Motorhome test: Traveling in a motorhome is flexible and spontaneous. Away from dress codes or fixed meal times, only your own training rhythm and your own route count on a cycling holiday with a mobile home. Spend the night in the most beautiful cycling destinations and just stay until the next destination beckons. We present what we believe to be the perfect symbiosis of training camp and family vacation. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a cycling holiday with a motorhome, what should you pay attention to and how does it live and travel in such a camper, here as an example in the fully integrated motorhome Integra Line 695 QB from Eura Mobil.
Driving with the mobile home
What do I have to consider when renting?
Getting into the world of motorhome vacations is actually child’s play: there are providers everywhere who rent out vehicles of different sizes and price ranges. Even beginners can implement a two or three-week road trip without much preparation. Whether Europe or another continent - there is hardly a country that would not be suitable for a motorhome holiday. We have compiled tips for renting motorhomes in a separate article on Velomotion:
Bike tours: Renting a mobile home – Eleven important tips!
Tips: Before you buy an expensive motorhome, you should rent a motorhome for your first trip. There are plenty of offers, certainly also in your area. What to look out for before there are nasty surprises. 1. Check driving license For vehicles over 3,5 tons, all potential drivers should […]
What driver's license do I need, where can I stay, mobile home or caravan?
Before the adventure starts, we would like to inform you with the following article about all the important basic questions about motorhome holidays:
Spectrum: Bicycle trips with the mobile home - basic questions
Driving license requirements With the reforms surrounding driving licenses since 1999, there is often confusion about which driving license is required for which vehicle. In addition to the issue date of the driver's license, the required driver's license class depends on the permissible total weight (GVW) of the motorhome or caravan. Driver's license before 1999 Those who obtained their driver's license before 1999 may [...]
Our experiences on a cycling holiday with the camper from Eura Mobil Integra Line 695 QB
On our first cycling holiday with a motorhome, we are traveling with a fully integrated motorhome from Eura Mobil. The mobile home manufacturer Eura Mobil has been producing its vehicles in Sprendlingen, Rhineland-Palatinate, for over 50 years and has belonged to the French Trigano Group since 2002.
The first trip in a fully integrated motorhome
There is a slight feeling of awe when you stand in front of the imposing Integra Line and step up from the cabin door in the living area. Quicker than you want to admit, the question of whether you can use this multitude of buttons, displays, shut-off valves and switches correctly at all times comes to mind. What was the switch on the left for again?
Luckily there was a nice employee from the rental station who was able to explain everything calmly with extensive instruction and without time pressure. All-clear: There is actually no need to worry about many systems and devices. It doesn't matter whether the refrigerator automatically chooses which energy source to use (gas, 12 volt, 220 volt shore power) or the gas bottles switch automatically when one is empty, through to the inconspicuously working Alde hot water heater, everything runs relaxed in the background. Advantages that are “our” Eura Mobil standard in the price league.
So take courage and boldly take the pilot's seat. The first glance looks familiar, despite all efforts, the Fiat Ducato cockpit with the practical, wipeable hard plastic only has the charm of a transporter. However, the operation leaves no questions unanswered and as a driver you can already enjoy the extremely high seating position over the first few kilometers. It's even fun to cruise like a bus driver, both forearms on armrests, like a sedan chair on the country road. The only thing that takes getting used to is the very wide A-pillar in combination with the large front mirrors. Behind it, a small car can disappear in a roundabout. In turn, these large mirrors also give a safe feeling, because as a driver I can really see everything that is driving or standing behind and around me. Together with the reversing camera, even parking with the 7,09 meter long vehicle was easy. Due to the very high seating position, you can even overlook VW buses, which also increases anticipatory safety. The very low average consumption of just 10,2 liters of diesel after a total test time of over 4000 kilometers was surprising given the size and mass of the rolling home. The constant background noise while driving took some getting used to. Either the engine is roaring, or the table or the dishes are rattling, something always makes noises in a mobile home.
Loading the Eura Mobil Integra Line
Luckily we had a few days to load the camper van before our cycling holiday. We were also very happy because we felt like we carried half the household items into the vehicle. The many storage compartments in the heated double floor, the high-quality cabinet structures and the large garage with the hydraulically elevating queen-size bed all easily put away. We particularly liked the fact that the harmonious ambient lighting also serves as bright interior lighting for the cupboards. The huge 160 liter refrigerator was also impressive. On the day of departure we only had to move our house fridge and the holiday could begin. That's the freedom with a mobile home, the holiday begins at the front door. The route is the goal!
Life in the Eura Mobil 695 QB
On a cycling holiday with a mobile home - in this case with the Integra Line from Eura Mobil - you are simply at home everywhere and don't really have to leave your usual comfort zone. Especially as a fully integrated mobile home, it shows all its advantages. Despite its stately appearance and generous living space, it still has a manageable length. With four fixed beds, it is fully suitable for families, whereby the queen-size bed in the rear can be moved by 17 centimeters towards the rear wall during the day, while the double fold-down bed above the driver's cab hangs inconspicuously directly on the vehicle ceiling and is manually transformed into a spacious, full-size bed at night . The Einstig is pleasantly deep and characteristic of a fully integrated mobile home, it does not block the living space at night. Also typical of these vehicles is their full suitability for winter, since the entire installation is housed in the double floor to protect it from frost and the driver's cab, which was specially developed by the mobile home manufacturer, is fully insulated. This suitability for winter rounds off Alde's outstanding hot water heating system. The Alde heat exchangers are discreetly hidden throughout the vehicle and heat up the living space absolutely evenly and comfortably. Sure, at night you have to put up with the occasional, quiet whirring of the circulating pump.
