Magazines.

[Jands]

Magazines go through phases of being good then dropping out.
Am looking to subscribe for a couple of years to add to my research prior to my Big purchase.
What is the current best magazine for a newbie?

 

[Riverbankannie]

Possibly MMM if you want a bit of armchair window shopping, published by same group that organise the big shows. However there is nothing as good as getting hands on, bums down and feet up at a show.

A very good practical thing to do would be to hire for a week. I know expensive but you have the time to pick a cheaper time of year. It will inform you much more than any magazine who, in the main just repeat the manufacturers blurb.

 

[LesW]

I'm also new to motorhomes, have bought a few but 'MMM' seems to suit me, 'Practical Motorhome' or something was just too thin, and another one 'Which Motorhome' (I think) was more about new vehicles..and poor value.

May even take advantage of MMM's cheap subscription offer..

 

[Jands]

Have hired last year for a week, got the main thoughts together and decided it was for us.

 

[chaser]

Yeah mmm but you only want one years subscription as it just goes round and round.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[two]

I agree. Just get MMM (take advantage of a subscription offer). A year is enough, unless you're still scanning the classifieds for a van.

 

[MillieMoocher]

Nothing to add magazine title wise but I am not at all convinced about MMM "road tests" . Can't comment on the other titles as I don't get them!

MMM are never critical towards the product in any meaningful way, my particular beef with them being about payloads.

A 4 berth family oriented MH might have a very slender payload of 300kg, they might say "payload is a little low" whereas the reality is that the vehicle us actually unusable for all practical purposes with that payload...

Also they get carried away with fancy gizmos such as drop down (electric) beds which can render the lounge unusable on some layouts meaning that the option is everyone in bed or everyone up. A massive error in layout design bug never adversely commented on. There have even been some where it looks as if you can't get out the habitation door if the bed is down, but no comment made!

But I also understand that the manufacturers supply the advertising for the magazine and they simply can't afford to alienate the manufacturers. However I do think they are doing a dis-service to the public by not being more honest about the drawbacks on certain layouts and payloads.

It's probably why you see so many nearly new vans on the market...

Good luck with your research, I'm sure forum members will be more than happy to comment etc on only thoughts you may have about certain vans, the advantage bring that people on here will have actually used the van in the real world and you're likely to get a balanced view.

 

[Jands]

Yes have asked a few questions so far and the people on this forum have been very helpfully and friendly.
The only thing is everyone has there own preferences to what suits them.
Listening to other's advice and reasoning is extremely helpfull in making up my mind, might not follow everyone's advice but at least will have enough information from the forum to make the correct decision. Have only joined a few weeks ago but already made a few decisions that I would not have thought about so helps in making the correct decisions.
Looking forward to getting our van and being able to meet the people who have been so friendly and helpfully.

 

[mikebeaches]

Whilst I agree with much that has already been said, if you are considering buying a new van, then 'What Motorhome' might be worth investigating. It comes from the same stable as MMM, but focuses on new vans. It isn't cheap, but it does provide a good insight into the very latest models.

 

[webby1]

But after you've looked at whichever magazines.............post your thoughts and questions on here.

The biggest lie I found was about payload as mentioned in earlier post.
For example 6 berth but only 4 seatbelts or 4 berth and not enough payload for more than 3 .................."oh yes sir you want to carry water and fuel as well"
It will all be technically correct in the small print but not "what you were led to believe"

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[rangi]

@Jands you've joined (Oct 12 2016) the best source of info, better than any Magazine, anything you want to know about ANYTHING, tiz here, on this forum.

Just ask

 

[Jands]

Only registered then spent some time just looking, only paid my subs a few weeks ago as didn't want to start bothering you all too soon.
Won't be getting a van till I retire in July 2019, so now plenty of time to look and ask.
Cheers.

 

[TerryL]

We took 18 months to research our purchase - and got it right first time. We visited as many shows and dealers as we could, looking at as many different layouts as possible and keeping a written note on each one. Imagine yourself sitting in the van in wet weather; cooking and eating; using the loo/shower; making up and sleeping in the bed, including getting up during the night. Have three lists, Need, would like, definitely don't want. You'll pretty soon get a good idea of your ideal van. Then hire one as close as possible to your choice to prove it - sometimes you can get the hire price discounted if you subsequently purchase.

It's a big outlay of cash, probably the second most expensive thing you'll ever buy but you've got the time. After 8 fantastic years of ownership we're still in love with ours.

 

[Kingham]

I agree with Chaser and Rogher about only getting MMM for a year.

I subscribed around the time that we were changing from a caravan to a motorhome and enjoyed them in the beginning. I soon got bored with the 'same old same old' and never bothered for a few years.

I got caught up in the moment at the NEC last October and took "advantage" of their generous subscription offer, but after reading the first 2 or 3, I stopped opening them and in fact gave the whole lot away to my (est)missus this morning.

 

[scotzsue]

pity you don't live near i have loads i could give you.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Doctor Dave]

I'm also new to motorhomes, have bought a few but 'MMM' seems to suit me, 'Practical Motorhome' or something was just too thin, and another one 'Which Motorhome' (I think) was more about new vehicles..and poor value.

May even take advantage of MMM's cheap subscription offer..

Practical Motorhome too thin? I think they are all thin if you take out the adverts!

Dave

 

[TerryL]

I subscribe to both MMM and Practical Motorhome, don't know why as they seem to publish the same things more or less at the same time. Also get C&MC magazine, always used to have a heavy caravan bias but the last couple of issues are giving greater emphasis to motorhomes.

I used to keep them but they were taking up too much room. Then I started cutting out and saving various articles but even that started to encroach on our living space. I did try the on-line versions so I could keep them "on file" but too expensive to take both paper and on-line and anyway found the latter stuff unreadable comfortably. So I now just keep the odd article if I can see a use for it then the rest joins the other junk in the recycle bin.

On balance if I had to take just one it would be MMM.