When do you decide to change your motorhome?

mart

mart

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We have a motorhome which we are very happy with, but still like looking at newer units. But can never agree if to change or stay with what we know and love.
Do you change your motorhome at regular intervals, like a lot of people do with cars. Or is it a spur of the moment decision, seduced by salesmen with the gift of the gab at shows or while walking around show rooms. Or is it a motorhome for the forseeable future.
 
The trouble with visiting shows, dealers etc is that you get enticed by all the nice new shiny 'big girl/boy toys' so it can make you disgruntled with your own, perfectly fine, MH.

If you are happy with your current MH and it does what you want, then stick with it is my advice.

We never change our MHs/campers on the spur of the moment, we always weigh up if our current one does what we want or if there are things that we'd like to change to suit us better, if so and they outweigh the good, we may change, but we don't do it quickly, or on a whim, but research, check/chat to others etc before committing our hard-earned cash. That's why with our last one we ended up with our new camper and old camper at home at the time as the one we wanted came up at a good price whilst we still had outstanding warranty issues on our existing one so meant we couldn't sell it privately at that point, and the PX deal was silly.
 
You change for the following reasons.

Change in circumstance
New model which suits your needs better
Spare cash
Need cash out of MH
Age of MH
Emissions hassle
Old van is past it
Whim
Offer too good to turn down

We changed our first van when the kids got bigger and we had someone offer us a good price for it.
Our second van was changed when the kids grew too old to come with us and we got a good deal at the change from euro5 to euro6 as they had the van in stock. The good thing for us is that although our van is euro5 it was one of the last registered, so it is approved for all the LEZ and ULEZ zones.
 
We went to last year's Peterborough show, we enjoyed looking at all the different mohos, and playing 'what if'.

But in all honesty we didn't see anything that we would change our 15 years old Autosleeper Inca for.

The only possible reason for us to change, would be if emission zones became problematic, at the moment they're not.
 
It's good to look and we do plenty of that for sure BUT we will only change for a good reason not a whim or a smooth salesman.

Martin

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I forgot about emission zones, in the next few years it may become a bigger issue with more and more restrictions , something to ponder on.
 
If you are happy with your present van and it suits your needs best to keep it.
The next one could be a load of trouble and you certainly don't want the grief.
 
wiljoy said:
If you are happy with your present van and it suits your needs best to keep it.
The next one could be a load of trouble and you certainly don't want the grief.
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Every time we change vans I spend ages doing my fettling so it's as we want it (even though it was good in the first place) ... as I need to relax in between and enjoy using it a minimum of 2 years ownership is required! :giggle:
 
Keep it if your happy with it.

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Just my two pennies worth but the thing is with a new MH, you're still driving on the same roads, using the same ferries, visiting the same places, same great views, same new experiences etc as if you'd stuck with your old van. If it works and you're happy with it, why change unless you love blowing cash just for the sake of it. I actually love our older van because we don't worry about it too much and concentrate on enjoying ourselves. So if I or someone else scratches or dents it a little, so what? Had we blown upwards of 50k - 70K on a shiny new van with leather interior I'd be forever farting around trying to keep is "nice". So I've spent a lot less than half that, bolted on all the goodies I wanted, how I wanted and doing the modifications that work for us then spent the huge money saved on a new kitchen for Mrs. H. Everyones happy. Not only that but whenever we turn up somewhere I always get people coming over to chat because they're interested in our older van and all the changes we've made.
 
Minxy Girl said:
The trouble with visiting shows, dealers etc is that you get enticed by all the nice new shiny 'big girl/boy toys' so it can make you disgruntled with your own, perfectly fine, MH.
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True but when you get offered a deal you can't refuse you just have to do it. When we last went to Caravan Salon although I wanted a posher van but with the van only being 2½ years old I knew it wasn't practical to change.
Got offered not much less than what we paid for the van and 20% off a factory order on the new van. Couldn't say no.:D
Minxy Girl said:
Every time we change vans I spend ages doing my fettling so it's as we want it (even though it was good in the first place) ... as I need to relax in between and enjoy using it a minimum of 2 years ownership is required!
Click to expand...
That's the best bit apart from the cost. We spent £23k to change vans and since then have spent over £10k fettling this one.
'er indoors would have kittens if I spent another £10k on the other bits I would like to add.
 
El ETO said:
Just my two pennies worth but the thing is with a new MH, you're still driving on the same roads, using the same ferries, visiting the same places, same great views, same new experiences etc as if you'd stuck with your old van. If it works and you're happy with it, why change unless you love blowing cash just for the sake of it. I actually love our older van because we don't worry about it too much and concentrate on enjoying ourselves. So if I or someone else scratches or dents it a little, so what? Had we blown upwards of 50k - 70K on a shiny new van with leather interior I'd be forever farting around trying to keep is "nice". So I've spent a lot less than half that, bolted on all the goodies I wanted, how I wanted and doing the modifications that work for us then spent the huge money saved on a new kitchen for Mrs. H. Everyones happy. Not only that but whenever we turn up somewhere I always get people coming over to chat because they're interested in our older van and all the changes we've made.
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Totally agree, That's the best answer and best advice yet.
 
We recognise that we are ready for a different type of motorhoming.
We no longer need to spend extended periods in the mh and want to do more exploring.
As a result we can now look for a van conversion and trade in our 7m Avians.
 
I bought my first MHas a 6 year old 10 years ago and have never really thought of changing it.

If I did, I would do what I did then and write out a detailed specification to show the dealers' salesmen.

It usually resulted in loss of interest by them because

a) they did not understand some of it

b) Fck! this guy knows too much

c) they had nothing like it in stock and knew they could not sell anything they had.

One or two professional guys at reputable dealers took it seriously. Then I knew there was a chance that they might come up with something close to the spec.

In the end I bought privately.

Geoff

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well in our case when we met bigtree and saw the KTM in his garage. We still thank you for that Trevor
P.S. he has chopped in the 690 for a 790 now looking for a grom.
To the OP if you are happy, the van has all you need and is running well why change? Upholstery can be updated, replaced if you feel it is dated.
I did think ours was a bit big for some of the laces i go to, so have my ownd doblo conversion too, greedy I know but it is so much more pleasant to drive than my bells and whisrles car which it replaced.
 
For us it was when the compromises in our current MH become too annoying to put up with combined with our preferred alternative becoming available in the secondhand market (and therefore affordable).
 
scotzsue said:
well in our case when we met bigtree and saw the KTM in his garage. We still thank you for that Trevor
P.S. he has chopped in the 690 for a 790 now looking for a grom.
To the OP if you are happy, the van has all you need and is running well why change? Upholstery can be updated, replaced if you feel it is dated.
I did think ours was a bit big for some of the laces i go to, so have my ownd doblo conversion too, greedy I know but it is so much more pleasant to drive than my bells and whisrles car which it replaced.
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We have a new 690 and I chopped in my 990 for a 790, won't be buying a Grom though.:giggle:
 
My missus decides! If something does not fit, work, shows signs of a problem....its gone!

love her really....

kev

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sciac2001 said:
Call me cynical but I’d say that you are older than 16 and no way would you have bought your first mh at age 6.
Just saying!
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My dear chap, I amsurprised that I have to educate you on the juxtaposition of adjectival phrases.

The phrase 'as a 6 year old' was immediately following 'MH'.

Had it immediately followed 'I' your attempt at a joke might have had some import.

Just saying

Geoff
 
I often think about changing as I'm constantly weighing up the 'compromise' that is probably the key word when it comes to what you travel/live in.

I'd like to go smaller for driving and parking (a PVC), and bigger for when parked up (9 metre +). I'd also like something newer and generally more up to date with better heating, cab air con and a fridge that works better.... BUT when I really think about it, the van I have now which is 25 years old has never let me down, I know every little glitch and it's bottomed out in depreciation so I think I'll stick with the compromise!

Sometimes I think it's important to remember the difference between what we NEED what we WANT - if you've got all you really need then it's probably best to stick with what you've got.
 
Having had 12 motorhomes in 11 years we appear to be serial changers....however there was always a reason to change.
Hymer 564
First motorhome to see if we liked it - Mrs Colpot found the engine noise too much and being newbies in France I tended to drive very long distances between stops.
Swift Sundance 530lp
Saw this layout while noseying in someones van (invited I hasten to add) and thought the rear kitchen/front setees would suit us and the van was a lot quieter to drive. Bed became a bit of a faff to make up (especially after a couple or three glasses) so decided to go for a fixed bed.
Rapido709f
Fixed rear bed front half dinette - loved it - downside was winter time was a bit limited for lounging so we decided to change (luckily for us we moved house and had a bigger drive so could now go longer!
Hymer B634
Ok - so we went to look at a Swift Bolero 680 with a fixed bed and a front lounge but they had this beauty and we ended up buying it. Rear Lounge (twin singles or large double) I loved it and have only recently forgiven Mrs Colpot for persuading me to sell it. The kids had just moved house and couldn't afford a Holiday so if we had a 6 berth they could come away with us!
Carioca 656
Our first costly mistake - 6 berth but no payload so we uprated. Before we took the kids away we tested it and found the dinette uncomfortable to lounge in and the payload unworkable even after the uprate so it went back to the dealers at a loss of 5k.
Laika Ecovip 100
Just the job to take the kids to France (Daughter and Husband plus our granddaughter). At 4200kgs we had plenty of room for everything. We made good use of the Van ourselves (the Kids came away once and then next I know they are off to the Canaries!) We decided we would go for something less agricultural (Mrs Colpot also didn't feel comfortable in the seat of death (van was LHD)
Sunseeker 25 (otherwise known as the moneypit)
Decided to go for this van as a)it was rear lounge which we decided was a must have and b) it was available and we were booked in a campsite with the kids (they we in tents though) so needed a Van sharpish. Layout was fine but after replacing the speedo head and the fridge we decided to treat ourselves to a bit more space.
Bessacarr E795
What can I say - rear lounge and front lounge - our little (7.5 metres 4250kg) bit of luxury. What more could we ask for! A van we could drive down country lanes that our Sat Nav favoured that's what. We stopped off at a dealers to get some toilet blue and came away with....
Vantage Cub
Downsizing with a vengeance - 5.4 metres with a rear lounge (twin singles) Turned out to be a step too far (we missed the walk through from the cab to the rear.
Autocruise Rhythm
Rear Lounge 3 litre Comfotmatic - gas tank solar panel roof box rear doors open to bring the outside in - what not to like? Sitting in the lounge with the rain hammering on the roof that's what!
Hymer B674
Decided to treat ourselves - the front lounge space of an A Class for those rainy summer days and rear singles over a massive garage. Years of living in Bungalows however meant we don't do stairs very well.
Burstner i684
Rear fixed bed on the same level as the A Class front lounge. Whats not to like?
We have had this forever motorhome for a year now so maybe its a keeper........
 
Last edited:
I change mine when I find out that my model of a Fiat ducato has another known common fault. First model was gearbox problem, second model was clutch hydraulics. Now looking at a Merc base.

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Mr Colpot said:
Having had 12 motorhomes in 11 years we appear to be serial changers....however there was always a reason to change.
Hymer 564
First motorhome to see if we liked it - Mrs Colpot found the engine noise too much and being newbies in France I tended to drive very long distances between stops.
Swift Sundance 530lp
Saw this layout while noseying in someones van (invited I hasten to add) and thought the rear kitchen/front setees would suit us and the van was a lot quieter to drive. Bed became a bit of a faff to make up (especially after a couple or three glasses) so decided to go for a fixed bed.
Rapido709f
Fixed rear bed front half dinette - loved it - downside was winter time was a bit limited for lounging so we decided to change (luckily for us we moved house and had a bigger drive so could now go longer!
Hymer B634
Ok - so we went to look at a Swift Bolero 680 with a fixed bed and a front lounge but they had this beauty and we ended up buying it. Rear Lounge (twin singles or large double) I loved it and have only recently forgiven Mrs Colpot for persuading me to sell it. The kids had just moved house and couldn't afford a Holiday so if we had a 6 berth they could come away with us!
Carioca 656
Our first costly mistake - 6 berth but no payload so we uprated. Before we took the kids away we tested it and found the dinette uncomfortable to lounge in and the payload unworkable even after the uprate so it went back to the dealers at a loss of 5k.
Laika Ecovip 100
Just the job to take the kids to France (Daughter and Husband plus our granddaughter). At 4200kgs we had plenty of room for everything. We made good use of the Van ourselves (the Kids came away once and then next I know they are off to the Canaries!) We decided we would go for something less agricultural (Mrs Colpot also didn't feel comfortable in the seat of death (van was LHD)
Sunseeker 25 (otherwise known as the moneypit)
Decided to go for this van as a)it was rear lounge which we decided was a must have and b) it was available and we were booked in a campsite with the kids (they we in tents though) so needed a Van sharpish. Layout was fine but after replacing the speedo head and the fridge we decided to treat ourselves to a bit more space.
Bessacarr E795
What can I say - rear lounge and front lounge - our little (7.5 metres 4250kg) bit of luxury. What more could we ask for! A van we could drive down country lanes that our Sat Nav favoured that's what. We stopped off at a dealers to get some toilet blue and came away with....
Vantage Cub
Downsizing with a vengeance - 5.4 metres with a rear lounge (twin singles) Turned out to be a step too far (we missed the walk through from the cab to the rear.
Autocruise Rhythm
Rear Lounge 3 litre Comfotmatic - gas tank solar panel roof box rear doors open to bring the outside in - what not to like? Sitting in the lounge with the rain hammering on the roof that's what!
Hymer B674
Decided to treat ourselves - the front lounge space of an A Class for those rainy summer days and rear singles over a massive garage. Years of living in Bungalows however meant we don't do stairs very well.
Burstner i684
Rear fixed bed on the same level as the A Class front lounge. Whats not to like?
We have had this forever motorhome for a year now so maybe its a keeper........
Click to expand...
WOW ,
that was exhausting to read, cannot imagine what it was like to do ! :oops:
Maybe it’s because I find making decisions very hard and I’m a worrier.
 
