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

 

[The Wino]

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.

We actually have a holiday property and if they are any good and in a good location they actually get bookings most of the year round at least at weekends . Ours is still let at the moment Christmas/ New year is pretty much peak rate and we have enough weekends into the new year to make a long term rent pretty unnatractive. It's a time of year when a lot of owners do redocoration and maintenance ready for the next season we would lose the bookings we have and the heating as you say is included everyone knows the cost of heating if someone is living there is going to be way bigger than frost protection with an hour or twos boost every day to keep it aired.

 

[mikash]

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.

I know some people have also made sort of "property guarding" agreements for the winter months. So you'd live in your vehicle, but parked at someone's property and typically paying only some modest amount mostly to cover the electricity you use. The owner of the property would sleep better knowing someone's looking after it and you'd get cheap electricity and a place to park, so everyone wins

 

[enark]

How about, further down the line after purchase, applying to become a site warden.

Free pitch, pay and meet loads of people.

Some jobs to keep active too?

 

[nicholsong]

Woosty

You have had some good advice in the posts above about winterisation, build quality, weight above and below 3.5t and relevance to C1 licence.

You need to think of those factors together in one box.

But one point I have not seen mentioned is PAYLOAD. important for long-term living: for one reason, you will need to take clothes for summer and winter including shoes/boots, heavy jackets etc. Another point is what your activities are - cycling?, surfing? skiing? All need equipment which has weight.

There are some MHs under 3.5t with a good payload but they are probably very lightly built and do not meet winterisation requirements, or if not have very low payloads, which may not need your needs for full-timing.

I would be surprised, when you put all the above factors together, you do not come to the conclusion that you need a C1 licence, otherwise I can foresee you having to make serious compromise between the various factors which could make full-timing on the road difficult and uncomfortable.

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[Nanniemate]

Woosty

You have had some good advice in the posts above about winterisation, build quality, weight above and below 3.5t and relevance to C1 licence.

You need to think of those factors together in one box.

But one point I have not seen mentioned is PAYLOAD. important for long-term living: for one reason, you will need to take clothes for summer and winter including shoes/boots, heavy jackets etc. Another point is what your activities are - cycling?, surfing? skiing? All need equipment which has weight.

There are some MHs under 3.5t with a good payload but they are probably very lightly built and do not meet winterisation requirements, or if not have very low payloads, which may not need your needs for full-timing.

I would be surprised, when you put all the above factors together, you do not come to the conclusion that you need a C1 licence, otherwise I can foresee you having to make serious compromise between the various factors which could make full-timing on the road difficult and uncomfortable.

Don't know what the medical issues were but they could be a barrier

 

[Odd-no-more]

I still think the best option is a car and caravan. No payload issue once sited, and heavy items in the car when moving. Also use of car when on site, and more space in a caravan than a MOHO. No C licence needed. A MOHO is great when moving often, if staying in one place for weeks, a caravan is better.

 

[Lenny HB]

I still think the best option is a car and caravan. No payload issue once sited, and heavy items in the car when moving. Also use of car when on site, and more space in a caravan than a MOHO. No C licence needed. A MOHO is great when moving often, if staying in one place for weeks, a caravan is better.

But a caravan would be worse for winterisation nearly all don't have on board tanks and rely on a container outside for water.
German ones have better insulation and inboard tanks but not many about in the UK.

 

[Odd-no-more]

But a caravan would be worse for winterisation nearly all don't have on board tanks and rely on a container outside for water.
German ones have better insulation and inboard tanks but not many about in the UK.

I agree, but is possible to get insulation for the barrel. The OP will find it almost impossible to get a MOHO under 3.5 t that can do the job he wants. A caravan will, many people full time in caravans. The Ideal would be a large, winterised MOHO, but that's not an option for the OP.

 

[Northernraider]

Regarding insurance, you absolutely do not have to have fulltime insurance if you can stay with friends for at least a few days or weeks a year, and could stay there in the event of your camper being in an accident etc .

The primary reason a fulltime policy is so expensive is because if your van /home is written off or is being repaired for an extended period of time the insurance would have to pay for hotel , b&b etc and that can run in to thousands.

