Advice Needed: Buying Our First Motorhome

[Cartela]

Hey guys. Total newbie here. We are a hab check away from purchasing our first MH. It’s a 2009 Hobby Siesta on a Ford Transit. We love the MH, but it’s stretching our budget at £26k. We have come up with this list, can I get some opinions please…

◦ Pros
Great Layout
Comfortable
Good Condition
Big garage
Comfy to drive
Local

◦ Cons
Expensive (for us)
No clothes wardrobe
Little surface space
Small oven
Missing trays (freezer and oven)
Open shower (missus prefers the ones that have a screen so water doesn’t go everywhere)

Thanks in advance!!

 

[hja]

Payload, payload, payload.
oven - we changed from van with oven and microwave which were rarely used, to van with no oven, just two burner hob. We thought long and hard about it, analysed what we cook and decided it would be fine. We have no regrets. We do have a Remoska which we can use when on hook up. We cook from scratch and rarely eat out. Our kitchen has a work top either side of the combined sink/hob. It was one of our must haves.
Difficult to assess for first van, but some of this is about how you will camp. If you use big sites with electric hook up and shower blocks then shower facilities in the van become less important. If like us, you are happier on limited facility sites, in van facilities become more important.

 

[dna]

I now go away on my own and am starting to think about easy meals for one.

I’ve done things like cook bacon at home , take it in the fridge and add straight to pasta without needing to fry in the van.
Ready cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken also saves a load of effort.

Home cooked casserole reheated is lovely

Lots of people will probably be horrified but with a minute kitchen any “cheats” are worth it

 

[Cartela]

This seems to be the model you are considering

Hobby T-650-ak-gflc t

Osta käytetyt Hobby T-650-ak-gflc t edullisesti. Nettikaravaanista löydät 604 myynti-ilmoitusta kohteesta Hobby T-650-ak-gflc t. Tutustu ja löydä omasi!

m.nettikaravaani.com

I also found online on Hobby Caravans website a 161 page downloadable PDF owner's guide for the GFLC model with lots of useful info. Just do a search on 'Hobby Siesta AK GFLC'

I think I may have just found that same site. Still not sure which this would be. 3500kg or 3850kg

 

[Cartela]

I think I may have just found that same site. Still not sure which this would be. 3500kg or 3850kg

According to that site looking at 360kg payload?

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[offagen]

According to that site looking at 360kg payload?

Subtract wife and two girls, doesn't leave much

Hopefully the one you are looking at has been uprated to 3850. In which case, do you have a C1 licence?

 

[Cartela]

Subtract wife and two girls, doesn't leave much

Hopefully the one you are looking at has been uprated to 3850. In which case, do you have a C1 licence?

I do mate. Not sure it has been though. It shows both possible on paperwork. Shows this as 397

 

[PaulW2]

According to that site looking at 360kg payload?

As a ready reckoner, subtract 75kg from your weight (MIRO includes a 75 kg allowance for you). Then add weight of your wife, other passengers.

Assume you weigh circa 75 and the others circa 60 each. Leaves 180 of 360

Fill water tank. Leaves 80 of 360

Kitchen utensils, food. Leaves 40.

10kg per passenger. Cabin luggage only.

Or if it's 400 kg to start with you've got 20kg per passenger.

Or only half fill the water tank (some manufacturers now suggest travelling with only 20l of water). Saves 50 or 80. Each passenger back to 20 or more.

So it's sort of do-able. And when you don't have a full complement in the van, when it's just the 2 of you, you're fine. You've immediately added 120kg back to payload.

Also, in the UK at least they often cut you some slack. About 5% before they get bolshie, I believe. 175kg.

(I had to do exactly this sort of thing with my first van in 2010/11. It was do-able, even for European holidays. Just takes a bit of planning.)

 

[Cartela]

As a ready reckoner, subtract 75kg from your weight (MIRO includes a 75 kg allowance for you). Then add weight of your wife, other passengers.

Assume you weigh circa 75 and the others circa 60 each. Leaves 180 of 360

Fill water tank. Leaves 80 of 360

Kitchen utensils, food. Leaves 40.

10kg per passenger. Cabin luggage only.

Or if it's 400 kg to start with you've got 20kg per passenger.

Or only half fill the water tank (some manufacturers now suggest travelling with only 20l of water). Saves 50 or 80. Each passenger back to 20 or more.

So it's sort of do-able. And when you don't have a full complement in the van, when it's just the 2 of you, you're fine. You've immediately added 120kg back to payload.

Also, in the UK at least they often cut you some slack. About 5% before they get bolshie, I believe. 175kg.

