Motorhome prices!
Discussion
Thought I would give a little update.
So we have been on various camping trips with our tent, and whilst doing so I have been mooching around the sites looking at the campervans. I spotted a Hymer like the one I linked to above and started talking to the chap who was sat outside, he was very helpful and basically stated how reliable it was and loved every minute of it.
So I thought I had made my mind up.
However as time has gone on the practicalities of owning and using a van has changed my mind somewhat.
We have no off road parking so the van would have to live somewhere else. This then creates issues with keeping an eye on it, maintenance etc.
I also work in London and have to get back to Southampton everyday so it is not as if we can just go at the drop of a hat.
But the biggest issue for me is the actual parking up at a site and staying there, we have two young children, the youngest of which is disabled and uses a wheelchair, so it is not as if we can cycle anywhere of any real distance and explore. I suppose my wife could follow with me in the car but that seems a bit daft.
So it seems that circumstances have put a stop to it, I can’t see how it can be done really which is a real shame. I think next year we will visit Hire a Hymer and hire one for a week. I still look at them wistfully on Ebay….
Thanks for all your help though people.
So we have been on various camping trips with our tent, and whilst doing so I have been mooching around the sites looking at the campervans. I spotted a Hymer like the one I linked to above and started talking to the chap who was sat outside, he was very helpful and basically stated how reliable it was and loved every minute of it.
So I thought I had made my mind up.
However as time has gone on the practicalities of owning and using a van has changed my mind somewhat.
We have no off road parking so the van would have to live somewhere else. This then creates issues with keeping an eye on it, maintenance etc.
I also work in London and have to get back to Southampton everyday so it is not as if we can just go at the drop of a hat.
But the biggest issue for me is the actual parking up at a site and staying there, we have two young children, the youngest of which is disabled and uses a wheelchair, so it is not as if we can cycle anywhere of any real distance and explore. I suppose my wife could follow with me in the car but that seems a bit daft.
So it seems that circumstances have put a stop to it, I can’t see how it can be done really which is a real shame. I think next year we will visit Hire a Hymer and hire one for a week. I still look at them wistfully on Ebay….
Thanks for all your help though people.
Please don't give up just yet.
We're a family of four. Two children aged 4 and 12.
We've been in the New Forest and IoW these past two weeks and have had absolutely no problems driving my 7m long Mercedes RMB around. You have to be watchful for decent parking but as long as a space has a decent free rearward area for the overhang, you're generally OK.
Narrow country lanes can be challenging, occasionally (yesterday was one of those days) but far from impossible and you plan your route a bit more carefully than when in a car, but that's about it.
We're a family of four. Two children aged 4 and 12.
We've been in the New Forest and IoW these past two weeks and have had absolutely no problems driving my 7m long Mercedes RMB around. You have to be watchful for decent parking but as long as a space has a decent free rearward area for the overhang, you're generally OK.
Narrow country lanes can be challenging, occasionally (yesterday was one of those days) but far from impossible and you plan your route a bit more carefully than when in a car, but that's about it.
I agree with SimesMH - don't give up just yet.
I have no parking for our van (Harry) and, as such, he lives at a secure motorhome storage yard a couple of miles from the house. It costs me 50quid per month, which I think is reasonable, but I'm also quite close to the M25 so prices are typically home counties and can imagine it might be cheaper down your way. Also, being in a secure compound, there are no concerns about security and we quite often (sometimes weekly) pop down to have a cuppa in him, which we and my daughter also love, even if we don't go anywhere.
I work in the City and fortnightly abroad in Frankfurt, so also not ideal in terms of getting away, but it is still possible. Arguably you're on the doorstep of some lovely places, whereas we need to travel a little bit further to get to really beautiful places, but it has been done.
One thing we try to do every so often is for me to leave work a little early and my wife picks me up from the station with the car packed with food and we'll go straight off in Harry and drive for an hour and a half somewhere on a Friday. I often go down to the van the night before to turn on the gas to get the fridge cold, but otherwise, there's zero prep - our van is always packed with bedding, fresh towels, outdoor clothes, kids toys and only needs underwear fresh food.
