Published: 21.11.2016
We have had our 6-person Maui for just over 2 weeks now. We feel very comfortable in our 'little' mobile home (3.3m high and 7m long) and have also settled in quite well organizationally.
The Maui has a driver's cab connected to the living area with passage. The driver and passenger seats can be swiveled and turned towards the living area. The camper has an air conditioning system in the driver's cab that operates on battery power. The air conditioning in the living area runs on electricity only. It is worth its weight in gold in these temperatures.
There is a spacious alcove above the driver's cab. Compared to the Britz 4-seater we had in New Zealand 2 years ago, the Maui has significantly more lying area and headroom. Sitting was not possible in the Britz, which is not a problem in the Maui. This is not insignificant for breastfeeding mothers. To prevent nocturnal falls, a net is simply attached. It is usually slightly warmer/colder in the alcove than in the living area.
Directly behind the driver's cab is the front seating area. Here there are two opposing benches with two seats each on the driver's side. A table can be attached to the wall between the benches. During the journey, it is stowed between the bench and the driver's seat. There is another seat behind the passenger seat. We use the front seating area for eating and as a place to stay in the evening when the children are asleep. The two child seats are attached to the bench facing forward. There is enough storage space above the front seating area for clothes and toys. Opposite the front seating area is the entrance door to the living area of the camper. Above the entrance door, the technology is installed. A TV with DVD player, a radio, switches for light/water pump/gas stove, displays for the battery and water tank or toilet.
On the passenger side, after the door, there is the kitchen unit with a gas stove and a small oven, sink, microwave oven, refrigerator, and some compartments/drawers for dishes and food.
Opposite the kitchen is the bathroom with a sink, shower, and toilet. With two small children, you do need a bit more space, and since we don't use the shower in the camper, it serves as additional storage space for our stroller, mini inflatable boat, and garbage bags.
At the back of the motorhome, there is another seating area (corner bench with a table). We use this permanently as a sleeping area. During the day, it serves as a play and crawling area, and at night, Samuel and Maxima sleep there. The panoramic windows in the rear seating area are great in the Maui. On campsites with a beautiful environment, you just have to reverse park and you feel like you're in the middle of nature in the camper. There are some compartments above where we have stored clothes, technology, diapers, and other items.
All windows and doors in the living area are equipped with fly screens and privacy blinds. The fly screens are immensely important here with the many little pests.
There is storage space under the rear seating area, which can be accessed from the outside through a small door. Here we store our camping table and chairs, water hoses, our suitcases, and drinks. On the driver's side at the rear, a gas bottle is stored, and the toilet box can also be serviced from the outside.
Our Maui has an automatic transmission and is very easy to drive. Overtaking has hardly been necessary so far. In 2 weeks, Michi has overtaken a total of three vehicles, and I have overtaken two. We have always been the first in traffic jams ;-). It is not due to the drivers, but rather due to the traffic, which is simply not there or very limited here.
We are very glad that we decided to rent a large motorhome. The investment in the higher rental cost is definitely worth it. There is simply enough space to permanently store all things (people living in a small bus live out of suitcases or have tents in which they store their luggage at night) and in the evenings we can comfortably sit in the camper next to the sleeping kids. Crawling or playing soccer in the aisle is even possible. The comfort of having a small and fully equipped kitchen and a toilet onboard should not be underestimated. The Maui is simply perfect for us!