MH advice please!
Discussion
I've reached that golden age where I've just sold the Tamora (sadly) and am just about to put the VW camper up for sale in order to finance a motorhome. Plans to wind down a bit and do a bit more travelling etc in the next few years. We've had the VW for a while and have used it a lot so understand what it's all about and have until recently I've spent many years in the tent/awning/accessory trade so know enough to get me through, I just need some decent advice as to what to buy..........
Budget is £50K but would prefer to spend £40K if we can. Planned to buy a panel van size MH as it should fit on the driveway, ish........
I guess the questions are..... What brand do I buy, what do I keep away from. It seems like at the moment you get more for your money with a coachbuilt MH rather than a panel van...... Guessing that's because the Covid VW buyers are trading up for more space etc and buying panel van size ? Why would I not buy a coach built, except for the extra width which may not fit on my drive, or the fact it could have damp........... Does one drive better than the other?
We only need/want a 2 berth, and I'm not looking to get anything as big as an A class. Like the bench seats in the rear but are there any downsides to this? I'm in Somerset and have many old customers that I can go and ask but I guess I was looking for some independent advice from people that have experienced both types.........
Budget is £50K but would prefer to spend £40K if we can. Planned to buy a panel van size MH as it should fit on the driveway, ish........
I guess the questions are..... What brand do I buy, what do I keep away from. It seems like at the moment you get more for your money with a coachbuilt MH rather than a panel van...... Guessing that's because the Covid VW buyers are trading up for more space etc and buying panel van size ? Why would I not buy a coach built, except for the extra width which may not fit on my drive, or the fact it could have damp........... Does one drive better than the other?
We only need/want a 2 berth, and I'm not looking to get anything as big as an A class. Like the bench seats in the rear but are there any downsides to this? I'm in Somerset and have many old customers that I can go and ask but I guess I was looking for some independent advice from people that have experienced both types.........
Prioritise build quality over newness.
Consider you're buying two vehicles. The chassis, then the motorhome.
For quality an older N&B etc will be a better bet. But then consider it might be on a Fiat Chassis.
Some newer ones might be lesser quality on the 'house' but have a chassis that's preferable (Ford).
Research both aspects separately.
Consider you're buying two vehicles. The chassis, then the motorhome.
For quality an older N&B etc will be a better bet. But then consider it might be on a Fiat Chassis.
Some newer ones might be lesser quality on the 'house' but have a chassis that's preferable (Ford).
Research both aspects separately.
Also, consider what you want.
For example, if you might find yourself in ad-hoc locations overnight does the water tank size matter?
Does size of bed matter?
What standard features? If you're going to stop wherever then a decent solar setup is useful. As would be battery capacity....and inverter.
If you think you'll be stopping on hookup then this doesn't matter.
What waste? Do you want a large black tank to empty down a foul drain at home, or cassette best?
For example, if you might find yourself in ad-hoc locations overnight does the water tank size matter?
Does size of bed matter?
What standard features? If you're going to stop wherever then a decent solar setup is useful. As would be battery capacity....and inverter.
If you think you'll be stopping on hookup then this doesn't matter.
What waste? Do you want a large black tank to empty down a foul drain at home, or cassette best?
LuckyThirteen said:
Prioritise build quality over newness.
Consider you're buying two vehicles. The chassis, then the motorhome.
For quality an older N&B etc will be a better bet. But then consider it might be on a Fiat Chassis.
Some newer ones might be lesser quality on the 'house' but have a chassis that's preferable (Ford).
Research both aspects separately.
The quality motorhomes (N+B, Concorde etc) based on Fiat drivetrain will most likely have an AlKo chassis, only the cab bit to worry about.Consider you're buying two vehicles. The chassis, then the motorhome.
For quality an older N&B etc will be a better bet. But then consider it might be on a Fiat Chassis.
Some newer ones might be lesser quality on the 'house' but have a chassis that's preferable (Ford).
Research both aspects separately.
I wouldn’t touch a Ford based van with a barge pole, wet belt failure and theft would put me off.
Are you thinking of the uk? If so may as well get a caravan.
