Should you’re shopping for a motorhome or campervan, you have already got quite a bit to consider. Nevertheless, there are some widespread errors new patrons make when shopping for a motorhome within the UK. On this publish, I’m going to stroll you thru the 5 commonest errors motorhome patrons make—and methods to keep away from them!
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Suggestions for Shopping for a Motorhome within the UK
I’ve been sharing motorhoming ideas for years, and sadly I’ve met loads of individuals who remorse their motorhome shopping for choices as a result of they didn’t know what to search for.
While everyone seems to be totally different and has totally different necessities, there are a couple of widespread errors to keep away from and issues to examine earlier than you signal on the dotted line to purchase a motorhome or campervan.
I’ve created a video about these errors:
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Can’t watch the video? No worries- you’ll discover all the data you want beneath.
MISTAKE 1: Selecting the Unsuitable Motorhome Structure
The primary widespread mistake most individuals make is selecting the incorrect structure.
It’s really easy to stroll right into a van at a present or on a forecourt, take a look at all of the sparkly clear surfaces and fall in love. Belief me, I do it at nearly each present I attend, whether or not as a speaker or a buyer.
But it surely’s important that you just ask your self some questions BEFORE and AFTER you assume you’ve discovered ‘the one’.
These questions embrace:
- what number of seat belts do you want?
- Would you like a storage to retailer stuff?
- Would you like a set mattress (to keep away from the faff about making it up each night time) or would you like a convertible seating space or drop down mattress which provides you extra room throughout the day?
- Would you like a dinette with a correct desk? How many individuals can be consuming?
- Would you like a toilet with a rest room and separate bathe, a moist room, or are you cheerful utilizing campsite amenities?
Find out how to keep away from this error
The easiest way to keep away from shopping for the incorrect motorhome structure is to rent a couple of totally different layouts before you purchase. That manner, you’ll begin studying what you want and don’t like.
Should you can’t rent, I like to recommend visiting a motorhome present, the place you possibly can sit inside totally different fashions and picture really utilizing it on daily basis.
Whenever you’re inside, don’t simply take into consideration journeys throughout sunny summer time days; would you continue to love that structure in the course of winter or when it’s been raining for days and you may’t sit outdoors?
Take into consideration bedtime and once you stand up within the morning? Do you and your accomplice stand up and go to mattress on the similar time? If not, how will the house work? What in case you’re travelling with kids who go to mattress earlier than you?
In order for you an inventory of all of the important issues you might want to ask your self, seize the Assured Purchaser Guidelines beneath.
MISTAKE 2: Ignoring motorhome payload & weight limits
Not understanding your motorhome payload and weight limits is a mistake which catches a great deal of folks out.
Should you don’t know what payload is, this publish will discuss you thru it:
READ MORE: Motorhome Payload and Weight Limits- the whole lot you might want to know.
Many UK & European motorhomes are constructed to remain underneath 3,500kg, which implies anybody can drive them on a regular automobile licence. In case you have a C1 class in your licence, you possibly can drive autos which weigh greater than that, however there’ll nonetheless be a most weight restrict on no matter car you purchase.
An honest payload is essential as a result of it determines hows a lot ‘stuff’ you possibly can put in your motorhome, in addition to what number of passengers and pets you possibly can carry.
Sadly, payload will get taken up in a short time: a motorbike rack, awning, full tanks of water and gasoline, meals, garments, a photo voltaic panel and all of your gear- earlier than you realize it you will be over the utmost weight restrict of your car.
Being over the restrict isn’t only a minor concern—it’s unlawful. Should you get stopped and your van’s chubby, you could possibly face a nice & factors in your licence. Even worse, your insurance coverage can be invalid ought to you’ve got an accident.
Find out how to keep away from this error
- Firslty, examine your driving licence— what’s the utmost weight car you’re allowed to drive? in case you handed after 1997, you’ll have to take a C1 licence to drive something over 3,500kg.
- Take a look at the payload over the car you need to purchase and add the weights of all of the folks and pets who can be travelling. How a lot is left? You want about 80kg of payload weight pp at least, AFTER everyone seems to be on board.
