

Ooh what Trike are you looking at?

I was building one, still have it in the garage, couldn't bear to part with it. Rigid though so I couldn't even go on the back of it if Al finished it. Still, it's staying there!:lol: :lol:

Debs

 

[Mike48]

Mike48: I'm afraid I haven't read all pages of this thread so apologies if this has been mentioned before.

No worries Mike

I was starting to wonder about the axle limits just this very minute. Trying to take it all in and understand something that's a home on four wheels!:lol:

If it says it has a Garage weight limit of 250kg will that cover it? Or is there still a need for checking it, knowing that big business is apt to fib just a bit

Debs

While the garage might be able to theoretically accommodate a weight limit of 250kgs no account is taken of the effect such a weight would have on the rear axle limit when other things you carry elsewhere in the van are taken into account. Thus, if you loaded the garage with 250kgs and had a towbar and rear rack for example weighing 60kgs plus food, clothes etc stored elsewhere in the van, the loading on the rear axle might exceed the maximum permitted axle weight of the donor vehicle.

A manufacturers brochure should show the unladen axle weights and maximum permitted axle weights and overall weights as an approximate guide and do your calculations from there. This information can probably be found online.

 

[Dibbles1]

While the garage might be able to theoretically accommodate a weight limit of 250kgs no account is taken of the effect such a weight would have on the rear axle limit

Thanks Mike

That explains it all perfectly. I was looking for individual axle weight information just now on the Pilote website but couldn't find it.

Probably there, staring me in the face

 

[bigbazza]

Welcome Debs and Al, only just spotted this.
With regards to Al driving the M/H he should have no problems if he takes his time at first, obviously the rear wheels cut in when turning due to the length of the track between front and back.
He will pick this up very quickly, what you also have to watch out for is the overhang over the back axle. This is increased when constructing the motorhome and the outcome of this is that when your turn left the rear right side swings out a bit and obviously left when turning right. This is only a problem on narrow drives etc which are walled (like mine). this has caught a few people out but once you are aware of this you quickly adjust accordingly.

Welcome again and happy hunting

 

[Zebedee]

what you also have to watch out for is the overhang over the back axle.

Jokingly called the granny basher!

Baz is right - something definitely to be aware of. Nearly caught me at a filling station when I first started. You pull in close to the pumps, then swing away from them as you leave, and if you turn too sharply you sideswipe them.

Customs or check-in huts at channel ports and pay booths on toll roads are other places to watch . . . if you haven't already swatted them with your door mirror on the way in. (Yes - that is a confession - but fortunately not very hard so it only scratched the mirror housing a bit!)

Dave

 

[Dibbles1]

Welcome Debs and Al, only just spotted this.
With regards to Al driving the M/H he should have no problems if he takes his time at first

Thanks Barry

He's much more reassured from all your help

He drove a little Hymer exsis today and loved it.

You had to be quite experienced then to cope with those walls!

We're actually enjoying the search now, like a roller coaster, and you have to remember you can get off and take a break

It is so nice to have everyone on here's experience for us to turn to when stuck.

Debs

 

[Dibbles1]

Jokingly called the granny basher!

Lawd Dave

now you've cracked me up!

I've cartoon visions in my head of a trail of destruction and flying grannies behind us as we drive on oblivious! Debs

 

[Mike48]

While the garage might be able to theoretically accommodate a weight limit of 250kgs no account is taken of the effect such a weight would have on the rear axle limit

Thanks Mike

That explains it all perfectly. I was looking for individual axle weight information just now on the Pilote website but couldn't find it.

Probably there, staring me in the face

Maximum weight and unladen weight can be found on a pdf from this page here:

http://www.pilote.fr/en/index.php?page=campingcar&id_camping_car=129

As you have found individual axle weights are not shown from my cursory glance.

As I suspected in my earlier post the payload (by subtracting one from the other) is not great and as low as around 250kgs in total and not just the garage. Th data does not explain how the weights have been calculated - do they include the weight of a passenger, water and fuel etc for example.