Europe? motorhome all day long. As others have said find a dealer with lots to look at before making your mind up,
even if you intend to buy privately, we look upon ours to take us somewhere warm and live outside in the sunshine
Only going inside to sleep or get somewhere else.
Are you thinking of the uk? If so may as well get a caravan.
Europe? motorhome all day long. As others have said find a dealer with lots to look at before making your mind up,
even if you intend to buy privately, we look upon ours to take us somewhere warm and live outside in the sunshine
Only going inside to sleep or get somewhere else.
There are some big coachbuilts and conversely compact A class. I Had a 6.3m N+B A class some years ago.
There is a thread on here re quality of the premium makes, N+B will give you more choice for what you are looking for, Hymer also worth a look. I would look 2010-2015.
Concorde will probably be too big and there are few for sale.
According to the man who looks after my motorhome, he has seen a general decline in build quality since about 2015, including N+B (which we talked about specifically, as I remembered mine fondly - it was 2007). Of the new mainstream stuff he rates Carthago highly.
Makes I would look at
Carthago
Hymer
N+B
Concorde if you can find something that suits
Laika & Adria worth considering
I like A class because of the feeling of space, downside is the windscreens are eye watering if you need a new one (make sure insurance covers it).
I have always felt they are more secure than coachbuilt/van conversion, every toe rag knows how to break into a normal van door, A class presents a different problem. We had an attempted break in of a Sprinter based Laika in France, we were in it asleep, fortunately I had secured the driver/passenger doors with a strap.
There is a thread on here re quality of the premium makes, N+B will give you more choice for what you are looking for, Hymer also worth a look. I would look 2010-2015.
Concorde will probably be too big and there are few for sale.
According to the man who looks after my motorhome, he has seen a general decline in build quality since about 2015, including N+B (which we talked about specifically, as I remembered mine fondly - it was 2007). Of the new mainstream stuff he rates Carthago highly.
Makes I would look at
Carthago
Hymer
N+B
Concorde if you can find something that suits
Laika & Adria worth considering
I like A class because of the feeling of space, downside is the windscreens are eye watering if you need a new one (make sure insurance covers it).
I have always felt they are more secure than coachbuilt/van conversion, every toe rag knows how to break into a normal van door, A class presents a different problem. We had an attempted break in of a Sprinter based Laika in France, we were in it asleep, fortunately I had secured the driver/passenger doors with a strap.
Downsides to the rear lounge area are that you have to make and unmake the bed each night and probably won’t have a fixed table. My parents have a 6m van based motorhome with the rear lounge and they love it.
That layout doesn’t suit me and my 6m motorhome has fixed rear double (with garage underneath) and a dinette up front. I don’t have to make and unmake the bed or table each day but I lack a comfy lounging area.
That layout doesn’t suit me and my 6m motorhome has fixed rear double (with garage underneath) and a dinette up front. I don’t have to make and unmake the bed or table each day but I lack a comfy lounging area.
Thanks all, some great bit of advice. It's a minefield for sure. We've looked at plenty so far whilst trying to sell the car but still can't decide on a coachbuilt or a panel van. Highbridge is close to me here and I know them well :-)
Had a feeling the good brands would be mentioned, just not sure we can get a panel van from any of those manufacturers within our budget........... Wondered if there's any brand we should ignore completely ? Use will be on and off grid UK then France/Spain etc in the future. We are very much outdoors people, the VW is just a bed on wheels with a fridge, we do everything else outside. Would be better to have somewhere to sit and make the bed up each night though, it's no hassle and we are used to it
I'm a tall git but not too bothered about head height for the above reason ! Mrs wants an onboard loo, a nice campsite and space to change etc. I'm hooked on a lounge area at the back and fling the doors open of an evening off grid.
If we were to go panel van, is stuff a couple of years old from brands like Swift or Autocruise any good ?
