Motorhome Selection Help.... newbie to it all.
Discussion
Evening,
I fancy a motorhome for my young family to enjoy - 5yr old and 2yr old girls.
We’re based in Somerset, thus Cornwall, Wales, Cotswolds & New Forest are all 2hr drives - we already visit Cornwall frequently for long weekends staying in apartments, lodges etc. We also both do a lot of sporting events, so accommodation for these would be great too.
We’re also self employed, so aren’t tied to typical holiday restraints, I.e if the weather is good we’ll be at the beach.
I’ve been doing a lot of research and have visited our local showroom. So far we have decided we’d like the following: 6 berth, at least 4 travel seats, rear lounge and ideally overcab bed.
The problem I do have however is I am 32 and my wife is 30, thus we would need C1 licenses for vehicles over 3.5t...
The Swift Kontiki 649 has taken my fancy, either new at £100k or £60-70k for a 2017 model with very low mileage. The used model is 8.5m, fits my desc perfectly, has already taken a big hit of depreciation - but is over 3.5t and requires C1.
However today we have seen a Swift Escape 674. This doesn’t tick all the boxes and is considerably less luxurious and less specious (7.4m), but has the benefit of being 3.5t max (so can drive on normal license), and is cheaper at approx £55k new.
What do you think?
- Go all out with brand new Kontiki 649 @ £100k. (9m - which seems very big, but all new, dancing with warranty - however its set to depreciate 30% in 2/3yrs)
- Used 2017 Kontiki 649 at £65k. Slightly smaller at 8.5k, low mileage examples are like new, but less warranty. Already taken big hit of depreciation.
- New Escape 674 @ £55k. Smaller and compromising on all areas of spec and payload, but don’t need license to drive. Set to lose £15/20k depreciation in 2/3yrs.
Im currently leaning towards taking the test, getting the C1 license and going for the middle option - used 649 at £60-70k. The vehicle ticks all of our boxes, is big without being ridiculous and has also depreciated quite a bit already.
What do you think? P.s I have looked at various alternative brands and Swift is by far my favourite.
Cheers...
I fancy a motorhome for my young family to enjoy - 5yr old and 2yr old girls.
We’re based in Somerset, thus Cornwall, Wales, Cotswolds & New Forest are all 2hr drives - we already visit Cornwall frequently for long weekends staying in apartments, lodges etc. We also both do a lot of sporting events, so accommodation for these would be great too.
We’re also self employed, so aren’t tied to typical holiday restraints, I.e if the weather is good we’ll be at the beach.
I’ve been doing a lot of research and have visited our local showroom. So far we have decided we’d like the following: 6 berth, at least 4 travel seats, rear lounge and ideally overcab bed.
The problem I do have however is I am 32 and my wife is 30, thus we would need C1 licenses for vehicles over 3.5t...
The Swift Kontiki 649 has taken my fancy, either new at £100k or £60-70k for a 2017 model with very low mileage. The used model is 8.5m, fits my desc perfectly, has already taken a big hit of depreciation - but is over 3.5t and requires C1.
However today we have seen a Swift Escape 674. This doesn’t tick all the boxes and is considerably less luxurious and less specious (7.4m), but has the benefit of being 3.5t max (so can drive on normal license), and is cheaper at approx £55k new.
What do you think?
- Go all out with brand new Kontiki 649 @ £100k. (9m - which seems very big, but all new, dancing with warranty - however its set to depreciate 30% in 2/3yrs)
- Used 2017 Kontiki 649 at £65k. Slightly smaller at 8.5k, low mileage examples are like new, but less warranty. Already taken big hit of depreciation.
- New Escape 674 @ £55k. Smaller and compromising on all areas of spec and payload, but don’t need license to drive. Set to lose £15/20k depreciation in 2/3yrs.
Im currently leaning towards taking the test, getting the C1 license and going for the middle option - used 649 at £60-70k. The vehicle ticks all of our boxes, is big without being ridiculous and has also depreciated quite a bit already.
What do you think? P.s I have looked at various alternative brands and Swift is by far my favourite.
Cheers...
Johnnybee said:
The 3.5t motorhomes will hardly have any payload once you add passengers, fuel and clothes etc. Don't forget any accessories such as awning and leisure battery eat into it too.
Yes I need to do more reading into this, but you’re right. The Kontiki have payloads of 750-800kg, the escape is 500kg, or less with options fitted. So will this figure have to cover fuel etc, as that’s likely to be 90kg on its own...
