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Question: First motorhome - what should we buy? avoid?
Bekah Mardall
 
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Posted on 04 Aug 2014 09:09

I am so very tempted to invest in a motorhome but the choice seems bewildering. Some help is required.

We are a small family of 3, although we do need to take our dogs with us... we have about £10,000 to spend, although that's the absolute upper limit. I have little or no mechanical experience, so need something reliable (!) and we are likely to want to reach more 'wild' sites, so nothing huge.

Any guidance, anyone?

Thanks!

Bekah
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Posted on 12 Aug 2014
Hi.
I had the same dilemma as you. I hired three different campers before deciding on a Hymer.
[Hymer - Mainly because I wanted all year around camping]
It’s a lot less expensive and problematic than buying a camper that after a few days is not compatible with your lifestyle.
Remember campers are much easier to buy than sell!
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Wilhelm,
Yes, that is very sensible advice. It would be easy to get over-excited and dive straight in!
I will have couple of trials and then aim to be in a position to buy next year.
When's best to buy? is it cheaper in autumn/winter or does it make no difference in your experience?
Thanks,
Bekah Posted by Bekah Mardall on 12 Aug 2014
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Wilhelm Derner
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#2
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Posted on 07 Aug 2014
Hi Bekah

British Car Auctions have a caravan and motorhome auction every couple of weeks where you can bag a bargain. Many are finance repo's or dealer part exchanges and have service history. You can view the stock and they start them up just before they auction them. Buy a cheap damp meter from Maplins and check inside the corners of cupboards and under seats etc.

http://cav.auctionview.co.uk/QueryStock.asp.

If you know a mechanic who can look over the engine etc that would be good. If you like a vehicle go to reception and they will tell share any info they have including service books and manuals etc.

I've bought 3 motorhomes over the last few years and never had a problem. Your money will go much further.

Good luck

Steve




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That's great advice, Steve, thank you.
If you were going to suggest some brands/makes/manufacturers that are good, which would you go for? Posted by Bekah Mardall on 07 Aug 2014
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Steve Wagner
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Posted on 22 Sep 2014
Have you considered an almost finished self-build project?

We bought a fiat Ducato panel van that was half converted (windows in, framework built etc) for £2500 from Fleabay and after a little work and a couple of grand more we have a camper!

Just a thought :)
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Sue Jeffrey
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Posted on 24 Sep 2014
Be sure you are set on a Motor home. 10k can get you a damn nice caravan only a few years old and you dont have to tax it,MOT it, and repair its engine Plus servicing vans is alot cheaper as you only need to servcie a chassis and van not an Engine as well.
Plus the big point with caravans is the fact when you get somewhere you just leave it on pitch and you have your own car there to explore

However you do need a capable car and towing isnt for everyone.


I will admit I am one of those dont get the point of motor homes unless people are only spending a night here and a night there and plan to spend weeks touring.
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Hi Kris, that's food for thought... I guess that I am a bit afraid of towing, to be honest. However, I've had a look at prices and your certainly get more bang for your buck with a caravan... Posted by Bekah Mardall on 26 Sep 2014
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As long as you stick to the 85% rule of Tow weights you will be ok. There is a caravan and motorhome show im Birmingham in october. go there look about and you can even get free towing lessons.
Posted by Kris McEwan on 26 Sep 2014
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Posted on 09 Aug 2014
Hi Bekah

You need to write an essentials list and a wish list and then visit a large dealership without your credit card. Have a really good look around and make notes. Get inside the vans. Lay on the bed. Can you get to the loo in the dark at 3am. Sit in the drivers seat. Can you drive it for 3hrs. walk away and consider your notes. Look on line on sites like Wellbridge Motorhomes and you should be able to get an idea of what you want against what you can afford. I would also consider joining a site like wildcamping.co.uk.

Richard
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Posted on 31 Oct 2014
Well, after weeks of excited research and many, many weekends of travelling the south west to look at the motorhomes on offer, we have bought one and COLLECT IT TOMORROW - big excitement in our household this evening, as you can imagine.

We decided on a Knaus Sport Traveller in the end. Loved the simplicity, the huge overhead cab, the clever little bathroom set up at the back... and the fact that the dealer agreed to 'fit' a sofa in the dinette, which was the only thing that was putting me off the model.

We are planning our first night out tomorrow... we will drive to the top of the local moorland and watch the fireworks display in the town below, with a glass of bubbly (and warm apple juice for some)...here's to some adventures!!

Thanks for all your advice - it was really useful.
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Hi Bekah
have you taken your motorhome out yet?
Hope it serves you well. Posted by Andy Pye on 08 Nov 2014
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Yes - twice and the third trip is being planned as I type! Great fun, although we haven't exactly been blessed with good weather... the first night we took it out the 'van was swaying in the gales...we said, "When that wine bottle rolls off the shelf, it may be time to head to lower ground!" Posted by Bekah Mardall on 09 Nov 2014
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I know that feeling. Last weekend I took my children to Keswick C&CC site. I had the bright idea of putting up the awning, and then spent most of one night fighting against the wind and hammering back down the pegs! Still, kids never woke! Posted by Andy Pye on 09 Nov 2014
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Bekah Mardall
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Posted on 28 Jun 2019
That's good if you are thinking to get your own campervan. In my opinion, with less budget, you should the depreciated values of pre-owned vehicles with low mileage campervans. You can also visit the public auctions to get an excellent condition campervan. In the same token, if you want to enjoy your journey with family then isn't a better idea to get a campervan on rent from here https://www.rvrentacampervan.com/ instead of using too much money on buying your own? It's only my opinion, but you must consider it if you are going to get a campervan for the occasional purpose only.
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Felicia Murgia
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Posted on 06 Jul 2020
I agree with Wilhelm. It could be a good idea if you try different campers to know which one is better for you. However, if you still want our suggestions, then I found Thor Chateau 31E a perfect option in terms of a family-friendly motorhome. But your budget doesn't meet with its pricing.

There are several sites available where you can find motorhome according to your budget and requirements. You can see a variety of motorhomes here https://www.caravansforsale.co.uk/motorhomes and can customize the search via following options.

Motorhomes By Price
Motorhomes By Make
Motorhomes By Berth and much more.

Instead of brand-new motorhomes, the option of used motorhomes would give you more choices.
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Angla Gadapee
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#9
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Posted on 27 Feb 2015
So, a few months in, was the Knaus a good decision?

I do like the look of them, although they always seemed a bit utilitarian inside for me... sadly I like a bit more of a sofa!
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Rob Ackroyd
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#10
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Posted on 28 Jun 2019
That's good if you are thinking to get your own campervan. In my opinion, with less budget, you should the depreciated values of pre-owned vehicles with low mileage campervans. You can also visit the public auctions to get an excellent condition campervan. In the same token, if you want to enjoy your journey with family then isn't a better idea to get a campervan on rent from here https://www.rvrentacampervan.com/ instead of using too much money on buying your own? It's only my opinion, but you must consider it if you are going to get a campervan for the occosional purpose only.
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Felicia Murgia
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