Over cab or not

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Over cab or not

Poppy sore eye · Senior Member

Another question, we have decided that we will be getting a motorhome in preference to a caravan. The question now is do we go for an over the cab bed, we have been given arguments both for and against. We need to know what you think. Please be brutal, what and why do you do?

thanks

bill12 · Guru

I have a ute with a slide on camper on the back and can say that the only two things that can be detriments are getting in and out of bed at night, and the extra height.But you get used to it. I did have a bingle with a servo awning, but you just have to keep your eye out.Also you can leave a van and go away in your tug.(you can do it in the slide on ' if you don,t mind loading and unloading.Its all a compromise. Bill

Yuglamron · Guru

My input......... We are all getting older so climbing in and out of bed????????

Not for me.

Plus all the other againsts..... enclosed spaces, ventilation/heating,ease of making the bed.

height to me makes no difference you just don't go under something lower than your rig ,be it two meters or four whatever.

jetj · Guru

Most of the motorhomes I've been in, the bed over the cabin is just too high to be practical for me to use. The slide ons don't seem as high and I could comfortably use the bed in those.

gypsy rover · Senior Member

I use my over cab bed and love it as it allows much more space. However, it does get very hot up there in summer. You would definitely need to instal a fan unless you are going to be full time on 240v so you can stay airconditioned. That is the only downside I have found. I guess climbing up and down could be a challenge as I get older and stiffer, but then I will just use it for storage and sleep downstairs.

Cheers!

Chris

jules47 · The Happy Helper

We have a bed in the cabover - but also a double bed at the back - we use the one over the cabin for storage - full time travelling - I would not like to be reliant on a ladder in the middle of the night!!! And the extra storage space is very handy - offseason clothes etc.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Our bed-over-cab in the OKA is N-S instead of E-W, so no climbing over each other.
It also has a pop-top over it that gives standing room on the bed if required.

The end result is 2M extra living area in the main body. Why use up all that space just to sleep in?

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Cheers,

Peter

herbie · Guru

Have you gave any thought to a caravan that folds down,that way you have the best of both worlds,as you would have the vehicle to go touring ,while the van is parked up at a camp spot or van park. The thing I notice and hear most from people with just a motor home is the pain in the butt ,regarding after setting up camp ,they decide to go for a drive or go to the shops or what ever, every thing has to be re packed up again,and when they get back to base they have to do it all over again, but in reverse. I have not got a motor home it is just what people who have them tell me about the pit falls of travelling in them are.

The dog lady · Guru

I've always thought those over cab beds look sort-of coffin size...........we are getting older, dual purpose motorhome maybe confuse

Duh · Guru

herbie wrote:
Have you gave any thought to a caravan that folds down,that way you have the best of both worlds,as you would have the vehicle to go touring ,while the van is parked up at a camp spot or van park. The thing I notice and hear most from people with just a motor home is the pain in the butt ,regarding after setting up camp ,they decide to go for a drive or go to the shops or what ever, every thing has to be re packed up again,and when they get back to base they have to do it all over again, but in reverse. I have not got a motor home it is just what people who have them tell me about the pit falls of travelling in them are.

I have had several of both herbie, caravan and campervan, both have their advantages and disadvantages, with a campervan/motorhome you only have one registration and insurance instead of two, unless you are towing a small car or have another at home.

With a campervan/motorhome, you plan your activities, make sure you have all your food etc before you set up for the day/night, sometimes you can find caravan parks that are only a short walk to the shops or have a bus stop outside. Our sight seeing is usually done either before we camp up or when we leave the next day on the way out. One good thing is if you go to somewhere for a looksee after you have seen it you don't have to return to a caravan park or camp to collect your caravan, you can just move on to the next place.

It's a matter of planning and adapting to whatever RV you have. Having said that, if I had to stay in a caravan park (eg; local job or other reason) for awhile, I would prefer a caravan that you can return to each day.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

The key to a campervan or motorhome is being organised - have your shopping done, check out the attractions in the town, then settle into the caravan park or whatever. If it is a busy period and you are worried about getting into a caravan park, go and book in, tell them you will be back - go and do your stuff.

Lots of advantages with a motorhome over a caravan.

milo · Guru

i have seen a lot of motor homes with small cars behind them,

Legendts · Senior Member

Also have you considered if you have a problem with the motorhome and it is needed for the repair overnight, or several, where do you eat and sleep? Going through the same exercise ourselves and a 5er or caravan is probably going to win out in the end but not there yet.

Poppy sore eye · Senior Member

Wow so many different thoughts, and yes some passionate ideas on MH v caravans. no real decision to be made at this end, Hazel, aka SWMBO will NOT tow a van ...but......but?.....but...No!!!!!!

So the question is all about MH, we have been given lots of differing opinions, .....you must have a bed over the cab it gives you so much extra room, .....you don't want a bed over the cab it's to hard hard too get into and to hot.

We hired a MH with bed over in tassie a couple of years ago and condensation was also a problem.

thanks to your input I think we have decided that we need a ground floor bed, we will still need sleeping for 5 to incorporate the grand kids so we have not ruled out the overcab bed, but not as a main bed for us, unless you have any suggestions,.

Someone on this forum mentioned the Winnebago explorer, does any body have experience with this design/layout.

thanks again.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

As I said before PSE - full time on the road - storage is vital - caboverbed, with bed at the back also, gives you comfort PLUS storage, whatever brand or style you buy.

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Legendts wrote:
Also have you considered if you have a problem with the motorhome and it is needed for the repair overnight, or several, where do you eat and sleep? Going through the same exercise ourselves and a 5er or caravan is probably going to win out in the end but not there yet.

A forum member told me about the time her m/home had mechanical problems and she spent the night in the locked yard of the garage waiting for it to be fixed next say. She was safe, and it was a fee campsite!

In dire circumstances you would have to book into a motel/cabin, just the same as if your caravan needed repairs.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Yep - agreed Gerty - just need to get yourself organised, as with caravan repairs.