Left or right hand drive? (1 Viewer)

[Jac Sprat]

We have just been to our first motorhome show and are well
motivated.
We fancy a hymer for the winterisation (due to my skiing)but realise we would have a lot more choice if we settled for an English drive ie right hand. However we plan to full time in Europe for a number of years.
would this then be a silly decision?
How have people found touring Europe with a right hand drive?

 

[Judge Mental]

LHD for us and have had them 20 odd years...buy it in Belgium from a reputable dealer who won't fleece you and easily save in excess of £10,000

 

[Weinsbergaman]

I drove a british RHD which we hired to Le Grand Bornand in the alps and back with no trouble at all. I really like driving in Europe just seems the correct side of the road to me (Maybe that's my Italian blood coming out). We've just plumbed for a German LHD Weinsberg. The winterisation is a big factor with the double floor. When we were in the alps with the British van we had terrible trouble with the water freezing up. It was ok when we left the heat on all day, very low, but not ideal.
I'd go for a LHD every day of the week.

Thanks Antony

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[Ufudu]

ours is LHD makes sense to me if going to spend a lot of time in Europe

 

[Mel]

Mine is LHD and i have no problem

Mel

 

[scotjimland]

Either or, you soon adapt .. but it's always more natural to drive on the right side of the road with a left hooker.. and visa versa..
Personally I prefer left hookers.. not had a right hand drive motor home for many years now.

bear in mind you will probably spend some of the time in the UK, at least once a year for an MOT and service, unless you buy brand new and you have three years grace.. so not all your driving will be abroad..

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[JeanLuc]

We deliberately chose a LHD Hymer - I find it easier to drive 'over there' and no problem in the UK. I don't understand the reference to 'more choice' if you go for a RHD, if by that you mean a British van. There is a much bigger choice of continental vans and you can more or less discount most British vans if you want genuine 'winterisation'. If by choice you mean there are more RHD Hymers in the UK, that is probably true if you go to the authorised agents, but loads of LHD versions are imported. Here are two independent dealers to consider:
Edgehill Motorhomes Nottinghamshire UK - Hymer
Motorcaravan Importers, Secondhand Motorhomes - Bundesvan

 

[davidbaldam]

You pay your money and take your chance, I drive a RHD and find it very easy drive on the Continent but as I say it's your choice.

 

[Lenny HB]

LHD every time how can LHD limit your choice far more LHD Hymer layouts available.
In RHD they don't bother to import the full range.

Look at the German version of Hymers website and you will see the full range.

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[Xabia]

I always choose LHD as I drive many more miles in Europe than in the UK. It is fairly easy to find what model Hymer you want, have a look on mobile.de. You will find dealers in Germany and Belgium to be much more efficient thann most of their counterparts in the UK.

Have bought two new Hymers from Germany and saved around £20,000 each time.

Mike

 

[scotjimland]

Also, right hand drive imported A class vans.. many have just one cab door on the left.. ie on the passenger side.

 

[JonMac46]

Dring a LHD in the UK you are "home," and you know the ropes. Driving a LHD in Europe you are in the correct position and probably less likely to make a silly mistake. LHD all the time.
PS In Ireland it makes it easier to see where the ditch is... .

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[Chipster]

Ours is RHD. Will probably go for LHD for next van. Will also give you the option of selling on the continent come change time.

 

[Mousy]

Very happy with our LHD hymer, Mr Mousy drives I sit in the suicide seat shouting "clear right!"

 

[Jac Sprat]

Thanks for your replies.
By choice I am referring to the limited amount of LHD Hymers our local dealer gets in (Becks in norfolk)
At the open day today he said they have very few - which get snapped up. And he didn't have a single one in to show us.
We thought of buying locally as we 'll be coming home (n norfolk) a few times a year and it'd be handy for repairs and checks etc.
Isn't it a tremendous faff buying one abroad and importing it?
Maybe the thread I read exaggerated how complex it is
Would value opinions on this as it does sound a terrific saving.
Do you just hop on a plane to Frankfurt or somewhere with a packed case ready for living in the mojo?

