Fulltiming in a motorhome - a blog
Discussion
Thanks KT - just back from the mechanics. What should've been a simple job, typically turned out to be more involved. The slider pins on the calipers (all four) were seized and seized so badly that the brake pads were also seized into the carriers!
Anyway, 9hrs(!) later, the fellas had everything stripped down, copper greased up and calliper sliding pins replaced with genuine Merc bits. The callipers now grip the discs evenly and although the discs are a little warped (I perhaps would've replaced them had I have been recommended), the brakes are at least working as they should. Didn't have much time or distance to test them out but if it's anything like the night & day difference the tracking has made, it'll be a lovely drive up north.
Given I'm a "neighbour", the chap did me a discount (I think he knows he'll get all my service work from now on) which helped soften the blow. But I've still spent £500 in total this last week and over £1k in the last month or so. Hopefully, except servicing, tax & insurance in April/May, I'll get a bit of an ease up in costs for a while.
I'll update with Scottish Adventures in due course.
Anyway, 9hrs(!) later, the fellas had everything stripped down, copper greased up and calliper sliding pins replaced with genuine Merc bits. The callipers now grip the discs evenly and although the discs are a little warped (I perhaps would've replaced them had I have been recommended), the brakes are at least working as they should. Didn't have much time or distance to test them out but if it's anything like the night & day difference the tracking has made, it'll be a lovely drive up north.
Given I'm a "neighbour", the chap did me a discount (I think he knows he'll get all my service work from now on) which helped soften the blow. But I've still spent £500 in total this last week and over £1k in the last month or so. Hopefully, except servicing, tax & insurance in April/May, I'll get a bit of an ease up in costs for a while.
I'll update with Scottish Adventures in due course.
Yeah, it does feel like I'm being financially rinsed at the moment. Having said that, these should be relatively seldom costs, so whilst I'm getting a lot of them at the moment, I'm trying to view it as an "Investment" in the van rather than what would've been sunk money in somebody elses buy-to-let mortgage. Even if it doesn't increase the value of the van, it will increase its saleability OR give me many more miles of enjoyment. I do, however, have to probably acknowledge that my spend on the van is probably more like a couple of grand a year rather than just a grand. Still cheaper than family holidays in the US though!
Good thing about the motorhome vs. caravan is that it's not really depreciating. In fact Hymers of my vintage are holding their value or appreciating depending on spec, mileage and model. It's a relatively rare bar layout with even more rare 4.6t chassis upgrade, paired with the Merc drivetrain, I'm onto a winner. So in some ways a bit of a trade-off between cash cost and depreciation.
But with its service history and folder of receipts, I'm more than confident that selling it at the right time of the year would recoup all, if not slightly more, of my initial capital outlay.
However, I do wish I'd kept hold of the X5. Loved that car!
Good thing about the motorhome vs. caravan is that it's not really depreciating. In fact Hymers of my vintage are holding their value or appreciating depending on spec, mileage and model. It's a relatively rare bar layout with even more rare 4.6t chassis upgrade, paired with the Merc drivetrain, I'm onto a winner. So in some ways a bit of a trade-off between cash cost and depreciation.
But with its service history and folder of receipts, I'm more than confident that selling it at the right time of the year would recoup all, if not slightly more, of my initial capital outlay.
However, I do wish I'd kept hold of the X5. Loved that car!
We were looking at changing our caravan this year - but I think I'd be crazy to!
We paid £7250 privately when it was just over 4 1/2 years old. That was nearly 4 years ago.
When I look at Caravan Trader, etc. our caravan (same age, same spec, etc.) is still going for £8k+, and to really upgrade you have to look at spending £12k+.
In fact, there's even an older model (2005) being sold privately for £6995.
I think the rise of camping/caravan holidays has helped keep the market buoyant for both caravans and motorhomes.
Like you say, a good spec machine with a folder full of history should never be a problem to sell.
We paid £7250 privately when it was just over 4 1/2 years old. That was nearly 4 years ago.
When I look at Caravan Trader, etc. our caravan (same age, same spec, etc.) is still going for £8k+, and to really upgrade you have to look at spending £12k+.
In fact, there's even an older model (2005) being sold privately for £6995.
I think the rise of camping/caravan holidays has helped keep the market buoyant for both caravans and motorhomes.
Like you say, a good spec machine with a folder full of history should never be a problem to sell.
Rosscow said:
We were looking at changing our caravan this year - but I think I'd be crazy to!
We paid £7250 privately when it was just over 4 1/2 years old. That was nearly 4 years ago.
When I look at Caravan Trader, etc. our caravan (same age, same spec, etc.) is still going for £8k+, and to really upgrade you have to look at spending £12k+.
In fact, there's even an older model (2005) being sold privately for £6995.
I think the rise of camping/caravan holidays has helped keep the market buoyant for both caravans and motorhomes.
Like you say, a good spec machine with a folder full of history should never be a problem to sell.
You're absolutely right on this, I'm a campervan (T5) warrior at present but i've been looking at caravans of a 2008/2009 vintage for nearly 3 years now and prices have practically stood still at the lower end. We paid £7250 privately when it was just over 4 1/2 years old. That was nearly 4 years ago.
When I look at Caravan Trader, etc. our caravan (same age, same spec, etc.) is still going for £8k+, and to really upgrade you have to look at spending £12k+.
In fact, there's even an older model (2005) being sold privately for £6995.
I think the rise of camping/caravan holidays has helped keep the market buoyant for both caravans and motorhomes.
