Give up or buy a motorhome? (1 Viewer)

[thebriars]

Having been camping, trailer tenting and caravanning all my life, we are now at the stage of almost giving up the life. We currently have a 9 month old Elddis caravan which is so dreadfully built that we are in the slow process of rejecting it. Our cowboy dealer has done their best to ignore the situation for 3 months so we have had to get a solicitor onto the job. This has been our 5th caravan, all four of the British made ones have needed major repairs in their first year, so we are very disillusioned with the whole thing.

Over the years we have hired motorhomes and 5th wheelers in the US, Canada and New Zealand, and are tempted to go down the motorhome route. A few have been escorded tours, but mostly I have carefully planned our own tours. After a couple of days at the NEC, totally avoiding any British stands, we did like the look of the Benimar range with the Ford chassis and the bed which lifts into the roof. The added attraction of Benimar is that they are owned by Trigano, and the only decent caravan we have owned was a Trigano too. We found a layout which has almost no compromises for our needs.

Still very much in 2 minds, but we love the life, and have travelled all over Europe and the world and would like to continue to do so. We are obviously not going to do anything until we get our money back on the Elddis.

 

[Spriddler]

If it was me (and from the tales of woe that I've read on here) I wouldn't buy a new motorhome but find a used one where someone else has sorted out the inevitable warranty issues with the disinterested supplying dealer.

 

[Cat53]

If you love the life...then you will love it even more in a motorhome. Setting up is an absolute doddle. The only drawback is getting and parking in towns. But if you are able bodies bikes, walking etc all play their part. So good luck and enjoy!

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[tacr2man]

I would completely agree with @Spriddler seeing as its your first then good used would be best choice , as the layout is even more important in a MoHo than caravan and isn't necessarily the same , as very different usage regime . Welcome

 

[nicholsong]

If it was me (and from the tales of woe that I've read on here) I wouldn't buy a new motorhome but find a used one where someone else has sorted out the inevitable warranty issues with the disinterested supplying dealer.

Agree. Also build quality was probably better a few years ago, before they started trying to keep everything under 3500kg. Of course if over 3500kg your choice will depend on having C1 on your licence.

 

[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

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[thebriars]

I would completely agree with @Spriddler seeing as its your first then good used would be best choice , as the layout is even more important in a MoHo than caravan and isn't necessarily the same , as very different usage regime . Welcome

It isn't my first! I've probably had 8-9 months touring in hired motorhomes over the years.

 

[two]

Welcome.

If this is your love then I’d advise to carry on, one way or the other, or you could end up on a slippery slope elsewhere.

A European van will have a door and layout more suited to European travel than a Brit one and I think you’d find motorhoming easier over there than with a caravan. You will need to build up a second NCB on insurance, unless you scrap the car, but some companies may offer a discounted bonus as an introduction.

 

[tacr2man]

I was referring to your first owned one , as things you hire are not always to the exact specification that you might want , in the end its totally your choice , and I think you will probably agree with that

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[Young at Heart]

Incredible. Saying that you wouldn't trust any of the four British manufacturers you purchased from? Who were they? Please name them.

 

[thebriars]

Welcome.

If this is your love then I’d advise to carry on, one way or the other, or you could end up on a slippery slope elsewhere.

A European van will have a door and layout more suited to European travel than a Brit one and I think you’d find motorhoming easier over there than with a caravan. You will need to build up a second NCB on insurance, unless you scrap the car, but some companies may offer a discounted bonus as an introduction.

No, door on the left. Checked on insurance, and existing car NCB is accepted. This make comes with a year's free insurance.

 

[thebriars]

Incredible. Saying that you wouldn't trust any of the four British manufacturers you purchased from? Who were they? Please name them.

