Kannon Fodda
LIFE MEMBER
- Feb 26, 2019
- 2,981
- 9,104
- Funster No
- 58,768
- MH
- Autotrail V-line 540
- Exp
- I Make Schoolboy Errors!
I've signed on the dotted line. I've raided the mortgage. I'm taking out HP. I'll need to work day and night to pay for it if I'm to avoid bankruptcy. But hey, you only live once!
I'm a little impatient as it's yet to be built so probably not going to be ready till at least July
It's exciting since I'll be new to the motorhome world, moving up from canvas, so many might say perhaps I should first try second hand.
Some will be surprised by my choice, given the number of people on here that had problems, on the other hand many seem happy. It's a new Autotrail V-line 540SE. After a lot of looking around I think I have a good price (I'll keep quiet on the exact amount). It will have the 2019 spec with the media pack (camera, DAB radio and stuff). After due consideration of some earlier threads I compromised on the 130BHP engine with comfortmatic gearbox (the 150 would have been nicer, but I've really overstretched the budget).
I've spent a few months looking around. Van length was critical to choice. It's only for me, and had to fit on drive so the 6m lengths where there is much more choice was out. At less than 5.5m there are few manufacturers, and most of those are unaffordable new. The Autotrail is more realistic priced, especially with the discount I was offered (but perhaps there is a reason for that). Second hand there is so little choice (i have looked for a number of months) especially when I wanted rear lounge / bed, with the toilet option, only 2 berth / 2 seats (why waste space on the front added travel seat / dining table that I'll never use).
I suspect I'm a fair weather Spring to Autumn user. But the convenience of the van outside the house so I can jump in and go most weekends will be great. So the aim is to escape for 2-3 day long weekends, charge off to tranquility so I can then meander around an area on the e-bike and then chill out for an evening. A couple of times a year to venture a bit further afield for a week or so, perhaps a ferry and see how the Europeans treat us Brits if Brexit ever materialises.
So now I'm scouring this forum to find out all the things I never knew about motorhomes. The toys I might need, and what I will not. If I let it, this could become a very expensive new pastime.
But it's also a battle understanding some of this new jargon. I have yet to really understand the differences between an Aire, a CL, a campsite or whatever. It seems to be a nightmare what chemicals you shouldn't put into your toilet. Really not sure why I might need a watering can to fill up a tank with water
And as for how you still have electricery left after a couple of hours parked up somewhere this is going to need some real wizardry. And who knows what perils of insurance, trackers, breakdown cover and other hideous entrapments await my pleasure.
I'm a little impatient as it's yet to be built so probably not going to be ready till at least July
It's exciting since I'll be new to the motorhome world, moving up from canvas, so many might say perhaps I should first try second hand.Some will be surprised by my choice, given the number of people on here that had problems, on the other hand many seem happy. It's a new Autotrail V-line 540SE. After a lot of looking around I think I have a good price (I'll keep quiet on the exact amount). It will have the 2019 spec with the media pack (camera, DAB radio and stuff). After due consideration of some earlier threads I compromised on the 130BHP engine with comfortmatic gearbox (the 150 would have been nicer, but I've really overstretched the budget).
I've spent a few months looking around. Van length was critical to choice. It's only for me, and had to fit on drive so the 6m lengths where there is much more choice was out. At less than 5.5m there are few manufacturers, and most of those are unaffordable new. The Autotrail is more realistic priced, especially with the discount I was offered (but perhaps there is a reason for that). Second hand there is so little choice (i have looked for a number of months) especially when I wanted rear lounge / bed, with the toilet option, only 2 berth / 2 seats (why waste space on the front added travel seat / dining table that I'll never use).
I suspect I'm a fair weather Spring to Autumn user. But the convenience of the van outside the house so I can jump in and go most weekends will be great. So the aim is to escape for 2-3 day long weekends, charge off to tranquility so I can then meander around an area on the e-bike and then chill out for an evening. A couple of times a year to venture a bit further afield for a week or so, perhaps a ferry and see how the Europeans treat us Brits if Brexit ever materialises.
So now I'm scouring this forum to find out all the things I never knew about motorhomes. The toys I might need, and what I will not. If I let it, this could become a very expensive new pastime.
But it's also a battle understanding some of this new jargon. I have yet to really understand the differences between an Aire, a CL, a campsite or whatever. It seems to be a nightmare what chemicals you shouldn't put into your toilet. Really not sure why I might need a watering can to fill up a tank with water
And as for how you still have electricery left after a couple of hours parked up somewhere this is going to need some real wizardry. And who knows what perils of insurance, trackers, breakdown cover and other hideous entrapments await my pleasure.
We spent two years asking questions on here and looking at vans at shows and dealers. Twice thought we were 100% certain about the layout we wanted, then we came across the van that we bought and it's been absolutely perfect.
If I get £45 into my car my credit card starts screaming.