- Should you’re shopping for a second hand motorhome, keep in mind that the earlier proprietor could have added further equipment, so the producer’s printed weight isn’t dependable. As a substitute, take it to a weighbridge to be completely certain in your allowance.
Shopping for a Motorhome within the UK MISTAKE 3: Not paying sufficient consideration to motorhome storage
Sounds foolish, however having ample storage in a motorhome is crucial, and plenty of trendy campers simply don’t have sufficient of it.
As a manner of lowering weight (to remain underneath the 3500kg restrict), some producers have taken out wardrobes and cabinets, leaving a beautiful huge open house which appears nice once you stroll in, however isn’t all the time sensible to spend so much of time in, particularly on an extended journey once you take a whole lot of garments and equipment.
Find out how to keep away from this error
To keep away from purchaser’s regret search for
- storage areas, together with the dimensions of the wardrobe or clothes space
- the place will you place pots, pans and crockery?
- If there isn’t a set mattress, the place will you retailer the bedding throughout the day?
- The place will you place meals, glasses, bathroom rolls and the million different little issues all of us journey with?
You don’t must plan out each single merchandise, however take a look at every house and what it’s used for and work out if it’s appropriate for you and your plans for the van. If it’s not, transfer on.
Every time you do that, you’ll get higher at recognising which layouts will work greatest for you.
Don’t overlook to obtain your FREE motorhome shopping for guidelines that will help you get one of the best camper for YOU.
MISTAKE 4: Not Contemplating In a single day Storage & Parking
This one sounds apparent, however you’d be stunned how many individuals don’t take into consideration the place they’re really going to park their motorhome as soon as they’ve bought it.
There are 3 major locations folks can retailer a motorhome or camper:
- Driveway
- Avenue
- Storage unit
If you wish to park your van in your driveway, firstly- does it match? Some driveways simply aren’t huge or lengthy sufficient to park a motorhome on. Will you’ve got a most size you might want to purchase?
In case you have gates or partitions, are you able to open the doorways correctly as soon as the van’s parked up?
Is on-street parking allowed in your space? Will you want a allow and is there house?
Should you’re planning to make use of a storage web site, keep in mind that many usually have lengthy ready lists, and they are often expensive—something from £70 to over £100 a month. It’s price purchasing round however it might not be as straightforward to discover a spot, relying on the place you reside.
Find out how to keep away from this error?
- Take into consideration the place you’ll retailer your car. This might very properly slender your choices for size or peak.
- Measure your driveway or examine native parking restrictions earlier than shopping for—sounds daft, however it’ll prevent a headache later!
- Lookup storage choices close to you and even put your identify on a ready record prematurely—don’t assume you’ll be capable of discover a house final minute.
MISTAKE 5: Underestimating Working Prices
Many new homeowners underestimate the prices when shopping for a motorhome within the UK. It’s not simply the shopping for worth — you additionally want to consider operating prices.
Listed here are some operating prices to contemplate:
- Insurance coverage, which is unfortunately getting increasingly costly. Clearly, it varies based mostly on age and car, however you possibly can count on to pay upwards of £600/ yr with no or low proof of no claims.
- Highway tax – can fluctuate based mostly on the age of the car.
- Servicing & MOTs – count on to pay round £1,000 per yr for normal upkeep and repairs
- Habitation checks – A hab examine appears at your gasoline, electrics, and damp, checking for points or injury. They price round £200-£400 per yr. While not legally required, it’s all the time price getting them carried out, particularly in case you reside in your motorhome or spend a whole lot of time in it.
Plus after all there are issues like gasoline, breakdown cowl, campsite charges, LPG/ gasoline, membership memberships and equipment.
Suggestions for operating prices:
- Getting a number of insurance coverage quotes before you purchase—suppliers can fluctuate massively!
- Setting apart no less than £1,000-£1,500 per yr for upkeep and extras.
- Should you’re shopping for an older van, funds for surprising repairs and demand on a full habitation examine earlier than you buy to keep away from hidden bills, like damp points or rotten flooring.”
FINAL TIPS
So there you go—the 5 greatest errors new motorhome patrons make and methods to keep away from them!
However most significantly, don’t rush—take your time and do your analysis. Salesman are nice at sharing gives or upselling you, however take your time and do loads of analysis. I would like you to like your new motorhome.
