Advice on First Motorhome

[Robgoals]

Hello,

We are looking to buy our very first motorhome. We're a family of 4 with two small children.
I think we're fairly set on a 6 berth, not decided if a lounge or bunks is better. Planning a trip for 2-3 months this summer in Europe probably France and Germany.
I was initially set on buying the cheapest motorhome going but have been talked into spending slightly more, something like £25k.

Currently looking at -
2010 LMC Relax 723G for £28k, 50k miles
2009 Elddis Autoquest 180 £25k, 30k miles
2008 Dethleffs Eurostyle £25k, 45k miles

They're all in good condition for their age and have recent habitation checks.

Obviously this is a tricky question but I wondered if anyone had any strong opinions on any of those options or if we should be looking at something else entirely?

 

[Guigsy]

Check your driver's licenses to see if you can drive a C1 class vehicle. If you can't, then you're limited to 3.5t. You'll struggle to find a larger vehicle that's only 3.5t.

 

[Jim]

Hello,

We are looking to buy our very first motorhome. We're a family of 4 with two small children.
I think we're fairly set on a 6 berth, not decided if a lounge or bunks is better. Planning a trip for 2-3 months this summer in Europe probably France and Germany.
I was initially set on buying the cheapest motorhome going but have been talked into spending slightly more, something like £25k.

Currently looking at -
2010 LMC Relax 723G for £28k, 50k miles
2009 Elddis Autoquest 180 £25k, 30k miles
2008 Dethleffs Eurostyle £25k, 45k miles

They're all in good condition for their age and have recent habitation checks.

Obviously this is a tricky question but I wondered if anyone had any strong opinions on any of those options or if we should be looking at something else entirely?

Hi Rob,

They are all pretty sold choices. Check the MOT history that might give you some clues as to condition. The biggest issue you might face internally is damp, you don't want to buy a damp motorhome. Are these vans from a dealer?

 

[Robgoals]

Thanks. Yes should have mentioned I don't have a C1 license so 3.5t max. The Elddis is 3t so 500kg payload which I thought would just about cut it, the kids are under 3 so not much baggage. Not sure about the LMC, similar more recent models are around 3t unladen but I can't find the 2010 model info.
The Dethleffs is heavier so should probably discount that, I think it was 3.3t.

 

[Robgoals]

Hi Rob,

They are all pretty sold choices. Check the MOT history that might give you some clues as to condition. The biggest issue you might face internally is damp, you don't want to buy a damp motorhome. Are these vans from a dealer?

Hi,
The Elddis is through motorhome depot and is having a habitation check this week. Other two are private, and have had habitation checks in the last year, I would get another one done before buying, probably get a mechanic to look round too.
I am wary about buying privately but it adds several thousand to get something similar with a dealer.

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[Phill D]

Hi Rob and welcome,

Next to weight and license is layout.
What layout best suits how you will travel and where you will stay , sites with all the facilities or aires. 1 or 2 day stop overs or a more static style say 7- 10 days a time .

 

[rolosroller]

Hi nothing wrong with buying privately .Good & bad just like Dealers.
Do you know anyone that has a motorhome that could go with you.
Where are you based ?

 

[Robgoals]

Hi Rob and welcome,

Next to weight and license is layout.
What layout best suits how you will travel and where you will stay , sites with all the facilities or aires. 1 or 2 day stop overs or a more static style say 7- 10 days a time .

Hi Phil,

I'm not sure is the answer to that one.
I'd guess a mix with longer periods if we found a nice campsite with 1-2 night in aires or similar in between.
What would you suggest is better out of bunks or the lounge? I thought the lounge would be great in the UK but we're hoping it'll be mainly fine weather so won't matter so much and the space under the bunk would be more useful.

 

[Robgoals]

Hi nothing wrong with buying privately .Good & bad just like Dealers.
Do you know anyone that has a motorhome that could go with you.
Where are you based ?

Hi,

We're near Leeds. Don't really know anyone with a motorhome to take, that would be useful. There seems to be lots more for sale in the South west and Scotland than round here so I don't mind traveling to look.

 

[Phill D]

Hi Phil,

I'm not sure is the answer to that one.
I'd guess a mix with longer periods if we found a nice campsite with 1-2 night in aires or similar in between.
What would you suggest is better out of bunks or the lounge? I thought the lounge would be great in the UK but we're hoping it'll be mainly fine weather so won't matter so much and the space under the bunk would be more useful.

I think with you kids in the uk you need a bit of internal space with some of the weather we have.
Rear U shaped lounge is very popular, but with younger members of family a dinette that goes to bunks is a useful option.

But, also size and type of shower/ bathroom, is less important if you are mainly looking to use sites.

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[rolosroller]

Also check tyres for date. service record . when was the cam belt last done . buy a damp meter
If you do find one maybe a funster will be able to help . Good Luck

 

[hja]

Remember payload will include all passengers, plus any extras added by previous owners. Have a look on some of the payload threads on here. If you are buying from a dealer ask for a weighbridge certificate, before parting with any cash.

 

[Trevor Wbm]

Folk have talked about weight already I know ... but be sure the Mass in Running Order (MRO) includes fuel, gas, water and an allowance for the driver. If it doesn't, they can take easily take 250Kg or more off your available load capacity. The adverts often don't refer to this so you may have to ask or see if they've got the original manual from the converter rather than the base vehicle.

If you look at P27 onwards in this Dethleffs manual you'll see what I'm referring to: https://www.dethleffs.co.uk/fileadm...0033-08EN_Motorcaravan_Ausgabe_09_09_komp.pdf

 

[joner8888]

Is it safer to transfer £00000 to a trade retailer or gamble on buying private.
I'm looking to buy now,there is one trade and one slightly better spec private.
Just paranoid once the transfer is done I return to collect the motorhome to find a empty house and driveway.
Where as trade is protected by rights.

 

[Phill D]

Just paranoid once the transfer is done I return to collect the motorhome to find an empty house and driveway.

I would transfer the money from my phone while stood next to the motorhome and take it away. Pre arranged with the bank and a full check on ownership and outstanding debt on the van.
No way would I transfer money to a private account and not be able to immediately take the van away.

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[St3v3]

Just paranoid once the transfer is done I return ......

That would just be an incredibly stupid thing to do!

 

[CAB96]

Is it safer to transfer £00000 to a trade retailer or gamble on buying private.
I'm looking to buy now,there is one trade and one slightly better spec private.
Just paranoid once the transfer is done I return to collect the motorhome to find a empty house and driveway.
Where as trade is protected by rights.

Sit in the address that's on the V5. Then transfer.

 

[iamarobot1999]

Hello,

We are looking to buy our very first motorhome. We're a family of 4 with two small children.
I think we're fairly set on a 6 berth, not decided if a lounge or bunks is better. Planning a trip for 2-3 months this summer in Europe probably France and Germany.
I was initially set on buying the cheapest motorhome going but have been talked into spending slightly more, something like £25k.

Currently looking at -
2010 LMC Relax 723G for £28k, 50k miles
2009 Elddis Autoquest 180 £25k, 30k miles
2008 Dethleffs Eurostyle £25k, 45k miles

They're all in good condition for their age and have recent habitation checks.

Obviously this is a tricky question but I wondered if anyone had any strong opinions on any of those options or if we should be looking at something else entirely?

To go along with all the good advise from previous posts, consider a layout that works for you as a family.
Our kids are early teens now and have been brought up on trips in the van,so lessons have been learned along the way!
Consider where you can chill out when the kids have been put to bed. If you plan to use the van in the summer abroad then its not such an issue as the weather is on your side hopefully, but not always!
We started with a 6 berth but soon realised it was not needed and restricted us in many ways.
IMO for a family predominantly taking trips in the summer in Europe you need the following set up:
1. A small motorhome/ campervan that you can just jump in and drive/park on trips to the beach/supermarket or days out. 6 berth motorhomes don’t tick this box! Ive been here,its painfull.
2. A decent stand alone shelter to leave set up on site with all your kit while your off enjoying yourselves.
That’s it!

We’ve spent the cash and learned the lessons. We now have a PVC with a pop up roof that ticks all the boxes for us. Camping in the summer and spring skiing. All boxes ticked.

 

[iamarobot1999]

Hello,

We are looking to buy our very first motorhome. We're a family of 4 with two small children.
I think we're fairly set on a 6 berth, not decided if a lounge or bunks is better. Planning a trip for 2-3 months this summer in Europe probably France and Germany.
I was initially set on buying the cheapest motorhome going but have been talked into spending slightly more, something like £25k.

Currently looking at -
2010 LMC Relax 723G for £28k, 50k miles
2009 Elddis Autoquest 180 £25k, 30k miles
2008 Dethleffs Eurostyle £25k, 45k miles

They're all in good condition for their age and have recent habitation checks.

Obviously this is a tricky question but I wondered if anyone had any strong opinions on any of those options or if we should be looking at something else entirely?

To go along with all the good advise from previous posts, consider a layout that works for you as a family.
Our kids are early teens now and have been brought up on trips in the van,so lessons have been learned along the way!
Consider where you can chill out when the kids have been put to bed. If you plan to use the van in the summer abroad then its not such an issue as the weather is on your side hopefully, but not always!
We started with a 6 berth but soon realised it was not needed and restricted us in many ways.
IMO for a family predominantly taking trips in the summer in Europe you need the following set up:
1. A small motorhome/ campervan that you can just jump in and drive/park on trips to the beach/supermarket or days out. 6 berth motorhomes don’t tick this box! Ive been here,its painfull.
2. A decent stand alone shelter to leave set up on site with all your kit while your off enjoying yourselves.
That’s it!

We’ve spent the cash and learned the lessons. We now have a PVC with a pop up roof that ticks all the boxes for us. Camping in the summer and spring skiing. All boxes ticked.