Continuing with the layout: behind the rotating pilot seats there is a large, comfortable L-shaped seating group with a side seat and a column table that can be moved and rotated. So a big enough party room to invite the neighbors too. In order to be able to use the window seat when driving, the support from the longitudinal leg of the L-bench must be partially removed so that there is also space for the feet.
The sensibly equipped corner kitchen is located behind the seating area. We really liked this one. Large storage compartments with high-quality fittings, an extractor hood with bright integrated lighting, a huge refrigerator opposite and a practical gas oven beautifully integrated above the refrigerator. Everything looks color-coordinated and as if made of one piece. The inconspicuous, fully self-sufficient functions of the mobile home in our use as a training base camp are particularly noticeable when using the kitchen. The freedom facts of 160 liters of refrigerator volume, 140 liters of fresh water, 100 liters of gray water, 22 liters of propane gas and a large gel battery made us so flexible that we didn't have to plan our training stages along campsites. Staying overnight on an Alpine pass for three days – no problem.
Behind the kitchen, separated by a sliding door that shines through in a modern way, is the sleeping area with a generously designed queen-size bed. As a compromise for the compact dimensions of the mobile home, the developers have integrated the separate shower and toilet or bathroom as a flexible space solution. What we found very clever at first turned out to be impractical in the test operation. The shower is decorated with stylish, dimmable ambient lighting - this makes a hot shower fun after a cold ride - but the very cramped room toilet is less fun .
Technical data:
Model Duc.3,5 to Motorization series 2,3 ltr. performance series 96 kW / PS 130 Motorization option 2,3 ltr. performance option 109 kW / 150 hp, 130 kW / 180 hp technical Permitted total mass 3500 / kg 4250 Weight in running order (series)* 3020 kg permissible total train weight 5500 / kg 6050 permissible trailer load (braked) 2000 / kg 1800 permissible axle load at the rear 2000 / kg 2400 total length (mm) 7090 overall width (mm) 2322 overall height (mm) 2880 Inner width (mm) 2174 headroom (mm) 1975 raised floor height (mm) 110 Wheelbase (mm) 4035 Tire series (mm) 215/70 R15C (225/75 R16C) Front seating group (mm) 1150 x 1050 Bed conversion seating group (mm) 2000 x 1150 rear bed (mm) 1900 x 1390 Front bed / pull-down bed (mm) 1850 x 1500 Sofa / single seat / side bench (mm) 545 x 650 Extension to X sleeping places 6 permitted number of people with 3-pt 4 Seat extension to X people 5 from 3650 kg total mass wall thickness (mm) 30 roof thickness (mm) 30 Floor thickness (mm) 38 Clear flap dimensions (mm) (W x H) FR right 800x950 ( 800x1155 ) Standard clear flap dimensions (mm) (W x H) FR left 350 x 950 fresh water tank size 140 ltr. FWT size while driving 25 ltr. wastewater capacity 100 ltr. gas box size 2 11 x kg battery capacity 1 x 80Ah gel basic vehicle Fiat
Model | Duc.3,5 to |
Motorization series | 2,3 ltr. |
performance series | 96 kW / PS 130 |
Motorization option | 2,3 ltr. |
performance option | 109 kW / 150 hp, 130 kW / 180 hp |
technical Permitted total mass | 3500 / kg 4250 |
Weight in running order (series)* | 3020 kg |
permissible total train weight | 5500 / kg 6050 |
permissible trailer load (braked) | 2000 / kg 1800 |
permissible axle load at the rear | 2000 / kg 2400 |
total length (mm) | 7090 |
overall width (mm) | 2322 |
overall height (mm) | 2880 |
Inner width (mm) | 2174 |
headroom (mm) | 1975 |
raised floor height (mm) | 110 |
Wheelbase (mm) | 4035 |
Tire series (mm) | 215/70 R15C (225/75 R16C) |
Front seating group (mm) | 1150 x 1050 |
Bed conversion seating group (mm) | 2000 x 1150 |
rear bed (mm) | 1900 x 1390 |
Front bed / pull-down bed (mm) | 1850 x 1500 |
Sofa / single seat / side bench (mm) | 545 x 650 |
Extension to X sleeping places | 6 |
permitted number of people with 3-pt | 4 |
Seat extension to X people | 5 from 3650 kg total mass |
wall thickness (mm) | 30 |
roof thickness (mm) | 30 |
Floor thickness (mm) | 38 |
Clear flap dimensions (mm) (W x H) FR right | 800x950 ( 800x1155 ) |
Standard clear flap dimensions (mm) (W x H) FR left | 350 x 950 |
fresh water tank size | 140 ltr. |
FWT size while driving | 25 ltr. |
wastewater capacity | 100 ltr. |
gas box size | 2 11 x kg |
battery capacity | 1 x 80Ah gel |
basic vehicle | Fiat |
Thomas Muehlbauer says
We have been renting a mobile home for 2 weeks in summer for years.
There is nothing better if you want to discover Europe by bike.
You have rented a Eura Mobil. Where can you rent the brand? With us, the dealers only have to stand Sunlight, Carado, etc...
Berlin Crossers says
Hi Thomas
Eura Mobil is available from these rental companies: http://www.drm.de
gruß
Mario says
A very nice report! We have a Knaus van. It's just perfect for two! We use it as a second car on long weekends in the mountains and during the week. Taxes are cheap and the depreciation is very low.
In any case, we have no regrets! 🙂