jonimac Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 We have never had a caravan or motor caravan. My wife is keener than me on the idea, I need a lot of persuading. Consider me as a blank canvass. How would you convince me to buy one and what sort of questions should I ask. Rememember, I am totally in the dark. Thanks in anticipation. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Git Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 I can only tell you what convinced us - or one of the things anyway. We looked around a few caravan sites before deciding whether to buy or not, and calculated the quite staggering financial investment made by a large proportion of people in their motorhomes and car/caravan combinations. Without wishing to sound snobbish (or whatever) we reasoned that there must be something pretty damned attractive in this caravanning and motorhoming lark, because any one of these people could quite obviously afford to stay in 5 star hotels for most of the year of they wanted to. Yet they chose to camp. That was voting with the feet in a big way. I'll stop there - you will get plenty of hints and ideas, but if you are still wavering I would suggest you consider hiring for a fortnight to "suck it and see" as my old Granddad always used to say Hope this gives you a start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenewellhome Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Each person has their own reasons for their choice of holiday mode, for us it is simply the freedom to do what we want when we want that means a motorcaravan is ideal. We've just spent last weekend in a four star hotel in Dusseldorf and it was very nice but we missed the freedom to do as we pleased. Sharing a breakfast room with 50 plus others is a bit too much like the school or works canteen for my liking, I prefer to be able to have breakfast as I like it and if that means in my underwear then so be it but you can't do that in a hotel without eating in your room and paying for room service. D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mel B Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Before you part with any of your hard earned dosh think carefully of how/when/how often you would use a motorhome. To confirm that a motorhome is right for you, you really need to decide whether you fall mainly into being a 'stay-putter' motorhomer or a 'touring nomad'. The 'Stay-Putter': Someone who drives to a campsite and parks the motorhome up on it for a while, eg a week, and then tootles out into the area using other means such as pedal cycles, a small car (that you tow), public transport, scooter, moped etc. The 'Touring Nomad': Someone who tours around virtually each day looking at things and visiting places as they drive on, stopping at a different site each night (or aire if abroad). If the latter, then a motorhome is probably the best bet for you, if the former then serious consideration should be given to using a caravan and car instead of a motorhome. Don't get me wrong, some people with motorhomes do the former but it's not necessarily the way to get the best use or to take best advantage of owning a motorhome in my opinion. Once you've decided for definite that a motorhome is for you, you then need to think about what you want it to be like, what size (length/height/width/weight - relevant to some with restricted driving licences due to age). What facilities you want it to have, what type of layout, do you have any parking restrictions, ie finite drive size at home, are there any restrictions regarding the siting of a motorhome at your property. Could you just answer one question though, you say you've never had a caravan or motorhome before but have you ever stayed in one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crinklystarfish Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 jonimac,Welcome. I wouldn't try to persuade you. You have to arrive at the conclusion that you really want one. They are hugely rewarding, but can be a millstone too.What would you use one for? Owners have many different goals ranging from living in them full time; rough camping (i.e. not on official sites) for a couple of days in the wilderness; using them to facilitate outdoor hobbies, and dozens more.I think you need to have a pretty firm idea of what you’d do in one before you go much further. After that, Old Git’s advice of hiring prior to purchase is very solid.The basic different types of ‘van, and their relative merits, can be learned from any of the monthly magazines, or might be explained to you by a forum member with a little more time than I currently have.I wouldn’t be without mine, but don’t doubt my life circumstances are very different to yours; hence wouldn’t dream of trying to sell you the concept without a little more knowledge of your intended use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 When the wife and I spend a few days away in hotel, B&B, or what ever we do not who nor what slept in that bed last night, nor what the sheets were washed in, or even aired? But in our motor home we know we slept in that bed last night and for a long time before that. All the dust mites are ours and quite friendly. Our heads rest on pillows that have not had some elses drippy noses on, only ours. Our ensuite is ours all ours. We get up in the morning when we want, not when the landlady says breakfast is on 7 until 9. If we don't like the view we move to one we like. Our neighbours are always nice friendly caravanners, need I say more???? BUY A 'VAN YOUNG MAN, AND KEEP YOUR WIFE HAPPY !!