I've never taken out a fulltime policy but I have always told my insurance company that I travel for extended periods that can be up to a year and they have always said that is fine.

If I'm abroad then they'd do the same as normal anyway. If I'm in the UK then I'd make alternative arrangements myself while my camper was being repaired etc or I'd buy another one straight away if it was written off.

I agree, but is possible to get insulation for the barrel. The OP will find it almost impossible to get a MOHO under 3.5 t that can do the job he wants. A caravan will, many people full time in caravans. The Ideal would be a large, winterised MOHO, but that's not an option for the OP.

A hymer b544 would cover all his needs and available at 3500kg


Problem with caravans is you then need a campsite. With a motorhome even with the ever increasing restrictions you can still always find free spots . And if money is tight it helps . Friends of mine pay nearly £400 a month to stay on a very basic site ...basically a grass field with a toilet

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[Brains]

We actually have a holiday property and if they are any good and in a good location they actually get bookings most of the year round at least at weekends . Ours is still let at the moment Christmas/ New year is pretty much peak rate and we have enough weekends into the new year to make a long term rent pretty unnatractive. It's a time of year when a lot of owners do redocoration and maintenance ready for the next season we would lose the bookings we have and the heating as you say is included everyone knows the cost of heating if someone is living there is going to be way bigger than frost protection with an hour or twos boost every day to keep it aired.

We have a holiday property as well.
(2 bed, seaside terrace, no parking)
(We also run a number of conventional flats that are rented full time)
We have rented out the holiday cottage several times over the winter.

In round figures, to cover all the costs (Including depreciation, wear and tear, laundry, utilities,)
We have to charge £200 per week/£850 PCM just to cover the costs.
Which means if we change £1k PCM we it's worth opening the place up for a winter let.

As an FYI:
To rent a the same property long term property would be about £1,100 PCM, but of course that would not include utilities, laundry etc.
To rent high season would be about £3k PCM.

As a comparison for the OP
A campsite will be £20-30 per night with EHU, which is about £900 PCM.
Therefore a winter rental of a seaside cottage may actually be cheaper when you take other things into consideration.

 

[Puddleduck]

Woosty

Please don't take this the wrong way but if you have paid your dues into the system then you should see if you are entitled to any benefits and claim them. The benefits system is there for those who need it.

Citizens' Advice or a Local Authority benefits advisor would be a good place to start.

Even having your NI contribution paid for you will be beneficial in the long run.

 

[Lenny HB]

Woosty

Please don't take this the wrong way but if you have paid your dues into the system then you should see if you are entitled to any benefits and claim them. The benefits system is there for those who need it.

Citizens' Advice or a Local Authority benefits advisor would be a good place to start.

Even having your NI contribution paid for you will be beneficial in the long run.

Agree we have never claimed anything, my daughter who has just given up teaching due to stress levels and wants to do child minding.
It took 6 months to get a new DBS approved even though she has one for teaching. She has been waiting two or three months to get her house checked by the council and now has a date of Jan 3rd.
Luckily she was paid untill the end of the school term (end Aug).
She didn't want to claim but she can't start her business due to the slow coach beauricicy. Anyway she went down to the job centre and for a start she can get universal credit of £90 a week.

 

[pappajohn]

It was estimated a few years ago to maintain your normal lifestyle in a van you would need £15000 per year.
Insurance, road tax, fuel, gas, site fees, food Inc eating out, maintenance Inc unexpected costs.
It ain't cheap.

