A Few Obvious Questions To Those Already In The Know - From Those Who Aren't!

Feb 17, 2011
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Hello again, Motorisedhousedrivers!

If you see my previous post /rant in the main forum where I lamented about the lacklustre facilities 'tween UK and NZ campsites-you'll see that it all stemmed from a three week motorhome hire holiday in the Antipodean Land Of Camping.

Despite unwittingly hiring a lumbering behemoth of a thing (The Maui Platinum Beach) and having hairy moments negotiating hairpin bends in a four wheeled semi-detached and cursing why the so-called travel company rented this out for us ... two diminutively sized adults - when clearly it was more aimed at a family of eight, two Alsations and six kids ... Despite all that we really enjoyed the experience of motor homing and now we are selling our motorbikes to fund the purchase of a 'home here in good ol' Blighty. Hurrah!.

So then after that waffling preamble, to my questions/s to 'those in the know' ...

1) We're looking at Diesel engined vehicles. But should we automatically rule put Petrol on the grounds it's not as economical?.
2) We shall be aiming compact and bijou, though certainly not Romahome R10 bijou. And are aiming at sizes akin to Nu Venture Rio or Surf but also have to consider low profile but compact coachbuilts.
What are the models we should be looking for secondhand, that are classed as bring Britains Smallest Coachbuilt. (We're going secondhand based on price but also on the fact extras are usually fitter by previous owners saving even more cash and minimising resale loss in future. Aye,)
3) initially we were going to buy from a dealer. But after seeing the huge mark ups on the forecourt. Is it a pretty safe bet if you are going for a less than three year old model that motorhome owners as a rule (like Harley Davidson owners) take pride in their purchases and keep them well maintained. And on the flip side of that argument if you do go Dealer and are buying cash then what kind of discount should you be haggling for? 15%? 20%?
4) Other than this very site and its excellent Buy/Sell pages can folks recommend other places to look for private motorhome sales?
5) Finally (you can go after this) we are off to the Peterbrough Show this Friday. What should we be looking for to ask and try out. And. Will you get a better deal on the day if y ou sign the dotted line than you would by walking into their premises next week?

That's it. You can relax now!

Cheers the noo

Bruce and Lorna Turner
 
Jan 23, 2011
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Hi Bruce and Lorna
Quite a lot to answer, but I’ll try
Firstly check the “Advise” button on this site.
1) We're looking at Diesel engined vehicles. But should we automatically rule put Petrol on the grounds it's not as economical?.
Not necessarily there are many Japanese imports Panel Van Conversions, with Petrol engines (Bilbo & Wheelhouse + others) that are similar mpg to Diesels.

2) We shall be aiming compact and bijou, though certainly not Romahome R10 bijou. And are aiming at sizes akin to Nu Venture Rio or Surf but also have to consider low profile but compact coachbuilts.
Lots will depend on your Budget, any Base Vehicle preference & your preferred layout. I assume you have ruled out PVC’s, so I will stick to Low Profile Coachbuilts options under 6m long. (a few for starters)
Autocruise Valentine http://www.caravanfinder.co.uk/motorhome/Trade/6B8369B2E272D3138025772B0032AC91/
Autocruise Starfire, Autocruise Vista, Autosleeper Nuevo, Autotrail Excel 590, Bessacarr E410/Swift Sundance 530LP/Ace Capri, Burstner Travelvan 571G, Chausson Flash S2 or 4, Dethleffs Globebus T1, Elddis Autoquest 115/Compass 115, Hobby Van 500, Home Car Fun, Rapido 700 series, Swift Bolero 600EK, Romahome R20 or 40?
3) What are the models we should be looking for secondhand, that are classed as bring Britains Smallest Coachbuilt. (We're going secondhand based on price but also on the fact extras are usually fitter by previous owners saving even more cash and minimising resale loss in future. Aye,)
See list above
4) initially we were going to buy from a dealer. But after seeing the huge mark ups on the forecourt. Is it a pretty safe bet if you are going for a less than three year old model that motorhome owners as a rule (like Harley Davidson owners) take pride in their purchases and keep them well maintained. And on the flip side of that argument if you do go Dealer and are buying cash then what kind of discount should you be haggling for? 15%? 20%?
a) Don’t forget if you see a Fiat between 2006 & 2009, make sure your test drive includes reversing uphill to ensure any judder has been rectified.
b) Depends on why the owner is selling, if he can’t afford to run the Motrohome, has he neglected the Servicing?
c) Dealer discount will depend on many variables, including No Trade-In.
d) If it’s a good selling model = No or low discount.
e) If it’s stock that isn’t moving, better discount available.
f) This time of year = less discount – main Sales Season, November to February low sales season & discounts improve.
5) Other than this very site and its excellent Buy/Sell pages can folks recommend other places to look for private motorhome sales?
One shown above, also many Motorhomes (Private & Dealers) on e-Bay
http://www.preloved.co.uk/fuseaction-adverts.listadverts/sec-Health+and+Leisure/cat-Caravans+and+Camping/subcat-Camper+Vans/keyword-motorhome/a549f592.html
6) Finally (you can go after this) we are off to the Peterbrough Show this Friday. What should we be looking for to ask and try out. And. Will you get a better deal on the day if you sign the dotted line than you would by walking into their premises next week?
Sorry too late. But if buying from a Dealer, one close to you is best option, otherwise any saving can be spent in time & fuel for Warranty rectifications.
 
