Motorhome advice please….

[BevHo]

Hi Everyone,
We are looking at buying our first motorhome (we’ve found a Swift that we like and it’s nearly 8m long). My husband paraglides and spends a few months in Europe during the year and we feel it will be really useful for that as he tends to stay on sites with other pilots. However, how easy are motorhomes to use in the UK, specifically ease of parking during the day.

We know that we can plan a trip and drive from site to site, however, if we just wanted to take off for a weekend without too much thought, how easy is it to find somewhere to pull up and park during the day. Also, we’re just wondering how the best way would be to visit Cities? If we wanted to go to Edinburgh for example or even some Coastal villages, how do you do that with a motorhome? Do you need to park outside and then get public transport or is it quite easy to park anywhere. We’re really excited to get one, but actually wondering how easy it is to use in the UK without having to plan to the nth degree).

Silly questions probably, but want to make sure we’ve thought through everything before we buy, they’re not cheap.

Thank you
Bev.

 

[Kirsten]

Welcome to Fun. We have a 6.5 M Moho and find it averagely ok to park in supermarkets etc as often can reverse into space overhang above the verge etc. height barriers are the problem- we always google motorhome parking if we are going anywhere. Someone with bigger Moho will doubtless be along to advise soon but 8 M is quite a bus , and we will never attempt Cornwall roads again in our van xxx

 

[Spriddler]

We are looking at buying our first motorhome

Welcome!

My husband paraglides and spends a few months in Europe during the year and we feel it will be really useful

He'll need to have sufficient payload for his gear.

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[Landy Andy]

Abroad is a breeze in 7.5m motorhome. The UK is terrible in a 7.5m motorhome. If I was restricted to just UK I wouldn’t have a motorhome.

 

[BevHo]

Thanks Kirsten, yes, it’s quite a beast and my husband is having a mini meltdown over whether it’s the right vehicle for him. We’re quite familiar with Cornwall, to be honest, even using a car is a bit hairy on some of their roads sometimes so I totally understand where you’re coming from

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[BevHo]

Welcome!


He'll need to have sufficient payload for his gear.

You'll find this useful.........

The Motorhome Buyer's Guide

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Hey, thank you. Yes, we’ve got the payload sorted - 650kg I think.

We are comfortable with using it in Europe, we’re just wondering how easy it will be to use in the UK. Given that he can only spend 3 months in Europe, we’re just concerned it might spend a lot of time on the drive unused, if it’s more difficult to use in the UK. A choice I guess, but need to work through all our questions.

 

[BevHo]

Abroad is a breeze in 7.5m motorhome. The UK is terrible in a 7.5m motorhome. If I was restricted to just UK I wouldn’t have a motorhome.

Hey, thank you. Yes, he is comfortable using in in Europe - he loves driving through Europe. But given that he can only be there three months a year, we’re concerned that it will be largely unused for the rest of the year, if it’s too difficult in the UK.

He has been looking at converted vans as well (Ducato type size). But price for price, you get so much more with a motorhome. It’s a quandary!

 

[Landy Andy]

Hey, thank you. Yes, he is comfortable using in in Europe - he loves driving through Europe. But given that he can only be there three months a year, we’re concerned that it will be largely unused for the rest of the year, if it’s too difficult in the UK.

He has been looking at converted vans as well (Ducato type size). But price for price, you get so much more with a motorhome. It’s a quandary!

It is indeed. The UK doesn’t like, want, or appreciate motorhomes. They are ok here for going to and from sites, but those sites are often nowhere near what you want. So alternative transportation is required. We take E bikes with us and walk a lot. But mainly avoid towns, cities, and even supermarkets as these all have limitations. Caravans work much in the UK, where you then have a car to travel afterwards. A small PVC (Panel Van Conversion) works better than a motorhome, but they are far more expensive for less room.

 

[DandG5515]

We’ve used our motorhome mainly in the uk for 15 years and had no problems, mainly find campsites with bus stops outside, a lot of the motorhoming clubs organise temporary campsites at school, rugby clubs etc which are cheaper and better connected than std campsites, I do carry a push bike as well (a lot use electric bikes) and for Cornwall we tow my wife’s small car for a 2-3 week stay. I recommend for anyone new, go and hire a van conversion and motorhome for a couple of short breaks, it will clarify what works best for you. The saying going “I wish I had bought my third motorhome first” changing can often cost £10k. Taking boating stuff with us occasionally, works better for us towing a small trailer than overloading the van. Just enjoy the adventure.