Swift: Caravan had major damp repair after first year. Not good to deal with (long story), three years later, damp down both sides and a write off.
Bailey: First caravan damp round window after 1 year, second one, water poured through roof join at 9 months, and lining at front delaminated and had to have major repair at first service.
Elddis: Where do I start?
Stargazer skylight surround fell off (1.5metre long chunk of plywood) after first time out. Repair unsatisfactory.
Microwave cupboard started to fall off wall after first time out.
Both repaired under warranty.
Within a month of this repair:
Microwave cupboard started to fall off again.
8 cupboard doors came loose due to screws overtightened
Both bed frames came loose due to using screws too short
Wiring prevented drawer closing properly
Alde heating badly fitted with screws pulled out of wall
Nails protruding from woodwork where you can catch fingers
Front locker retaining straps came loose
Seat cushions already compressed
Brakes squeal when going slowly (fault with Alko brakes)
Finally the roof has started to collapse, with 20mm dip outside.
All this before the van was 7 months old.

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[Young at Heart]

Was going to visit the NEC as looking to buy a Motorhome soon but decided couldn't take the travel, accommodation and visit stress!! Dampness in a new Motorhome is quite shocking. You sort of wonder why you would put yourself through all these possible problems. But, even buying second hand is surely no guarantee of avoiding it or other issues. I, maybe stupidly, thought that buying a NEW motorhome would be the safest and most secure bet. Of course if we also can't really rely on the dealers either what hope is there. I did actually contact two dealers, one via a chat line and another on the phone and the service was quite appalling - and that was me making a sales enquiry! Sorry to read your tale of woe, good luck.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

The Caravan repair and service place we use is kept very busy doing the warranty repairs on Elddis, he appears mainly to be removing and correcting the way the rear panel is fitted.
Elddis were bought by Hymer recently and Hymer more recently bought by Thor. Who owns who nowadays isn’t always clear so the Trigano Benimar relationship may not be a guarantee. I’d be cautious about a Ford base though if you want to keep it with how easy to steal they appear to be.
My experience of owning British and Continental has resulted in favouring Continental, even though it’s leaked twice no damage has been done.

 

[thebriars]

Benimar has been part of the Trigano group since 2002. The Ford option is far better than the Fiat as far as I can see. It has a lower chassis, a 170BHP engine as standard, and the auto box which we would want is a proper intelligent torque converter not a mechanised manual one as in the Fiat.

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[ambulancekidd]

 

[Spriddler]

the auto box which we would want is a proper intelligent torque converter not a mechanised manual one as in the Fiat.

I recently changed my car from an ageing Vauxhall Zafira with a torque converter to a year old Citroen Cactus with the 'auto' transmission. The Citroen's automated manual transmission was appalling, both from the mechanical and from the driving experience aspects; taking nearly 2 seconds and leaving me exposed whilst changing up a gear just after I pulled away into traffic at a T junction or on a busy roundabout or changing up as I began to climb from the bottom of a steep hill. Rarely in the right gear unless I'd been travelling on the flat at a constant speed for a mile or two. I only kept the Cactus 9 weeks and that included 6 weeks spent deciding on a replacement.

 

[gus-lopez]

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[AXO66]

We have a Chausson on a ford chassis. First van. Part of Trigano group too.2 yrs and 12k miles.
Ford parts seem cheap and easily available.easy to drive.
2 leaky windows all fixed by Highbridge under warranty. No major issues with this dealer.
Fault on an engine sensor meant went into limp mode. Sorted under warranty

Also get “ford assist” free European breakdown cover if I have it serviced once a year with ford

Drop down bed works for us. Goes up in the morning and down ready made in the evening. Rattled a bit whilst driving but got used to it.

If changing would consider a good used one as save a few bob.

 

[two]

The Ford option is far better than the Fiat as far as I can see. It has a lower chassis, a 170BHP engine as standard, and the auto box which we would want is a proper intelligent torque converter not a mechanised manual one as in the Fiat.

Tempted to agree. Add RWD and an instrument panel you can read, but be aware that they seem to be stolen quite often.

 

[mikebeaches]

If water ingress is a concern, you could consider a high-top van conversion, which is much less likely to leak.

