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).

Campervan Inventory

They arrive on site; perhaps with levelling blocks, a mains cable to the electric point, occasionally a waste water carrier, and maybe - if the weather is right - the roll out awning. The motorhome is then done. Its occupants retreat inside for tea, emerging later to walk the dog, or cooler nights to fit insulated screens.

What goes on inside? And more to the point of this blog, what is it that have the owners brought with them? 

Readers will recollect my earlier blog dealing with payload, and recall that our camper's load can be important, especially when travelling abroad. So now is a good time to review what we carry - and why. Of course, the content of our motorhome is a matter of choice, activity and taste, so this blog will hardly be definitive. But it may get you thinking about what you take with you, what you leave behind, and suggest some items to acquire.

We will start with the essentials for all motorhomers, whenever or wherever you travel.

The first - is water.

Motorhome manufacturers boast about the size of their water tanks, perhaps rightly for travellers who free-camp for days or weeks on end. Our water supply is key to many aspects of modern motorhome life,  not just for cleaning teeth. Save for the large trucks, few systems require water for heating, but with ever-expanding washrooms and well-equipped kitchens, the requirement for a good supply becomes essential.

One litre of water weighs one kilo - not by accident (the specific density of water = 1000kg/m3) - and that is almost a third more than gasoline. A full 100l tank adds 100kg to your vehicle, effectively undoing all of the manufacturer's tricks to reduce its weight, and often halving your payload. So this is one good reason why, when travelling, Stephanie and I don't carry a tank full, choosing to fill up on site; and why on leaving we drain all but 20 litres - hence the two taps on modern motorhomes. Clearly,  it makes conservation sense to calculate filling time against the length of your stay so that you don't wate time and water.

With this in mind, in addition to a flat-fold hose together with a combinationn of tap attachments, our first tip is to carry a shortened flexible funnel (3.49 on Ebay), together with an empty 10l clear camping canister (3.79 on Ebay), both of which of minimal weight.

Second - food and refreshment

I suspect that many motorhomes are filled with tins and packages. Stephanie and I spend substantial time travelling in the Scottish Highlands, and even 8,000 miles to Argentina, but rarely too distant from a shop. When away we are keen to try the local produce, with three benefits - the chance to try something new, to meet local people, and to reduce the van's travelling weight. For special items that may not be sourced locally, look to your packaging, and reduce this with plastic containers - ideal for storeage, convenience, and weight.

Third - clothing

Like many experienced motorhomers, Stephanie and I (in addition to our tango wardrobe) have evolved our 'motorhome wardrobe'. By necessity, this is seasonal, with both 'winter' and 'summer' clothes' which we switch as the season progresses. Even when wild camping, there comes a time when the launderette, or camp site laundry beckons - so why equip with too much? Think layers, and pack the staples - fleece, easy wash trousers, waterproof, hat, gloves, strong shoes, small rucksack, and a comfortable change for evenings in the van. 

      

Fourth - motorhome specific kit

There are some items that all motorhomers should acquire before their first journey. Here is our selection:

Levelling blocks. Levelling a motorhome is not a luxury - it is essential if you are not going to 'live on a hill', always tackling a slope. Even Caravan and Motorhome Club premier sites require these; and for wild camping they are essential. For historic reasons, I carry four - two Milenco Quattros, and two small Fiamma light weight. The former are heavy, but robust, and give a high level of elevation on uneven ground. The latter are convenient for those occasions when you simply need minor adjustment. To remove the guesswork add a Milenco superlevel indicator. 

Mud mats. If your motorhome is on a Fiat, Peugeot or Citroen chassis it will be front wheel drive, and mud mats will be essential on grass after rain, whatever the slope. These are cheap to acquire (or make from bread crates) and are light to carry. Do not leave home without a pair. Team them with a light weight nylon tow rope with snap-ring, which we store accessibly with our warning triangle and wheel jack.

Insulated screens. Unusually these find their way into the 'essential kit' list. For Stephanie and I, they have more to do with condensation than heat. They retain a lot more heat for winter camping, and reflect strong sunshine, making your motorhome more comfortable whatever the weather. They also provide an extra layer of privacy. But it is in relation to windscreen condensation that they come into their own, effectively eliminating the problem when living in a van. We recommend Taylormade screen covers in the long fitting, as these cover both screen and bonnet ventilators, as well as providing an easy fold-down section to admit daylight. If considering winter camping, why not buy a bonnet cover at the same time - you will be surprised by the difference it makes.