Feb 17, 2011
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Thanks for the comprehensive reply to our missive, Flicka bloke!. Appreciated. And since writing I've gone out and bought a 'home. And its ideal I think for what we needed .. a '57 reg Nu Venture - one owner ... less than 5k. For £17500 private purchase. ... so far so good ... it was gona be that or a Romahome R25 or suchlike but as most lived the other side of the country or dealer centric ... we tried the other guys .. Nu Venture ...
So the Diesel question irrelevant .. it is diesel .. hurrah!.The rest of your answers very useful nonetheless so thanks for that ...
The Nu Venture has a dodgy Leisure Battery pointed out by the owner who hadnt used the van for a prolonged time due to prolonged health problems - the main reason for selling .. it overheated when we did the EHU thingy and doesnt hold its charge .. so its off to Specialist Battery Services in Bulwell for a replacement .. a LION battery. Forty nine quid sounds ok to me ...
Oddly tho' the previous owner kept it immaculate and all the paperwork etc.. BUT oddly theres no User Manual with the Nu Venture ... and its a massive mystery to the new purchaser the ins and outs of the thing ... I contacted Nu Venture in Wigan and was told of course the '57 Surf is no longer produced .. so a manual may not be findable .. tho' they're gonna try ... other than that ... how DO you go about getting a User Manual ... or rather who do you go to see ... eBay? Forums?

Anyway so far so good .. and hopefully once this battery is sorted we can get organised and get our heads round the principles of batteries ... what one runs what .. what amperage/voltage/waste tank/refil this and .. gas bottles and ... sheesh! Its like a secret society which you cannot read up about .. only discover from others in the know .. I think if anyone goes out and writes a book on Motorhome Mysticism theyd make a packet!

Cheers the noo again!

Bruce
 
Jan 23, 2011
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Hi Bruce
If you are unable to track down a copy of the Nu Venture manual, I suggest this book will give you a greater understanding.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorcaravan-Manual-Choosing-Using-Maintaining/dp/1844250474
Or your local Halfords may have a copy.
The other alternative is to check the Water Heater, Heating, Fridge etc.. for the makers/manufacturer name (Truama, Dometic, etc..) & model numbers.
The "google" the maker, (some have manuals available to download) or contact them direct via their websites. Many new motorhome have the Motorhome manufacturer's manual, supplemented by the Equipment makers' literature.
Good luck
 
Feb 17, 2011
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Thanks FlickMan

Yeah the bizarre thing is that the elderly couple who bought the 'van initially kept all the leaflets for the Fridge/Warm Air Heater/Power Panel Display/Gas Hob ... all the bits BUT the actual van itself... folks say... "Go on the site and download the manual" ... erm . this is Motorhome sites we are talking about here....and sadly most are into making motorhomes as opposed to modern homepages. However-I am calling by Nu Venture itself next week to fit a roof aerial so hopefully they will raid their annals and find something from the past.. the past only being 3.5 years ago .. .even a photocopied manual would be better than nowt.
I will never fail to be surprised by folks who 'lose' manuals for stuff that cost nigh £30000 ... amazing... we shall see ...
But yeah I 'll now see if I can get a copy of that book.
Meanitme we have applied to join the Nu Venture Owners Club so hopefully we may get more 'insider info' when we meet up with likeminded owners etc ....

Bruce
 
Jan 23, 2011
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Hi Bruce
Do you mean the Citroen Berlingo manual/handbook.
If so try your local Citroen Dealer (Citroen website only goes back to the 2008 model).
Although the "Surf" is not currently shown on the main Nu-Venture website there is their Nu-Surf, on the same Berlingo.
 

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