 

[RollingRog]

Having just got rid of my Eldiss which was on a 22 plate I would steer clear , cheap build and full of damp!!

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[Robgoals]

To go along with all the good advise from previous posts, consider a layout that works for you as a family.
Our kids are early teens now and have been brought up on trips in the van,so lessons have been learned along the way!
Consider where you can chill out when the kids have been put to bed. If you plan to use the van in the summer abroad then its not such an issue as the weather is on your side hopefully, but not always!
We started with a 6 berth but soon realised it was not needed and restricted us in many ways.
IMO for a family predominantly taking trips in the summer in Europe you need the following set up:
1. A small motorhome/ campervan that you can just jump in and drive/park on trips to the beach/supermarket or days out. 6 berth motorhomes don’t tick this box! Ive been here,its painfull.
2. A decent stand alone shelter to leave set up on site with all your kit while your off enjoying yourselves.
That’s it!

We’ve spent the cash and learned the lessons. We now have a PVC with a pop up roof that ticks all the boxes for us. Camping in the summer and spring skiing. All boxes ticked.

Hi,

That's an interesting point. Mine are 1 and 2 at the moment. I was thinking a 6 bed so they could be down the back and we'd have somewhere to sit after bedtime. I thought they'd be too small for over the cab for a few years and didn't really want to have to climb over them to get to the overcab myself if they were in the converted dinette.
I was aware that a 6 berth would be more difficult for popping to the beach but had hoped it wasn't hugely different to a 4 berth, just a meter longer. Interesting you found the 4 berth so much better. We're hoping to go for 6 months so wanted a bit of space. We rented a transporter with a pop top and found it cramped even just for a weekend.
Do you think an A-class would be any better for trips out, still long but without the overcab bulge?

 

[Robgoals]

Having just got rid of my Eldiss which was on a 22 plate I would steer clear , cheap build and full of damp!!

Yes I haven't been blown away with the build quality of motorhomes so far. Seen a few Elddis and swifts and was suprised how flimsy things felt. Saw an Autotrail Tribute that felt a bit more substantial.
Fairly limited on manufacturers if you want a rear lounge.

 

[lorger]

Our first van was an Elddis 140 and we loved it, the only issue I think is common to that age is slight damp in the over head bed area, ours was a 2006 and this was the only issue in 4 years of ownership.

As others have said be careful with the weight.

 

[Robgoals]

To go along with all the good advise from previous posts, consider a layout that works for you as a family.
Our kids are early teens now and have been brought up on trips in the van,so lessons have been learned along the way!
Consider where you can chill out when the kids have been put to bed. If you plan to use the van in the summer abroad then its not such an issue as the weather is on your side hopefully, but not always!
We started with a 6 berth but soon realised it was not needed and restricted us in many ways.
IMO for a family predominantly taking trips in the summer in Europe you need the following set up:
1. A small motorhome/ campervan that you can just jump in and drive/park on trips to the beach/supermarket or days out. 6 berth motorhomes don’t tick this box! Ive been here,its painfull.
2. A decent stand alone shelter to leave set up on site with all your kit while your off enjoying yourselves.
That’s it!

We’ve spent the cash and learned the lessons. We now have a PVC with a pop up roof that ticks all the boxes for us. Camping in the summer and spring skiing. All boxes ticked.

If we went for a 4 berth what shape do you think would be easier for outings? A low profile 4 berth - longer but lower, or one with an overcab bed? Thanks.

 

[Nanniemate]

2 kids under 3 not much baggage....

Talk to Mrs Rob . You may want to reconsider that comment .

An avant-garde 180 had a good layout for little ones especially if the can top and tail in the overhead

Compass Avantgarde 180 | Nick Whale Motorhomes

www.nickwhalemotorhomes.co.uk

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[Stonemags76]

You can get a net for the overcab I think? You could then go with a shorter van. Don’t forget about rear seatbelts for the car seats - might mean a dinette?

 

[Robgoals]

You can get a net for the overcab I think? You could then go with a shorter van. Don’t forget about rear seatbelts for the car seats - might mean a dinette?

I was just looking at this. I'm considering a swift 686 and was looking at the brochure. There's not a lot of different in length between a 4 and 6 birth - 60cm. Does 60cm make much difference? The width is the same and height between ones with and without overcab is 9cm.

 

[68c]

Be aware length restrictions are starting to appear in car parks, particularly Dorset. Not that obvious, look for a three inch sticker on the payment signboard. We used to park up in car bays by parking at the edge with the back stuck out over the grass verge, need to be more aware now. Unfortunately motorhome dedicated parking is often on the outskirts of town so a long walk with the kids and no nipping back for the toilet.
I think, as mentioned above, a smaller van with a stand alone awning works well with kids. You can put them to bed then relax in the awning while still enjoying the outdoors. They can play in it in the day out of the rain or hot sunshine. Do not get an air awning, heavy, bulky and not that much quicker to erect.
Consider buying a spare toilet cassette with four if you, bound to be parked in a busy car park when you find it full.