Had a feeling the good brands would be mentioned, just not sure we can get a panel van from any of those manufacturers within our budget........... Wondered if there's any brand we should ignore completely ? Use will be on and off grid UK then France/Spain etc in the future. We are very much outdoors people, the VW is just a bed on wheels with a fridge, we do everything else outside. Would be better to have somewhere to sit and make the bed up each night though, it's no hassle and we are used to it
I'm a tall git but not too bothered about head height for the above reason ! Mrs wants an onboard loo, a nice campsite and space to change etc. I'm hooked on a lounge area at the back and fling the doors open of an evening off grid.
If we were to go panel van, is stuff a couple of years old from brands like Swift or Autocruise any good ?
SomersetWestie said:
If we were to go panel van, is stuff a couple of years old from brands like Swift or Autocruise any good ?
My neighbour at the storage bought a new Swift last year, every time I see him he moans about the build quality and usually has something new that has fallen off or come away in his hand.We had a Cathago Malibu and it was as solid as a rock. No squeaks or rattles and I think it had the biggest Shower/toilet in its class. Was 6.36m long with the fixed double bed in the rear. We only had the 130bhp engine but once up to speed was just fine.
We also hired an Adria Twin a few times and despite having nearly 50k on the clock and god knows how many renters in its time, it was as solid as the day in came out the factory. Seemed a high quality van.
We looked at British brands but sadly the quality was just not there especially for the prices they were asking.
I’d have a budget brand like a Sunlight that are made by the likes of Hymer than a British brand.
Fiats are tried and tested and reliable. Same can’t be said for Ford unfortunately. Merc and VW will be ££££.
We also hired an Adria Twin a few times and despite having nearly 50k on the clock and god knows how many renters in its time, it was as solid as the day in came out the factory. Seemed a high quality van.
We looked at British brands but sadly the quality was just not there especially for the prices they were asking.
I’d have a budget brand like a Sunlight that are made by the likes of Hymer than a British brand.
Fiats are tried and tested and reliable. Same can’t be said for Ford unfortunately. Merc and VW will be ££££.
I wouldn’t be too put off by the Transit, Ford seem to cover them under warranty but wet belts are around £1400 fitted, just go for 7/8 years and service it every year.
Anything Euro 6 will cause issues if left around for periods of time, vw seem worse for this.
The Ford seems to struggle if you want to tow unless it’s still a van.
For the size of them a Caravan offers more space.
Anything Euro 6 will cause issues if left around for periods of time, vw seem worse for this.
The Ford seems to struggle if you want to tow unless it’s still a van.
For the size of them a Caravan offers more space.
tight fart said:
I’m looking to update mine at the moment, I wanted to go with a euro 6 van, problem I have is I don’t want an adblue van.
My thoughts are the time it spends laid up you’ll start to get crystallisation in the system.
The only option is to run it very low and then have it mapped out.My thoughts are the time it spends laid up you’ll start to get crystallisation in the system.
Not a chance I'd touch an Iveco for the reason already mentioned - the wet belts distintegrating and destroying the engine. Also, when I spent a few months looking around the dealers earlier this year for a replacement, every Ford chassis I looked at had basically no anti-rust treatment and many at the 4-6 year old mark were already very scabby with rust taking hold.
I also wouldn't touch a Ducato with the auto box. They are made out of cheese and if it hasn't already got stuck in a gear or refused to engage one and left you stranded, it soon will. Every motorhome related forum is flooded with threads about them.
Adding a WC/shower cubicle to a pvc makes the rest of the van extremely tight, hence why most don't have them. Remember you need somewhere for all the gubbins to go, ie. your electrics/batteries, heating, plumbing, storage space. That typically all fits nicely under a fixed rear bed, but if you are wanting a rear lounge area to sit and chill, you're going to have problems..
I also wouldn't touch a Ducato with the auto box. They are made out of cheese and if it hasn't already got stuck in a gear or refused to engage one and left you stranded, it soon will. Every motorhome related forum is flooded with threads about them.
Adding a WC/shower cubicle to a pvc makes the rest of the van extremely tight, hence why most don't have them. Remember you need somewhere for all the gubbins to go, ie. your electrics/batteries, heating, plumbing, storage space. That typically all fits nicely under a fixed rear bed, but if you are wanting a rear lounge area to sit and chill, you're going to have problems..
Gassing Station | Tents, Caravans & Motorhomes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff