Getting our money's worth

[SM2025]

Hi guys,

Loving this forum and the downloadable Buyer's Guide which I've been reading. Super informative.
My question is, we have a budget in mind (30-35k) and was wondering about getting our money's worth. What should we be looking for as added extras instead of having to buy new one's.
We plan on living in our motorhome for 6+ months so any tips would be really appreciated

 

[Barriesimpson]

It's a tough one that. We started on a budget, bought what we thought we needed (new) and then joined this forum. Since then we have spent another 10k on additions and it's not over yet. So study a lot before committing, but be prepared to spend more once you have it.

 

[Jev88]

Popular upgrades in no particular order.


Solar.
Lithium leisure batteries.
B2B & shunt To recharge it fast and monitor.
Refillable gas option (no need to have different bottle for different countries)
MIFI.
Inverter for microwave/cookers etc...
SatNav with dimensions (eg Garmin Camper).
Diesel heater to replace air blown heating.
Air suspension - better ride.
Levelling jacks - get level on a slope.

The last two are £1000+ to get afterwards so a bonus if already added.


I always say keep 15% of budget to one side for running repairs and fixes.

 

[SM2025]

It's a tough one that. We started on a budget, bought what we thought we needed (new) and then joined this forum. Since then we have spent another 10k on additions and it's not over yet. So study a lot before committing, but be prepared to spend more once you have it.

This is our 1st so trying to take on as much advice as possible Barrie.

 

[SM2025]

Popular upgrades in no particular order.


Solar.
Lithium leisure batteries.
B2B & shunt To recharge it fast and monitor.
Refillable gas option (no need to have different bottle for different countries)
MIFI.
Inverter for microwave/cookers etc...
SatNav with dimensions (eg Garmin Camper).
Diesel heater to replace air blown heating.
Air suspension - better ride.
Levelling jacks - get level on a slope.

The last two are £1000+ to get afterwards so a bonus if already added.


I always say keep 15% of budget to one side for running repairs and fixes.

Brilliant list. Thanks so much. It's our 1st buy so this is great advice. Thanks so much

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[Puddleduck]

Also if possible make sure it has a great alarm system fitted. VanBitz Growler and Strikeback come highly recommended.

edit: You will also need smoke and CO detectors but they are not expensive to buy. We also had a couple of fire extinguishers.

 

[Lenny HB]

Probably Solar and refillable gas are amongst the best options, but probably better to buy the van that suits you best and keep a couple of grand to fit the options that you find you need.

 

[Lazyboy]

If you can get a “ double floor”. This will give you storage and water tanks protected. If living in it for that long 3,500 gvw probably not enough. Have you got a C1 licence to go over 3,500 kgs gvw? If you buy from a dealer try to negotiate some added value like lithium and refillable gas. That gives you a start and other “stuff” can be added as you learn to live with it and understand what your requirements may be. BUT TRY AND GET THE RIGHT LAYOUT AT THE BEGINNING.

 

[mikebeaches]

Adding to the items already listed, and if not a standard fitment, a reversing camera is very useful.

 

[TheMobileWanderer]

Hi guys,

Loving this forum and the downloadable Beginners Guide which I've been reading. Super informative.
My question is, we have a budget in mind (30-35k) and was wondering about getting our money's worth. What should we be looking for as added extras instead of having to buy new one's.
We plan on living in our motorhome for 6+ months so any tips would be really appreciated

I would suggest renting several MHs each with different layout, so you may get a better understanding of which works for you. My signature may help you format your specification list.
Hth

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[Jon Stewart]

Also if possible make sure it has a great alarm system fitted. VanBitz Growler and Strikeback come highly recommended.

edit: You will also need smoke and CO detectors but they are not expensive to buy. We also had a couple of fire extinguishers.

Plus fire blanket.

We keep ours in the hab door pocket, so quickly accessible from inside and out.

 

[Jon Stewart]

If you can get a “ double floor”. This will give you storage and water tanks protected. If living in it for that long 3,500 gvw probably not enough. Have you got a C1 licence to go over 3,500 kgs gvw? If you buy from a dealer try to negotiate some added value like lithium and refillable gas. That gives you a start and other “stuff” can be added as you learn to live with it and understand what your requirements may be. BUT TRY AND GET THE RIGHT LAYOUT AT THE BEGINNING.