 

[MaidinDevon]

I have a Hymer B654 and i am living in it at the moment. Although i am more of a longtermer, as I have an address, and can stay there if the van needs work doing etc.
A previous owner downplated it to 3.5 ton and i can just about stay under that.
I have an electric bike and all my clothes etc.
The heating copes well with an external screen cover, but without it, will struggle at minus temperatures outside, to get above 15 degrees.
I am actually on a Caravan snd Camping club site, with hook up fir about £15 per night, but I do get the over 60's discount.
Plenty of space for one, with a fixed bed and a small garage underneath.
Mind you, I am heading South for the winter. I have full timed in the UK during the winter, but it can be tough with short, cold and wet days.
I would guesstimate that it costs about half as much as a rental property per month if you are on sites, including LPG and laundry etc. Much less in warmer weather, when the solar can keep the batteries charged up and you can get off grid.
And if you sell the van on, it's unlikely to have lost much value, as the worst of the depreciation will have already happened.
It can be a simpler life, with fewer stresses, and the housework is minimal! And so is the gardening!
Good luck.

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[Puddleduck]

As the OP has health issues what would happen about ongoing / routine medical stuff if you don't have a fixed address?

Probably I am worrying over nothing but better to be prepared for the worst than be dumped in it.

As the house was sold voluntarily I don't think there would be any way to register as homeless.

 

[pampam]

Ive had an arapaho, a lovely van to live in i would get your c1 if possible,ive also had a hymer caravan,very nice in winter it has an indoor water tank under the lounge bench seats,good luck with your adventure

 

[Guigsy]

I think it's going to be more sensible to get a C1 license. It opens up lots of options on lots more vans.

 

[Shrimp]

A single chap should be ok in a 3.5, 6 meter van, you just need to be selective in what you carry.
The older Hymers are good, drop down bed over the driving seats, plenty of lockers and if there is a bike rack on the back and you don’t need it put a box on it.

 

[Odd-no-more]

I think it's going to be more sensible to get a C1 license. It opens up lots of options on lots more vans.

Has anyone gone through getting a C1? I doubt it's simple, cheap or quick.

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[Puddleduck]

Has anyone gone through getting a C1? I doubt it's simple, cheap or quick.

About £1500 but worth doing the full C test rather than "just" C1.

Also opens up employment opportunities.

 

[Northernraider]

Has anyone gone through getting a C1? I doubt it's simple, cheap or quick.

A few friends have done it , cost between £1000 and £1500 to do c class , they did a block course which takes about 10-14 days between lessons, theory and practical test i believe

 

[Nanniemate]

Local training provider charges £450 just for using their vehicle and test.

It would be interesting to know if you can di the test in a MH

Theory multiple choice hazard perception and CPC in the region of £60

 

[Brains]

Local training provider charges £450 just for using their vehicle and test.

It would be interesting to know if you can di the test in a MH

Theory multiple choice hazard perception and CPC in the region of £60

Do you have contact details please.

This is less than half the cost we are currently paying to get Scout leaders their C1's.
(Happy to send them anywhere in the UK!)

 

[Brains]

It was estimated a few years ago to maintain your normal lifestyle in a van you would need £15000 per year.
Insurance, road tax, fuel, gas, site fees, food Inc eating out, maintenance Inc unexpected costs.
It ain't cheap.

£15k PA sounds about right as a minimum, but excludes depreciation of the value of the motorhome.

Which if (to make the maths easy) has a new replacement value of £100,000 and a 20 year life, means you need to be setting aside £5k a year (£100 a week) to buy the next one.

That does not really leave you enough out of your £15k PA to travel and live on.

I think a more realistic amount to live on as a (nearly) full timer in a motorhome would be about £25k PA.
which would give you £20k PA/£380 a week to spend on fuel, campsites, maintenance, food etc.

At £28 a night in a campsite, that is £200 a week. That is a big chunk out of your money,

I personally don't think it's reasonable to to stay anywhere public for more than a couple of nights for free.
(Old adage; Guests are like fish, they go off after a couple of days), but if you are constantly on the move that is not a problem, but then your fuel costs will be higher.

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[Northernraider]

£15k PA sounds about right as a minimum, but excludes depreciation of the value of the motorhome.

Which if (to make the maths easy) has a new replacement value of £100,000 and a 20 year life, means you need to be setting aside £5k a year (£100 a week) to buy the next one.

That does not really leave you enough out of your £15k PA to travel and live on.

I think a more realistic amount to live on as a (nearly) full timer in a motorhome would be about £25k PA.
which would give you £20k PA/£380 a week to spend on fuel, campsites, maintenance, food etc.

