Test driving motorhomes
We are seriously thinking about changing from a 4 berth caravan to a motorhome. However when we asked about a test drive the dealer did not have one for us to try as van is new and not registered. As we have never driven one before a bit reluctant to commit,
is this normal?
Many thanks
Tilly 
Comments
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Possibly....however he should have offered another/used one from his/her stock for you to try!.....Seems odd they have no other vehicles.
Assuming you suggested that you just wanted to try one for size etc to see if you could manage that type of vehicle.
In reality it isn't a problem!
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Yes we did ask if they had a van to try but they only had one which was out on loan. He didn't even suggest using one do the used motorhomes for us to try.
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When we were looking for a MH one of the dealers we were looking at did not have the make we were looking at in stock however he did have a different make roughly the same size but on the same Base vehicle with same engine and gearbox, we test drove this
do although not the same make it was mostly similar driving experience so any dealer should be able to do thus for you.0 -
That's pretty much what I'd expect, MT, and similar to our experience.
A motor/MH dealer will have trade plates to cover use of an unregistered vehicle. It's what they do all the time for using new vehicles on the road.
If I was you, Fledgeling, I'd go elsewhere and not consider giving this unhelpful dealership my business. If they are this unhelpful when you're looking to buy, what will they be like in the event of a problem needing warranty work?
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yes I think we might look into doing. It makes sense as just a test drive would only give us a inside to how it drives.
Thanks for tip.
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Tilly
Strange as it may seem I am not convinced that test driving is such a good idea. The reason I say this is that when we were buying our motorhome White Arches kindly drove it down to MK as I was concerned about whether we would get it in the garden. I asked
if I could have a quick drive, which I did, but whether I got a positive idea of what motorhoming was about I am not entirely sure. I was used to driving a large car but the motorhome, with gears and rattles, was beyond my comprehension!!! Fortuantely I have
now driven the motorhome over 12000 miles and am pretty confident with it but that initial drive did nothing for my confidence!!!! Don't let what I say put you off having a test drive which will always be shortish. Hiring a transit for the day might give you
a better idea and give the time needed to get used to it.David
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Hi, thank you everyone for your help. It's more me that's apprehensive as hubby is used to driving large vans etc as he used to have a small holding. So a visit to a peugeot van dealer to see if I can have a test drive of a van might be worth looking into also. The van we are looking at is a Elddis Autoquest.
thanks everyone
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We changed to a MotorHome a couple of weeks ago ,haven't been on a site yet , and Mrs Huskydog wasn't sure about the change ,but once we went to a dealer she was smitten , the driving is only a small part of it ,it's the greater freedom you will have
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Our neighbours hired a motorhome for a weekend to really find out what it would be like before they bought one. Although they were completely new to motorhoming.
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Is there a dealer nearby that sells and also hires out m/h that you could visit.
There is a dealer near us where you can hire a m/h and if you decide to purchase one they discount the hire price from the purchase price. You could ask for the same deal from your closest dealer.
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Tilly, I don't know where you are in the county but have you tried Simpsons in Yarmouth or Becks just outside. If you are thinking 2nd Hand go see David at Downtide at Alby, near Cromer, I'm sure they would help you out
Hope you have some success
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Dealer may have thought you were a tyre kicker. The dealer may have thought you wanted a Euro 6 van in which case it would be pointless driving a Euro 5 as the engines will be different. Put it another way, dealers will avoid test drives unless they are convinced you are a serious purchaser of their motorhomers. And they often get it wrong.
I've never been convinced about try before you buy schemes. It's sensible to test drive a second hand van, it's sensible to test drive a van if you have mobility issues or similar. Otherwise, ask yourself whether you are any worse than any other caravanner at driving. If not, you'll be fine in a motorhome. People move from towing to driving a motorhome with minimal difficulties. All a try and buy scheme or hiring a motorhome gives you is a snapshot of what it might be like. Not what it will be like over years. On another forum, the consensus is it takes 12,000 miles to be at one with your motorhome fitted with the Comfort-matic semi auto box of tricks.
If you still feel a test drive is essential, find the van you want, haggle a bit but don't sign anything or part with any money. A dealer will get you a test drive if it feels a sale is to be had.
By the way, Becks have a good reputation.
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Tilly, I don't know where you are in the county but have you tried Simpsons in Yarmouth or Becks just outside. If you are thinking 2nd Hand go see David at Downtide at Alby, near Cromer, I'm sure they would help you out
Hope you have some success
Write your comments here...Thanks Oneput, we are near Kings Lynn area so have been looking at Greentrees in Dereham. We are staying on the North Norfolk coast this coming weekend so may have a look at the dealers you have suggested while we are there. Thanks
for info.0 -
My wife quite happily drives our 3.5 ton 8 meter motor home. She prefers to drive on the motorway and dual carriage ways. I do the twisty A road bits. Although she is getting rather vocal about having to take medical to retain her driving licence rights
as she approaches the age where DVLA asks for three yearly medical checks !!You will probably find that once your wife is in the driving seat, you will not be able to get her out.
(( Where have I heard that before ? ))
rgds
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Tilly, I don't know where you are in the county but have you tried Simpsons in Yarmouth or Becks just outside. If you are thinking 2nd Hand go see David at Downtide at Alby, near Cromer, I'm sure they would help you out
Hope you have some success
Write your comments here...Thanks Oneput, we are near Kings Lynn area so have been looking at Greentrees in Dereham. We are staying on the North Norfolk coast this coming weekend so may have a look at the dealers you have suggested while we are there. Thanks
for info.a motorhomer friend lives in Dereham and is not impressed with Greentrees
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