Motorhomes. Forum Powaaaah!

Looking into buying a recent 2nd hand 2-berth low profile motorhome for us to use for motorsport weekends and to rent out the rest of the time. We have ample space to store and clean one and we're in the Cotswolds. Why not, we're thinking?

Budget around £15-£18k, as recent and low mileage as possible.

Better to buy private or trade?

All advice gratefully received, naturally...

We have a 6 berth early 90's Talbot Express 2.5 turbo diesel. We as a family use it to holiday in, and rent it out sporadically over the year (helps maintain and improve it). 2 berth motorhomes are a bit limiting when it comes to hiring - many renters are families of 3/4. Just a thought.

So long as the motorhome has been maintained well, with regular evidence of habitation checks (a thorough check of the motorhome for damp, gas safety etc) - then go for it.

That budget should get a newer Fiat (naturally) - something like this Fiat Ducato

I think I've said on here before that my Mum has the Fiat Ducato, the same as this one

It's a bit more than your budget as the link above is for an 05 plate. My Mum's is an 04, so something a year older, like hers, might come in at about 18K, so just in your budget.

Most are generally low mileage and looked after and a private one might be cheaper, but a trader one could have a warranty, so you would have to weigh up the options.

The only real trouble she's had with hers is the drivers window motor seems to fail often. She's on her third motor now I think. Other than that, I can't think of any problems she's had with it.

My choice would be the "van type" as in Theresa's post rather than the "box on chassis" type in Hovedan's post.

The reasons are:-
(a) A better approach/departure angle due to the shorter rear overhang. Less chance of dragging the tail.
(b) Being smaller, easier to park in various shopping centres, carparks etc.
(c) Lower roofline meaning easier access to some sites.

Thanks everyone.

We seem to be getting equal votes for a smaller van to keep things easy to manoeuver and something with a bit more space for customers.

Personally, I would like something with a fixed double bed, as it feels more straightforward and a bit more "luxurious". Our target customers will be the grey adventurers, so the less manhandling of cushions/tables the better.

Still undecided though!

It's not 'grey', it's 'distinguished'...

We'd probably prefer the slightly smaller, but we'd certainly want to take it on 3,000 mile trips across Euroland.

We have a fixed double bed camper. The bed has a store garage underneath accessed by an external door each side.

It's based on a 2007 Renault master chassis with a 120 horsepower diesel engine. The horse power is perfect for towing the track coupe behind.

There is also a single bed that can be made up,but it's a faff and we don't need it.

I will sling you some pics on Facebook Jim.

Perhaps look st the race van type layouts. Fixed double bed with storage underneath accessed from the rear doors which is ideal for bulk storage, bikes etc keep the rest of the van more tidy.

Jim - I may never speak to you again. There are far too many "grey adventurers" in camper vans in the world. Life is too short to have this arterial plaque clogging up our roads. My wife jokes that Harold Shipman was my hero. Little does she know...

We give these people bus passes and rail cards for a very good reason.

Jim. Both Gill and I have sent you photos on Facebook messenger. Hopefully you have them.

You need to get yourself to a camping and caravan show Jim to check out all the options or at least a big dealership where you can view the various types. We've had a motorhome for just on a year now and there is a learning curve involved! We have a 8mtr coach-built low profile on a Ducato chassis with fixed bed in the rear and separate toilet and shower. This gives you less living space but we didn't want to be faffing about turning a lounge area into a bed every night. Plus it allows one to go to bed later or get up earlier independent of what the other is doing. Everything is a payoff though and with the fixed bed you need the extra length which results in the large overhang at the rear. This limits your options for parking as you need to be clear of everything alongside before making a turn. You can get a smaller maybe 6 mtr coach-built though.

Then there is the question of layout, wheres the bed? What type of bed - you can get singles, bunks, island beds, rear beds! Where do you want the bathroom and kitchen?

If you are renting it out I would think a panel van maybe a better option. These are smaller but more robust and easier to drive. Most people I've seen have a separate "drive away" awning which stays in position when they drive off to the pub shops. Theses vans can be quite expensive, often costing more than a coach-built but they are really well fitted out. I'm a fair bit behind at recording our adventures but here's a link to my blog if you find yourself with time to read it. Motor Home Tales

And here's a link to the various types of MH out there. Types of motor homes and if you're feeling adventurous you could build your own! DIY camper conversion

good luck with the venture Jim

That budget would get you a fully converted VW T4 with a 2.5tdi engine. I use mine daily and camp away (as you know) at FOS and various other events. I also tow my race car with it and stay over night.

Best thing is I use it as a daily driver as well.

10k would get you a nice one, you could even stretch to the later T5.

Hey Richard you're right. We have bus and rail cards and they are great but we have a motorhome too We might come up to Scotland in summer. Straight up the A9 to Thurso. Should be great. I've mentioned in my reply to Jim that parking such a big beast can be an issue but we've sussed that out and will be towing a smart Car. Can't wait

Ha - fortunately I've only been home twice so far this year (about 3 nights in total) and both trips were by plane. Next trip will possibly be part of the moving process southwards.

We owned a camper van when my son was 7 and we had some great times in it, our most adventurous trip being all the way up to the Isle of Skye. However, last year we bought a couple of ordinary tents at Halfords, and I thought this was a lot better than staying in a camper van! In the camper we were constantly having to put beds up and down and move luggage around. With modern self-inflating air beds and waterproof tents, ordinary camping is so comfy. We took our estate car and two dogs and easily had room for all the gear on the back seat. Also we didn't have our pitch stolen every time we left the camping site. You don't have to tax, insure, MOT, and maintain a tent!

Something else about campers, if it rains at night, you get no sleep at all, it makes such a racket. No such problem with the light pitter patter of rain on nylon.

Thanks everyone. We are leaning towards getting something that we like that we can rent out in future if we choose. Still thinking in terms of low profile, but nothing certain...

C2D - Great info; we will try to get to a big dealer over the next few weeks. Although I suspect this is precisely the wrong time to buy.

MRS - No need for smilies with me! This discussion alone would be sufficient to guarantee my disinheritance. When I was a child, my dad dreamed of installing machine guns on our family car to eliminate caravans and motorhomes.

Joe - Thanks for the pics (from both you and Gill) - food for thought...

Annie - My journey has been the reverse of yours; I've camped all my life and spent almost a year living in a tent when I was 18, working as a rep for Keycamp Holidays. We have several tents, plus loads of kit. However, we now share C2D's lack of enthusiasm for faffing (specifically the "where are my shoes/trousers/torch?" routine when in need of a wee in the middle of the night). We will only really go to motorsport events and various coasts, so we shouldn't struggle too greatly for space, etc. Might have to look into bikes or some form of on-site transport...

Now all we need is five seconds to ourselves to go and find something...

Jim we were at our dealers last Friday having a habitation check (something you need doing to maintain the warranty) and they have loads of bargains! They are so busy with orders for new motorhomes I don't think they're that bothered about flogging used vehicles! It's a long way from Stroud but take a look at some of these. Especially the last van. A 2016 eight berth Katamarano with less than 5k miles for £38k!

M&C motorhomes in Hull

As regards weeing in the night, I had a little mini bucket that was just the job!

Campers are so expensive at this time of year. There are bargains to be had in the winter. I think my ideal camper would be a Ford Transit. Also, any colour but white!

Wowee I love this! Camper