Like you say, a good spec machine with a folder full of history should never be a problem to sell.
Great story...
Enjoyed it very much ,have you considered solar panels for topping the batteries?
We have a lot of camping spaces in France, and LOT of campers stay for the full spring/summer and it's usually free...
I want to go to Spain in mine and live for a couple of months ,your account (ups and downs)has been most helpful...
merci...
Enjoyed it very much ,have you considered solar panels for topping the batteries?
We have a lot of camping spaces in France, and LOT of campers stay for the full spring/summer and it's usually free...
I want to go to Spain in mine and live for a couple of months ,your account (ups and downs)has been most helpful...
merci...
Rightyho chaps - I'm just back from my NW Scotland adventure and have blogged it here.....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Harry performed faultlessly. Didn't even use any oil!!
Brakes are now up to scratch following the work carried out pre-trip and probably even better for having been given a good workout over the last 1.7k miles too. Have a couple of days back in the house whilst the ex is away in Spain with our daughter and then moving back into Harry with a renewed appreciation for his talents as of Weds.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Harry performed faultlessly. Didn't even use any oil!!
Brakes are now up to scratch following the work carried out pre-trip and probably even better for having been given a good workout over the last 1.7k miles too. Have a couple of days back in the house whilst the ex is away in Spain with our daughter and then moving back into Harry with a renewed appreciation for his talents as of Weds.
Loved reading the blog and can fully sympathise with your problems regarding the narrow roads, particularly near Applecross. Worth it though for the food and excellent beer at the Applecross Inn.
My son and I did the NC500 route last September but in a much smaller vehicle...a Porsche 981. Even in the Porsche, there were several buttock clenching moments so reckon you were very brave to take a M/H up there!!
The Western Highlands are truly spectacular and thanks for bringing back some amazing memories.
My son and I did the NC500 route last September but in a much smaller vehicle...a Porsche 981. Even in the Porsche, there were several buttock clenching moments so reckon you were very brave to take a M/H up there!!
The Western Highlands are truly spectacular and thanks for bringing back some amazing memories.
Really enjoyed reading your Blog, have been around those areas myself a couple of times and would like to visit yet again.
So sad when you have to suffer yet another loss of your beloved dog even though you will see her on occasions, still not the same though but at least she is still in the family fold.
We do hope that things change for the better as soon as possible both personal and financially.
Please keep your blog running as it is always interesting and it keeps us all in touch.
Look after yourself.
Very Best Wishes
KT
So sad when you have to suffer yet another loss of your beloved dog even though you will see her on occasions, still not the same though but at least she is still in the family fold.
We do hope that things change for the better as soon as possible both personal and financially.
Please keep your blog running as it is always interesting and it keeps us all in touch.
Look after yourself.
Very Best Wishes
KT
Thanks KT.
Another blow last night - "wife" comes back from a holiday with the little'un and says we need to sell Harry as technically the proceeds would be hers.
Technically she's right, however, that doesn't take into account the 6k or so I've sunk into running him.
But looks like once we've sorted out the housing situation, Harry will need to be sold.
What do we reckon - advertise for 25k and accept something between that and 20k? With lots of work (both Hab & mechancial/chassis), got to be a good buy for someone? Currently on 42k miles.
Can't believe he's going to have to go.
Another blow last night - "wife" comes back from a holiday with the little'un and says we need to sell Harry as technically the proceeds would be hers.
Technically she's right, however, that doesn't take into account the 6k or so I've sunk into running him.
But looks like once we've sorted out the housing situation, Harry will need to be sold.
What do we reckon - advertise for 25k and accept something between that and 20k? With lots of work (both Hab & mechancial/chassis), got to be a good buy for someone? Currently on 42k miles.
Can't believe he's going to have to go.
What!!! She thinks she owns half of it!! She lives in the house that you are probably still paying for.
Harry is your home. Tell her that when you divorce she can have the money then.
I am staying in my caravan that I paid for, my other half doesn't pay towards it but keeps telling me to sell it!! It's mine.
Harry is your home. Tell her that when you divorce she can have the money then.
I am staying in my caravan that I paid for, my other half doesn't pay towards it but keeps telling me to sell it!! It's mine.
chasingracecars said:
What!!! She thinks she owns half of it!! She lives in the house that you are probably still paying for.
Harry is your home. Tell her that when you divorce she can have the money then.
I am staying in my caravan that I paid for, my other half doesn't pay towards it but keeps telling me to sell it!! It's mine.
Quite, Spuff. We have no idea of the background, but on the face of it you seem to be being exceptionally fair and you need to live somewhere... It does seem like you are maybe being too fair....Harry is your home. Tell her that when you divorce she can have the money then.
I am staying in my caravan that I paid for, my other half doesn't pay towards it but keeps telling me to sell it!! It's mine.
I can't believe what I have just read, disgusting and I hope will not happen how terrible, not only hurting you but also taking away your daughters fun as well.
If I can help in any way please do not hesitate to contact me, and please do not leave this forum, if this forum helps in any therapeutic way then it's a really good place to stick with.
Some people really know how to twist the knife again and again, words fail me.
Thinking of you & sending loads of karma your way.
KT
If I can help in any way please do not hesitate to contact me, and please do not leave this forum, if this forum helps in any therapeutic way then it's a really good place to stick with.
Some people really know how to twist the knife again and again, words fail me.
Thinking of you & sending loads of karma your way.
KT
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