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Topic: looking for a 7ft wide van

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kbcalypso

27/4/2015 at 5:57pm
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thinking of selling the motorhome and buying a caravan, problem is my drive is only 7ft 5inch at the narrowest point and has a incline upwards so would need a motormover, because if i backed the van in, the habitation door would be next to the shared fence. so awkward to load/unload. apart from the lunar are there any vans with a fixed bed looking at vans approx two years to new.

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JuanHuNose

27/4/2015 at 6:37pm
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Welcome to my world!

We bought an Elddis Avante 524 new in 2007 because it was half-an-inch over 7ft wide and we couldn`t get anything wider down the drive - and very little has changed.

If you ask a dealer they will say "well this one is only three inches wider" - big deal, it might as well be three feet!

We`ve decided to keep ours for the foreseeable because not only is it still in excellent condition, but there is little or no choice in the new market to cater for people who don`t want (or need) wider vans. When there is someone might get my money.

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kbcalypso

27/4/2015 at 7:35pm
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thats my point most motorhomes are now 7ft3in wide so i would be left with about 2in either side. and those that are 7ft the layout did not suit us, hence looking at caravans, so might have to keep what i've got.

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BRYANMITCH

27/4/2015 at 11:23pm
Location: GATESHEAD
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elddis xplore 504? fixed bed and 7ft2in wide.

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andyfisher

28/4/2015 at 12:11am
Location: Yorkshire
Outfit: Adria altea 542 dt Freelander 2

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Adria have one at 7'1" e.g:

http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/touring-caravans-for-sale/adria-caravans/adria-altea-432-sportline-px-new-caravan-2015-northamptonshire-tk019b9be

kbcalypso

28/4/2015 at 7:01am
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Bryanmitch, andyfisher, you sound like the dealers I speak to it,s only an extra inch or two, but it might as well be 8ft wide, 5inch clearance is not a lot until you try to manouvre a lump of metal with a brick wall one side and a concrete wall the other side, the van I have now is 7ft and I can steer that, but a caravan will go where the jockey wheel sends it, and my drive is a printed drive so the lines could send the jockey wheel out of line. Then the back of the van would hit the wall. I learnt the hard way with my first van.

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billy

28/4/2015 at 7:24am
Location: North Essex
Outfit: Caravelair Alba 400

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Eriba Touring. Even the largest model, the Troll is under 6ft 11" width & there are various interior layouts, some with fixed bed. These caravans will last you a lifetime if you look after them although they are expensive & heavy for the size they are, worth it if it's exactly the caravan you want for long term although they do hold their value.

Motobiman

28/4/2015 at 7:46am
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Quote: Originally posted by Motobiman on 28/4/2015] As you are considering having a mover fitted they are far more accurate than I expected, and slow.

The issue of the jockey wheel steering is not really an issue as just resting a leg against the tow ball easily provides that extra bit of fine and accurate control.

The few inches each side you suggest should be enough clearance with a decent mover fitted IMHO.

VangoMan02

28/4/2015 at 7:53am
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I have the same issue with space at side of our house. I have about two and a half to three inches each side clearance. I managed to reverse or physically push the van back for many years but getting older it was becoming more difficult.
We invested in a MM and honestly wish I had done it years ago, so easy and accurate to place it exactly where you want it.

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camcroft

28/4/2015 at 8:17am
Location: Lincolnshire
Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 SE 2011

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Elddis Xplore 302. Small but it is really like a tardis and I think the inside is as big as a lot of small motorhomes without the cab area

naturlist123

28/4/2015 at 12:21pm
Location: Southport
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How about Lunar Venus Vans they are on the narrow side and I think the 490 has a fixed bed.
Tin vans seem to vary in width from 1.64m to 2.98m.
I am not sure which year it was but the law was changed allowing caravaners in the UK to tow 3.0metre wide vans

freeatlast

28/4/2015 at 2:03pm
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Mitsubishi ASX4

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Check the Trigano Silver range, they do some narrow vans.

IainM

28/4/2015 at 8:15pm
Location: West Lothian
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Width is an issue for us too. Fortunately my 7ft5 Swift is OK but couldn't cope wth more. I would be happier back at 7ft.

Seems a shame that where narrow vans are offered they tend to be lower spec models.

In recent years though Swift Group have offered well equipped vans at 7ft 5 which were previously 7ft7. Even the new top flight Elegance and Continental are 7ft5. Good for us but doesn't solve the OP's issue

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BRYANMITCH

29/4/2015 at 12:03pm
Location: GATESHEAD
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Just a thought KB..could you use a winch fixed in place at the top of your drive? I have seen this done where the owner had to get his van up a very steep and narrow drive nose first.The winch was anchored to the ground and the cable was split into two hooks--one hook for each side of the chassis.He had plenty of control over the van direction when pulling up his drive.Might let you go a little bit wider in your choice if this would work for you! Theres always a way

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zivadog

29/4/2015 at 10:40pm
Location: warrington
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i'm sure some of the Adria range are that width

superbbird

29/4/2015 at 11:12pm
Location: Sunny Greater London
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We have a similar issue (narrowest point is between gutter on porch and fence, then widens again) I have had a look at the suggested brands but haven't found an end bathroom layout so far. Have I missed something??

(Sorry if I have gone off OP topic)

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