Motorhomes - budget, midrange, luxury brands?
Discussion
I'm shortly entering the marketplace for a used motorhome with an approx budget of £40k, after a couple of rental excursions to check whether we actually would actually enjoy the lifestyle. We had a week in Scotland this year, and a week in Cornwall in 2019, and now we've decided to take the plunge.
Yesterday we went for an impromptu nosey round our local dealer who seemed to have quite a few in stock. On arrival we were informed they only had 2 for sale, a new one for £61k and a used one for £50k, so both were above budget, all the rest on site were customers van in for service or storage.
He has our details, so maybe something will turn up, but he inferred that certain brands are cheap quality - so (similar to tyres I guess!) which are the brands to avoid, which are midrange, and which are best?
Our preferred spec is - 4 berth, 4 belt, fixed double or island bed, garage, lowline, approx 5-6 years old, awning
Out of Rollerteam, Chausson, Dethleffs, Rimor, Swift, Bessacarr, Bailey, Adria, Autotrail, Eldis (plus other brands) - what is the pecking order?
Yesterday we went for an impromptu nosey round our local dealer who seemed to have quite a few in stock. On arrival we were informed they only had 2 for sale, a new one for £61k and a used one for £50k, so both were above budget, all the rest on site were customers van in for service or storage.
He has our details, so maybe something will turn up, but he inferred that certain brands are cheap quality - so (similar to tyres I guess!) which are the brands to avoid, which are midrange, and which are best?
Our preferred spec is - 4 berth, 4 belt, fixed double or island bed, garage, lowline, approx 5-6 years old, awning
Out of Rollerteam, Chausson, Dethleffs, Rimor, Swift, Bessacarr, Bailey, Adria, Autotrail, Eldis (plus other brands) - what is the pecking order?
Edited by sonicbloo on Sunday 12th September 21:11
I ended up getting a bit fed up looking. I found a number of models I was interested in, new, but all dealers were asking well above the advertised prices on the manufacturers site. This just put me off so much.
Just the way it is at the moment, but I have decided to just wait for a few years and maybe attend some shows next year.
For example. A Hymer I wanted, happy to buy £5k of options but couldnt do so, it had to be the spec the dealer chose which was £15k over rrp.
Just the way it is at the moment, but I have decided to just wait for a few years and maybe attend some shows next year.
For example. A Hymer I wanted, happy to buy £5k of options but couldnt do so, it had to be the spec the dealer chose which was £15k over rrp.
Are you sure you want to buy now? Prices are pretty mental at the moment and they may start to come down as the world starts to open up without restrictions and manufacturers start pumping out vans in meaningful numbers.
I was just nosing AT the other day and a 2015 model of my van is £2k more than what I paid for my 70 plate van new! Crazy!
I was just nosing AT the other day and a 2015 model of my van is £2k more than what I paid for my 70 plate van new! Crazy!
Thanks for the replies so far, and yes ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶w̶i̶f̶e̶ we've decided we want to get one fairly quickly, after selling ̶m̶y̶ our Ford Mustang 
Going back to my original question, just wondered if there are any brands considered the Dacia Sandero of Motorhomes (i.e look ok, but cheap, cheerful and best to avoid) and which are the best quality (I'm guessing German?)
We're looking for coachbuilt rather than A class or Van conversion
Thanks all
Going back to my original question, just wondered if there are any brands considered the Dacia Sandero of Motorhomes (i.e look ok, but cheap, cheerful and best to avoid) and which are the best quality (I'm guessing German?)
We're looking for coachbuilt rather than A class or Van conversion
Thanks all
Might be worth directing your question on this site….
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/
Good luck with your search, I just paid the extra COVID bubble price for one having accepted the inflated price.
For better or worse it’s a Frankia. We liked the layout and perceived quality when inspecting it along with reviews on the dealer selling it were good so if there are any issues we hope we get a good service afterwards.
Basic checks on buying is making sure the mechanical services have been done and the habitation checks are regular. All the rest we can fettle ourselves.
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/
Good luck with your search, I just paid the extra COVID bubble price for one having accepted the inflated price.