Couldn't agree more. If you are going to be using it outside the warmer part of the year, double floor 'winterised' is the way to go.

By default, you'd also prefer an Alde wet heating system (convected air from radiators and pipework, runs off gas or electric hookup, even better if you have the heat exchanger installed so it heats from the engine coolant as you drive), to a blown air system. Better for dust allergies as well!

(Sentence structure 2/10)

Layout is really important. I could not live with having to make my bed up every night (ex caravanner). A great layout is a fixed German or island bed over a garage.

The 'German Bed type' is like two singles, but joined in the middle to half way down, which usually has a slide out and infill mattress to make more or less a full double. IKEA is your friend!

Originally wanted an island bed. Now prefer the German arrangement.

Quick mention about age.

Don't be put off by age. Build quality may have been a lot better! Check everything!

What you should be really careful about is motorhomes that are, say, 10 years old but only, say, 25000 miles on them.

2500 miles a year? That thing has sat around most of the year doing nothing.

I was delighted ours had averaged about 8500 miles a year. At least I could be confident the fluids had been moved about more than once a year!

It's probably worth while not rushing. Your best buy might take a long time to turn up.

We bought this older Carthago Chic S-Plus (it's a German import, hence the Highline name) for only a little more than the top end of your budget a few months ago. Haven't seen one in this price range since! It's on an Iveco daily with rear wheel drive (another point to consider) & double rear wheels. Huge payload! Well maintained, and beautifully made! Not everybody's cup of tea though!

Hope this helps and encourages you!

 

[Jev88]

Someone should compile this list after a few more pages. Useful for beginners and I forgot reverse camera in my starter list .....

 

[rolosroller]

Internal blinds

Not upgrades but
Has the Cam belt Been Done
Full Service
Damp
Oh and a couple of cases of wine

 

[SM2025]

Also if possible make sure it has a great alarm system fitted. VanBitz Growler and Strikeback come highly recommended.

edit: You will also need smoke and CO detectors but they are not expensive to buy. We also had a couple of fire extinguishers.

Brilliant, thanks for the recommendations

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[SM2025]

Probably Solar and refillable gas are amongst the best options, but probably better to buy the van that suits you best and keep a couple of grand to fit the options that you find you need.

Brilliant. Thanks Lenny

 

[SM2025]

Couldn't agree more. If you are going to be using it outside the warmer part of the year, double floor 'winterised' is the way to go.

By default, you'd also prefer an Alde wet heating system (convected air from radiators and pipework, runs off gas or electric hookup, even better if you have the heat exchanger installed so it heats from the engine coolant as you drive), to a blown air system. Better for dust allergies as well!

(Sentence structure 2/10)

Layout is really important. I could not live with having to make my bed up every night (ex caravanner). A great layout is a fixed German or island bed over a garage.

The 'German Bed type' is like two singles, but joined in the middle to half way down, which usually has a slide out and infill mattress to make more or less a full double. IKEA is your friend!

Originally wanted an island bed. Now prefer the German arrangement.

Quick mention about age.

Don't be put off by age. Build quality may have been a lot better! Check everything!

What you should be really careful about is motorhomes that are, say, 10 years old but only, say, 25000 miles on them.

2500 miles a year? That thing has sat around most of the year doing nothing.

I was delighted ours had averaged about 8500 miles a year. At least I could be confident the fluids had been moved about more than once a year!

It's probably worth while not rushing. Your best buy might take a long time to turn up.

We bought this older Carthago Chic S-Plus (it's a German import, hence the Highline name) for only a little more than the top end of your budget a few months ago. Haven't seen one in this price range since! It's on an Iveco daily with rear wheel drive (another point to consider) & double rear wheels. Huge payload! Well maintained, and beautifully made! Not everybody's cup of tea though!

View attachment 1032658

Hope this helps and encourages you!

So many great tips and advice Jon. Your MH looks amazing. We'll definitely be keeping our eyes peeled for the right one. So many variations. Its going to be a tough one e

 

[Cal54]

For what it’s worth in my opinion I would concentrate on getting the layout that is right for you. I agree solar and a decent leisure battery are essential, but if you end up changing the van because the layout doesn’t suit then it hadn’t mattered! I know this because I’ve had 7!!
VW LT35 converted ambulance
2 x Hymer coachbuilt
1 Autotrail coachbuilt
1 Compass coachbuilt (petrol/lpg)
3 x pvc’s

 

[nicholsong]

Hi guys,

Loving this forum and the downloadable Beginners Guide which I've been reading. Super informative.
My question is, we have a budget in mind (30-35k) and was wondering about getting our money's worth. What should we be looking for as added extras instead of having to buy new one's.
We plan on living in our motorhome for 6+ months so any tips would be really appreciated

I have just read through the suggestions on here and one thing that struck me is that some are good for one type of motorhoming and some for another: difference between mostly going on campsites or wanting to park independently, known as wildcamping.

The point being that if you are not going on campsites, where electricity is available, you do not need anything to do with 230v, but you may need more independence for generating charging ability for your 12v batteries.

There are other differences too, so I suggest you try to decide what type of touring you want to do and pick from the suggestions accordingly, because otherwise you may be adding equipment that you do not need.

As far as the type of MH you should buy, I am one to suggest looking for older ones from the high-end manufacturers as they have depreciated a lot but will still go on for years - Lon Stewart's post #12 is an example. Our N&B Arto is another example - 23 years old and still working well for us after 14 year's ownership. With these machines, as long as you get the layout that suits you you are likely to keep it for many years so have value for money, There are a lot of owners on here with this view, just watch people's avatars where they show their MHs.

 

[Puddleduck]

External thermal blinds are great if you are parked where you won't need a quick departure. Not so good if you are parked up in what turns out to be a dodgy place and you need to leave.

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[MisterB]

Concentrate on the layout. The rest are toys that can be added. If the layout isn't right then you will find yourself looking for a different motorhome very soon after you've spent some time in it!

You're budget isn't very high (without being rude, BUT we started with even less and gradually moved up), so try to find well looked after and long term owned motorhomes.

One area you need to strongly consider is how you're going to use it and what are you going to use in it. Are you trying to be off grid, which really just means no EHU available, or always plugged into an electric supply and how are you going to cook and keep food cool. Refillable gas cylinders will work out cheaper in the long run than replacement gas cylinders. A large lithium battery with some way to replenish it is a good long term investment, solar alone might not be the answer, so consider a charger that will work when driving that is far in excess of the inbuilt one that motorhomes have, often called B2B or DC- DC charger.

If you change vans, the lithium, solar, B2B and refillables can always be taken with you BUT you must keep you original 'stuff' to put back in.


SM2025 If I were you I would be contacting dawsey immediately to buy the motorhome he lived in for a couple of years, she's not pretty - the motorhome - but it functions as it should !!
Get your deposit down fast, it won't be around long and you will miss out ...

 

[PlacidoD]

A couple of other things not mentioned so far:
A decent garage is likely to be a high priority
An included spare wheel is useful (It tends to indicate a prudent previous owner as well as saving you pfaff sorting one!)
Be aware of the restrictions of not having Euro 6 (You will struggle on your budget to get a Euro 6 unless you go for something basic and very high mileage and add to it as you go along).
Above all take your time. It is a buyer's market.
Ironically you are well positioned to buy privately given no trade in but lack the experience to have confidence in taking that route!!

 

[starquake]

I'd also say something that may be controversial -> some of us may prefer the Truma blown air to the alde system (radiators) as the Truma air systems heat up a bit quicker, making a weekend type van for trips away able to be kept warm at all times, ie, you can turn up and have a warm van in around 10 mins, versus sometimes hours in Alde. Alde can be configured to warm on the van's own water system when driving on some more expensive vans too.

Truma also offer diesel systems now that have much same footprint as their gas blown air, allowing a easy(ier) swap to use.

I would check both and the decision on which will be better for you will depend on if you have a allergy to dust (as truma, being blown air system is worse if you have an allergy to dust for sure). However, if you plan lots of time off grid, or in winter, it's worth noting most diesel heatrers are blown air types anyhow (and you'd want this for long winter trips potentially or permananent off gridding).

Welcome to the forum, and it's worth noting many of us use our van's year round. Winter motorhoming is something we didn't think we'd like, but has become rapidly our favourite period of year (it's lovely waking up and going out onto the winter dew). There is a more limited choice on sites open though if you not wild camping.

 

[SM2025]

Someone should compile this list after a few more pages. Useful for beginners and I forgot reverse camera in my starter list .....

