My first motorhome search starts....

[tight fart]

Touring France and Italy the last few years in a Caterham we decided at some point in the future we'd get a motorhome,
That times arrived, it will mainly be just the 2 of us, probably the dog, and a slight chance of grandchildren in the future.
So any major do's and dont's for first time buyers?
Budget?? Hopefully less than £25k
Fixed rear bed
Coach built not a van conversion
The Hymers look nice, any other top makes? I'm more buy once buy right rather than try that and see how you get on.
Would have liked to take a small motorbike or scooter on the back, or tow the Caterham (but if we take the dog it would be pointless)

[MarshPhantom]

Burstner, Dethleffs and Carthago do some nice vans.

[GAjon]

For decent touring use make sure you get something with reasonable capacity for water, waste water, gas and how much weight you can carry.

Some vans have woefully small tanks and gas cylinder space.

[Wacky Racer]

Been said on here many times, but by far the most important thing is check for DAMP in all the walls with a damp meter, and check, check, check again.

Some can be riddled with it after four or five years.

Most other things are an easy fix.

[tight fart]

Thanks, never thought to look for damp!

[Kneetrembler]

As above for damp, but also your payload, remember that whatever weight that you are allowed to carry in your vehicle includes the likes of you as the driver,passenger etc so before you get carried away with a vehicle you need one that will carry a lot, as everyone overloads and you will get put on a weigh bridge these days especially in Europe, then if overweight take it out and get rid of it and on the spot, no moving.

[Wacky Racer]

tight fart said:

Thanks, never thought to look for damp!

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/artic...

[tight fart]

I've been round a few dealers over the last few weeks but I'm going to look at my first private sale today a 2008 Swift 680FB.
Fingers crossed..

[chasingracecars]

Guessing thats a fixed bed, Definatly worth it they are soo much better to sleep on and a lot less hassle.

[tight fart]

Yes fixed bed, we're both agreed on the layout we want.
Nice van but we both thought it was a bit tired inside for a 30,000 mile van,
and that it was dealer money for a private sale.
We left our offer with them and walked away.
The hunt continues.

[tight fart]

Still looking, got a 2010 Bessacar E560 to look at tomorrow, any recommendations for a motorhome forum?
Preferably a free one

[eric twinge]

tight fart said:

Still looking, got a 2010 Bessacar E560 to look at tomorrow, any recommendations for a motorhome forum?
Preferably a free one

Motorhome Fun is worth a try but not free. I wouldn't recommend it, seems to a peculiar bunch who have their own in jokes and not particuarly helpful. I won't renew my subs, so not for me,

[GlenMH]

tight fart said:

Still looking, got a 2010 Bessacar E560 to look at tomorrow, any recommendations for a motorhome forum?
Preferably a free one

Motorhome Madness on FB is quite helpful.
Adria MHs are good, too as they are thermally efficient and suffer with less damp than some other makes.

[Bellini]

I like Motorhome Fun. I don't post on it often, but have found some great help and advice over the four years I've been using it.

[tight fart]

Van purchased and home
Now the questions and travels begin.

[Antony Moxey]

Not before we get to ask a few first! What did you get and where are the pics?

[rustyuk]

UkCampsite.co.uk has a nice friendly forum.

[oblio]

Motorhomefacts are very helpful folks: I have learned LOADS from the folks on there...

You get 5 free posts after that its £12.50 per annum but you can still mooch for free if you dont pay your subs.

I am a member on there and easily get the money back on the subsidised MoHo insurance each year

[tight fart]

Thanks I'll have a look at the sites mentioned tonight.

& a picture of my beer tokens.

[blongs]

Looks very nice. Congratulations :-)