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Post by Alanović on Jul 1, 2020 15:08:28 GMT
I see, that's what A-Class means. The Hymer looks fine to me, better than the Rapido there I'd say. This looks pretty ideal to me at the budget stated (which is just a conservative guess for now): www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201911254737998Drawbacks? AS for long terming, it's a case of each to their own I think. My friends live full time in theirs, no problem. If I have a home base in France and a machine like yours, then I'll never be too far away from home if the need arises.
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Post by tyrednexited on Jul 1, 2020 15:26:22 GMT
Certainly a better starting position, though you would find the interior space more restrictive. (The Transit cab - which is the main seating with the cab seats rotated - is narrow - narrower than a Ducato - which is narrower than any A-Class. I also think that 'van is rather too long for the wheelbase). Having said that, I had a 'van on a 2010 Transit, and liked the drive - they are more prone to rust than a Ducato, though. I know you fancy an island bed (can't think why! ) but they do compromise storage space. There are no pictures of the rear boot/garage, but the door and its position lead me to believe that the interior is rather compromised. A transverse bed gives a better garage, and leaves more room in the lounge (or a shorter 'van) but getting up in the night means a "climb over" for the innermost sleeper. Twin longitudinal singles (as on the link I posted to "my" 'van are now favoured by us (last 3 'vans). They give the opportunity for a full-size boot/garage for bikes, etc., no "climbing over", and can be made into a giant double with an infill if it happens to be the one night of the year......
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2020 20:07:21 GMT
can be made into a giant double with an infill if it happens to be the one night of the year...... Don't you go home for bath night ? 🤐
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Post by tyrednexited on Jul 1, 2020 21:09:03 GMT
can be made into a giant double with an infill if it happens to be the one night of the year...... Don't you go home for bath night ? 🤐 ... that's once a month, whether I need it or not....
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Post by dixinormus on Jul 1, 2020 21:58:19 GMT
Here’s a thought Al... buy the V8 Touareg or whatever and instead of buying a mobile home of whatever description spend the money on renting an apartment or condo for 3-6 months of the year! That’s what I’d do.
Seriously, I have known people try campervanning for the first time in their lives when visiting NZ. Not everybody likes it. Big hulking lump of a vehicle to lumber around in, and a bit claustrophobic living in tight quarters with SWMBO for extended periods...
Once parked up in a nice spot of your choice I can see the value of a big van. But then it’s your only vehicle to do local exploring, or even just to run to the supermarket? Tiresome!
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Rob
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Post by Rob on Jul 1, 2020 22:05:38 GMT
I'd be more inclined to rent... although our ability to stay in the EU for extended periods is soon much curtailed, Al and family aside.
I might have to invest €250000 in Greece but we'd have preferred to try renting to begin with. And we had thought we could go this year to get the residency whilst in the transition phase of Brexit but that looks like it's been stopped.
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Post by Alanović on Jul 2, 2020 9:38:44 GMT
Here’s a thought Al... buy the V8 Touareg or whatever and instead of buying a mobile home of whatever description spend the money on renting an apartment or condo for 3-6 months of the year! That’s what I’d do. Seriously, I have known people try campervanning for the first time in their lives when visiting NZ. Not everybody likes it. Big hulking lump of a vehicle to lumber around in, and a bit claustrophobic living in tight quarters with SWMBO for extended periods... Once parked up in a nice spot of your choice I can see the value of a big van. But then it’s your only vehicle to do local exploring, or even just to run to the supermarket? Tiresome! It's an option but I want to be able to "tour" when I feel like it. I've lived in a caravan before, it's no big deal to me. I'll be wanting to spend the majority of time outside in any case.
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Post by Alanović on Jul 2, 2020 10:21:40 GMT
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Post by tyrednexited on Jul 2, 2020 10:30:17 GMT
That's much more like an "Al Motorhome" (Unfortunately, they didn't ever do it in brown).
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Post by Alanović on Jul 2, 2020 10:34:04 GMT
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Post by tyrednexited on Jul 2, 2020 10:44:00 GMT
That would drink your pension fund dry before you got to Spain. Good for touring all those little lanes, of course (it won't be you that backs up for most things coming the other way ) It has also (IMO) been used as someone's (static) home for a good few years.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2020 20:57:21 GMT
I found this while mooching around the t'interweb.
You said you have a few years to plan Al, in the next decade there may be enough lightweight material that you don't need to cart a lumber yard around - unless that's what you really want. Not sure about the compost dunny next to the bed or the food prep area above it.
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Post by Alanović on Jul 3, 2020 8:45:47 GMT
That's really beautiful. I love that. Great kudos to that lady. Of course, the Australian climate and landscape lends itself to this more than Europe, but not by that much. A really great project, maybe you'd need a LWB van for 2 people, and a high top would be a good idea. Although it doesn't sound much cheaper to do than buying a second hand purpose built motorhome, but the pleasure of doing it must be immense. In combination with a small permanent home to return to in bad weather periods, it's a lovely lifestyle which really appeals to me. Gonna need a hobby though to keep me out of the bottle...
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Post by Humph on Jul 3, 2020 8:49:23 GMT
>>a hobby though to keep me out of the bottle...
Peg selling, drive laying, heather selling?
😉
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Post by Alanović on Jul 3, 2020 8:51:55 GMT
Kangaroo boxing, maybe.
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