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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 21:59:06 GMT
Hello from sunny Devon. I am looking to buy my first motorhome and would appreciate some feedback 'those who know' as to what to look for. I intend to live full time and travel the uk. The brain picking involves the frugality, the space and the reliability.
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Post by Rubbertramp on Sept 18, 2013 22:04:29 GMT
Alright bird!....and welcome.....you look familiar  |
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Post by gaz on Sept 18, 2013 22:06:46 GMT
hello from freezin cumbria ....have you seen a van or have an idea of the kinda thing youd like ?..... find a pic and post it ..give us a starter
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 22:17:36 GMT
Hello from sunny Devon. I am looking to buy my first motorhome and would appreciate some feedback 'those who know' as to what to look for. I intend to live full time and travel the uk. The brain picking involves the frugality, the space and the reliability. Who knows who is talking to who? |
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Post by Rubbertramp on Sept 18, 2013 22:24:15 GMT
Gaz is talking to you....Robert de Niro says "Are ya takkin ta me?" Some talk to the trees....me, I talk to meself!
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Post by gaz on Sept 18, 2013 22:29:20 GMT
harvestmoon the best and only advice i can give you right now is...fill the camper with beer we answer anything for beer
ask away dont be shy
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Post by gaz on Sept 18, 2013 22:32:18 GMT
Gaz is talking to you....Robert de Niro says "Are ya takkin ta me?" Some talk to the trees....me, I talk to meself! do you get sensible answers |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 22:33:01 GMT
Ello Gaz
This is a very confusing site ! I am a complete novice as far as campervans go... Seen a fiat 2 birth, head room good and storage ok but the price way too high. It was from a garage so guessing buying from a private seller would be better
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Post by gaz on Sept 18, 2013 22:36:42 GMT
Ello Gaz This is a very confusing site ! I am a complete novice as far as campervans go... Seen a fiat 2 birth, head room good and storage ok but the price way too high. It was from a garage so guessing buying from a private seller would be better hhmmm could be depends on price an age m/hs seem to hold a lot of value as opposed to normal vans tho...have you looked at motorhomes.autotrader.co.uk/compare some ya fancy gives you a ball park figure of whats worth what |
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Post by gaz on Sept 18, 2013 22:45:54 GMT
just searched fiat 2 berth there are 1070 for sale but other makes are available pmsl
just select all makes put yer budget price into the scale an search
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Post by Firefox on Sept 18, 2013 22:50:30 GMT
Hi and Welcome!
What motorhome you need is a very open ended question because it depends on you mostly.
Some questions to ask yourself
1. Will you need space for children/grandchildren or other visitors or dog(s)
2. Are you going to be mostly wilding or on campsites
3. Are you going to travelling a lot or mostly static
4. What is your likely budget
5. Is fuel consumption important
6. Do you need storage for large items such as bikes or outdoor equipment
7. Do you like a big kitchen or need an oven
8. Is the idea of fixed bed appealing or don't you care
9. Would a half dinette/swivel lounge be OK
10. Can you cope with limited headroom/dormer bed and access at height
11. What kind of shower/toileting facilities would be the minimum
12. Will you need a lot of storage for clothes/posessions etc
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Post by Firefox on Sept 18, 2013 22:55:37 GMT
By the way - what do find most confusing about the site - is it the number of sections?
You can catch up with the latest info using the "recent posts" link at the top of each page.
We have 50-100 posts a day here so while it is a lot more manageable than some even bigger sites with 1000's of members and 100's of posts a day, there is still always something new going on here.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 22:56:55 GMT
Blimey... Not much choice then!
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Post by gaz on Sept 18, 2013 23:01:30 GMT
my head hurt deciding what kinda van we wanted and what it needed inside an where to put it etc nearer the time of makin a real commitment i can safely say i lost some sleep hopeing it would turn out right
have ya picked one yet ...the blue one is nice pmsl
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 23:04:05 GMT
By the way - what do find most confusing about the site - is it the number of sections? You can catch up with the latest info using the "recent posts" link at the top of each page. We have 50-100 posts a day here so while it is a lot more manageable than some even bigger sites with 1000's of members and 100's of posts a day, there is still always something new going on here. 1: It's probably my age and the time of night! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 23:06:53 GMT
Hi and Welcome! What motorhome you need is a very open ended question because it depends on you mostly. Some questions to ask yourself 1. Will you need space for children/grandchildren or other visitors or dog(s) 2. Are you going to be mostly wilding or on campsites 3. Are you going to travelling a lot or mostly static 4. What is your likely budget 5. Is fuel consumption important 6. Do you need storage for large items such as bikes or outdoor equipment 7. Do you like a big kitchen or need an oven 8. Is the idea of fixed bed appealing or don't you care 9. Would a half dinette/swivel lounge be OK 10. Can you cope with limited headroom/dormer bed and access at height 11. What kind of shower/toileting facilities would be the minimum 12. Will you need a lot of storage for clothes/posessions etc |
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Post by Firefox on Sept 18, 2013 23:08:29 GMT
40 years ago, motorhomes used to be quite simple.
You got a panel van like a VW or Bedford with a pop up roof. They were usually uninsulated and very similar layouts. 2 bench seats or a rock and roll bed. No toilet/shower.
Now we have panel vans, coachbuilts, A classes, continental type vans, swivel seet lounges, half dinettes, dormers, fixed beds - transverse and longitudinal, garages, rear lounges - you name it.
One of the best ways to get an idea of what layout might suit you is to go the NEC motorhome show 15-20 October - there will be a group from here going and you are welcome to join us and look around. You can go inside all the vans and get a feel. Another way is to get practical motorhome or MMM magazine and they often have articles about layouts and some have all the kinds of layouts listed at the back.
There's nothing like going in the vans at a show though and getting a feel for the space.
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Post by Firefox on Sept 18, 2013 23:12:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 23:19:56 GMT
my head hurt deciding what kinda van we wanted and what it needed inside an where to put it etc nearer the time of makin a real commitment i can safely say i lost some sleep hopeing it would turn out right have ya picked one yet ...the blue one is nice pmsl A blue one? Ideal ! Purple would obviously be better |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2013 23:22:12 GMT
Thanks Firefox for your tips |
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Post by gaz on Sept 18, 2013 23:28:00 GMT
loads of food for thought there in that link
see ya when you decide remember sod the colour its the inside that important
shit just noticed your a girl... purple IS lovely yes pmsl
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Post by Firefox on Sept 18, 2013 23:42:12 GMT
No problems  I have a self build with this layout:  You can see the van in the pic next to my name top left Advantages 1. 5.4m long 17 foot van. Very quick and 36 mpg fuel consumption 2. Fully insulated for all seasons 3. Very comfy large fixed double bed always ready for use 4. Stealthy exterior look for wild camping and urban wild camping 5. Wide enough to sleep across the van 6. Swivel seat lounge can seat 4 7. Big garage under bed to store large items - genny and outdoor stuff etc. Disadvanatges 1. Limited floor space - No good for Children or dogs - 1 or 2 person van 2. Limited cupboard/wardrobe space though plenty of top lockers 3. Not a big lounge - only seats 4 so no good for entertaining a lot of people 4. Limited kitchen. Combined sink/hob. Nice fridge 90l but no grill or oven 5. Limited Bathroom - 3 foot by 2 foot. This is a common diasadvantage of small panel vans. |
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Post by Etienne Le Croq on Sept 19, 2013 6:11:08 GMT
Hello and welcome ! I have a similar layout to Mr Fox ,but in a LWB van.If you can't find a layout in a van you like,then you could always build your own or buy a van and pay someone to fit it out to your spec.
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Post by ross on Sept 19, 2013 19:56:03 GMT
Hey Firefox,
2. Fully insulated for all seasons
3. Very comfy large fixed double bed always ready for use
4. Stealthy exterior look for wild camping and urban wild camping
We could get the wrong idea about you! Just why exactly is that fixed bed option so high on the priority list??
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Post by Firefox on Sept 19, 2013 20:12:53 GMT
If it's made out of one piece of foam you have a much nicer bed and it is always ready to use. Mine does become a dumping ground in the day and the guitar lives on there also, but it only takes 30 seconds to get ready.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2013 21:59:40 GMT
Going to have to look around more and see what's on offer. Guess its a bigger picture than I imagined. Fuel consumption is obviously a big deal...will pick your brains when I have a definite one in mind. Thanks all for your advise
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Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Sept 19, 2013 22:10:17 GMT
You should try and come to the NEC motorhome show in October You'll be well looked after and there is a wealth of knowledge and expertise from some of the peeps who'll be going (not me though!  ) |
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Post by Is it spring yet, dormouse? on Sept 19, 2013 22:11:35 GMT
That is.... not me with the knowledge and expertise!  |
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Post by Mini on Sept 19, 2013 22:21:50 GMT
I was just about to say the same sort of thing Mongoose Best thing is to go to motorhome shows and dealerships and just look at all the shapes and sizes on offer. After a while, you'll find yourself with a mental list of things you'd like in your ideal layout and things you wouldn't want. Good luck and happy shopping! |
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Post by Firefox on Sept 19, 2013 22:22:37 GMT
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Hi we nearly always freecamp - old age pension gives loads of leisure time but too little money to pay camp site fees. 
The van has solar panel, large water tank So we are pretty self sufficient. Jon
