First time looking into living in a motor home - need advice on different models pleas

[Woosty]

Hi all, I recently sold my house but then lost my job and also had life changing experience.
I have decided that I need some time off work to think about what I do next. I’m only 45 so lots ahead of me.

Rather than rent a house/ flat which would be £900-1500/month + bills, I went thinking of buying a motor home for now whilst I sort my life out.

I have a budget of up to £30k but would prefer to be nearer the £25k mark as I would want to get an electric bike, ? Elon musks starling for good internet wherever I travel and other bits an pieces that I would do to the motor home.

My ideal camper would be one with a dining/seating area and a back U shaped lounge with a full shower and bathroom and an above cab bed so that I can leave it made up and can work in the smaller seating area and relax in the larger area. This will be my permanent home as well.

I do not have a class c license

Sorry for the long explanation but I thought that it was needed to explain exactly what I am looking for.

Here is my list so far and I would grateful for any advice or experiences as I have to have purchased it and moved in by 13/12/24 so not long! Thank you all in advance, Chris

Autotrail Arapaho se - seems to tick the boxes but need a C1 license

Cheyenne 660se but has an end bed, good bathroom

Chieftain frontier ? Class c license

Mohican - big, large bathroom through a door at the back, above cab sleeping, larger , good kitchen- top of budget

Autotrail scout SE - separate working area and end lounge, good sized bathroom, above cab sleeping, only downside is limited kitchen counter top space - FAVOURITE SO FAR

Autotrail frontier scout - separate workspace and rear lounge, good bathroom and shower, above cab sleeping, small kitchen work surface - essentially an upgraded Scout SE - top of budget

Autotrail Apache 640se - good sized bathroom to the rear, some counter top space, large lounge, no separate working area

Apache 700 se - work space and end lounge, decent bathroom, no counter space, above cab sleeping

Apache 634 and 634L high line - end lounge only, more kitchen space, decent bathroom, above cab sleeping - LIKE THIS A LOT AS WELL

Apache 640 - kitchen towards the rear with an end bathroom which is a good size, only lounge seating are but quite nice otherwise

Bailey approach 760 - workspace and end lounge, decent bathroom, above cab sleeping, good cooking area, newer and top of budget


Auto sleepers Berkshire - merc engine, automatic, good bathroom and shower, no separate workspace, large rear lounge and above cab sleeping - a top of budget but LIKE THIS ONE

 

[MisterB]

Welcome to the Fun House

Full timing in a motorhome is a different lifestyle and not all sunshine and roses. Take a look at the Urban Motorhomer in YouTube. Darren has lived the life for a few years and has good tips and info, which he is happy to share.

If you subscribe to this forum, you can check out the reader adverts, there are often motorhomes for sale from reputable members at a cheaper price than commercially available at your price range


Best wishes and good luck

NB .. it might be worth asking local dealers re any part ex vehicles that they are taking in or have been offered that they would sell as a trade sale, no guarantee or comebacks. You would need to test everything though, in particular for damp .... You might get lucky?

 

[tonka]

My first thought is that you have listed many British vans, the U shaped rear lounge tends to be a common layout for Brit vans.
However, you need to think about insulation and how the van will be in winter. Many Brit vans are not what we call "winterised" they have underslung water tanks, exposed pipes and older vans may not be as well insulated. Also a lot of those vans will be over 3500kg and will need a C1 license. Do look at continental vans, maybe an older classic Hymer style. Double floor etc.

I think you need to do a lot more research, it's not all sunny camping. There are gas and electric costs, camp fee's etc.

Good luck with your search, your questions are one's that we see very often on here..

 

[grasscutter]

Good luck in your search.
You also need to investigate the vehicle insurance.
If you full time then the costs of insurance are very high.

 

[nicholsong]

When I saw your list my immediate thought was the same as tonka - winterisation and insulation.

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[Figaro]

Good luck with your plans, there's certainly a lot to consider, probably more than you realise atm.
Paying to become a full member will be a great start, it'll pay for itself many times over with the help and great advice you'll receive.
Then go to resources section and download the motorhome buyers guide, you'll find lots of useful information in there to get you started

 

[The Wino]

I'm not sure how the finances stack up but given your budget you will be looking at quite old vans which are likely to require some fettling apart from the things you mentioned and as you say it's a short timescale. Good luck with the hunt I would suggest like others that winterisation would be an important part of any choice and the reality of living in a small space at the time of year with the shortest days and coldest/ wettest weather could be a baptism of fire!

