If you happen to’re shopping for a motorhome or campervan, you have already got rather a lot to consider. Nevertheless, there are some widespread errors new consumers make when shopping for a motorhome within the UK. On this publish, I’m going to stroll you thru the 5 most typical errors motorhome consumers make—and learn how to keep away from them!
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Ideas 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 selections 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 number of widespread errors to keep away from and issues to test 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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MISTAKE 1: Selecting the Unsuitable Motorhome Format
The primary widespread mistake most individuals make is selecting the unsuitable structure.
It’s really easy to stroll right into a van at a present or on a forecourt, have a look at all of the sparkly clear surfaces and fall in love. Belief me, I do it at virtually each present I attend, whether or not as a speaker or a buyer.
Nevertheless it’s important that you simply 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 hard and fast 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 might be consuming?
- Would you like a toilet with a rest room and separate bathe, a moist room, or are you content utilizing campsite amenities?
Learn how to keep away from this error
One of the best ways to keep away from shopping for the unsuitable motorhome structure is to rent a number of totally different layouts before you purchase. That method, you’ll begin studying what you want and don’t like.
If you happen to can’t rent, I like to recommend visiting a motorhome present, the place you may sit inside totally different fashions and picture truly utilizing it daily.
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 midst of winter or when it’s been raining for days and you’ll’t sit outdoors?
Take into consideration bedtime and whenever you stand up within the morning? Do you and your associate stand up and go to mattress on the similar time? If not, how will the house work? What in the event you’re travelling with youngsters who go to mattress earlier than you?
If you would like an inventory of all of the important issues it’s worthwhile 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.
If you happen to don’t know what payload is, this publish will discuss you thru it:
READ MORE: Motorhome Payload and Weight Limits- every part it’s worthwhile to know.
Many UK & European motorhomes are constructed to remain below 3,500kg, which suggests anybody can drive them on a typical automotive licence. When you have a C1 class in your licence, you may drive automobiles which weigh greater than that, however there’ll nonetheless be a most weight restrict on no matter car you purchase.
A good payload is vital as a result of it determines hows a lot ‘stuff’ you may put in your motorhome, in addition to what number of passengers and pets you may carry.
Sadly, payload will get taken up in a short time: a motorcycle rack, awning, full tanks of water and gasoline, meals, garments, a photo voltaic panel and all of your gear- earlier than it you will be over the utmost weight restrict of your car.
Being over the restrict isn’t only a minor situation—it’s unlawful. If you happen to get stopped and your van’s obese, you could possibly face a positive & factors in your licence. Even worse, your insurance coverage might be invalid ought to you have got an accident.
Learn how to keep away from this error
- Firslty, test your driving licence— what’s the utmost weight car you’re allowed to drive? in the event 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 might be travelling. How a lot is left? You want about 80kg of payload weight pp at least, AFTER everyone seems to be on board.
- If you happen to’re shopping for a second hand motorhome, keep in mind that the earlier proprietor could have added additional package, so the producer’s revealed weight isn’t dependable. As a substitute, take it to a weighbridge to be completely positive 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 fashionable campers simply don’t have sufficient of it.
As a method of decreasing weight (to remain below the 3500kg restrict), some producers have taken out wardrobes and cabinets, leaving a beautiful extensive open house which appears nice whenever you stroll in, however isn’t at all times sensible to spend so much of time in, particularly on an extended journey whenever you take a whole lot of garments and package.
Learn 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 hard and fast mattress, the place will you retailer the bedding throughout the day?
- The place will you place meals, glasses, rest room rolls and the million different little issues all of us journey with?
You don’t need to plan out each single merchandise, however have 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 neglect to obtain your FREE motorhome shopping for guidelines that can assist you get the very best camper for YOU.
MISTAKE 4: Not Contemplating In a single day Storage & Parking
This one sounds apparent, however you’d be shocked how many individuals don’t take into consideration the place they’re truly going to park their motorhome as soon as they’ve bought it.
There are 3 most important 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 extensive or lengthy sufficient to park a motorhome on. Will you have got a most size it’s worthwhile to purchase?
When 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?
If you happen to’re planning to make use of a storage web site, keep in mind that many typically have lengthy ready lists, and they are often expensive—something from £70 to over £100 a month. It’s value buying round but it surely is probably not as simple to discover a spot, relying on the place you reside.
Learn how to keep away from this error?
- Take into consideration the place you’ll retailer your car. This might very effectively slim your choices for size or peak.
- Measure your driveway or test native parking restrictions earlier than shopping for—sounds daft, but it surely’ll prevent a headache later!
- Lookup storage choices close to you and even put your identify on a ready record upfront—don’t assume you’ll be capable to discover a house final minute.
MISTAKE 5: Underestimating Working Prices
Many new house owners 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 more costly. Clearly, it varies primarily based on age and car, however you may count on to pay upwards of £600/ yr with no or low proof of no claims.
- Highway tax – can range primarily based 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 test seems at your gasoline, electrics, and damp, checking for points or injury. They value round £200-£400 per yr. While not legally required, it’s at all times value getting them accomplished, particularly in the event you dwell in your motorhome or spend a whole lot of time in it.
Plus in fact there are issues like gasoline, breakdown cowl, campsite charges, LPG/ gasoline, membership memberships and package.
Ideas for operating prices:
- Getting a number of insurance coverage quotes before you purchase—suppliers can range massively!
- Setting apart at the very least £1,000-£1,500 per yr for upkeep and extras.
- If you happen to’re shopping for an older van, funds for sudden repairs and demand on a full habitation test 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 consumers make and learn how to keep away from them!
However most significantly, don’t rush—take your time and do your analysis. Salesman are nice at sharing provides or upselling you, however take your time and do loads of analysis. I would like you to like your new motorhome.
