Do motorhome owners need their own consumer association/council/org/whatever

[Jim]

I am now left wondering, what prompted our RING LEADER Jim to post this.

I was just asking the questions .

Some interesting stuff has come back; definitely food for thought, but I'll be honest, nothing really compelling or firing me up with enough enthusiasm to endure committee meetings just yet . But that is not to say I couldn't be persuaded.

I think the answer to many issues can be solved by the education of end-users and now we have found a voice outside the forum with our free magazine we can do that much easier.

Meanwhile, keep suggestions coming; this is a very interesting thread.

 

[Simon Select]

The different styles of motorhoming, in different styles MH has been mentioned as being two of the difficulties of getting a UNITED approach.

Ignoring the fact that I currently do not live in UK, I will try to put myself in the position of somebody who does.

My personal views are as follows.

Dealers - I hope I would never have to go to one and pay their profit margin, nor rely on their after sales service. I bought privately 10 years ago and still have what is my first MH. Dealers are needed. More and more dealers go bust, motorhome brands cant sell them. No more new vans which means no more used part exchanges hitting the market.

Warranties - irrelevant if one buys privately Again not right. Warranties can be transferred.

Types/quality of MH - if one buys good quality it lasts and one has little need to change so does not need dealers and warranties.

Manufacturers - I am only ever likely to buy a German up-market MH and I cannot see a UK organisation having much influence on Continental manufacturers.

Facilities at sites and overnight parking - no interest in sites, would spend most of touring over the Channel, and in UK never had a problem parking(don;t want seaside town seafronts)

Payload - particularly pushing for 3500kg to be raised is an International Treaty problem, so a UK body is unlikely alone to achieve much.

I know a lot of people would say I have specific views, but not unusual. I know quite a lot of others. I personally cannot see what any suggested body could do for me what I cannot do for myself. I recognise that motorhomers have some problems but often I feel the answers were or are in their own hands.

I just mention them to illustrate the point that it would be difficult to UNITE members.

Geoff

[P.S. Forgot one point. If there were inspectors some of the most experienced MHomers are away from the UK for long periods, so would not often be available]