 

[maz]

Hi and welcome to the Fun!


As an ex-fulltimer in the UK I can only echo the advice about proper winterisation, so you really need to be looking at continental vans, especially German ones. Also payload is very important as you will be carrying more stuff around with you than holidaying motorhomers.

Fulltime insurance will cost around 3 times as much as if you weren't living in the van, and there are only 2 or 3 companies that provide it. They may have restrictions on age and/or value of van that they are prepared to insure.

 

[hja]

Getting a van under 3500 with a payload sufficient for all your stuff including a probably quite heavy electric bike will be a challenge. If you join then there is a lot on here about payload.
Echo the comment about Darren the urban motorhomer. Some good info on his channel. Also Urban Vanlife who you will either like or hate. Having done lots of motorhoming they have recently become full timers.
Have you ever used a Motorhome, or even a caravan, before.? I know you say you don’t have much time but maybe consider hiring a van for a week? Not the best of weather, but it would give you some ideas about a very small part of the life.

 

[Woosty]

Thank you for all of your replies, they have been most helpful.
In terms of European brands that I should be looking at, someone mentioned Hymer but please could you let me know some more good ones to look into along with the winterisation?

I have a lot of camping experience staying in tents and Scottish bothies as well as havin* a vw capervan 1983 which I had for years but is too small to live in. My parents did have a fiat ducato based motor home and we (2 adults and 2 kids) used it loads all year round. I cannot remember which model it was but it kept us nice and warm in the middle of winter but I was surprised to see the flimsiness of the build. This time it will just be me.

Unfortunately I have to make a decision asap as I can’t keep spending my savings on airbnbs and can’t work at the moment either so need somewhere asap. It’s all a very long story as to why I am in this position

Thank you for your help and I will look further into it

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[gus-lopez]

 

[Figaro]

I have an older Hymer which is promoted as fully winterized with a double floor etc. I've used it in UK winters down to -7c.
It was ok for a few nights but I must admit it was not especially pleasant and not something I'd want to do too often.
Most motorhomes are inherently drafty with lots of built in ventilation for good reason, but never the less drafty, especially around the cab area.
It can be done but just not always that comfortable.
It sounds like you may be pressuring yourself into a snap decision ?
Be careful, look, smell and feel for damp and ask the seller specifically if they have any knowledge of damp of other major faults.
A damp meter is also useful if you have one.
Also try and get one with a refillable gas system, you will be using quite a lot over winter and refillable is much cheaper and convenient than swopping bottles.
Do you have anywhere to park up overnight? Campsites can work out expensive if you rely on them every night although the electric hook up they offer would make your life much more comfortable.
Good luck

 

[mikash]

In terms of European brands that I should be looking at, someone mentioned Hymer but please could you let me know some more good ones to look into along with the winterisation?

I think at least Eura Mobil does or at least used to do an alcove model with an U-lounge in the back. They are also generally regarded well winterized, often with proper double floors, good insulation and a well designed heating.

 

[Palough]

i definitely agree with the comments about an old Hymer.

You can't go wrong with an old Hymer B series like in the photo attached.

They are really a mobile apartment, spacious, double drop down bed over the cab, fold out sofa to double bed, huge living space, tons of storage, simple, no fancy electronics to fail, easy to repair and not expensive.

About 20 years old but built like the proverbial brick "sh***house", really solid construction in the days when Hymer made their name.

I have a friend with one and done 450,000km with virtually no trouble and it's real woodwork inside, no chipboard with plastic look like wood veneers.

I'd advise seeking out a couple and having a good look at some before you buy.

And they go for little money, you could orobably buy 3 with your budget

Good luck

 

[nicholsong]

Thank you for all of your replies, they have been most helpful.
In terms of European brands that I should be looking at, someone mentioned Hymer but please could you let me know some more good ones to look into along with the winterisation?

