Thoughts on 6.1 Beach Tour

[Tarquers]

Sorry to revive an old thread! I'm between the Tour and Camper second hand - we want 6/7 seats so the tour seems simpler than getting the camper and it'll be our daily drive so 2 doors will also be better. How long have you managed to run the compressor fridge without flattening the battery - do you get a long weekend out of it in conjunction with charging phones etc as well? Thanks!

Not sure of U.K. rules these days but I have the beach camper with 7 seats as standard, so it is possible to have 7 seats regardless of if you can source or not. IMHO (taxes aside) the tour is a better option. I would swap my cooker for a second sliding door given the option.

Anyway back to question, no issue running a fridge for 3-4 days BUT caveat is how often opened, ambient temps etc.

Easy enough to add an EHU somewhere that won’t foul the door. Converters do it all the time to transporters, under bonnet or in space in rear wing behind a hidden panel (transporterHQ I think) are two options I have seen.

 

[WelshGas]

Sorry to revive an old thread! I'm between the Tour and Camper second hand - we want 6/7 seats so the tour seems simpler than getting the camper and it'll be our daily drive so 2 doors will also be better. How long have you managed to run the compressor fridge without flattening the battery - do you get a long weekend out of it in conjunction with charging phones etc as well? Thanks!

Be aware that the Tour is not classed as a Campervan and is subject to higher annual VED, based on Emissions, and for 6 yrs after 1st Registration the Luxury Car ( over £40,000 new price ) additional VED/Annual Car Tax.
The Beach Camper is not subject to these increased/additional VED costs.

 

[Kayleigh]

Sorry to revive an old thread! I'm between the Tour and Camper second hand - we want 6/7 seats so the tour seems simpler than getting the camper and it'll be our daily drive so 2 doors will also be better. How long have you managed to run the compressor fridge without flattening the battery - do you get a long weekend out of it in conjunction with charging phones etc as well? Thanks!

In your position I would definitely get a Tour with twin sliders for the extra access to rear seats. I think the built-in cooker is overrated as it restricts the ability to add kitchen pods if you want one in the future.

I wouldn’t run a compressor fridge from the Beach leisure battery. I would keep that for interior lights and ad-hoc phone charging. I would get the Bluetti Elite V2 that should run a compressor fridge for 6-7 days without charging, depending on ambient temperature and size of the fridge. Add an alternator charger and you could keep the fridge on permanently, especially as it’s your daily driver.

Also consider the Tour is not classed as a camper for road tax purposes, so subject to the luxury car tax.

Edit: the road tax is for 5 years from the second time the vehicle is taxed. I have a 2020 Beach that I bought 3 months old and the additional tax expires later this year. Can’t wait!!!

 

[stoobthealien]

In your position I would definitely get a Tour with twin sliders for the extra access to rear seats. I think the built-in cooker is overrated as it restricts the ability to add kitchen pods if you want one in the future.

I wouldn’t run a compressor fridge from the Beach leisure battery. I would keep that for interior lights and ad-hoc phone charging. I would get the Bluetti Elite V2 that should run a compressor fridge for 6-7 days without charging, depending on ambient temperature and size of the fridge. Add an alternator charger and you could keep the fridge on permanently, especially as it’s your daily driver.

Also consider the Tour is not classed as a camper for road tax purposes, so subject to the luxury car tax.

Edit: the road tax is for 5 years from the second time the vehicle is taxed. I have a 2020 Beach that I bought 3 months old and the additional tax expires later this year. Can’t wait!!!

That's super helpful - I hadn't thought of using a power pack to run the fridge as well...either way there's options to see how well it goes (or otherwise!) off the leisure battery and then either go solar or power pack if needed.

 

[Kayleigh]

That's super helpful - I hadn't thought of using a power pack to run the fridge as well...either way there's options to see how well it goes (or otherwise!) off the leisure battery and then either go solar or power pack if needed.

I have an Ecoflow Delta2 with alternator charger and pretty happy with it, but the Bluetti I mentioned is now the one to go for in my view. Another option is to install a LiFePO4 under the drivers seat, although the inverter restricts the size in a T6.1. If you’ve got any more questions, drop them in the thread. I and others are happy to advise based on our own experiences.

 

[stoobthealien]

Thanks Kayleigh - my main issue at the moment seems to be the relative scarcity of 1-2 year old models, especially Tour / 3 seater bench versions that have anything but the very basic spec! It's going to be the daily driver and I'm not sure I can go back to things like manual light switch / wipers etc!

 

[Tarquers]

.wouldn’t run a compressor fridge from the Beach leisure battery.

Decent fridge there is no problem running a fridge at least for several days

 

[Perfectos]

Sorry to revive an old thread! I'm between the Tour and Camper second hand - we want 6/7 seats so the tour seems simpler than getting the camper and it'll be our daily drive so 2 doors will also be better. How long have you managed to run the compressor fridge without flattening the battery - do you get a long weekend out of it in conjunction with charging phones etc as well? Thanks!

No problem running a decent compressor fridge for 3 days (easy) with charging 4+ devices, rear lights on occasionally etc.
I have the lights pack which has LEDs i the pop top , Kids use those as and when they like.

Edit. Full disclosure, kids now late teens don't do camping with M&D anymore but you get the idea