What made you spend all that money on a motorhome (1 Viewer)

[PeteH]

an early PVC (Panel Van Conversion)

Right, Now I know!!. I thought PVC was some sort of "fettish"!!!!!.

Pete

 

[Bacchus]

Right, Now I know!!. I thought PVC was some sort of "fettish"!!!!!.

Pete

When I first joined this site I thought PVC was local slang for cheap and plasticky...

 

[wasp]

I was diagnosed with Meniere'so disease 2004 so had to give up riding my bike, so got a motor home.
Now I'm in remission and I want my bike back and keep the motor home as well....

I`ve just been diagnosed with that and the doc has put me on travel sickness pills and up to now nothing has happened for a month So I might keep me RV

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[Charlie]

For us it was inevitable. Well sort of.

After my wife's injury some years back we were and are unable now to travel by airplane. Travelling by road means many stops along the way so she can keep changing position which means getting out of the vehicle often. Siting for a long time means she is in great pain. Plus the fact she requires a consistent bed, By that I mean a bed in a hotel or wherever may suit or it may not. No one wants to be kept awake because a bed doesent suit .

So having our wee home on wheels answers the requirements . We stop often and have a wee walk around and a brew with of course onboard facilities. It doesn't have to be a service area it can be anywhere . Her bed is just how she likes it and of course is consistent.

I say inevitable because we could not holiday in comfort or with confidence of being able to have that comfort in any other way other than with a motor home or caravan. No way was I going to have a caravan so the MH it was.

 

[Barclaybasher]

I bought my MH also out of necessity.............

My wife and I started looking at MH's shortly after she was diagnosed in 2008 with MSA, a terminal condition.

At the time she could walk, just holding on to my arm or 'furniture walking' and thought that a MH was too expensive.

She had always wanted to go on a Caribbean cruise, she could still fly then so we did that and took as many holidays as she wanted until she was unable to move around an aircraft (go to the toilet)

With the prospect of her being housebound I bought a Burstner 615, as much for the on-board facilities and the ability to stop whenever she wanted. We used the MH as much as we could, most weekends, holidays to France and Spain and it proved to be for the best........ until getting into the MH and moving about became too much for her...

I put it up for sale soon after she died, I only used it one more, not alone but with one of my sons........

I eventually sold it 6 months later, not thinking about continuing.The day I sold it I saw the Eriba on Ebay and bought it on impulse...... I don't use it half as much as the Burstner..... traveling alone is not as much fun....

My wife would never have gone to a 'meet'..... she was very self conscious about her condition having previously been the 'life and soul' of any party, Ive been to a few and am grateful for the welcome I have always been given, even though I find it hard to mix......


..

 

[irnbru]

It was always mums dream but she never got it cos her husband passed away. 10 years later I told mum to buy it while she was living so we both could enjoy it. She finally listened and wishes she had done so years ago

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[Ian.s]

Raced motorbikes for many years with my son, every motorhome we had until the one we have now was for bikes, tool kits awnings. Travelled thousands of miles to different venues around the country and didn't see a thing. Now through injury the racing has stopped and a new world has opened up. Go where you want when you want, Freedom, privacy, all you own stuff with and drinking tea in the rain with the heating on. Bliss

Wouldn't be without one... Oh and a hell of a lot cheaper than racing

 

[injebreck99]

We did all the tent camping thing, then loads of Eoropean touring on motorcycles,(BMW), then in 1992, we were due for our first US trip to Wyoming Colorado etc, when I had a minor heart attack, silent they called it, so that buggered that trip up.
So we thought, what do we do now, cannot fly for a while, just so happens some friends bought a Bedford CF hitop van and asked if we wanted to go halves, we were about to agree, when a similar CF hitop was traded in at the Vauxhall dealership where I worked at the time, I bought it, £825 as i remember, totally renovated it bodily and mechanically, and never looked back.
We did have caravans for a while as we were hard up, but switched back to motorhomes as soon as we could, and have had one ever since.
Only health or financial reasons would make us quit now.

 

[ojibway]

We've had tents, a campervan, caravans and a boat.
When we retired we bought a posh tent and had a lovely holiday in Spain, driving down from Santander to Motril and back. But we got pee'd off with the inflatable bed deflating all the time.

On the spur of the moment, some months later, we decided to buy a motorhome.
After some research we decided on a fixed bed as our main priority and found a two-year-old (2003) Rapido Aclass.