2 GKC said:
Aren’t they just a ballache when you get where you’re going? Every time you want to nip out you’ve got to pack everything up and take some bloody great big truck and find somewhere to park it.
Thanks for your input, but we’ve gone through all these types of questions and decided (like many others), that a MH would work for us. I wish I had hired a couple for a few weekends away first, it's really the only way to know what you really want in a van. Is that an option?
In a similar situation with kids ages I ended up changing to one with fixed bunks, less faff to put up and worth the trade on space. Then i got a driveway awning so for longer trips we live in there in the day and leave all the beds made up.
In a similar situation with kids ages I ended up changing to one with fixed bunks, less faff to put up and worth the trade on space. Then i got a driveway awning so for longer trips we live in there in the day and leave all the beds made up.
russy01 said:
Johnnybee said:
The 3.5t motorhomes will hardly have any payload once you add passengers, fuel and clothes etc. Don't forget any accessories such as awning and leisure battery eat into it too.
Yes I need to do more reading into this, but you’re right. The Kontiki have payloads of 750-800kg, the escape is 500kg, or less with options fitted. So will this figure have to cover fuel etc, as that’s likely to be 90kg on its own...
russy01 said:
I’ve actually reached out to a couple hire companies tonight to see about a trip in August for this exact reason.
We can hire an auto trail tribute thing which just about fits our bill, so would be a decent test.
Be aware that MHo hire and sales are absolutely flying at the moment so you may have to keep chasing to get something booked.We can hire an auto trail tribute thing which just about fits our bill, so would be a decent test.
Quoted weights often miss out the weight of extra’s that have been ticked along the way: 2nd leisure batt, solar, satellite, gas bottles, TV’s, Awning, Tow Bar etc etc. If you’re looking at 3.5t 2nd hand then insist on a weighbridge cert for a real weight. Add in 4 humans, full tank of diesel & LPG, tank of water, bedding/toys/food/booze etc
Quickly runs out if you’re not careful
Rgds
Jim
Quickly runs out if you’re not careful
Rgds
Jim
Happy Jim said:
Quoted weights often miss out the weight of extra’s that have been ticked along the way: 2nd leisure batt, solar, satellite, gas bottles, TV’s, Awning, Tow Bar etc etc. If you’re looking at 3.5t 2nd hand then insist on a weighbridge cert for a real weight. Add in 4 humans, full tank of diesel & LPG, tank of water, bedding/toys/food/booze etc
Quickly runs out if you’re not careful
Rgds
Jim
Done some quick calcs tonight and it appears to be a problem. Thus leaning towards having to get a license and a bigger vehicle....Quickly runs out if you’re not careful
Rgds
Jim
tight fart said:
A 9m motorhome will feel a lot bigger in a Devon Lane.
First of all I am leaning towards the used 8.5m model. Secondly (please correct me if I’m wrong), the 3.5t vehicles are still 7.5m - thus a sticky situation in a 8.5m van is likely to also be a sticky situation in a 7.5m vehicle?
Having had both caravans and motorhomes over the years, I'd advise you towards a caravan. M/H's are great if there's just two of you and you're OK packing up every time you want some shopping, but not good if you've got a young family. Can you imagine the arguments when you tell the youngsters they can't play with their new friends 'cos you need to drive somewhere for some shopping?
Interestingly my children grew up with vans and we travelled round France and UK for years and they loved it. Lent my son and his 12 and 9 year kid our M/H and they had a good time in France but decided to buy a new big 6berth Hobby van for that very reason. Packing stuff up is a real ball ache every time you need to move. Of course you can take a car with your M?/, many do that successfully or just hire one if you're on a site for a while, but I think you'll have more fun in a van
Motorhomes are for traveling, caravans are for staying
Just my two pence worth.
Interestingly my children grew up with vans and we travelled round France and UK for years and they loved it. Lent my son and his 12 and 9 year kid our M/H and they had a good time in France but decided to buy a new big 6berth Hobby van for that very reason. Packing stuff up is a real ball ache every time you need to move. Of course you can take a car with your M?/, many do that successfully or just hire one if you're on a site for a while, but I think you'll have more fun in a van
Motorhomes are for traveling, caravans are for staying
Just my two pence worth.
Thanks for your post Colin...
We’ve looked at Caravans and just cannot get excited about them for some reason - despite the obvious advantages and already having a perfect tow car.