For better or worse it’s a Frankia. We liked the layout and perceived quality when inspecting it along with reviews on the dealer selling it were good so if there are any issues we hope we get a good service afterwards.
Basic checks on buying is making sure the mechanical services have been done and the habitation checks are regular. All the rest we can fettle ourselves.
sonicbloo said:
Our preferred spec is - 4 berth, 4 belt, fixed double or island bed, garage, lowline, approx 5-6 years old, awning
Out of Rollerteam, Chausson, Dethleffs, Rimor, Swift, Bessacarr, Bailey, Adria, Autotrail, Eldis (plus other brands) - what is the pecking order?
Crikey - where to start?Out of Rollerteam, Chausson, Dethleffs, Rimor, Swift, Bessacarr, Bailey, Adria, Autotrail, Eldis (plus other brands) - what is the pecking order?
Do you want a British built van or a continental built one? It affects the side the habitation door is on, level of winterisation and whether it has a garage. Brits seem to go for rear lounges but I prefer the storage volume of a garage.
All the brands you mention use the same suppliers for windows, hobs, fridges etc etc
Personal comments from my short time in the industry:
Rollerteam - look good but can be cheaply constructed so aren't that robust.
Chausson - cheaper end of things but easily maintained.
Dethleffs - one of the brands on your list that I would go for.
Swift, Eldis, Bessacar, Bailey - heard good things but also lots of bad about all these brands.
Adria - I have owned three and they haven't been faultless but they are quite well built and properly winterised. Just sort the plumbing out!
Autotrail - more luxurious than Adria but built in the UK with the associated quality issues that brings.
The really really key thing about buying a MH second hand is checking for damp. And checking again. And getting it indepedently inspected. This where the likes of Swift and Eldis really fall down.
I would add Burstner, Sun Living and Sunlight to your brands list. Good luck with the hunt. My personal view is that now is not the time to be buying. If you can wait 18 months then hopefully cheaper flights to the continent will be back on and a load of people will be dumping their MHs back on the market at that point.
BishBosh said:
Might be worth directing your question on this site….
https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/
Good luck with your search, I just paid the extra COVID bubble price for one having accepted the inflated price.
For better or worse it’s a Frankia. We liked the layout and perceived quality when inspecting it along with reviews on the dealer selling it were good so if there are any issues we hope we get a good service afterwards.
Basic checks on buying is making sure the mechanical services have been done and the habitation checks are regular. All the rest we can fettle ourselves.
Thanks BishBosh I'll have a check over on that forum tomorrow, as I've spent far too much time tonight on all the selling sites and youtube looking at various reviews!https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/
Good luck with your search, I just paid the extra COVID bubble price for one having accepted the inflated price.
For better or worse it’s a Frankia. We liked the layout and perceived quality when inspecting it along with reviews on the dealer selling it were good so if there are any issues we hope we get a good service afterwards.
Basic checks on buying is making sure the mechanical services have been done and the habitation checks are regular. All the rest we can fettle ourselves.
GlenMH said:
Crikey - where to start?
Do you want a British built van or a continental built one? It affects the side the habitation door is on, level of winterisation and whether it has a garage. Brits seem to go for rear lounges but I prefer the storage volume of a garage.
All the brands you mention use the same suppliers for windows, hobs, fridges etc etc
Personal comments from my short time in the industry:
Rollerteam - look good but can be cheaply constructed so aren't that robust.
Chausson - cheaper end of things but easily maintained.
Dethleffs - one of the brands on your list that I would go for.
Swift, Eldis, Bessacar, Bailey - heard good things but also lots of bad about all these brands.
Adria - I have owned three and they haven't been faultless but they are quite well built and properly winterised. Just sort the plumbing out!
Autotrail - more luxurious than Adria but built in the UK with the associated quality issues that brings.
The really really key thing about buying a MH second hand is checking for damp. And checking again. And getting it indepedently inspected. This where the likes of Swift and Eldis really fall down.
