A prospective motorhomer

TerryFlech
TerryFlech Forum Participant Posts: 36
edited June 2016 in Introductions #1

Hello Folks

Thought I had better introduce myself, We had a caravan for many years but have since had a 10 yr break. As retirement has finally arrived we have decided to look into buying a motorhome but intend to take our time and hopefully buy the correct one first
time. Looking forward to using it both here and in Europe. I would like to apologise in advance for asking questions that I am sure have been asked many times before but I hope you don't mind answering them again

Terry 

 

Comments

  • triky auto
    triky auto Forum Participant Posts: 8,690
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #2

    Cool , Welcome along Terry.Good choice a motorhome ,(i.m.o.) I am on my fourth on now .In your own space ,in your own time.No unhooking or hooking
    up,extra clip on mirrors.,On board water and waste tanks,all your favourite bits and pieces on board with you.Pull up,kettle on DONE !! ENJOY ,Laughing.

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #3

    Hello welcome to CT and to motorhoming.

    My advice would be to get out there and look at as many different makes and layouts and think about how you would use each one. A large dealer or a show would be great cos you can pop in and out as many times as you like ?. Think
    about height length weight too as well as engine size. 

    There are several threads on here, but the search facility is rubbish , about this type of thing.  But ask away.

    Having said all that we bought ours nine years ago on impulse no research before at all just a visit to a large dealers for a look around. Hubby now refuses to go out with a cheque book!!!! We have never regretted our choice of layout or size. Just lucky
    or meant to be???

  • HughR
    HughR Forum Participant Posts: 67
    edited June 2016 #4

    We changed from caravan to MH last September and havent regretted it all. Probably the first big decision is weight as if over 3500kg you need to reapply for your driving licence when you reach 70. We found MMM magazine very useful along with forums like
    this and friends who already had a MH invaluable, ask away someone will always help.

  • theaylingpair
    theaylingpair Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited June 2016 #5

    Hi,

    we are also contemplating changing our caravan for a motorhome, but we have a Labrador cross dog that travels in the back of our car. My question is where does he travel in a motor home?

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #6

    many dog-owning motorhome owners on CT with just as many ways to transport said canine safely....lots of advice on its way, im sureHappy

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #7

    We used a passenger seat with car harness or if occupied by a human we have a bar behind the drivers seat so again harness and adaption with the lead to allow her to lay down.

  • JillwithaJay
    JillwithaJay Club Member Posts: 2,484 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #8

    Hi Terry and welcome to Club Together.

    It might be helpful if you post your questions about motorhome choices in the Motorhome Section so they don't get lost within the Introductions Section.

    photo 78301b06-7bdd-45fe-8ae2-d4d2cae14135_zpssi5htrez.jpg

  • Chris102
    Chris102 Forum Participant Posts: 84
    edited June 2016 #9

    My dog travels very happily in a dog crate / cage.

    She was crate trained as a puppy but the only time it is used now is when travelling.

    It is a personal opinion but I think a crate is safer.

     

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,192 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #10

    Crate is good but we couldn't secure in our motorhome hence harness. But whatever method you use everyone including the dog need to be secure.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #11

    After caravanning for about thirty years we switched this year to an AS Broadway and have just spent a month touring France. Fantastic! Should have switched several years ago.

    We decided on a traditional UK design (no garage) and also kept below 3500 kg. It meant a massive clear out of all the junk we used to take but now we realise that we didn't need it, in fact, we made a big thing of cutting down our awning mat but hardly
    used it so that will probably get slung out as well - along with the broom!

    Great having a panoramic view when travelling then, when you stop, switch the engine off, apply handbrake and your done. The solar panel kicks in, the fridge switches itself to gas then when you get around to it you can plug power in (if you need it).

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2016 #12

    Hi Terry, welcome back to the world of touring. Ask away, your questions will not be scoffed at or scorned, we have some very knowledgable members and contributers here who will give all the help they can, me included, though I'm a reletive newcomer. We all have to learn sometime and in my case am still learning. Keep your sense of humour and your mistakes soon pale, take your time finding your ideal Motorhome as it could prove expensive to change to a different layout after buying. Keep your hands in your pocket when looking at extras,don't go rushing to buy stuff that others have, they may have a different way of life to you....Cool

    Regarding dogs in Motorhomes, we do the same as Bakers2...Cool

  • Aspenshaw
    Aspenshaw Forum Participant Posts: 611
    500 Comments
    edited June 2016 #13

    There are numerous websites that give good practical advice on starting motorhoming. I recommend the Out&AboutLive website which is also linked to a free motorhome forum. Before making the jump, be very clear in your own mind what you intend to do in your
    motorhome. This will make it much easier to work out which make and models will best suit you.

    Goof luck and ask away. 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,859 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited June 2016 #14

    Terry

    I am sure we all have different views and requirements but when we made the change from caravan (after 30 years) to a motorhome I recorded how we got on in this blog  here

    David

  • HughR
    HughR Forum Participant Posts: 67
    edited June 2016 #15

    When Bella was a young puppy she was in a crate between passenger seats and drivers seat, as she has grown she is now in a harness fastened to seatbelt on passenger seats, she loves the view out of the side window and also to snuggle down and sleep  whilst
    we know she is secure. If no seatbelts not sure what we would do.

  • DIJ Wilson
    DIJ Wilson Forum Participant Posts: 34
    edited August 2016 #16

    We are just about to return to touring from caravan to motorhome and have purchased a American RV b class 

  • IamtheGaitor
    IamtheGaitor Forum Participant Posts: 529
    edited August 2016 #17

    We had caravans for years then went for a Winnebago - now back on a caravan.  

     We rarely travelled the dogs in the RVbut options were to secure harnesses to the seat belt anchorages or take the table down in the dinette and wedge the crate on the floor between the dinette seats. 

Categories