motorhome advice

[CL290005]

Considering buying a motorhome have been for a few years but wife is now keen, but where do I start

trying to understand which chassis model I should consider at moment its fiat is first on list.

what do I want atleast 4 berth 5 would be better for future holidays with grandchildren

possible end bedroom but having one bed set up will be important

ideally it would be best if it was automatic, well this is important

good power and economy

Ideal if it can tow a trailer/ westie combination.

budget upto 40k

hopefully there should be some good advice from owners on this forum

cheers

Chris

[John Loudon - Sponsorship Liaison]

Best bet is to go and check out some designs of what you like the look of at some dealers (ignore price etc for now) as it narrows down your search. Then check out where they are available and go look at some more of them

[CL290005]

Best bet is to go and check out some designs of what you like the look of at some dealers (ignore price etc for now) as it narrows down your search. Then check out where they are available and go look at some more of them

john thanks for this but I suppose im more interested in views on the Fiat chassis and automatic gearboxes in motorhomes

[Terry Everall]

For the grandkids its good to have a fixed bed over cab IMHO

I bought a Swift 686 with a legal towbar

It tows trailer easily and does about 28mpg not towing and 24mpg towing. You need to think about "seating areas" and if you need outside locker access etc. Go to a show or look at a big retailer who sell variety of makes to see what is available

[CL290005]

For the grandkids its good to have a fixed bed over cab IMHO

I bought a Swift 686 with a legal towbar

It tows trailer easily and does about 28mpg not towing and 24mpg towing. You need to think about "seating areas" and if you need outside locker access etc. Go to a show or look at a big retailer who sell variety of makes to see what is available

Terry yes I want forward facing belted seats have noticed some side seats with just lap belts so these are a no

[Terry Everall]

My 6 berth has 6 belted seats. You need to check your driving licence to see about weight of vehicle and what you can tow etc

[CL290005]

My 6 berth has 6 belted seats. You need to check your driving licence to see about weight of vehicle and what you can tow etc

no worries with my licence Terry, might have to check the wifes though

[Marto303]

Good luck with the search Chris

 

Wish I could give you some useful words of wisdom but after my almighty purchase cockup earlier this year I'm probably not the one to give advice.

 

All I will say from personal experience is, how it drives is just as important as how the layout works for you when your on site, make sure you test drive before you buy and don't take anything the sales person tells you for granted, double check everything. 

[CL290005]

Good luck with the search Chris

 

Wish I could give you some useful words of wisdom but after my almighty purchase cockup earlier this year I'm probably not the one to give advice.

 

All I will say from personal experience is, how it drives is just as important as how the layout works for you when your on site, make sure you test drive before you buy and don't take anything the sales person tells you for granted, double check everything.

yes Martin I remember our conversation, wise words

cheers

Chris

[Trevor Little (Trevturtle)]

Buy one with the largest number of permanently made beds you can find ..its a pain if you have to swap beds around everyday. We have a 6 berth, but you lose the dining area when you sleep 6. A four berth would have been the same so we bought a 6 berth when we needed 4 beds

Re weights.... things to consider.

1. Check the unloaded vs the max loaded weight.(the difference being what you can carry) 4 adults 300kg, 4 bikes 60kg, water etc etc and its really easy to exceed the max weight.

My motorhome is 2900kg empty and I frequently exceeded max weight when fully loaded with 4 people bikes etc.. so i upgraded mine to 3800kg

2. Most will have a max weight of 3500kg so you can drive on a car licence...and dont need class c1. But you can easily and cheaply get them replated to 3800kg by fitting air suspension assisters. Then it cost around £250 to get it replated..all done by email. You will need a class c1 licence but if you passed your test before 1997 you will be ok

Is makes a big difference having an extra 300kg

[DamperMan]

Lots of folk get carried away with caravans and motorhomes. The list of wants and would like to haves gets bigger and bigger. They end up with a huge model which then is hopeless to drive on smaller roads and impossible to park in towns, villages etc. Think about the places you want to go and how said vehicle will get you there. you can have one hell of a caravan for the cost of a motirhome part it in site and go off in your car. We have a campervan space is limited but even for days out having fridge, cooking and tea making stuff trumps the car every time. Then we have a drive away awning to stash stuff and spill out into when in site. In future I think a newer camper with a small ish caravan might be a good option for us and it appears quite popular now.

[Trevor Little (Trevturtle)]

Fair comment,, we managed with a VW camper until the kids were 8 and 10. After that it became too cramped and everyone bailied out every time you wanted to reconfigure the interior. As you say drive away awning is a great idea.

In the end it came down to convenience of a large motor home, vs  parking a large motor home in towns.

 

The alternative would be a caravan...Not my preference and Julie (one careful lady owner) would have appeared in the small hours and let my tyres down :-)

[CL290005]

[DamperMan]

Fair comment,, we managed with a VW camper until the kids were 8 and 10. After that it became too cramped and everyone bailied out every time you wanted to reconfigure the interior. As you say drive away awning is a great idea.

In the end it came down to convenience of a large motor home, vs parking a large motor home in towns.

The alternative would be a caravan...Not my preference and Julie (one careful lady owner) would have appeared in the small hours and let my tyres down :-)

Mine are boys of 8 and 10. The campers a 1989 Vw t3 with a poptop. We (I) have to be very well organised and everyone has to get on and co-operate. My eldest is becoming less co-operative so it's harder and they take up more space. I think we have one more year before a change of plan. Still we've had some great summers of weekends and at least 3 seperate weeks away costing very little for several years. A bit of a plus it's gone up in value almost as much as i've spent on upgrades.. unlike the Westfield!

[tisme]

Chris - PM sent

 

Colin