First time buyers - want Family Motorhome for 4 <£40k (bunk beds and large double)

[Pete2010]

we are looking to take the plunge having rented campervans (now too small for the family) and motorhomes on and off for last 5yrs. We are two adults (I am 6ft 4inches so need a big bed) and two boys (10 and 12yo). Any advice on suitable motorhome for under £40k. we favour two fixed bunk beds - work well for our boys and no need to make up bed and we preferred a big overhead bed for us - ones we have had in the past have been close to king size which is great as good space.

we have been looking at a Chausson Flash 636 which hits the above criteria (coming in at £35k with 50k+ miles, 2015) - but I have no real frame of reference and want to get some expert opinion. This model appears was very thirsty on our 2.5k mile trip around France but it isn't exactly aerodynamic but appreciate you can't have everything.

does anyone have suggestions - even if they are slightly out of budget. in terms of use, I think we are likely to do one big trip a year (france, Italy etc.... - say 2-3k miles) and then a number of longer weekends in the UK (400-500miles at a time). we ski every year and normally drive to our resort so would love to take motorhome as well. We have a fair bit of kit - paddleboards, body boards etc.....

any pointers or suggestions on models we should look for would be great.........

 

[The Wino]

I think your first suggested model sounds fine and if you have already tried one and it does the job why not go for the same?. I think all with an overcab bed will be thirsty

 

[Soozywoozy]

I have no idea about the model, but do have knowledge on skiing with motorhome. It is imporrtan to have really good insulation, winterised, double floor if possible and a great heating system. Garage, preferably heated, exceedingly useful for all the kit to dry. If heated not available a plug in garage for when on hook up to plug in low amp dryer. You should also look for capacity for either 2 large gas bottles or lpg installed.

 

[The Wino]

I have no idea about the model, but do have knowledge on skiing with motorhome. It is imporrtan to have really good insulation, winterised, double floor if possible and a great heating system. Garage, preferably heated, exceedingly useful for all the kit to dry. If heated not available a plug in garage for when on hook up to plug in low amp dryer. You should also look for capacity for either 2 large gas bottles or lpg installed.

I would also work out toll costs for mh vs car diesel/tunnel costs of campsit/aire/hook up costs of extra kit you might buy vs an appartment through a local acommodation agency I recon there won't be much in it. I lke our m/h but for a ski holiday no thanks!!

 

[Soozywoozy]

I would also work out toll costs for mh vs car diesel/tunnel costs of campsit/aire/hook up costs of extra kit you might buy vs an appartment through a local acommodation agency I recon there won't be much in it. I lke our m/h but for a ski holiday no thanks!!

No toll costs if you go to Austria and no inflated campsite prices during school holidays. We ski every year sometimes twice with the motorhome and it is dramatically cheaper. I have a spreadsheet with all the costs, see photo. As i use this for summer trips also “Travel “ category is used for ski pass costs, which you would have to pay anyway.

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[matt34]

When we looked we wrote down what we needed in a Motorhome and a big list it was, we then had a compromise list and got what we wanted, we only had a £24,000 limit, I wanted a fixed double as didn’t want to keep putting beds up and down and a garage for bikes and surf boards a bigger fridge, we found our swift sundance 6 berth as 5 of us and suits is fine for our budget as didn’t want to borrow any money, so far it’s been brilliant go and look at loads and go from there took me 6 months to find it, my bug bare is no cruise control for long french motor ways and no roof rails to put my long board on which all can be added when I have the cash, good luck ?

 

[Hollyberry]

When you look at motor homes make sure they have the correct number of seatbelts and they’re where you want them. Surprised at how many I see advertised as 4 and 5 berths that only have 2 belts.

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[Just smiffy]

Welcome...

It sounds like you will need a Motorhome over 3.5T do you have a c1 on your licence.....

You will find a better equipped Motorhome for you budget and winterised on a heavier chassis.

 

[Pete2010]

Welcome...

It sounds like you will need a Motorhome over 3.5T do you have a c1 on your licence.....

You will find a better equipped Motorhome for you budget and winterised on a heavier chassis.

hi - thanks, I have a C1 licence

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[Pete2010]

When we looked we wrote down what we needed in a Motorhome and a big list it was, we then had a compromise list and got what we wanted, we only had a £24,000 limit, I wanted a fixed double as didn’t want to keep putting beds up and down and a garage for bikes and surf boards a bigger fridge, we found our swift sundance 6 berth as 5 of us and suits is fine for our budget as didn’t want to borrow any money, so far it’s been brilliant go and look at loads and go from there took me 6 months to find it, my bug bare is no cruise control for long french motor ways and no roof rails to put my long board on which all can be added when I have the cash, good luck ?

cheers Matt - sound advice and I will take a look at sundance 6 - cheers

 

[Pete2010]

No toll costs if you go to Austria and no inflated campsite prices during school holidays. We ski every year sometimes twice with the motorhome and it is dramatically cheaper. I have a spreadsheet with all the costs, see photo. As i use this for summer trips also “Travel “ category is used for ski pass costs, which you would have to pay anyway.
View attachment 324234

I love this spreadsheet as this is exactly the kind of thing i do! if you dont mind me asking what sort of motorhome do you have? and what resort do you go to in Austria and what route do you take down to avoid tolls......On the times we have been to France, the tolls have been brutal - particularly as the elvis quiff MH has been over 3m so we had to keep pressing the "help" button on the tolls to get the operator to change it to class 2 - which 95% of the time they did despite a few beeping horns behind us!

 

[Soozywoozy]

I love this spreadsheet as this is exactly the kind of thing i do! if you dont mind me asking what sort of motorhome do you have? and what resort do you go to in Austria and what route do you take down to avoid tolls......On the times we have been to France, the tolls have been brutal - particularly as the elvis quiff MH has been over 3m so we had to keep pressing the "help" button on the tolls to get the operator to change it to class 2 - which 95% of the time they did despite a few beeping horns behind us!

We have an A class, previously a knaus and now a Hymer. We tend to go to Fieberbrunn or Solden, which are all singing and dancing luxury snow sure campsites. Also been to St Anton with acces to Lech and st christophe. You can do a lot cheaper, but we like the luxury! Route is late afternoon tunnel then overnight stellplatz Luxembourg. Next day down through Germany the whole way, via Kahlruhe and Ulm, often over the Fernpass and in resort by late afternoon. If you prefer not to belt it down ( and we have down solden to tunnel in one day - not recommended) you can stop Munich or Fussen area ,or even higher up at Baden baden or Freiburg then do 2-4 hours next morning.

 

[Saxon66]

Hi

We had the same criteria as you guys and ended up with a CI Mizar GTL Living. You would get a great one for less than your £40k. We've not regretted our choice once in the past 18 months.

Cheers, Mike

 

[orridge]

Friends of ours have a Benimar 323 which is bunks at the rear over garage and double at the front and go snowboarding a couple of times a year. I would think a 2015 would be around that budget.

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