Fulltiming in a motorhome - a blog
Discussion
Spuff
can't help but think you are doing the wrong thing, but logic does go out of the window in these situations
if it is any consolation our 2002 Burstner sold in 4 days for a similar price, so you shouldn't have any issues
it depreciated £1000 in 2.5yrs and 12.5k miles, probably could have made money on it if i'd held out for a higher price, but life is too short
Custard
can't help but think you are doing the wrong thing, but logic does go out of the window in these situations
if it is any consolation our 2002 Burstner sold in 4 days for a similar price, so you shouldn't have any issues
it depreciated £1000 in 2.5yrs and 12.5k miles, probably could have made money on it if i'd held out for a higher price, but life is too short
Custard
Sorry, I perhaps shouldn't have aired things on this thread. It's supposed to be the ups and downs of fulltiming rather than delving deep into financials and who should have what.
Regardless of the ins and outs, Harry has not been slept in this week. He's still residing in his post-Scotland state at the bottom of the garden and needs a damn good clean (inside & out).
And that is probably how it will go - I'll get him cleaned and then will most likely sell him. The money needs to go in the pot and I can always kip at any number of other places (parents, etc. and even in the house providing it's not longer than a night or two). I've been offered £1k more than I bought it him for and reckon another £1.5k on top of that is achievable given the amount of interest shown.
There may be a twist to the story which might keep this thread running but for now, I'll keep it focussed on the van and ask everyone to do the same, although I appreciate you're fighting my corner, so thanks for that!
Regardless of the ins and outs, Harry has not been slept in this week. He's still residing in his post-Scotland state at the bottom of the garden and needs a damn good clean (inside & out).
And that is probably how it will go - I'll get him cleaned and then will most likely sell him. The money needs to go in the pot and I can always kip at any number of other places (parents, etc. and even in the house providing it's not longer than a night or two). I've been offered £1k more than I bought it him for and reckon another £1.5k on top of that is achievable given the amount of interest shown.
There may be a twist to the story which might keep this thread running but for now, I'll keep it focussed on the van and ask everyone to do the same, although I appreciate you're fighting my corner, so thanks for that!
For £10k you could a 4 year old caravan like ours. I lived in it for 5 days last week when working away. Just made it through with the 70amp battery.
Yes the lack of water tank and waste tanks are not great but there are options to those rollers, you can join them up to give more water.
Caravans don't have an engine that needs to be looked after, two wheels and tyres. Insuarance is around £200 a year. Much cheaper then a motor home. However much slower on the motorways.
Your BMW could tow it too.
Drop me a PM if you want a chat.
Yes the lack of water tank and waste tanks are not great but there are options to those rollers, you can join them up to give more water.
Caravans don't have an engine that needs to be looked after, two wheels and tyres. Insuarance is around £200 a year. Much cheaper then a motor home. However much slower on the motorways.
Your BMW could tow it too.
Drop me a PM if you want a chat.
Hi ,
Sorry to hear the way that things are going, but whatever happens with 'Harry' please keep on this thread as we are rooting for you and would hate to see you done over whichever way it seems.
Look after yourself and your daughter, all the very best with 'Harry' and we all look forward to seeing you post good news on this thread.
Wishing you all the very best for your future.
KT
Sorry to hear the way that things are going, but whatever happens with 'Harry' please keep on this thread as we are rooting for you and would hate to see you done over whichever way it seems.
Look after yourself and your daughter, all the very best with 'Harry' and we all look forward to seeing you post good news on this thread.
Wishing you all the very best for your future.
KT
I like the idea of selling it for 5k personally...
So long as you have the receipt, then she can only legally claim for 'her share' which may be more than half, but she can't claim for the fact that you're financially inept and could only get 5k for it. once the divorce is done, you get it back again.
I know if I had that option when my greedy grasping clunge of an ex-wife got her claws into my assets I'd have been there like a shot, thinking she'd already done much more than fairly out of the other stuff she'd got off me.
What do you mean am I bitter? ....
So long as you have the receipt, then she can only legally claim for 'her share' which may be more than half, but she can't claim for the fact that you're financially inept and could only get 5k for it. once the divorce is done, you get it back again.
I know if I had that option when my greedy grasping clunge of an ex-wife got her claws into my assets I'd have been there like a shot, thinking she'd already done much more than fairly out of the other stuff she'd got off me.
What do you mean am I bitter? ....
Spuff, firstly I hope that your personal situation gets resolved as quickly and as amicably as possible. You come across as a decent bloke and are looking at the bigger picture so hopefully that will help when it comes to sorting things out.
Secondly, I'd like to thank you for a cracking thread. Really well written, interesting and informative, and alongside your Scotland thread has given me a few things to think about as some sort of camper or motorhome is on my list of things to buy in the next couple of years
Secondly, I'd like to thank you for a cracking thread. Really well written, interesting and informative, and alongside your Scotland thread has given me a few things to think about as some sort of camper or motorhome is on my list of things to buy in the next couple of years
Thank you chasing, KT & Zetec-S. Thanks to everyone else for their reading and support of the thread too.
I'm back in Harry, albeit at the bottom of a rather long garden. Decided that logistics are a pain in the butt for moving between house & campsite. Once I've got a longer period settled in one place then I'll move back to the campsite but what with Easter Weekend approaching and some Business trips, just easier to be in the van and away from the house, even if the physical separation distance isn't enormous - we at least both have our own space and doesn't lead to arguments. In all honesty too, I tend to sleep better in the van than in the house, ironically!!
Last night was spent cleaning him up following the trip to Scotland. As I've not been living in him for six days, there were a few bits and Bobs to do. So I had to fully clean down the bathroom, vacuum the floor, mop it with those disposable wipes and generally have a tidy up. Being on the road means I haven't necessarily packed everything back where it should go and I can't afford to be messy in such a small space, so last night I was all about making sure clothes were in the right lockers and I know where everything is. Clean bedsheets (making up a drop-down bed is a bit of a faff and logistical exercise in itself!) and a quick shower before bed.
I'm working on a plan to try and keep him - but it's got to be done with one eye on how much I can derive from the house etc. But as I said, I don't want to go into it in detail - this is a thread on Harry and not my finances or my settlement with my wife (which I can say at this stage is not acrimonious and I'm trying to keep it that way).
What had shocked me though, I knew the VED and MOT were coming up. I paid the VED the other day - 165quid. But a quick check on the MOT checker online told me the current one expires on 21st April!!!! Not long away. Just made a quick call to All Klasse Autos (who did everything for Harry prior to me finding the local boys) and it's booked in for MOT, Oil Service, Coolant Change and Brake Fluid (latter could be problematic since bleed nipples were stuck last year). In the meantime, I need to replace the nsr light cluster as its cracked. Bought a new one before I went to Scotland but need to make time to fit it this weekend.
Otherwise there is always a to do list, particularly if I end up keeping him:
- shower has slowed up draining. Reckon it's a combo of sock fluff and pubes! I had thought it was just the plug trap things but having cleaned those and not made much difference, I reckon the pipes need a bit of a shove with a flexible cleaning rod. Don't want to use chemicals unless I have to.
- shower tray is holding up but it won't be too long (if I keep him) before it'll need the attention of MG Caravans to reinforce and rebuild the floor
- noticed that the Towbar paint is corroding and looking untidy, ditto the arms to the wing mirrors. If I hang on to him, I'll see about rubbing back and spraying some hammerite on these surfaces
- leather needs a clean and feed
- Euroliners need some metal polish applying and a buffing up.
On the plus side, I thought he'd held his value but based upon the interest and bids I've had, he's appreciated by up to £5k! Even accounting for the spend I've had with maintenance, servicing and fuel, that's almost free motoring!!
I'll keep you all update. But please no speculation on who owes who what. That is a matter for me and my wife and even if he does get sold, there will be a very real reason why.
Cheers!
