Would a Motorhome holiday suit a Motorboater?

kennyh

kennyh

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Hi all

As an avid motorboater I’m considering a trip to France in a rental Motorhome and I’m not yet convinced that I’d like the experience.

Q. Have you travelled in to France in a Motorhome; will I go stir crazy; should I simply jump on the car and hire a motorboat in France?

Any thoughts?
 
kennyh said:
Hi all

As an avid motorboater I’m considering a trip to France in a rental Motorhome and I’m not yet convinced that I’d like the experience.

Q. Have you travelled in to France in a Motorhome; will I go stir crazy; should I simply jump on the car and hire a motorboat in France?

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Hmmm! Coincidentally was wondering the same for a trip up to Scotland, but what put me off is a total 100% aversion to camp sites and caravan parks. I'd only be interested in 'Wild Camping' in secluded scenic spots. The typical motor home (camper vans) you see on roads are tiny, far too cramped and small to spend a week or two living in. The yanks have the right idea with decent sized motor homes (RVs). I'd only be interested in one that is at least 36ft long (i.e. small by USA standards). Tiny 'George and Mildred' sized dog boxes would not interest me one bit. :)

For France in summer I'd want good AC, geni for wild camping and a good sized awning.
 
kennyh said:
Hi all

As an avid motorboater I’m considering a trip to France in a rental Motorhome and I’m not yet convinced that I’d like the experience.

Q. Have you travelled in to France in a Motorhome; will I go stir crazy; should I simply jump on the car and hire a motorboat in France?

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Having slagged caravans off all my life I bought one around 7 years ago and had it for a year. In that time I took it to Norfolk, the Lake District, Manchester and even down to the Vendee along with a few other trips. I loved it but wish it had been a motor home. I wouldn't hesitate and if you don't try it how will you know. The fact that you have thought about it for me should be enough to try it. I would love to try it in the US but not a priority at the mo.

Carpe piggin diem!
 
I had a lovely motorhome, that to this day I miss dearly. It’s a landyacht , pure and simple, it’s that same feeling of packing up your little self contained world and setting out on a voyage.
By the way France is the perfect place to go motorhoming
 
Yep, did it a few years back for the Le Mans 24 race.
I hired a transit based 6.95 roller team van.
So, the good bits, your of the ground so no getting damp if it tips it down.
The van had a large underfloor storage compartment which was very handy, and the solar panel on the roof was excellent at keeping the battery topped up. It also had a built in gas system you could charge up at the petrol station which worked well and was cheap.
The not so good bits, the van was gutless, overtaking was a planned job, the layout of the van was obviously designed for a retired couple, On paper it looked good but in practice it didnt work well for me.
Your not insured if you damage the roof which i very nearly did taking a detour thanks to the sat nav.
In France you can overnight in one of their 'Aires' at the side of the road, but i didnt feel safe and wouldnt do it again.
My advice would be to have a look round a few different types and hire one, Overall it was good, but you need to pick the right van.
 
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My wife's uncle and aunt from Ecosse have a large motor home and do this. They appear to love the experience, but the tolls on the French Motorways can he high and they get charge the same rate as a large truck. This results in them using some of the non-motorway routes which throw up some interesting navigational challenges and the opportunity to practice swearing.
 
kennyh said:
Hi all

As an avid motorboater I’m considering a trip to France in a rental Motorhome and I’m not yet convinced that I’d like the experience.

Q. Have you travelled in to France in a Motorhome; will I go stir crazy; should I simply jump on the car and hire a motorboat in France?

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

We have had several motorhomes and traveled quite a bit in in France and to Scotland over the years over the years.
as you are aware France is a huge country and offers all of the geological elements.
if going to the Med coast allow 3 days traveling time 50/60 mph, 20 mpg (much quicker than a boat and no rough seas to hold you up)
You have got a huge choice of places to stay from Campsites complete with Pools, Restaurants and shops next to the popular resorts right through to a parking place in someones vineyard' Oh and don't forget the mountains.
Layout wise what we found suits us is not to make beds up at night and a comfortable lounging area and and also to be able to turn round/ bendover in the washroom, so look at 28 foot minimum. What we think is ideal to give you this space is a full width rear bathroom inc shower cubicle ahead of single beds then a door fwd to the galley either side followed large dinette lounge complemented by swiveling front seats.
On the continent you will spend a majority of the time sat outside so this and the above combination should ward off going stir crazy. We use electric bikes for getting around locally.
Wild camping is frowned upon in France people use aires which are very cheap and can be attractive off the main routes where you are packed in like sardines (bit like some marinas)

Scotland is great in a motorhome
We go every year to the West Coast and Inner Hebrides there are not any Hi de Hi campsites. Many small secluded campsites with the minimal facilities needed where you can virtually parked on the beach or within 20 yards of sea or loch. never found the need to wild camp.
Hope this helps
A favourite spot on Skye
 

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We plan to take this or another boat down to the Med 2020 onwards. We are not interested in just going from marina to marina but hiring a car and visiting inland with occasional B&B's. I have also considered hiring a motor home as part of the experience but I would need to see nearer the time how much It would cost. As I said in an earlier post, give it a go and I hope if you do you let us know how it went.
 
kennyh said:
Hi all

As an avid motorboater I’m considering a trip to France in a rental Motorhome and I’m not yet convinced that I’d like the experience.

Q. Have you travelled in to France in a Motorhome; will I go stir crazy; should I simply jump on the car and hire a motorboat in France?

Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
Having owned caravans and motor homes , would recommend a motorhome , France we found some of the sites were a little small for our motorhome but that obviously depends ware you go, and what size you have, we found Spain better sites with better pitches and close to beaches , I would also recommend that you do not go to small if you intend to spend any time in it ,lastly air con is a must , good luck
 
If you're going to France, a Motorhome is best, although a Caravan can be perfectly good.

We used a 7.4m Motorhome with a garage containing an inflatable, and outboard on a launch trolley, 100cc Scooter and 2kw Generator. We could consequently go where we pleased, enjoying the free 'Aires' for parking, but I would swap the Scooter with a pair of Brompton bikes now so we could ride to a pub and wobble back!

If it wasn't for the far superior company of our Thames based cruiser club, I would buy another Motorhome tomorrow. Don't go too large, you can't park or drive everywhere!
 
No Regrets said:
If you're going to France, a Motorhome is best, although a Caravan can be perfectly good.

We used a 7.4m Motorhome with a garage containing an inflatable, and outboard on a launch trolley, 100cc Scooter and 2kw Generator. We could consequently go where we pleased, enjoying the free 'Aires' for parking, but I would swap the Scooter with a pair of Brompton bikes now so we could ride to a pub and wobble back!

If it wasn't for the far superior company of our Thames based cruiser club, I would buy another Motorhome tomorrow. Don't go too large, you can't park or drive everywhere!
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Tip we always turn the bikes around before we go in the pub
 
Just make sure you have all your provisions before parking up.

Nothing worse than setting your pitch and then realising you've forgotten to buy the essentials....like beer.

Can be a pain "nipping" to the shops.
 
Mrs GL and I spent 6 months driving round Aus in an ageing Toyota Hiace with no aircon. Great for getting off the beaten track (we had a genny) but a bit of a pain as to go anywhere we had to dismantle the camp then re-setup when we got back.

A bit like day sailing when you live aboard :ambivalence:
 
Thanks all for your comments and advice.

I’ve now booked a small Motorhome (for myself, my good lady and our dog).

Looking forward to it; and I’m sure all the years in a variety of small to medium sized motorboats will help with the planning. Besides we regularly drive off to France in an MX-5 for 2 weeks, so we are used to travelling extremely light :-)
 
Thanks all for the replies - we will soon be off to Brittany for a tour in the hired Motorhome.

Any suggestions of places to stay/ visit / see?

And of course, any suggestions for where to hire a day boat when we are out there along with suggested bays to visit?
 
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