(I had to do exactly this sort of thing with my first van in 2010/11. It was do-able, even for European holidays. Just takes a bit of planning.)

Be stuffed for camping gear and paddle boards then? Kind of defeats the object of a large garage?

 

[Barchetta47]

Hi, we were in a similar situation to you 6 years ago. First MH £28k max, we were looking at A Class and consequently only continental companies. We ended up with a Burstner i681 Elegance that was 14 years old. Hobby have a great reputation. As long as the bodywork and chassis is sound you should be okay.

So my wisdom would be at 3500kg as others have said you will be very tight. If you can upgrade to 3850kg do it as the cost will be recouped by the lower annual road tax. Ours is plated at 4000kg and we just manage with two of us. If you intend to motor on the continent there are some restrictions above 3500kg but our experience and observing others is that as long as your MH appears to be 3500kg, less than 8m, no one is interested.

We budget every year for £1k in maintenance of one sort or another, some years turn out less others slightly more. Something always goes wrong each year so it pays to be handy and have some spares. On this trip, two weeks in, I’ve broken and fixed an outside locker and fixed an exhaust rattle but funnily enough the habitation door blinds have fixed themselves!!!

We have done of 60k miles driven down to the Sahara and up the alps. I’m sure you’ll have great fun. Enjoy.

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Great advice, thank you! Yes I was having fun, but it is becoming quite frustrating, especially when vans are advertised as superb condition and you turn up to all sorts of problems. Currently waiting on the info regards the payload

Although it may seem frustrating, you will very quickly gain invaluable knowledge going forward, which will, hopefully avert you from making a possibly,very costly mistake.
As you have said, you are at the top end of your budget, and if you get it wrong on layout alone, let alone payload, you are then into a whole new world of SELLING a motorhome to then buy what you believe you will want next.And that is without budgeting for tyres or repairs/ additions.
Just for information, we took over 2 years before we bought our van, after extensive looking at models v price. And our layout now is not perfect, but works for now after 6 years, and we are looking to change our van to one with different permutations to suit our now needs.
We also did NOT go anywhere near our all out budget, as it was our first van, and knew we may need some wriggle room for updates, uprating and upgrading, and repairs/ periodical maintainable.
We don't have an oven in ours,or any solar panels on it, or a wind out canopy, but we don't go Wilding or off roading, or abroad in it, and use sites mainly,most with electric hook up.
There are various ways you can get around the oven conundrum with both electric and gas equipment, and as for a canopy, you could always look at free standing, seperate screen house type outdoor seating areas to give you some added flexibility.
Take your time, as looking is seriously all part of the fun and excitement.
I wish you well in your search.
PS: our van is 24 years old this year.

 

[TUCANO]

Awnings are Heavy, depending on the length you could gain 25 + kg by removing it.

 

[PaulW2]

Be stuffed for camping gear and paddle boards then? Kind of defeats the object of a large garage?

Yes. Now if you were French, you would in all likelihood just use it, maybe run 200 kg overweight against plated weight like everyone else, and in the unlikely event of being stopped say "sorry, had no idea". A bit like we all use our cars. (Who on here has ever had their car weighed?) Calculation: consequences vs probability.

If you're like some others you would up-plate, then fail to display angles morts signs in France, or ignore speed limits for heavier vans, or violate access restrictions for heavier vans, or pretend to be a lighter van for toll purposes. In every instance hoping to get away with it, but all punishable by law. "Sorry, I had no idea" not available as an excuse. Calculation: consequences vs probability.

Or you would up-plate and then abide by everything. Consequences just slower progress, some access restrictions, more difficult toll solutions in some places.

Or you could, non-Frenchly, skimp here, save there, optimise there, to try to stay within 3,500, knowing that if you are stopped when you have full diesel, water and gas, you may be just a bit overweight. But think that you probably won't be stopped (almost no-one ever is), and if you are you would probably be close enough to just be warned.

I think those are the only options.

 

[TUCANO]

Be stuffed for camping gear and paddle boards then? Kind of defeats the object of a large garage?

Gets even more complicated as you load a garage as the weight is beyond the rear axle, possible to overload the rear axle weight. which also lightens the front.

 

[Captain Yoghurtpot]

The current thread " payload- where has it gone"? is a good read with some surprising results.

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[DerryW]

Great advice, thank you! Yes I was having fun, but it is becoming quite frustrating, especially when vans are advertised as superb condition and you turn up to all sorts of problems. Currently waiting on the info regards the payload

Welcome to the world of motorhome dealers, not all mind you, but a lot.

The very first item on your check list long long before you get to all the bells and whistles, must be payload. No point in parting with your hard earned for something that looks great sitting on the drive, but can't be used for its intended use.