I would add Burstner, Sun Living and Sunlight to your brands list. Good luck with the hunt. My personal view is that now is not the time to be buying. If you can wait 18 months then hopefully cheaper flights to the continent will be back on and a load of people will be dumping their MHs back on the market at that point.
Thanks GlenMH for the detailed response - thats exactly the kind of feedback I need regarding different manufacturers. Every snippet of information is greatly appreciated to navigate this exciting but potentially minefield-laden trip into the, as yet ,unknownDo you want a British built van or a continental built one? It affects the side the habitation door is on, level of winterisation and whether it has a garage. Brits seem to go for rear lounges but I prefer the storage volume of a garage.
All the brands you mention use the same suppliers for windows, hobs, fridges etc etc
Personal comments from my short time in the industry:
Rollerteam - look good but can be cheaply constructed so aren't that robust.
Chausson - cheaper end of things but easily maintained.
Dethleffs - one of the brands on your list that I would go for.
Swift, Eldis, Bessacar, Bailey - heard good things but also lots of bad about all these brands.
Adria - I have owned three and they haven't been faultless but they are quite well built and properly winterised. Just sort the plumbing out!
Autotrail - more luxurious than Adria but built in the UK with the associated quality issues that brings.
The really really key thing about buying a MH second hand is checking for damp. And checking again. And getting it indepedently inspected. This where the likes of Swift and Eldis really fall down.
I would add Burstner, Sun Living and Sunlight to your brands list. Good luck with the hunt. My personal view is that now is not the time to be buying. If you can wait 18 months then hopefully cheaper flights to the continent will be back on and a load of people will be dumping their MHs back on the market at that point.
If it was a car I'd know exactly what model, year,spec,colour etc I wanted - and nothing would change my mind, but I'm out of my comfort zone here!
I'll try not to rush, but I'm being pushed quite hard to get a move on!
Sunlight is a brand to consider.
The names are a bit complex - they're A and T-series.
Sunlight A70 with garage layout is quite good, it's got a 2.3-litre 130bhp Fiat turbodiesel engine although be wary about gearbox reliability. Build quality is generally good on these; it's a cut-price Dethleffs but none the worse for that.
It's a 6-berth model; they only do 2 berth 2 belted seats or 6 berth 4 belted seats.
The larger T65 and T69 are low profile coachbuilt, as compared to the A70's overcab design.
Sunlight is owned by the same people as Dethleffs, Elddis, Compass, Hymer and Sunlight; it's in-between Elddis and Burstner for value but is marketed as a budget brand.
Not many on the used market, so you'll have to hunt hard on autotrader or other websites, but it's a brand worth looking for.
The brand's a little bit obscure compared to Elddis, Swift, Dethleffs but is quite good from what I've read.
The names are a bit complex - they're A and T-series.
Sunlight A70 with garage layout is quite good, it's got a 2.3-litre 130bhp Fiat turbodiesel engine although be wary about gearbox reliability. Build quality is generally good on these; it's a cut-price Dethleffs but none the worse for that.
It's a 6-berth model; they only do 2 berth 2 belted seats or 6 berth 4 belted seats.
The larger T65 and T69 are low profile coachbuilt, as compared to the A70's overcab design.
Sunlight is owned by the same people as Dethleffs, Elddis, Compass, Hymer and Sunlight; it's in-between Elddis and Burstner for value but is marketed as a budget brand.
Not many on the used market, so you'll have to hunt hard on autotrader or other websites, but it's a brand worth looking for.
The brand's a little bit obscure compared to Elddis, Swift, Dethleffs but is quite good from what I've read.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 13th September 22:46
I've been a Motorhome dealer for 20 years and run a dealership, I've never seen anything like it!
My forecourt should have 110 Motorhomes, I think I'm down to maybe 25 which is still way more than some places yet we sold 10 over the weekend it's crazy.
No1 most important thing, get the size and layout right, you will change it if you get that wrong even if it's the best built and species van in the world.
Some makes don't do some layouts so layout and size will help filter your options.
Prices are strong, that won't change now,new vans have gone up enough in price for 2022 to mean the high used prices will not be changing anytime soon tho some prices I've seen are cringeful.
