Safe Family Motorhome

[trev]

Hi , I have spent the last couple of weeks trying to decide upon a suitable second hand motorhome/campervan for myself, wife and two girls 7 and 9. After reading the posts on this website I have ruled out almost completely Coachbuilt motorhomes (due to lack of structural protection) and all motorhomes/campers with lap belts, which unfortunatly rules out the Talbot Rambler/Harmony type motorhomes which would otherwise have been our favorite given our budget of up to about £10K . Does anyone out there know of a suitable hightop camper model with two rear 3 point seat belts that would be within our budget. Thanks!

[Derek Uzzell]

I'm doubtful that your high-top/4 x 3-point belts/£10K-budget requirement is deliverable. Scanning May 2006 MMM's classified ads suggests that you ought to be able to find a 'specialist producer' VW T4 model for around £13K (eg. Page 329, top-left), but you'd most probably need to opt for a tent/awning to provide additional sleeping accommodation. Similarly for high-top or rising-roof Japanese-chassis conversions (eg. Wellhouse Leisure offerings) that may be closer to your £10K limit. Once you move into panel-van conversions that are large enough to sleep 2 adults, plus a 7- and a 9-year old, within the vehicle and that have four 3-point belts, then you are talking significantly bigger bucks. (Obviously I don't know how you plan to use the motorhome, so perhaps you don't envisage sleeping outside the vehicle as a potential drawback or risk.) Personally, if I were looking for something 'safe' and £10K for 4 persons to holiday in, I'd forget motorhomes and go for the traditional 'family' car + caravan combination. If that's not an option for you, then I think you are going to need to up your budget somewhat or just keep searching the classifieds hopefully. Sorry to be pessimistic - if you do manage to identify something suitable, it would be useful to learn what you found.

[trev]

Thanks Derek for taking the time to research a suitable motorhome/camper for me and my family, I was a the point of giving in when I spotted photos of an Autohomes Avalon with a pair of forward facing seats with 3 point seat belts, and after looking at a few of these (only 2 of which had the 3 point belts, I don't really know if they were originally fitted or retro fitted ) I have just purchased one, a Fiat Ducato based 2 litre petrol 1992 with 50K on the clock in pretty good condition just the odd bubble of rust on wheel arch for just under £7.5K . The Avalon I think is a newer version of the Camelot and with the addition of a drive away awning I think it will be ideal for us and with oven, toilet,drop down sink and shower it feels like a proper motorhome!

[Derek Uzzell]

Thanks for the feedback Trev - it's always nice to learn what motorhome people end up choosing. I don't know either if the rear 3-point belts in Avalons are original equipment or retro-fitted. I would expect the latter but, whatever the case, as these vehicles will have been through lots of MOTs by now (where seat-belt integrity should be addressed) it seems reasonable to assume the belts will have been installed OK. If you want further information on the model, I note that MMM published a Brief Test report of an Avalon (Petrol) in the June 1991 issue and a Full Test of an Avalon TD in the May 1992 magazine. Reprints should be available if you are interested. When Autohomes ceased production at their factory in Poole in the early-1990s a large quantity of spares were acquired by Charles & Son (monthly advert in MMM) and this company would be your best bet should you need anything Avalon-specific. Best of luck for the future.