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Post by kevpembs on Dec 6, 2013 21:04:34 GMT
Hi all, this is my first post on this forum (but posted on other forums many times). Been a motorhome owner for many years but tired of the "caravan club" etc etc.Too many polite "don't do this" and "don't do that" lists, We are just a quiet friendly couple with a couple of quiet friendly dogs but found everywhere is over organized to death until it is all "sterile". We are quite placid and easy going, and realized after a while that we were really wild campers just waiting to break out. So a couple of years ago we ditched all of our "club" subscriptions and never looked back. Found some great places to "free camp" in and around the south wales area and had a brilliant 2 weeks summer holiday just walking on beaches, surfing and dog walking. Never paid anywhere and never had a problem. found that following the surfer's and the beach fishermen was the best bet and had some great fun. luckily we live in the center of a coastal national park area and are surrounded by 53 beaches within a 30 minute drive. If you've seen the "one man and his campervan" TV series, then I live in the area of his last episode. Also not far from the redbull UK cliff diving venue. I've now sold my old 1988 Talbot rambler that was still clean and tidy, and I've decided to build my own selfbuild motorhome this winter ready for the new season. Cannot decide between a new shape 2007 Fiat ducato LWB or a 2004 renault master LWB with about 100K on the clock. Any pro's and con's would be helpful from those that know.! Anyway hope to be sorted by the spring and rearing to go. kevpembs
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Post by n brown on Dec 6, 2013 21:13:08 GMT
hello mate,as you can imagine you'll find a few like minded people here,quite a few self builders too. can't advise you on the van,but there's a lot of shared knowledge about fitting them out,from quick and cheap to rather posh !we also spend a lot of time in s wales
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Dec 6, 2013 22:02:11 GMT
Hello there! The X250 vans ( fiat/Citroen/Peugeot ) are the widest internally, which is ideal if your going for a rear bed layout .Also has straighter sides,but the wheel arches are quite large inside.They are very nice to drive with good fuel economy .Ive nearly finished fitting out a Citroen relay LWB .
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Post by Firefox on Dec 6, 2013 22:25:17 GMT
I have done a Movano MWB 2006 self build. It's the same van as the Renault Master.
Mine has done 100k now. I can't fault it - great fuel economy and it's also wide. You can get a 6ft 1 inch bed sleeping across the van.
Great driving position, very high but there is a 150mm step down to load space - you have to work your layout around that, but I have a front swivel lounge, I just raised the floor to match and a step down into the rest of the van.
Van is also very fast, you can do car type speeds in it if you want, at the expense of a bit of fuel economy. Will cruise 70-80mph on the motorway no problems, very smooth. Will even top out at 100mph but I usually drive 60-65; only 2000 revs in 6th gear.
Having done 100k, I have had to spend a bit on repairs though. Had a new injector pump and also a clutch slave and master cylinder fitted this year - not cheap repairs.
See my channel on You Tube, link below for various vids on converting one of these.
I am also member of the CC. Quite a bit of van envy goes on and main sites can be pricey and cliquey. CL's are OK though.
Welcome to the forum!
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Post by Rubbertramp on Dec 6, 2013 22:50:37 GMT
Beautiful Pembrokeshire!.....Aaaahhhh! Welcome Kev et al!
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Post by Neva Aglenn on Dec 6, 2013 23:11:59 GMT
Beautiful Pembrokeshire!.....Aaaahhhh! Welcome Kev et al! 2nd'ed! ...'Cept Milford Haven!!!!!
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Post by kangooroo on Dec 7, 2013 0:00:34 GMT
I disagree and am a regular MH visitor with a boat moored in the marina. I will be camping just outside MH tomorrow.
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Post by Alec on Dec 7, 2013 8:12:18 GMT
+1 for X250.......6'3" bed across rear, after 2" insulation either side.
Alec.
p.s. - Welcome
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Post by lotusanne on Dec 7, 2013 8:54:45 GMT
Welcome to the site Kev, wonderful place to live. I am in the Pennines, also gorgeous, but would love to be nearer the sea. Keep popping in and feel free to ask away
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Post by edina on Dec 7, 2013 9:02:03 GMT
Hi Kev, Welcome; when you start the conversion, please keep us updated, with pics if possible.
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Post by kevpembs on Dec 8, 2013 16:45:59 GMT
hi all, and thanks for the welcome's and advise. Needed to know the van width as i am 6'2" tall and bed length is a factor to consider. Yes it is a beautiful area where I live now and I did notice that there are quite a few of you that have visited here already. This is a you tube video that is not recorded by me but by someone else and covers the coastal paths around me. www.youtube.com/watch?v=StdofT4JWkYI was however brought up in Lincolnshire and love the Lincolnshire wolds, fantastic area for the motorhome lifestyle. I still have family over there so crossing the UK quite regularly and therefore the old motorhomes are a bit of a necessity these day's. This is why I wish to build my own this time around and I am no stranger to the art of cabinet making, car body work, re-spray's etc etc.
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Post by Alec on Dec 8, 2013 17:27:15 GMT
Hi kevpembs,
I lied, just measured bed across rear of my Citroen Relay... 6' 1"
Alec.
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