Newbie in need of some financial advice

[Dee238]

Hubby and I are in the process of eventually achieving our dream of getting our long waited/dream motorhome. But need some advice regards expected costs;
So how much roughly would we need to factor in for insurance, breakdown cover, storage costs, or anything I've not considered.
We're both in our 50's hubby will be the only driver, been driving for ages and we'll just be doing the UK for the time being.
Our new motorhome will be a smaller starter type probably around a 2004 plate.
Any help and advice would be so appreciated
Thank you lots everyone
?

 

[Happy Jim]

Bit of a piece of string question really, but budget for £400 insurance including breakdown, and storage at £75 per month.

You can refine those by letting us know where you/the van are living (roughly)

Regards

Jim

 

[Dee238]

Yeah it certainly is! Lol, but this is really helpful as a very rough estimate.
We've got a bit of a decent size drive so thought that may be an option, hubby also works on a very secure site, so going to ask his boss / company if he can keep a van there, all helps to save some money.
We're in South wales.
Still looking at vans.
Plan is to get a bit of a cheapy to see how we get on and when hubby retires in around 4 to 5 years getting something a bit nicer newer. Just want to make sure we're fully clued up.
Thanks Jim
Kind regards
Dee

 

[Jev88]

Insurance can be cheaper if you both go on insurance (less chance an unfit driver needs recovery?). £285 with breakdown on a 1999 MH as an example.
The broker I used included breakdown cover for any age MH on that too. (Grove and Dean).

Storage , varies Massively. Struck lucky locally at £190 a year ten minutes from Peterborough centre..... But was quoted up to £500 in same general area.

Biggest bill will be all the toys you then want to buy...... Solar, solar controller, bigger battery, more batteries, awning, tents, carpets, TV, WiFi, refillable gas, bigger water pump, new curtains, different table, bike racks, newer bikes, kitchen utensils, frost covers, outdoor BBQ , tables, quilts, sleeping bag, blankets, wind breaks, LED lights, mattress topper, roof box, chairs.......vehicle graphics.......
Don't let me put you off, it's really great fun, especially as you add details with your own DIY skills.

 

[Dee238]

Oh god, I'm an Aries! Nightmare for gadget's!
I'm relatively relieved about the insurance costs, was a tad concerned that this and breakdown cover would be really steep, better than expected
Thanks for the heads up/advice
Can't wait to start the next chapter! ?

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[grasscutter]

Insurance can be cheaper if you both go on insurance (less chance an unfit driver needs recovery?).

I think that’s a valid point people should take into consideration.
My wife has a fear that she would have to drive the motorhome back from our European touring if something happened to me so she is not named on our MH insurance.
If something minor happened and She needed to drive we could ring up and add her.

 

[Reallyretired]

Swmbo was removed from our mh insurance as she didnt think she could drive it any distance. There was an increase in premium but it was only small. After all having a second driver doesnt necessarily mean they are always present.

 

[denisejoe]

No point in adding your partner if won't or can't drive the MH. I'm not on the insurance as I can't drive our MH as I don't have the right licence to drive it. I doubt it makes a lot of difference to cost.

Denise

 

[Oldbob]

The best outlay to factor in is the subs for on here. Good advice, good banter and at times a complete load of jibberish, oh and very good articles and advice.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Do download Jim’s Guide to Buying A Motorhome, free to subscribers.

The Motorhome Buyers Guide

This book will save you money, probably a lot of money. It will show you, step step by step, how choose the right motorhome and then show you how you can easily negotiate the very best price. This book is FREE to subscribers. Download it by...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

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[mitzimad]

you only get 5 free posts on here unless you subscribe its the best £15 youll spend

 

[Minxy]

Hi Dee, welcome to the fun house.

As mentioned already, you're best bet is to subscribe (£15) then you can take advantage of the excellent Buyers Guide and Security Guide that Jim (site owner) has written (normally costs £7.99 each). These will give you a mine of information to help you with your choice of MH and avoid the nightmare of buying a bad one. This also gives you access to subscriber discounts too.

Not to mention this also then allows you to keep posting queries on here and if you find a MH you're interested in we can give it the 'virtual' once-over and let you know if we see issues with it, whether it's a good 'un etc, this alone can save you a LOT of dosh and of course you get to enjoy the joy of being a member of the forum!

 

[ToBoldlyGo]

Hi Die

One of the biggest costs is depreciation / cost of swapping vehicles we're on our 4th now, we started with camper vans and are now on our second motor home. Though we enjoyed our first motor home we changed our mind on the layout we wanted and took quite a hit to trade in and swap.

We're just about to tour in France for the first time by all accounts on fun its easier there than here so don't be afraid to pop over channel.

 

[f6c]

Welcome aboard

 

[Dee238]

Hi Dee, welcome to the fun house.

As mentioned already, you're best bet is to subscribe (£15) then you can take advantage of the excellent Buyers Guide and Security Guide that Jim (site owner) has written (normally costs £7.99 each). These will give you a mine of information to help you with your choice of MH and avoid the nightmare of buying a bad one. This also gives you access to subscriber discounts too.

Not to mention this also then allows you to keep posting queries on here and if you find a MH you're interested in we can give it the 'virtual' once-over and let you know if we see issues with it, whether it's a good 'un etc, this alone can save you a LOT of dosh and of course you get to enjoy the joy of being a member of the forum!

Fabulous. Yeah it's a bit of a worry buying something really bad. Hubby was a trained ford mechanic so he's got a fair idea on that side of things but as far as MH goes it is a bit of a mine field, especially as were starting off on the cheaper older end first.
I'm going to join now and start getting the benefits.
Thank you for taking the time to message/reply
?

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[Minxy]

Way-hey ... welcome to the subscribers club!

Now you can access the U-shaped lounge and have a load of fun in there about most things and, , I don't know if I should tell you this but if you are really, REALLY, tough, there's the Belly Locker but that is NOT for the faint hearted ... there be monsters in there!

Oh ... also have a look at the subscriber discounts too.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Some of your costs will be fixed. You can’t avoid and just accept. So you buy your van it will depreciate move on.

Some will recur annually. Insurance, servicing. You can phone around. Oddly I pay less to insure a new PVC than my car which is less than half the price. Find yourself a good local mechanic you don’t need a mh specialist to keep the vehicle running only the mh part needs that. Unless your storage is very local the time to retrieve your van will deter spontaneous use and adds costs. A set of anti theft deterrents on an older van may be sufficient?

But some costs will increase the more you use the van. Tyre and brake wear. You might wildcamp but if on sites there will be al the fees. The shocker for me so far is the amount of fuel I’m chewing through.

 

[Minxy]

Dee238 have you had a shuftie at the MHs for sale on here in the classifieds section? If not, have a look as there might be something there that would suit.

 

[Riverbankannie]

Some of your costs will be fixed. You can’t avoid and just accept. So you buy your van it will depreciate move on.

Some will recur annually. Insurance, servicing. You can phone around. Oddly I pay less to insure a new PVC than my car which is less than half the price. Find yourself a good local mechanic you don’t need a mh specialist to keep the vehicle running only the mh part needs that. Unless your storage is very local the time to retrieve your van will deter spontaneous use and adds costs. A set of anti theft deterrents on an older van may be sufficient?

But some costs will increase the more you use the van. Tyre and brake wear. You might wildcamp but if on sites there will be al the fees. The shocker for me so far is the amount of fuel I’m chewing through.

I’m not surprised, you have a bit of a monster. We’ve just got from Wiscombe Park to Nancy in Voges, France around 900 km on 60 litres, pushing it a bit on the motorways, in two days.