At £28 a night in a campsite, that is £200 a week. That is a big chunk out of your money,

I personally don't think it's reasonable to to stay anywhere public for more than a couple of nights for free.
(Old adage; Guests are like fish, they go off after a couple of days), but if you are constantly on the move that is not a problem, but then your fuel costs will be higher.

I average about £6-800 per month ,

 

[Nanniemate]

Do you have contact details please.

This is less than half the cost we are currently paying to get Scout leaders their C1's.
(Happy to send them anywhere in the UK!)

Sent you pm

 

[Brains]

I average about £6-800 per month ,

OK, that is £10k PA
But again that excludes the depreciation of the value of the motorhome.

I also presume you spend most of your time off campsites, as if you stayed on a campsites 52 weeks of the year that would be £10k on it's own.

(If I was full timing, I think I'd try and avoid camp sites for days at a time, but obviously that very much depends on where you are and the time of year)

 

[Northernraider]

OK, that is £10k PA
But again that excludes the depreciation of the value of the motorhome.

I also presume you spend most of your time off campsites, as if you stayed on a campsites 52 weeks of the year that would be £10k on it's own.

(If I was full timing, I think I'd try and avoid camp sites for days at a time, but obviously that very much depends on where you are and the time of year)

I don't think my motorhome is going to deprecate for a long time . In fact I think it would sell for more than it cost me


I never use campsites , if I had to do that it would defeat the purpose of me living in a van. I made every attempt to buy and make my van as self sufficient as possible.

I live within my means , probably a bit more cautious than I need to be but I try to future proof my lifestyle.

I think the key thing when you're fulltime is to remember you aren't on holiday , it's a lifestyle.

 

[Woosty]

Thank you all for being so helpful, you have given me a lot of very useful information and I have spent the last few days doing as much research as possible.

To try and answer some of your questions:
1. RE Health - it is mental health issues, I have suffered with anxiety for the last 11yrs or so. My son was ver ill for 10yrs and we pent a lot of that time in hospital, multiple surgeries and I lost count of how many times he nearly died from complications etc. - This essentially turned myself and my ex-wife into full time carers rather than partners as we had no time for any romance.
6 months after he was 'cured' (will has a stoma bag for life), I started getting anxious about stupid things like making the dinner or going to the shops and it gradually worsened to being severe. I had a very highly paid job at the time (I essentially work just like a GP but I am not a Dr - I'm a Physcian Associate) and was a partner in a GP practice. I have worked as a PA for over 20yrs. I would often work all day and then go straight to the childrens hospital and spend a night on a cot next to my son on an acute gastro surgical ward so sleeping much was out of the question with screaming children in pain, machines alarming and also trying to look after my son. I would then shower at the hospital and go straight back to work whilst my wife took our younger son to childcare and then she did the day shift. The stress was unbelievable but at the end of the day you have to do it as it is your child.

The recent episode was because I had sold my house in Oxford where I had moved after the divorce (moving away was a big mistake) and had bought a house back where I am from in the midlands and it was a 5min drive to my kids and the same to my elderly parents. Then I lost my job as the company I worked for went bust and thus lost my mortgage offer but still wanted to sell my house and get back up near the kids so I moved in with my mum (74) and father in law (84).

Mum then suddenly collapsed at 11:30 at night and I had to perform CPR etc but she died in front of me and by the time the ambulance got there it was too late. She had some conditions but nothing life threatening so it was unexpected. The next thing I remember is that I woke up in hospital 4 days later and I have no memory whatsoever of those days but have been told that I was not eating or drinking and only sleeping for maximum of an hour per day and eventually got to the point where I could not speak at all. I spent over 2 weeks in hospital with the worst mental health that I have ever experienced and I have lost a few days of memory there as well. Apparently I had a 'Psychotic break' (not the kind where you want to kill people lol'

My house in Oxford was sold and my sister and F-I-L had to sort that out, packing, moving etc etc as I was not in any fit state to do anything. When I was discharged, I wanted to move back into the home that I grew up in but my F-I-L would not have me as he said that he would be unable to cope with me if I was like that again so I was deemed as 'homeless'. I eventually persuaded them to discharge me by renting an AirBnb for a few weeks (where I still am) but the cost of this is unsustainable.