I sold a 2019 Chausson, only 1250 miles admittedly for 1k less than it cost new and had people fitting over it which seems mad but that van is now 12k less than the equivalent new price and is physical not a 6 month wait for a van that may not turn up!
Rough pecking order of build-
Stupidly pricey hyper liners-
Concorde, Morello, Niesmann Bischoff
Achieveable Top premium european-
Hymer, Carthago
Premium Europen-
Adria, Burstner, Hymer, Rapido ,Dethleffs,Knaus, Laika
Mid Range-
Chausson, Benimar, Rollerteam all quite innovative of layout and related to each other , Pilote
Then mid range premium euro sub brands-
Carado,Sunlight, Sun Living, Weinsberg predictable and fairly dull but very well built for the cash
Budget-
Rimor , Kentucky, Mclouis
No British brands in there as they are all equally patchily built and have a broader spread of models from budget to theoretically premium .
It's a hard time to look at vans as there is so little stock but there's a high turnover so keep pounding the forecourts, youtube and try and enjoy it.
When you find the one grab it, Friday night I had 3 used island bed garage vans in stock sub 40k, Saturday night I had none lol
My forecourt should have 110 Motorhomes, I think I'm down to maybe 25 which is still way more than some places yet we sold 10 over the weekend it's crazy.
No1 most important thing, get the size and layout right, you will change it if you get that wrong even if it's the best built and species van in the world.
Some makes don't do some layouts so layout and size will help filter your options.
Prices are strong, that won't change now,new vans have gone up enough in price for 2022 to mean the high used prices will not be changing anytime soon tho some prices I've seen are cringeful.
I sold a 2019 Chausson, only 1250 miles admittedly for 1k less than it cost new and had people fitting over it which seems mad but that van is now 12k less than the equivalent new price and is physical not a 6 month wait for a van that may not turn up!
Rough pecking order of build-
Stupidly pricey hyper liners-
Concorde, Morello, Niesmann Bischoff
Achieveable Top premium european-
Hymer, Carthago
Premium Europen-
Adria, Burstner, Hymer, Rapido ,Dethleffs,Knaus, Laika
Mid Range-
Chausson, Benimar, Rollerteam all quite innovative of layout and related to each other , Pilote
Then mid range premium euro sub brands-
Carado,Sunlight, Sun Living, Weinsberg predictable and fairly dull but very well built for the cash
Budget-
Rimor , Kentucky, Mclouis
No British brands in there as they are all equally patchily built and have a broader spread of models from budget to theoretically premium .
It's a hard time to look at vans as there is so little stock but there's a high turnover so keep pounding the forecourts, youtube and try and enjoy it.
When you find the one grab it, Friday night I had 3 used island bed garage vans in stock sub 40k, Saturday night I had none lol
Edited by nagsheadwarrior on Monday 13th September 23:05
Axeboy said:
I ended up getting a bit fed up looking. I found a number of models I was interested in, new, but all dealers were asking well above the advertised prices on the manufacturers site. This just put me off so much.
Just the way it is at the moment, but I have decided to just wait for a few years and maybe attend some shows next year.
For example. A Hymer I wanted, happy to buy £5k of options but couldnt do so, it had to be the spec the dealer chose which was £15k over rrp.
You can factory order to your spec if you're willing to wait a long time. Just the way it is at the moment, but I have decided to just wait for a few years and maybe attend some shows next year.
For example. A Hymer I wanted, happy to buy £5k of options but couldnt do so, it had to be the spec the dealer chose which was £15k over rrp.
Dealers order for stock the spec that sells best which in the UK tend to be the more fully loaded one's.
Inc options packs I think £40k of options was my biggest and about £4k the lowest on a new Hymer, they literally come with nothing as standard
Not an owner, just a lurker and peruser with a desire *one day* to perhaps do something!
A German colleague raved about his Winghamm model to me a few years back....they do look to be beautifully constructed, with almost zero chance for damp with the monocoque shell design.
