>3.5t motorhome opinions

Del2005 wrote: »

I'm not particularly worried about the speed restrictions as the point of the motor home is to avoid the expensive pay motorways and see the country.

Apart from being restricted to 80kph, and local weight restrictions, are there any other issues with driving a >3.5t <7.5t motor home?

But do any camp sites or Aires have restrictions on the size and weight vehicles allowed? Are there any other issues I have missed?

Speed restrictions don't really come into it - trying to force your unaerodynamic brick through a headwind at anything over 80kmh will have you burning through diesel like nobody's business! :pac:

The greatest implication from a practical point of view is that, on some routes in some countries, you might not be given the choice about whether or not to use the motorways: although restrictions are generally imposed at 7.5t, it's not that uncommon to see "no transit" rules applied to smaller urban conurbations at 3.5t except for deliveries and/or in conjunction with emissions control measures.

The other practical aspect is that or some routes the difference in time, stress and general driving enjoyment between toll-free ordinary roads and the motorway network is considerable. There's a stretch of Austrian motorway, for example, at the far end of Lake Constance, that leads directly into Bregenz from the German autobahn. It takes about 5 minutes to get to Bregenz from the border on the motorway; it can take about an hour to do the same journey from the last exit in Germany, through non-stop shopping/industrial estates, one-way systems, road-works and toll-avoiding traffic. As a .5 vehicle, you can get a cheap vignette and you're grand for 10 days; >3.5t, you'll need a Go-box. Switzerland is another country that can be desperate to drive through on the non-motorway network (especially the eastern part of the country).

Don't forget that height also matters should you decide to pay the odd toll. My van, although registered at 3.5t is 3.2m high, which makes it uneconomic to take it through the Mont Blanc tunnel (about 170€ one-way :eek: ) I happen to like driving over mountains but if you're in a hurry to get to the other side, it'll cost you dear. In the same context, if the heavier vehicle is fitted with three axles, you'll pay more even if you're under 3m high (340€-ish for the Mont Blanc tunnel, one way)

But apart from that - bigger is better, way better! I got a C licence specifically to be able to buy/drive something up to 7.5t In the end, the right vehicle was "only" 4.1t (and passes for 3.5t most of the time) but it has been invaluable having the extra storage space.

I've never been on a continental aire where height, length or weight has been a problem - at least not for the site managers. Obviously you are more likely to find yourself in a situation where there just isn't enough space for your 9m vehicle, or the space is there but you can't get to it because someone's parked their 7m van in the wrong place. This'll also affect your access to some grey water dump drains too, if the aire hasn't been properly thought out. But that's all part and parcel of the motorhome experience.

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

My Vario isn't limited...she's a private vehicle.
Well to be honest she is but only by the gearbox.

More payload, more space, better everything...think big, keep on truckin'

Hi Sir Liamalot,

Apologies, I don't mean to hijack thread. I'm looking at a 98 Vario 612D 2.8D campervan; anything particular to look out for in your opinion? Also, it's currently on UK reg; is the VRT generally around 13.5% of the vehicles value? Anything else you could tell me, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

patsy mulcaghy wrote: »

Hi Sir Liamalot,

is the VRT generally around 13.5% of the vehicles value?

Thanks

It doesn't matter what the value of the van is or what you paid for it. The VRT is 13.5% of what the customs decide the Irish value is. The only trouble is they won't tell you how they calculate the this value.

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

Rust, shock absorber leaks, fuel leaks, air compressor leaks, oil leaks, coolant leaks, transmission oil leaks, differential oil leaks, exhaust leaks, damp/cab leaks tyres, tracking, blow-by, battery health, rattly mirrors, butchered wiring, fluid levels, fluid colours, gearbox, mileage, fault lights, spare wheel, jack, roadside tools, door & bonnet alignment, persished rubber, wheel arches, repair work, service history, belt condition, odd smells, engine vibration. After martket window e-numbers. Drive shaft carrier bearings. Broken trim.

When you put it like that, I'm never going to buy anything ever again.:D:D:D:D

haha ok, great exhaustive list! will take my time going over it, thanks again

Sir Liamalot wrote: »

Rust, shock absorber leaks, fuel leaks, air compressor leaks, oil leaks, coolant leaks, transmission oil leaks, differential oil leaks, exhaust leaks, damp/cab leaks tyres, tracking, blow-by, battery health, rattly mirrors, butchered wiring, fluid levels, fluid colours, gearbox, mileage, fault lights, spare wheel, jack, roadside tools, door & bonnet alignment, persished rubber, wheel arches, repair work, service history, belt condition, odd smells, engine vibration. After martket window e-numbers. Drive shaft carrier bearings. Broken trim.