Downsized from crafter
- Thread starter Sirrell85
- Start date
I have not but if you are accustomed to a certain level of experience, comfort space to walk about head room then going to a T6 or 6.1 would feel cramped and cooped up I should imagine. A Crafter would likely feel more commanding when travelling possibly. Also as we age and some of us put on weight loose flexibility and so on larger more palatial might have more benefits.
@Sackmycook might be able to provide an insight - he's gone from Transporter to motorhome and is imminently due to return to a Transporter.
Went from MWB (5.5mt) Sprinter Campervan & VW Golf to a SWB T5.1, 7 years ago.
Predictable positives and negatives:
Positives; One set of bills when I was quite skint. Only one vehicle to worry about. T5 is fine as a replacement for the golf. Works fine as a campervan for just me and my dog. Much easier to tour in as can park anywhere.
Negatives; miss the shower and loo, oven, bike storage, being able to get up and walk around the van on a shitty day. Tend to use campsites more often.
Due to stuff going on T5 has not had heavy campervan use in last few years, but that has changed since retired to Scotland. Thought about replacement with a Crafter earlier this year. Decided to refresh the T5 (new lithium, extra cupboards, porta-potty) and use it for longer periods away whilst I think about what I want. The T5 only has 45k miles on it so its still a young vehicle despite being 12 years old.
Predictable positives and negatives:
Positives; One set of bills when I was quite skint. Only one vehicle to worry about. T5 is fine as a replacement for the golf. Works fine as a campervan for just me and my dog. Much easier to tour in as can park anywhere.
Negatives; miss the shower and loo, oven, bike storage, being able to get up and walk around the van on a shitty day. Tend to use campsites more often.
Due to stuff going on T5 has not had heavy campervan use in last few years, but that has changed since retired to Scotland. Thought about replacement with a Crafter earlier this year. Decided to refresh the T5 (new lithium, extra cupboards, porta-potty) and use it for longer periods away whilst I think about what I want. The T5 only has 45k miles on it so its still a young vehicle despite being 12 years old.
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You can get a LWB t6 with a rear opening roof, rear kitchen and toilet/shower options. These setups seem to be few and far between but we would consider this now we don’t have to consider the kids. The lack of onboard facilities is the only downside of the smaller van for me, everything else is a positive so resolving that issue is the key for us next time (if) we get another camper
My personal experience was the limitation of access for the MH. We had a week in Norfolk and boy, had some real issues with narrow lanes and DPD vans.
Our use has changed now to, to more day trips and overnighters where we can stay out of campsites to keep costs lower. Being semi-retired, we want to be able to jump in the Vivante and decamp, something I never felt I could do in mH set-up.
Time will tell I guess
We have just upsized to a MAN TGE which is essentially a crafter. Definitely have to be a bit more careful with size/length when manoeuvring and reversing but it has enough gizmoids to warn you. Having had a T6 for over 10 years before, it's not a major issue IMO.
We very deliberately did not have a shower/loo fitted as we spend all our time in campsites (in France) and the issue is that whilst you might have more space in the crafter, that gets eaten up very quickly by the shower space. Other massive advantage is no pop top, so no ducking of heads needed ( although I still do it!)
Can't comment on every day use as not applicable, although MPG might be an issue. Tad eye watering in the new van it has to be said.
We very deliberately did not have a shower/loo fitted as we spend all our time in campsites (in France) and the issue is that whilst you might have more space in the crafter, that gets eaten up very quickly by the shower space. Other massive advantage is no pop top, so no ducking of heads needed ( although I still do it!)
Can't comment on every day use as not applicable, although MPG might be an issue. Tad eye watering in the new van it has to be said.
Yeah you learn very quickly to have one finger on the side mirror fold button in narrow lanes in a bigger van
