Motor home recommendations.
Discussion
Morning all,
I've started doing my homework on the different types & layouts of motorhomes. The choice out there is huge so i wanted to ask is there a make or type to avoid? By that i mean types that are consider to be of poor build quality or suffer from damp etc, the proverbial British Leyland of motorhomes. No doubt their will be some subjective opinions and we are of course all different but in the interest of making a schoolboy error what are the sort which should be discounted.
Can i assume that German versions are of better quality?
Budget of up to £40k.
For info I'm currently running a 1974 T2 VW for camping that originally cost me £3k in 2007!
Ta.
I've started doing my homework on the different types & layouts of motorhomes. The choice out there is huge so i wanted to ask is there a make or type to avoid? By that i mean types that are consider to be of poor build quality or suffer from damp etc, the proverbial British Leyland of motorhomes. No doubt their will be some subjective opinions and we are of course all different but in the interest of making a schoolboy error what are the sort which should be discounted.
Can i assume that German versions are of better quality?
Budget of up to £40k.
For info I'm currently running a 1974 T2 VW for camping that originally cost me £3k in 2007!
Ta.
What sort of layout are you after?
A lot of British built ones favour a rear lounge where you make up the beds whereas continental brands will tend towards fixed beds so is ‘living space’ more important to you or the convenience of not making beds up more attractive?
We’re in the process ourselves and are leaning towards a continental brand like Hymer, Cathargo, Burstner, etc. We visited the last NEC show and they just seemed better built and screwed together than the Brit equivalent although they tend to be more expensive.
A lot of British built ones favour a rear lounge where you make up the beds whereas continental brands will tend towards fixed beds so is ‘living space’ more important to you or the convenience of not making beds up more attractive?
We’re in the process ourselves and are leaning towards a continental brand like Hymer, Cathargo, Burstner, etc. We visited the last NEC show and they just seemed better built and screwed together than the Brit equivalent although they tend to be more expensive.
Muffster said:
Very valid points Doofus.
I'm looking at between 7-8 meters in size. There's only 2 of us for for that length of van the choice will probably be 4 berth. I've yet to find one that's only 2 berth which then gives you more living space.
A 2 berth won't give you more living space, but it will give you a greater payload and, possibly, lower overall height.I'm looking at between 7-8 meters in size. There's only 2 of us for for that length of van the choice will probably be 4 berth. I've yet to find one that's only 2 berth which then gives you more living space.
We're looking at 2 machines, both 7.5ish metres, and both low-profile 2 berths. Ours will live on the continent, and so the better weather means indoor lounge space is less critical to having a comfortable trip.
Depending up on where you are in the UK one of my family retails motorhomes upto your sort of budget and has previously done "hire" deposits where people can try out a couple of types of layout prior to purchase.
Best bet tho is go look at "lots" at dealers to narrow your layout choice down then fully research that make/model/year to find out the known faults.
We had a 5yr old Swift on which the floor around the electric folding step rotted, known fault on them for a few years but resolved under warranty by Swift.
Best bet tho is go look at "lots" at dealers to narrow your layout choice down then fully research that make/model/year to find out the known faults.
We had a 5yr old Swift on which the floor around the electric folding step rotted, known fault on them for a few years but resolved under warranty by Swift.
We’ve had a few different caravans and motorhomes, Swift and Bailey spring to mind, not for good reasons though.
We discovered Adria about 3 years ago, I don’t know whether we’ve been unlucky with British built stuff, but the Adria’s are in a different league.
£40k will get you something very decent, Adria’s are built for year round use, insulated, proper heating etc
I’ve just p/x our 2 year old Sun Living SC, I paid £45k for it and got £39k back in p/x for a new Sonic 710 which can be driven on a C1 licence.
No warranty claims, just two faulty led lamps which I changed myself. The caravans are great too, again, year round use, wet heating etc.
Something like this for £40k - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Go and have a look at one
We discovered Adria about 3 years ago, I don’t know whether we’ve been unlucky with British built stuff, but the Adria’s are in a different league.
£40k will get you something very decent, Adria’s are built for year round use, insulated, proper heating etc
I’ve just p/x our 2 year old Sun Living SC, I paid £45k for it and got £39k back in p/x for a new Sonic 710 which can be driven on a C1 licence.
No warranty claims, just two faulty led lamps which I changed myself. The caravans are great too, again, year round use, wet heating etc.
Something like this for £40k - https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Go and have a look at one
Edited by Robotron-2084 on Saturday 20th June 17:25
valiant said:
What sort of layout are you after?
