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Innkeeper

Innkeeper

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Hi All
Well were going to start looking at vans. But the problem is we dont know what we want LOL.
So as a first step we have booked 2 days at a MotorHome show at the NEC in Oct. The thinking behind this is to see hopefully all shapes and sizes of vans.
We wont be buying a new one dont think we could run to the cost. But we may get Ideas what we want and how different vans are planned out.
So any tricks of the trade for looking round such a show or even just helpful hint on planning to buy and then buying our first van.
 
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Hello and welcome!
That’s a great idea and there will be lots of lovely new shiney vans . But trying out layouts beds bathrooms and kitchens is a great idea.
Many of the rally’s offer second hand vans and dealers sell them so have a look round !
Good luck!!
 
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Good luck. Its good fun buying your first van. You might not get it right even though you've done all the research you could possibly do but its still worth doing. Opens up a whole new world. Ask anything you like on here - there's always someone with exprience and advice to give.
 
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We've had four different (totally) vans since 1994. All of them were right at the time. Our latest van is right for us at the moment (cos I don't have to get up during the night!) but our next van may be totally different.

Think about what you really have to have and take it from there.

Good luck and look forward to reading about your acquisition

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First need to decide what type of motorhoming you're going to do - short trips in UK, touring Europe, 3 month winter away? Then you will start to get some idea of what you need in respect of layout, lounge space, storage etc.

When you do get to look at different layouts forget the shiny accessories - imagine yourselves actually living in it, try the beds, the seating arrangement, how will you use the cooking facilities, is the loo/shower to your needs. Keep notes of every one you look at, especially what you like and what you don't.

After the show make a master "must have/would like/don't want" list and apply your findings to it. Then start visiting dealers to see what's actually on the market, as many as you can and covering different makes too.

Decide on your budget and don't be afraid of going for an older van if it suits you, the depreciation is far less and if you have got it wrong you won't lose much. Plus you're likely to get some nice extras on a pre-loved unit.

That's how we did it, more or less, including hiring a couple of times to confirm. So far we've had our first van over 9 years!
 
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We too are new and we'll be at the NEC on 15th October.
We looked at a used 2- berth last week when we decided to go for a motorhome rather than a caravan. MHs don't tend to snake when driving.
We then decided to have one with a fixed bed so that you could go for a snooze any time without having to convert the diner table and seats into the bed then back again, to eat.
We also decided we wanted a separate shower rather than a wet room.
This therefore meant looking at a rig way above our budget and we were about to abandon the whole idea.
I then found this site and forum last Sunday and was browsing the classifieds here and we saw a fixed bed separate shower MH that was at the maximum of our budget. I went to see it the following day and collected it yesterday.
Now we have to figure out how it all works, where the water tank for the boiler for hot water is, how and when to drain it, how the various alarms and other systems work, and so on.
So we are right at the deep end hence my many stupid ( to some) questions on running a motorhome.
All so easy when you know how, and frustrating when you don't.
There are, I'm learning, many experienced and helpful members here with vast experience.
Our MH is 16 years old with 60k miles on the clock. And it's exactly what we want :) There's lots of help and good advice here on the Forum
 
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After layout the next most important consideration is payload. Many vans are almost impossible to use legally for more than a few days because they have so little.

But it will depend on what licence you have. If you have a C1 then you can drive motorhomes over 3500kg MGW, which means you have lots of choices. If not you are limited to vehicles under 3500kg, which means you will need to choose carefully
 
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Glad you found what you were looking for Kerry!

I'm sure after a trip or two you'll work out how to use your motorhome. There's masses of info available online as I'm sure you know.

Where are you going for your first trip?
 
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@Southdowners

Nowhere yet, until we find out how to do basic admin i.e locate the other water tank that feeds the boiler, drain it et seq, how to turn the gas off safely - all routine things that are a doddle for experienced MH owners.

Once we crack that, then find out where I can get reversing sensors installed here in South Devon, then go somewhere for a weekend either Ilfracombe or similar - before they all shut down in 4 or so weeks.

No pressure..... :)

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First thing to do is remember where the light switches are, so when you wake up in the pitch black you don't think about it for the first time!!
 
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Kerry9 said:
@Southdowners

Nowhere yet, until we find out how to do basic admin i.e locate the other water tank that feeds the boiler, drain it et seq, how to turn the gas off safely - all routine things that are a doddle for experienced MH owners.

Once we crack that, then find out where I can get reversing sensors installed here in South Devon, then go somewhere for a weekend either Ilfracombe or similar - before they all shut down in 4 or so weeks.

No pressure..... :)
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Not sure what you mean by "other" water tank. The boiler is fed by the fresh water tank (normally only one). The boiler itself usually includes a tank that holds the water (10 litres or so) that is being heated up and keeps it warm. Most boilers are fitted with remote drain cocks to drain the boiler when not in use in cold weather. Most work automatically, in that they open when the temperature drops to a preset level, but some do not.

If you tell us what motorhome and boiler you have somebody on here should be able to advise you of the likely position of the drain cock and what type it is. Or better still why not PM the Funster you bought it from (I assume you bought it off this forum) and ask them.
 
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@peterc10

Thanks for your helpful reply. I don't want to keep bothering the Funster I bought it from . - he's a busy chap and I really should be figuring all this out myself, with the notes he provided.

The motorhome is a 2002 reg'd Rimor Sailer 645TC.

There is a large tank under one of the dinette seats, and a small oval boiler tank at the rear right of the garage which looks to be a sealed unit from first and undetailed look. I will look underneath for this remote drain cock.
 
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Kerry9 said:
@peterc10

Thanks for your helpful reply. I don't want to keep bothering the Funster I bought it from . - he's a busy chap and I really should be figuring all this out myself, with the notes he provided.

The motorhome is a 2002 reg'd Rimor Sailer 645TC.

There is a large tank under one of the dinette seats, and a small oval boiler tank at the rear right of the garage which looks to be a sealed unit from first and undetailed look. I will look underneath for this remote drain cock.
Click to expand...
Best bet is to take a photo of the boiler and its controls as a starter and post it here. May be better to start a new post in the mechanical and technical section of the forum with a suitable header, that way more people will spot it. Somebody on here should be able to recognise it and tell you what the drain cock should look like. It will usually be inside the motorhome somewhere and drain via a short pipe through the floor.
 
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The best advise I could give is to hire a MoHo first, we hired what we thought was right for us but it wasn't so we hired another and then went out and looked for the layout we then knew we wanted. It could have been an expensive mistake but we have now got and enjoyed our first year in a MoHo that's right for us.

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@peterc10

many thanks - really helpful advice - i will do as you advise and start a new thread in the mechanical and technical section.
 
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One very important thing! Make sure you can walk into the bog turn around and sit down without bashing yourself on the door or walls, as very often toilets are very cramped.(y)
 
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thanks for all the Ideas When we get round to getting one it will be more long breaks rather than week ends away. Like the idea of hiring one. If for no other reason see what there like to use in the winter. Even if we just parked it in the carpark for the weekend LOL.
But will search through posts on here and look forward to our 2 days at the show
 
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