I have a lot of camping experience staying in tents and Scottish bothies as well as havin* a vw capervan 1983 which I had for years but is too small to live in. My parents did have a fiat ducato based motor home and we (2 adults and 2 kids) used it loads all year round. I cannot remember which model it was but it kept us nice and warm in the middle of winter but I was surprised to see the flimsiness of the build. This time it will just be me.

Unfortunately I have to make a decision asap as I can’t keep spending my savings on airbnbs and can’t work at the moment either so need somewhere asap. It’s all a very long story as to why I am in this position

Thank you for your help and I will look further into it

Niesmann & Bischoff models are similar to Hymer and at 15-year plus probably sell at similar prices. Our Arto is now 21-yo and in good condition - not for sale, but similar could be within your budget if bought privately.

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[Northernraider]

Hi all, I recently sold my house but then lost my job and also had life changing experience.
I have decided that I need some time off work to think about what I do next. I’m only 45 so lots ahead of me.

Rather than rent a house/ flat which would be £900-1500/month + bills, I went thinking of buying a motor home for now whilst I sort my life out.

I have a budget of up to £30k but would prefer to be nearer the £25k mark as I would want to get an electric bike, ? Elon musks starling for good internet wherever I travel and other bits an pieces that I would do to the motor home.

My ideal camper would be one with a dining/seating area and a back U shaped lounge with a full shower and bathroom and an above cab bed so that I can leave it made up and can work in the smaller seating area and relax in the larger area. This will be my permanent home as well.

I do not have a class c license

Sorry for the long explanation but I thought that it was needed to explain exactly what I am looking for.

Here is my list so far and I would grateful for any advice or experiences as I have to have purchased it and moved in by 13/12/24 so not long! Thank you all in advance, Chris

Autotrail Arapaho se - seems to tick the boxes but need a C1 license

Cheyenne 660se but has an end bed, good bathroom

Chieftain frontier ? Class c license

Mohican - big, large bathroom through a door at the back, above cab sleeping, larger , good kitchen- top of budget

Autotrail scout SE - separate working area and end lounge, good sized bathroom, above cab sleeping, only downside is limited kitchen counter top space - FAVOURITE SO FAR

Autotrail frontier scout - separate workspace and rear lounge, good bathroom and shower, above cab sleeping, small kitchen work surface - essentially an upgraded Scout SE - top of budget

Autotrail Apache 640se - good sized bathroom to the rear, some counter top space, large lounge, no separate working area

Apache 700 se - work space and end lounge, decent bathroom, no counter space, above cab sleeping

Apache 634 and 634L high line - end lounge only, more kitchen space, decent bathroom, above cab sleeping - LIKE THIS A LOT AS WELL

Apache 640 - kitchen towards the rear with an end bathroom which is a good size, only lounge seating are but quite nice otherwise

Bailey approach 760 - workspace and end lounge, decent bathroom, above cab sleeping, good cooking area, newer and top of budget


Auto sleepers Berkshire - merc engine, automatic, good bathroom and shower, no separate workspace, large rear lounge and above cab sleeping - a top of budget but LIKE THIS ONE

Best advice you're going to get.

I've been fulltime just over 7 years now ,it isn't the bed of roses that many youtubers ,Instagramers etc often portray, many claimed fulltimers aren't actually fulltimers. Like some street beggers they've just made a career out of it.


For fulltime living in a motorhome especially in the UK DO NOT buy an autotrail or an eldiss or any british built van they simply arent built for it.. Get yourself an older hymer or something similar, make sure it is fully winterised and has decent storage. Buy sensibly and even if the life isn't for you then you won't lose money should you need to sell it again..


A class , drop down bed or rear French bed and with a decent sized lounge to relax and work in. .
I'd recommend a b584 , b544 or b654 models.

You don't want a British built van .

Hymer B584, 2004, 3 Berth, 3 Belts, LHD | eBay

Motorhome & Caravan Depot Newport - Viewing by Appointment Only. - Call us on 01633 404303 or click here to find out more.

www.ebay.co.uk

Hymer 544 Motorhome 5 Berth 6 Belts 2002 | eBay

Trade Sale Motorhomes - Viewing or pick up by appointment only in Bolton - Call us on +441204589028 or click here to find out more.

www.ebay.co.uk

Hymer B654 4 berth 4 belts - fixed bed - a class motorhome for sale | eBay

Motorhome & Caravan Depot North Nottinghamshire - Viewing by Appointment Only. - Call us on 01623 904603 or click here to find out more.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Nanniemate]

Best advice you're going to get.

