Choosing a motorhome

Like Stephen Towell, you may be switching from a caravan, or upgrading from a smaller van; but what are the points that you should consider before making your choice of motorhome?

Here is a personal list of factors and features, intended to create a conversation rather than act as a definitive guide. If you have additional ideas, add your experience and preferences by making a comment below.

‘I have been towing for a few years, but want the flexibility of a motorhome’.

Many on retirement are advised to take a cash sum, opening the door for a more expensive purchase. But how should we approach this big spend when buying a motorhome?

I know few motorhomers who bought their ideal van first time round. You would think that moving from a caravan would give you a head start, but this transition can be as fraught as very first time touring. Motorhomes, especially new ones, are expensive beasts and a mistake can be disastrous. Pete Jones makes an excellent suggestion - consider hiring before you buy. At the very least, on your next campsite introduce yourself to motorhomers with vans that you admire. Unlike the dealers, they will tell you what they like and what they dislike about their van. Go back to your caravan and make notes. You will quickly determine your blueprint for your perfect van.

First considerations

Your first consideration should not be the make and model - but the size of the van.

The larger the van, the more versatile the living space. But with size come downsides, one being a 3,500 kg payload. Phil Cockell rightly mentions the licence restrictions - are you authorised to drive a private goods vehicle? And does the payload gives you sufficient flexibility to carry what you need? To help with this topic, take a look at my earlier blog here.

Size affects the price you will pay. Is it worth paying for extra living space in a leisure vehicle? If you have a hoard of grandchildren all vying to be with you on every trip, the choice is out of your hands. But should just two of you be touring, consider why you wanted to switch from a caravan. For most making the transition, a ‘pitch, pack-up and go’ flexibility is key. Bigger vans (especially twin-axles) will be more difficult to pitch, and definitely more troublesome to park. Smaller vehicles will be easy in supermarket car parks, and a joy when wild camping in the Highlands.

Glenda Benger makes the next important point - take time in determining your ideal interior layout. The main reason that motorhomers change their van in the first two years is that their chosen layout turns out to be wrong for them. Of your time in the van, most will probably be spent in bed. Fixed beds take space, but offer lots of pluses, including the opportunity to use both bed and living space simultaneously. Check accessibility, and think of those dark nights when you need to extract yourself from the bed to visit the loo.

For many, the next priority is the kitchen. You may not be a cordon bleu cook, but the probability is that you will serve more than beans. Here, Glenda’s advice on layout is pivotal. Can others use the van whilst I cook? Will I use an oven? Do I want an electric plate with my hob? Is a microwave a must-have piece of kit? How much work surface do I really need?

Manufacturer, base vehicle and build quality

As with caravans, you ‘pay your money and take your chance’. For each motorhome converter you will find some buyers that criticise and others that eulogise. Even with the latest fabrication techniques, you get rogue vans on dealer’s forecourts. Overall, quality comes at a price, and you should be prepared to pay that bit more for a reliable option. Autotrail has a long history of quality. Many other manufacturers have come and gone. Do a Companies House search on the manufacturer (and the dealer) before you buy, for this will indicate if there are any problems in the wind (as currently with the Hymer Group).

Dealers

My advice is to find a local dealer holding the franchise for your particular choice of motorhome. Then check their trading history. Ask to speak to their after-sales staff, including a member of the handover staff. Visit on a busy weekend and chat with current customers. Check online. Bear in mind that manufacturers will only be responsive to their dealers - the ones that sell their vehicles.

With new motorhomes, remember that you will need an annual service and habitation check to engage the warranty. Well managed, this should require just one annual visit, but repairs and new fittings may result in more frequent trips to your dealer. This is why it is advisable to buy locally from a dealer that you can trust. We were lucky in our most recent choice of Tyne Valley Motorhomes (neither sponsoring nor indeed knowing of this blog entry).