Waste water carrier. Most motorhomes are equipped with an 80 litre + waste water tank, meaning that you can store grey water for several days. However, when not regularly drained, water in the grey tank becomes fetid, and that will explain the smells sometimes appearing in your motorhome. Relying on the onboard tank also means you will have to make regular journeys to a motorhome drainage point (if one is available). The simple answer is to carry a waste water carrier, allowing grey water to drain rather than collect in the onboard tank. A carrier also avoids the necessity of queueing for 'the long drain' at busy departure times. Is a carrier really an essential? Many are happy to do without, but having one smooths the way.

Outdoor seating and matting. Some motorhomers love their attached or drive-away awnings. However, they do come at a price - as to cost, weight, and time spent in putting them up.  If your motorhome comes with a roll-out awning you will have a simple alternative for quiet weather and avoid the problem of muddy shoes and boots in the van. The art is to make the most of this space. Stephanie and I recommend the acquisition of woven plastic matting, available at most motorhome or caravan dealers. Use it equally on grass (where it allows the grass to 'breathe') or hard standing (where draining is not a problem) . Ensure that you have a selection of metal pegs and a mallet to anchor your awning and mat. It is also wise to buy a roll of webbing to secure your awning for those times when gusts of wind may cause havoc. 

Most motorhomers also buy lightweight fold-away seating for outdoor use. Bear in mind if you have a folding table in the van, this can be used outdoors. If you don't have an outdoor electric point consider packing an extension lead, especially the type that provides three pin and USB points.

Heating: Your motorhome comes with an efficient heating system which should keep your van toasty even during winter use. But there are times when you may seek just that little bit extra. The Dimplex Coldwatcher MPX500 has a number of advantages. Position it in the cab area, either vertically or on its side, it is 500w rated, uses low power, thermostatically controlled, convector style it is silent, light to move and almost indestructible.

Tool kit. The 'garage' in some motorhomes resembles a veritable workshop with everything but a lathe and welder. For the purpose of this blog I advise a small collection of the following tools: variable-head screwdriver, pair of adjustable spanners, pliers, hammer, folding knife, zinc hose clips, plastic cable ties, bungee ties, strong cord, small 12v compressor, tyre pressure guage, heavy duty tape, spare fuses, WD40 or silicone spray, high viz jacket, protective gloves. Additionally, I store a torch and sheet of heavy plastic in case I need to slide beneath the van.

Medical kit. Whatever sort you carry, it must be accessible. Stephanie and I keep our kit in a shoebox beneath an interior seat that also has outside access. Here we have a selection of bandages, pasters, butterfly stitches, tape, scissors, plastic eyebath, small medical knife, antiseptic, pain relief and indigestion relief. 

Fire extiguisher. Manufacturers have made great strides in fireproofing motorhomes, but they are still a major fire hazard. It is for this reason that open pans should be attended, chip pans never used, and candles restricted to outdoor use. Modern motorhomes come with a fire extinguisher, which should be serviced periodically, and supported by a fire blanket. Bear in mind that should your motorhome catch fire, the only objective is to get out safely, rather than firefighting an existing blaze. Always ensure that your smoke and CO2 alarms are in working order.

Laundry kit. We tend to carry washing powder, hand washing soap, Vanish stain remover bar, small brush, window attaching clothes rail, light line, and pegs, all of which is stored in a small plastic wash bucket. Most commercial machines are coin operated, so it is wise to store some small change for this purpose and for parking charges.

Van care. Here we are addressing that which is essential whilst travelling.  Others may pack comprehensive van cleaning equipment, but my outdoor equipment comprises simply a wash cloth, retired wiper blade and small plastic bucket (which doubles for BBQ cleaning). For the interior, consider multi-surface and antisceptic sprays, J cloths, toilet fluid, dustpan and stiff brush.

Now we move on to the variable content of your van. Here, as with the list of items above, weight is an important consideration, so Stephanie and I have made evident compromises. The art is to get light-weight kit, and add back luxury items if your payload allows.

Let us start with the kitchen area. Most motorhomers use a low wattage 1 litre 240v electric kettle with automatic cut-off. Bear in mind that whatever size you need, it will take up valuable work surface. Some make do with a small whistling kettle for the gas hob. Stephanie and I carry both, using the quicker, safer, cheaper electric kettle when on hook-up. With this we use a Cafe Ole infuser teapot, six cup Bialetti coffee maker, and insulated mugs if you like your drinks hot. For cold drinks we have gravitated to superb replica plastic glasses both for Malbec and champagne. Not only has this choice reduced van weight, but the stress of breakages, especially in outdoor use. 

