Abcheetham Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 We're buying a motorhome next week, have whittled it down to the right layout and found several van options. I was wondering, if there is one tip you could share with a newbie about your choice of motorhome what would that be? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Don't stay on a campsite during school holidays *-).......................... The first ball has thwacked against our camper and I've asked them nicely (through gritted teeth >:-() to kick their ball around on the field 2 vans down or the beach *-).................... Next time I'll ask the warden..........but from experience they're about as much use as a perforated condom :-|............... If no joy...... I'll start kicking a ball into his nice one year old shinny Audi >:-)..................then I'll have to leave the club again :D............ PS...............welcome to the forum ;-)................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Symbol Owner Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Welcome to the Forum, Andy, Here's two(!) tips:- 1.) Make sure that your 'van comes with a fixed bed - none of this caravan-type making-up your sleeping arrangements from hard sofa cushions and part of the dining table! 2.) Don't buy a 'van with a 'Seval' X250 engine (Fiat, Citroen or Peugeot) built between2007-2010! Cheers, Happy motorhoming/campervanning! Colin. P.S. If you are buying a (secondhand) coachbuilt motorhome, make sure that it has a damp check! Cheers, C. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Symbol Owner Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 I nearly forgot, Andy, don't EVER carry a dog,or ( horrors!) dogs in it! :D Colin. >:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billggski Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 1) A sevel, x250,, 2007-10 is probably the best buy, widest choice, lots of spares. 2) take dogs with you, lots of fun, security and almost every pretty girl in the area will come over and talk to you 3) you may get conflicting advice on this forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 Best advice is hire before you buy, can save an expensive mistake. We were very experienced tuggers but we still hired twice before buying a Motorhome. You may not be able to hire the exact layout but you will get a good idea of what you can live & not live with. If you don't want damp as part of the package don't buy British unless you like throwing money away. I second the comment about fixed beds and for us a fixed table is a must saves all that flapping about, handbrake on swivel the seats and you are set up. Don't agree with the comment about X250's our last van was a 2008, X250 cracking engine we had 6 faultless year out of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 lennyhb - 2014-07-10 9:27 PM Best advice is hire before you buy, can save an expensive mistake. We were very experienced tuggers but we still hired twice before buying a Motorhome. You may not be able to hire the exact layout but you will get a good idea of what you can live & not live with. If you don't want damp as part of the package don't buy British unless you like throwing money away. I second the comment about fixed beds and for us a fixed table is a must saves all that flapping about, handbrake on swivel the seats and you are set up. Don't agree with the comment about X250's our last van was a 2008, X250 cracking engine we had 6 faultless year out of it. Hire before you buy is sound advice and some firms will refund the hire or dome of it id you go on to buy a van from them. I don't think the UK made vans are any worse in general than foreign made vans - it's just that as there are so many more of them you get to hear about the bad ones more often. Can't agree about fixed beds and fixed tables. Might be more convenient but the pay back is less floor space to move about in. We've had a couple of 2009 vans and both have driven fine with no major issues - but a few niggles like EGR valve sticking - twice! Best tip of all - read all the points of view and then make up your own mind because just as we are all right so too we are all wrong. It is a fact that many of us, full of enthusiasm, who should know better, bought the best van available last year and traded it in this year at enormous loss because it just does not work for us after all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 One of the most important tips when reading this forum is to try to distinguish between fact and opinion. You'll find a number of people telling what suits them - it might not suit you. ( Mind you - that's only my opinion ). Happy travels. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 When you walk in the door it should feel right for you instantly, then start looking to see if it has the majorority of what you want in the way of cooking, eating sleeping and relaxation but more importantly ensure it has enough payload to carry the extras you want. If you want to take an awning, kayak, bikes, surfboard and the grand kids, you would be disapointed to find that the lack of payload would not allow one or more of these. Some vans have such a small payload you could be very restricted what you can take. Fixed beds in small vans are very nice but can use up a chunk of carrying capacity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted July 10, 2014 Share Posted July 10, 2014 malc d - 2014-07-10 10:20 PM One of the most important tips when reading this forum is to try to distinguish between fact and opinion. You'll find a number of people telling what suits them - it might not suit you. ( Mind you - that's only my opinion ). Happy travels. ;-) Or buy a bargain banger and make your mistakes at the cheap end of the market ;-).................or in practical speak loose hundreds ( or possibly make a few ;-))...........instead of thousands 8-)............