I loved the look of the MicroS (VW camper sized with full bathroom and drop-down bed), but they appear to have stopped making that one....the 540 would be the equivalent. Some clever design features, IMHO (as a non-owner - take with appropriate seasoning!)
Must admit that after having adaptive cruise control on my XC60 for 7 years and our Kona EV for over 2, I would 100% want any camper to have that feature (not just regular cruise control) - it is a massive safety feature in my view.
A German colleague raved about his Winghamm model to me a few years back....they do look to be beautifully constructed, with almost zero chance for damp with the monocoque shell design.
I loved the look of the MicroS (VW camper sized with full bathroom and drop-down bed), but they appear to have stopped making that one....the 540 would be the equivalent. Some clever design features, IMHO (as a non-owner - take with appropriate seasoning!)
Must admit that after having adaptive cruise control on my XC60 for 7 years and our Kona EV for over 2, I would 100% want any camper to have that feature (not just regular cruise control) - it is a massive safety feature in my view.
OP - Jody (Nagsheadwarrior) is a really useful bloke to get to know, helped me out loads when I replaced a stolen Chausson (avoid Transit models or go over the top with security devices) with a Dethleffs. The Dethleffs was from the budget end of their range and was noticeably better built than the Chausson but both were perfectly fit for purpose. Lots of horror stories heard about British vans as others have said. Worth hiring one to try first and can recommend "Just Go", they used Rimor vans when we hired from them which will give you an indication of build quality at the lower end - and help you decide on layouts.
This thread is great, and I'm so glad I started it!
Jody - fantastic advice, thanks so much, where abouts in the country are you? give me a clue so I can look for your website (I'm guessing direct web links are not allowed on here to promote your own business)
Too many people to thank individually, but I do appreciate all feedback!
Let the search and research continue. My car gets collected on Thursday, I've got paperwork coming through the post to cash my smallest pension in, then its all systems go!
Jody - fantastic advice, thanks so much, where abouts in the country are you? give me a clue so I can look for your website (I'm guessing direct web links are not allowed on here to promote your own business)
Too many people to thank individually, but I do appreciate all feedback!
Let the search and research continue. My car gets collected on Thursday, I've got paperwork coming through the post to cash my smallest pension in, then its all systems go!
sonicbloo said:
This thread is great, and I'm so glad I started it!
Jody - fantastic advice, thanks so much, where abouts in the country are you? give me a clue so I can look for your website (I'm guessing direct web links are not allowed on here to promote your own business)
Too many people to thank individually, but I do appreciate all feedback!
Let the search and research continue. My car gets collected on Thursday, I've got paperwork coming through the post to cash my smallest pension in, then its all systems go!
No probs,I run a big dealership in South Devon.Jody - fantastic advice, thanks so much, where abouts in the country are you? give me a clue so I can look for your website (I'm guessing direct web links are not allowed on here to promote your own business)
Too many people to thank individually, but I do appreciate all feedback!
Let the search and research continue. My car gets collected on Thursday, I've got paperwork coming through the post to cash my smallest pension in, then its all systems go!
Id recommend buying local if possible as it's easier getting it fixed when it breaks which it will, regularly lol or if not make sure you have a plan for a place that will fix it under the dealers warranty almost all of which are insurance backed and most of which are rubbish .
Tell us where you are and I'll list any dealers to try or try and avoid!
nagsheadwarrior said:
I've been a Motorhome dealer for 20 years and run a dealership, I've never seen anything like it!
My forecourt should have 110 Motorhomes, I think I'm down to maybe 25 which is still way more than some places yet we sold 10 over the weekend it's crazy.
No1 most important thing, get the size and layout right, you will change it if you get that wrong even if it's the best built and species van in the world.
Some makes don't do some layouts so layout and size will help filter your options.
Prices are strong, that won't change now,new vans have gone up enough in price for 2022 to mean the high used prices will not be changing anytime soon tho some prices I've seen are cringeful.
I sold a 2019 Chausson, only 1250 miles admittedly for 1k less than it cost new and had people fitting over it which seems mad but that van is now 12k less than the equivalent new price and is physical not a 6 month wait for a van that may not turn up!
