I am in the process of upgrading my van. I have done so much research I am almost a candidate for therapy. My present van is a Jayco Discovery, 16.5 and am looking at a larger van. My travel is mixed between solo and a long suffering girlfriend. My question is this, does it make a lot of difference if you have say an 18.5 foot van compared to a 19.5 or 20.0 foot van or is 16.5 the right size? Obviously the bigger the van the more fuel used, but I mean on the living front.
I like to travel for a day or so and then stop for several days or a week or two. Does the extra 2-3 foot make much difference? I spend most time outside the van and try not to cook inside, just use it for sleeping, showers and shelter when it rains. I am not claustrophobic in my present set up but always seem to look at bigger vans and think they look more comfortable.
Have any posters ever regretted going bigger or is that the way to go. I have a 2014 DMax and intend to have an upgrade done to the suspension through Pedders or similar so a bit more weight does not cause too much concern.
Thanks in advance and I would really appreciate your suggestions.
rockylizard said
10:52 AM Feb 7, 2016
Gday...
I reckon you have answered your own question given the way you have phrased the question.
Your second paragraph sums it up nicely - you seem to be happy with the size van you now have - including the possibility that it also takes less fuel to tow.
Bigger isn't everything - size doesn't matter it is how you use it
Cheers - John
jules47 said
11:02 AM Feb 7, 2016
I often look at big vans, or motorhomes, and think how nice it would be to have a bit more room. But we are most comfortable in what we have now. We live in it full time, (motorhome) and tow a little car, so we can set it up and go exploring.
As to more space, if you were living full time in the van, I think more space could be good - but for what, so you can put more stuff in it?
Rocky Lizard has it right -
"Bigger isn't everything - size doesn't matter it is how you use it"
Izabarack said
11:19 AM Feb 7, 2016
My take on the size thing is that everything gets harder as the van size goes up. For us, big enough is big enough. Show stoppers for us were that the shower/toilet is big enough to use comfortably and the roof area is large enough to mount enough solar panels for free camping options. We also made decisions based on setting up for two people to use and to spend as much time as possible under the annex. Friends with large vans are always concerned about fuel, space in van parks, weight, and safe towing. I don't rate the mate's 24 foot van as more comfortable then our 16 footer, for our lifestyle on the road. Don't know if that helps because at some point, you will make the decision on what you want and need.
We have a small MH as well and the vehicle we go in depends on where we are going and how long we will camp up in any location.
Iza
Olley46 said
11:21 AM Feb 7, 2016
I had a 16.5ft pop top up sized to a 21ft with a club lounge and on suite never go back to a small one, the extra room is great and if it rains and your inside your not sitting on each other's née,as far as fuel goes the difference is bugger all,if you can't afford the fuel stay home,you only live once enjoy while you can , you don't know what is around the corner,as some one wrote the other day ,(DO IT NOW LATER MAY NEVER COME.)
Lance C
Bruce and Bev said
11:46 AM Feb 7, 2016
We also tow with a DMax and have a 19'6" van which we can live in full time - although we sometimes house sit and in the process of building another home. But we have lived in our 'van for upwards of a year and currently living in it until the house is finished around August.
Size does matter - to an extent! Putting up an annexe is a bit of a pain unless your staying in the same place for a week or more. The other consideration is wet or cold weather when you cant reasonably stay outside.
We are happy with our sized van - we chose not to go bigger mainly due to weight and findng suitable places to stop (CP's or free). Many CPs still measure their sites as if the RV will be the size of a hatchback car and many national parks design RV parking spots to make it difficult to even get a Getz in (WA is back for this in many of their parks).
I suggest you look around - tell the salesperson to go have a coffee and leave you alone. Find some vans that have what you want inside them (we use our oven a lot) and then take turns sitting down at the table and working out could you sit comfortably there for the evening and move around the van past each other. Then this will help you with picking a van that comes close to being just what you want.
