Should you’re shopping for a motorhome or campervan, you have already got lots to consider. Nonetheless, there are some frequent errors new patrons make when shopping for a motorhome within the UK. On this put up, I’m going to stroll you thru the 5 most typical errors motorhome patrons make—and find out how 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 selections as a result of they didn’t know what to search for.
While everyone seems to be completely different and has completely different necessities, there are a number of frequent errors to keep away from and issues to verify 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 information you want under.
MISTAKE 1: Selecting the Fallacious Motorhome Structure
The primary frequent mistake most individuals make is selecting the mistaken 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 nearly 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 embody:
- 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 through the day?
- Would you like a dinette with a correct desk? How many individuals might be consuming?
- Would you like a toilet with a bathroom and separate bathe, a moist room, or are you content utilizing campsite amenities?
Learn how to keep away from this error
One of the simplest ways to keep away from shopping for the mistaken motorhome structure is to rent a number of completely different layouts before you purchase. That means, 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 may sit inside completely different fashions and picture truly utilizing it on daily basis.
If 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 if 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 area work? What in the event you’re travelling with youngsters who go to mattress earlier than you?
In order for you a listing of all of the important issues you could ask your self, seize the Assured Purchaser Guidelines under.
MISTAKE 2: Ignoring motorhome payload & weight limits
Not understanding your motorhome payload and weight limits is a mistake which catches a great deal of individuals out.
Should you don’t know what payload is, this put up will speak you thru it:
READ MORE: Motorhome Payload and Weight Limits- all the pieces you could know.
Many UK & European motorhomes are constructed to remain below 3,500kg, which suggests anybody can drive them on a normal automotive licence. You probably 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 necessary 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 motorbike rack, awning, full tanks of water and gasoline, meals, garments, a photo voltaic panel and all of your gear- earlier than you already know it you could be over the utmost weight restrict of your car.
Being over the restrict isn’t only a minor difficulty—it’s unlawful. Should you get stopped and your van’s chubby, you may face a wonderful & factors in your licence. Even worse, your insurance coverage might be invalid ought to you could have an accident.
Learn how to keep away from this error
- Firslty, verify 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.
- Have a look at the payload over the car you need to purchase and add the weights of all of the individuals 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.
- Should you’re shopping for a second hand motorhome, do not forget that the earlier proprietor might have added additional 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 sufficient storage in a motorhome is important, and plenty of trendy campers simply don’t have sufficient of it.
As a means of decreasing weight (to remain below the 3500kg restrict), some producers have taken out wardrobes and cabinets, leaving a stunning huge open area which appears nice if you stroll in, however isn’t all the time sensible to spend so much of time in, particularly on a protracted journey if you take a whole lot of garments and equipment.
Learn how to keep away from this error
To keep away from purchaser’s regret search for
- storage areas, together with the scale 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 through 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 area 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 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 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 primary locations individuals can retailer a motorhome or camper:
- Driveway
- Road
- 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 could have a most size you could purchase?
You probably 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 area?
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 value purchasing round nevertheless it might not be as straightforward 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 verify native parking restrictions earlier than shopping for—sounds daft, nevertheless it’ll prevent a headache later!
- Lookup storage choices close to you and even put your title on a ready checklist upfront—don’t assume you’ll have the ability to discover a area 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 below are some operating prices to contemplate:
- Insurance coverage, which is unfortunately getting increasingly more costly. Clearly, it varies based mostly on age and car, however you may anticipate to pay upwards of £600/ yr with no or low proof of no claims.
- Street tax – can range based mostly on the age of the car.
- Servicing & MOTs – anticipate to pay round £1,000 per yr for normal upkeep and repairs
- Habitation checks – A hab verify appears to be like 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 value getting them completed, particularly in the event you stay 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 equipment.
Suggestions for operating prices:
- Getting a number of insurance coverage quotes before you purchase—suppliers can range massively!
- Setting apart a minimum of £1,000-£1,500 per yr for upkeep and extras.
- Should you’re shopping for an older van, price range for surprising repairs and demand on a full habitation verify earlier than you buy to keep away from hidden bills, like damp points or rotten flooring.”
FINAL TIPS
So there you go—the 5 largest errors new motorhome patrons make and find out how to keep away from them!
However most significantly, don’t rush—take your time and do your analysis. Salesman are nice at sharing presents or upselling you, however take your time and do loads of analysis. I would like you to like your new motorhome.