Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Belfast
My Motorhome: Hymer Exsis-i 504
Posts: 7,036
Thanks: 193
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If that's North Cape, Norway that's a lorra, lorra miles! Even for 6 months. Well, at my rate it would be!
I'd be inclined to stick with the MH you have - the month or 2 you have before going is not a lot of time to be sourcing a new van, with all the other things you'll have to be doing. And it might turn out to be less convenient than the one you have. I also wouldn't want to be adding a lot of extras if there's a possibility of changing in the near future - unless the upgrades could be transferred.
Regarding your list:
replacing the current mattress with a better one (memory foam maybe) - I believe memory foam can be hot?
solar panel additional leisure battery - depends on what type of travelling you intend. If off-grid then I'd definitely go down this route; if on sites, no need really.
satellite system - is that just for TV? My husband and I travelled for more than 2yrs with no TV, never got bored. Only you can answer if you need it.
changes to gas setup for European use - I'd definitely go for a refillable gas system, but with the filler outside, not inside the garage. You can take this with you if you change vans.
maybe diesel heating - never had, never felt the lack
storage stuff e.g. changing the overcab bed to storage, some shelfing in the garage etc. - Your MH is about the same size as ours was at the time so I wouldn't imagine you'd need more storage; we'd no overcab so you've that extra space for bedding, clothes, whatever. I believe some even put bikes up there! I hang things from hooks and eyes in the garage and use a few stackable boxes - I imagine that's more flexible than fixed shelving. Having said that, my present Hymer has shallow shelving to the front of the garage and it holds an amazing amount of bits n pieces. You also have to take account of the fact that every addition eats into your payload. If you haven't already, take it to a weighbridge; don't ever rely on the official figures. Our van had been plated at 3.85T but was upgraded to 4.2 because we sailed too close to the max. We had to fit airride suspension for that. That's something you'd need to look into early as it can't be done overnight.
After all that, go for it!! What an exciting venture!
Jean