Looking at Buying A Motorhome. Advice Welcome!
Comments
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David. I was responding to a light hearted comment by the OP and I think it's fair to say until the recent Brexit changes many loaded up with food at the start of their overseas travels. We certainly have done. The last time we were in France visiting friends we took a lot of cakes as they missed certain uk ones. I know all about markets and fresh food and use them here in normal times.
However that was just an aside and not much to do with buying a motorhome.
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You're both wrong!
But, I caused the misinterpretation because I had my mental image of the repacking after a short stay at our hovel in France ...It was our first trip to Spain and didn't know what to expect, so we packed n number of packs of coffee; 20 miles down the road, we were stopped by the Gilet Jaunes protests andhadto return to the hovel for a week, so unloaded the kit we needed and then repacked, food & clothes, with the 'Did we pack coffee?' so decided to add more 'just in case' and rammed bags in the footwells of the car, in the boot area, and anywhere else that wasn't already jampacked. Went shopping at local Mercadona and discovered a special offer on coffee ... And that's how we ended up with 26 packs of coffee
Of course, that amount of coffee is far too wet, so we took full advantage of a special offer on a new range of hobnob style biscuit with chocolate chip cookies so that added 16 packs to the load when we repacked to move to the 2nd site ... well, we wouldn't want to risk starvation or being parched!
Those days are gone, as is our former practise of driving from Scotland to Newhaven, arriving around 6pm and hitting Sainsburys for bread rolls, quiche, pains au raisins etc so that we have supplies for an early breakfast on the move when rolling off the overnight ferry in the wee small hours ...
Lowdhams have just'released' their 2020 Demonstrator stock of M/Home and there's a couple of Dethleffs that really appeal, but not to our Bank Manager! Off now to have a more detailed look
Steve
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hitting Sainsburys for bread rolls, quiche, pains au raisins etc so that we have supplies for an early breakfast on the move when rolling off the overnight ferry in the wee small hours
Due to covid we have only taken ours to France once, for 6 weeks in 2019. The difference to towing our caravan was immediately obvious. We diverted off the dual carriageway out of Cherbourg and into a small French village to get bread and croissants for breakfast. We wouldn’t have done that with our 12 metres of car and caravan.2 -
Some discussion of length but no mention of what weight restriction is placed by type of licence held, and of speed limits related to weight. Might be a factor in the overall equation.
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I credit the OP with having done his homework, Nav. 👍🏻
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Indeed! But the 3050 does seem less well known that many realise.
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In that case you could explain and enlighten folk to prevent them confusing it with 3500. That might be more helpful than telling us what we've omitted to post. 😏
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Yes, COVID Travel restrictions and Brexit food import restrictions do change the established routines somewhat. Forget 'Come the Revolution' and substitute 'After the second inoculation' ...
One day, we'll look back at all of this and laugh; perhaps.
First thing is to find and secure a suitable Motorhome!
Steve
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No licence or weight restrictions and I think I said in my original post that we would be changing from car + Swift 2 berth touring caravan so combination is going to be around 3000kg. I was more concerned by the potential limitation on payload that a 3300kg MTPLM for the Fiat C404 Compact has; and the adequacy of a 120BHP engine, especially if needing to accelerate from a standing start onto those motorway style traffic islands where traffic hurtles around.
Steve
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Good point, TW, and I'll try to supply the correct stuff, if someone else does not do it first, when I can get to a real computer. I know it's not worth trying on this phone with a postage stamp screen and no mouse.
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You seem to be managing quite well so far but let me help you out on my phone.
3050kg is the max unladen weight for road traffic laws as applicable to cars.
3500kg is the max laden weight that can be driven on an ordinary car (B) licence.
That's it in a nutshell. You can add any details when you get off your phone.
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A supplemental question, if I may. We've been narrowing our outstanding queries and have hit the 'the smaller m/h for ease of travel but the larger m/h for range of facilities' conundrum.