A lot of British built ones favour a rear lounge where you make up the beds whereas continental brands will tend towards fixed beds so is ‘living space’ more important to you or the convenience of not making beds up more attractive?
That’s the dilemma we are facing! I don’t think the small living space you get with fixed beds would be comfortable enough for us. Our days of sitting in the pub all evenings are long gone. We would probably have to go for one with fixed bed at the rear and two large singles in the middle. Something you can stretch out on. A lot of British built ones favour a rear lounge where you make up the beds whereas continental brands will tend towards fixed beds so is ‘living space’ more important to you or the convenience of not making beds up more attractive?
We looked at rear lounges, but decided the additional weight and potentially greater height for a pull-down bed above the cabin was something we didn't need. Plus, we want a large garage.
Last week, we thinking about 8-9m A-classes towing a car.
We've now settled (probably) on 7-8m low-profiles with a scooter and two bicycles in the garage.
If we needed 4 berths, we'd probably want two fixed beds. The trouble with giving up your lounge to make a bed means everyone has to go to bed at the same time.
Last week, we thinking about 8-9m A-classes towing a car.
We've now settled (probably) on 7-8m low-profiles with a scooter and two bicycles in the garage.
If we needed 4 berths, we'd probably want two fixed beds. The trouble with giving up your lounge to make a bed means everyone has to go to bed at the same time.
They say that the best motorhome will be your second, as you've found out all the pitfalls in your current layout. When we bought, I was adamant that I wasn't going to make up a bed each night and four berths. Found a very slightly used German 'TEC' with a fixed transverse double over a large garage and a double that comes down over the lounge at the front. Means you don't have to go to bed at the same time, we can fit bikes etc in the garage and now the kids rarely come away with us, the 'spare' double is up there in the ceiling out of the way.
After ten years enjoying a VW T4 Holdworth conversion we've just taken the plunge on a year old Dethleffs Trend 7057 DBM. Following much research this German built MH was flagged as having excellent build quality and reliability. Certainly superior to the UK build options available. I've only driven around 300 miles so far but it's well put together with high quality fittings and I'm hopeful will be a good long-term ownership proposition. At 7.4m in length and 3.5t gross weight it's big but not too big. Also has a decent turn of speed and runs well with the traffic flow.
The 7057 DBM has a fixed rear bed, with access from both sides, increadibly large garage and a decent size front lounge area. Most of the time there will just be two of us using it but there's also an electrically operated good size double that drops down from above the lounge area if needed.
It's taken me a long time to find a MH that will drag me away from my much loved VW but with the OH's desire for more space and creature comforts the Dethleffs is the best option I could find at a shade over a £40k price point. It also comes with a six year manufacturer's damp warranty.
The VW will be up for sale soon after a full service and hopefully will provide many more years fun for a new owner!
The 7057 DBM has a fixed rear bed, with access from both sides, increadibly large garage and a decent size front lounge area. Most of the time there will just be two of us using it but there's also an electrically operated good size double that drops down from above the lounge area if needed.
It's taken me a long time to find a MH that will drag me away from my much loved VW but with the OH's desire for more space and creature comforts the Dethleffs is the best option I could find at a shade over a £40k price point. It also comes with a six year manufacturer's damp warranty.
The VW will be up for sale soon after a full service and hopefully will provide many more years fun for a new owner!
Agreed on a lot of these points raised so far. As for layout I'd like a decent sized garage so that means a fixed raised bed. Also like the sofa like bench seats as opposed to the upright dining seats for an area to lounge around in.
Although it wont be for some time yet we'll be doing a good 6 months of so around Europe so I'd rather not be making a bed up every night.
Anglia 1 I'll have a look at the Dethleffs Trend 7057 DBM you've mentioned, thanks for that. Which are the 'UK build options you mentioned?
I've recently discovered the Burstner Harmony range which look superb but newer and sadly of of budget.
Although it wont be for some time yet we'll be doing a good 6 months of so around Europe so I'd rather not be making a bed up every night.
Anglia 1 I'll have a look at the Dethleffs Trend 7057 DBM you've mentioned, thanks for that. Which are the 'UK build options you mentioned?
I've recently discovered the Burstner Harmony range which look superb but newer and sadly of of budget.
If you're looking for twin sofas rather than an upright lounge area Dethleffs (part of the Hymer Group) also have a 7057 DBL model. This wasn't for us but is clever in that if required the sofas can morph into two separate forward facing belted seats should you ever need to take along some extra passengers.