Otherwise, we go away on a Saturday for either day trip somewhere where we pull up and use it as a base when we're in the woods (for example) or just go for an overnighter somewhere. We just call a campsite at 9am and see if they have space. Generally speaking they do and it's easy to book. Sometimes we only go 7miles down the road, because at the end of the day it's about getting away, outdoors, with the family and no distractions.
We are equally aware of the potential for being stranded without a car, so we choose our sites carefully, such that it's easy to get a bus or a short walk into the local village. Ok, so we don't have the complication of a disability to deal with, but at the moment with our daughter being just 2.5yrs old, she's not able to ride a bike or walk very far currently, so we are limited in that respect.
That's not to say it's for everyone, but if you have an inkling you'd like it, give it a go. I find it truly brilliant and so glad we persevered after our first dog of a van. I also wish I'd done it years ago. I'm just glad we're able to now.
Notwithstanding everything I wrote above about storage, we're now in the process of moving house and have gone from having a priority list of the usual kitchen / diner, en suites etc. to "is there space for Harry on the property?" - that's house much the motorhome has become part of our lives.
I have no parking for our van (Harry) and, as such, he lives at a secure motorhome storage yard a couple of miles from the house. It costs me 50quid per month, which I think is reasonable, but I'm also quite close to the M25 so prices are typically home counties and can imagine it might be cheaper down your way. Also, being in a secure compound, there are no concerns about security and we quite often (sometimes weekly) pop down to have a cuppa in him, which we and my daughter also love, even if we don't go anywhere.
I work in the City and fortnightly abroad in Frankfurt, so also not ideal in terms of getting away, but it is still possible. Arguably you're on the doorstep of some lovely places, whereas we need to travel a little bit further to get to really beautiful places, but it has been done.
One thing we try to do every so often is for me to leave work a little early and my wife picks me up from the station with the car packed with food and we'll go straight off in Harry and drive for an hour and a half somewhere on a Friday. I often go down to the van the night before to turn on the gas to get the fridge cold, but otherwise, there's zero prep - our van is always packed with bedding, fresh towels, outdoor clothes, kids toys and only needs underwear fresh food.
Otherwise, we go away on a Saturday for either day trip somewhere where we pull up and use it as a base when we're in the woods (for example) or just go for an overnighter somewhere. We just call a campsite at 9am and see if they have space. Generally speaking they do and it's easy to book. Sometimes we only go 7miles down the road, because at the end of the day it's about getting away, outdoors, with the family and no distractions.
We are equally aware of the potential for being stranded without a car, so we choose our sites carefully, such that it's easy to get a bus or a short walk into the local village. Ok, so we don't have the complication of a disability to deal with, but at the moment with our daughter being just 2.5yrs old, she's not able to ride a bike or walk very far currently, so we are limited in that respect.
That's not to say it's for everyone, but if you have an inkling you'd like it, give it a go. I find it truly brilliant and so glad we persevered after our first dog of a van. I also wish I'd done it years ago. I'm just glad we're able to now.
Notwithstanding everything I wrote above about storage, we're now in the process of moving house and have gone from having a priority list of the usual kitchen / diner, en suites etc. to "is there space for Harry on the property?" - that's house much the motorhome has become part of our lives.
Thank you both for your thoughts, very persuasive! I'm still half looking and mentally chewing it over I think. I need to
Look at all expenses and look for storage, we are very lucky in that we are 10 minutes from the new forest so there is always places to go.
I think we need to hire one asap really, especially a hymer.
Look at all expenses and look for storage, we are very lucky in that we are 10 minutes from the new forest so there is always places to go.
I think we need to hire one asap really, especially a hymer.
