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Met some people in France a couple of years ago who had bought a Hobby 750 twin axle to tour around in.  They ranted about it, very pleased with how it was performing but were finding it a bit big and it was seriously preventing them from venturing off of the beaten track as a result.

Ali

Quote: Originally posted by snowy747 on 03/5/2007

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Met some people in France a couple of years ago who had bought a Hobby 750 twin axle to tour around in.  They ranted about it, very pleased with how it was performing but were finding it a bit big and it was seriously preventing them from venturing off of the beaten track as a result.

Ali

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Have to disagree there somewhat Ali as we have been all over in our Konitki and that is approx 24 foot in length. Granted there are occasions when a large motorhome maybe not really suitable but generally it is not a huge problem and unless you have a large american RV I would say most largish motohomes can get around almost anywhere.  We are fortunate that we sometimes tow a little smart car behind us if we think there could be an issue with accessing anywhere in particular but to be honest we mostly only ever tow our Smart if we know we are going to be stuck on a campsite somewhere for a few days and then it is just another means of transport but basically we mostly stick to just driving our motorhome and we literally get all over and have never really found it a problem.

This is our main reason for preferring a motorhome to any other mode of mobile camping because with a motorhome you do have total freedom and if you are out and about on your travels and you like the look of somewhere you can just stay put and dont have to return to a campsite to pick up your caravan as your little home is already with you or if you find a really interesting or idyllic location where there are no overnight parking restrictions you can then wildcamp there for the night. With a caravan, tent or fifth wheel you could not easily do this and therfore for us personally a motorhome is the perfect option.

So to sum it up Ali - I wouldn't take too much notice of what that couple in France told you and maybe they were just over cautious or something and unless someone is planning to go down tiny little dirt track roads or particularly narrow country lanes where even some cars may find it a bit of a squeeze I cannot see anyone having any major problems driving a good sized motorhome around at all and so, if anyone is considering buying a large motorhome either now or in the future please don't be put off - as it really isn't a problem!

Sooh

just caought up with the responses to is German better many thanks to all for the most interesting comments and advice they certainly look good to me

regards JDAZ

Quote: Originally posted by silverwood on 04/5/2007

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HERE HERE SOOH very well put you win a choccy bar

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Mmm - yum yum .................. thank you very much I just lurv chocolate!

Sooh

We were in the Auvergene Sooh, all gorges and narrow roads.  A policeman told one couple not to take their campervan into Vichy!

Ali

Oh well a gorge is a different kettle of fish Ali and you never mentioned a gorge in your post did you? So yes, I agree maybe a very narrow gorge might be a little on the narrow side for a lot of vehicles including a large motorhome but I do think such road conditions are the exception rather than the rule and in general you can access most places with a motorhome. When we toured Morocco we had no problems travelling through the Todra Gorge and in parts that was very narrow but never so narrow that we couldnt get through. However, we did do part of the journey in our Smart car due to the dried up river bed being a little on the bumpy side and we didn't think it was a very good idea to take the motorhome through such conditions.. We had such fun that day and it was a brilliant experience and one that we shall never forget and the Todra Gorge was an absolutely amazing place to visit.

What do other motorhome owners think - do you find it seriously prevents you from getting about like Ali suggests it does?

Sooh

When i had coachbuilts, i never had any probs with driving them anywhere. However i would only mainly use them for going on holiday or long journeys. They are totally unpractical as an everyday vehicle. Height barriers, parking, and horrendous fuel consumption round town.

When you have a vehicle that is worth 30 plus grand, its a total waste to be parked on your drive the majority of the time.

Luckily, i'm now in the position to have been able to downsize to a panel van conversion, and its driven day in day out, and drives like a people carrier. I would never go back to a coachbuilt again.

Yes I totally agree that they would be impractical as an everyday run around and we would never use ours for that purpose for all the reasons you state Biker Jeff and we are very fortunate that we have 2 other vehicles in the family that we use in our daily life!

However, Biker Jeff whether all owners of coachbuilt motorhomes costing in excess of £30,000 agree with you re them being a total waste of money due to them being sat on their driveway a lot of the time pretty much depends on their own personal take on such matters and we personally do not begrudge a single penny that we have spent on ours. That doesn't mean to say that we have more money than sense - far from it if the truth be known but it just means that we have chosen to spend our hard earned income this way and for us personally it is something we are happy to do. You cannot take your money with you and life is indeed very short and providing you are not asking anyone else to foot your bills and you feel you can afford such a luxury then I say why ever not? If it gives you pleasure and enjoyment then I say go for it as lets be frank, you are a long time pushing up them there daisies! Rofl   If everyone thought the same way there would be no large coachbuilts manufactured and as the manufacturers have all announced recently that motorhomes are one of the indudstries fastest growing pastimes I suspect there a lot of motorhomers who must share my own particular point of view also?

I understand from past posts of yours that you like and own a motorbike Biker Jeff and I bet you are aware that some people describe bikes as fair weather vehicles and some even go so far as to describe them as death traps! Of course this is complete and utter nonsesne and for the true motorcycle enthusiast I would imagine such ridiculous comments would be quite laughable!  I am sure you quite rightly enjoy your motorbike in all weather and drive it in a safe and sensible manner but that doesn't stop some people having stereo typical opinions on them does it or perhaps telling you what they think is the rights and wrongs of driving and owning one? For me personally, I believe as long as you can afford to enjoy your hobby, whatever it may be and you are not harming anybody else then that is all that matters and I am quite sure as a mature adult you have weighed up all the pros and cons of your pastime - likewise, coachbuilt motorhomers have done the same and will be fully aware of all the points you have raised and will have decided whether financially it is in fact a waste of their hard earned money. I suspect if they thought that way they would have gone out and purchased an outfit like yours and for those who felt differently they will have gone for a coachbuilt instead!

Each to their own Biker Jeff and we all have different views and opinions on things and I can understand and respect why you found it preferable to downsize - but for me and a lot of others who get immense joy and happiness from their motorhome pastime the running costs and the amount of useage is NOT such a major factor and our enjoyment and passion for our vehicles far outweighs anything else.

Hope this helps you to understand a little bit of my own personal thoughts on this subject and I wish you continued enjoyment in yours and I know me and my husband will have continued enjoyment in ours.

Sooh

Yep, see your point sooh.

My post was more of a personal viewpoint, being a tightfisted, penny pinching, miser. I hate to spend money on something and not get full and constant use out of it. Even though i'm fabulously wealthy, with vast sums of filthy lucre at my disposal. Even as i speak, my obscene amount of wealth makes yet more money quicker than i can spend it..... NOT  

Seriously, i have owned coachbuilts for many years. Circumstances then dictated the need for this size of vehicle, so i can understand why people want and purchase them.

Strangely though, as my vans get smaller, my bikes get bigger and bigger.... Must be something Freudian in that somewhere.