Motorhomes

[atlantalad]

As title suggests. I am contacting this fonte of all knowledge to glean information on ownership and use of motorhomes. My partner and I are toying with the idea of buying a decent used motorhome and travelling the continent next year. Envisage using the motorhome for a couple of years until the novelty wears off. Essentially just need a comfortable 2 berth home, not too long ( don't want to be towing a car either) and is reasonably easy to maneuver. Can pack bicycles ( electric bicycle) if needed to get off sites.

Has anyone had first had experiences of doing the same? Appreciate any do's and don'ts based on experiences so I have a better idea what I should be looking out for and possible unknowns in driving motorhomes on the continent.

[Caballo]

If as you suggest, you're going to be using it for prolonged periods, I'd consider something with a fixed bed. The 'novelty' of both having to be up and dismantle your bed before you can cook and sit to eat breakfast wears of pretty quickly.

[Caballo]

Whilst I'm thinking about it, integral garage too if you're going to be carrying e-bikes.

[Quickenthetempo]

If you haven't already, rent one for a week and get yourself up Scotland. Staying alternate nights on a campsite and wild camping to see if you like it.

Then you can look around for the layouts you prefer.

2 berths should generally have a decent bed and big fridge.

Check number of seat belts in if you want more passengers. Catches a few out.

Never been abroad but you might find them cheaper to buy over there, as they are far from cheap here.

[Burnley1989]

Whilst I'm thinking about it, integral garage too if you're going to be carrying e-bikes.

It depends what you are wanting to buy, but if you were wanting to start off cheap to test the waters, my colleague started off buying one for around 14k, spent a small amount of money getting it reupholstered and wall papered and has since upgraded a few times to one at around £30k which is really nice. Only took him 12 months of buying and selling, but its been a nice project for him.

I had a conversation with him myself a few months ago as we were possibly looking at it later in the year, he suggested looking at ones on a FBook page called ''camper vans & motorhomes for sale uk.
I think you can buy ones that have had small bumps and are classed as a low grade 'write off' which can be fixed up relatively cheaply.

You can get some fantastic vans for the £50k mark, which is outside my budget at the moment

[fatboy47]

By and large you'll get what you pay for...if you're a practical chap then converting your own can be a great winter project.

Me and my lad have converted half a dozen Citroen Relays now...buying lowish mileage diesels for around the 8k mark..all the neccessary gubbins comes in around 5 or 6k, but we end up after 4 weeks hard graft with something marketable at circa 30k.
We're currently following the tdf around the alps in our latest conversion...see pics

received_830551055288661.jpeg (190.54 KiB) Viewed 3197 times

[Oshkoshclaret]

I’ve heard Nicola Sturgeon is selling one cheap.

Seriously, unless you are full-time touring I’d rent rather than own.

[Poulton-le-Claret]

Me and the Mrs rented a van last year from a website called Quirky Campers (I tried to get a link but the website seems to be down at the minute). Had a week in Cornwall and we absolutely loved it and want to get our own in the future (can't at the minute as we have a baby on the way and are saving our pennies).

Definitely something we will do in the future though, but I would try before you buy

[durhamclaret]

As title suggests. I am contacting this fonte of all knowledge to glean information on ownership and use of motorhomes. My partner and I are toying with the idea of buying a decent used motorhome and travelling the continent next year. Envisage using the motorhome for a couple of years until the novelty wears off. Essentially just need a comfortable 2 berth home, not too long ( don't want to be towing a car either) and is reasonably easy to maneuver. Can pack bicycles ( electric bicycle) if needed to get off sites.

Has anyone had first had experiences of doing the same? Appreciate any do's and don'ts based on experiences so I have a better idea what I should be looking out for and possible unknowns in driving motorhomes on the continent.

Don’t, scourge of the road, waste of money.

[AmbleClaret]

Definitely recommend renting a couple of times to see if you like the experience. Neighbours spent £65k 2 years ago on one,been away twice,couple of weeks at most.

[dougcollins]

Get the absolute biggest you can afford.

[Inchy]

My in laws bought one on retiring with the plan to get out often in it. Unfortunately my mother in laws mum ended up unwell and was in and out of hospital for a couple of years so they sold it.

Unless you can use it often it’s not worth it. One thing to consider is where you park when not in use. They do get nicked regularly but for relatively cheaply you can store it at a secure lock up somewhere

[Bosscat]

Definitely recommend renting a couple of times to see if you like the experience. Neighbours spent £65k 2 years ago on one,been away twice,couple of weeks at most.

Several folk near us have them of varying sizes ... But certainly use them regularly.

Tried towing a caravan 20+yrs ago (bought a cheap used van in good condition) ... had 3 or 4 good holidays, but we decided that we prefered hotels (or cruise ships ).

Would recomend renting (motorhome) definitely as a try before you buy idea

[claretskeith]

Seriously, unless you are full-time touring I’d rent rather than own.

The prices seem to be ridiculous for renting. Like £200+ a day.