 

[Nanniemate]

It can be done but the bigger the van more thought is needed

Sites can be expensive but if you need the facilties you have to pay for them

Search for sites ,park4nite are worth a look at to give you an idea of what's about

Get some proper driver training and hire a van of the same size first to see how you get on
Good luck

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[Jimbohorlicks]

Hi
With an 8m motorhome you will be over the 3.5t weight limit for a normal driving licence so your hubby or you will need a C1 on your licence. So trust you havecthat before you go down the purchase route of a big van.
As said you will also have to watch the payload . I would think that a paragliding kit weighs a fair bit so you need to bear that in mind also. A bigger van doesn't always mean you can get more stuff in it.weight wise. We have a 7.1 m van and dont usually have any issues parking up. You just have to be mindfull of others and park up to suit the surroundings.
Enjoy your search

 

[BevHo]

It is indeed. The UK doesn’t like, want, or appreciate motorhomes. They are ok here for going to and from sites, but those sites are often nowhere near what you want. So alternative transportation is required. We take E bikes with us and walk a lot. But mainly avoid towns, cities, and even supermarkets as these all have limitations. Caravans work much in the UK, where you then have a car to travel afterwards. A small PVC (Panel Van Conversion) works better than a motorhome, but they are far more expensive for less room.

Yes, we’ve had the caravan v motorhome conversation. Personally, I like caravans, you drag them somewhere, site them and then use your car to explore. But my husband doesn’t like taking the caravan to his paragliding comps as he has to go up through some mountain passes sometimes and I think sometimes the articulation can be a bit of a problem. Not sure an 8M motorhome will be that much easier TBH. I’m not a fan of converted vans, they’re a bit tight on space and not sure I would want to spend 3/4 weeks in one, whereas a motorhome looks much more comfortable. We’re aware that we have to pay our money and take our choice, but we’re talking ourselves in circles .

 

[BevHo]

We’ve used our motorhome mainly in the uk for 15 years and had no problems, mainly find campsites with bus stops outside, a lot of the motorhoming clubs organise temporary campsites at school, rugby clubs etc which are cheaper and better connected than std campsites, I do carry a push bike as well (a lot use electric bikes) and for Cornwall we tow my wife’s small car for a 2-3 week stay. I recommend for anyone new, go and hire a van conversion and motorhome for a couple of short breaks, it will clarify what works best for you. The saying going “I wish I had bought my third motorhome first” changing can often cost £10k. Taking boating stuff with us occasionally, works better for us towing a small trailer than overloading the van. Just enjoy the adventure.

Hey, thank you. We do have electric bikes actually so would have local transport but just considering the ease of just going off for the weekend in the UK without a massive amount of planning. Renting something for a couple of weeks is not a bad idea and something to consider.

 

[DandG5515]

When we worked we would often do 15-20 weekends away in a year, pack MH Thursday night, leave Friday after work, often travelling less than 50 miles from home. Always felt on holiday as soon as we left our drive.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Yes, we’ve had the caravan v motorhome conversation. Personally, I like caravans, you drag them somewhere, site them and then use your car to explore. But my husband doesn’t like taking the caravan to his paragliding comps as he has to go up through some mountain passes sometimes and I think sometimes the articulation can be a bit of a problem. Not sure an 8M motorhome will be that much easier TBH. I’m not a fan of converted vans, they’re a bit tight on space and not sure I would want to spend 3/4 weeks in one, whereas a motorhome looks much more comfortable. We’re aware that we have to pay our money and take our choice, but we’re talking ourselves in circles .

I suspect most of his flying will be done in the summer months, if so a PVC 6m or 6.33m would work as you probably would be sat outside during the day/evening. Motorhoming is all about compromise, the larger the van the less flexible you can be, smaller means possibly more use. You also have to consider Ferry costs for larger MHs you could be paying £££s extra.

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[Brize]

Nanniemate has hit the nail on the head. With a bigger van you will need to plan that much more, and you will find yourself slightly restricted if you fancy a 'where shall we go today' lifestyle or want to drive round the North York Moors (for example).

Many cities now have Park & Ride facilities and I would make full use of them, but make sure you have a good alarm system fitted if you are going to leave it in public areas for longer periods of time.

Otherwise, just plan to go from site to site. The size of your motorhome is a trade off between the functionality and usability of the vehicle, against the facilities and comfort you want on board. Only you can make this choice. If you are able to find a vehicle that is between 6-7m, you might manage to get a good balance in that trade-off (in the UK; as others have said, it's easier abroad).

Good luck!

 

[DerryW]

Abroad is a breeze in 7.5m motorhome. The UK is terrible in a 7.5m motorhome. If I was restricted to just UK I wouldn’t have a motorhome.

Agree with Andy 100% that is unless you restrict yourself to expensive sites and less expensive CL,s.

Europe is a completely different cattle of fish. No problems finding places (Aires) both free and chargeable. If you decide to proceed on your MoHo journey and are likely to travel into Europe I would recommend joining Camping Car Parks (CCP) lots more info on this forum.

 

[meanders]

We have family in Cornwall and I love it. It's one of the few places I go, park up and hire a car, or catch the bus. Just not worth the hassle of trying to take the van to so many places.

 

[Run to the Sun]

Hey, thank you. Yes, he is comfortable using in in Europe - he loves driving through Europe. But given that he can only be there three months a year, we’re concerned that it will be largely unused for the rest of the year, if it’s too difficult in the UK.

He has been looking at converted vans as well (Ducato type size). But price for price, you get so much more with a motorhome. It’s a quandary!