We had it for a couple of years but were disappointed with the shoddy build quality, the uncomfortable bench seat, the massively heavy extending dining table and the fact Rapido supplied two plush cushions for the driver/passenger seats so that you could sit at the right height at the table (which made the floor a bit far down!!) and the three wiper blades mounted on somewhat flexible GRP resulting in them getting stuck on several occasions, the first time whilst passing a big truck on the motorway in the rain and spray. A scary moment!!
The best thing about the Rapido was the Sprinter 316CDi base vehicle!

I read a review on a Westfalia James Cook, went up to Deepcar to look at one and bought it. We've been very happy with it these last eight years and love the lifestyle of being able to pack up and go anywhere, anytime.

A couple of years ago we bought a chalet in France but we kept the James Cook and, in fact, missed travelling in our MH. So we sold the chalet (took only three weeks!) and are planning all sorts of travel again this year

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[martin2603]

The freedom of being able to go where you wish , when you wish and not having to live out of a suitcase

 

[Huwmari]

We, too, have made the journey from tents through trailer tents, folding camper and caravan to a motorhome. Our first one was a 20-year-old Duetto which we bought with some of my pension lump sum. We thought we would like motorhoming and we were right! We loved it! Dear old Matilda took us all over the UK and the Continent but she had no turbo and there was a lack of storage for items like outside chairs, bbq, bag of charcoal, etc, so we upgraded to the 11-year-old IH Tio Savannah in the picture. She has been great but now, with repairs needed and himself not able to do them we have decided to take the plunge and buy a new Benimar Mileo 201. Yes, it is a lot of money but it fits all our criteria - fixed bed so no messing about converting bench seats, two extra seats for socialising, not only a larger boot/garage but an infinitely more accessible one, full winterisation, etc. The huge benefit of a motorhome for us is the freedom to go wherever and whenever we want to without using campsites. The aires in France and elsewhere on the Continent are just great and many are free, providing everything which a motorhomer needs. Why anyone in a motorhome goes onto campsites is beyond me. Everything you need is already on board so why pay extortionate rates for what is in effect somewhere to park for the night? I have to say that had we not been fortunate enough to come into an inheritance we wouldn't have gone for a brand new motorhome but one just a few years old. Hope this helps with your research.

 

[TUCANO]

We spent too many years in a tent getting wet and these great white things all over France seemed to be the business, when we retire we said
Life decided to throw a terminal illness at us so we bought out first van in a hurry and took off in it while we were able, we got as far as Gibraltar on that first and longest trip and we just loved the freedom of it all.
When the inevitable happened, much sooner than we had anticipated I sold the van but a few years later decided to give it another go but as a loner
Now onto my third van but the jury is still out
Love the van, like the freedom but

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[Enword]

Oh and a hell of a lot cheaper than racing

Aint that the truth
We started with tearing around UK & Europe on Motorbike including a trip to the Guzzi factory (Camping).
Then started racing & had race vans, I said I may stop at 60, so decided a couple of years ago do do it in a little more comfort for the last two seasons, hence the Motorhome.

 

[Ian.s]

Aint that the truth
We started with tearing around UK & Europe on Motorbike including a trip to the Guzzi factory (Camping).
Then started racing & had race vans, I said I may stop at 60, so decided a couple of years ago do do it in a little more comfort for the last two seasons, hence the Motorhome.

I will still be at a few BSB rounds helping out a stock 600 rider, not with my wallet. Only the ones closer to home. Hard to give it up completely.

 

[Enword]

I will still be at a few BSB rounds helping out a stock 600 rider, not with my wallet. Only the ones closer to home. Hard to give it up completely.

Yep us to, a lot of my customers are in the sidecar paddock so will go to some, only trouble is they all try to put pressure on me to come back! you must of had a lot of travelling! as us down this end!

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[awg]

Started camping as a kid with my parents. Had a caravan (really old and zero home comforts) for a couple of years when our kids were very young. Most of our travelling was by motorbike. around 6,000 miles two up around Europe a year and another 5,000 a year touring on my own with mates.

A couple of years ago my wife decided she'd had enough of the bike and although I still travelled on my own I did miss our joint touring so last year we bought our motorhome. Only had it since last July but it's already been to Europe three times and we used it most weekends from July to the beginning of December when we went to Cologne for the Christmas markets.