That would be a great idea. A list of products etc would be great and save having to scroll through messages

 

[Orion]

I'd also say something that may be controversial -> some of us may prefer the Truma blown air to the alde system (radiators) as the Truma air systems heat up a bit quicker, making a weekend type van for trips away able to be kept warm at all times, ie, you can turn up and have a warm van in around 10 mins, versus sometimes hours in Alde. Alde can be configured to warm on the van's own water system when driving on some more expensive vans too.

Truma also offer diesel systems now that have much same footprint as their gas blown air, allowing a easy(ier) swap to use.

I would check both and the decision on which will be better for you will depend on if you have a allergy to dust (as truma, being blown air system is worse if you have an allergy to dust for sure). However, if you plan lots of time off grid, or in winter, it's worth noting most diesel heatrers are blown air types anyhow (and you'd want this for long winter trips potentially or permananent off gridding).

Welcome to the forum, and it's worth noting many of us use our van's year round. Winter motorhoming is something we didn't think we'd like, but has become rapidly our favourite period of year (it's lovely waking up and going out onto the winter dew). There is a more limited choice on sites open though if you not wild camping.

There’s also the ability to run the blown air in ‘Ventilation’ mode to circulate cold air. We found it very useful in conjunction with the roof mounted Truma Aventa aircon unit, again running in ‘Ventilation’ mode only at high level not full A/C, and it was more than adequate to keep the van cool in all but the most stifling heat in Greece.

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[nicholsong]

Someone should compile this list after a few more pages. Useful for beginners and I forgot reverse camera in my starter list .....

Maybe two lists, splitting between those who will use EHU and those who will not do so?

 

[SM2025]

Concentrate on the layout. The rest are toys that can be added. If the layout isn't right then you will find yourself looking for a different motorhome very soon after you've spent some time in it!

You're budget isn't very high (without being rude, BUT we started with even less and gradually moved up), so try to find well looked after and long term owned motorhomes.

One area you need to strongly consider is how you're going to use it and what are you going to use in it. Are you trying to be off grid, which really just means no EHU available, or always plugged into an electric supply and how are you going to cook and keep food cool. Refillable gas cylinders will work out cheaper in the long run than replacement gas cylinders. A large lithium battery with some way to replenish it is a good long term investment, solar alone might not be the answer, so consider a charger that will work when driving that is far in excess of the inbuilt one that motorhomes have, often called B2B or DC- DC charger.

If you change vans, the lithium, solar, B2B and refillables can always be taken with you BUT you must keep you original 'stuff' to put back in.


SM2025 If I were you I would be contacting dawsey immediately to buy the motorhome he lived in for a couple of years, she's not pretty - the motorhome - but it functions as it should !!
Get your deposit down fast, it won't be around long and you will miss out ...

Shame as we're looking for a 4 berth

 

[PlacidoD]

Hi guys,

Loving this forum and the downloadable Beginners Guide which I've been reading. Super informative.
My question is, we have a budget in mind (30-35k) and was wondering about getting our money's worth. What should we be looking for as added extras instead of having to buy new one's.
We plan on living in our motorhome for 6+ months so any tips would be really appreciated

Not sure whether this might suit your needs. It seems very good value
P.S. I know nothing about the marque:

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

 

[Paddlers]

We went to view lots at well stocked dealers premises before buying . Layout of the living area and a big garage were our priorities as we're living in it full time plus an extra seatbelt in the rear minimum for the occasional venture with our adult daughter.
After purchase we added Gaslow refillable system , towbar (we have a small boat on trailer) , Avtex WiFi & new TV, rear air assist to upgrade payload (easier than a diet) . Along with that all the little extras like reclining chairs, E-bike and multiple things like memory foam mattress topper , kettle , gas BBQ .
It all adds up but spending the kids inheritance is an added pleasure.
Good luck with your search and adventures, we're loving ours.

 

[MisterB]

Shame as we're looking for a 4 berth

You might want to consider looking at the Uber Leisure listings on eBay. They buy and then sell part ex motorhomes etc. Spend a few hours there going over everything though as it's a no return type of sale. We've bought two very decent motorhomes from them in the past. Your budget should get a very well priced and good condition from them. Stick changes on a weekly and often daily basis, so if you see a decent one, so will lots of other buyers