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[Jac Sprat]

Haha mo ho that should read!

 

[CWH]

Haha mo ho that should read!

well, a bit of both really isn't it?

Mojo
The word originally means a charm or a spell.​

 

[Brian and Jo]

I have driven LHD for the last 8or 9 yrs but the motorhome we are having is RHD.like Jim says you just get used to either.
Brian & Jo

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[Lenny HB]

Buying a LHD Hymer from a dealer in the UK is OK if you are into financial suicide, privately you will get a much better deal.

Importing is very easy, use the forums search facility and you will turn up a lot of info.
This thread has a lot of info ( don't be put off by the title).

 

[JeanLuc]

Don't worry about servicing. For the base vehicle, I go to a local private HGV garage. Anything to do with the habitation side (e.g. equipment, odd fixes etc.) I either do myself or there are plenty of independent specialists to choose from. There are some trade Funsters who do excellent work on things like fridges, gas systems, solar panels etc. Many give a member's discount.
I have been back once in the last five years to the dealer we bought from, for the main roof light to be resealed. That was Edgehill in Mansfield and we live in Warwickshire (great dealer by the way). I have also been to Peter Hambilton in Preston a couple of times for specialised work - he is an independent Hymer expert. We made a trip of it and spent time in the area while the work was done. Same applied to a trip to Taunton to Vanbitz for an alarm - spent a day in Taunton exploring the town.
You really don't have to live near the dealer unless there are problems and warranty work to consider. If you are not buying new, that should not be an issue.
p.s. I have telephoned Edgehill from the south of France before now for a bit of advice!

 

[jonandshell]

I drove a british RHD which we hired to Le Grand Bornand in the alps and back with no trouble at all. I really like driving in Europe just seems the correct side of the road to me (Maybe that's my Italian blood coming out). We've just plumbed for a German LHD Weinsberg. The winterisation is a big factor with the double floor. When we were in the alps with the British van we had terrible trouble with the water freezing up. It was ok when we left the heat on all day, very low, but not ideal.
I'd go for a LHD every day of the week.

Thanks Antony

At sub zero temperatures, whether it has a single floor or double floor, the heating needs to stay on 24/7.

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[Jac Sprat]

Thanks
I had a look at the recommended thread
It mainly seemed to be about VAT and not imports although maybe a lot if it went straight over my head.
How do funsters rate Bundesvan where they take your requirements and fly you over Germany to choose it and then set up the whole thing for you and deliver it to your home?

 

[Judge Mental]

They ate good by all accounts but why give away a portion of the advantage of a personal import for a process that is straight foreword

 

[Xabia]

Edgehill Motorhomes near Mansfield specialise in LHD Hymers and they have a good reputation.

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[Weinsbergaman]

At sub zero temperatures, whether it has a single floor or double floor, the heating needs to stay on 24/7.

On our first night away we stopped just off the autoroute. Parked up by the toll booths with a couple of other drivers and the temperature was -25. We woke in the morning with frost on the inside. Under the duvets it was ok but put your head out and boy was it cold. I got going as soon as to get some heat back in to the motorhome. You know what, no one, out of the five of us, moaned. How about that for Great British spirit. And now they want to do it all again at Christmas, but this time with the heat on.

Thanks Antony

 

[jonandshell]

Skiing in the motorhome is a bit addictive, especially when you are warm! LOL

 

[Hymie]

We have a right hand drive Hymer A class with 2 doors at the front and have no problem driving in Europe.

Hymie.

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[Judge Mental]

Minus 25 and you did not keep heating on overnight?

 

[mick noe]

For ME... my theory is I have enough to think about when driving abroad without sitting on a different side with gearstick /handbrake on 'wrong side' but I do drive most of my working day so would take me more to get use to the change.

 

[Reallyretired]

Current van is RHD, previous was LHD.
Given a free choice of either I would go for a LHD but whatever you have you will get used to in no time. Biggest advantage to me of LHD is the front door is on the drivers side (last few vans have been continental A class, I know a few have two doors but I've never had one of those)

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