[Quickenthetempo]

Get the absolute biggest you can afford.

I would go against this.

We have a 6 berth and a decent inflatable awning. More beds mean more interchangeable furniture and compromises on size of other things like fridge etc..
The full family very rarely use, but when we do the awning is fine. Get the best layout for what you want and any extras can sleep in the awning.

The other thing with bigger motorhomes is the weight and licenses you can drive them on.

[boatshed bill]

I did this (a long time ago), bought a left hand drive model.

[clarethomer]

I follow a few YouTube vloggers who do "van life" and to be honest love following their adventures etc.

I have owned a van when I was much younger and child free and my experience is that it's a lifestyle that you will either love or get frustrated with.

Keep thinking about whether a van would be something I saw in the future for us but I keep coming back to the fact that I could save £50k+ and probably do some decent holidays and road trips with comfortable stop overs if I wanted to go on an adventure.

As has been said - try before you buy.

[BigGaz]

As has been mentioned elsewhere on the thread, If you have a basic level of DIY aptitude you can rig yourself out a very basic camper to quite an advanced set up for a fraction of the cost of an "out of the box" one.

Had a glorified old transit that had a bed, campstove and a TV in it when I was younger, then all you need is a gym membership to a national gym like PureGym or Nuffield then you've got your showering and toilet facilities sorted.

I've not got a drive at the moment but aiming to move soon and when I do I'll be buying an lwb sprinter and making that into something a bit more luxurious than the last model as wife and daughter will tag along this time

[fatboy47]

As has been mentioned elsewhere on the thread, If you have a basic level of DIY aptitude you can rig yourself out a very basic camper to quite an advanced set up for a fraction of the cost of an "out of the box" one.

Had a glorified old transit that had a bed, campstove and a TV in it when I was younger, then all you need is a gym membership to a national gym like PureGym or Nuffield then you've got your showering and toilet facilities sorted.

I've not got a drive at the moment but aiming to move soon and when I do I'll be buying an lwb sprinter and making that into something a bit more luxurious than the last model as wife and daughter will tag along this time

Seconded..

I'm just starting my 14th consecutive night in France and have simply driven to the nearest campsite each morning for the "3 S's"..and onwards to the nearest village boulangerie for essentials...only use the onboard shower and crapper in a dire emergency.

[turbo5]

I have a VW T6 LWB Kombi mainly converted have all the essentials driver and passenger chairs spin around and table, leisure battery, EHU, solar, night heater bed, curtains , Driveway vango Galli 3 airbeam awning. The set up is not ideal for my liking, no pop top. think I would have preferred the full camper van set up. Which I may do or even trade up and go for the VW crafter which can be set up like a motorhome with shower, toilet etc
I use the van as my daily drive, it fits in most parking places , height about 2.0metres so need to be careful with height restrictions on carparks
bought with the intention of filling my time with early retirement looming and the wife has another 10 years to work before she could claim her pension at 55-57 so was planning starting touring the UK like the NC 500 for 2-3 weeks then eventually doing Europe for the 90 days, Most probably take the dogs for company

[bfcjg]

By and large you'll get what you pay for...if you're a practical chap then converting your own can be a great winter project.

Me and my lad have converted half a dozen Citroen Relays now...buying lowish mileage diesels for around the 8k mark..all the neccessary gubbins comes in around 5 or 6k, but we end up after 4 weeks hard graft with something marketable at circa 30k.
We're currently following the tdf around the alps in our latest conversion...see pics

received_830551055288661.jpeg

That is a really good job,looks superb.

[HunterST_BFC]

Anyone willing to rent me one for a couple of weeks?
Just me.
Need a break.

[fatboy47]

That is a really good job,looks superb.

Thanks bfcjg...we're neither of us skilled..im actually just a gormless lump but its just a matter of getting a manual and following it, then making alterations and improvements to each successive van.
Only bit thats been tricky has been effectively sealing the roof vents but we've nailed it now.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Thanks bfcjg...we're neither of us skilled..im actually just a gormless lump but its just a matter of getting a manual and following it, then making alterations and improvements to each successive van.
Only bit thats been tricky has been effectively sealing the roof vents but we've nailed it now.

Have you built an extension on it for bringing local tipples back home

[THEWELLERNUT70]

We have a converted Vauxhall Vivaro LWB. The beauty of owning it is you can park pretty much where you want because the roof sits lower than all height restrictions. We were away at Glastonbury for a week recently with no issues. Saying that I suppose it's what type of van you're looking for and how you intend to use it

[Caballo]

Only bit thats been tricky has been effectively sealing the roof vents but we've nailed it now.

Surely some form of gasket would be better.

[fatboy47]

Have you built an extension on it for bringing local tipples back home

There's a trailer for that

[Dyched]

We’ e been looking into converting some kind of vehicle. We want more of a “tent on wheels” rather that the full shower/kitchen. Basically we want to be able to go camping with out all the messing of actually camping .

After recs on vehicles if anyone can that’ll be great. I’ve been looking at Old Defenders whilst the missus wants an old VW T2 or T3.