Not a million miles from you? Perhaps pick up on the way back from the old smoke???
http://www.portfoliomotorhomehire.co.uk
Have no connection to them, but found their website whilst looking for other Hymer related stuff and thought it looked like a good setup.
http://www.portfoliomotorhomehire.co.uk
Have no connection to them, but found their website whilst looking for other Hymer related stuff and thought it looked like a good setup.
If you need to take a car with you, why not just get a caravan instead?
We always had a caravan when we were kids, now it's just my parents again my Dad built a van from a Renault Master base. I don't think vans make much sense unless there's just a couple of you or you're putting the kids in a tent as the large vans aren't practical to pick up and move all the time and more of a pain to drive.
We always had a caravan when we were kids, now it's just my parents again my Dad built a van from a Renault Master base. I don't think vans make much sense unless there's just a couple of you or you're putting the kids in a tent as the large vans aren't practical to pick up and move all the time and more of a pain to drive.
Was going to suggest a caravan.
You could half your budget and still get a decent 4 birth with fixed double bunks for the kids.
Decent sized awning will be ideal for wheelchair and you will have the car for trips out.
Being near to the new forest you could leave work early on a Friday and set off as soon as you get home. You'd be pitched up before you know it.
Just spent a week in Dorset which isn't much further.
Took us 7 hours getting there from Lincolnshire!
FYI Spent a few days on Knoll Beach and they have off road wheelchairs with massive tyres to go on the beach. Never seen them before and a great idea.
You could half your budget and still get a decent 4 birth with fixed double bunks for the kids.
Decent sized awning will be ideal for wheelchair and you will have the car for trips out.
Being near to the new forest you could leave work early on a Friday and set off as soon as you get home. You'd be pitched up before you know it.
Just spent a week in Dorset which isn't much further.
Took us 7 hours getting there from Lincolnshire!
FYI Spent a few days on Knoll Beach and they have off road wheelchairs with massive tyres to go on the beach. Never seen them before and a great idea.
Possibly a bit over budget (although open to offers apparently)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEDFORD-OB-BUS-1-OF-A-KI...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEDFORD-OB-BUS-1-OF-A-KI...
paulrockliffe said:
If you need to take a car with you, why not just get a caravan instead?
Good call but there is an alternative:We looked at a small car/a-frame towing etc etc when we bought our motorhome and decided that we wouldn't bother. We took the view that if booked in advance through a broker such as Argus Rentacar, hiring one close to our destination was the best way forward as it was so cheap, saved lots of hassle and cost of second car ownership/towing etc etc.
In reality, we have chosen our sites quite carefully so I have been able to do the shopping by bike and we haven't ever needed to rent a car....
I second the notion of renting a car.
We vary things depending on our needs for each trip. For instance, where we've used my motorhome during half-term and I've needed to go to work, we've taken one of our cars for me to use and visited one of many glorious local sites. My wife then rents a small Eurobox for a few days, if needed, for very little money if an additional mode of transport is deemed necessary.
Other times, we take one of our cars and use that. Our first trip to the New Forest was a case in point or where I was able to get away with our motorhome early on a Friday and then my wife follows some hours later in one of the cars after our children get home from school. By the time she arrives, I'm all set up (admittedly, this takes less than 10 minutes) with supper and a glass of wine ready.
I can't tow any of our cars as they're all too large and buying a small thing just for this purpose makes no sense at all, but hiring one as needed is massively cost-effective.
More often than not, though, we rarely need a car with us at all.
We vary things depending on our needs for each trip. For instance, where we've used my motorhome during half-term and I've needed to go to work, we've taken one of our cars for me to use and visited one of many glorious local sites. My wife then rents a small Eurobox for a few days, if needed, for very little money if an additional mode of transport is deemed necessary.
Other times, we take one of our cars and use that. Our first trip to the New Forest was a case in point or where I was able to get away with our motorhome early on a Friday and then my wife follows some hours later in one of the cars after our children get home from school. By the time she arrives, I'm all set up (admittedly, this takes less than 10 minutes) with supper and a glass of wine ready.
I can't tow any of our cars as they're all too large and buying a small thing just for this purpose makes no sense at all, but hiring one as needed is massively cost-effective.