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Jones Posted August 30, 2007 Share Posted August 30, 2007 Is motorcaravanning for you? Only you can answer that, but I think Mel has given you the right questions to ask yourselves, as far as the motorhome/caravan issue is concerned. (I know some people drive a big motorhome and tow a small car, but personally I've never seen the point of that. Somehow or other you end up using fuel to move two heavy engines around instead of one! If I was going to tow, then I'd rather drive a car and tow my house, not the other way round!) If you decide you ARE motorhomers, there are several distinct types to consider, according to the kind of compromise you want to make between home comforts and mobility - and whether you want to use it as a "car" when you're not on holiday. Broadly speaking, they are: VAN CONVERSIONS, either with a high-top or an elevating roof (or occasionally neither) aren't much bigger than a large car, and many can park inside normal parking spaces - as long as there's no height restriction. COACHBUILTS, whether with the traditional big overcab area for a bed, or with the increasingly popular "low-profile" shape, usually have lots more room inside, but are generally wider and may be difficult to use on some country roads (not to mention medieval city streets!). "A-CLASS" motorhomes are similar to coachbuilts, but are built from scratch on a chassis, allowing better use of internal space. Hope that helps a little! Whatever you decide, all the best with your future travels. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonimac Posted August 31, 2007 Author Share Posted August 31, 2007 Thanks for the reply. You have been most helpful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonimac Posted August 31, 2007 Author Share Posted August 31, 2007 Thanks for your reply Mel. In answer to your question, yes we have stayed in a static caravan many years ago when the kids were young. We enjoyed it at the time as it was all we could afford. You've been very helpful, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonimac Posted August 31, 2007 Author Share Posted August 31, 2007 You are very persuasive Ranger. Thanks a lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonimac Posted August 31, 2007 Author Share Posted August 31, 2007 Very informative. Thanks for your help and patience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonimac Posted August 31, 2007 Author Share Posted August 31, 2007 Good point made about the hotel breakfast regime. Thanks for taking the time to reply. Everyone has been very helpful and polite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Parke Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 Simple, if you can afford one and would like one, which you must do otherwise you would not have ask for comments, then go and buy one. There are no pockets in shrouds!! Regards, Mike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Git Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 Mike Parke - 2007-09-01 11:26 AM Simple, if you can afford one and would like one, which you must do otherwise you would not have ask for comments, then go and buy one. There are no pockets in shrouds!! Regards, Mike. Mike is talking a lot of sense and I second his comments without reservation. We dithered for at least two years, and the "Old Git" nickname is not only a feeble attempt at humour - time passes amazingly quickly these days. We wasted two years worth of enjoyment, and wish now that we had bought one much sooner. Regards - and best of luck Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonimac Posted September 1, 2007 Author Share Posted September 1, 2007 Sorry, I posted this reply after opening another thread with same name (doh). In essence, thanks for all the comments. Much appreciated. John :$ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonimac Posted September 1, 2007 Author Share Posted September 1, 2007 I have so many questions but that's what Forums are for. For example running costs, tax and insurance costs. What range of vehicle tax are they in? Do they have to be serviced and MOT'd at specialist sites like Barrons? I think I've convinced myself that the wife is always right and we'll get one (not too grand) either an Adria converter or a Chausson low profile, also like Peugeot Nuevo. They would all fit comfortably on the drive. I have a friend who has had a caravan for years so I can ask him all the technical stuff and won't bore you poor folk with my queries. All replies much appreciated. Remember, there are no pockets in a shroud. (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelly58 Posted September 1, 2007 Share Posted September 1, 2007 We are 1st timers started looking last September bought our 1st Motorhome at NEC show in October took delivery on 9th December the day we both retired, since then we have toured parts of France / had a week on the I.O.W. toured the Yorkshire dales had numerous weekend rallies with both CCC and MCC and met some really nice people next week we are back to France again it has been a fantastic year so far don't think about it DO IT life not a rehearsal grab it by the scruff of the neck and enjoy yourselves we are doing and hope to for a long time into the future its only money and you can't take it with you .Kelly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonimac Posted September 1, 2007 Author Share Posted September 1, 2007 What a brilliant reply. Think that's got me convinced. We're going to the NEC in October spookily. What's the betting we'll buy one too. Once again, thanks for taking the time to help. Regards....John :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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