The final motorhome I owned was a Swift 496 Esprit. It’s 7.8m lengthy and weighs a wholesome 4 tonnes, give or take. We owned her for 18 months, which appeared an inexpensive size of time to debate the professionals and cons of proudly owning a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes, as an alternative of a small motorhome like my present camper.
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Why did we purchase a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes?
Again then, we didn’t set out in search of a motorhome over 3.5tonnes, however we DID see a format we liked however couldn’t afford. (A model new Bailey Autograph, if anybody’s !)
The Bailey motorhome was truly lower than 3.5 tonnes (simply!) however there was no manner we might afford it, so we got down to discover one thing comparable in the marketplace. Enter the Swift 496.
She has a implausible format AND we obtained her for an important worth as she was an ex-hire car and a type of nice used motorhomes on the market. There have been a number of issues, together with the fridge and photo voltaic panel, however we knew we might type these out with this used camper.
We mentioned whether or not the load can be an issue, because it meant I couldn’t drive our new motorhome attributable to licence restrictions, however we agreed that Mr WB most well-liked to drive anyway and I desire to navigate, so it wouldn’t be a problem.
Execs of a giant motorhome
There are some apparent benefits to an even bigger motorhome.
Let’s undergo these slightly. We intentionally selected a motorhome with an finish lounge space and a separate dinette.
When shopping for a motorhome, it’s at all times a toss-up between price, format and availability- and someplace there must be a compromise.
Higher residing house in a bigger motorhome
We LOVED (and I nonetheless do!) the residing house and it was good for us over all our travels, together with 5 weeks in Norway, a number of weeks in Germany, France, Italy, and rather more.
Higher cupboard space
We additionally liked the storage space- the van holds SO. MUCH. KIT and campervan devices and it’s by no means a problem as a result of our payload is loopy.
Significantly, we put hydraulic legs, kayak, paddleboard, photo voltaic panel, motorhome generator, and 1,000,000 different issues onto it… and we nonetheless had about 300kg of payload left if we wished it.
We had at all times apply sure motorhome safety fundamentals to make sure all of our gear is safe.
Apart from that although, I really like having a motorhome the place we don’t want to fret about storage if going off for a few months at a time.
Nevertheless, we had employed a small motorhome below 3.5 tonnes and liked it. It was straightforward to park and liked how a lot storage there was inside.
Though the van we had again then wasn’t a dream format, we actually loved experiencing a distinct kind of motorhoming with an below 3.5-tonne motorhome rent. It opened our eyes to the opportunity of what you may get with a smaller van.
Which brings us to the cons of a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes.
Cons of a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes
- Pace limits are decrease on roads in Europe
- Toll expenses are extra
- Tough to get toll passes, vignettes or different such issues for car over 3.5 tonnes
- I can’t drive it
- Longer = tougher to park
We liked our motorhome, we actually did. However there are some issues about it which simply didn’t work for us- and most of them revolve across the weight/ dimension of proudly owning a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes.
Lowered pace restrict for motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes
One of many largest issues is the lowered pace limits for automobiles over 3.5 tonnes. We did a LOT of driving each within the UK and Europe. So, having to nearly double our journey time throughout a UK highway journey could be irritating. Yow will discover a checklist of European pace limits right here.
And no, it’s not a typo- in case your car weighs over 3.05 tonnes, you possibly can solely do 60mph on UK twin carriageways, 50mph on different roads except a decrease pace restrict applies.
Vignettes/ Toll passes
Additionally, we LOVED travelling Europe in our motorhome, however toll passes and a few vignettes are solely relevant to automobiles as much as 3.5 tonnes. After that, it’s essential to go to one of many official border crossings and fill in paperwork. In some international locations, it’s essential to have a field put in which tracks your mileage.
Restrictions on driving licences
All my travelling has made it actually tough to get my C1 (that, and an absence of motivation!!) However actually, it’s foolish having a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes which you can’t drive ought to your companion ever must. Security first.
Longer = tougher to park
Lastly, this isn’t all the way down to weight, however having an extended car is tougher to park- particularly after we had hooked up a 3m motorcycle trailer to the again of it! With our van and a trailer, we have been longer than two parking areas, making it powerful to pop right into a grocery store or automobile park as we travelled- we have been at all times hanging over the sting someplace!
We additionally needed to keep away from some aires round Europe, as they’re restricted to as much as 8m. With a shorter van, we might squeeze in, even with the trailer!
So, with all that mentioned, we determined to promote our giant motorhome and get a motorhome below 3.5 tonnes! Folks usually say the third boat you purchase is the proper one for you- I ponder if the identical applies to purchasing second-hand camper vans?
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Must you purchase a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes?
So, do you have to purchase a motorhome of over 3.5 tonnes? Completely, if it’s best for you!
There are some INCREDIBLE used campers round and in the event you’re not affected/ not bothered by any of the above-mentioned factors, then undoubtedly go for it, particularly if in case you have a household and see a implausible motorhome on the market.
We had been ALL over the place in our motorhome and the scale/ weight wasn’t an issue in any respect till our daughter stopped travelling with us and we realised we didn’t want a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes. If she have been youthful and nonetheless adventuring with us, we wouldn’t have downsized our motorhome in any respect.
Which is why there are such a lot of varieties of second-hand motorhomes on the market- one dimension most undoubtedly does NOT match all and it’s essential to choose a motorhome which works for the stage of life you’re in proper now. It’s also possible to do a motorhome below 3.5 tonnes rent first and see if this dimension is best for you.
And in the event you’re selecting a motorhome or camper in the meanwhile, let me know what you choose!
Subsequent steps
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