newbie looking for advice re buying motorhome (1 Viewer)

ponyboy

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Dec 19, 2012
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Tasmania
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Hobbyvan AKA Jinks
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April 2012
Hi everyone and happy xmas to you all. I'm an Aussie member new to this forum and am planning to come to the UK in April to buy probably a Hymer 522 or Hobby (something compact with low mileage) and THIS IS THE AWKWARD BIT - I need it to be left hand drive because I'm planning a year's trip in the continent. Yes - I know why don't i just buy it in germany...but i have been advised that because im not a resident (altho i do have an EU passport) it will be a problem to own one there. Has anyone had any experience and advice to offer. I have been in touch with a dealer (Ikonic Kampers) who import such vehicles and wonder if anyone has any info to share in that regard.
yhaks for having a look and any advice would be really welcome
ponyboy
 

tonka

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Jul 2, 2008
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Dont rule out a right hand drive, they are no harder to use within Europe. !
Lots of us do it all the time.. Anyway there are many left hand drive van reistered and for sale in UK..
I would look into making sure you can get insurance first, you say EU passport but what about license ? where is that issued ?
If you have family here you can always register the vehicle at their address.

Some webites to look at...
ebay.co.uk
gumtree.co.uk
preloved.co.uk
autotrader.co.uk

good hunting..
 

greyman1

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Aug 7, 2011
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hi and welcome to the forum . you will have no problem finding a lhd hymer in the uk , infact a good majority of the late 80s and early 90s vans advertised will be european vans . most hymers of this period will probably have approx 100 k on them and be in the £8k to £15k price bracket. if you want low milage then you will have to pay a premium for it or buy a much newer van. (obviously i dont know your budget !) but if it is only going to be for one annual trip i wouldnt have thought you would want to be putting £25-£35k into it !! anyway good luck with your adventure . kind regards garry.

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Apr 27, 2008
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Echo the message above. I have had RHD and LHD and it really makes no difference either in the UK or on the continent. It might make a bit of a difference in a car as its lower, but I drive my RHD car on the continent no probs. Ignore which side the wheels on, as long as it's the same as the pedals.:roflmto:

May seem daft but back in the 70s a friend bought a car (cheap) that had been half converted to RHD and the steering was on the right and the pedals on the left. He had to drive it home by 'committee', lucky he wasn't stopped.
 
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ponyboy

ponyboy

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Dec 19, 2012
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April 2012
thx guys

Thx all and I hadn't thought of the height factor Aas being a plus in driving a RHD but can see the logic. The budget is around the 30k (sorry no symbol for GB Pounds on Aussie keyboards). Will be using an Aussie license and am hoping that Down Under Insurance are still in business in the UK as I've been advised that they will insure us colonials - albeit at three times the price that you guys get equivalent cover for. Any comments on the Hymer 522 or Hobby equivalent and also I'm thinking that anything over six metres is getting a bit cumbersome - am i right?
love the forum and the fact that there is such a wealth of knowledge and experience out there, and so readily shared
ponyboy
 

tonka

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Forget the 6m !!!!
I think this is maybe a throw back to times when ferry companies charged above 6mtrs ??

Don't worry about it but personally I like to keep under 8mtrs and that seems a nice workable size.... We have seen many posts about "colonials" wanting to come and do the motorhome thing, Even someone who paid £30k for a van off a dealer and THEN found out they could not drive it. !! Aussie license I think is limited to 3500kg gross vehicle weight and he bought something heavier...

Your doing the right thing by being on here, sure you will get some good advise..:thumb:

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JeanLuc

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Nov 17, 2008
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As others have said, you will find many LHD Hymers in the UK (ours is one and that was part of our search specification).

To start you off, have a look at this website for Hambilton Engineering Link Removed

Peter Hambilton is the leading independent Hymer specialist in the UK. You will see some options by clicking in the Motorhome Sales tab (left of the home page) and further down, the Private Sales tab where he sells vans for clients.

Another independent dealer specialising in Hymer is Edgehill Motorhomes, but they tend to sell younger vans than your budget indicates. There was a nice B644 on there the last time I looked at under £30k.
http://www.edgehillmotorhomes.co.uk/
 
Apr 27, 2008
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Thx all and I hadn't thought of the height factor Aas being a plus in driving a RHD but can see the logic. The budget is around the 30k (sorry no symbol for GB Pounds on Aussie keyboards). Will be using an Aussie license and am hoping that Down Under Insurance are still in business in the UK as I've been advised that they will insure us colonials - albeit at three times the price that you guys get equivalent cover for. Any comments on the Hymer 522 or Hobby equivalent and also I'm thinking that anything over six metres is getting a bit cumbersome - am i right?
love the forum and the fact that there is such a wealth of knowledge and experience out there, and so readily shared
ponyboy

6m is a good length as it will fit in an ordinary parking bay (just), that said my current van is 7.6m not including the back box, and I don't have problems, just have to pick your spot carefully in supermarket car parks etc.:thumb:
 

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