The late summer garden shop sales provide a profusion of melamine tableware which is ideal for both inside and outside your motorhome. Here weight is key, for you will spend time carrying, washing and storing your crockery. As an indulgence, Stephanie and I have two china plates - which frankly we prefer. For cutlery, select the basics and keep it in the van. This avoids the unwanted moment when you have the wine bottle, but not the corkscrew!

Pans must be simple, light and versatile. We advise a three tower pan/steamer set, to which we have added a frying pan, a small milk pan, and baking tray. Should you have a microwave, don't forget to purchase some non-metalic containers which may double for fridge storage. On the topic of storage, source pierced plastic boxes, which together with bubble wrap, makes accessing 'rattly things' so simple.

The bedroom. With our Auto Trail Tracker FB, we have a queen size rear bed, ideal for couples travelling alone. On this we have placed a Duvalay zipped topper which the manufacturers will cut  to measure. For bedding, we use a fitted bottom sheet topped with duvet and throw. The art here is simplicity, and with access to site laundry facilities, there is rarely need to carry additional bedding.

The bathroom. As with our bedding, we have purchased bespoke camper towels which, whilst not permanently stored in the van, are restricted to van use. Remember that motorhoming does not have to be basic, and a little luxury is sometimes appropriate, so buy quality. It is also the one occasion where others will scrutinise your towels whilst in transit to the shower block. The bathroom is also our place of choice to store cleaning materials, keeping them accessible where they are really needed.

So far, we have covered 'main kit' rather than luxuries. Those with pets will have further calls on their payload. Sports people will have even more kit, especially if you carry bicycles on a rear rack.  Bear in mind that unless your van has a greater than 3500kg gross mass, you are likely to exceed your MTPLM payload. But with clever sourcing and strict policies, you should stay legal and safe. Best of luck!

Cosmic June

With a shortened and divided week - Argentine Tango at Voodoo Café falling on Thursday - Stephanie and I decided on a two centre trip.

The first half demands a return to Whitley Bay - for no other reasons than the spectacular view across the North Sea from Old Hartley, and the myriad of walks along the cliffs.

The van is packed. Aware as we are of the payload margin on the Tracker (290kg) from which we deduct our fixed extras (125kg), we take just what we need. The fresh water tank has a capacity of 100 litres. Each litre of water weighs 1kg, so carrying water from home to site is not advisable.

Our route this windy Tuesday takes us across the Tyne Bridge, Newcastle. Traffic issues on the A1 Gateshead are still prominent, and the approach to the bridge is slow, despite our weekday choice. A clear advantage would have been gained from the Tyne Tunnel crossing, even better with a pre-paid permit. From the bridge the 1058 takes us out towards Tynemouth, with a turn north up the A19 to the 190 east-bound route to Seaton Sluice.

The sluice dates back to the mid 17th century, developed by Sir Ralph Delaval to flush silt from Seaton Burn harbour. A century later, Sir John Humphry Delaval used explosives to make a new passage, a 900' long, 54' deep channel for shipping - now providing impressive industrial archaeology for the visitor.

The camp site, as readers will already know from my earlier blog, lies just to the south at the village of Hartley, famed for its historic salt flats. Now all that remains of industry are the odd tanker lying at anchor whilst awaiting the tides for Newcastle Upon Tyne, and a trade boat that runs daily to Blythe.




Here we pitch for two nights, nestling against the perimeter fence that separates the site from seaside grassland over which the skylarks soar and sing. Our main view is, of course, to St Mary's lighthouse, prominent in the bay.







For those who are unfamiliar with the Northumberland coastline, this has to be one of the most spectacular continuous stretches of cliffs and beaches in England. Little wonder that the county was so prized. The variety of flora and bird life is impressive, but more so are the long reaches of perfect sand which disappear into the distance as far as the eye can see. Inland, soft lowland countryside with wild honeysuckle, campion, orchid and late flowering cowslips.

For the latter part of the week, as total contrast we select Leyburn in North Yorkshire. 

Access is simple from the A1 southbound, leaving at J15 Leeming Bar on the A684 via Bedale. What the traffic managers thought they were doing in Bedale defies description, but again, this involves just time rather than crisis, and the remaining journey through to Harmby is effortless. To our left is the delightful Harmby waterfall.  