Incidently, our DMax pulls our 3T van along with no problems and theres only a tiny drop in fuel use compared to when its not pulling the van. Quite different when we had a similar sized Jayco van and new Patrol about 7 years ago.
We also had our van fitted with ESC - its great when passing a road train or being over taken by one as it stops that "sucking" the van towards the truck when theyre close together
Good luck with your search lol
Cupie said
01:10 PM Feb 7, 2016
When we were purchasing our one and only van some 16 years ago we had decided on a 20' van. We happened to be sitting in a 21'6" version doing the paperwork.
To us the benefit of an en-suite across the rear of the larger van (rather than a cubicle shower toilet of the 20' one) was a game changer.
We tore up the contract & bought the 21'6" van. A decision that we have never regretted.
The bigger van gives you the option to indulge in such things as an en-suite, cafe dining/ lounge perhaps even recliners. and space to maximise the indoor experience.
PeterInSa said
03:08 PM Feb 7, 2016
Agree x 2 with a 21'6" Traveller
(The bigger van gives you the option to indulge in such things as an en-suite, cafe dining/ lounge perhaps even recliners. and space to maximise the indoor experience.)
Desert Dweller said
04:21 PM Feb 7, 2016
Owners of big vans will always tell you that you NEED a big van. We could have easily afforded a large van but opted for a sensible 17ft van which allows us to get into rough bush camps & also get great fuel consumption when travelling. How bigger van do two small retired people need? Then again we'll never impress anyone that we mix with at happy hour (brag hour) with the size of our van but hey, who cares?
mickle said
04:38 PM Feb 7, 2016
BIGGER IS BETTER FOR US, HAD A COMPASS OFF ROADER ,ROUGH GUTS, TRADED IN 21 FT COMPASS , LEAKS, OFF ROAD JAYCO 16FT ,TO SMALL .
Now have 2013 sterling 23,6 Jayco up graded axles, extended draw bar .300, weighs in at 3.2 tonne ,towed with BT50 in 5th gear returning 14ltr per 100 @90ksperhr
very happy , Would not go back to small vans, Plus we have plenty of storage for big van .
Mickle.
aussie_paul said
05:34 PM Feb 7, 2016
Desert Dweller wrote:
Owners of big vans will always tell you that you NEED a big van. We could have easily afforded a large van but opted for a sensible 17ft van which allows us to get into rough bush camps & also get great fuel consumption when travelling. How bigger van do two small retired people need? Then again we'll never impress anyone that we mix with at happy hour (brag hour) with the size of our van but hey, who cares?
Sensible maybe for you DD. Sensible for us, because of my disabilities, is our Jayco Sterling 23.72 Horses for courses. No "one size fits all".
Aussie Paul.
mickle said
06:20 PM Feb 7, 2016
Well said ,Aussie Paul
Mickle.
Kantiki said
07:51 PM Feb 7, 2016
After all our versions i think the layout,particularly seating, is more important than the length. Also, are there enough windows and enough kitchen bench space for your individual needs.
tezza said
08:18 PM Feb 7, 2016
We started with 21"full van and have gradually gotten smaller. Now in 17' pop top and very happy. we can go so many places especially
bush camping that bigger full vans can't and we still have empty cupboards.
Aus-Kiwi said
11:27 PM Feb 7, 2016
We settled for a Mega 8m motorhome . Retired now, enjoy the fruits . The seperate shower, bath, fold up queen bed did it for us . We mainly cook BBQ outside and stove tops to boil, cook veggies .. We mainly use the 7m awning. Longer stays we erect the annex .. The 300 fresh water helped make our decision . Long range fuel tank means I can top up at cheaper ( in most cases) fuel stations ., open road cruising 90 kph is very fuel efficient for 5+ ton motorhome .
NeilandRaine said
07:38 AM Feb 8, 2016
It really matters if you are trying to back into a small site in a caravan park
DMaxer said
11:04 AM Feb 8, 2016
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies. It might be more the case that I know the answer and just finding ways to justify it.
mike g g said
03:52 PM Feb 8, 2016
HI we had a 20 ft combined shower toilet and up graded to a 20/8in coromal great van the wife loves the setup with separate shower toilet etc and lets face if she`s happy im happy ,as for towing I think this is a good towing size fuel use is ok 14/16 litres to the 100 .I tow with a territory diesel,10 to 11 lts per 100 not towing .I have tow many different set ups over the years (ex truckie long distance ,short haul,)and I find its a good size and is not to big as I think some out there are .regards mike g.
Cloak said
08:31 PM Feb 8, 2016
Here's the thing... No one said you can have only one van.
Have a small poptop for those forest camps and a much larger one for the long term stays where access isn't an issue.
I remember towing the Dove up in the mountains near Orbost under low branches and tight turns where you couldn't take a large full size van.
Same goes for boats, have a tinny for the river and something bigger for off shore...
Same goes for cars.... And women... Oh and chainsaws I have several of those.
Hats, same deal....
We have a cat collection too....
Anyway I'm off to have a nap.
iana said
09:55 PM Feb 8, 2016
I think a lot has to do with how you intend to use the van, for instance are you going to use it for short forays away from home, still having a home base, or are you going to be in the van full time. If you use it for the short forays from home, then a van with less creature comforts would be in order, so it can be shorter.
But living full time in it, you may need other considerations. In our case we wanted two recliner chairs that fully reclined, and we still had space. the other was apart from the ensuite, a separate lounge to bedroom area so that they could be divided. So we both can have some personal space. Unfortunately the length of the van that meet our needs came to 24.75 ft. will I would dearly prefer a shorter van, that's the way it came.
Aus-Kiwi said
10:17 PM Feb 8, 2016
Yep Plus free camping . Way out bush .. V long weekend away at the coast ..
circlek said
02:05 PM Feb 9, 2016
We started off with a 16ft poptop, which was really nice but a bit small considering we have two large dogs, upgraded to a 19ft poptop with no ensuite, it was really nice also but found not having an ensuite a real pain so we have upgraded to 21ft9" Stirling with an ensuite, wouldn't go back to the small van for quids. I think it all really comes down to personal preference :)
I am in the process of upgrading my van. I have done so much research I am almost a candidate for therapy. My present van is a Jayco Discovery, 16.5 and am looking at a larger van. My travel is mixed between solo and a long suffering girlfriend. My question is this, does it make a lot of difference if you have say an 18.5 foot van compared to a 19.5 or 20.0 foot van or is 16.5 the right size? Obviously the bigger the van the more fuel used, but I mean on the living front.
I like to travel for a day or so and then stop for several days or a week or two. Does the extra 2-3 foot make much difference? I spend most time outside the van and try not to cook inside, just use it for sleeping, showers and shelter when it rains. I am not claustrophobic in my present set up but always seem to look at bigger vans and think they look more comfortable.
Have any posters ever regretted going bigger or is that the way to go. I have a 2014 DMax and intend to have an upgrade done to the suspension through Pedders or similar so a bit more weight does not cause too much concern.
Thanks in advance and I would really appreciate your suggestions.
Gday...
I reckon you have answered your own question given the way you have phrased the question.
Your second paragraph sums it up nicely - you seem to be happy with the size van you now have - including the possibility that it also takes less fuel to tow.
Bigger isn't everything - size doesn't matter
it is how you use it 
Cheers - John
As to more space, if you were living full time in the van, I think more space could be good - but for what, so you can put more stuff in it?
Rocky Lizard has it right -
"Bigger isn't everything - size doesn't matter it is how you use it"
We have a small MH as well and the vehicle we go in depends on where we are going and how long we will camp up in any location.
