Suitable for extended family of 7??

[chriscroft]

We have a T6 Vel and a MH; I guess the minimum number of seat belts you require along with the travel seat numbers will really define your options. If you need all those seats I think a PVC (Panel Van Conversion) may offer you a solution, one of those long Merc Sprinters/Vw Crafters Sports homes which can offer you more seating options. For a weekend away there is something nice about throwing your stuff in a T6 and just going for it; with the MH it seems a little less spontaneous to me; but the luxury particularly if it's cold or wet is really nice in a MH; and for extended touring a MH can nearly be lived in permanently, as some full-time motor homers do.

 

[AmberF]

I don't want to be responsible for him not getting a T6, because they are formidable beasts, and there is the added bonus that it can be used as a daily driver, but I genuinely thinks it's just a layout error. We see it all the time, and that's often just down to budget at the time, or a bad salesman who doesn't know how layouts work in the real world.
The plus is your Motorhome is still worth big money, and they don't really drop too much at that age. You should drag him to the NEC this weekend and get a feel for different layouts, because that's the key. You don't need to buy new, just use what's at a show as a guide on the layout.
As a general rule, if you want space and the feel of lots of it, you have to look at an A-Class.
His original budget would buy one, and possibly a better quality European one, but it would of been a bit older than 2010.
Again, if you struggle, PM me.
Good luck

Thank you

We have a T6 Vel and a MH; I guess the minimum number of seat belts you require along with the travel seat numbers will really define your options. If you need all those seats I think a PVC (Panel Van Conversion) may offer you a solution, one of those long Merc Sprinters/Vw Crafters Sports homes which can offer you more seating options. For a weekend away there is something nice about throwing your stuff in a T6 and just going for it; with the MH it seems a little less spontaneous to me; but the luxury particularly if it's cold or wet is really nice in a MH; and for extended touring a MH can nearly be lived in permanently, as some full-time motor homers do.

hi, we’d need 7 seatbelts. Four of the children require full child seats.

 

[Roadrunner]

I believe you can make up the downstairs bed in a Cali Beach with all 7 seats in place, but you would definitely want an awning for living and sleeping space.

That would be a tight squeeze! just looked at the link and it is, mind you there is other crap in there as well. Might be better with a LWB Kombi

 

[chriscroft]

I think you may be moving into VW Crafter territory if you prefer the van/PVC theme compared to a Coach Built or Class A Motorhome. My VW dealer has told me the new Crafters handle every bit as well as a T6, and are just as comfortable

 

[AmberF]

Same here. Just let the poor guy buy a T6

He can do what he likes, it’s his money but he’ll be going on his own with just two of the kids (his own)

 

[AmberF]

Thanks everyone. The more I look into it (he’s not looked into it at all, just decided that’s what he wants) the more I’ve realised how impractical it is for us and he’ll be holidaying on his own with just his kids. Shame really as we had lots of dreams around the MH that now are t possible.

 

[Davenjo]

Thanks everyone. The more I look into it (he’s not looked into it at all, just decided that’s what he wants) the more I’ve realised how impractical it is for us and he’ll be holidaying on his own with just his kids. Shame really as we had lots of dreams around the MH that now are t possible.

Boys and our toys Is there any scope for keeping the MH as well and using both vehicles on the occasions all 7 of you need to go?

Something else to consider is the user payload of the vehicles as with your motorhome or a T6, with 5 growing kids and all of your camping paraphernalia (beds, pop tops, awnings, buggies, bikes, etc., etc.) - you may find you are exceeding the allowable total weight for the vehicle.

 

[DaveyB]

You could always try converting an old coach! Saw an amazing one at a stock car race. Front 1/4 was the driving seated area, the rest was the sleeping and living accommodation. It was blooming brilliant, and with a significant brood, you’ll find it hard to overload it! Alright, parking it may be a challenge....

 

[AmberF]

Good god he’d never do anything like that! He’s terrified to the point he won’t attempt to do anything on the MH himself. He just wants to buy something that’s ready to go. He’s not even had it a year and wants to get rid of it due to how much it’s cost so far in repairs (about £1000). He didn’t read any of the accompanying instructions when he got it so did everything blind and has paid the price unfortunately. Putting the awning up without pegs and the central support bar in strong winds being a case in point. He won’t be told unfortunately. He didn’t realise the value of levellers so cooking was fun with trays sliding out of the oven, as was sleeping on a slope. No waste hog so was emptying over storm drains in lay-bys, no hose for the water supply so filling up with bottles of water from the tap. You get the idea.....
The payload is interesting and won’t be something he’s considered at all

 

[Davenjo]

Forget the vans - have a word with these guys:- Relate | The relationship people

 

[AmberF]

Forget the vans - have a word with these guys:- Relate | The relationship people

Hahaha! The van might well be the end of things!

