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The best thing you can do is to visit as many Mh shows and dealer forecourts as you can(...but DON'T take the cheque book)..and just take your time.

You will be VERY lucky,if the first van you get,actually ends up being the "correct" layout though..as your ideas/views will change once you start using it for any length of time..

We moved from tents to a "campervan"(Autosleeper  Duetto)about 5 years back and we thought that we'd be keeping it for years...but it wasn't long before we "needed"(wanted! )more room etc(...we're now on our third van )

Try to decide how you'd use the van(off exploring down narrow lanes or predominantly pitched up on site,whilst you use bikes/bus?).

Layout wise,decide if  you will be needing additional belted travel seats(grandkids/friends) because many MHs can sleep more than they can safely transport.

Also would you want to be assembling the bed and therefore disrupting the seating area every night?..if you don't,then a fixed bed of sorts would need looking into..

Once you have "shortlisted" a layout/model,maybe try and hire one similar...or maybe even try getting the dealer to hire you the one you're actually looking to buy?

(..at least you could make sure everything works! as Mh PDIs are notoriously poor!)

By getting something around two years old you would've(should've?)let someone else iron out the bugs and  take the depreciation hit(..just make sure it wasn't sold on so young because it was a lemon!) and DON'T just believe what the salesman tells you..check that EVERYTHING works...far too many miles have been spent taking vehicles back to dealers because they weren't prep'd properly!

Boring I know but payload and axle loadings are very important things to consider..some Mhs have very poor usable payload,especially once a few "extras" have been fitted(..many on the road are obviosuly overloaded..rear axles being the usual one).

Probably older than what you'll be looking at but just be aware that some of the X250 Fiat/Peugeot/Citroen base vehicles had problems when reversing(..although I think they were "modified" around 2009/10(ish)?..make sure you check).

There's loads more stuff that folk will add I'm sure...but just take your time..don't be seduced by "shiney van syndrome"..

Quote: Originally posted by minicamper2001 on 10/9/2012

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Three most important things?

Payload, payload, payload!

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Quote: Originally posted by -mojo- on 10/9/2012

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Quote: Originally posted by minicamper2001 on 10/9/2012

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Three most important things?

Payload, payload, payload!

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To some people, maybe so. But to others you just get sucked into taking everything you might possibly need with you.

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I agree that you do end up draggin' around loads of stuff "just in case"..

..but that aside weights and payloads are a real issue for a good many coachbuilt motorhomes..as the chassis is usually pretty well loaded when just lugging the "empty" body about... 

Having said that,as the OP is only after a two berth,they shouldn't really have much of a problem finding something with enough payload..especially in something "28ft" long.....

Quote: Originally posted by Lizzylee on 10/9/2012

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Thank you so much both of you. I think the show would be a great idea. I believe there is one coming up in October at the NEC. There you see. I have learnt something at least!!!!   I think I want low profile about 28ft. I also think buying a couple of years old would be good but then I don't get the vat off as live in Jersey. Depends on what the 2nd hand reduction would be.   I certainly will be aware of the shiny van syndrome!!!

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28 feet long is a big van and it will be wide as well.  Just checking you are able to drive something that long, including reversing it.  Bear in mind you may both have to be able to drive it if the regular driver is not feeling well or you are on a long trip. Consider the roads you will be driving it on; narrow lanes will probably be out. Getting to and from the Island by ferry will also be expensive with a van that long.

Not sure how old you are but getting your license renewed for vehicles over 3 1/2 tons(3,500kg) can be tricky once you are over 70 years and a 28' van will be over this weight limit.

As first time buyers please consider very carefully before committing yourself to something this big. You can still get alot of luxury in a van much smaller and more practical. But it all depends what skills you bring to this project and how you intend to use it. Have lots of fun choosing !

So much to consider. 28 ft in ASDA car park takes some finding and you do have to shop to eat.

28 ft is a good big boat...think about it.

Buy German, nothing to touch them for quality and spec.Price is good too.

You will also need somewhere to park up, 28 ft is not that easy to find.

Lots to think about, I envy you looking.

Yeah,it's only really just dawned on me...!?

...28ft(8.5mtrs ish),is a bl**dy big van..especially for your first one...

..and it's not just the few extra foot on the length that's the issue,it's also the additional turning circle and the "tail swing" that needs to be watched out for....

You'll find plenty of "spacious" vans at well below that length..