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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 11:55:25 GMT
A penny dropped recently. Having this last weekend met my friends who retired several years ago in their early 40s and took up a nomadic life in a motorhome, them having just returned from a trip to New Zealand touring in a rented one and living in a field in Berkshire before returning to continental Europe in a few weeks' time, I realised that I would very much like to do something similar, although not quite so extreme as them, and should be able to afford to give up work to do so in about 10 years time. Sell house, downsize to a wee 3 bedroom rabbit hutch somewhere in Berks/Bucks/Hants/Oxon (wherever is best value, for about a quarter of the value of my current home) so that we have a base for both us and the children in a reasonably civilised area with access to healthcares for us if needed and jobs for the post-University offspring and all that malarkey, generate income from the remainder of the house equity and bugger off in a motorhome or caravan for most of the year.
So I have come to the conclusion that, for this type of lifestyle, I think I'd prefer a caravan to a motorhome. I know tne is of the motorhome persuasion, but in this scenario I can see us settling somewhere for a couple of months at a time, and for that to be comfortable I think one needs a proper vehicle which can be detached from your accommodation for days out, shopping etc.
Meaning that for the first time in my life I've been scouting out caravans and their wily ways. Wading through the marshes of towing weights and all that hoopla. Blimey. Suffice to say, I think I want a twin axle van affording as much living space as possible, but these are weighty beasts and require weighty tow cars. £10-20k looks to be sufficient for a van meeting my requirements, but then there's the tow car. It'll have to be a full size SUV or a massive saloon/estate. VW Phaeton looks favourite at the moment...although they might all be far too old in 10 years time.
tne - remind me why you go motorhome over caravan please?
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 6, 2019 13:49:47 GMT
Just ignore him, chaps. I expect he stood up too fast, that’s all. Let it pass.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 14:02:26 GMT
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Post by lygonos on Feb 6, 2019 14:36:10 GMT
I think I want a twin axle van affording as much living space as possible, but these are weighty beasts and require weighty tow cars... It'll have to be a full size SUV or a massive saloon/estate. VW Phaeton looks favourite at the moment...although they might all be far too old in 10 years time.
Not many around, when they go wrong they are disposable.
May as well go full retard and get a Touareg with its proven towing ability.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 14:48:41 GMT
The only Phaeton you can afford to have without a warranty is one you can afford to throw away without blinking if it breaks.
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 6, 2019 14:57:48 GMT
I want a Lunar Delta Ti. It's the transverse fixed island bed and large end washroom which does it for me. I really don’t want to know what goes on in a large end washroom. 😓🙈 |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 14:58:19 GMT
Hee hee, thought that would wake a few of you up...
Very doubtful I'll be running a Phaeton in 10 years time.
What's the score with Touaregs and towing then?
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 6, 2019 15:00:21 GMT
Just put Belgian plates on one. Other road users will flee in terror and you’ll be able to spoil the view all by yourself.
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Post by tyrednexited on Feb 6, 2019 16:25:19 GMT
I really don’t want to know what goes on in a large end washroom. 😓🙈 ..if you have a large end, you probably really need one......  |
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Post by tyrednexited on Feb 6, 2019 16:34:28 GMT
tne - remind me why you go motorhome over caravan please?
A combination of factors. I've never fancied towing a shed. We like exploring, so not too bothered about staying more than a couple of days anywhere (most of the time). We move on. That is much easier with a motorcaravan. Having always walked and cycled, we don't find the lack of a car an issue (yet!). we walk and cycle to explore an area (or indeed, use public transport). It is generally quite a bit easier to tour Europe in a motorcaravan than a caravan and car (especially Germany, France and Italy - with dedicated, cheap or free areas which are closed to caravans). We first had a 'van almost 30 years ago, and it "stuck". I don't want to p*ss on your chips, but long-term stays in Europe (EU) are likely to be much more difficult/impossible after Brexit (possibly a maximum of 90 days in any 180). |
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Post by lygonos on Feb 6, 2019 17:12:34 GMT
What's the score with Touaregs and towing then?
Rated at 3500kg.
Or 100 tons.
2.5 ton car, with 4.3 tons of ballast pulling a 100 ton 747.
(with tyre pressures up a bit, otherwise standard)
Of course Electric can do it better 
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Post by tyrednexited on Feb 6, 2019 17:46:52 GMT
....yeah, but the important question to answer is "does the Jumbo have a large end washroom?".  |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2019 18:54:55 GMT
Neither can I. Guys, I think I can hear the slow drum beat of being cashiered out of the pub....
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Post by Humph on Feb 6, 2019 19:41:49 GMT
I don't know what to say really, I'm not very good at dealing with people who have y'know, "issues"...
😕
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WDB
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Post by WDB on Feb 6, 2019 20:26:35 GMT
2.5 ton car, with 4.3 tons of ballast pulling a 100 ton 747 (with tyre pressures up a bit, otherwise standard) 100 tonnes? An empty 747 weighs closer to 200. |
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