[Stockbrokerbelt]

If you want one to take on the continent it’s easy to rent one in Southern Spain & will give you a flavour of good & bad. We get over run with them in winter south of Estepona & the Mayors & police are quite strict with them now due to some really bad behaviour from some who won’t use sites provided & emptying their waste down street drains. Good points are that you can see lots of europe very easy, negatives are around getting about locally once you are pitched, most have scooters etc on the back here, there is also a law around wild camping on the coast, you are not allowed to even have a deck chair outside your van if not on a designated site. Hope it helps.

[ŽižkovClaret]

If you want one to take on the continent it’s easy to rent one in Southern Spain & will give you a flavour of good & bad. We get over run with them in winter south of Estepona & the Mayors & police are quite strict with them now due to some really bad behaviour from some who won’t use sites provided & emptying their waste down street drains. Good points are that you can see lots of europe very easy, negatives are around getting about locally once you are pitched, most have scooters etc on the back here, there is also a law around wild camping on the coast, you are not allowed to even have a deck chair outside your van if not on a designated site. Hope it helps.

Saw a load at the airport end of Torremolinos and it looked a bit like they were escaping from an Alien Invasion or something

[tarkys_ears]

£3995

Keep dreaming Max!

[ŽižkovClaret]

Get the absolute biggest you can afford.

...and park it in Barley

[Stockbrokerbelt]

Saw a load at the airport end of Torremolinos and it looked a bit like they were escaping from an Alien Invasion or something

Loads, the German &Swiss have the best & biggest, you get lots on car parks etc, our local police are constantly checking them as they quite often clog up beach car parks etc & dump rubbish.

[fatboy47]

Loads, the German &Swiss have the best & biggest, you get lots on car parks etc, our local police are constantly checking them as they quite often clog up beach car parks etc & dump rubbish.

I've yet to see a camper van that dumped rubbish.

Maybe the owners do though....just like car drivers, walkers, cyclists...and every other type of human being.

[Stockbrokerbelt]

I've yet to see a camper van that dumped rubbish.

Maybe the owners do though....just like car drivers, walkers, cyclists...and every other type of human being.

Perhaps you want to pop over to southern Spain & have a look at some of the areas that have these influxes of camper vans & some of the issues, hence some of the very strict rules. There seems to be large groups who tend to think they can do as they wish & whinge when local police clamp down, anything from dumping rubbish, emptying there waste tanks in street drains to dog issues. Some great camping grounds, secure sites etc but they object to paying.

[boatshed bill]

Perhaps you want to pop over to southern Spain & have a look at some of the areas that have these influxes of camper vans & some of the issues, hence some of the very strict rules. There seems to be large groups who tend to think they can do as they wish & whinge when local police clamp down, anything from dumping rubbish, emptying there waste tanks in street drains to dog issues. Some great camping grounds, secure sites etc but they object to paying.

I think you just missed his rather facile, but nonetheless funny, point

[fatboy47]

Perhaps you want to pop over to southern Spain & have a look at some of the areas that have these influxes of camper vans & some of the issues, hence some of the very strict rules. There seems to be large groups who tend to think they can do as they wish & whinge when local police clamp down, anything from dumping rubbish, emptying there waste tanks in street drains to dog issues. Some great camping grounds, secure sites etc but they object to paying.

...not one to generalise then

I avoid southern Spain like the plague...cheap but way too many plebs...far far nicer cleaner places all over Europe.

[ŽižkovClaret]

Loads, the German &Swiss have the best & biggest, you get lots on car parks etc, our local police are constantly checking them as they quite often clog up beach car parks etc & dump rubbish.

Aye, even if they use bins etc, the sheer volume soon exceeds capacity etc

[Stockbrokerbelt]

...not one to generalise then

I avoid southern Spain like the plague...cheap but way too many plebs...far far nicer cleaner places all over Europe.

Obviously you’ve never been to southern Spain & have superior knowledge from holidays in certain places for the odd weeks. Stunning scenery with next to no high rise building, great road, sea, train & air network, stunning mountains, beaches & towns & cities.

[Stockbrokerbelt]

Lots of plebs around.

[atlantalad]

Thanks for all the tips and information. Some impressive campervans.

I retired a few year ago and my partner retires soon - hence our vision of 2-3 month tour. Although nice for a long weekend my partner - may no longer be - if I suggest doing a DIY camper and spending 8 - 10 weeks in it touring the continent . Access to at least some kind of shower is a must. May consider initially a one week hire option of a motorhome in France/Spain as a trial to see if it is an experience living up to our expectations. As initial responses suggest we were already going down the road ( sorry) of looking at a fixed bed option and bike rack rather than garage.

I am fairly practically minded so once the crave for spending a long period touring the continent is out of our system I may look at converting a van to a campervan - looks a great way to get out for a long weekend.

[Quickenthetempo]

Easy enough to fit bike racks on the back. We have a 4 bike rack and a rack for a mobility scooter underneath.