Our site lies just before the Pheasant Inn, cleverly concealed to the right up a narrow high sided track. How fortunate that nothing came in the opposite direction.

This is an area of quarries. The site is in fact situated in one. Now managed by the Caravan Club, Lower Wensleydale offers a series of mini-sites running between sections of the quarry. We bag a pitch on 'the balcony', under the trees overlooking one of the main areas. The view from our windows is softened by luxuriant foliage. That in which we stay is nothing compared to the adjacent one - dramatically deep, plunging from four vertical sides to the waterline. 

The town of Leyburn lies just a mile and a bit away from the site, accessed along the A684 through rolling North Yorkshire countryside. Just outside the town is Tennants Auctioneers in their new £8m development - 'Kensington Palace meets the Tate'. 

One of the largest (if not the largest) auction house in Britain, Tennants is still run as a family concern under Rodney Tennant's leadership. Whilst there, we were treated to the John Lennon/Miles Davies exhibition of sketches and watercolours. 

Leyburn itself is a seriously impressive market town, stuffed with independent shops, such as 5th generation Milners Department store run by Leoni and Keith. The period town provides the perfect setting for the 1940's revival weekend, held each year in the third week of July.

Returning to the site, the wind, already brisk, develops in epic proportions. Some visitors have set off early, anticipating long and arduous journeys ahead. On the balcony against rising ground, we sit below the rage, hoping that no stray branches fall. It is to gentle rocking that we later sleep, awakening to soft sunshine and stillness. 

Leaving, we take the A6108, skirting Bellerby and following the river Sandbeck to Richmond, the Auto Trail Tracker running sweetly. From thence to the A1 and on to Darlington, another Tracker trip successfully accomplished. 

Cosmic Northumberland

Packed, including Champagne.....and the sat nav is programmed for Northumberland.

This short trip starts today, Wednesday, and we shall return on Sunday - taking in River Breamish just north of Powburn on the A697; and then progressing on to Berwick-on-Tweed, right on the edge of the Northumbrian coast.

It seemed strange getting back into the Tracker, with memories still fresh of twenty years in the CI. Here in the Auto Trail, seats embrace as the automatic gear-change effortlessly lifts the speed. The van sits firmly on the road, and but for the high riding position, gives an almost 'car-like' ride. Henry (the given voice of the sat nav soon warns that I am 'exceeding the speed limit'.

For such a size of vehicle, it is remarkably quiet, both within and without. The 1.3l (150hp) engine is soft and leisurely, showing little strain, except on the steepest incline when the hill-climb setting comes into play. Most of the internal noise results from packing error, with an unseated hob tapping the glass cover, and a series of forks tuning themselves in a cutlery drawer. It is only now that I am getting to appreciate the build quality: thick insulation, dense flooring and tight joinery work speak of a quality that is often absent with other manufacturers. The hard suspension, ubiquitous with Fiat, Ford and Mercedes, is the one aspect that reminds that I am driving a van.

With delays in departure for packing and diesel, I run the A1 near Newcastle towards rush hour. I decide to top-up the Gaslow leisure gas bottle LPG system despite having 8 litres spread between two cylinders, so that I can tick another 'first' from my list.

Gaslow refillable bottle gas is a Princess of gas delivery (the Queen being the expensive steel refillable gas tanks attached to the vehicle chassis). It comprises a principal gas bottle, linked to a smaller 'spare', the whole system being remotely filled or topped up via an externally mounted filler, similar to those found on LPG powered cars. Gas is then delivered via the regulator on demand to the heating, refrigeration and cooking appliances when not programmed to operate on 130v mains electric.

My selected gas dealer having closed early - too soon for my visit, I selected the next nearest LPG service station, offering a 59p/litre charge. Filling is relatively simple once the rules are understood, but the filling process is slow, so be warned. The system accommodates a further 6.3 litres, which takes the tanks up to their 80% safety capacity before automatically shutting off the flow. I pay £3.72, and have the knowledge that, irrespective of gas use, I will have more than enough for this trip and many to come.

Leaving the A1 north of Morpeth, the A697 runs straight towards Coldstream south of the Scottish border. Powburn lies just to the north of Rothbury in glorious Northumbrian countryside. Here hills roll towards fells, with small fringes of Scotts Pine ranged along the ridges. We see the last cattle outside Pauperhaugh and enter sheep country. It is May and the lambs are still small here, the season being a good three weeks behind the lower lands. We turn off towards Branton and after half a mile reach River Breamish site.

This is part of the Caravan Club network, a 10 acre site at the foot of the Cheviots, offering 75 pitches most of which are hardstanding. Along both side and rear are fascinating nature reserves set amidst old quarry lakes with well-constructed hides, and beyond runs the river, brown with peat. This is a twitcher's paradise if birds are your thing. If not, the drama of nature is still a compelling reason to visit, with extensive walks into unspoilt countryside.

Our chosen pitch backs against a tree-lined bank and faces into the main site. This has to be one of the most carefully cared Caravan Club sites in the region, but perhaps needs a further five years for the openness to fold and mature.

Our departure is again north west on the A697 to Wooler, and then the picturesque B6525 due north towards Berwick-on-Tweed. Berwick Seaview deserves its name - a 6 acre Caravan Club site situated in terraces high above Tweedmouth with views across to the ancient border town of Berwick and the North Sea. A popular site, just off the A1 London to Edinburgh road, booking is essential. Our allocated pitch 23 was towards the end of the site with restricted sea view, so you may wish to specify one of the more favoured of the 93 pitches when you book.

A visit to Berwick is not for the site - but for the town, a historic fortified holding to keep the Scots from invading England. Still walled, with massive granite blocks, the town combines the best of British history with a still-working port. It offers an immense variety of town walks and coastal strolls. It also offers Keith's Pier Red, arguably one of the best coffee-and-art shops in Europe. Having recently returned from Buenos Aires, we are skilled in tracking good coffee, and here is a place that rivals the best of those we have visited. And with your coffee, try the coffee and walnut cake, made locally and lovingly to delight.

Now, I hear you ask, why bring Champagne to Berwick-on-Tweed?

There is one simple and compelling reason, and it lies at the foot of Tweedmouth on Dock Road, just below the site. Descend there to meet with brothers Douglas and Graham Flannigan who operate the Berwick Shellfish Company. This is a family concern, founded by parents George and Phyllis Flannigan in 1969. The factory seafood shop opened in 2014 and is now part of the business success story. We choose prepared lobster and a separate seafood platter with king prawns and crab meat. The more adventurous may wish to cook their own lobster, or taste an exotic chilli and lime salmon.

The cork pops, our glasses are charged, and we set about succulent, soft lobster and crab. The last rays of sunshine break through hurrying clouds and we settle back to enjoy our latest meal in the Tracker.

Why travel further, when here is such delight?

First Moment

Stephanie and I are driving to Tyne Valley Motorhomes, Byermoor, Burnopfield and our new destiny. It's called the Auto Trail Tracker FB.

Back in 1993 I bought my first motorhome; or should I say 'campervan' -a second hand Autosleeper Rhapsody - a high roof panel van on the old shape Peugeot Boxer chassis.

Giving good service for a couple of years, in 1995 I exchanged it for a new CI Mizar Elite 140 - one of the first crash-tested, mass produced coachbuilts to come out of Italy.

2014 at Garlieston, Dumfies, Scotland

2014 Stephanie at Twinwood, Bedfordshire

And now, twenty years on, with excellent service from the CI, both in the UK and abroad, it is time for a change.


The Auto Trail Tracker FB is a larger van, taking the length from 5.97 to 7.10 metres, the width from 2.21 to 2.35m, the height from 2.97 to 3.03m. The reason, as leaked in it's name, is the FB or fixed bed, a queen size French bed backing to the rear near-side of the vehicle and positioned alongside the spacious bathroom. Forward from this is the kitchen and wardrobe, with twin sofas forming the front end seating beneath the Super Lo-line cab. All is set on the 2.3 Fiat Ducato Euro 5 base vehicle, in this case with Multijet 130 engine upgrade to 150 bhp, coupled to the Comfort- Matic automatic gearbox.

Auto Trail is a Lincolnshire based firm which has been making motorhomes for over 30 years, now part of the Trigano group operating from Europarc, Grimsby. Typically for the UK market, this is strictly a two seater motorhome - although with sofa conversion, it may sleep four.

The particular specification for this 2014 vehicle was determined by another customer who had been unable to take delivery of the vehicle. Extras include the media pack 2 with integrated 18.5" Avtex drop down wide screen TV/DVD player incorporating digital and satellite tuners; 100w solar panel, water tank frost protection, Witter detachable tow bar and reversing camera. Not registered until 2015, this provided a 'new' vehicle with the expected discount.

So much for the specification. Now, all we have to do is to take delivery. And of course, that will be the next blog.