Rough pecking order of build-
Stupidly pricey hyper liners-
Concorde, Morello, Niesmann Bischoff
Achieveable Top premium european-
Hymer, Carthago
Premium Europen-
Adria, Burstner, Hymer, Rapido ,Dethleffs,Knaus, Laika
Mid Range-
Chausson, Benimar, Rollerteam all quite innovative of layout and related to each other , Pilote
Then mid range premium euro sub brands-
Carado,Sunlight, Sun Living, Weinsberg predictable and fairly dull but very well built for the cash
Budget-
Rimor , Kentucky, Mclouis
No British brands in there as they are all equally patchily built and have a broader spread of models from budget to theoretically premium .
It's a hard time to look at vans as there is so little stock but there's a high turnover so keep pounding the forecourts, youtube and try and enjoy it.
When you find the one grab it, Friday night I had 3 used island bed garage vans in stock sub 40k, Saturday night I had none lol
Great concise answer, thank you.My forecourt should have 110 Motorhomes, I think I'm down to maybe 25 which is still way more than some places yet we sold 10 over the weekend it's crazy.
No1 most important thing, get the size and layout right, you will change it if you get that wrong even if it's the best built and species van in the world.
Some makes don't do some layouts so layout and size will help filter your options.
Prices are strong, that won't change now,new vans have gone up enough in price for 2022 to mean the high used prices will not be changing anytime soon tho some prices I've seen are cringeful.
I sold a 2019 Chausson, only 1250 miles admittedly for 1k less than it cost new and had people fitting over it which seems mad but that van is now 12k less than the equivalent new price and is physical not a 6 month wait for a van that may not turn up!
Rough pecking order of build-
Stupidly pricey hyper liners-
Concorde, Morello, Niesmann Bischoff
Achieveable Top premium european-
Hymer, Carthago
Premium Europen-
Adria, Burstner, Hymer, Rapido ,Dethleffs,Knaus, Laika
Mid Range-
Chausson, Benimar, Rollerteam all quite innovative of layout and related to each other , Pilote
Then mid range premium euro sub brands-
Carado,Sunlight, Sun Living, Weinsberg predictable and fairly dull but very well built for the cash
Budget-
Rimor , Kentucky, Mclouis
No British brands in there as they are all equally patchily built and have a broader spread of models from budget to theoretically premium .
It's a hard time to look at vans as there is so little stock but there's a high turnover so keep pounding the forecourts, youtube and try and enjoy it.
When you find the one grab it, Friday night I had 3 used island bed garage vans in stock sub 40k, Saturday night I had none lol
Edited by nagsheadwarrior on Monday 13th September 23:05
Re Rimor, I had a 95 Coachbuilt LHD Fiat Rimor 1.9 ( gutless and a poor design of engine ) from 09 to early 2013 ( when an idiot smashed into the off side rear corner )
It had been sold new in either Austria or Germany.
I’ve nothing but praise for it, very well built, well thought out, but @ 13 years old, it did have some bubbling around a couple of the window frames, guess that this was due to the wooden window frames rotting.
I hired it out probably half a dozen times and in August 2010, I drove it down to St. Tropez and back.
I wanted to replace it with another one, back in 2013, but there were next to no Rimors around.
So I replaced it with a 2002 2.8JTD Fiat Roller Team, which I still have and which I’m very pleased with.
I would certainly consider a modern Rimor.
As for Eldis, etc I wouldn’t touch one.
It had been sold new in either Austria or Germany.
I’ve nothing but praise for it, very well built, well thought out, but @ 13 years old, it did have some bubbling around a couple of the window frames, guess that this was due to the wooden window frames rotting.
I hired it out probably half a dozen times and in August 2010, I drove it down to St. Tropez and back.
I wanted to replace it with another one, back in 2013, but there were next to no Rimors around.
So I replaced it with a 2002 2.8JTD Fiat Roller Team, which I still have and which I’m very pleased with.
I would certainly consider a modern Rimor.
As for Eldis, etc I wouldn’t touch one.
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff