Looking to rent a motorhome
- Thread starter zaftab
- Start date
Mikey RV
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First, do you have the right licence.
How many will be travelling in it.
Will you need campsite
Where do you want to go.
How many will be travelling in it.
Will you need campsite
Where do you want to go.
Swift Go have a few depots around the country.
OP
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zaftab
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- Dec 4, 2024
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Thanks. I have a UK license. Would be a family of 5 people. Yes looking for recommendation with RV campsites. Anywhere in UK that is highly recommended
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MisterB
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The reference to the right licence was in regards to driving a vehicle of a certain weight, not whether you had a UK licence.
Motorhomes are either up to 3500kg or over 3500kg and licences are different for each. You will need a licence that has the C1 category to drive a motorhome over 3500kg.
Hi welcome, are you looking for a single site for the whole week are to travel around for the week?
You have not mentioned an area that you would like to visit.
Are you uk based.
You have not mentioned an area that you would like to visit.
Are you uk based.
If in North Devon I recommend;
Hidden Valley campsite, between Braunton and Ilfracombe;
www.hiddenvalleypark.com
It used to be and may still be the only full time campsite in North Devon.
Of course there is Jim's place over in the East.
Hidden Valley campsite, between Braunton and Ilfracombe;
Hidden Valley Holiday Park Devon | Hidden Valley Park
Award Winning Campsite & Touring Caravan Park in Devon. Set amongst the rolling hills of North Devon and open all year, whether you are looking for a campsite to pitch your tent or touring caravan spaces, Hidden Valley provides it all.
www.hiddenvalleypark.com
It used to be and may still be the only full time campsite in North Devon.
Of course there is Jim's place over in the East.
Hi
For a family of 5 you will need a motorhome with 5 seat belts and berths to suit. These are usually over 3500kg and as stated you would require a C1 entitlement on your licence to legally drive it.
At the end of December it will be Cold and wet so you will require all the winter clothes etc for 5 people plus associated clothing and towelling etc. All this for 5 people is heavy and bulky.
You will also need a van that has adequate heating facilities and is big enough to sit 5 people comfortably.
Best of luck with your search.
OP
OP
zaftab
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- Dec 4, 2024
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So I looked at a few vehicles and looks like we have to select a campsite first and then rent the Motorhome from a close by location. Any recommendations for a family friendly RV campsite would be appreciated. Thanks!
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I can't recommend who to use, only who not to use. Give Camplify a big swerve, terrible customer service.
OP
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zaftab
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- Dec 4, 2024
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Thanks, I am also a bit worried about Winter and maybe the only one out there
This one says that it can be driven on a normal UK license
Is there a catch that I am missing?
Also be aware of the seats, seat belts, berths and PAYLOAD situatuation.
I bought without such knowledge, fortunately it had no effect as I'm a solo traveller. But;
The van I chose for myself because it suited my requirements, was sold as;
Six seats, six berth and 3500kg.
Two of the seats were side mounted and had no belts, so unusable on the road.
Four of the six berths are permanent but the other is built by use of the table, four seats and many cushions. I've never worked it out, and if ever assembled it totally isolates one of the other double berths.
Finally and most critical, van, full of Fresh water, full of diesel, food and drink supplies, and me = 3475kg, so kgs remained- not even a passenger!
I bought without such knowledge, fortunately it had no effect as I'm a solo traveller. But;
The van I chose for myself because it suited my requirements, was sold as;
Six seats, six berth and 3500kg.
Two of the seats were side mounted and had no belts, so unusable on the road.
Four of the six berths are permanent but the other is built by use of the table, four seats and many cushions. I've never worked it out, and if ever assembled it totally isolates one of the other double berths.
Finally and most critical, van, full of Fresh water, full of diesel, food and drink supplies, and me = 3475kg, so kgs remained- not even a passenger!
If you're just going to drive from the collection point to a nearby campsite then back is it worth renting a motorhome it's going to be a pretty expensive way to stay on a site, a static caravan might be a better bet. Who's in the group if it's kids I'd probably go for a place with a pool etc and some places nearby to visit maybe look at some of the haven sites although when we went to one a few years ago it was a bit like hi de hi!
Family friendly site for a family is Whitemead forest park , Parkend,
They do a variety of types of pitch and accommodation. Good walks, bike trails, pool, bar , entertainment and 2 village pubs.
They do a variety of types of pitch and accommodation. Good walks, bike trails, pool, bar , entertainment and 2 village pubs.
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Yes there is a catchThanks, I am also a bit worried about Winter and maybe the only one out there
This one says that it can be driven on a normal UK license
Is there a catch that I am missing?
This is the spec
The max weight is 3499kg . The payload weight is 535kgs. Which usually includes the average weight driver and half full tank of deisel.
One other adult say 70kgs and 3 children at 35kgs each takes up nearly 200kg
With Gas bottles 11kgs x2
Water say 5 litres each .25kgs.
Leaves you 320kgs assuming there are no accessories on the van
Plus your luggage. Kids bikes etc. If there is a bike rack that needs to be taken into account.