I think as a few have suggested above is the weight concern. If you have an 8M, let's say you can carry 600kg as your payload as a number. With your kit for gliding plus the rest of what you are going to travel (plus yourselves) with you probably need to know the weight. If you gather everything to together and weigh it out or use the manufactures weights where you can, or dump the whole lot into the car and take it to the local weigh station (best go before so you know the weight of the car with gas) then you will have a good idea of what your payload is. Without knowing this you probably want to hold off so you know you are getting the right MH for the payload you need.

For me I haven't had any issues in a 9 to 11 metres MH's getting around, sometimes its a squeeze when you down rural lanes around the UK, Europe IMO is a breeze. If you buy with a black waste tank, to me that is more of an issue with where to stay on sites. Bikes, public transport, taxi's and even rent a car if needed, its all a balancing act in motorhoming, give this up to have this and on it goes. If you are off grid when flying in the sky you will need some sort of battery/solar set up, if its summer in Europe its hot and you might want the air con on you need a better set up which costs a lot more, more KG's.

You can do the Schengen area twice a year at 3 months per trip, give or take a few days for travel and times/AM/PM rules. If you leave the Schengen area and go to Morocco you can then stay longer in the Schengen area, so a trip of say 5 months or longer. There are APPs you can use that tells you how many days you are out and when you're 90 days run out.

 

[The Coops]

Or a PVC and tow a trailer with the kit in? So best of both perhaps. just a thought,

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[gus-lopez]

 

[Minxy]

As a free user you won't be able to keep posting so you'll need to subscribe, then you can access the resources section the content of which is free to subscribers and you'll certainly benefit from reading the stuff in there.

As for your suggested purchase, 8m is BIG ... whilst you may have a goodish payload unless you know for a fact that it is the actual payload on the MH you are looking at, ie a recent weight ticket showing front and rear axle weights, do NOT trust the figure as they are notorious for being over-egged.

Could I suggest that if you do subscribe you post a link to the MH in question so we can give it the once over to see if there's anything you need to be aware of.

 

[Minxy]

One other thing, you could find that an 8m MH isn't as manoeuvrable as a car & caravan for going along twisty mountain roads as it obviously doesn't 'bend' in the middle ... it could actually restrict where you can go if some of the sites are 'tight' to get to.

 

[NR]

Abroad is a breeze in 7.5m motorhome. The UK is terrible in a 7.5m motorhome. If I was restricted to just UK I wouldn’t have a motorhome.

That is simply not true, we are 9.1m and zero issues.

 

[Nanniemate]

As a general rule if there busstops it will fit as buses either use the road or have done

If a bus fits you'll fit unless of course is a post bus

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[Otter Spotter]

Consider getting the park4night or searchforsites apps and then research for sites near your pilots flying zones. You will be able to see what facilities are available and whether you can get an 8m van into the areas he wants.

 

[Sneds]

We’re 8M and have no problems, I’d be a little cautious in some remote and rural areas but as stated earlier, if a bus goes there, so can you.
Height barriers can be an issue.
We are currently at Steamer Quay in Totnes and only 5 minutes stroll into town. Pubs, supermarket, chippy etc. There are a few sites close to town but plenty that are on a bus route and exploring by bus can be fun. Worst case you go home in a taxi!

 

[haganap]

Abroad is a breeze in 7.5m motorhome. The UK is terrible in a 7.5m motorhome. If I was restricted to just UK I wouldn’t have a motorhome.

Bit unfair, lots of us tour the UK as well as the continent in motorhomes. Depends how much funds you have I suppose, The CL and CS networks are excellent. Last week we stayed 1/2 a mile from Whitby Abbey, next week we are 1 mile from Taunton, We've stayed in York, Tenby, Canterbury, Bristol, Chester, to name just a few.

For the OP, we have an 8m motorhome and have both ebikes, standard bikes, or a scooter depending on where we are going.

The only advice I give anyone after 20 + years of doing this and in 10 different motorhomes and being very active is -- Buy German Buy a van with a garage, make do with everything else. Lots have and love their Swifts, we had a bessacarr for 4 years before and loved it, but sadly it fell apart..

 

[haganap]

One other thing, you could find that an 8m MH isn't as manoeuvrable as a car & caravan for going along twisty mountain roads as it obviously doesn't 'bend' in the middle ... it could actually restrict where you can go if some of the sites are 'tight' to get to.

Yes and No.... Yes you need a little more planning, but I have had zero issues and have visited many many ski resorts in loads of vans over 7.5 meters.
In 4 years of owning a car and caravan, i couldn't move it round a bloody roundabout never mind a twisty mountain road.

Get the biggest van you feel comfortable in. If it's a panel van then so be it, if you can cope with a Morello and do things differently, go for it. There's nothing like a good bit of payload and a good bit of space to stretch out in..

Horses for courses.

 

[Jaguarcat1]

Hey, thank you. We do have electric bikes actually so would have local transport but just considering the ease of just going off for the weekend in the UK without a massive amount of planning. Renting something for a couple of weeks is not a bad idea and something to consider.

Hi our motorhome is 8.75m long and we have never had a problem getting on site in UK just phone before and ask they will soon let you know if it's too large .Hope this helps

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