I'm intrested in getting a camper van /motor home for me and the family. I like to go out mountain biking and as I have two children would need some space. Don't suppose anybody could help me and point me in the right direction for me first motor home that not gonna rob me blind?
I have reached the stage in my life where I could actually afford a modest campervan, and it used to be a dream of mine for when I became too creaky to camp. However, I began to think of all the pros and cons and decided it wasn't for me after all. It's a big investment and responsibility, it'd mean getting rid of my nice nippy economical little Corsa and I came to the conclusion that I wouldn't be using it often enough to warrant the outlay.
I could have an awful lot of tent/pod/caravan/other holidays for the cost of a campervan over the years, without the hassle of depreciation, maintenance, fuel costs, theft risk etc. If you have a good budget then you could try one for a few years and recoup some of the cost by selling it on; maybe hire one for a holiday first, to find out if you and the children like it enough to be using it often enough to make the purchase worthwhile. Whatever you decide, enjoy yourself and make lots of happy memories!
We thought of doing this but decided against it, and kept the tent for longer journeys. In the end we decided to find a site not too far from home, that suited our needs ie no playground, no clubhouse but one with a small shop and cafe to feed us if need be. Most important in a place where we could get out and do the things we liked doing. So we decided on a static caravan. Now I know it has its downside, mainly the fact you cant move it from place to place, which is why I think finding the right site is the main priority. But watching some of these motorhomes and towed caravans negotiate some of these narrow lanes to some sites filled me with dread. The other option we considered was getting a touring caravan and getting a seasonal pitch, that way we could move it to another site when we want. Now here is where I had the biggest problem, and that was space inside. After spending a good hour looking round one and being shown how to hook this & that up we decided it was not for us. A year and half later, do I regret buying the static?? No I love being able to chuck a few bags in the car, 50 minute drive and we are there. Just turn the water on and get on with our break. As to cost. I had a budget of 10K for everything, a good half decent motorhome was going to cost me at least double that,plus keeping it on the road £???? The static cost me under £7k plus £3k site fees and £100 insurance. Now I know we will not get anything for the caravan (maybe a few hundred) once we have had enough of it, but I knew this when I brought it. Good luck with whatever you decide, but I just thought I would give you another option. Geoff
Was looking around a few campervans, MH's and touring caravans just the other day... purely for future reference, of course!
That "space" thing Geoff mentioned was very much at the forefront of our comments!
I can't see us ever being satisfied with anything under £30k, and that's pre-owned!
When they say my Karsten will last me a life time, I really hope they mean it, because I really don't know where we go from here, when the time comes!
It was always my dream to own a motorhome Mucker. Had it all pictured in my head, get to 66 retire, get that big lump sum out of my pension pot and buy that motorhome of my dreams. Then go off and tour the country for a lot of the year. That dream has long gone now after spending some time inside one. In a tent you can take 2 steps and usually walk into something, and having your bed 6ft away from your cooker is something you accept as you are in a tent you paid perhaps a few hundred quid for (not you I know). Thats all part of camping and you are roughing it to a certain extent. But to lay out in excess of 30grand on a motorhome,.. you would want to feel at total ease with yourself and I just didnt. People who have one will probably be calling me all sorts of names now but they are not for me and my wife felt exactly the same. Luxurious, yes with all mod cons and with every thing you need, except that most important thing for me,space. Probably a lot of it is me as I am a right fidgit ar*e and cant sit still for long. Just going back to the static thing on my last post. I posted that at 11-30am at home, since then I have had someone come round to view a tent I had for sale, pitch it for him, take it down and bag it take his money (he seemed very pleased with it) Then put a few bags in the car,50 minute drive, do some shopping and now sitting in the caravan typing this. Suns out cool breeze and totally relaxed. Going to have my coffee now out on our decking. I am happy with the decision we took, but totally respect other peoples decision on how they wish to spend and in what they choose is right for them. Have a great w/end all.
We were ummming and ahhing about a campervan/motorhome. Looking at costs though we're sticking with car and tent(s), might hire one if it's the best solution for a particular trip.
Geoff,
I wouldn't say a MH is currently a dream of ours, but it's something for us to consider. I do feel though, at this early stage, that we will end up with exactly the same thoughts and opinions as you two. The signs are already there! Luxurious yes, and I just adore the thought of the nomad way of life, particularly in France, the way they are set up for it.
Whether we end up with the same result as you is another matter, but I suspect the MH option may slowly fade away from our "plans".
I think for the sort of MH I'd be comfortable in, we'd need to stick to Autoroute aires, as I probably wouldn't get down country lanes in it! LOL
Glad to hear you have swanned off again, to spend your days earnings from the tent sale. Enjoy.
One more thing... I started to get a little concerned as I read your post...
"... That dream has long gone now after spending some time inside..."
What a relief it was to see that particular sentence continue.
(Ooh... no pun intended!)
Ha Ha. I left my computer mouse at home, thats my excuse for bad grammer. Trying to get used to using the touchpad, but cant work out how to left & right click at the mo.As I was going to post a pic of us relaxing. I was just trying to make the point M/H are not for everyone. My next door neighbour had one, he paid £28k for it and after 2 trips hates it. It sits on his drive going nowhere. He was offered £23k for it but wont accept that coz he says "Ive only used it twice" And friends of ours got one for £14k (2005 model, Jeez I thought) only to get rid under a year later. The neighbour had a touring caravan and our friends had a trailer tent before, both thought they were upgrading to the ultimate getaway vehicle. Both ended up disappointed. Just goes to show we are all different in our taste.
If it's anything like my Dell (New at Xmas time) (although mine has "invisible L & R click buttons too, built into the touch pad) it's single finger tap for left click, and double finger tap for right click... that's 2 fingers/1 tap, not two taps!
Two finger touch/stay/slide will scroll. Well, mine does!
A bit sensitive though, and does take some getting used to!
Only this afternoon whilst "working from home", for want of a better phrase, I did say I really must get a second wireless mouse to leave at home (Have wireless mouse and keyboard at work, as laptop keyboard is too far away for comfortable typing. I'm ok with this touch pad for general website crap, but much prefer a mouse for scrolling around documents/drawings/spreadsheets etc.
Sorry... Mr Printer has caused me to go off topic!
Quote: Originally posted by North hills on 22/6/2017
I'm intrested in getting a camper van /motor home for me and the family. I like to go out mountain biking and as I have two children would need some space. Don't suppose anybody could help me and point me in the right direction for me first motor home that not gonna rob me blind?
What's your budget? I've read that a lot of people buy a motorhome then find it's not the right layout for them. Maybe that makes it a good idea to hire a model that initially takes your fancy and see how it works out in practice, before splashing out loads of cash you potentially won't get back it it's the wrong move for you.
That said, certain makes seem to hold their money especially well (Hymer, for example). Personally, I think they're ideal for people who like to tour, rather than families who want to put down roots for a holiday stay.
My O/H is aiming to get a small motorhome or a campervan one day - because we do like to tour and so up-sticks quite frequently - but it seems too much like holidaying in your car for me, at the moment. During our recent trip to France it sometimes felt like we were pitching in a big car park than on a campsite, due to all the white boxes on wheels... Give me a field of tents for ambiance, any day!
If I had the money for one and had to choose, it'd definitely be a Hymer.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: New to this
And friends of ours got one for £14k (2005 model, Jeez I thought) only to get rid under a year later. The neighbour had a touring caravan and our friends had a trailer tent before, both thought they were upgrading to the ultimate getaway vehicle. Both ended up disappointed. Just goes to show we are all different in our taste.
Better stay on subject as this could be expensive for the OP. But yes that worked ta.
