Looking for a MH for 1yr+

[RichE1178]

Hi all. I've just joined and really excited about changing our lifestyle - my wife and I are selling up and hoping to live in a MH with our (nearly) 2 year old son. We've been doing some research and think we'll have a budget for a van of about 30-45K. So far we really like the Burstner Argos - we love the fact you have a door to shut off the cab and a cosy over cab bed, big bed at the end and storage. I've been trying to google for this model and looking for alternatives in the budget - a 2007/8 model seems about right. But then there don't seem to be any between then and 2016 (which is over budget,) - did they make them from 2010-2015?

So, my question is, is there a good way to source a MH? Is there a wanted page?

Also, does anyone have any suggestions on alternatives - so far I've found Dethleff advantage but not much else.

Anyway, any advice would be gratefully received and apologies if questions like this get asked all the time!

Thanks

 

[Eddystone]

There 's a shortage of MH' s at the moment due to staycation.
Most new comers want what you want.

 

[RichE1178]

Still, it's definitely something we want to do. We currently own a B&B and we never get to see any of the summer, or the lovely countryside around us. And we've been incredibly busy thanks to staycationers - if only they wouldn't buy up all the MHs!

 

[AndyPK]

Keep an eye on the ‘Classifieds’ tab at the top of the page……or even put a ‘Wanted’ ad in yourself…..?

 

[Swifter]

Hello and welcome . It’s difficult really to settle on one make and model because of the shortage of stock at the moment . Good luck .
Do you have the C1 entitlement on your driving licence ?

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[Figaro]

 

[RichE1178]

Hello and welcome . It’s difficult really to settle on one make and model because of the shortage of stock at the moment . Good luck .
Do you have the C1 entitlement on your driving licence ?

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Yes, I have but my wife hasn't. So should be fine for a tag/twin axle - if we decide to do more than a year, she'll probably take her test.

 

[RichE1178]

ps, thanks for the link. I saw this one and it looks good, but my only concern was that it's LHD

 

[Swifter]

ps, thanks for the link. I saw this one and it looks good, but my only concern was that it's LHD

Right hand drive one here but only 4 belted seats .
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[RichE1178]

Right hand drive one here but only 4 belted seats .
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Saw this too - it's definitely on our list of possibles!

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[Itsmcb]

If you don't mind the previous model they also made a 708. Euramobil make very similar tag axle van too.
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[peterc10]

If you become full timers the insurance premium will rocket. There is only one option on the market

 

[RichE1178]

If you become full timers the insurance premium will rocket. There is only one option on the market

ok, thanks good to know. Who is the one option, or is that not allowed on the threads?

 

[Swifter]

Not sure if you answered already . Do you have a C1 on your licence ?

 

[peterc10]

ok, thanks good to know. Who is the one option, or is that not allowed on the threads?

Comfort, who are specialist motorhome brokers. You need to tell them you will be full timing.

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[RichE1178]

Not sure if you answered already . Do you have a C1 on your licence ?

Yep, I do. My wife doesn't at the moment - but she'll look at getting it.

 

[RichE1178]

Comfort, who are specialist motorhome brokers. You need to tell them you will be full timing.

Great, thanks.

 

[pappajohn]

As you have a C1 on your licence consider a look at American RVs... You can go up to 7500kg.
An average length is 30ft but don't let that put you off... You can go anywhere a dustbin wagon goes
Far more room than any European van.
Downside is fuel consumption but if you intend staying in one place for a while that won't really have an impact.

 

[Eggs]

As you have a C1 on your licence consider a look at American RVs... You can go up to 7500kg.
An average length is 30ft but don't let that put you off... You can go anywhere a dustbin wagon goes
Far more room than any European van.
Downside is fuel consumption but if you intend staying in one place for a while that won't really have an impact.

The OP says he's been put off a van due to it being LHD.

 

[RichE1178]

As you have a C1 on your licence consider a look at American RVs... You can go up to 7500kg.
An average length is 30ft but don't let that put you off... You can go anywhere a dustbin wagon goes
Far more room than any European van.
Downside is fuel consumption but if you intend staying in one place for a while that won't really have an impact.

Yes, we considered them, but not convinced - especially as I assume they're mostly lhd. I don't think we'd want anything bigger than a twin axle really.

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[RichE1178]

The OP says he's been put off a van due to it being LHD.

Yep, I think I want to stick with rhd really. There would need to be a good reason to go for lhd to persuade me!

 

[Dutch 68]

ps, thanks for the link. I saw this one and it looks good, but my only concern was that it's LHD

Lhd very good if spending majority of time in mainland Europe ?

 

[Badknee]

Lhd very good if spending majority of time in mainland Europe ?

Yes much easier over there.

 

[Wack]

You'd think having the steering wheel on the wrong side would be a pain and 50 years ago it was but more motorways, dual carriageways and the depressing fact that overtaking is becoming a lost art on A roads means it's not the problem it used to be.

If I saw a mint LHD van going cheap because it was LHD I'd jump at it

 

[RichE1178]

Lhd very good if spending majority of time in mainland Europe ?

No, planning on staying in the UK really

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[RichE1178]

You'd think having the steering wheel on the wrong side would be a pain and 50 years ago it was but more motorways, dual carriageways and the depressing fact that overtaking is becoming a lost art on A roads means it's not the problem it used to be.

If I saw a mint LHD van going cheap because it was LHD I'd jump at it

I see what you're saying, but it'd take a bit of getting used to driving a long 8m+ vehicle, I'm not surf throwing in lhd would be sensible!

 

[Podney]

Having a lhd in uk is not difficult,you don’t do much overtaking on A roads,duals are a doddle obviously. If I saw one I liked I would buy it. You will soon want to go abroad.

 

[Wack]

I see what you're saying, but it'd take a bit of getting used to driving a long 8m+ vehicle, I'm not surf throwing in lhd would be sensible!

If you see one you like go and drive it , then you'll know for sure if it's for you or not

 

[RubyOptics]

Those vans are certainly big old beasts!! A bit too big for me personally but I can certainly see why they appeal to you with what you want to do! A couple of things to think about if I may? How are you planning on using the van? Will you be touring around a lot and staying off of campsites? Touring but staying on sites? Staying on sites and not moving that often?

We've just sold our own Burstner (a bit older and certainly a bit smaller, but some things should be very similar). From our experience, the build quality on the older Burstner vans is really very good. The lockers and cabinets should have a good "weighty" feel to them which is very difficult (and expensive!) to get on a more modern van. Check carefully the wood where the shower tray meets the wooden sill as this can start to get wet and split. If you get one with Truma rather than Alde heating (blown hot air rather than liquid central heating) I would recommend fitting some small mesh over the vent holes before you have toy cars or similar being shoved down the air outlets!
The water pump in ours was pretty feeble which meant the shower wasn't great. We bought a Reich replacement for about 35 pounds (I think) with a higher flow rate and pressure and it made a world of difference. You might want to look at changing the side fitted table to a moveable one on a central leg as this might give you a bit more seating flexibility with your young son.

 

[RichE1178]

Those vans are certainly big old beasts!! A bit too big for me personally but I can certainly see why they appeal to you with what you want to do! A couple of things to think about if I may? How are you planning on using the van? Will you be touring around a lot and staying off of campsites? Touring but staying on sites? Staying on sites and not moving that often?

We've just sold our own Burstner (a bit older and certainly a bit smaller, but some things should be very similar). From our experience, the build quality on the older Burstner vans is really very good. The lockers and cabinets should have a good "weighty" feel to them which is very difficult (and expensive!) to get on a more modern van. Check carefully the wood where the shower tray meets the wooden sill as this can start to get wet and split. If you get one with Truma rather than Alde heating (blown hot air rather than liquid central heating) I would recommend fitting some small mesh over the vent holes before you have toy cars or similar being shoved down the air outlets!
The water pump in ours was pretty feeble which meant the shower wasn't great. We bought a Reich replacement for about 35 pounds (I think) with a higher flow rate and pressure and it made a world of difference. You might want to look at changing the side fitted table to a moveable one on a central leg as this might give you a bit more seating flexibility with your young son.

Thanks for all of that. We're planning on moving around a bit mostly in South West and some south east UK, with longer jaunts elsewhere in the UK for 'holidays,' We're open to some wild camping, some on sites

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