I'm back in Harry, albeit at the bottom of a rather long garden. Decided that logistics are a pain in the butt for moving between house & campsite. Once I've got a longer period settled in one place then I'll move back to the campsite but what with Easter Weekend approaching and some Business trips, just easier to be in the van and away from the house, even if the physical separation distance isn't enormous - we at least both have our own space and doesn't lead to arguments. In all honesty too, I tend to sleep better in the van than in the house, ironically!!
Last night was spent cleaning him up following the trip to Scotland. As I've not been living in him for six days, there were a few bits and Bobs to do. So I had to fully clean down the bathroom, vacuum the floor, mop it with those disposable wipes and generally have a tidy up. Being on the road means I haven't necessarily packed everything back where it should go and I can't afford to be messy in such a small space, so last night I was all about making sure clothes were in the right lockers and I know where everything is. Clean bedsheets (making up a drop-down bed is a bit of a faff and logistical exercise in itself!) and a quick shower before bed.
I'm working on a plan to try and keep him - but it's got to be done with one eye on how much I can derive from the house etc. But as I said, I don't want to go into it in detail - this is a thread on Harry and not my finances or my settlement with my wife (which I can say at this stage is not acrimonious and I'm trying to keep it that way).
What had shocked me though, I knew the VED and MOT were coming up. I paid the VED the other day - 165quid. But a quick check on the MOT checker online told me the current one expires on 21st April!!!! Not long away. Just made a quick call to All Klasse Autos (who did everything for Harry prior to me finding the local boys) and it's booked in for MOT, Oil Service, Coolant Change and Brake Fluid (latter could be problematic since bleed nipples were stuck last year). In the meantime, I need to replace the nsr light cluster as its cracked. Bought a new one before I went to Scotland but need to make time to fit it this weekend.
Otherwise there is always a to do list, particularly if I end up keeping him:
- shower has slowed up draining. Reckon it's a combo of sock fluff and pubes! I had thought it was just the plug trap things but having cleaned those and not made much difference, I reckon the pipes need a bit of a shove with a flexible cleaning rod. Don't want to use chemicals unless I have to.
- shower tray is holding up but it won't be too long (if I keep him) before it'll need the attention of MG Caravans to reinforce and rebuild the floor
- noticed that the Towbar paint is corroding and looking untidy, ditto the arms to the wing mirrors. If I hang on to him, I'll see about rubbing back and spraying some hammerite on these surfaces
- leather needs a clean and feed
- Euroliners need some metal polish applying and a buffing up.
On the plus side, I thought he'd held his value but based upon the interest and bids I've had, he's appreciated by up to £5k! Even accounting for the spend I've had with maintenance, servicing and fuel, that's almost free motoring!!
I'll keep you all update. But please no speculation on who owes who what. That is a matter for me and my wife and even if he does get sold, there will be a very real reason why.
Cheers!
Edited by Spuffington on Monday 10th April 19:23
A bit of a cross-over on my long-running other thread, but just to square the circle and keep the chronology, I now have a solution for two of the items mentioned over the last couple of days......
- the non-draining shower Problem was easily solved.........it seems I must've prodded the trap plug things with my toes so that they blocked the drain holes
Getting out of the shower last night with water around my ankles, I had a quick play with one of them and to my surprise the whole tray drained within 20secs! 
- on keeping Harry. I made a big long list of plus and minus points and then made representations to my Uncle, who had offered to help out financially in the past. Him being a petrolhead, motorhome owner, Godfather to my Daughter and brilliant mate of mine, he and his wife agreed to lend me the money to buy out my wife.
So - all back on an even keel. Just need Harry to pass his MOT and not to be difficult over having his brake fluid changed and I will be a happy chappy!
- the non-draining shower Problem was easily solved.........it seems I must've prodded the trap plug things with my toes so that they blocked the drain holes
Getting out of the shower last night with water around my ankles, I had a quick play with one of them and to my surprise the whole tray drained within 20secs! - on keeping Harry. I made a big long list of plus and minus points and then made representations to my Uncle, who had offered to help out financially in the past. Him being a petrolhead, motorhome owner, Godfather to my Daughter and brilliant mate of mine, he and his wife agreed to lend me the money to buy out my wife.
