Hello from new members!

We are new to this site and, just beginning to contemplate owning a motorhome, having previously towed a caravan. We have trawled various websites to the early hours of the morning, for a 2009 - 2011 Symbol/Dorset or Warwick Duo/Sussex Duo. However, a difference of opinion has emerged about length! I favour either of the former two, as I believe they would be easier to drive, park and,reverse. My Partner however is of a different opinion. He believes there will be no noticeable difference and, we will gain far more space. To test our theories, we have booked test drives for this week end. There are just the two of us and, two lively young dogs. Once we have become confident drivers and, the dogs have had their rabies shots, we would like to take the motorhome abroad. Any advice would be most welcome and, if anyone is considering selling a motorhome, we would like to here from you!

I personally would go for the longer vans giving you more space for the dogs. I wouldnt have thought you would see much difference in parking the different lengths of van as you will tend to look for the wider parking bays anyway. We have never owned a panel van conversion always a coachbuilt the one nearest in size to what you are proposing was the Executive and I recooned that if you could park a Rangerover, Discovery or similar in a bay I could get the executive in. I do mainly reverse in though so my rear overhang could be over grass or similar

Hi dizzyprimrose and welcome

Love your name

Brian & Chris

Hello dizzyprimrose

Hope you enjoy your stay on the forum, hopefully a few more members will be able to offer you some further advice

Welcome to ASOF

Welcome from Paul and Carol in North Wales

Hi Dizzieprimrose
Welcome to the forum
Is the van going to be your only vehicle? if so The size is of importance. We have a Symbol ES and a large English Setter And it is our only vehicle. We can easily fit into supermarket parking spaces and manage to park in many small spots, that larger vehicles can not.
If it is not your only vehicle then size isn't too much of a problem. We love our van, so does the dog, he sleeps in the cab area, and once you have a routine sorted it's no problem, We spent most of June wild camping in the Hebrides fantastic!!
Good luck with your search
Regards
Plattypus

Welcome dizzyprimrose

I have a 2009 Symbol and chose this in preference to the longer 6.0/6.3m van types which are popular here in NZ. The Symbol is particularly space efficient, with its mid lounge, and high-top design. It will fit into smaller spaces and has the advantage of allowing sleeping in either a longitudinal or transverse way, with the former being essential for taller people. Some of the longer vehicles only allow for transverse sleeping although the Duo does provide for both, unlike the Warwick. The deciding factor for us was the close provision of the third seat-belted seat although this won’t benefit your dogs.

Good luck

Keith