I've already got several trips booked for this year and also managed to fit in at least 4 bike trips including a week in try Pyrenees in September. Our first Fun rally will be the Chester one at Easter.

Allan

 

[Ian.s]

Yep us to, a lot of my customers are in the sidecar paddock so will go to some, only trouble is they all try to put pressure on me to come back! you must of had a lot of travelling! as us down this end!

Oban to Brands and back 1000 miles. Yep miles and miles.. Still that's passion for you. Look out for Stock 600 number 30. Kettles on Tralee Bay race team

 

[mitzimad]

we had both camped before we met her with guides me with the woodcraft folk and school but we never carried it on we did the package holiday thing for a few years spain greece islands etc then we got married and two years later we had children so then did lots of statics as well as package hols it wasnt till i was autograss racing we got a second hand frame tent and used it for racing and a few weekends
once the kids were less reliant on our presence we started going to festivals with another big tent that carried on for a few years until in mid july we got soaked erecting the tent on the friday at a festival in shropshire sunburnt the next day and soaked whilst packing away it was at that point we decided on a motorhomI had just lost my mum and got a small inheritence it took five months to find an old talbot rambler(petrol because were inside the lez) sitting unloved in a oxford pub car park covered in tree sap and green growing out of the windows
we had three years in that and decided we liked it and started to search for something better
buying a coach built that was lez compliant was out of our financial reach The experience of making the bed in a rambler told us we wanted a fixed bed and we didnt need a shower . by that time we were getting bored with the festival scene which had become so comercial
so Reene 2 was born with all the things we wanted then we found fun the rest is history

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[Larrynwin]

We were into boats and had a twin screw offshore cruiser moored nearby on the broads.
Following a 1 month RV rental in the USA suddenly motorhome travel was far more attractive.
We sold the boat and bought our first RV and over a ten year period had a further two , the last one costing £95k .
Last year at 70 lost my C1+E so down to 3500kgs . Just taken delivery of a new Hymer at a cost of £75k, why because we love our freedom to travel and as we have worked for and are lucky enough to afford it , we have spent a bit of it .
We have had further RV hols in the USA and have travelled a fair bit in UK and Europe .
We only have one shot at this life, I think

 

[MichelleRyall]

Fed up of having to get up to go to motocross at 5 in the morning, driving in the p*****g rain and then spending all day wet and freezing cold. Now we go the night before have a nice bbq and a few drinks. After a good nights sleep I can have a shower and watch the days racIng in comfort. We do use it for general holidays and skiing too, so worth every penny.

 

[Enword]

Oban to Brands and back 1000 miles. Yep miles and miles.. Still that's passion for you. Look out for Stock 600 number 30. Kettles on Tralee Bay race team

Keep an eye on Chris Walker he's riding my last year's outfit with my old passenger, should be fun

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[Ian.s]

Keep an eye on Chris Walker he's riding my last year's outfit with my old passenger, should be fun

Amazed he went that way, good luck to him.. Raced for years had a run in a sidecar at Khill. Mad as a brush.. Thought we solos had it tough

 

[sedge]

We both had a caravan, then one when we got together. However although both touring vans they were both sited for 6 months of the year - that was where we met. The van stayed where it was and was used every weekend and we took holidays either flying and apartments, or fishing holidays with the family with a tent or tent touring on one of the motorbikes. One year wanting a bit more comfort, but on a campsite, we'd gone tent camping in the car in the larger tent.

All went well until we packed up. We had to start at sparrow fart as we had a hotel booked for on the way back up to the channel, couldn't do it the night before since cars were banned on the site after 8.30 pm and we hadn't realised the time (since we were packing up!) until 8.25 and by the time Pete had got to the carpark and brought it to the barrier, it was already down and the owner refused to raise it again.

So there we were packing up from 07.30 am, fair enough. It was absolutely baking hot and I was trying to get the inner down whilst Pete extracted the tent pegs outside we'd both started but there were few I could shift at all so I obviously went to do an easier job that was no prob. I kept going faint with the heat and having to stretch up for the highest ones - had to come out and sit on the folded groundsheet with me head between my knees. By then our neighbours were up and he stood just inside their Moho hab door and read out 'Time 8.20 am, Temperature 35 degrees C, Humidity 78% - would you like to come inside and sit in the shade?' Well yes I would, but there's far too much to do if we're ever going to get gone.