So - all back on an even keel. Just need Harry to pass his MOT and not to be difficult over having his brake fluid changed and I will be a happy chappy!
Spuffington said:
A bit of a cross-over on my long-running other thread, but just to square the circle and keep the chronology, I now have a solution for two of the items mentioned over the last couple of days......
- the non-draining shower Problem was easily solved.........it seems I must've prodded the trap plug things with my toes so that they blocked the drain holes Getting out of the shower last night with water around my ankles, I had a quick play with one of them and to my surprise the whole tray drained within 20secs!
- on keeping Harry. I made a big long list of plus and minus points and then made representations to my Uncle, who had offered to help out financially in the past. Him being a petrolhead, motorhome owner, Godfather to my Daughter and brilliant mate of mine, he and his wife agreed to lend me the money to buy out my wife.
So - all back on an even keel. Just need Harry to pass his MOT and not to be difficult over having his brake fluid changed and I will be a happy chappy!
Great News,- the non-draining shower Problem was easily solved.........it seems I must've prodded the trap plug things with my toes so that they blocked the drain holes
Getting out of the shower last night with water around my ankles, I had a quick play with one of them and to my surprise the whole tray drained within 20secs! - on keeping Harry. I made a big long list of plus and minus points and then made representations to my Uncle, who had offered to help out financially in the past. Him being a petrolhead, motorhome owner, Godfather to my Daughter and brilliant mate of mine, he and his wife agreed to lend me the money to buy out my wife.
So - all back on an even keel. Just need Harry to pass his MOT and not to be difficult over having his brake fluid changed and I will be a happy chappy!
Just make sure she cannot claim 50% of the money you are receiving, as my ex did try some years ago!
Spuffington said:
A bit of a cross-over on my long-running other thread, but just to square the circle and keep the chronology, I now have a solution for two of the items mentioned over the last couple of days......
- the non-draining shower Problem was easily solved.........it seems I must've prodded the trap plug things with my toes so that they blocked the drain holes Getting out of the shower last night with water around my ankles, I had a quick play with one of them and to my surprise the whole tray drained within 20secs!
- on keeping Harry. I made a big long list of plus and minus points and then made representations to my Uncle, who had offered to help out financially in the past. Him being a petrolhead, motorhome owner, Godfather to my Daughter and brilliant mate of mine, he and his wife agreed to lend me the money to buy out my wife.
So - all back on an even keel. Just need Harry to pass his MOT and not to be difficult over having his brake fluid changed and I will be a happy chappy!
Cracking News, I stay in my van near work on a seasonal pitch at Gatwick (I work for the Caravan and Motorhome Club) during the week and have managed to buy a wee flat at the coast for weekends, its a slog but slowly working out - keep your chin up!- the non-draining shower Problem was easily solved.........it seems I must've prodded the trap plug things with my toes so that they blocked the drain holes
Getting out of the shower last night with water around my ankles, I had a quick play with one of them and to my surprise the whole tray drained within 20secs! - on keeping Harry. I made a big long list of plus and minus points and then made representations to my Uncle, who had offered to help out financially in the past. Him being a petrolhead, motorhome owner, Godfather to my Daughter and brilliant mate of mine, he and his wife agreed to lend me the money to buy out my wife.
So - all back on an even keel. Just need Harry to pass his MOT and not to be difficult over having his brake fluid changed and I will be a happy chappy!
Fantastic news Spuff for all so far, I'm really pleased for you and hope that you can now be a bit more relaxed about things.
Really pleased for you as well that you have an amicable relationship with your wife, that's really important for your daughter as well.
Have a great Easter & look forward to seeing you on the thread from time to time.
Best Wishes
KT
Really pleased for you as well that you have an amicable relationship with your wife, that's really important for your daughter as well.
Have a great Easter & look forward to seeing you on the thread from time to time.
Best Wishes
KT
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