We did it..

..put down a deposit on a, new-to-us Topaz yesterday and will collect it in three weeks - we are having our drive extended so need to allow for that being finished.

Had our second good look round it yesterday and a test drive and decided to go for it. Loved the drive, apart from the fact the handbrake is a bit low for me and I think we will have to look at wedging the blinds to stop them rattling but these are only minor things.

Already planning out first trip and hope the weather holds out for a few weeks. First trips will be a days out so that the dog can get used to it before our first overnight stay. Have started a list of what we need, already have sleeping bags and a travel kettle so a minor start made but the first thing on the list is a corkscrew. Not going to buy too much - will see how we go and what we 'need' rather than 'want'.

Did look at the Duvalays, pricey though so may end up making our own but not sure if we will have room to store in the van - maybe sleeping bags would be better - any thoughts.

I'm sure I will be mithering you all to death with questions over the next few months - hope you don't mind too much.

Thanks for your help so far.

Ann B

Congratulations Ann B

Hi Ann B
Pleased to hear you have taken the plunge
Topaz is a good choice I'm sure you will have lots of adventures.

When we had our Topaz(es) we tended to take sleeping bags. These days there are some high tog value sleeping bags that pack up pretty small. It all a question of how you want to use the storage space and what is important to you.

Bet you can't wait to get it

John

Happy New Van!

We've been using sleeping bags for the last ??????? years and we're always snug enough.
We use the double bed option in the Symphony and zip two king size bags together to make one big one.

Frank

Well done on your purchase.

We also use sleeping bags in our Symphony (but in single bed mode). I quite like the idea of Duvalays as I find the mattresses hard on my hips but I know we just haven't the room to store them. We have two sets of sleeping bags - 38oz and 44oz to use depending on the time of year.

Congratulations on your purchase Anne,
Your van is a lot smaller than ours (Basically a NeuvoES) so you will have less storage space, but we looked at duvalay's and decided that our arrangments where OK for us.
We use the double bed with sleeping bags opened out as duvet's 2 on top of one another when it is cold, or one in the summer. During the day these are stored in 20 inch square cushion covers so that they take up less space and can be used as scatter cushions if required.
The handbrake on all Fiat Peugoet Citroen vans which are built in the same factory in Italy are a bit awkward to reach particularly if you have swivel seats which add about 2 inches to the hight of the seat. Fire away with your questions you will nearly always find someone who can help and motorhoming is a quite steep learning curve you will learn by your mistakes.

Brian2

murph wrote: The handbrake on all Fiat Peugoet Citroen vans which are built in the same factory in Italy are a bit awkward to reach particularly if you have swivel seats which add about 2 inches to the hight of the seat.
Brian2

Aren't Topaz's built on VWs?

Frank

murph wrote: The handbrake on all Fiat Peugoet Citroen vans which are built in the same factory in Italy are a bit awkward to reach particularly if you have swivel seats which add about 2 inches to the hight of the seat. Brian2

The Topaz is of course built on a VW but you can get these handbrake extensions to help.(states that although made for the Peugeot/Fiat/Citroens, it has been fitted to some VW's)..

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

HI Frank,
Possibly, I dont know, but swivels will have that effect anyway (if fitted) I was just passing on what I do know, I expect someone will tell me for certain shortly whether most people find it is a stretch to the handbrake on VWs.


Brian2

PS thanks Paul you beat me to it.






















.

I can't say I've found it too much of a problem on either the T4 or T5 fitted with swivels. The sevel vans seem much higher up and the handbrake can be a tad difficult to pull up / release.

John

Hi Anne,
and this one.

Kobran Motorhome Handbrake Extender - GM-007 Buy SECURELY ...

D*mned expensive for a piece of injection moulded resin aren't they?
I quite fancied getting one of those when we first got the Boxer, but when I saw the price, I decided to keep up with the arm stretching exercises

Frank

Thanks guys. Think I will have to put up with it. Just joined Caravan and Camping Club, and need to sort out insurance so - lots of things to spend my money on apart from that.
Ann B

Good luck Ann with your purchase.

My wife and I both think the Duvalays are well worth the price and possible storage problems. We are far too old to go for sleeping bags on top of the seat cushions - too hard - and if you go for foam mattresses under the sleeping bags, for comfort, you end up with as much bulk as the duvalays. In fact the bulk issue depends on the thickness of the mattress - we have the 4cm thick which is real luxury but can be squashed down, while the 2.5cm thickness should take up less room.

peter

Hi Ann,

Congratulations

Brian & Chris

Ann B wrote:...... we are having our drive extended so need to allow for that being finished.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I stuck the quote in to remind you that a MH is a lot heavier than a car; and to remember to let the drive extension cure before you park your new pride and joy on it!

Concrete takes at least two weeks to fully cure (it actually never stops!!) and tarmac can take a couple of weeks as well. I recommend that you change the vans position every couple of days or so for the first couple of months.

Best regards,

hope you enjoy your topaz. of course you could just opt for the duvalay mattress topper which are just 26cm diameter compared to the bulkier complete duvalay, then sleep in a sleeping bag on top of the topper maybe? weblink below might help you decide.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]