The Search Begins. Where to Start

[Stevef]

So I’ve started the search for our first Motorhome (online only at the moment or obvious reasons) I’ve identified a few things that I would class as nice to have so I need to identify what manufacturers can offer these.
Any help at this point would be greatly appreciated!
So in brief.
Separate end bedroom
Stow away bed over drivers seat, so that’s 4 beds permanently made, can’t be doing with making beds up. But I suppose that means I’ll be looking at 6 birth?
Garage to the rear, I have some nice bikes and fishing tackle, don’t want to advertise the fact by carrying them on a rack, and besides where do you put them once you arrive on site?
Passed my test in 83 so I’m guessing I can go for the bigger motorhome!
I like the look of the Swift Kon-Tiki but I think I’ll struggle in my budget of up to 70k.
Any ideas would be appreciated or any links to ads even better.

Cheers

Steve

 

[orridge]

Welcome. Sounds like an A class would suit that generally has a drop down bed at the front and depending on model beds at the back which you can often close off from the main area should you wish.

To have a large garage the beds would be either transverse across the rear, twin singles and to some extent Island beds as well.

Brands to look at would be Rapido, Hymer, Burstner, Adria, Euramobil plenty on Autotrader or eBay.

 

[funflair]

You should get a nice used A class continental van for that money, big garage quality build even RWD chassis and massive payload if that the way you want to go.

Martin

 

[Baldeagle7470]

Hi and another big Enjoy your search.

 

[Terry242]

Also have a look at MMM magazines website outandabout.co.uk
They have good reviews and a For Sale section.

If you're buying from a dealer, you will have snagging issues so consider not only price but how far away that dealer is.

Have a good look around the dealers and if the outdoor shows are back up and running, view as many Van's as possible. It will be easy to eliminate the van's that you don't want, not so when you get down to a short list.

Happy hunting

Terry

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[Lenny HB]

Yep with a drop down bed over the front seats you have defined an A Class a good start as it rules out all the poorly built British stuff. A Class vans are normally 4 berth sometime you can have the option of making up the dinette into a bed but not on many.

 

[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN. ?

 

[Scotch mist]

Welcome to the site ? , Does it have to be new ?
you would probably get S/H one of these within your budget

but very large at 8.6m high & 3.3 high / 5t with 1.2t payload

something like this might Do you

 

[Stevef]

Welcome to the site ? , Does it have to be new ?
you would probably get S/H one of these within your budget

but very large at 8.6m high & 3.3 high / 5t with 1.2t payload

something like this might Do you

Hi, I was probably looking toward used tbh, not precious at all about buying new.
That does look mega and the garage is huge, will have a look at these thanks for the link.

Steve

 

[March Hare]

Hi Steve! We're new to MH'ing and got our first motorhome in December last year. We were a bit restricted by the max length that we could turn on our drive, so that influenced our choice. Do you have any similar limitations to take into account? We then, like you, did lots of reading up and making a list that seemed to get longer and longer - then we prioritised it - and doubled our budget! But it was so worth it, we found our S/H motorhome that was nearly new and ticked all of the boxes. We can't wait to get out in it again - we were very lucky to squeeze in a six-week trip to Spain and Portugal in Jan/Feb. Good luck with your search!

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[Stevef]

Hi Steve! We're new to MH'ing and got our first motorhome in December last year. We were a bit restricted by the max length that we could turn on our drive, so that influenced our choice. Do you have any similar limitations to take into account? We then, like you, did lots of reading up and making a list that seemed to get longer and longer - then we prioritised it - and doubled our budget! But it was so worth it, we found our S/H motorhome that was nearly new and ticked all of the boxes. We can't wait to get out in it again - we were very lucky to squeeze in a six-week trip to Spain and Portugal in Jan/Feb. Good luck with your search!

I have no limitations on length of the motorhome, we have plenty of off road parking. I think the only limitation would be on maximum lengths that site pitches are set up for! I have a mental note of up to 9 mtrs but tbh I’m not sure where that came from. I’m not phased by driving a larger motor home so I’m beginning to think within reason the bigger the better. I’m sure many will tell me otherwise. Looking forward to learning!
Cheers
Steve

 

[Vipar]

Greetings peeps welcome from West Kent

 

[Minxy]

Have a shuftie of the Classified ads on this forum, there might be something there that is what you want:

Motorhomes for sale

Buy and sell Motorhomes here. Advertisements are free to subscribing members.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Jo662]

 

[Stevef]

That looks fab, but where can I find one?

Cheers
Steve

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[138go]

Ecovip Motorhomes: comfort and luxury | Laika

Discover the models and highlights of Laika Ecovip motorhomes: perfect thermal insulation, frost-proof water system and more

www.laika.it

This is the motorhome we have, we are absolutely delighted with it. The layout is exactly what you want. Southdown Motors in Portsmouth sell them.

We started with a Swift and we wouldn't go anywhere near to another one.

 

[Jo662]

That looks fab, but where can I find one?

Cheers
Steve

Alot to choose from here

Burstner Argos Motorhome for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for Burstner Argos Motorhome. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Jev88]

Worth browsing Gumtree and Freeads too as some people steer away from Autotrader bigger sites. Did our homework and saved a bundle by buying from a genuine person with genuine reaons for sale.

 

[Stevef]

Worth browsing Gumtree and Freeads too as some people steer away from Autotrader bigger sites. Did our homework and saved a bundle by buying from a genuine person with genuine reaons for sale.

Yes it would be a nice way to do it. My wife says car dealers clap their hands when they see me coming, be nice to get this right.

 

[Jev88]

Yes it would be a nice way to do it. My wife says car dealers clap their hands when they see me coming, be nice to get this right.

