Bought Motor Home - Help

[PCmag]

Hi everyone, paid deposit on motorhome today. Pick it up on Monday August 10th.
Thought I'd start looking for somewhere close to us for first trip (Lakes, Whitby, Seahouses, Yorkshire) everywhere I have looked at seems to have no availability.
Any recommendations preferably with clubhouse/cafe/restaurant.
Cheers
PCmag

 

[Printermick]

We bought from Brownhills who got us to stay there for the first night. Good idea.
They can then remind you of all the instructions that were not clear first time.

If you are in either of the big clubs they show late availability on their apps.

 

[The Wino]

Hi everyone, paid deposit on motorhome today. Pick it up on Monday August 10th.
Thought I'd start looking for somewhere close to us for first trip (Lakes, Whitby, Seahouses, Yorkshire) everywhere I have looked at seems to have no availability.
Any recommendations preferably with clubhouse/cafe/restaurant.
Cheers
PCmag

You need to think first a bit more about what sort of site pets/children allowed or not and why with a clubhouse sounds my idea of hell!!!.
Each to their own enjoy your new MH

 

[Steve and Denise]

Hi everyone, paid deposit on motorhome today. Pick it up on Monday August 10th.
Thought I'd start looking for somewhere close to us for first trip (Lakes, Whitby, Seahouses, Yorkshire) everywhere I have looked at seems to have no availability.
Any recommendations preferably with clubhouse/cafe/restaurant.
Cheers
PCmag

You go where ever fits your style, a lot on here like to go to bed around 8pm as they are old and forgot what they used to do and then moan they can’t sleep so start posting on here at 5am

 

[RobbyMClark]

Welcome aboard
Most sites are not opening bar restaurant at present,
May be an idea to book somewhere close to a town so you can walk in for a beer and food if not sure about cooking.
If parking outside home try the van and its cooking and pooping facilities to get use to them before hitting the road.
We are at present in Hawes (yorkshire) very close to town 5min walk half dozen pubs doing food.

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[Lenny HB]

Any recommendations preferably with clubhouse/cafe/restaurant.

Sounds like hell to me as well, far more relaxing to get a way from it all. Plenty of nice wild spots up north.

 

[PCmag]

Thanks for replies.
Who are the 2 big clubs ?
Cheers

 

[klaatu]

Thanks for replies.
Who are the 2 big clubs ?
Cheers

Caravan and Motorhome Club
Camping and Caravanning Club

 

[PCmag]

Thanks. Can't fit the mh on drive, so not really an option. The guy who we bought from is going to give us a thorough handover and he ensured us he was a total novice when he bought the mh three years ago.
I'm sure we'll forget loads of what he shows us, but I know we only have to ask on here.
Cheers

 

[wigster]

Have you given a thought about payload and having the correct licence to drive the van .
Also go over it with a damp meter if you can.
You didn't mention what van it is you will get more advice the more info you give .

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Thanks. Can't fit the mh on drive, so not really an option. The guy who we bought from is going to give us a thorough handover and he ensured us he was a total novice when he bought the mh three years ago.
I'm sure we'll forget loads of what he shows us, but I know we only have to ask on here.
Cheers

Take a video on your phone on the handover if he is ok with that.
That way anything forgotten and unclear can be recalled at a later date, and make notes on a notepad.
Don't rush.
And then of course there is always this forum for questions.
Good luck.

 

[DangerMousy]

You didn't mention what van it is you will get more advice the more info you give .

I guess it the Auto Trail Tribute 720 he was going to look at yesterday

Congrats on your purchase PCmag - I hope you have many happy holidays to come Great to hear the seller will do a thorough handover, like people have already suggested....video any complicated bits and take notes of anything you think you might not remember. We were in your your shoes just over 4 years ago and haven't looked back since - its been a steep learning curve at times, but so much fun.

This website is really useful for finding campsites: https://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/
For you first weekend away don't worry too much about the campsite facilities....I'd probably go for somewhere with electric hook up, but apart from that just go with the flow. We ended up on a small campsite for our trip....a very sloping pitch (we got to learn how to level the MH!), 20p for showers (so I used our own!) and electricity via a card meter (which kept running out). Even so, it was a great weekend just getting to know the MH.

 

[Landy Andy]

Good plan I think. Find an independent site that has bar, and takeaway food. That way you get to have a night away without needing the pots, pans, and taking all the food with you. I always try and stay clear of the sites that owned by the big clubs, as they kill any fun out of camping by smothering it with rules, barriers, signs, and nitpicking.

Enjoy your first night and sleep in the van and scribble down all the “must do’s”, “need to check’s”, and “must buy’s”, or just shove the window off it’s mounting rail, like my wife did the fist night after collecting ours, in a pub campsite in the pizzing rain

Enjoy.

 

[Boris7]

Pretty much everything is common sense, the issue will be trying to take it all in at once.

When we bought ours (An Auto-sleeper) it had a sacking great sticker on the drivers window with a pre-drive check list, it was fitted by yer manufacturer but put in an awful place.

It was a great help mind, but I can’t believe to original owners left it there as it obstructed your view (maybe they always drove with the drivers window down!!)

I replaced it with my own list, as well as adopting some routines to ensure I didn’t do anything stupid (didn’t work 100%, but it did mean I avoided big issues)

 

[SpeedyDux]

As novices, joining either of the big Clubs is a good idea. Far from being tiresome, the Rules and guidance will be helpful. Even the site wardens are normally helpful towards beginners. So are other neighbouring motorhomers. Some sites have visiting fish & chip or pizza takeaways, or arrangements to order takeaways from a local business that will be delivered to your pitch. Often there is a pub within walking distance.

