Motorhome

There were a number of factors affecting our choice of motorhome, the main one for us being space.  We have every intention of exploring far and wide on foot / bikes.  However, as we plan to be away for a considerable amount of time, it's going to be more of a lifestyle choice than a holiday, so we wanted to make sure we would be comfortable and not cramped when the weather isn't great, or when we need to take some time out to just chill. It also means there's plenty of space to throw a toy for Powell if the weather is horrendous!

The other deciding factor for us was cost.  Although getting a second hand vehicle would have afforded us the opportunity to get a much higher spec model, getting a brand new one would give us time instead, as the first MOT wouldn't be due until the 3 year point.   As we wanted to buy new, we knew our budget would mean that we were restricted to an entry level vehicle, which immediately reduced our options by a considerable stretch.  As we wanted plenty of seating options, that again reduced our options down to only 2 or 3 models, our final choice, being the lowest priced option.  Finally, we wanted a fixed (or easily fold out-able) bed.  Making and breaking a bed is frankly, a pain in the backside, so we wanted to avoid it at all costs. We use the overcab bed as our permanent bed and leave it folded down in transit as there's still plenty of headroom to move around.  However, should it become unbearably hot in the summer,  we still have the option of using  the rear fold out bed for the odd night (or if Pete gets really sick of me!).

  

So far, in the 6 weeks we've had Dora, we've been really comfortable.  Although she is a 6 berth, I wouldn't like to have 6 people sleeping in there as it would be a bit too cosy.  4 could sleep comfortably and that would still leave room for a living space in the dinette.  There is no garage, but we do have a bike rack and ample under seat and overhead storage; after all, she was built for 6 and there are only 2 (and a half!) of us and the little one doesn't take up much space. 

Ultimately, it's a very personal decision and different vans work for different people.  She's basically an entry level van so she doesn't have the whistles and bells that some other higher spec vans do, but she's ours and we love her! 

UPDATE:

We've now had Dora for 7 months and since the beginning of September, we've been living in her full time.  There is just about enough room for the 2 of us, all of our post cull belongings and a Powell.  Pete has added some extra storage where it has been lacking.  We now have storage for shoes as well as additional shelving in the wardrobe.  It suits us and we're very comfortable in it.  It's very much home to us now.  However, if you were looking for a long term travel solution for more than 2 people and a dog, we don't think this is it.  It may be fine for a family of 4 / 6 for a weekend away on a campsite in the summer, but there realistically isn't enough room for more than 3 adults and a dog for more than a long weekend.  This is probably partly down to the lack of external storage space, which is one of the things we would change if given the opportunity to buy her again.  To combat this, Pete has fixed a box to the bike rack, which takes care of storage for any bulky /messy / wet items (wetsuits / bike shoes etc.) that don't need to be inside with us.  In addition, although there is plenty of under seat storage, the absence of any front access to them means that we have to lift the seats to get to anything within.  We've got used to it but it is a little bit of a pain at times.  It would have been much easier to have sliding doors at the front of the seats.

Ultimately, budget vehicles are never going to have the whistles and bells of a more expensive one; costs have to be cut somewhere and it's in places like cupboard access and extra shelving, where those cuts occur.  Thanks to my very own engineer / handy man extraordinaire, we now have a vehicle to suit our purposes and we're learning all the while about what not to do next time (if there is one!).