You'll find lots of very nice people eager to part you from your pennies for a pile of sh*te.

Good Luck in the search of your dreams

 

[bigwood]

Slightly over cautious on our part but we spent nearly six months looking for the first van.
Starting with local dealers in Lincolnshire followed by dealers in Blackpool and Preston. Our search then took us to Salisbury and Southampton we’re we found what we were looking for.
Everything was on our list and the price was right. Sadly five years later we found terminal rust that cost a fortune to be sorted. Yes we were caught out but it gave us a good start and we enjoyed our adventures.

 

[Cartela]

Hi, we were in a similar situation to you 6 years ago. First MH £28k max, we were looking at A Class and consequently only continental companies. We ended up with a Burstner i681 Elegance that was 14 years old. Hobby have a great reputation. As long as the bodywork and chassis is sound you should be okay.

So my wisdom would be at 3500kg as others have said you will be very tight. If you can upgrade to 3850kg do it as the cost will be recouped by the lower annual road tax. Ours is plated at 4000kg and we just manage with two of us. If you intend to motor on the continent there are some restrictions above 3500kg but our experience and observing others is that as long as your MH appears to be 3500kg, less than 8m, no one is interested.

We budget every year for £1k in maintenance of one sort or another, some years turn out less others slightly more. Something always goes wrong each year so it pays to be handy and have some spares. On this trip, two weeks in, I’ve broken and fixed an outside locker and fixed an exhaust rattle but funnily enough the habitation door blinds have fixed themselves!!!

We have done of 60k miles driven down to the Sahara and up the alps. I’m sure you’ll have great fun. Enjoy.

Defo good for thought! Sounds like you’ve had some great adventures. Love it!

 

[Cartela]

Although it may seem frustrating, you will very quickly gain invaluable knowledge going forward, which will, hopefully avert you from making a possibly,very costly mistake.
As you have said, you are at the top end of your budget, and if you get it wrong on layout alone, let alone payload, you are then into a whole new world of SELLING a motorhome to then buy what you believe you will want next.And that is without budgeting for tyres or repairs/ additions.
Just for information, we took over 2 years before we bought our van, after extensive looking at models v price. And our layout now is not perfect, but works for now after 6 years, and we are looking to change our van to one with different permutations to suit our now needs.
We also did NOT go anywhere near our all out budget, as it was our first van, and knew we may need some wriggle room for updates, uprating and upgrading, and repairs/ periodical maintainable.
We don't have an oven in ours,or any solar panels on it, or a wind out canopy, but we don't go Wilding or off roading, or abroad in it, and use sites mainly,most with electric hook up.
There are various ways you can get around the oven conundrum with both electric and gas equipment, and as for a canopy, you could always look at free standing, seperate screen house type outdoor seating areas to give you some added flexibility.
Take your time, as looking is seriously all part of the fun and excitement.
I wish you well in your search.
PS: our van is 24 years old this year.

Fantastic! All of these replies have definitely helped. We are now probably letting that one go, mainly due to payload, but also the budget. Not sure I can wait for 2yrs, my daughter will probably not want to be coming away in it all the time by then!

 

[Cartela]

Take a look at this

2005 Fiat DUCATO 18 JTD AUTO TRAIL CHIEFTAIN SE *STUNNING CONDITION MUST BE SEEN | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2005 Fiat DUCATO 18 JTD AUTO TRAIL CHIEFTAIN SE *STUNNING CONDITION MUST BE SEEN at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

Bit too long for what we are looking for, the sight where I want to store it has a 24ft max due to turning circles, not many other options around here. Looks lovely though

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[Jev88]

Yes it’s this particular layout we are keen on, just works for how we want to use it. As for budget, this would be very penny I have to spend on the actual van, money aside for storage plot and insurance

So what would you do if the boiler, heating, suspension, solar was broken? Hence my advice Not to spend all th budget.

 

[Cartela]

So what would you do if the boiler, heating, suspension, solar was broken? Hence my advice Not to spend all th budget.

Yeah having a rethink

 

[PaulW2]

Fantastic! All of these replies have definitely helped. We are now probably letting that one go, mainly due to payload, but also the budget. Not sure I can wait for 2yrs, my daughter will probably not want to be coming away in it all the time by then!

Now that's a second order issue!

Do you buy now to accommodate your daughter when in two years she may not travel with you, or do you buy something smaller where you can at a push (maybe even in an awning) accommodate daughter and friend but which will be easier when it's just 2 of you?

I bought and kept the big van for long after it was only two of us, but some choose differently. I'm now small, light and nimble

 

[Jo662]

Everything is a compromise like others have said.
Ref. No wardrobe, you could always put a rail in the garage and hang things in a suit bag in there.
Ref. Small oven, you can use a pressure cooker on the hob,or Airfryer to get round that. And in good weather use a cadaq bbq.