For fulltime living in a motorhome especially in the UK DO NOT buy an autotrail or an eldiss. Get yourself an older hymer or something similar, make sure it is fully winterised.

A class , drop down bed or rear French bed and with a decent sized lounge to relax and work in. .
I'd recommend a b584 , b544 or b654 models.

You don't want a British built van .

Hymer B584, 2004, 3 Berth, 3 Belts, LHD | eBay

Motorhome & Caravan Depot Newport - Viewing by Appointment Only. - Call us on 01633 404303 or click here to find out more.

www.ebay.co.uk

Hymer 544 Motorhome 5 Berth 6 Belts 2002 | eBay

Trade Sale Motorhomes - Viewing or pick up by appointment only in Bolton - Call us on +441204589028 or click here to find out more.

www.ebay.co.uk

Hymer B654 4 berth 4 belts - fixed bed - a class motorhome for sale | eBay

Motorhome & Caravan Depot North Nottinghamshire - Viewing by Appointment Only. - Call us on 01623 904603 or click here to find out more.

www.ebay.co.uk

I feel sorry for the sellers as they must think there is huge interest in their vans as we are all now clicking and nosing

 

[Fulham Dave]

As Northernraider, Tonks, Nicolsong and others have said, best not to buy British for full timing, buy a Europen, winterised and insulated van.

We have been full timing for 4.5 years and spent almost a year looking for the right van for us and settled on a German built Dethleffs.

I appreciate you do not have that amount of time, but my advice would be to buy the best insulated van you can as you will definitely need it.

Regarding insurance, ours costs £2800 last year, so not cheap.

Good luck in your search

 

[Woosty]

As Northernraider, Tonks, Nicolsong and others have said, best not to buy British for full timing, buy a Europen, winterised and insulated van.

We have been full timing for 4.5 years and spent almost a year looking for the right van for us and settled on a German built Dethleffs.

I appreciate you do not have that amount of time, but my advice would be to buy the best insulated van you can as you will definitely need it.

Regarding insurance, ours costs £2800 last year, so not cheap.

Good luck in your search

Thank you, the Dethleffs Advantage I6501 looks very good but maybe out of my price range, the other that have been mention looked interesting as well. I am comfortable driving a LHD vehicle as I spent a lot of time in France.

I didn’t know about the winterisation so that been an important learning point for me.

I will have a look at that YouTube channel as well thanks.

THe reason I want to live in a van for a bit is that I lost my job in the middle of selling my house and moving closer to my kids, then my mum died and I had to do CPR on her but she died in from of me (i work in medicine/NHS) and then I had quite a life changing illness which has made me rethink what I want to do with my life from here onwards. I still sold my house and had some proceeds from it so paid off all of my depts etc.
Currently I am not fit for work so have nothing coming in unkess I claim benefits which I have never done in my life and feel embarrassed to have to do so.

I thought that having a motorhome would enable me to be near my kids for a while but also allow me to travel to my favourite places in the UK and do some long walks and just figure our in my own head what I was going to do next.

Your help is amazing as I obviously need to chose the right van and it will not lose as much as spending £900-1500/month + bills on bricks and mortar that I don’t own.

Please keep the suggestions and makes/models coming so I can investigate the best thing for me.

Thank you so much,

Chris

 

[Fulham Dave]

Hi Chris, so sorry to hear of your loss and illness, I hope you are back on feet.

Also, maybe look at Search for Sites for cheaper places to park. We have found that independent working farms, CL's and CS's have been the cheapest and most flexible places to stay longer term.

If you have any questions, just ask, this community have been invaluable to me and is full of knowledgeable, willing helpers.

Best wishes

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[MisterB]

It might be worth looking at the motorhomes for sale by Uber Leisure in Epping in Essex. BUT you need to thoroughly test them as they only offer 'trade' sakes., so no comebacks (same as private sales).

I've had two motorhomes from them and they were good quality for the price I paid. They advertised on eBay and auto trader.