We like the look of the Dethleffs Sunlight T60 Active 5.99m with 140BHP engine, BUT you have to use a ladder to reach the bed and a couple of Reviews said that it fouled the bathroom door [3am visit problems?]
The Lowdhams Dethleffs Sunvan T66 Dealer Special is 6.65m long, so has the fixed steps BUT comes with the basic 120BHP engine. I'm trying to speak to Lowdhams to see if the engine can be remapped/upgraded to 140BHP and the associated cost.
There's just the two of us, but I'm not certain whether a 5.99m m/h might feel a wee bit cramped. If anyone is using this length of m/h successfully, or has any thoughts, all advice will be welcome!
TIA
Steve
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Steve, our PVC is 5.99m and is as big as we want to go, perhaps bigger than our ideal.
No way would we buy anything that utilised a ladder or steps to get into bed. That's for younger, fitter folk but perhaps you fall into that category. For us, nothing could be simpler than unrolling a couple of sleeping bags and adding pillows.
As for space, again it's mindset down to what you are happy with and what adaptations you're prepared to make. Whatever space you have, be it large or small, you will get used to it. Our first caravan (avatar) was only 10ft long and seemed spacious at the time.
Btw, I can tell you're not a person who chooses to access CT via Latest Activity. The likes give that away😂😂
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Thanks TW. If we ever meet up post-covid I’ll show you my 15 year old phone and you can have a good laugh! Here are some more details straight from GOV.UK website.
First thing is the Driving Licence restriction(s):-
Category B - if you passed your test before 1 January 1997
You’re usually allowed to drive a vehicle and trailer combination up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). .Category B - if you passed your test on or after 1 January 1997
You can drive vehicles up to 3,500kg MAM with up to 8 passenger seats (with a trailer up to 750kg).You can also tow heavier trailers if the total MAM of the vehicle and trailer is not more than 3,500kg.
Then there is the Speed Limits. It’s the fourth block down that introduces the “Motor Caravan Restriction”. I suspect it is to keep the heavier motor caravans in line with the van on which they are based,
National speed limits
Built-up areas mph (km/h)
Single carriageways mph (km/h)
Dual carriageways mph (km/h)
Motorways mph (km/h)
Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles
30 (48)
60 (96)
70 (112)
70 (112)
Cars, motorcycles, car-derived vans and dual-purpose vehicles when towing caravans or trailers
30 (48)
50 (80)
60 (96)
60 (96)
Motorhomes or motor caravans (not more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)
30 (48)
60 (96)
70 (112)
70 (112)
Motorhomes or motor caravans (more than 3.05 tonnes maximum unladen weight)
30 (48)
50 (80)
60 (96)
70 (112)Hope that helps folk who are wondering what my short comment was all about.
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Wow, Nav, who'd have known it, eh?🤣
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We have a 6m A-class with drop down bed for me and a rear over the garage single bed for her who refuses to use the drop down bed. We find our van OK for 3 weeks away in Britain. If we were going across the water or for more than 3 weeks, we'd probably go for 6.5m with single beds. Our A class is almost a foot wider than a PVC.
Out & About Live/Motorhome Matters have just issued its 2021 guide to buying a motorhome. Think its a fiver.
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TW; March's First Rule is never make life difficult, when, with a little effort, you can make it impossible ...
As for being young, that was a long time ago. Caused such a stir when I was born, they held a coronation.
We looked at the Hobby Van equivalents but were concerned about being able to store/transport bikes under the bed; that and the kitchen area being exposed to the elements when the side door is opened, although this does deal with cooking fumes!
Lowdhams don't seem interested in returning my emails/enquiries so I may be forced to rule out the SunVan Dealer Special and look at the Sunlight T60 Active ...
I agree re filling of available space. 13 years ago, in our early/mid 50s, Elaine & I Backpacked Prague to Budapest and were all set to book in at a Youth Hostel that had been a Soviet Army Barracks. Most of the queue had overtaken us on the walk to the Hostel, and, when we reached Reception, the Manager said, 'It's notfor you. Come ...'. He led the way to a student 6 bed gf flat [w/machine in bath!] in a sheltered courtyard, with own front door etc. Dirt Cheap 'Old Fogies Special' and v. comfortable
Steve
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It was the width that prompted us to downsize from a coachbuilt to a PVC. The narrower width makes quite a difference to manoevring and parking. It's ideal for going places like the Scottish Highlands and Islands.
We've done 6 weeks away in the UK with no issues. The wardrobe might be minute but the roof lockers are very roomy.
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Both our vans have been under 6m, no problems, the present coach built is slightly bulkier to park than the van conversion. The van conversion was better in good weather, flinging open all the doors but not so good in colder weather due to the extra doors!
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Steve, I can remember the Coronation but only just!
All you can do is keep looking. You'll know when you find the right one. It's my guess that there will be hundreds of nearly new vans on sale once people can start taking package holidays again.
I know what you mean about the kitchen being exposed to the elements. That will be fine in warmer climates but not ideal in the Outer Hebrides. Our van has the kitchen on the offside and utilises part of the doorway for the washroom. We find it an effective use of space.
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Thanks for the suggestion. I think we are just about decided on a Dethleffs, albeit what one Reviewer described as 'targeted at the less well heeled' ...
Given that the cost will be roughly 7 x times the cost of my first property, we will be taking a wee while to check everything before committing ourselves!
Steve
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It does deserve a long hard look when buying a first motorhome, afterall, hopefully you will own it for a long time unless you are prepared to change in a few years time. For that reason it is very important to get the interior design that will suit you as you grow older. Our first motorhome had a fixed bed but after six years we decided that a two single bed layout at low level was more comfortable. We worried that it would be a chore making up the beds each night but we now seem to have that off to a fine art and think nothing of it, same in reverse. Would we have reason to change again, probably not but I could be tempted to a model with an automatic box if it was reasonably priced!!!
David
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For us coming to caravanning fairly late (2005) we always had a fixed bed layout, first in our Abbey and subsequently in our Bailey. When we switched to a MH we decided we wanted the same. Inevitably, if you want a garage (as we did) it does mean the bed(s) are high. In wide double bed mode, our layout would be very difficult to use for ourselves as it would involve a ladder. However in single bed mode, the staircase between makes for very easy access. Plus a payload saving, as the double bed paraphernalia stays at home. The only downside is, it is not possible to sit up in bed, as there is a locker over the head end.
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Elaine and I are quite cautious [allegedly] insofar as we will agonise over the minutiae and then ask ourselves 'Are we doing the right thing?' several times; and then we'll cut loose with a vengeance and disappear for months on end! Got an insurance quote this morning, so it is getting serious! Do you have any thoughts on service costs, please, David?
I would like to cut the finance period to the shortest manageable time but avoiding the 'we can afford the m/home, but have nothing left to pay for holidays' trap!
Steve
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We were much later than you coming to caravaning [2018] with Gobby the Gobur Folding Caravan [I will have to get it sold when COVID restrictions permit]
We have only the massive transverse double bed option so it will be very much a 'One out, all out' exercise at 3am Roll Call and the space limitations mean it's a stepladder descent. I think it will be possible to make a matching wooden twin step box to emulate the 'staircase' between the 2 single beds and the modification can then be stored in the garage or under bed locker during the day or for transport. A little messy, but easier than trying to get into the last parking space that is 1 metre too short!
Payload is about 780kg so we should be able to cope with disciplined and modest changes of this ilk [famous last words ...]
Steve
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Don't forget there are 2 lots of servicing costs. An annual habitation service (aka rip off) will set you back £200-£250 ish.
The base vehicle servicing will depend on what that vehicle is. Fiat/Peugeot have 2 yearly service intervals with the first couple of services costing around £250 each. That's approx £500 for 4 years so not bad at all.
Not wishing to poke my nose in but have you considered a used van? There are some good low mileage hardly used examples out there due to people making expensive mistakes when they buy their first vans. They can be absolute bargains.
Edit: Whoops, I see the question was directed to DK.
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