Good hunting and good luck. Don't let this put you off as you will get there in the end. But you must get you dealer to establish the facts before you buy.

 

[JaneW]

Have you looked at WildAx, Elland, West Yorkshire? They make panel conversions and have brought out a model called the Callista, specifically for disabled use,which can be adapted to individual requirements. I'm sure it included locking points for a powered wheelchair. Also with possible VAT exemption to bring the cost down.

I was impressed and we found the company good to deal with ourselves.

Good luck with your search!

 

[suedew]

what you also have to watch out for is the overhang over the back axle.

Jokingly called the granny basher!

Baz is right - something definitely to be aware of. Nearly caught me at a filling station when I first started. You pull in close to the pumps, then swing away from them as you leave, and if you turn too sharply you sideswipe them.

Customs or check-in huts at channel ports and pay booths on toll roads are other places to watch . . . if you haven't already swatted them with your door mirror on the way in. (Yes - that is a confession - but fortunately not very hard so it only scratched the mirror housing a bit!)

Dave

Those little low down metal posts for holding barriers are also a danger almost completely removed our back bumper in Italy last year
John couldn't say much he pulled part of it off the first time we went abroad in it.
Best accessory in the van, matching gaffer tape :lol: :lol:

Sue

Edit, just read JanetW's post Wildax team good to talk with and there vans look good too.

 

[Dibbles1]

While the garage might be able to theoretically accommodate a weight limit of 250kgs no account is taken

Thanks Mike

I'm sure we'll find it all out somehow.

We've decided to buy a secondhand one with a bigger payload and axle weight/tolerance.

Thanks to all the good advice we've had.

I couldn't find any secondhand one's other than dealers at first. Browsed the www today and found they're out there.

So will take Geoff's advice and wait for the right one.

Debs

 

[Dibbles1]

Have you looked at WildAx, Elland, West Yorkshire? They make panel conversions and have brought out a model called the Callista

Hi Jane

Thanks. Nope! Hadn't found those yet. I'm going to have a mooch round the website now.

We're going to wait and get a secondhand one now, it'll allow us to get something more suitable, have one of those american coachlift seats put in etc..

Oh and save a lot of money (^_~)

We're beginning to understand it all more now.

Off to look at WildAx

Debs

 

[Dibbles1]

Those little low down metal posts for holding barriers are also a danger
Best accessory in the van, matching gaffer tape :lol: :lol:

Thanks Sue

I have plenty of gaffer tape. :lol: Pretty sure we're gonna need it.

Debs

 

[LucyCaitlynW]

Hi Dibbles,
I'm a relative newbie to site & MH but welcome
I did absolutely everything wrong when I bought my MH
I got it on a whim, on ebay Well not strictly whim
6 years before was planning with partner to buy one.
Sadly he died and I gave up on that & many ideas.
6 years on increasing disability forced me to sell my 3 bed
home for 1 bed ground floor flat.
Some money in my pocket, desperate for change of scenery
I bought my MH, a Golden Eagle on Ford base. I'd driven estate cars but this is 21' long
As others have said, it really is amazing how quickly you adapt
to it.
I was very lucky, it is automatic (vital as I have a habit of breaking wrist when changing gear), power steering and has an extra large back door.
Up until now I've taken scooter on board (4 trips) am now
looking at a "lift" as I need to use my power wheelchair.
I can't stand more than few mins so use a "shower stool" in
kitchen area. Lash it to cupboards when driving
Agree too with extra large mirror, mine has small mirror under,
I use this to check nothing has come loose during journey.
Go for it and enjoy

Lucy

 

[LucyCaitlynW]

PS
Moreton in Dorset has a super Caravan & Camping Club site, low season it's practically empty.
Hot showers :lol: bliss
Train noise but I quickly got used to it Also means I can get train (assistance from train guard with ramp) to different places.

Lucy