I'd love the British made MHs to be of better build quality. Bailey and Swift, together covering a big chunk of the home market, have already been mentioned in this post. Elddis is the other that comes to mind. It's recently been taken over by Hymer and build methods substantially changed for 202 but prior to this there was a heightened risk of damp problems even on newer vehicles.
All the best as you hunt for the right vehicle!
I'd love the British made MHs to be of better build quality. Bailey and Swift, together covering a big chunk of the home market, have already been mentioned in this post. Elddis is the other that comes to mind. It's recently been taken over by Hymer and build methods substantially changed for 202 but prior to this there was a heightened risk of damp problems even on newer vehicles.
All the best as you hunt for the right vehicle!
We're also hunting at the moment but know the layout we want - 6 berth U-shaped lounge.
Having previously had a 2004 Autotrail we do like them but are noticing some quality issues. Ours was solid, and no damp, but I've looked at two 2011's recently both of which had damp. Supposidly this isn't that uncommon as they were taken over in around 2008.
One of them had also had a recent hab check but that didn't check the particular part I tried. My finger went straight through the internal vinyl and it had obviously been leaking for years.
The German motorhomes are supposed to be better built but do lots of googling and do your own checks and don't rely just on them having had a hab check.
Having previously had a 2004 Autotrail we do like them but are noticing some quality issues. Ours was solid, and no damp, but I've looked at two 2011's recently both of which had damp. Supposidly this isn't that uncommon as they were taken over in around 2008.
One of them had also had a recent hab check but that didn't check the particular part I tried. My finger went straight through the internal vinyl and it had obviously been leaking for years.
The German motorhomes are supposed to be better built but do lots of googling and do your own checks and don't rely just on them having had a hab check.
TryingHard said:
We're also hunting at the moment but know the layout we want - 6 berth U-shaped lounge.
Having previously had a 2004 Autotrail we do like them but are noticing some quality issues. Ours was solid, and no damp, but I've looked at two 2011's recently both of which had damp. Supposidly this isn't that uncommon as they were taken over in around 2008.
One of them had also had a recent hab check but that didn't check the particular part I tried. My finger went straight through the internal vinyl and it had obviously been leaking for years.
The German motorhomes are supposed to be better built but do lots of googling and do your own checks and don't rely just on them having had a hab check.
So I assume your looking at Scouts or Arapahos?Having previously had a 2004 Autotrail we do like them but are noticing some quality issues. Ours was solid, and no damp, but I've looked at two 2011's recently both of which had damp. Supposidly this isn't that uncommon as they were taken over in around 2008.
One of them had also had a recent hab check but that didn't check the particular part I tried. My finger went straight through the internal vinyl and it had obviously been leaking for years.
The German motorhomes are supposed to be better built but do lots of googling and do your own checks and don't rely just on them having had a hab check.
Make sure you check around the rear under seat doors, they’re prone to faulty seals and if not checked or made good damp will set in.
They used to have a wooden support batton just behind the wheel on both sides that soaked up and held the water that leaked in.
Easily fixable but worth checking.
This is the sort of info i was hoping to get regarding damp spots and the questionable build quality etc.
We wont be buying for a few years yet but trying to plan ahead including research for a 6 month Euro trip.
Hopefully will be looking at something around 5 years old when we come to buy, so the dodgy build quality of the past should! have been designed out. Habitation report is a must though as are front swivel seats.
We wont be buying for a few years yet but trying to plan ahead including research for a 6 month Euro trip.
Hopefully will be looking at something around 5 years old when we come to buy, so the dodgy build quality of the past should! have been designed out. Habitation report is a must though as are front swivel seats.
Robotron-2084 said:
We discovered Adria about 3 years ago, I don’t know whether we’ve been unlucky with British built stuff, but the Adria’s are in a different league.
I'm tentatively considering the possibility of maybe buying a motorhome, and this name keeps coming up. The Eastern European thing seems to put a lot of people off but those who have them just love them. Very keenly priced too. TwigtheWonderkid said:
Robotron-2084 said:
We discovered Adria about 3 years ago, I don’t know whether we’ve been unlucky with British built stuff, but the Adria’s are in a different league.
I'm tentatively considering the possibility of maybe buying a motorhome, and this name keeps coming up. The Eastern European thing seems to put a lot of people off but those who have them just love them. Very keenly priced too. Pay particular attention to plumbing fittings, shower leaks from the pipework supplying the shower/taps and making sure all the window blinds work.
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