However, most - but not quite all - are based on the Sevel (Fiat / Peugeot / Citroen) vans. And the only one with an automatic gearbox - make that semi-automatic - is the Fiat Ducato with Comfortmatic box.

The new VW Crafter is a possible alternative, which a number of companies are now converting.

We are on our third Fiat Ducato- based motorhome, the current one being a Rapido van conversion, with Comfortmatic. Have been happy with all three vans, and love the comfortmatic box!

As an aside, we had a Citroen C3, with semi-automatic gears over ten years ago. Our son now owns it and it's still going strong...

Horses for courses I guess. But we have always preferred continental vans.

Good luck, whatever you decide.

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[thebriars]

Looked at van conversions as an obvious choice, and indeed hired one in the US. However limited storage needs for our use these days, and limited creature comforts for longer holidays, e.g. separate shower, oven etc. Have a well-known specialist van conversion company just down the road.

 

[Cat53]

We adore our used Rapido. We wouldn’t ever buy new. Don’t see the point as you lose too much money.

 

[Langtoftlad]

Don’t see the point as you lose too much money.

That's only relevant if you choose wrong, and sell it within a few years.
Get it right, and depreciation is irrelevant on a keeper.

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[chaser]

just get yourself a ex ambulance for 3 grand buy an old caravan for £500 , spend a couple of months getting them together , result a moterhome designed how you want it , less than 5 grand , no leaks and £30,000 saved .
iv done it , no plans on ever buying another.

 

[Blue Knight]

But, even buying second hand is surely no guarantee of avoiding it or other issues.

I totally agree with you

I PX'd my Autotrail when it was just a few months old because it was easier to get rid of it than to endure the constant list of repairs.

People keep saying that it's good to buy secondhand motorhomes because the niggles have already been resolved but I don't think that's the case at all these days - lots of people get rid because they have bought a pile of crap and just want to see the back of it.

Enough said.

 

[thebriars]

WooHoo! Dealer has finally agreed a settlement. Its taken 4 months and a solicitor.

We are still very undecided about a motorhome, although one of the Benimar layouts is ideal for us.

As there is essentially just one dealer supplying this motorhome, having had the nightmare dealer experience to end all nightmares, are we allowed to ask here is anyone would care to share their experiences of the dealer we would have to buy from?

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[Pekepal]

After over 40 years of caravanning we were at the stage you are at, should we give up and do something different for our holidays or look into motorhoming?

After a great deal of soul searching we decided we were not ready to sit at home gazing at four walls, or wanting to be at the mercy of airlines or travel companies for our holidays as we still loved the freedom of being in charge of our own destiny. Within six months, caravan and tow car sold and homework done with regard to our ideal Motorhome and off we went. Fantastic. Has opened up a completely different style of holiday and our enthusiasm for touring has returned. Love it!

 

[thebriars]

That's good to hear.

 

[peterc10]

W
We are still very undecided about a motorhome, although one of the Benimar layouts is ideal for us.

As there is essentially just one dealer supplying this motorhome, having had the nightmare dealer experience to end all nightmares, are we allowed to ask here is anyone would care to share their experiences of the dealer we would have to buy from?

Not sure who the dealer is, but I suggest you look at the reviews on this forum to see if they are mentioned. There are some awful dealers about and some good ones. Most are somewhere in between. IMHO the choice of dealer is as important as the choice of MH. We can personally recommend Becks in Norfolk who are Hymer, Burstner and Adria dealers. Our first moho was a 2008 Adria (not bought from Becks) and we were reasonably impressed by it, given its price. Our present one is a Hymer bought new from Becks and we are pleased by both the motorhome and dealer.

As for layouts, almost all are used by more than one maker, so if you like the layout of one maker there will probably be an equivalent available from another maker. This is especially so with most European models. Trouble is that the dealers for these are less in number than those for British made vans. It may be best to visit as many alternative makers and dealers as possible before finally deciding.

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