Today at National Motorhome & Caravan Show Birmingham NEC

[sueandjohn]

First thanks to Wombles Karen for organising the draw for 2 tickets which we were excited to win and we used them today. We had an exhausting and enjoyable day looking at motorhomes and a few accessories . It’s many years since we first went and we have a few tips for newbies (based on our mistakes )
1. Get there really early - it opens at 10 but aim for arriving at 9/930 - traffic is crazy and it takes longer than you think to get there/park and get to halls
2. Use the online guide to plan your route round the halls - don’t wander aimlessly - plan which exhibitors you want to see
3. Food and drink outlets have massively improved but crazy busy at noon to 2pm
4. If you are seriously planning on buying perhaps consider 2 days - first to view as many as you need and second to revisit your shortlist
5. PAYLOAD - take it seriously and do the calculations and homework - we saw one today that hadnt enough payload for the passengers in a van that slept 4!!! Hard to
believe but true . Different ‘optional’ packs use payload
6. Lastly ENJOY

Happy shopping Sue and John

 

[Wombles]

Glad to hear you had a good day & those are some great tips!

 

[Kups]

First thanks to Wombles Karen for organising the draw for 2 tickets which we were excited to win and we used them today. We had an exhausting and enjoyable day looking at motorhomes and a few accessories . It’s many years since we first went and we have a few tips for newbies (based on our mistakes )
1. Get there really early - it opens at 10 but aim for arriving at 9/930 - traffic is crazy and it takes longer than you think to get there/park and get to halls
2. Use the online guide to plan your route round the halls - don’t wander aimlessly - plan which exhibitors you want to see
3. Food and drink outlets have massively improved but crazy busy at noon to 2pm
4. If you are seriously planning on buying perhaps consider 2 days - first to view as many as you need and second to revisit your shortlist
5. PAYLOAD - take it seriously and do the calculations and homework - we saw one today that hadnt enough payload for the passengers in a van that slept 4!!! Hard to
believe but true . Different ‘optional’ packs use payload
6. Lastly ENJOY

Happy shopping Sue and John

Interesting guide if you've not been before.
Here are some thoughts after at least 10 years attendance.
Our legs can manage 3 hours max walking on concrete. So 1. Arrive around noon (less traffic) and spaces near the bus stops. 2. Don't bother with a picnic unless you like sitting on the floor to eat. Food outlets have improved a lot and they have seats so grit your teeth and buy the sarnies. 3. Wait until 13.30 to eat when more seats are available. 4. Don't waste time oggling the totally unaffordable shiny models read about them online. 5. The small stalls round the perimeter are far more interesting than the big stands unless you intend buying a vehicle. 6. The dealers are keen to sell but they have no stock for at least 6 months. 7. Only buy a "show special" if you really need it, you've got to carry it back to the car 8. You will not get a satisfactory answer to the question "why have club site fees gone up astronomically. 9. "Celebrities" are only there on opening day. 10.Leave early unless you like standing in the bus queue and grinding your way out of the car parks and M42.
Have a nice day!

 

[Neil S]

We are going on Thursday the 19th , staying the night before at Chapel Lane CAMC site
Are they still parking motorhomes for day visitors across the road from the pop up campsite where the toilets are situated
Last year they certainly were

 

[Wombles]

We are going on Thursday the 19th , staying the night before at Chapel Lane CAMC site
Are they still parking motorhomes for day visitors across the road from the pop up campsite where the toilets are situated
Last year they certainly were

No day parked motorhomes in the car parks near the campsite but lots in the main car parks yesterday.

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[Tricky One]

Made my input under, 'What did you buy from the MH Show NEC'.