[Dibbles1]

Hello lovely people.

I've been taking in what everyone said to me the other day, and a BIG THANK YOU for all the advice.

You'll be pleased to know it sunk in... well some of it did (^_~)

I think we understand what we're looking for and what we need right now! Let me know if you think otherwise?

We think we have to go for a 4kg to 4250 chassis, as standard or upgrade for the axle load bearing. A strong garage with 350kg payload and a strong floor. As said in previous posts, a powerchair is gonna knock seven bells out of it.

Al had a little drive in a hymer exsis, the tiddly little one.

He got on fine, and having taken on board what everyone said, has realised he'll be fine with a bigger MH.

So we're now looking for a 6.75m to 7m if possible, up to 7.4 metre integrated MH, either new or secondhand. We had been hoping for 6.75m and narrower, for wild camping BUT realise it'll probably have to be the 7m or 7.4m and wider. Whatever does the job and pops up at the right price.

We've come to the conclusion it'll have to be twin beds for the big garage. We'll have to have handles fitted to loo and a seat fitted in the shower.

Can anyone recommend any models new or secondhand that were made that might cover this? OR a brand that is more likely to be able to cover it?

Thank you {{{Hugs}}} in advance.

Debs

 

[Sandy_Saunders]

Hi Debs

Burstner do a number of models whose layout will fit your spec. But I'm not sure about the 350kg payload in the garage. Worth having a look at <<their website>> for some ideas.

We have a small garage on our van (details at left) and this carries an electric scooter and a wheelchair with no problem.

Sandy

 

[Dibbles1]

Thanks Sandy

Pootles along to have a look ...... I'll send them an email to find out.

Debs :wink:

 

[Dibbles1]

Hi Debs
Burstner: We have a small garage on our van (details at left) and this carries an electric scooter and a wheelchair with no problem. Sandy

Ooops forgot! How heavy do you think your two chairs might be Sandy?

 

[Sandy_Saunders]

Ooops forgot! How heavy do you think your two chairs might be Sandy?

The scooter is 35 kg, plus we have two batteries which we keep in the cab. Haven't weighed the wheelchair, but about 10-12kg I would guess. We also carry a folding bike for me plus odds and ends in the garage area.

As you will have gathered the big problem with garages is that the weight is made greater by the overhang from the nearest axle. If you want 350kg in a medium sized vehicle, that is a big ask.

Good luck.

Sandy

 

[PaulW2]

I suspect you may need a twin rear wheel axle with a significant payload.

By way of comparison (though the van itself my not be suitable for you) my Hobby has an Iveco twin rear wheel chassis (5.2 ton) and has a 3,700 kg rear axle maximum load. This means that I am able to have a full garage and also carry a 160 kg scooter on a rack suspended off the back without overloading. I would guess in overall terms (with the weight in the garage) this is roughly equivalent to the 350 kg in the garage in your example.

 

[raynipper]

Hi Debs.
Just for info.
My old 2000 Hobby 750 twin axle has a payload of 958kg.

Not sure what the payload on more recent ones is but you might like to consider this make. Later ones will have twins and a garage.

Ray.

 

[PaulW2]

Ray, mine had a similar initial payload - I think about 1,100 kg. So at least some Hobby vans have a sufficient payload and rear axle load...

 

[Dibbles1]

The scooter is 35 kg, plus we have two batteries which we keep in the cab. Haven't weighed the wheelchair, but about 10-12kg

My wheelchair is about 110kg and the buggy is use for offroad is about 60kg. I shouldn't think much else would go in there, cable reel and stuff like that is all.

I'm hoping to take them both, but as someone said, I might have to buy a smaller one for when we go away in the MH and take that and the buggy.

Wondering if 250kg would cover it now.

buggy and this one wheelchair

Debs

 

[Dibbles1]

I suspect you may need a twin rear wheel axle with a significant payload.

I have looked at some Hobby vans 750 twin rear axle on the www but the ones I saw didn't have a garage.

I'll look round a bit more for one.

Debs

 

[Dibbles1]

Thanks Ray and Paul

I did like the look of the Hobby 750's too.

Will have to find the ones with the garage to look into.

Debs

 

[PaulW2]

Debbie, on a point of detail, mine is a Sphinx and does have a garage.