Unfortunately, I am not fit for work at the moment but have some money in the bank. I am looking at what benefits that I can claim but this seems so alien and wrong to me as I have always studied and worked hard to get my BSc and MSc and then in general practice for over 20yrs. I feel guilty that I should want to claim benefits but as lots of people have pointed out, I have paid in for 20yrs on the highest tax bracket so now that I need it, I should claim.

Please note that I am not asking for any sympathy, just putting you all in the picture as to where I am currently.

2. I am looking at living the a motorhome full time but not on a campsite unless I need to empty my toilet etc etc. Initially I would not be travelling a lot as I need to stay local to access the mental health services and be close to my youngest son. I would like to be off grid as much as possible.

3. Certainly getting a class C license would open up a lot of possibilities but it is the time factor. I am in the AirBnb until the 16th Dec, mums funeral is the 12th Dec so I have to deal with all of that as well

4. As I am single and have worked hard to save up for my house and now have the proceeds, I cannot live off those forever as I will end up not having enough deposit to buy again when I am back working. I have decided that I cannot go back to being frontline as I gave everything to my patients at the expense of my mental health and now I need to get better. I loved my job but it took everything out of me. GP land sounds/looks easy but it really isn't - going every 10mins from 'congratulations your are pregnant after years of trying' to 'I'm afraid its terminal' to 'no you didn't need to come and see urgently me because you woke up with a sore throat 2hrs ago and havn't taken anything for it' to seeing a lovely newborn baby, then to a mental health crisis, then to admit a child urgently as they are septic etc etc all day every days takes a huge toll on your mental health and you cannot help but take some of it home with you, especially the paediatric cases
I will need to work as I am only 45 but have no idea what to do at the moment and cannot even begin to think about it tbh.

5. I would intend to travel, my hobbies are walking, fishing, reading a lot, restoring antiques and my favourite is playing airsoft if people know what that is as I spend the whole day with my son having fun and getting lots of exercise which means I lose weight.
I love the North York Moors and Scotland (Aviemore) and have always wanted to walk for the day, stay in a Bothy overnight and then walk to the next one and so on - I have a great book to plan this. I think that I need some time alone in the countryside to just walk and think about lots of things to decide on what I want for the rest of my life. I would also like an electric bike so that I can nip to the shops etc etc.

6. I definitely do not want a towing or static caravan, I want to be free.

7. My max budget is £30k but I would rather spend £25k so that I can personalise the motorhome, have Elon musks' satellite wifi, get a decent electric bike, security system/CCTV and any extras that I find to make the van more habitable long term - The Urban motorhome has made for very interesting watching so thanks for recommending him.

I have found a few motorhomes that I like the look of and this is currently my favourite:

Auto Trader Motorhomes - New and Used Motorhomes For Sale

Find your next motorhome with Auto Trader UK, the official #1 site to buy and sell new and used motorhomes. Over 7,000 motorhomes online. Simple, easy, quick!

www.autotrader.co.uk

Are there any particular things that I need to watch out for on the Fiat 2.8D engine, high mileage etc etc? I assume they must be quite good as it seems most motorhomes seem to be based on them.

I have relatives in France and speak French as well as friends in Europe and Portugal so would hopefully travel a lot as things improve but all depends on if I can find a job that I can do remotely.

Apologies for the long post but as you have all been so helpful I thought it would paint the picture of where I currently am and my mindset at the moment.

Any helpful comments would be most welcome, you seem like a lovely group of people with a lot of experience and as a potential newbie I value your opinions.

Thank you all,

Chris

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[Odd-no-more]

Have you looked at Jim 's motorhome buyers guide? it's in the resources section and it's free at the moment. Also be very careful buying from Auto trader and eBay, there are many genuine ads but also many scammers. Don't part with any cash until you have checked the Moho over, and have the V5 any other documents.