Toffs-G
Free Member
Having had our first motorhome for just about a month I thought I would jot down a few findings of ours and useful information received from this forum, which is a great source.
This list is by no means definitive or in any order and very much just as we have found but hopefully there will be at least some advice and if nothing else elements and points to think of if only to ignore or discount.
1.Layout – consider carefully. We only have a dinette for living in and that for us is a mistake. Next time we will go for a semi integrated (cab seats swivel to form part of living area) maybe something like a Burstner Ixeo or Rapido 7FF
2.7m length I like and find easy to drive manoeuvre etc
3.Garage or no garage – we went for the bed over garage thinking we needed the space under. Actually seemingly unless you are going to have a scooter or bicycles in it then we have not found a garage necessary. As such consider the ladder element to the bed it is horses for courses but we would now go for a fixed low side rear bed as the storage under would be sufficient and no ladder to climb, just as well the dinette makes up into a bed.
4.We have a 4000kg Gross Vehicle weight which gives us 960kg of payload, total weight at the moment is 3580kg in future I would always have a 4000kg MH to give us the cushion of payload.
5.Cab aircon next time and rear vents that can be left open when driving – we have dogs
6.Buy loads of non slip matting it is fantastic keeps everything in place wouldn’t be without it
7.For when on Electric Hook Up EHU we have bought a De Longhi ICM2B Coffee Machine from Argos £19.59 small and very good also the coffee jug is a firm fit for when it is in the cupboard for travelling it stays put
8.Also from Argos we bought an oil filled radiator on advice from the this site - Value Mini 800w Oil Filled Radiator £24.99 again works a treat thermostat controlled small and perfect.
9.Someone from this site advised to have as many lengths of hose and adaptors as possible, so true, we have a numerous amount of adaptors and a long flat food quality hose but will be buying a curly hose as well, it is a pain to keep unreeling the full length hose especially when you are close to the tap. I also find filling up through the outside filler a pain so put the hose through the window and fill the tank up from the top.
10.We have a Peugeot Boxer based vehicle – 2 best buys were headlight protectors and wind deflectors for opening windows – don’t buy from Peugeot save a fortune by buying on Ebay.
11.Also bought while in France a truckers dash tray that suckers to the windscreen and rests on the dash, brilliant buy so handy.
12.In addition sheepskin seat covers for the 2 front seats perfect addition. Very comfortable Link Removed
13.Sat Nav have had a tom tom for years and now bought a Snooper Ventura s7000 brilliant large screen, enter the size of your MH for low bridges etc (although not such a big deal with a 7m MH and with the ACSI campsite list it is very good also if you are waiting at the ferry or Tunnel etc the built in Digital TV is very handy.
14.Our dealer Marquis fitted an AVTEX 12v al in one TV into the MH another great piece of kit, freeview, DVD etc built in works very well and excellent clarity of picture. I would choose as first option again
15.They also fitted a Solar panel and Gaslow refillable gas bottles both I would consider as being essential
16.Folding plastic crates for the storage locker and piece of old carpet under keeps everything contained and still.
17.I prefer to top up water as I go some say only fill up what you need due to fuel economy.
18.We travelled to France stayed some nights in Motorway service stations refrigerated trucks are very noisy, stayed at the Calais Aire, perfect go for the Aires
19.I will be fitting a rear view camera, cruise control and sat dome.
So far these are the main things I could pass on if I am teaching people to suck eggs etc I apologise but I hope it helps.
This list is by no means definitive or in any order and very much just as we have found but hopefully there will be at least some advice and if nothing else elements and points to think of if only to ignore or discount.
1.Layout – consider carefully. We only have a dinette for living in and that for us is a mistake. Next time we will go for a semi integrated (cab seats swivel to form part of living area) maybe something like a Burstner Ixeo or Rapido 7FF
2.7m length I like and find easy to drive manoeuvre etc
3.Garage or no garage – we went for the bed over garage thinking we needed the space under. Actually seemingly unless you are going to have a scooter or bicycles in it then we have not found a garage necessary. As such consider the ladder element to the bed it is horses for courses but we would now go for a fixed low side rear bed as the storage under would be sufficient and no ladder to climb, just as well the dinette makes up into a bed.
4.We have a 4000kg Gross Vehicle weight which gives us 960kg of payload, total weight at the moment is 3580kg in future I would always have a 4000kg MH to give us the cushion of payload.
5.Cab aircon next time and rear vents that can be left open when driving – we have dogs
6.Buy loads of non slip matting it is fantastic keeps everything in place wouldn’t be without it
7.For when on Electric Hook Up EHU we have bought a De Longhi ICM2B Coffee Machine from Argos £19.59 small and very good also the coffee jug is a firm fit for when it is in the cupboard for travelling it stays put
8.Also from Argos we bought an oil filled radiator on advice from the this site - Value Mini 800w Oil Filled Radiator £24.99 again works a treat thermostat controlled small and perfect.
9.Someone from this site advised to have as many lengths of hose and adaptors as possible, so true, we have a numerous amount of adaptors and a long flat food quality hose but will be buying a curly hose as well, it is a pain to keep unreeling the full length hose especially when you are close to the tap. I also find filling up through the outside filler a pain so put the hose through the window and fill the tank up from the top.
10.We have a Peugeot Boxer based vehicle – 2 best buys were headlight protectors and wind deflectors for opening windows – don’t buy from Peugeot save a fortune by buying on Ebay.
11.Also bought while in France a truckers dash tray that suckers to the windscreen and rests on the dash, brilliant buy so handy.
12.In addition sheepskin seat covers for the 2 front seats perfect addition. Very comfortable Link Removed
13.Sat Nav have had a tom tom for years and now bought a Snooper Ventura s7000 brilliant large screen, enter the size of your MH for low bridges etc (although not such a big deal with a 7m MH and with the ACSI campsite list it is very good also if you are waiting at the ferry or Tunnel etc the built in Digital TV is very handy.
14.Our dealer Marquis fitted an AVTEX 12v al in one TV into the MH another great piece of kit, freeview, DVD etc built in works very well and excellent clarity of picture. I would choose as first option again
15.They also fitted a Solar panel and Gaslow refillable gas bottles both I would consider as being essential
16.Folding plastic crates for the storage locker and piece of old carpet under keeps everything contained and still.
17.I prefer to top up water as I go some say only fill up what you need due to fuel economy.
18.We travelled to France stayed some nights in Motorway service stations refrigerated trucks are very noisy, stayed at the Calais Aire, perfect go for the Aires
19.I will be fitting a rear view camera, cruise control and sat dome.
So far these are the main things I could pass on if I am teaching people to suck eggs etc I apologise but I hope it helps.
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