Later that day, we decided to look for a motorhome ...... and about 6 weeks later there we were across the Channel again in a brand new Bessacar that we'd never even spent a night in !

However I have to say though we've visited quite a number of French naturist campsites since then - we have never yet returned to the Petit Brenne !

 

[Allanm]

We decided years ago that when we got close to retirement age and could afford to spend more time away, we would buy a larger motorhome than we had before. The idea was to tour Europe and beyond and spend a year or two looking for a house in France where we could eventually move to.
Anyway, I was quite happy to spend far less on a used van, so, we looked at dozens of them, but never found the one that felt "right" Then Mrs A went in the showroom and sat in a new one, with a new unused toilet, and the rest is history........

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[Charlie]

I bought my MH also out of necessity.............

My wife and I started looking at MH's shortly after she was diagnosed in 2008 with MSA, a terminal condition.

At the time she could walk, just holding on to my arm or 'furniture walking' and thought that a MH was too expensive.

She had always wanted to go on a Caribbean cruise, she could still fly then so we did that and took as many holidays as she wanted until she was unable to move around an aircraft (go to the toilet)

With the prospect of her being housebound I bought a Burstner 615, as much for the on-board facilities and the ability to stop whenever she wanted. We used the MH as much as we could, most weekends, holidays to France and Spain and it proved to be for the best........ until getting into the MH and moving about became too much for her...

I put it up for sale soon after she died, I only used it one more, not alone but with one of my sons........

I eventually sold it 6 months later, not thinking about continuing.The day I sold it I saw the Eriba on Ebay and bought it on impulse...... I don't use it half as much as the Burstner..... traveling alone is not as much fun....

My wife would never have gone to a 'meet'..... she was very self conscious about her condition having previously been the 'life and soul' of any party, Ive been to a few and am grateful for the welcome I have always been given, even though I find it hard to mix......


..

I pressed "like" not because I liked the story but because I greatly admire your courage to tell it and the words you used.

Respect my friend...............

 

[Terry]

Never lost any money on a van yet -well small lie I kept a van for almost 9 yrs and sold it for what I had in it but(after agreeing a price) gave the guy £500 off to help with his travels (generous to a fault)I spent yrs working away in a basic bed in the back conversion-only needed a place to sleep -Back in late 70s I bought a VW camper and grew to hate it after only 6 weeks but managed to sell that for a couple of hundred quid profit -I would have taken a big loss on the bag of shit just to get rid of it but soon realised that VW people are all nutters and a breed I will never fathom out
After that it put us off campers for some 20 yrs ish until we were going to a MB rally AND WERE DUE TO STAY IN A TENT FOR 4 DAY'S when Ann came up with the idea of borrowing sons campervan that he had bought but no one would insure (under 20) his loss was our gain and after the 4 days we were hooked-decided to invest a bit of money with the attitude of if we did not like it sell it for what may have been a small loss but as things turned out in profit again Since then and a lot of vans later still doing OK
terry

 

[Phillybarbour]

Never wanted a caravan, wife eventually talked me into it, and I just loved the lifestyle from day one. Had two caravans over a ten year period, then a motorhome.

Lifestyle
Freedom
Choice
Flexibility
Love of the outdoors

When I picked up the current van I was backing it on the drive and my son said, 'that's a big dent in the inheritance', but sod it you only here once.

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[sedge]

When I picked up the current van I was backing it on the drive and my son said, 'that's a big dent in the inheritance', but sod it you only here once.

Precisely Philly - I should think we're nearly ALL 'SKI-ING' LOL

But there again if it hadn't been the Moho Lord knows what else we'd have had - probably things that would have depreciated even more.

And of course should we get wiped out or should I say 'when' we do (or if Pierre pops his before I do mine) - then both I and the 'kids' will know who to take advice from on selling it - although with a long established caravan dealers/accessory shop/storage facility virtually opposite our house they probably won't have to worry about that very long anyway!

Our SIL's biggest dread however is having to sort out what's in our loft ....... !

 

[bryandh]

SWMBO told me to!!!!

We did not spend big money on our first MH buying second hand (maybe even 3rd or 4th hand) but £ for £ value to pleasure ratio......... Best buy we ever made !

Bryan

 

[Tony Santara]

SWMBO told me to!!!!



Bryan

Sounds like me and you are the boss .....I told SMWMBO any more of it and she does the washing up then I woke up with a crowd round me

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