Buying advice for our first MH

[HappyG]

Hi guys - Just joined the forum as we are planning a month in Europe next Summer but my first job is to actually buy a MH. I'd love your advice please as I'm trawling Auto trader but want to avoid making any big mistakes.

We need a 6-Berth with min 5 belted seats and we've given ourselves a budget of around £25k for our first attempt.

One of the models that keeps coming up is the Burstner Argos 747-2 which gives us the living room we want as well as plenty of beds and storage and I have found a few in budget. Does anyone have any advice either way on these? I have a C1 licence so no issues with the size.

My main concern is that the ones I'm seeing (which are all around 20 years old) only have A/C in the cab. Am, I mad taking three kids to Europe in July/August without A/C in the rear?

If you don't think they are a good option can you suggest an alternative that I should be looking at?

Example here : https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorh...age=2&postcode=SY3 0BW&price-to=25000&fromsra

 

[Podney]

Please,please,please refer to jim s buyers guide on here.

 

[Brains]

Please,please,please refer to jim s buyers guide on here.

I think you have to be a paid member to gain access

 

[Brains]

Do what we did.
Rent a motorhome, more than once.

Even a long weekend will give you some ideas, and look around campsites at everyone else's.
(People are usually happy to show you inside and talk for hours about the plusses and minuses of their make/model.)

We rented 3 before we bought.

To save your fingers a lot of walking, renting in Germany is cheaper and you get better quality vehicles for the money.
We used DRM in Dusseldorf, but there are many more, mostly based close to the German borders, as the Danes, Dutch, French etc all head to Germany to pick up their motorhome for their summer holidays.

 

[Northernraider]

Hi guys - Just joined the forum as we are planning a month in Europe next Summer but my first job is to actually buy a MH. I'd love your advice please as I'm trawling Auto trader but want to avoid making any big mistakes.

We need a 6-Berth with min 5 belted seats and we've given ourselves a budget of around £25k for our first attempt.

One of the models that keeps coming up is the Burstner Argos 747-2 which gives us the living room we want as well as plenty of beds and storage and I have found a few in budget. Does anyone have any advice either way on these? I have a C1 licence so no issues with the size.

My main concern is that the ones I'm seeing (which are all around 20 years old) only have A/C in the cab. Am, I mad taking three kids to Europe in July/August without A/C in the rear?

If you don't think they are a good option can you suggest an alternative that I should be looking at?

Example here : https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorh...age=2&postcode=SY3 0BW&price-to=25000&fromsra

Before I read your whole post I was going to recommend the burstner 747 because it's one of the few that gives 6 belted seats and a good enough payload for a family.

I had one back in 2010 , it was a 2003 model . A great solid built 7 berth motorhome with loads of storage.

Incidentally I paid £25k for mine in 2010 and later sold it for £32k.

So the fact they're still fetching 25k now says it's a worthwhile investment. Find a good one and you'll struggle to do better for the money.

This was mine

Given the choice though I'd go for the iveco based one like this ...as its more bhp and rear wheel drive

Pardon our interruption...

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[Spriddler]

Please,please,please refer to jim s buyers guide on here.

It's here, available to anyone/everyone.........

The Motorhome Buyer's Guide

Download our Free Motorhome Buyer's Guide packed with essential tips, checklists, and expert advice. Distilled wisdom from 60,000 members

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[HappyG]

Before I read your whole post I was going to recommend the burstner 747 because it's one of the few that gives 6 belted seats and a good enough payload for a family.

I had one back in 2010 , it was a 2003 model . A great solid built 7 berth motorhome with loads of storage.

Incidentally I paid £25k for mine in 2010 and later sold it for £32k.

So the fact they're still fetching 25k now says it's a worthwhile investment. Find a good one and you'll struggle to do better for the money.

This was mine View attachment 977568


Given the choice though I'd go for the iveco based one like this ...as its more bhp and rear wheel drive

Pardon our interruption...

Amazing, thanks. Did you find the A/C (or lack of) in the back an issue in hot weather? I've got 3 kids under 10 and don't want to make journeys a torture.

 

[Northernraider]

Amazing, thanks. Did you find the A/C (or lack of) in the back an issue in hot weather? I've got 3 kids under 10 and don't want to make journeys a torture.

Never have done in any of my vans ,rear aircon only works if on electric hookup which means campsites and I don't use campsites. The cab aircon should cool the back when driving.

 

[simsy56]

I have had a few RV's with hab air con, and probably used it twice in 15 years.

To reap the benefit, you need to have all windows and doors closed.

We preferred to have doors and windows open, and a breeze, sit in the shade, or use the maxair power vent to draw air through. I don't have hab a/c in our latest PVC, and don't miss it.

Criag

 

[Riverbankannie]

Kids will be ok with windows open but if sun shining right on them, you can close the side blinds/curtains on the side of sun.
Once parked up they will be too busy running around and at night zonked out asleep!

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[Brains]

If you are worried about heat, just get a tower fan.

If will only work when you have EHU (mains power), but will be fine at night.
Just park under trees when you can.

We don't have AirCon (except in the cab when the engine is on), we don't miss it.

Also FYI:
Most (all??) roof mounted aircon units work on mains power.
You can not run them when you are driving,
Nor when you are parked up unless you have EHU connected

 

[PeterCarole29]

Do the older air con units take more than 10amps that sites seem to restrict to these days