Second hand motorhome tips

[Fulltiming Felines]

Are there any good articles or threads with tips on buying a second hand motorhome?

So far I've compiled some resources:

Habitation check before buying?



—unfortunately the link to the full book doesn't work. Where else can I get this?

Any other tips?

Our specific situation: A couple in our 30s, with 4 cats, buying our first motorhome for fulltiming. Budget £15-25k. Will most likely get a C1 licence so over 3500 kg is fine. Looking for around 6-8 m long, probably towards the larger end.

 

[Richard n Ann]

 

[Reallyretired]

Jim's book only available to paid up members so cough up. It will be the best value for £15 you can get and
d

 

[ymfb]

Welcome from South Wiltshire

Don’t buy four berths if you only need two!

Permanently made up bed was one of our big needs.

 

[Silver-Fox]

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[davidbaldam]

Hi and welcome to FUN.

 

[Gaston aires]

Identify your needs, ie, fixed beds or not, size matters, number of berths, 4 berth good for two and so on. Then go for general condition and working parts.
Phil

 

[TerryL]

Hi and

You'd be better off by firstly having a good look round a few of the larger dealers, specifically looking at layouts because if you're thinking of full-timing you're going to spend a long time in it. Personally I would go for as much lounging room as you can, then good storage. Are the washing/toilet facilities adequate, what about cooking? Permanent beds would be my choice as if one of you wanted a nap, you wouldn't have to re-arrange the van each time. Think you're going to be lucky to get as small as a 6m, although I know some people do manage just fine. Also a MAUW over 3500kg will give you a better choice.

Only once you've sorted out layout should you start looking at the things you mention and consider particular makes and models. There's plenty of very good pre-loved vans around in your price bracket and most will come with a raft of extras. But I would perhaps leave a bit of capital spare in case you do run into problems or find what you've chosen doesn't work for you and want to change. It's well known that many folk only settle on their third van - we were lucky and still have our first but did 18 months of research.

Finally beware of "bargains". It's never been more applicable than in motorhoming that "if it looks too good to be true it is". Ebay has a lot of good stuff, but is also rife with rip-offs. Once you've got your eyes set on something ask on here, don't think you could buy anything that someone on here has not owned. You'll need to be a full subscriber of course but it'll save you far, far more than the £15 fee.

Good luck in your search.

 

[Fulltiming Felines]

I just became a subscriber and downloaded Jim Brown's The Definitive Guide to Buying a Motorhome. It says it's version 1.0, copyright 2016—is there a newer one?

We've looked at a lot of listings on Autotrader, and went to Webbs dealership and checked out 50+ motorhomes to get a feel for the layouts.

We're currently renting a Roller Team Zefiro 685 (7.5 m) from Just Go for 3 weeks. We love the layout with dining table up front and in the rear the high bed (with lots of storage underneath). Even fulltiming I feel we wouldn't need this much storage. We could easily do a 7 m version of this, if that were to exist.

Is a smaller vehicle like a 6 m van conversion really that much better to drive than a 7.5 m motorhome? We've seen some good listings for smaller vehicles, and my sense is that the maneuverability of a smaller vehicle is not worth the loss in space. The primary advantage I can see is just that smaller tends to be cheaper.

 

[TheBig1]

smaller vans are very claustrophobic in bad weather. you also have to compromise on things like leg room at the table and galley size and features

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[Jake Royd]

We bought a 6.9m fixed bed MH.
I suppose that is pretty much mid size.
You can take the view that a shorter MH is still just as wide and just as high as a long one, so driving it must feel much the same.
I think the difference is more psychological.

We found this when considering MH's with Luton overcabs, looking out of the drivers seat there is arguably no real difference but a low profile just feels a bit more nimble. I don't think it's really all down to the fact that the centre of gravity is a little bit lower , it's really a mind thing.

Look at a low profile of the same size as a Luton side by side and the Luton looks a whole lot bigger.

Having said that the advent of lowering beds etc. allows newer short MH's to pack in as much space as a MH without them , in theory. Personally I prefer a fixed bed either transverse, french or island, but that's just me. Don't want to be making a bed up every night to turn in.

 

[bigtwin]

Here’s my second hand Motorhome tip:

Don’t drive too fast.

My wife gave me that tip!

Ian