Iza
I had a 16.5ft pop top up sized to a 21ft with a club lounge and on suite never go back to a small one, the extra room is great and if it rains and your inside your not sitting on each other's née,as far as fuel goes the difference is bugger all,if you can't afford the fuel stay home,you only live once enjoy while you can , you don't know what is around the corner,as some one wrote the other day ,(DO IT NOW LATER MAY NEVER COME.)
Lance C
Size does matter - to an extent! Putting up an annexe is a bit of a pain unless your staying in the same place for a week or more. The other consideration is wet or cold weather when you cant reasonably stay outside.
We are happy with our sized van - we chose not to go bigger mainly due to weight and findng suitable places to stop (CP's or free). Many CPs still measure their sites as if the RV will be the size of a hatchback car and many national parks design RV parking spots to make it difficult to even get a Getz in (WA is back for this in many of their parks).
I suggest you look around - tell the salesperson to go have a coffee and leave you alone. Find some vans that have what you want inside them (we use our oven a lot) and then take turns sitting down at the table and working out could you sit comfortably there for the evening and move around the van past each other. Then this will help you with picking a van that comes close to being just what you want.
Incidently, our DMax pulls our 3T van along with no problems and theres only a tiny drop in fuel use compared to when its not pulling the van. Quite different when we had a similar sized Jayco van and new Patrol about 7 years ago.
We also had our van fitted with ESC - its great when passing a road train or being over taken by one as it stops that "sucking" the van towards the truck when theyre close together
Good luck with your search lol
When we were purchasing our one and only van some 16 years ago we had decided on a 20' van. We happened to be sitting in a 21'6" version doing the paperwork.
To us the benefit of an en-suite across the rear of the larger van (rather than a cubicle shower toilet of the 20' one) was a game changer.
We tore up the contract & bought the 21'6" van. A decision that we have never regretted.
The bigger van gives you the option to indulge in such things as an en-suite, cafe dining/ lounge perhaps even recliners. and space to maximise the indoor experience.
(The bigger van gives you the option to indulge in such things as an en-suite, cafe dining/ lounge perhaps even recliners. and space to maximise the indoor experience.)
Now have 2013 sterling 23,6 Jayco up graded axles, extended draw bar .300, weighs in at 3.2 tonne ,towed with BT50 in 5th gear returning 14ltr per 100 @90ksperhr
very happy , Would not go back to small vans, Plus we have plenty of storage for big van .
Mickle.
Sensible maybe for you DD. Sensible for us, because of my disabilities, is our Jayco Sterling 23.72 Horses for courses. No "one size fits all".
Aussie Paul.
Mickle.
After all our versions i think the layout,particularly seating, is more important than the length. Also, are there enough windows and enough kitchen bench space for your individual needs.
bush camping that bigger full vans can't and we still have empty cupboards.
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies. It might be more the case that I know the answer and just finding ways to justify it.
HI we had a 20 ft combined shower toilet and up graded to a 20/8in coromal great van the wife loves the setup with separate shower toilet etc and lets face if she`s happy im happy ,as for towing I think this is a good towing size fuel use is ok 14/16 litres to the 100 .I tow with a territory diesel,10 to 11 lts per 100 not towing .I have tow many different set ups over the years (ex truckie long distance ,short haul,)and I find its a good size and is not to big as I think some out there are .regards mike g.
Have a small poptop for those forest camps and a much larger one for the long term stays where access isn't an issue.
I remember towing the Dove up in the mountains near Orbost under low branches and tight turns where you couldn't take a large full size van.
Same goes for boats, have a tinny for the river and something bigger for off shore...
Same goes for cars.... And women... Oh and chainsaws I have several of those.
Hats, same deal....
We have a cat collection too....
Anyway I'm off to have a nap.
But living full time in it, you may need other considerations. In our case we wanted two recliner chairs that fully reclined, and we still had space. the other was apart from the ensuite, a separate lounge to bedroom area so that they could be divided. So we both can have some personal space. Unfortunately the length of the van that meet our needs came to 24.75 ft. will I would dearly prefer a shorter van, that's the way it came.