Let Me Introduce Sheldon

I’ve mentioned Sheldon, our motorhome, many times already in this series of blogs. I think it’s time therefore that I told you more about him.

Sheldon is a 2006 Autocruise Starblazer, who we purchased in 2018. He is a 4 berth motorhome powered by a Peugeot 2.8 litre diesel engine. When we purchased him he had done just under 50,000 miles.

We had spent a great deal of time researching the size of the motorhome, the layout and the equipment we required. Something that we soon became aware of was that in all of this there needs to be a degree of compromise. You will seldom find the ‘perfect’ motorhome or camper van - even those who build there own vans find that they will be continually making changes and upgrades.

But for us, Sheldon met most of our requirements and importantly was within our budget. Essential to us was a fixed bed, a good-sized garage, toilet and shower facilities and a well-equipped kitchen area. All of this within a length of 7.5 metres. It was a big ask, but the motorhome we found was as close to all of this as we could get.

So what is Sheldon like and what attracted us to him?

In the remainder of this blog, I’ll show you in photo and word, his layout and specification and demonstrate what attracted us to him.

Meet Sheldon

Let’s begin at the front. Now I’m not technical, so there’ll be no great mechanical information here. Suffice to say, as I’ve already said, Sheldon is powered by a Peugeot 2.8 diesel engine, which means there is plenty of power available to pull him, our gear and ourselves along. His permitted loaded capacity is 4150kg, which means we also have a good loading margin for carrying the stuff we need. It does mean that to drive this size of motorhome on a UK Driving Licence you require a C1 licence. For an ‘oldie’ like me, this isn’t a problem as it was included on the licence when I took the test. But for newer drivers, this may be an additional requirement to consider - unless you have a C1 licence, or are happy to take the additional test, buy a van with a weight limit under 3500kg. Sheldon has ‘Air Suspension’ fitted on his rear wheels, which is inflated from the cab area and assists with smoothing and levelling out the ride quality. The cab is fitted out like any Peugeot van cab for its age, with the addition of swivel seats for the driver and passenger. It drives well, is comfortable and being higher up provides good views of the road ahead and scenery around.

The Lounge (with the cab area in view on the first two photos)

Behind the cab, is the lounge. This has two length way settees which seat 4 people comfortably or two relaxing lengthways along the seats. Storage space is plentiful and is provided by the high-level lockers and massive over cab storage area. The area is equipped with 12 volts and mains lighting and a number of electric sockets. There is a ‘pull up’ shelf which supports the TV. The seats can convert into a ‘ground level’ double bed if required. But as yet this has been unused by us as we use the permanent bed which I’ll cover later. In this area are situated the electric control panels for chargers and equipment etc.

Progressing backwards is the kitchen area, which Margaret loves. It has the usual equipment - hot and cold water supply, cooker, oven, grill, fridge and sink (no microwave). This area is also served well for storage with cupboards at roof level and ground level. There is a very ingenious ‘fold-out’ cupboard which not only increases the storage space but adds to the working and preparation area. It is a well equipped and to Margaret’s mind anyway ‘fit for purpose’, somewhere she can prepare meals in relative comfort. The kitchen area then leads into the clothes storage area, with more drawers, shelves and a large wardrobe.

The Kitchen Area

Opposite the kitchen and just behind the lounge is the motorhome habitation door, where access can be gained into Sheldon from outside and back out outside (See photo 1 below).

Just behind this door and opposite the kitchen and clothes storage areas is the bathroom. This has a flush toilet, a hand wash sink and a separate shower. The area also has plenty of ‘standing room’ for drying etc and is more than serviceable for our personal needs and requirements. Like the kitchen, this also has hot and cold water which is available through mains electric hook up or via our diesel heater and water heater if mains electric is unavailable.

The Habitation Door and Bathroom

At the back of the motorhome, lower down is a spacious garage. Access to this can be gained from inside the motorhome or either side of the outside of the motorhome. It is a vast space which carries much of the equipment we require when away in Sheldon. Above this and accessed from the inside of the motorhome, by an ingeniously situated ladder is a double bed. This is high up but comfortable and has sufficient headroom to sit up in bed. More storage is located in this area, with cupboards and shelving. The area is (and feels) separated from the rest of the motorhome. It is, therefore, (if felt necessary), possible to escape into this ‘nest’ for some personal or quiet time.

The whole interior of the motorhome is provided with mains and 12-volt lighting throughout, with numerous spotlights and reading lights in all areas.

Clothes Storage Drawers, Ladder to Bed (with door under, to view access to Garage from inside Motorhome) and Bed

The whole interior of the motorhome is provided with mains and 12 volt lighting throughout, with numerous spotlights and reading lights in all areas.

Outside the motorhome, we have access to two storage lockers, the gas locker, cassette toilet (for emptying and maintenance) and of course the large doors for the underbed garage area. Sheldon also has a pull out awning fitted on the passenger side, a gas barbecue point and a cycle rack on the rear.

The Motorhomes Cavernous Garage, the Pull Out Awning and Cycle Rack

You may also wonder how we came to call the motorhome Sheldon. The reason is that in the shower area are 2 large embossed plastic designs of a seahorse. Although I’m not a great follower of Disney, I remembered seeing a seahorse in one of there films. A quick search told me that Sheldon was the seahorse who featured in 'Finding Nemo'. That then became our motorhomes given name.

Our Bathroom Seahorses

We have used Sheldon quite extensively since we purchased him, he has taken us to many new and previously visited places. We have been very happy during our time of ownership with the facilities and comfort he has afforded us, But, of course, as I said at the beginning of this blog, no motorhome or camper van is perfect and so we have made a number of changes or upgrades to him. In forthcoming blogs, I want to tell you about the ‘upgrades' we’ve made and the some of the places he’s taken us.

Sheldon has been a great purchase for us and he has added much to our life. We look forward to future trips in him and sharing these through my YouTube channel and in this blog.

Once again thank you for taking some stephentime and please help me by sharing the blog through your Facebook or other social media.