However I think it’s more likely that we will be travelling more than staying. We’re thinking many weekends at the beach, where the MH will likely stay put for a couple days as we’ll take everything with us.
Then multiple multi week trips around our country or the next.
I think we need to hire and see how we get on.
We’ve looked at Caravans and just cannot get excited about them for some reason - despite the obvious advantages and already having a perfect tow car.
However I think it’s more likely that we will be travelling more than staying. We’re thinking many weekends at the beach, where the MH will likely stay put for a couple days as we’ll take everything with us.
Then multiple multi week trips around our country or the next.
I think we need to hire and see how we get on.
Definitely hire before buying.
Layout is important. Ours has a U shaped rear lounge which turns into a double bed, an overcab double and a dining area which turns into a double. Whilst usually its just two of us, if there is more, the rear lounge allows to be fairly sociable and should it be bedtime for younger people, they can be put in the back and the adults move to the front. My wife doesn't like the overcab bit - not keen on the ladder and when up there finds it slightly claustrophobic with the ceiling of the motorhome in close proximity.
However, don't regret not buying a caravan, my wife is happy to drive motorhome on her own and we can get off at a moments notice. Cupboards generally stocked with tinned food, grab some clothes, bread, milk and head off...
Layout is important. Ours has a U shaped rear lounge which turns into a double bed, an overcab double and a dining area which turns into a double. Whilst usually its just two of us, if there is more, the rear lounge allows to be fairly sociable and should it be bedtime for younger people, they can be put in the back and the adults move to the front. My wife doesn't like the overcab bit - not keen on the ladder and when up there finds it slightly claustrophobic with the ceiling of the motorhome in close proximity.
However, don't regret not buying a caravan, my wife is happy to drive motorhome on her own and we can get off at a moments notice. Cupboards generally stocked with tinned food, grab some clothes, bread, milk and head off...
andrewcliffe said:
Definitely hire before buying.
Layout is important. Ours has a U shaped rear lounge which turns into a double bed, an overcab double and a dining area which turns into a double. Whilst usually its just two of us, if there is more, the rear lounge allows to be fairly sociable and should it be bedtime for younger people, they can be put in the back and the adults move to the front. My wife doesn't like the overcab bit - not keen on the ladder and when up there finds it slightly claustrophobic with the ceiling of the motorhome in close proximity.
However, don't regret not buying a caravan, my wife is happy to drive motorhome on her own and we can get off at a moments notice. Cupboards generally stocked with tinned food, grab some clothes, bread, milk and head off...
Cheers, we are looking at the exact same layout. I like the fact that the kids can go over the cab and the adults in the rear lounge bed - leaving the rest of the vehicle open and usable. Layout is important. Ours has a U shaped rear lounge which turns into a double bed, an overcab double and a dining area which turns into a double. Whilst usually its just two of us, if there is more, the rear lounge allows to be fairly sociable and should it be bedtime for younger people, they can be put in the back and the adults move to the front. My wife doesn't like the overcab bit - not keen on the ladder and when up there finds it slightly claustrophobic with the ceiling of the motorhome in close proximity.
However, don't regret not buying a caravan, my wife is happy to drive motorhome on her own and we can get off at a moments notice. Cupboards generally stocked with tinned food, grab some clothes, bread, milk and head off...
We also plan to use for day trips/events etc, where we can simply chuck the kids in first thing and have breakfast at the beach etc - this is where for me the MH wins over caravans.
If we planned to go to Cornwall or something for 7-10days we’d simply take another car down too, I.e Mrs heads down in the MH during the day then I bomb down in the M4/911 after work and have a convertible to bomb around in.
Can’t wait, thanks for your help so far.
We watch a lot of motorsport events with our motorhome, as well as weekends away / longer holidays. Sometimes we take a second car so we are able to explore, other times we use public transport to get to where we want to see. Got a bike rack on the back so can go cycling. MH came with an awning also which we've rarely extended TBH and the awning walls and sides have never been out of their bag.
Worst aspect of ours is no external lockers apart from the gas cupboard and poop locker. If we were replacing ours we've probably go for the same layout as it works for us, but one with external lockers so BBQ's and things can be accessed more easily.
Worst aspect of ours is no external lockers apart from the gas cupboard and poop locker. If we were replacing ours we've probably go for the same layout as it works for us, but one with external lockers so BBQ's and things can be accessed more easily.
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff