Where do they go?
Just been to the NEC Caravan and Motorhome Show and was intrigued by the large number of exhibitors selling the really large (say 8 metres plus plus) motorhome models on display. Given the exhibitors' costs of attending the show they must find it rewarding in terms of sales orders so my question is where do all these vehicles go? We've travelled extensively in the UK, France and Spain in our motorhomes over the last fifteen years and in all that time have only ever seen two of these larger vehicles on the sites we stayed on, hence my intrigue as to where these vehicles are used. I have no criticism of these vehicles or their owners (chaqu'un a son gout), I'm just fascinated as to where they disappear to.
Comments
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I suspect that in reality the numbers sold are quite small in comparison to the more popular models of coach builts and PVC's. Perhaps another way of thinking about it is how many of your own make and model do you see whilst travelling? Probably not that many?
David
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I’m guessing that some folks might go full time in one, and maybe tour Europe or further afield. Every year we stopped over at Exeter Racecourse there were some huge MH’s, often with slide outs. We pitched up next to a fabulous one our last time at Marazion, a rarity to see one on a small all grass site, but they had no issues. Used a 4x4 to get about in, assume it was towed about behind.
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We have seen several really big ones on the Club sites at Alderstead Heath and Black Horse Farm, also ones with slide outs.
Have also seen them used by site wardens in quite a few places.
They are also popular in Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden. And in Finland we saw one that even had a “garage” for a small car.
You also see quite a few in Germany.
I believe they are also popular on the motor racing circuits, film sets, and for touring bands/pop groups.0 -
Hi David. I suspect you’re probably right about the comparative numbers sold vis a vis smaller models. However, regarding seeing other examples of my own vehicle, an Autosleepers Warwick XL, I have to say we’ve encountered them very frequently in the UK, Europe and on the ferries and enjoyed swapping notes with their owners about the various customisations indulged in. Having the same vehicle is usually a a great conversation starter!
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Hi. I can relate to your reply in that I’ve never camped in Germany and the Baltic states, don’t follow motor racing, don’t go to pop concerts, don’t work in the film industry and have never stayed on the UK sites you mention - all of which goes to support why I’ve seen so few of these vehicles!😄
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You should really try Germany, especially the Baltic coast and much more of course.
David
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we saw one that even had a “garage” for a small car.
There was one like that on a THS that we were on at Bridge of Allan this spring, and have seen a few others, but not quite as large, on other THSs, so perhaps their owners use rallies etc. There have been a couple of second hand ones for sale at our local caravan dealer for quite a while now, perhaps owned by people who have downsized for one reason or another.
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We have seen plenty as we travel round although smaller models vastly outnumber them. I suspect the answer to how the sellers can afford it is in the profit margin on the very high price and the lower numbers to choose from. They are trying to sell less with a far higher mark up and therefore are still profitable if they meet their targets. The number of firms selling in the lower price backets is far larger and is more competitive.
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It’s typical of all manufacturers at whatever exhibition to display their biggest and best product even if they don’t expect to sell very many because psychologically it whets the appetite of the potential customer even of a smaller model to at least consider buying a more expensive one than originally intended.
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We’ve seen a few in France. On one occasion I was amazed they managed to get it onto the site as it was so tight. Last year at a site in Belfort, one the size of a coach parked close to us and proceed to connect a full size automatic washing machine in a locker to a tap 50 metres away, trailing the hose across several pitches and paths.
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Amazing! We saw one at the (brilliant) Beau Rivage site in Navarrenx (Pyrenees Atlantique). The vehicle had to be reversed on to the site and overhanging trees cropped to avoid damage to it. It had two (owner’s wife demanded separate facilities) bathrooms (containing baths not showers) and the grey water had to be pumped out daily. The owner didn’t mention the toilet arrangements!
One time, when calling at a South Carolina filling station, I met an r.v. owner fuelling his massive vehicle that was en route to snowbirding in Florida. It took c.150 gallons and he reckoned he got about 7 miles to the gallon! As I wrote earlier chacun a son gout!0