 

[DaveyB]

Good god he’d never do anything like that! He’s terrified to the point he won’t attempt to do anything on the MH himself. He just wants to buy something that’s ready to go. He’s not even had it a year and wants to get rid of it due to how much it’s cost so far in repairs (about £1000). He didn’t read any of the accompanying instructions when he got it so did everything blind and has paid the price unfortunately. Putting the awning up without pegs and the central support bar in strong winds being a case in point. He won’t be told unfortunately. He didn’t realise the value of levellers so cooking was fun with trays sliding out of the oven, as was sleeping on a slope. No waste hog so was emptying over storm drains in lay-bys, no hose for the water supply so filling up with bottles of water from the tap. You get the idea.....
The payload is interesting and won’t be something he’s considered at all

@AmberF, you are missing one crucial point here.
He’s a man! Why on worth would he read an instruction manual? Don’t you know we come pre-loaded from the womb with every instruction manual ever released, plus every one that is ever likely to be released.
I think @Davenjo is right, marriage guidance, or you’ll likely bump him off in his sleep.

 

[AmberF]

@AmberF, you are missing one crucial point here.
He’s a man! Why on worth would he read an instruction manual? Don’t you know we come pre-loaded from the womb with every instruction manual ever released, plus every one that is ever likely to be released.
I think @Davenjo is right, marriage guidance, or you’ll likely bump him off in his sleep.

He expected me to read them and tell him how everything worked! He won’t go to the show this weekend. Not interested. Says they are boring. I thought it would be fun and interesting. How silly of me! I think T6s are awesome but just not the right choice for him or us.

 

[Caulkhead]

He expected me to read them and tell him how everything worked! He won’t go to the show this weekend. Not interested. Says they are boring. I thought it would be fun and interesting. How silly of me! I think T6s are awesome but just not the right choice for him or us.

He’s definitely not into the T6 scene if he won’t go to any exhibitions or shows, as that is where we all get our ideas from and then bounce them off each other.
If he is interested in this lifestyle and you can afford it, you should go to the largest Motorhome show certainly in Europe maybe the world.
It is in Dusseldorf and right next to the Airport, you will see every type of Motorhome/ Van selection imagineable, we go every year just to see that ,plus the new variations from the tiny VW Caddy right up to the mega million, mega monsters that you haven’t even dreamed of.
Apart from that it is a fantastic few days there spent over a long weekend and well worth the effort, with outside restaurants, live music on the campsite in the evening, free buses running campers into town each night and during the day.
It really does bring a whole variety of people together under one roof and camping afterwards on the campsite, and it’s a brilliant way of life, the kids would really enjoy it away from todays modern world of electronic gadgets .
Try it, you will be surprised.

 

[AmberF]

He’s definitely not into tye T6 scene if he won’t go to any exhibitions or shows, as that is where we all bet our idea from andcthen bounce them off each other.
If he is interested in this lifestyle and you can afford it, you should go to the largest Motorhome show certainly in Europe maybe the world.
It is in Dusseldorf and right next to the Airport, you will see every type of Motorhome/ Van selection imagine, we go every year just to see that plus the new variations from the tiny VW Caddy right up to the mega million, mega monsters that you haveneven dreamed of.
Apart from that it is a fantastic few days there spent over a long weekend and well worth the effort, with outside restaurants, live music on the campsite in the evening, free buses running campers into town each night and during the day.
It really does bring together a whole variety of people together under one roof and camping afterwards on the campsite, and it’s a brilliant way of life, the kids would really enjoy it away from todays modern world of electronic gadgets .
Try it, you will be surprised.

That sounds amazing! I’d love to go! Sadly I don’t think he would. He’s just decided he wants a T6 and that’s that. I might get into the scene myself and go as you all sound very friendly and like you know how to have fun. My kids aren’t really electronic gadget orientated and much prefer the outdoor life so we’d be well into it. Is there a T6 singles club??

 

[AmberF]

Also see here for evidence of someone crazy enough to go camping with 7 people in a T6

Camping challenge, 7 with a Beach.

He was off his head! And the weight was an issue potentially as had 4 adults, 3 kids and loads of stuff onboard. Guess some people don’t consider all the angles. Not sure if all 7 were able to have seatbelts?

 

[Caulkhead]

That sounds amazing! I’d love to go! Sadly I don’t think he would. He’s just decided he wants a T6 and that’s that. I might get into the scene myself and go as you all sound very friendly and like you know how to have fun. My kids aren’t really electronic gadget orientated and much prefer the outdoor life so we’d be well into it. Is there a T6 singles club??

I don’t know if there is a T6 singles club, but there sounds as though there migght be soon by the sounds of it
There is a huge section of the Dusseldorf Show that is just T6 oriented in such a huge selection of varients, it really is well worth a visit.

 

[Tourershine]

Is there a T6 singles club??

Oooo I quite like the sound of that.
Can I join if I'm married?

 

[Caulkhead]

Oooo I quite like the sound of that.
Can I join if I'm married?

Now who’s going to be Aunty Marjorie then

 

[AmberF]

Hahaha! You guys are funny