I would be cautious and request a weighbridge ticket of the van as is in a rentable out condition before you put your family and accessories in it.
The zefiro is a lighter weight van but will have minimal insulation for winter use. You would need 2x gas bottles as heating will be used a lot and is heavy on gas.
As said if your going to a campsite why not consider a chalet or caravan . Plenty of cheap holidays at some Haven sites in the winter months.
The kids will enjoy somewhere like haven with all the facilities.
Last edited:
Mikey RV
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There is also Exmoor riverside on the A361 in south molton open all year round.If in North Devon I recommend;
Hidden Valley campsite, between Braunton and Ilfracombe;
Hidden Valley Holiday Park Devon | Hidden Valley Park
Award Winning Campsite & Touring Caravan Park in Devon. Set amongst the rolling hills of North Devon and open all year, whether you are looking for a campsite to pitch your tent or touring caravan spaces, Hidden Valley provides it all.
It used to be and may still be the only full time campsite in North Devon.
Of course there is Jim's place over in the East.
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You may be an enthusiast, but are the rest of your group? TBH the end of December can be pretty bleak, cold and windy, not to mention dark. All fairly challenging conditions and worth remembering that many attractions (or distractions) will be closed, so fewer opportunities to get out of each other's space.
If you are attempting to convince others that a motorhome holiday is a good idea, I think you are on a hiding to nothing, especially with an unfamiliar motorhome, possibly with limited equipment, in unfamiliar surroundings and unknown facilities.
Good Luck!
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As I understand it, the reason the OP wants to rent a moho is to 'experience a motorhome holiday'... Not experience a static caravan holiday or a Haven Holiday as some are suggesting...
I'd not want to 'experience a motorhome holiday' in the UK in the middle of winter, with several kids.
I think the experience would be unforgettable, and probably be recounted at family Christmas gatherings for decades to come.
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I'm not so sure. My idea of a motorhome holiday is travelling around different places it sounds more like the shortest possible drive and being on site a few days!
Because it’s only I week I asked in post #7 for some clarification on length of stay but it’s still not clear.
Not wishing to put a damper on things but a 1 week trip , new to motorhomes and a strange motorhome, a few kids to amuse, the op would really have their hands full with all that to deal with.
Even 2 stops, could be a challenge in mid winter uk.
I hope things go as well as they can for the op.
Even 2 stops, could be a challenge in mid winter uk.
I hope things go as well as they can for the op.
Puddleduck
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I really think you will be pushing the weight limit on that van with a car (B) licence unless you are planning on taking a car as well.
Lighter vans tend to have less insulation or not be winterised.
We had a broads cruiser in December when the children were little and they loved it. We did get iced in one morning. I used the oven a lot just to keep the place warm. We even bought extra duvets for the nights
A first motorhome break, in December, in the UK in a possibly unwinterised van would not be for the faint hearted.
Lighter vans tend to have less insulation or not be winterised.
We had a broads cruiser in December when the children were little and they loved it. We did get iced in one morning. I used the oven a lot just to keep the place warm. We even bought extra duvets for the nights
A first motorhome break, in December, in the UK in a possibly unwinterised van would not be for the faint hearted.
Nanniemate
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Your £1500 deposit appears not to be protected in anyway.Thanks, I am also a bit worried about Winter and maybe the only one out there
This one says that it can be driven on a normal UK license
Is there a catch that I am missing?
Break a hinge and they keep the lot.
How gentle are your children in a small tin box especially if it's wet and cold
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Last edited:
OP
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zaftab
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I was thinking about doing 2-3 sites.i live in London so anywhere in 100- 150 miles radius.
MisterB
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- enough to know i shouldnt touch things i know nothing about ....
youre probably better off looking for sites around the area you hire from ...... when you decide which motorhome youre hiring, remember its likely to be cold and wet, so staying on sites with electric hook up so you can access 240v for the heating would be one of priorities.
as others have said, it might not be the best 'time' to try out motorhoming BUT if you manage alright when the weather isnt that good, you will not be able to wait to try it when the weather gods smile down a bit more favourably.
if you really fancy being adventurous why not look for a goboony rental in the EU, you can get flights from the UK to an area with decent weather and some hirers will pick you up from the airport ..... that could be a REAL adventure !!
as others have said, it might not be the best 'time' to try out motorhoming BUT if you manage alright when the weather isnt that good, you will not be able to wait to try it when the weather gods smile down a bit more favourably.
if you really fancy being adventurous why not look for a goboony rental in the EU, you can get flights from the UK to an area with decent weather and some hirers will pick you up from the airport ..... that could be a REAL adventure !!
2-3 sites is quite optimistic for the Christmas to new year week, but that’s only my opinion.
It is likely that most decent site pitches have already been snapped up.
I think what peeps are trying to advise is that it's not the best time of year for a motorhone experience. At the end of December it certainly will be an experience with a family of 5. Probably as said previously " never to be forgotten".
I’d recommend hiring in France, or Germany. I certainly wouldn’t recommend seeing the uk via motorhome.
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