More often than not, though, we rarely need a car with us at all.
Edited by SimesJH on Wednesday 12th August 06:58
smn159 said:
Possibly a bit over budget (although open to offers apparently)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEDFORD-OB-BUS-1-OF-A-KI...
Wow, that's incredible!!! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BEDFORD-OB-BUS-1-OF-A-KI...
Just to add a little more for the OP...
My wife has MS so when we get to site we tend to drop anchor. The key is to choose sites carefully that have the facilities you want maybe for your disabled child plus also loads of kids stuff in general; many have good walks in/around them (flat too); many are close to pubs/restaurants for the odd evening out etc. There are also sites that actively advertise proximity to bus stops, railways stations and also 'park and rides' to the local town.
We tend to visit 'somewhere' on our way to site (or on our way back home) and then are happy to park up for the time we are on site. Given my wife's mobility we will certainly have a short walk around the site daily or the locale.
My wife has MS so when we get to site we tend to drop anchor. The key is to choose sites carefully that have the facilities you want maybe for your disabled child plus also loads of kids stuff in general; many have good walks in/around them (flat too); many are close to pubs/restaurants for the odd evening out etc. There are also sites that actively advertise proximity to bus stops, railways stations and also 'park and rides' to the local town.
We tend to visit 'somewhere' on our way to site (or on our way back home) and then are happy to park up for the time we are on site. Given my wife's mobility we will certainly have a short walk around the site daily or the locale.
Hi all. I've just read this thread and althought I have a caravan and not a motorhome here is something we have done to get use out of the van.
I got the van two years agoon a whim, price and timing where both right. Not a keen caravaner or camper tbh so got the van and put it straight into storage. Didn't even look at it until the storage fees were due again. At which point wifester and I had the should we sell it conversation.
We agreed we should try to get use out of it so this is the cunning plan we hatched and it seems to work for us.
We found a campsite that has year round storage and great on site facilities. For us that means shop, cafe and bar on site. It also means good location for driving to places within an hour of base.
We ring up during the week, they pitch the van for us so when we arrive on Friday evening (or whenever), the van is ready for us. It's just like arriving at a flat, holiday home etc. No towing, fighting traffic etc. AND it means we get use out of it. We can still tow away if we want to but it's not mandatory. When we leave after our stay, they de-pitch it and put out away.
Works for us. Hope that helps
..... Neil
I got the van two years agoon a whim, price and timing where both right. Not a keen caravaner or camper tbh so got the van and put it straight into storage. Didn't even look at it until the storage fees were due again. At which point wifester and I had the should we sell it conversation.
We agreed we should try to get use out of it so this is the cunning plan we hatched and it seems to work for us.
We found a campsite that has year round storage and great on site facilities. For us that means shop, cafe and bar on site. It also means good location for driving to places within an hour of base.
We ring up during the week, they pitch the van for us so when we arrive on Friday evening (or whenever), the van is ready for us. It's just like arriving at a flat, holiday home etc. No towing, fighting traffic etc. AND it means we get use out of it. We can still tow away if we want to but it's not mandatory. When we leave after our stay, they de-pitch it and put out away.
Works for us. Hope that helps
..... Neil
Just to add to this thread we are planning to spend at least ~ 3+ months on the road in Europe from next year, just learning the differences between some motorhomes. What frustrates me the most is that some are basically just vans with some home comforts but cost stupid money.
Anyway any thoughts on ex-rentals: http://www.justgo.uk.com/sales/
This couple also has a really cool blog: http://ourtour.co.uk/home/
Anyway any thoughts on ex-rentals: http://www.justgo.uk.com/sales/
This couple also has a really cool blog: http://ourtour.co.uk/home/
The key thing about an ex-rental is internal condition: is it scuffed, do the foam bits in the seats/beds need replacing, is the oven/hob trashed etc etc.