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muswell Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Think carefully about whether you want a vehicle that you can sleep in or a cottage that moves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sydney1 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 1) Don't believe what you hear about gassing incidents (lol) 2) Don't have fixed views on layouts. We spent ages thinking about how and when we would use our first van and already having a classic VW camper and intending to use it mainly in the winter, wanted the luxury of a fixed bed over a large garage for the bikes and wet things. 2 years later changed to an AT Scout with large rear lounge and bike rack. Perfect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Muswell - 2014-07-11 12:35 AM Think carefully about whether you want a vehicle that you can sleep in or a cottage that moves. Excellent summary ! ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJay Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Think carefully how you are going to use the van. If long trips away 2/3 months or just short trips 2/3 weeks. If long trips , IMO fixed bed a waste of space, as when it rains (and it does sometimes) you need space to move around in van. Over cab is good if you are athletic enough to get up/down a ladder in the middle of the night, you then have a made up bed. If not it is still useful as storage for bedding and quiet a lot of other things.i prefer the end kitchen, as it keeps the cooking away from the rest of the van, to a degree, and with window open behind vents the smells. If just short trips then storage not to much of a problem Good luck in your adventures anyway. PJay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacock312 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 You have to learn,with whatever you buy to put up with something's that are not perfect,it's called compromise,no matter how much research you do,how many you try, with any motorhome even a big RV you still have to compromise on something's. Someone I knew bought about 8 new vans in as many years and still wasn't happy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rayjsj Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Try to look past the 'Whistles and bells' and toys, and look at the quality of the cabinet work, and how well it is put together. Many big names fall at this hurdle, and many of them Foreign too. Buy from a dealer close to home, (this from personal experience of NOT doing it) as there will ALWAYS be something that will need their attention, and it's better not to have to drive across the country to get it fixed. Hire before you buy,if possible, some hirers (if they are Dealers) deduct the hire charge IF you go ahead and buy a van from them, ask. Get the layout to suit YOUR way of Motorcaravanning, we all do things slightly differantly, so don't just buy what everyone else Advises you to get. Have a great Time ! Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordThornber Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Welcome to the Forum. What an excellent thread you're generating. Regardless of how much experience someone has, remember this.. We all camp differently. Martyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Rayjsj - 2014-07-11 2:18 PM Buy from a dealer close to home, (this from personal experience of NOT doing it) as there will ALWAYS be something that will need their attention, and it's better not to have to drive across the country to get it fixed. From personal experience not a problem we have brought the last 2 Motorhomes from a Belgium dealer and our previous caravan from a German dealer. The chassis part can be sorted by your local Fiat/Fort/Merc agent, fridge/heater etc. can be fixed locally if there is a problem only leaves specialist bits on the habitation side that may need to go back to a dealer for sorting. The 10 grand plus it leaves in your pocket is a good incentive to buy abroad. I wanted to pick up so bits from my dealer a couple of weeks ago (didn't have them in stock when we picked up the van) cost me just over 30 quid. We needed to visit relatives near Dover, a 24 hr crossing on MyFerry £30.10 & most of the extra fuel was paid for by filling up on cheap fuel. Otherwise we just tie in dealer visits with our travels abroad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 We are always absolutely sure what we are going to do with our motorhome and ensure this is realistic. We make a list of things our van must have to meet those needs and ensure it does. We make a list of things we'd like the van to have and are willing to compromise. We do a lot of research. We no longer buy British because our three leaked but we buy German because those three have not. That doesn't mean all British vans are rubbish or German vans are the best. I am simply making a factual observation based on my experience of six vans over 20 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LordThornber Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Brock - 2014-07-11 3:36 PM We are always absolutely sure what we are going to do with our motorhome and ensure this is realistic. We make a list of things our van must have to meet those needs and ensure it does. We make a list of things we'd like the van to have and are willing to compromise. We do a lot of research. We no longer buy British because our three leaked but we buy German because those three have not. That doesn't mean all British vans are rubbish or German vans are the best. I am simply making a factual observation based on my experience of six vans over 20 years. Best post so far. Apart from mine of course :D Martyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StuartO Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 When choosing a MH, don't forget the make sure you have enough Payload! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rupert123 Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Over the past ten years we have had five vans, four British one German. The British vans were all great with no problems I can remember, the German one, a Hymer, was the biggest load of junk with constant problems. Now I am not saying all Brit vans are great and all German vans are rubbish but just my personal experience. (lol) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Buy this book before you buy a motorhome: http://tinyurl.com/8973u2p Written by motorhomers for would-be motorhomers it is accurate and contains a huge amount of valuable information. Read and digest, and if anything remains unclear, do come back here for clarification. It could save you from an expensive mistake. There is a steep learning-curve on motorhomes, and a surprising lot to learn. I have no connection with the publisher, buy have found my copy invaluable. Always remember motorhomes are a series of compromises, and which variant of those compromises will suit you, will depend on how you eventually decide to use it. That is why the advice to hire before bying is so appropriate. One can only imagine what one will do before one actually comes to do it, but once one begins to use a van one is liable to find that initial expectation alters, so that what one at first thought would suit, seems less and less suitable. Don't rely too heavily on advice from dealers, most of their staff just sell the things, but never use them (or if they do use them, it is only short term use at one of the numerous "shows"). Sad to say, but far too many of them know not of what they speak. They do not provide a consultancy service for buyers! Don't be over influenced by layouts, important as they are. You will also drive the van, and driving something you really don't like driving is as likely to result in dissatisfaction as living with a layout you don't like living with. It's those compromises again! :-) Do make sure you test drive the ones that interest you. If you haven't driven largish vehicles before, your first test drive will probably be a bit nerve-wracking, and will leave you feeling happy just to have survived! Again, this is where hiring will help. Plenty of time then to get used to driving a larger vehicle, so when auditioning others you can concentrate on the van, and how it drives, rather than just on how large it seems! Remember to look up when manoeuvring! Vans are much taller than cars, and damage to the roof from overhanging branches, signs, balconies etc is, sadly, not unheard of! When you come to buy, do your homework on dealers as well as makes and models, and try to use a well reputed dealer within a reasonable distance from where you live. Motorhomes are generally trouble free, but they are far more complicated vehicles than those with which most of us are familiar. You should anticipate that the odd fault may develop, especially early on (the so-called infantile failure), and you will then have to take the van back for remedy. A long drive to the dealer, possibly to be repeated if a part has to be obtained, will just add to the tedium. Be aware that in many cases, despite what the manufacturer's warranty may say, the only dealer who will undertake warranty work on your van will be the one who supplied it. Motorhome warranties do not work in practise like car warranties whatever the manufacturers may claim. The above does not apply to the base vehicle elements, where pretty much any franchised commercial vahicle dealer for the base vehicle can, and will, undertake warranty repairs. However, bear in mind that these vehicles are based on vans, and that vans (especially when converted into motorhomes!) are substantially larger and heavier than cars. If you van is Fiat based (likely!), you will need to seek out a "Fiat Professional" dealer as a Fiat car dealers' workshop is unlikely to have sufficient lifting capacity, or height, or even workshop access, to handle a motorhome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Nice on 'rupert'. Do I detect that you might buy a German one in future notwithstanding your experience with Hymer? My current Hymer has not been fault free. Three faults developed in the first few months. But it's just passed its first year damp check with flying colours and the three faults were fixed by the dealer some time ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Peter James Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Tracker - 2014-07-10 10:02 PM EGR valve sticking - twice! Apparently whitevanman has never encountered this fauilt as regular thrashing of the engine keeps the EGR valve clear. But the EGR valve can easily be blocked off with a £5 plate off ebay. Worked for me. (When I took it for MOT and they shoved an exhaust gas analyser up the exhaust piep I though the game was up. But it passed with no advisories.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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