It helps if you have narrowed down some big things like.... Overcab bed? Rear fixed bed? Do I need a huge garage? Do I want more than a sink-covers worth of kitchen work top? How much weight (payload) will i need...... Then really dig for the models you find that fit and you are in the driving seat.... Simple example, the older Tortion Bar suspension system in my Alko chassis is prone to fail with age if not lubricated yearly and is often forgotten. Before I finished the question the owner said, don't worry as it collapsed on us 3 years ago and we had a new one fitted - here is the bill for £3,000... Knew I was talking to someone that knew his stuff.

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[IRHP]

Adria Matrix, rear island bed that elevates to give you room in the huge garage for full size bikes. You will need to store them outside when sleeping though. Front drop down electric bed. Separate shower and toilet. Love ours just can’t use it right now.

 

[GeoffC]

Another to throw into the mix is the Bavaria i740 A Class. We've had ours for 3 years and very happy. It's basically a Pilote but branded differently. It's 7.49 mts long (manageable) and 2.7 high. Bikes fit in garage without raising the island bed by removing front wheel and seat although the bed does raise. It seems to tick your boxes. Drop down bed is decent. Dealership is called Oakwell in Barnsley who were a joy to deal with. We've had no issues with any faults or build quality and we've used it extensively across UK and Europe. The one downside is the cabin door is on the passenger side only. Whilst I thought this may be a slight problem it really hasn't been an issue at all. It just means it takes you approximately 2 seconds longer to exit via the habitation door. I'm keeping this but would buy another if finances allowed.

 

[Hercs74]

We recently purchased a new MH. First timers as well. Like you we did research and asked questions. As a result we got down to a possible 2. All I say is looking on line and chatting is nothing like being actually in the motor home touching and feeling. What we ended up buying wasn’t even on a list of MH’s. The 2 that we did think we liked we hated. And our dreams we thought we shattered. Then we walked in what we now own and fell in love with it.....

 

[Stevef]

Thanks for responses to date and please keep them coming, the only frustration is we obviously can’t get out there and have a proper look.
I don’t believe any traders are open are they?

Cheers
Steve

 

[Sapper520]

We spent over a year looking for our van, nothing like you’re looking for, but we made lists as follows.....

Must have.
Would like but could compromise
Don’t want

It certainly helped us narrow the field. We must have looked at hundreds of vans, as well as attending shows in Exeter and twice to the NEC.

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[suavecarve]

One of the things that I will try to look for more in my next van is the driver and passenger seat turning round to make the lounge rather than having extra seats which make the van up to a 6 berth which is not what we need.
The big garage seems a must for you with your bikes, and weight not being an issue the double axle is a good idea in my view.
Where do you expect to do most of your van usage. If it is Europe, then is a LHD an option. If it is there is money to save from buying abroad and plenty of advice as to how to do it in Germany and Belgium

If you are a cash buyer, I would, under the present circumstances, really really take the micky at a dealers. If it was up for £70k I would start at £55K cash and start walking. I think (and could be wrong) they will be more desperate for you than you are for them, and if that is not the case, convince them it is !!!

Best of luck

 

[suavecarve]

One of the things that I will try to look for more in my next van is the driver and passenger seat turning round to make the lounge rather than having extra seats which make the van up to a 6 berth which is not what we need.
The big garage seems a must for you with your bikes, and weight not being an issue the double axle is a good idea in my view.
Where do you expect to do most of your van usage. If it is Europe, then is a LHD an option. If it is there is money to save from buying abroad and plenty of advice as to how to do it in Germany and Belgium

If you are a cash buyer, I would, under the present circumstances, really really take the micky at a dealers. If it was up for £70k I would start at £55K cash and start walking. I think (and could be wrong) they will be more desperate for you than you are for them, and if that is not the case, convince them it is !!!

Best of luck

I should add, that (again my opinion only) that Motorhoming and caravanning may really take off as the world changes.
I dont think there is a knee jerk reaction to no flights yet and camping may be the way of the summer for the people who were flying to Benidorm but then they will need to look at things for next year and the year after.
I suspect that in a few months the tables may well be turned and the dealers will have the upper hand as demand may outweigh supply

 

[Minxy]

Have a look at Carthago - whilst a new one is likely to be over your limit you should be able to get a newish used one, depending on size you go for, within your budget.

We bought a new one last October and love it.

 

[Stevef]

One of the things that I will try to look for more in my next van is the driver and passenger seat turning round to make the lounge rather than having extra seats which make the van up to a 6 berth which is not what we need.
The big garage seems a must for you with your bikes, and weight not being an issue the double axle is a good idea in my view.
Where do you expect to do most of your van usage. If it is Europe, then is a LHD an option. If it is there is money to save from buying abroad and plenty of advice as to how to do it in Germany and Belgium

If you are a cash buyer, I would, under the present circumstances, really really take the micky at a dealers. If it was up for £70k I would start at £55K cash and start walking. I think (and could be wrong) they will be more desperate for you than you are for them, and if that is not the case, convince them it is !!!

Best of luck

I’m not sure how far we will go tbh, I’m hoping we will venture at least across Europe but I think it’ll mainly be UK. I’m wondering are lhd motorhomes more difficult to move on?
I do really want a garage because to make the bikes convenient but I do wonder how big a garage I really need?
With regard purchase, yes I will be a cash buyer and I hope to do a deal somewhere. It would be nice to do a deal with a private buyer but initially I need to get out there and have a look.
I keep finding myself looking at the big Swift Kon-Tiki but I think the spec I’d like is probably out of reach. Second hand is fine as long as it’s not more than say 3-4 years old.
Anyway the search continues, pity it’s from my iPad.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Minxy]

Be careful of payload and axle weights ... sometimes there may be a decent payload but you can't use sufficient over the rear axle for your needs, make sure you check and get a weigh bridge cert showing each axle's existing weight.