Commercial sites can be as good as the Club ones although the standard is more variable, and they may not have motorhome service points and drive-over facilities for dumping grey water. Not all Club sites have these facilities, so check before booking.

Anyway, welcome and good luck. Everyone makes mistakes at first, there is a learning curve we all have to climb.

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[Ukbandit]

You go where ever fits your style, a lot on here like to go to bed around 8pm as they are old and forgot what they used to do and then moan they can’t sleep so start posting on here at 5am

Fighting talk where I come from.

 

[Theonlysue]

Film the handover. It might help you..
Haven take motorhomes.
You might need to phone a couple of days beforehand for any cancellations that may come through.

 

[Theonlysue]

Sounds like hell to me as well, far more relaxing to get a way from it all. Plenty of nice wild spots up north.

The further away, the better!

 

[chaser]

If you are going out of season and need all the bars and stuff, haven have some really good deals, but in season are way too dear.

 

[lorger]

Congratulations on the new van, have a look on searchforsites. If you sign up you get more details but no need to pay for the app at this point, use the map to do a search on the area you want to visit. As for the 2 big clubs we’re in the CMC as we love their CL system, a CL is a 5 van site that can range from all facilities to just a field to park in.

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[Caggsie1]

No ones mentioned it yet, but presently it’s peak, school hols and a lot of campsites have just opened from shut down. A couple I have actually spoken to have said they’ve reduce the number of pitches too, due to COVID and gov rules, so another reason for lack of availability. I’m trying daily at the mo on ccc and camc, with a tomorrow date and only a couple come up on ccc, more on CAMC but further than where I want to go on camc sites. That’s the big clubs, as advised above try some of the smaller sites. Both clubs do rallies, however, again due to current pandemic, have been cancelled, some with the aim of re scheduling from Aug 1st, but you do have to be a member of the relevant club.

 

[Pickygame]

Old Hartley, Seaton Sluice but remember ramps as its not too flat. White water at Stockton is a nice site. STOCKTON! That was my first response but for a short stop is well recommended

 

[PCmag]

Thanks for all the replies, really appreciated.
Yes I bought the Autotrail Tribute T720, bought it through a broker and the guy who's it was, was present to answer all the daft questions we had!!
The mh is in pristine condition for 3 years old, low mileage, and he has had every habitation check/service etc done, can't fault the broker or the seller, really helpful and no pressure. I got a bit of discount, which I was happy with and obviously the seller was happy to let it go at the price me and the broker got to.
Pick it up Tuesday 11th August, managed to book a couple of nights on Springhill Farm site (Seahouses) on the Wednesday/Thursday. Will have a look on the other sites that you all have mentioned, the broker sent me a link with a few ideas also.
I have the C1 cat on my licence (used to have my HGV licence in the 90's) so should be ok driving.
I seen that white water site at Teeside Barrage and it looks ok (although it is very close to us) may well see if we can get on that for the Tuesday prior to travelling to Seahouses, will only be me the wife & Jack Russel.
Think I'll join the Caravan & Motorhome Club also.
Once again thanks for the help & tips, I'm sure I'll be on here on a regular basis.
Cheers
Peter

 

[Grimsbygranny]

I'm fairly new to owning my PVC, and am also originally from Co Durham.

Lots to learn but so much fun..............

 

[scotzsue]

our first trip out in the first mtorhome we bought together was to White Water, in November or early december. Was a steep learning curve, I hadn't even had hook up in my previous van, we were not far from the dealers though in case of problems. Please remember to ask the seller if he has made any modifications, surprising the things you have to find out in a pre owned van.
Jusy get out there and enjoy.
When we booked for our last trip away the campsites we wanted to use were showing full on the website, phoned direct and got onto both, neither were club sites or in the area you want to visit but is worth noting.

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[PCmag]

Thanks Sue I will bear that in mind next time, I will ask about any mod's done, I know he's had a bbq connection added as he showed us that yesterday.
Cheers

 

[Dazza 6863]

to the fun Peter.
Knaresborough and Cayton Village CMC sites both have Bar Restaurants on them, been to both, good size pitches and easy access .... Here's to many years of fun in your Moho

 

[Interceptor]

We only got one in February the dealer did a fast handover as very busy.
I did the man thing just pressed all the buttons and turned all the knobs.
You will get it sorted and ask the seller if you can ring him if a problem.
Have a look on pitchup.com you can select what you want on site.
I'm in the caravan and motorhome club but it's all geared more towards caravans.
And when on site you can sort of tell the difference.
I have not used any clubhouses I prefer to stay near a town and walk in for a wonder.
The best thing is just jump straight in.
I drive a long wheel bace van of work so drive the Moho at 7.3 metres did not phase me.
We find it ever so relaxing.

 

[The Coops]

Look at the Freedom Camping Club, no fees no strict structure and better located sites, you have the toilet. you have the shower, you have the water tank and waste water so why pay for standing in someone elses mess? Thats a motorhome!

 

[Keypresser]

Very important.
Phone the dealer and ask them to put it on a weighbridge noting how much fuel and water is onboard.
You will be able to calculate what payload you can have.
Once you put all your stuff in it the weight goes up dramatically.
This may be your only chance to get an accurate weight!
Good luck and happy motorhoming.