They are quite big beasts (and there aren't that many around) but if you were to consider a Sphinx you may want to look at the ones that are a bit different from mine: mine has a large garage door on the one side and a small access hatch into the garage on the other. There are subtly different layouts with large garage doors on both sides which may make things a little easier with your wheelchair/scooter combo.

 

[rosalan]

Hi

I have a Dethleffs T6751 with a large garage. Mine was re-plated to 3.8 giving me in excess of 600kgs.
It gives 35mpg and Pullingers (Halstead) have another one for around £35,000 on an 07 plate.
It may not begin to interest you but could be a start.
The van is really a two berth and with a high fixed rear bed that goes over the garage.

Alan

 

[Dibbles1]

Debbie, on a point of detail, mine is a Sphinx and does have a garage.

Thanks Paul

I Just looked up a few on the www. Didn't notice how long they were when I was initially looking. Bit longer than we'd like as newbies. They are nice tho'.

Debs

 

[Sandy_Saunders]

Ooops forgot! How heavy do you think your two chairs might be Sandy?

The scooter is 35 kg, plus we have two batteries which we keep in the cab. Haven't weighed the wheelchair, but about 10-12kg I would guess. We also carry a folding bike for me plus odds and ends in the garage area.

As you will have gathered the big problem with garages is that the weight is made greater by the overhang from the nearest axle. If you want 350kg in a medium sized vehicle, that is a big ask.

Good luck.

Sandy

 

[Dibbles1]

Hi I have a Dethleffs T6751 with a large garage. Mine was re-plated to 3.8 giving me in excess of 600kgs.

Thanks!
Yes, that one would be too hard for me to get into the bed, realised that one the other day when looking. Had been hopeful, but still.

Does your garage have a load rating tho'?

I loved the globebus i4 but the garage only went to 150kg :-(

I'm wondering if others in the different ranges might have a larger payload?

Debs

 

[peter_h]

The Rapido's (966MH- twin/992MH- island/996MH- tranverse/990MHV twin or island ) on the 5t Merc chassis have Garages rated at 300kg and total payload in the 1000kg region.

We had some work done by http://www.rosmia.co.uk/about-rosmia , who are an excellent engineering firm who also specilaise in adapting Motorhomes for wheelchair use.

Regards

Peter

 

[Dibbles1]

The Rapido's (966MH- twin/992MH- island/996MH- tranverse/990MHV twin or island ) on the 5t Merc chassis have Garages rated at 300kg

Brilliant! Thanks Peter

This will help us not to have so many wasted journeys to dealers and to home in on the right sort of vehicles. Find the dealers or private sales too.

I keep forgetting what I'm supposed to be looking for & get distracted by the web :lol:

That's what we're thinking, if we get the right MH with the right layout axle loads, payload & Garage ratings, then we can have things like lifts etc added later

Expensive all at once.

pootles off again to have a mooch around the web

Debs

 

[Zebedee]

Hi Debbie

Could you tow your scooter(s) on a trailer, or even in one if you got a box trailer - plus a few bits and pieces as well?

I know towing is a pain in the arse to many motorhomers, but it could allow you much greater choice of van if payload considerations didn't dominate. You may have to plan your routes a little more carefully, and ensure that the bloody satnav didn't take you down back alleys and goat tracks (as they do :evil: :evil: ) but it may be worth it.

Just a possible alternative you may not have considered.

Dave

P.S. Apologies if this has been suggested already and I missed it.

 

[Dibbles1]

Hi Debbie

Could you tow your scooter(s) on a trailer, or even in one if you got a box trailer - plus a few bits and pieces as well?

I know towing is a pain in the arse to many motorhomers, but

So sorry Dave, only just found your final post! :roll: < Dozey me!

I completely missed it.

Thanks for the trailer tip, we almost came down to that. But

have been studying like you said Good Deb

We have learned a lot and come to a definite decision. Whittled down what we don't need, and what we absolutely do need.

We checked out the Burstners, Rapido's, Pilote, Knaus and Dethleffs etc. Emailed about garage weights and visibly checked garages and chassis etc.

Re assessed what has to go in the garage and what garages will take my chairs. Don't need the 350kg garage we thought we'd need, 250kg will more than do it. I think I got a bit carried away with that one

It's been a long haul. But thanks to you lot we got there :lol:

We wouldn't have known about any of this if you all hadn't 'educated' us :wink:

We are now looking round the dealers recommended and a few others.

THANKS EVERYONE