 

[steve69]

Do you intend to full - time entirely in the UK. if so you'd be better off in a static caravan. I recommend overwintering abroad. Southern Spain if it was me.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I know this is a site for motorhomes, but have you considered a caravan
They are much cheaper than motorhomes and with a car to use whilst on site can be better for full time. Downside is almost always need to use sites

 

[MisterB]

Do you intend to full - time entirely in the UK. if so you'd be better off in a static caravan. I recommend overwintering abroad. Southern Spain if it was me.

Static caravan dwelling full time in the UK can be expensive long term! Many sites require a new caravan every 15 years, so be very careful if you go down that path.

 

[Nanniemate]

My friend lived I statics for a few years bought new and sold on after a few years
Then started buying old well looked after and very cheap due to the short time span left on site.
Worked out well for her , but she had money behind her

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[cyberyacht]

On the operating costs front, consider a diesel heater rather than LPG or electric. If you can run it on red diesel or heating oil - even cheaper. Lithium batteries and solar panels can sort out your 12V requirements. You would still need LPG for cooking and refillable is far cheaper than exchange cylinders.

 

[CA]

Have owned various UK motorhomes and van conversions over the years. Then went for a German built A Class (Dethleffs); and the difference in build quality and insulation was astounding. Now obviously haven’t tried all vans and makes - and some UK builds may be better but I second the opinion to look at German (would add French in this as well) A Class vehicles. The comfort level for full time living would be much better….

 

[Guigsy]

To stay under 3.5t with all the kit to full time through the winter, you're going to struggle. Anything over 6.5m is pretty much guaranteed to need a C1.

My wife and I remote work for a few weeks at a time in ours. It's 6m a-class with a large lounge and the bed over the cab. Tons of internal space. Downsides are that there's no garage, just a few external lockers. And it's not a double floor, so warm enough, but not as cosy as a proper double floor. Geist i585. Pilote G600L and Roller Team Pegaso 590 are similar.

 

[FEC]

All good advice on here so far in terms of the less obvious aspects of living full time -insurance costs etc.
(I don't live full time in mine and am only a year into the MH as leisure vehicle adventure). I take the point about insulation, but it might depend on how you plan to use it? If wild camping then you are going to struggle with a British made MH for the reasons stated, but if you are mostly planning to have an electric hook up then perhaps this would mitigate the insulation shortcomings? Our Swift Escape has a great heating system -too warm for me actually and I secretly open the window to let the heat out at night when my wife's asleep as it gets too hot and stuffy! We tried it out last Feb and were surprised that despite heavy frost outside it was toasty inside with the heat on its lowest setting.
We were so impressed that instead of paying for an Air b&b when visiting family in Ireland over Christmas, we are going to take the MH over and hook up to the EHU at my parent's (will save us £800). German vans are of course almost certainly better built and designed with less faults than British ones, but if layout and price are key then maybe you can live with the repair bills that will ensue with an old British built van?
My main point though was to avoid the static caravan option, many of them have restrictions on length of time you can stay in them -and many sites are closed over the winter and tend to offer only 8-9 month access/ occupancy. Also when you are selling the static, you often have to sell back to the owner of the site who sold it to you rather than on the open market. Not sure if that is widespread but my friends are in that position at
the moment and they are unhappy with the price being offered.

Good luck with the choice -this forum will give you lots of answers to the many questions you will have.

 

[Brains]

Just to reiterate the bit about winterisation being critical for long term use in the UK

My sister did two winters in the UK before saying 'never again'
Her British built van could only manage about 12c above outside temperature.
In my German built van staying next to her, I had no problem getting to 20c above outside temperature.

My van would be habitable long term, hers was not.

I would limit your search to German manufacturers.

I would also consider thinking in terms of 'van life' mid March to mid December.

If you can get friendly with someone who owns a decent holiday cottage, with outside parking and a log burner, then if you rent the cottage for 3 months through the winter (3 x 28 days is the maximum they are permitted to do and keep it as a holiday cottage).

There are thousands of (seaside) cottages that are under utilised during the winter, especially in the period between new year and Easter. Owners who would be happy to do a lower long term rate just to keep them warm and dry. They have the advantage that all the bills are part of the rent.
If you find the right place, you can get an agreement 2-3 years ahead.