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We're thinking of buying motorhome after years of camping and trailer tenting. Hired one last month and loved it. My older daughter is 12 and has health problems is frequently unwell so what we loved was could still go out for day as she could go to bed whist husband or I could take other daughter and dog out for walk or geocaching!

Layout we had was 5 berth, bed over cab and central dinette made single and double. We used dinnette as 2 singles otherwise no gangway. Husband slept over cab with other daughter (9). Didn't seem ideal layout for us partic as  younger daughter grows up. Was thinking either of fixed bed at back with garage underneath or end lounge so 3 separate sleeping areas. Hoping to hire again in October to try different layout. Just wondered what layout other families find works? Don't want van to be so huge that we cant get about though so somehow need happy medium! 

Also  we have no mechanical knowledge so were originally thinking safest to go through dealer but just seem so expensive.We were thinking of paying upto about £18,000. Do you think it's a bit risky going through Ebay or preloved?

Thanks

Julie 

If I was in your postion,I'd be looking for a layout with two bunks at the rear(either across or up the one side),a decent size overcab bed and a fixed dinette(..not inward facing settees).

Yes,fixed beds/bunks take up floor space..but they'll also give your youngsters a place to "sprawl" and to feel is their own...

..and having "dedictated" beds,also mean that it's not a case of.. "..one to bed..all to bed..",as you don't need to disrupt the evening seating area to make them up..

As for buying private..well,you may find a lot of folk could be trying to shift,what for them,have been expensive mistakes(..vans bought on a whim or have moved from caravans and didn't take to MHs),so selling private would get them a better price than a dealer could offer..

I suppose as long as every thing works...and is actually SEEN working(..something that rarely happens at a dealers,as they never have any water or gas in 'em,even on "handover")and any documentation is in order(e.g recent habitaion service)then there'll be plenty of bargains to be had buying private(..you may also find that in many cases,a private seller will include loads of "extras",silver screens etc, that won't be of use to his next Mh).

We've bought all(3)of our vans from dealers and everyone one of them has had faults that we not picked up by the "trained engineers" during their "extensive quality checks and thorough services" ..