Motorhomes - Where to begin?
Discussion
We've talked about buying a motorhome for a while, and soon we will be in a position to do so.
We want something that is a bit future proof regarding size. We're 2 adults, a newborn and a dog at the moment, but we'd like another dog and children in years to come. Based on that, we think a 6 berth should be the smallest we go for.
It looks like there is plenty of choice under 15,000, but I'm interested to know if there are things to focus on that are incredibly important.
How have people got on with getting one of these? We'd get a huge LHD American one, but the driveway on the property we are going for won't cope with anything much bigger than the 'usual sized' 6 berth ones that look like they are based on Ford Transit LWB van chassis. Especially as we have a Disco 3 to park also !
I'm not bothered about LHD/RHD - we'd be going to europe a fair chunk of the time - and Petrol/Diesel/LPG as my understanding with fuel choices is you can't use the tunnel with anything with gas canisters anyway. Please tell me if I'm wrong !!
Another important note is the fact that I passed my driving test in April 2002. Will I need a top up test?
We want something that is a bit future proof regarding size. We're 2 adults, a newborn and a dog at the moment, but we'd like another dog and children in years to come. Based on that, we think a 6 berth should be the smallest we go for.
It looks like there is plenty of choice under 15,000, but I'm interested to know if there are things to focus on that are incredibly important.
How have people got on with getting one of these? We'd get a huge LHD American one, but the driveway on the property we are going for won't cope with anything much bigger than the 'usual sized' 6 berth ones that look like they are based on Ford Transit LWB van chassis. Especially as we have a Disco 3 to park also !
I'm not bothered about LHD/RHD - we'd be going to europe a fair chunk of the time - and Petrol/Diesel/LPG as my understanding with fuel choices is you can't use the tunnel with anything with gas canisters anyway. Please tell me if I'm wrong !!
Another important note is the fact that I passed my driving test in April 2002. Will I need a top up test?
Your license restricts you to 3500kg, this rules out Americans, tag axles and a fare few bigger 6 berth vans.
From what's left the next thing to look at is layout, to give you the requisite number of berths and seat belts you'll need a front dinette with hopefully 4 belts then either a rear lounge, fixed bed over a garage or bunks, all with a double over the cab.
Once you've settled on a layout then you can look at the finer points of makes, base vehicles etc.
From what's left the next thing to look at is layout, to give you the requisite number of berths and seat belts you'll need a front dinette with hopefully 4 belts then either a rear lounge, fixed bed over a garage or bunks, all with a double over the cab.
Once you've settled on a layout then you can look at the finer points of makes, base vehicles etc.
conanius said:
We've talked about buying a motorhome for a while, and soon we will be in a position to do so.
We want something that is a bit future proof regarding size. We're 2 adults, a newborn and a dog at the moment, but we'd like another dog and children in years to come. Based on that, we think a 6 berth should be the smallest we go for.
It looks like there is plenty of choice under 15,000, but I'm interested to know if there are things to focus on that are incredibly important.
How have people got on with getting one of these? We'd get a huge LHD American one, but the driveway on the property we are going for won't cope with anything much bigger than the 'usual sized' 6 berth ones that look like they are based on Ford Transit LWB van chassis. Especially as we have a Disco 3 to park also !
I'm not bothered about LHD/RHD - we'd be going to europe a fair chunk of the time - and Petrol/Diesel/LPG as my understanding with fuel choices is you can't use the tunnel with anything with gas canisters anyway. Please tell me if I'm wrong !!
Another important note is the fact that I passed my driving test in April 2002. Will I need a top up test?
LPG not allowed on tunnel. Conventional gas canisters are.We want something that is a bit future proof regarding size. We're 2 adults, a newborn and a dog at the moment, but we'd like another dog and children in years to come. Based on that, we think a 6 berth should be the smallest we go for.
It looks like there is plenty of choice under 15,000, but I'm interested to know if there are things to focus on that are incredibly important.
How have people got on with getting one of these? We'd get a huge LHD American one, but the driveway on the property we are going for won't cope with anything much bigger than the 'usual sized' 6 berth ones that look like they are based on Ford Transit LWB van chassis. Especially as we have a Disco 3 to park also !
I'm not bothered about LHD/RHD - we'd be going to europe a fair chunk of the time - and Petrol/Diesel/LPG as my understanding with fuel choices is you can't use the tunnel with anything with gas canisters anyway. Please tell me if I'm wrong !!
