Hippo here... (1 Viewer)

Hippo.

Free Member
Jan 21, 2012
3
0
Newcastle
Funster No
19,528
MH
just looking
Exp
0
Hi everyone...

I'm Hippo, and live near Newcastle. I've always wanted a motorhome...ever since I was knee high to a Calor gas bottle! It's only now that I am in a position to buy.

Anyway, I've been doing a bit of research and I've decided my ideal 'van' (is that the right word?) is a 6 berth with an overcab bed, a couple of travelling seats and a lounge area to the rear.

However, due to medical reasons I'm not allowed to drive anything over 3500Kg...my budget is only £25000 so I will be looking at a used model.

I'm a total beginner at this and would welcome any advice on any aspect of motorhoming.

Thank you in advance.

Hippo.:Smile:
 
Dec 6, 2011
11,467
25,057
South Wales
Funster No
19,136
MH
Coach built Adria
Exp
Since 2007
hi and welcome.:thumb:
not sure you'l get a 6 birth under 3.5t if you do you may not have much pay load if any.
i just put in my 6 berth overcab which was 4T.

but i could be wrong. good hunting theres a few good vans on the market for yor budget.:thumb:
 

stcyr

Free Member
Apr 11, 2011
1,765
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Normandie
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MH
A class
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On & off, since 1966 - fulltime since 2005
Hallo Hippo and :welcome:. Good luck in your search. Plenty of choice up to 25k!

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Nov 30, 2009
6,543
148,326
Pickering
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9,521
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PVC the PUG
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Since 2009 with motorhomes several caravans then tents before that.
Hello Hippo Welcome to FUN.:welcome:
You need to look in and try out as many motorhomes as you can.
This is our motorhome. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvMXvbZPWf8[/ame]
Well its the same model as ours , not ours, as in ours :Smile:
Its got what you want but the lounge isn't at the very back its behind the driving seats . These swivel round making a nice big lounge , without going too long or twin Axel .
We found this better for us as it meant more lounging space. The over cab bed ( luton ) is like a king size bed. We sleep up there.
Its also very solid , winterised , with diesel webasto heating , and we love it . You can pick them up for around £25k now. They are a lot more solid than some newer motorhomes too .
We have had ours re - upholstered and plan on keeping it a long time , as it ticks all our boxes. Happy hunting.
Bev

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mikkidee

Free Member
Aug 1, 2010
212
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Malton,North Yorks
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Since June 08
Why eye man, hello hippo and welcome to the FUN and good luck with your search for a van, yes that's the word we use::bigsmile:

Mike:Smile:
 
Jul 1, 2010
3,191
32,320
SW Northumberland
Funster No
12,394
MH
Hymer B 588 DL
Exp
Since September 2010
Yo Hippo and Greetings from Hadrians Wall to your West, welcome to the fun, couple of dealers websites that may interest you if your not already aware. Visit and kick a few tyres as they say and get an idea of what the market has on offer

Link Removed

Link Removed

ATB

Stewart
 

carry on then

Free Member
Oct 25, 2011
36
7
.EU
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18,631
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camper sort of thingy
Exp
about 5 minutes
There's quite a good choice of sub 3500kg vehicles about, especially if your not buying brand new.
As mentioned , the payload is quite low, in some cases under 500kg .

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Peter JohnsCross MH

Funster
Deceased RIP
Jan 5, 2008
9,617
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1,134
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Autotrail
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1995
Welcome to Fun Hippo,

I have a 2008 Swift Lifestyle 590RS Motorhome which would suit you and in your budget range.

If you do phone tell them I sent you and its £25k

We are down south but might be worth a phone call.

Peter
 

aba

Free Member
Oct 27, 2009
2,775
1,112
yorkshire
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9,066
MH
coachbuilt
Exp
dec 2009
hi and welcome to the fun.
just remember that the vans payload includes all passengers and luggage,food, water , bikes , chairs , BBQ etc.

at 3500kg you will be pushing on a 6 berth thats actually useable as some of the smaller vans max plated at 3500kg are very close to being over weight with just driver + 1 passenger , fuel and water never mind all the other items you will put in it.

avoid any Tag axle ones as most are 5000kg gross weight.
and some twin rear wheeled ones are also over 3500kg.

good luck and happy hunting.
 

gypsylady

Free Member
Jun 24, 2008
245
104
Durham
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3,035
MH
A Happy One
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Since 2005
Our Carioca is 3.5T and 6 berth and 21ft.

However we have bunks at the rear, not the lounge.

Love our van, winter in Scotland regularly.

We are in Durham if you want a look.

