Execs and Cons of a Motorhome over 3.5 tonnes

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 affordable 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 structure we cherished 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 available on the market. Enter the Swift 496.

She has a incredible structure AND we bought her for an awesome worth as she was an ex-hire automobile and a kind 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 kind these out with this used camper.

We mentioned whether or not the load could be an issue, because it meant I couldn’t drive our new motorhome on account of licence restrictions, however we agreed that Mr WB most popular to drive anyway and I favor to navigate, so it wouldn’t be a difficulty. 

Execs of a big motorhome

There are some apparent benefits to a much 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, structure 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 way more. 

Higher space for storing 

We additionally cherished the storage space- the van holds SO. MUCH. KIT and campervan devices and it’s by no means a difficulty 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 underneath 3.5 tonnes and cherished it. It was simple to park and cherished how a lot storage there was inside.

Though the van we had again then wasn’t a dream structure, we actually loved experiencing a special sort of motorhoming with an underneath 3.5-tonne motorhome rent. It opened our eyes to the potential for what you can 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

• Velocity limits are decrease on roads in Europe
• Toll costs are extra
• Tough to get toll passes, vignettes or different such issues for automobile over 3.5 tonnes
• I can’t drive it
• Longer = tougher to park

We cherished 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.

Diminished pace restrict for motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes

One of many largest issues is the decreased pace limits for autos over 3.5 tonnes. We did a LOT of driving each within the UK and Europe. So, having to virtually double our journey time throughout a UK street journey may be irritating. You will discover a listing of European pace limits right here.

And no, it’s not a typo- in case your automobile weighs over 3.05 tonnes, you possibly can solely do 60mph on UK twin carriageways, 50mph on different roads until 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 autos as much as 3.5 tonnes. After that, you’ll want to go to one of many official border crossings and fill in paperwork. In some nations, you’ll want to have a field put in which tracks your mileage. 

Restrictions on driving licences

All my travelling has made it actually troublesome to get my C1 (that, and an absence of motivation!!) However truthfully, it’s foolish having a motorhome over 3.5 tonnes which you could’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 automobile is tougher to park- particularly once we had hooked up a 3m motorcycle  trailer to the again of it! With our van and a trailer, we had been longer than two parking areas, making it robust to pop right into a grocery store or automotive park as we travelled- we had 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 stated, we determined to promote our massive motorhome and get a motorhome underneath 3.5 tonnes! Folks usually say the third boat you purchase is the proper one for you- I’m wondering 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 case you’re not affected/ not bothered by any of the above-mentioned factors, then positively go for it, particularly if in case you have a household and see a incredible 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 had 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 forms of second-hand motorhomes on the market- one dimension most positively does NOT match all and you’ll want to choose a motorhome which works for the stage of life you’re in proper now. You can even do a motorhome underneath 3.5 tonnes rent first and see if this dimension is best for you.

And in case you’re selecting a motorhome or camper in the mean time, let me know what you choose! 

Subsequent steps

If you happen to’d like some extra assist determining what automobile to get (and methods to purchase the RIGHT one for you), seize a duplicate of our Full Inexperienced persons information to Motorhome Shopping for right here– a course of movies, downloadable eBook and worksheets that will help you make the BEST determination for YOU!

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