When we don’t go away because something is too much of a pita to do. In this case get the bikes on the rack (Despite being adamant I didn’t want a garage or a dinette with extra seats) to be completely fair, the price point I was looking at for a first van wouldn’t have bought me the the twin singles I still think would work best for us. I also had to make a fairly snap decision as the car conked out, and I had the choice of buying a big car I didn’t want long term to tow a caravan I didn’t want long term, or the right car and a privately available MH. I especially went for a lower price point and a private sale knowing I mightn’t get it right first time. I may change again next year, if the transverse double/drop down double doesn’t work for us (my main concern is overhead lockers being a pain to access, and not much storage upfront) or I may stick with this one until I go solo, and get something smaller. Or find a partner. Or goodness knows. I’ve given up trying to future proof, and just try and make things work NOW!
 
Always spur of the moment..
But that said, we have only had 4, and the first was an absolute disaster on wheels.
Second was our first one really..Knew so little but got lucky as it was a really good well made ( OLD ! ) Hobby
The second .. That was out Miller which was bought when I happened to pop in to Stowmarket Caravans as I was passing and I often popped in to see what new gadgets they had on offer.Saw the Miller, foned up Woman .. It was ours the next day ..
The Chieftain.... Was walking round Peterborough show show just being nosy ..Darrell ( #1 Son ) looked in it, said here you go dad, this is what you and mum should have. 20 minutes later it was ours ( with all its foibles LOL !!)
 
We had our conversion done because we couldn’t find a layout etc that suited. We may need to make changes in the next 5 years, but I’m 70 and have said I’d like to keep vanning for 5 maybe a few more years. Maybe we’ll not need another van.
If you can find a layout that you like, and can afford to change, maybe worthwhile.
 
Mr Colpot said:
Having had 12 motorhomes in 11 years we appear to be serial changers....however there was always a reason to change.
Hymer 564
First motorhome to see if we liked it - Mrs Colpot found the engine noise too much and being newbies in France I tended to drive very long distances between stops.
Swift Sundance 530lp
Saw this layout while noseying in someones van (invited I hasten to add) and thought the rear kitchen/front setees would suit us and the van was a lot quieter to drive. Bed became a bit of a faff to make up (especially after a couple or three glasses) so decided to go for a fixed bed.
Rapido709f
Fixed rear bed front half dinette - loved it - downside was winter time was a bit limited for lounging so we decided to change (luckily for us we moved house and had a bigger drive so could now go longer!
Hymer B634
Ok - so we went to look at a Swift Bolero 680 with a fixed bed and a front lounge but they had this beauty and we ended up buying it. Rear Lounge (twin singles or large double) I loved it and have only recently forgiven Mrs Colpot for persuading me to sell it. The kids had just moved house and couldn't afford a Holiday so if we had a 6 berth they could come away with us!
Carioca 656
Our first costly mistake - 6 berth but no payload so we uprated. Before we took the kids away we tested it and found the dinette uncomfortable to lounge in and the payload unworkable even after the uprate so it went back to the dealers at a loss of 5k.
Laika Ecovip 100
Just the job to take the kids to France (Daughter and Husband plus our granddaughter). At 4200kgs we had plenty of room for everything. We made good use of the Van ourselves (the Kids came away once and then next I know they are off to the Canaries!) We decided we would go for something less agricultural (Mrs Colpot also didn't feel comfortable in the seat of death (van was LHD)
Sunseeker 25 (otherwise known as the moneypit)
Decided to go for this van as a)it was rear lounge which we decided was a must have and b) it was available and we were booked in a campsite with the kids (they we in tents though) so needed a Van sharpish. Layout was fine but after replacing the speedo head and the fridge we decided to treat ourselves to a bit more space.
Bessacarr E795
What can I say - rear lounge and front lounge - our little (7.5 metres 4250kg) bit of luxury. What more could we ask for! A van we could drive down country lanes that our Sat Nav favoured that's what. We stopped off at a dealers to get some toilet blue and came away with....
Vantage Cub
Downsizing with a vengeance - 5.4 metres with a rear lounge (twin singles) Turned out to be a step too far (we missed the walk through from the cab to the rear.
Autocruise Rhythm
Rear Lounge 3 litre Comfotmatic - gas tank solar panel roof box rear doors open to bring the outside in - what not to like? Sitting in the lounge with the rain hammering on the roof that's what!
Hymer B674
Decided to treat ourselves - the front lounge space of an A Class for those rainy summer days and rear singles over a massive garage. Years of living in Bungalows however meant we don't do stairs very well.
Burstner i684
Rear fixed bed on the same level as the A Class front lounge. Whats not to like?
We have had this forever motorhome for a year now so maybe its a keeper........
Click to expand...
Aaaargh listing our Motorhomes was the kiss of death - we are picking up a Pilote Explorateur G741 tomorrow same front lounge but with 2 normal height singles then a washroom across the back. Whats not to like?......

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