Happy Hunting
June

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Carol

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 2, 2007
14,042
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519
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18 years s Motorhome (33years caravans)
Hello and welcome to motorhome fun, a bit of a nosey question but do you need a 6 berth are 6 of you using it, if yes fair enough but if not, you could probably give your self a wider choice and a better pay load if a 4 berth would suit.:welcomefunster:
 

Popeye

Deceased RIP
Sep 5, 2011
7,926
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18,072
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On and off since 1983
Hi Hippo and :welcomefunster:


Motor-Home Travel, on Tarmac or Gravel

A Week or Two in the Sun

If you have any trouble or Technical Muddle

Find the answer in Motor-Home Fun

Welcome to the bestest Motor Home forum on the interwebbythingy
 

EthnGeoff

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Jan 13, 2010
263
236
County Durham
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MH
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April 2009
Hi & welcome Hippo. Good luck with the search, our ideal layout changed 4 times in the 2 yrs we spent looking at vans, but thankfully we're very happy with what we got. Brownhills at Birtley may be worth a visit too if you haven't already been.
Geoff.:welcome:

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Popeye

Deceased RIP
Sep 5, 2011
7,926
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edge of New Forest
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18,072
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Frankia Platin Plus
Exp
On and off since 1983
Hi & welcome Hippo. Good luck with the search, our [HI]ideal layout changed 4 times in the 2 yrs[/HI] we spent looking at vans, but thankfully we're very happy with what we got. Brownhills at Birtley may be worth a visit too if you haven't already been.
Geoff.:welcome:

So which layout do you have now?.............Griff
 

EthnGeoff

Free Member
Jan 13, 2010
263
236
County Durham
Funster No
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MH
Low Profile
Exp
April 2009
Welcome to Fun Hippo,

I have a 2008 Swift Lifestyle 590RS Motorhome which would suit you and in your budget range.

If you do phone tell them I sent you and its £25k

We are down south but might be worth a phone call.

Peter
Bargain and a nice chap too by all accounts:thumb:
Geoff.
 
OP
OP
H

Hippo.

Free Member
Jan 21, 2012
3
0
Newcastle
Funster No
19,528
MH
just looking
Exp
0
Thanks for the friendly welcome guys...:Smile:

Nice van Bev...was it expensive to be re-upholstered?

I have been to Brownhills, Tyne Valley and Geist up to now...I've not heard of ESHartley and their website seems to be down :Sad:

I think I've now decided on a layout and maybe even narrowed it down to make and model. I had 3 criteria (overcab bed, more than two passenger seats, and a rear lounge) and the 6 berth seemed to be the only way to go. Thanks for the advice up to now...I'll let you know when I get it and maybe even post a few pics.

Hippo
 
Jul 28, 2010
1,710
617
The world
Funster No
12,902
MH
Small car
Exp
1
Hi everyone...

I'm Hippo, and live near Newcastle. I've always wanted a motorhome...ever since I was knee high to a Calor gas bottle! It's only now that I am in a position to buy.

Anyway, I've been doing a bit of research and I've decided my ideal 'van' (is that the right word?) is a 6 berth with an overcab bed, a couple of travelling seats and a lounge area to the rear.

However, due to medical reasons I'm not allowed to drive anything over 3500Kg...my budget is only £25000 so I will be looking at a used model.

I'm a total beginner at this and would welcome any advice on any aspect of motorhoming.

Thank you in advance.

Hippo.:Smile:
Hi Hippo :welcomefunster:
we all started of as newbies but soon learn for our mistakes

i have had three euro motorhomes coach built & a class
all were ok but left me feeling that i needed some thing a bit more robust
older euro vans tend to shake them selves to bits over the years
the fitting being lights weight are easy to damage

i now have an American RV built to a far better standard than euro
plus have much better comfort too

i have yet to find a euro van that feels like home from home and not camping

i had limited budget and secured a nice low mileage RV for less than £20K
only had 38Kmiles when i get it in 2009
now done 48K and still as good as new

if you do buy an older unit check the tyre dates as you need to have good tyres even if they look good the UV will diss-troy the rubber

my tyres where 2004 dated but at only 38K looked ok
your first blow out can and will catch you out
over 5 years old look at new ones

get yourself a moisture gauge and test for damp
if found walk away no matter how good it may look
or what a good deal it may seam it will cost you in the long term
(some dealers will not let you damp test your self so be aware)

good luck in finding your MH :thumb::thumb:

yours Ian F
 

pappajohn

LIFE MEMBER
Aug 26, 2007
43,203
48,795
Dark side of the moon
Funster No
172
Exp
Since 2005
Swift Kontiki 640L


24ft long
rear U shaped lounge with 2 x 6ft couch's,

small overcab bed suitable for kids.
front dinette converts to 4ft double
rear lounge converts to 6ft x 7ft double.
centre bathroom.
front kitchen opposite dinette
comes in two versions...3500kg and 3850kg with 2.5ltr/2.8ltr engine respectively.

£25k should get you a clean 2003/04 model.

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OP
OP
H

Hippo.

Free Member
Jan 21, 2012
3
0
Newcastle
Funster No
19,528
MH
just looking
Exp
0
Rollerteam Pegaso 181 or Benimar Anthus 6000ST it is then...:Smile:

I like the layouts and I think they're under 3500Kg...has anyone any experiences of either of these?

thanks
Hips
 

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