In need of a specific motorhome
Hi campers
I'm utterly new to this. I've never owned an MH or caravan but have been looking into it a lot recently. Many of my Google searches land me on this forum, hence I've signed up and figured I could ask experienced people directly for advice.
I'm after an MH with a budget of around £50-55k for the initial purchase price (2nd hand fine, but ideally no more than 4 years old). I'd need it to be habitable all year round, and to have 5-6 berths, with a bedroom (double or twin, but not bunks) at the
back with a door that keeps it private from the rest of the MH, but the shower/washroom to be located outside of the bedroom (for ease of use by everyone). Ideally nothing over 3,500kg, though I can get my C1 if necessary.
I quite like the Pilote MHs and the Kon-Tikis, but am wondering what other MHs would fit into my criteria.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers in advance
Comments
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if you are really looking to take upto 6 people (how many kids?) and all there stuff, a 3.5t van (with any sort of payload) is a huge ask, irrespective of price...
there are many family favourite vans, but most will use bunks for two reasons...to keep length (and therefore weight) down, and because kisds love em...
could ypu have bunks in the rear for the kids (and, say, an overcab for guests) and a drop down in the loung for you and partner?
if so, look at Benimar...available at Marquis, i think....spanish but uk handed and getting rave reviews for layours and spec.
also check the swift escape range, along with autotrail's Tribute range.
to keep under 3500, most of these will be stripped out re bells and whistles as extras are heavy....
if you really can go to a C1....the world is your oyster.
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That's a mighty tall order in a sub 3500kg MH, Adetro. I suggest reading the thread "Just Looking" in this section.
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Thanks both for your replies. I'll evidently have to look towards getting a C1. Very handy to know.
Bolero - thanks for the makes you suggest. I'm looking through them now.
The children would only come along for a couple of weeks a year, and so ideally they'd be sleeping in the living area convertible settee/beds.
What would you recommend at over 3,500kg?
Many thanks again - much appreciated
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with the kids, is it 2,3 or 4 to fit in?
when travelling without kids, os it just you two?
the above number might make a difference to what might suit best....
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Don't get anything with an ELECTRIC BED .. If they stop working you have a real problem especially if you are miles from a Dealer. Trying to find toilet facilities that don't involve going through or into another cabin can be difficult. We found a Liaka
that works for us. Main cabin has an on suite toilet and shower and the forward cabin has a toilet. Not two toilets just Italian ingenuity. Jack and Jill door on the toilet. Works really well. Two Double beds. THink you are going to have problems with 6 seats
with belts and under 3500kg.You will have no payload whatsoever.0 -
Q4 - Good advice on the electric bed. I did wonder if that could be an issue. I'll be hundreds of miles from dealers for much of the summer. Just had a look at some of the Laikas - really nice looking MHs!
Peedee - That's also something I've been considering - as they'll only be with me during hot summers in southern Europe. So I guess my options open up with a 4 berth.
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You'll need to check to ensure you can legally carry the number of passengers you want to. Don't rely solely on opinion and rumour.
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Out&About Live is a website, with a free forum, that provides with some basic pointers to buying your first motorhome. Worth a look to help improve your understanding, see what layouts best suit you, and what models currently meet you needs.
Getting a C1 licence is increasingly common because the limits also apply to those using the larger horseboxes.
Putting the kids in a pup tent is fine - we did it - but you still have to carry them and their baggage in the van so the weight issue remains.
Budget wise you'll get a good quality seconf hand motorhome. Or you could get a decent, slightly lower quality new motorhome. That's a personal choice.
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Thanks for the website advise, Aspenshaw.
I've come across the Adria Sonic Plus I 700 SL. The layout pretty much perfectly suits my needs, so I'll have to look into buying a young second hand one of these.
Many thanks indeed for all the comments. Much appreciated.
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It would be three adults (one couple and one single), plus two kids for a couple of weeks a year.
...i think this gives you a fighting chance of a MH at 3500kg, however, as TW states, the issue will now be for belted seats, as you will need five.
our van has the two cab seats (obviously) and also a fwd facing L-shaped half dinette that can be converted to be used for two passengers with full belts.
on the off side of the van we also have a fifth seat (normally facing inwards as part of the lounge) which can be converted to provide a fifth belted fwd facing travel seat.
many continental vans will have this type of lounge arrangement.
many UK vans have twin side sofas which are not convertible to travel seats....unless you have the latest pop up ones from Agutti, but then there will only be four....
also, rear lounge vans usually dont have belted seats.
so, if you are thinking about letting the kids sleep in tents as suggested earlier, its really only the weight of three adults and two kids to consider....will this work at 3.5t....
the proof will be in the eating and you need to check a few vans out for weight once you get the list narrowed down a bit.
the washroom in the middle of the van would be fine with a transverse double or rear singles (longer/heavier) and it could be accessed from the fwd bed.
now, while the continental lounge is fine for lounging for five and travelling for same (provided you het one with the convertible side seat) they are not that good for making up into a bed, certainly not a comfy double....though this might be ok for the
single adult....if not, there are A-class Mh with drop down beds that come down over the cab seats....these are full sized, one piece doubles which are very comfortable..
however, your budget probably will mean looking at a used van if you choose this route....
the adria youve mentioned is a prime example but will almost certainly be over 3500kg... you and this is the tricky bit...
just search for 'motorhome' in ebay, sort into price decending and you will see many examples of what you seek in your price range....i will check the weights and see if there is an actual example that works...
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forget the garish upholstery, but the design works at a stated 3500kg....always get the van weighed as brochure data is notoriously optimistic....not the fifth seatbelt adjacent to the small side seat....
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Have you thought about the B Class American rvs they can be driven on a normal driving license depending on how long you have passed your test
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Ok I know I'm going to get shot for this but here goes... Having worked all my life in engineering including comercial aircraft and as an owner of a Swift MH and living in it for 6 months evey year for the last 12 yearsI feel that swift are definatly sub
standard.The amount of replacmets I have had to do is too long to list here but I would say if I did not have the skill to do my own work the MH would have been scraped years ago.
Why have I still got it you ask? simple. I can't afford a replacment, stay away from Swift unless you plan to sell it after 2 or 3 years,
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I won't shoot you, DnS, I'll agree with you. Luckily we were able to get rid of ours very quickly.
Have you experienced the enhanced shower facility? The one where water (condensation) pours down through the light fittings in the living area.
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I won't shoot you, DnS, I'll agree with you. Luckily we were able to get rid of ours very quickly.
Have you experienced the enhanced shower facility? The one where water (condensation) pours down through the light fittings in the living area.
Write your comments here...
No I have not had that one yet however I have had the shower tray fall out underneath me Twice, then I bought one cast in fibreglass from a firm in Preston, the same thing with the washing sink I the whole drain fitting fell off, complete with plug!! replaced
that one with fibreglass too, The there was the top cupboards, then the leaking galley sink leaking on the the fridge. Oh the there was the was the garage door falling of on Morocco, that was a beaut.0
