New Motorhome dealers Hampshire and surrounding counties

[Redchaz]

Good morning all,
I have just exchanged contracts on my house and will be moving out mid July. My wife and I don't want to rush our next purchase so we are thinking about buying a motorhome to travel round the UK over the next few months. I have never even been in a motorhome before but have been reading up on reviews and watching Youtube videos. I am thinking that I would like to go and compare the VW Grand California 600, the Mercedes Marco Polo and the Knaus Boxdrive to give me an idea for starters. Could anyone suggest a helpful dealer where I might be able to compare all 3 ? I am hoping that depreciation on these will be relatively quite low compared to buying a similar priced BMW/Mercedes car.
Any advice would be much appreciated. I am also thinking that it may be a better idea to rent one for a month for starters given our complete lack of knowledge/experience !
Many thanks in advance
Charles

[valiant]

Stock will be your main problem. Motorhome, caravans and campers have been flying out the doors and commanding premium prices as every man and his dog seem to be staycationing this year.

Unless you get lucky with a general dealer you’ll have to travel to view all three and that’s if they have one to view.

[Redchaz]

Ok thanks Valiant.

[Laurel Green]

Out of the three, the Knaus Boxdrive will be the best for storage, which you will need plenty of if in the van for any length of time. Better to go with a coach-built which generally will offer more of such.

[Benny Saltstein]

I would definitely hire one to begin with. So many layouts and lengths to choose from.

[chopper602]

If you're going to be full timing, then consider the practicalities first. Toilet, shower, cooking. In a van conversion most of these will be compromises. For the cost of a van conversion, you could have a coachbuilt motorhome with all the above taken care of. When we were looking I also wanted a fixed bed as I didn't want to have to make it up every day. Lots of thing to consider, so look at lots before purchasing

[Redchaz]

Thank you everyone, definitely looking at the hiring route to start with.

[oblio]

chopper602 said:

If you're going to be full timing, then consider the practicalities first. Toilet, shower, cooking. In a van conversion most of these will be compromises. For the cost of a van conversion, you could have a coachbuilt motorhome with all the above taken care of. When we were looking I also wanted a fixed bed as I didn't want to have to make it up every day. Lots of thing to consider, so look at lots before purchasing

Fixed bed is a must for us too. It is surprising how making it up/putting it down is a PITA after a time. We had this on our first MH and it only stayed a year with us until we changed to a fixed bed variant.

OP: if its not too late make sure to check what payload you get with any MH you buy as some may be prohibitive if you are planning on full timing.

[Redchaz]

Thank you Oblio, not too late !
Following on from the "Where to Retire to" thread, I went to see a house in North Norfolk, about 5 miles south of Cromer/Sheringham. The ****ing A11 was closed so It took for ever winding through the Norfolk countryside from Hampshire. On Thursday I'm doing a 640 mile round trip to Westmorland to see 2 houses, potentially to retire to.
So motorhome purchase on hold for the moment.
Incidentally I called a VW main dealer van department near to where I live to enquire about looking round a Grand California. The imbecile on the reception had no idea what they were. I asked for a call back from a "specialist": nothing !!