Another important note is the fact that I passed my driving test in April 2002. Will I need a top up test?
I agree with the suggestion to rent one for a long weekend or a week or so. No matter what we all say to you, it is your and your family's preference and feelings which will tell you what is best for YOU. (and your budget!)
Take the time to look at plenty of different layouts and get a feel for what you like and dislike. Then you can really narrow down the type you want to rent for the long weekend. Once you've lived with it for a few days, you will have a much better idea of what to target.
There are so many combinations your head will spin for a little while but keep looking and eventually you will find one which suits you.
Once you've found one - get an expert to give it a full once-over. Hidden damp bits are NOT fun especially when you buy privately, don't do any proper checks and buy a bit in a rush. Ask me how I know
If you've already got some ideas of layouts etc. in mind, post up some pictures and/or links and folks here will give you advice/suggestions about them - perhaps things you haven't thought of yet.
Good luck and enjoy the hunt. Get a good one and it will serve you for a long time and you will have great times in it
Take the time to look at plenty of different layouts and get a feel for what you like and dislike. Then you can really narrow down the type you want to rent for the long weekend. Once you've lived with it for a few days, you will have a much better idea of what to target.
There are so many combinations your head will spin for a little while but keep looking and eventually you will find one which suits you.
Once you've found one - get an expert to give it a full once-over. Hidden damp bits are NOT fun especially when you buy privately, don't do any proper checks and buy a bit in a rush. Ask me how I know
If you've already got some ideas of layouts etc. in mind, post up some pictures and/or links and folks here will give you advice/suggestions about them - perhaps things you haven't thought of yet.
Good luck and enjoy the hunt. Get a good one and it will serve you for a long time and you will have great times in it
I'd definitely recommend renting beforehand.
We rented twice. The first layout (U-shaped lounge at rear) didn't suit us. And it was a Swift, which we didn't like either.
Then we rented an older Hymer, which we liked a lot more. Fixed rear bed. Much better built.
And those two sowed the seed for what we ended up buying.
Look a lot at layouts. You'll only really get a feel once you use them, hence why renting is such a useful thing.
You've identified size as a limit. There are times when I wish I had an extra metre for more living space. Finding driveway space can be done if the vehicle is right for you.
Also think about storage. Both inside your motorhome and for the vehicle itself.
Accessories can be added to anything. Don't be too concerned by what a model doesn't have. It can be bought and fitted.
And enjoy the search. It's a wonderfully enjoyable process.
We rented twice. The first layout (U-shaped lounge at rear) didn't suit us. And it was a Swift, which we didn't like either.
Then we rented an older Hymer, which we liked a lot more. Fixed rear bed. Much better built.
And those two sowed the seed for what we ended up buying.
Look a lot at layouts. You'll only really get a feel once you use them, hence why renting is such a useful thing.
You've identified size as a limit. There are times when I wish I had an extra metre for more living space. Finding driveway space can be done if the vehicle is right for you.
Also think about storage. Both inside your motorhome and for the vehicle itself.
Accessories can be added to anything. Don't be too concerned by what a model doesn't have. It can be bought and fitted.
And enjoy the search. It's a wonderfully enjoyable process.
We've just bought a 7 berth Rimor Superbrig. We're two adults and a 18month old. We went for the bunk beds mounted along the side of the van as we figured this was the best use of space and the most interesting for a young child (in which to make a den!) as much as to sleep.
But given we were a bit lazy, we've not got around to ordering a bed guard so had her in her travel cot for the first outing this weekend just gone and we had enough room for her to sleep in there next to the bunk bed. Only compromise was not being able to use the bathroom whilst she was there, but given we were on a site, this was no big issue.
Can't imagine how people manage with more than 3 people in a 7-berth van though. So from my perspective, wouldn't want much smaller for a family if I could help it. Particularly for those rainy days when you're couped up in it!
Re: the driveway, consider also your neighbours. Ours fits nicely on the driveway but although it was always going to go into storage, the one night I left it on the driveway for 48hrs (family emergency meant I couldn't get it down to the yard), the neighbours went mental about it being an eyesore, etc. So didn't do much for neighbourly relations, so do factor that in if you plan on keeping it on the property.
Other than that, we're really enjoying ours. Important for us with the baby was that we had enough room to stay up when she went to bed. This worked really well and once asleep, we could sit up at the dinette area chatting (whispering) and then head to bed in the over-cab "luton" without faffing and without disturbing my daughter.
Only other tip I'd offer - get it professionally checked before buying anything. Should go without saying but I relied on gut instinct and trustworthiness of the vendor. Whilst we weren't duped, there were certain things he overlooked or wasn't too worried about which I am fastidious about and have since found out aren't working or have issues. The decision to buy on the basis of my limited knowledge of motorhomes will likely cost me around 3k in repairs once I'm all done (still keeping fingers crossed there's no damp). So definitely get it checked and also keep a grand or so in reserve for issues which arise post-purchase.
All our issues aside, we loved ours at the weekend and can't wait to head to Scotland in a fortnight's time.
BTW - ours is a left-hooker and aside from a few very shallow-angled junctions and slip roads, I've no problems with LHD in the UK.
But given we were a bit lazy, we've not got around to ordering a bed guard so had her in her travel cot for the first outing this weekend just gone and we had enough room for her to sleep in there next to the bunk bed. Only compromise was not being able to use the bathroom whilst she was there, but given we were on a site, this was no big issue.
Can't imagine how people manage with more than 3 people in a 7-berth van though. So from my perspective, wouldn't want much smaller for a family if I could help it. Particularly for those rainy days when you're couped up in it!
Re: the driveway, consider also your neighbours. Ours fits nicely on the driveway but although it was always going to go into storage, the one night I left it on the driveway for 48hrs (family emergency meant I couldn't get it down to the yard), the neighbours went mental about it being an eyesore, etc. So didn't do much for neighbourly relations, so do factor that in if you plan on keeping it on the property.
Other than that, we're really enjoying ours. Important for us with the baby was that we had enough room to stay up when she went to bed. This worked really well and once asleep, we could sit up at the dinette area chatting (whispering) and then head to bed in the over-cab "luton" without faffing and without disturbing my daughter.
Only other tip I'd offer - get it professionally checked before buying anything. Should go without saying but I relied on gut instinct and trustworthiness of the vendor. Whilst we weren't duped, there were certain things he overlooked or wasn't too worried about which I am fastidious about and have since found out aren't working or have issues. The decision to buy on the basis of my limited knowledge of motorhomes will likely cost me around 3k in repairs once I'm all done (still keeping fingers crossed there's no damp). So definitely get it checked and also keep a grand or so in reserve for issues which arise post-purchase.
All our issues aside, we loved ours at the weekend and can't wait to head to Scotland in a fortnight's time.
BTW - ours is a left-hooker and aside from a few very shallow-angled junctions and slip roads, I've no problems with LHD in the UK.
Hi there
We are going through a similar phase at the moment doing research on what to buy and asking a few questions of the good folks on here. I have started a few threads recently
The suggestion of renting is a must I reckon. As a family we did it in the UK in a 4-6 berth and toured N France in March! We also did it in the USA in a big thing with 2 x slide outs! I have previously been motorhoming in New Zealand and the UK so wasnt new to it. We also have a trip booked this summer with just the 2 of us (our lad is on Army Cadet Camp) and have booked a 4 berth this time. Each time we have been it amends our thinking as to what we want in a motorhome so, notwithstanding some suggestions on here, we are getting close to knowing what we want in a MH.
From our pov we want something that is large but for only the 2 of us as when we retire we plan to go off for 3-6 months at a time touring. Therefore we want a fixed bed; garage; separate shower and toilet.
We popped nto a place in Gloucester to look at some last week and are off to a place in Swindon later this week just to get a feel for whats around.
Cheers
We are going through a similar phase at the moment doing research on what to buy and asking a few questions of the good folks on here. I have started a few threads recently
The suggestion of renting is a must I reckon. As a family we did it in the UK in a 4-6 berth and toured N France in March! We also did it in the USA in a big thing with 2 x slide outs! I have previously been motorhoming in New Zealand and the UK so wasnt new to it. We also have a trip booked this summer with just the 2 of us (our lad is on Army Cadet Camp) and have booked a 4 berth this time. Each time we have been it amends our thinking as to what we want in a motorhome so, notwithstanding some suggestions on here, we are getting close to knowing what we want in a MH.
From our pov we want something that is large but for only the 2 of us as when we retire we plan to go off for 3-6 months at a time touring. Therefore we want a fixed bed; garage; separate shower and toilet.
We popped nto a place in Gloucester to look at some last week and are off to a place in Swindon later this week just to get a feel for whats around.
Cheers
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