 

[Bag End]

Do Do Do check all the plates and paperwork re loads. First van we put a deposit on was plated 3500, but unknown to the dealer had been uprated to 3850.. the next one we actually bought and drove for 3 weeks had a Vehicle manufacturers plate of 3500, a V5C showing 3500 but we later found a further plate from the Van manufacturer of 3850kgs so It went straight back as the wife has a 'younger persons' licence!.. I wont tell you that the dealer on the second one said just peel off the plate at 3850.... but even then it would have left a load capacity of 40kgs, I would have needed a heck of a diet!

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[Cartela]

Now that's a second order issue!

Do you buy now to accommodate your daughter when in two years she may not travel with you, or do you buy something smaller where you can at a push (maybe even in an awning) accommodate daughter and friend but which will be easier when it's just 2 of you?

I bought and kept the big van for long after it was only two of us, but some choose differently. I'm now small, light and nimble

Yes we were thinking this to accommodate daughter and friend (14)?for the next couple of years. But I have a few mates who are eager for some lads weekends away and still young enough (just) to maybe get to a couple of festivals…

 

[Cartela]

Do Do Do check all the plates and paperwork re loads. First van we put a deposit on was plated 3500, but unknown to the dealer had been uprated to 3850.. the next one we actually bought and drove for 3 weeks had a Vehicle manufacturers plate of 3500, a V5C showing 3500 but we later found a further plate from the Van manufacturer of 3850kgs so It went straight back as the wife has a 'younger persons' licence!.. I wont tell you that the dealer on the second one said just peel off the plate at 3850.... but even then it would have left a load capacity of 40kgs, I would have needed a heck of a diet!

Haha! Yea this one is probably a no if only at 3500kg, we want to take paddle boards and outside gear and the 400kg left that I think this may have would be very lacking!

 

[Cartela]

Everything is a compromise like others have said.
Ref. No wardrobe, you could always put a rail in the garage and hang things in a suit bag in there.
Ref. Small oven, you can use a pressure cooker on the hob,or Airfryer to get round that. And in good weather use a cadaq bbq.

I agree. Pointed all these things out to the missus

 

[Gingernuts]

Take a look at this

2005 Fiat DUCATO 18 JTD AUTO TRAIL CHIEFTAIN SE *STUNNING CONDITION MUST BE SEEN | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2005 Fiat DUCATO 18 JTD AUTO TRAIL CHIEFTAIN SE *STUNNING CONDITION MUST BE SEEN at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products.

www.ebay.co.uk

NO DONT LOOK AT THIS!
Was there last week, a pretty slipshod outfit with below par vans WOULDNT BUY FROM THEM!!!

 

[PaulW2]

Yes we were thinking this to accommodate daughter and friend (14)?for the next couple of years. But I have a few mates who are eager for some lads weekends away and still young enough (just) to maybe get to a couple of festivals…

Did Glastonbury 5 times in the van. And as many Hay Festivals with up to 2-week stays. Having a 200l water tank, the ability to carry another few hundred litres in the garage, a satellite dish for the real home away from home feeling, hot showers, proper insulation, hydraulic levellers - bliss!

But just as many go with small campervans and create a little awning/tent suburb around themselves.

I think there are many different ways to do that.

If you're travelling in Europe though, and want to use aires, then everyone would need to be 'on board'. And you may in any case not want to abandon 14-year-olds to canvas when you're snug in the van.

But there are many vans that offer 4 berths that aren't too intimidatingly large, heavy or tall.

The overhead luton bed is a mixed blessing. Nice when someone is in residence, but otherwise a non-aerodynamic lump that adds to top-heaviness and that you can't use for storage of heavy things. I think that configuration (I stand to be corrected on this) may over time be becoming a little less popular.

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[offagen]

There must be dozens, if not hundreds of Chieftens of that period on the market. First thing I noticed was the lack of passenger seatbelts, which is something Auto-Trail had a habit of doing in that period. Not knocking Auto-Trail because we have owned a couple and they are a lot better that some funsters would have you believe - but not up to the build quality of the Hobbies.

The T650 gets quite close to your ideal needs so, as long as it passes all damp, rot and other prudent checks, why not negotiate a discount to cover the cost of upgrading to 3,850? It should hopefully be just a paper exercise costing maybe £200- £300? We had a MoHo upgraded by SVTech but a lot of funsters recommend VWE for a similar service at lower cost.

Edit: Have you looked at the plate under the bonnet to check that it is a 3500 van? Also, what warranty is being offered or is it a private sale?