The base vehicles are designed to do massive mileage very quickly in the hands of monkey delivery drivers so I would have no issues with a high mileage one. In fact, with Euro 5 emissions gubbins, I would be keaner on a higher mile one as it means it has been used and the dpf etc shouldn't be gummed up.
Mine finishes its last rental today before it goes up for sale. It is a 130hp Ducato that has done over 30,000 miles in 2 1/2 years and still needed dpf sensor and a dash out electrical problem fixing - both are known issues with Fiat bases. From experience, the engine didn't get properly run in until it got to 20,000 miles. From discussions with various owners at sites, you would be amazed at how many are running around with engine check lights lit due to emissions kit snags.
The MH community is very afraid of high mileage vehicles, which is lunacy when that is what the base vehicles were designed to do.
The base vehicles are designed to do massive mileage very quickly in the hands of monkey delivery drivers so I would have no issues with a high mileage one. In fact, with Euro 5 emissions gubbins, I would be keaner on a higher mile one as it means it has been used and the dpf etc shouldn't be gummed up.
Mine finishes its last rental today before it goes up for sale. It is a 130hp Ducato that has done over 30,000 miles in 2 1/2 years and still needed dpf sensor and a dash out electrical problem fixing - both are known issues with Fiat bases. From experience, the engine didn't get properly run in until it got to 20,000 miles. From discussions with various owners at sites, you would be amazed at how many are running around with engine check lights lit due to emissions kit snags.
The MH community is very afraid of high mileage vehicles, which is lunacy when that is what the base vehicles were designed to do.
Well as a little update we have booked a Hymer 644 for a few nights towards the end of October as a little 40th birthday treat for me (how the other half live!)
As others have mentioned this will certainly give us an idea if it is for us or not. Looking forward to it but it is left hand drive, and it is the largest vehicle I will have driven. I've driven left hand drive before in Italy but this will be a new experience!
As others have mentioned this will certainly give us an idea if it is for us or not. Looking forward to it but it is left hand drive, and it is the largest vehicle I will have driven. I've driven left hand drive before in Italy but this will be a new experience!
You'll be amazed at how easy it is Eric,give it 10 miles and it'll be second nature.
In the ex rentals bit,the increased mileage really does make them hard to sell on simply because everything else has done less and I the case of those Rimors it'll always obviously be an ex rental as they're such popular rental steeds.
They are commendably cheap tho,but these new Rimor are very cheap new and they seem somewhat flimsy compared to those of 10 years back which were solid if rather dubiously finished,I don't think I'd want to sink my cash into one but if the alternative is a 20 year old Swift then they might be worth considering.
In the ex rentals bit,the increased mileage really does make them hard to sell on simply because everything else has done less and I the case of those Rimors it'll always obviously be an ex rental as they're such popular rental steeds.
They are commendably cheap tho,but these new Rimor are very cheap new and they seem somewhat flimsy compared to those of 10 years back which were solid if rather dubiously finished,I don't think I'd want to sink my cash into one but if the alternative is a 20 year old Swift then they might be worth considering.
I've driven both RHD and LHD motorhomes. My RMB is LHD and I can honestly say that LHD is easier to drive than RHD in the UK.
Of course, it's subjective but I find it's easier keeping the thing closer to the kerb when driving as you're that much nearer and your line of sight to the outside mirror much easier, too.
Once you become accustomed to the size and dimensions on the road, your need for mirror referrals for positioning will become less, though.
Use your mirrors and, especially when manoeuvring, your wife outside as a spotter to help with positioning.
Good luck with it and I look forward to the updates.
Of course, it's subjective but I find it's easier keeping the thing closer to the kerb when driving as you're that much nearer and your line of sight to the outside mirror much easier, too.
Once you become accustomed to the size and dimensions on the road, your need for mirror referrals for positioning will become less, though.
Use your mirrors and, especially when manoeuvring, your wife outside as a spotter to help with positioning.
Good luck with it and I look forward to the updates.
http://www.motorhomeandcaravanshow.co.uk/ is next month @ the NEC.
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