Which Motorhome to Buy (1 Viewer)

[Viper]

Hi Everyone,

We are new to the site and was wondering what model of motorhome to buy. We like the island bed style, 4 berth, but not sure which is a popular make. We have looked at the Rapido and the Auto-trail Delaware both seem nice and practical. Looking for one thats about a year old and want to tour Europe from our permanent base in Brittany as we intend to rent out there. Any comments, recommendations (bad or good) would be greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in advance for any help,

Vince

 

[Mikey RV]

So many to choose from. Decide what layout you want, you will spend a lot of time in it, how much stuff you will take with you, can it carry the weight etc.look at as many as you can, what size do you need. Good luck in your search for your perfect motorhome. :thumb:

 

[RandallC]

Hi. Suggest you also consider (with respect to layout) if you need a garage to house chairs, bikes, scooter, wine/beer, dogs & small children!

No seriously, at least your certain about a fixed bed ( number of friends bought DIY beds and regret it).

Do you need a dinette, large seating area, etc etc. if in doubt make a list and then go look.

Thinks like blown air heating for some people is a minus point and would prefer alidi (spelling) heating system. We have blown air but SWMBO prefers to use an oil,filled rad as it doesn't dry her eyes.

Doesn't matter how much advice you get it's all about what suits you.

Good luck. Only thing to add is once you make your choice Don't continue to look.

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[funflair]

Hi

You say permanent base in Brittany, does that mean that you live there and will keep the motorhome there or will be it be kept in the UK, if its going ti live in France I would say go for the Rapido over the Autotrail.

As others have said give the layout some good thought as get it wrong and you will be looking again in a few months time.

Martin

 

[Peter JohnsCross MH]

If you are going to retire and live in France, best to buy a French registered van otherwise you will have MOT after a couple of years plus insurance problems not resident in UK etc

Peter

 

[Viper]

Serendipitous,

Thanks and all sound advice. We did look at the Kontiki have you been happy with yours?

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[berni109]

Hi, as peter from jcross says its a problem getting a uk van accepted as being reregistered in. France. You need to do some research on here or it may have been on thedark side where all the proBlems were discussed.
mate oF mine is selling his van before he moves and buying over there.

 

[RandallC]

Serendipitous,

Thanks and all sound advice. We did look at the Kontiki have you been happy with yours?

Yes had it a couple of years now. Can be a bit entertaining to park at times, particularly a supermarket car park. Best entertainment has been in tesco filling stations taking advantage of the fuel discount.

On times the bathroom feels a bit small and as luck would have it one of the locker door slammed today and looks like the lock has failed, can't open it, assume plastic bit has snapped.

 

[Allanm]

Most people would recommend the van they own themselves, but thats not much help because no one knows your wants ( except the island bed).
Best advice is to make a list of essentials and likes and then start looking at vans that fit your needs.
There is a huge range of styles and sizes and you may even end up with one you didn't even know you wanted. Do plenty of research and when you start looking at vans, spend as long as you can in each one you like and imagine living in it for a few months.
Your choice will start to narrow down.
Hiring first is a good way to get a feel of what they are like too.
Good luck in your search
Allan

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[Peter_n_Margaret]

My advise would be to choose based on the base vehicle mechanicals and as small as possible but with a large weight capacity over the tare.

Also, don't expect that your first purchase will be exactly what you need. The likelihood is that after some experiences your priorities will change and you will trade it for something else.........at least once..........

Cheers,
Peter

 

[staging lady]

Don't forget to look at your driving licence enablement too.

We were sure we didn't want a fixed bed with the first girl- wrong.

We love our new lady but would prefer to have the fire from the first one instead of blown air in the second.
All choice is a compromise and you have decided on the most important thing the choice of bed layout.
Are you 3 or 4 season campers? Good insulation for winter is essential if you and the van are not to freeze up.
Where will you store it ? How big is your drive?
Do you need minimal storage or do you like to take lots of clothes,books,toys,kids,dogs?
Do you prefer sites with all facilities or CL/CS where you use your own?Go to dealers,shows and as someone said hire one- it will show you what you don't like

Lucille

 

[JeanLuc]

If you are buying, registering and keeping the motorhome in France, it may be worth checking the situation regarding maximum authorised mass (MAM) of the vehicle. I am not sure how this affects a Brit living there, but a few years ago I was talking to a dealer near Orleans who explained that a lot of French camping caristes stick to 3.5 tonnes max as above that, they have to pay for an expensive driving test and be retested regularly. I guess they don't have the same C1 licence rights as us to drive over 3.5 tonnes (provided we passed before 1st Jan 1997).