Motorhomes - what am I missing??

[Colinn]

Everything has a place in life, and I have always thought that Motorhomes must be great for those who want to tour, across Europe or Australia or something, or maybe follow Grand Prix/showjumping pursuit...

But in caravanning terms (speaking, of course, as a caravanner!) it's a no brainer. They're ridiculously expensive (compared to caravans, and luxury cars even), you can't leave them on site while you take your car (tow-car) to explore, you have all the expense of maintaining a separate vehicle, (engines, drives, gearboxes, emissions, MOT's, insurance, etc,) you have to pack everything up every time you leave sites to look around (or even buy a pint of milk!).

This last Friday, 40 Motorhome vehicles, obviously on a rally, turned up at my neighbouring SCHOOL PLAYGROUND (! - exciting, eh?)in rural Surrey, parked up in the fashion of any town centre car park and did - I know not what...although lots quickly sprouted satellite dishes.

There's a nice walk in the area - but not much else, and nobody from the Motorhomes seemed to do much. They left Sunday lunchtime, no problem, no hassle, no anything...

Now I'm sure it's me being sad, but I just could not work out the pleasure in this? Can anyone tell me what I'm missing?

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Colin I wanted a motorhome but like you said it was the price. Next door to the place we were looking at motor homes was a caravan centre. My wife asked if we should go and look at those, I wasn't keen, but am now so glad I did. I then spoke to people about the pro's and cons of both and caravans won hands down, no contest. I bought a new caravan and upgraded my car for the money I would have to spend on a vehicle 10 years old thats starting to rust.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Colin I wanted a motorhome but like you said it was the price. Next door to the place we were looking at motor homes was a caravan centre. My wife asked if we should go and look at those, I wasn't keen, but am now so glad I did. I then spoke to people about the pro's and cons of both and caravans won hands down, no contest. I bought a new caravan and upgraded my car for the money I would have to spend on a vehicle 10 years old thats starting to rust.

p.s. also I would probably have to have a car for running around in.

 

[Guest]

I have had firstly a caravan, then a motorhome for 10 years and now have returned to a caravan, due to now living in an apartment with Covenants. As Colin says there are disadvantages in motorhomes. However, you have to define what you mean by a motorhome. There are a number on the market which are only slightly longer than a car and cost in the low to mid 20 grands, so a similar price. Retired people like these because they can make use of it as both a car and holiday home. I do agree that some of the large coachbuilts are in stratospheric price ranges. One argument is that they do not lose value as fast as a car and if you look at the secondhand prices for motorhomes, then that is true. a mid to late 90's campervan will still set you back nearly 15-20 grand. A similar age car will be less than 5 grand. One of my wilder ideas was to go to the States for a holiday, buy a cheap RV for around 30K dollars have a holiday and ship it home. As it was secondhand no Vat would be liable and for around 20K pounds I would have a luxury vehicle. Convert it to LPG and it would be reasonably econmical. Alternatively, nowadays one can go to Europe and pick up a Hymer for similar money. I was suprprised during a trip to France last year how many motorhomes there were now compared to caravans. They all stay at local 'Aires' where they get cheap ovenight stops. In fact some of the campsite owners were crying as they were losing a lot of business.

 

[cris_408518]

Somebody is sure to say they have had an American RV and it was cheap to run etc.

Even on the expensive ones build quality under the skin can be really bad. And they are not finished for our weather in Europe and can rust to bits!!!!!!!!

Running repair bills for fairly low mileage can be very very high. I know to may race people who have off loaded them as quick as they can after a couple of years of endless bills.

Buy European, any one that wants one!

 

[Tony A.]

I was in America a coulpe of years ago when I saw a huge RV pull in, I got talking to the owner who told me he got 7 miles to the gallon, on hearing my sharp intake of breath , he said it`s not as bad as my last one, it only did 5 mpg,

I know the US gallon is smaller than ours, but how do you justify that consumption.

 

[JimC]

Hi Colin

I'm also a caravanner and go touring on occasions with my daughter and son in law who have a motorhome.

My daughter planned a 12 day tour of Cornwall last year and the stops were 2 or 3 nights at each site.Now this is the pro for the motorhome 15 minutes and they can up sticks and go.Needless to say we learned our lesson as it takes much longer with a caravan especially if using the awning.We have not done the multi short stays since.

Jim

Jim

 

[Colinn]

Hi Colin

I'm also a caravanner and go touring on occasions with my daughter and son in law who have a motorhome.

My daughter planned a 12 day tour of Cornwall last year and the stops were 2 or 3 nights at each site.Now this is the pro for the motorhome 15 minutes and they can up sticks and go.Needless to say we learned our lesson as it takes much longer with a caravan especially if using the awning.We have not done the multi short stays since.

Jim

Jim

As I said, they must be great for that sort of touring...

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Hi Colin - my wife and I have just converted to a Peugeot Boxer motor home from a Bailey Ranger 500/5 caravan. I was very anti motor home until I bought it and now I love it to bits. We have had no trouble parking in town, achieve approx. 28mpg depending how it is driven - as aerodynamic as a brick, no problems as far as packing up - when something is finished with it is automatically put buy and not left as clutter as in our van, never lost a pitch on site whilst out, no towing or snaking and third lane use on motorway, etc.etc I could go on.

The reason we changed was that we had an accident with the caravan and it was written off. My wife was frightened in the accident and at the moment cannot even look at another one. Our ex son-in-law has bought a caravan and it was parked over night at our house - my wife wouldn't go out the front whilst it was there.

I still have the Daihatsu Fourtrack - SWMBO will not let me sell it as the recovery people recond that if we were towing with a car we would have gone over - the weight of the tow car kept us upright.

 

[Colinn]

Hi Colin - my wife and I have just converted to a Peugeot Boxer motor home from a Bailey Ranger 500/5 caravan. I was very anti motor home until I bought it and now I love it to bits. We have had no trouble parking in town, achieve approx. 28mpg depending how it is driven - as aerodynamic as a brick, no problems as far as packing up - when something is finished with it is automatically put buy and not left as clutter as in our van, never lost a pitch on site whilst out, no towing or snaking and third lane use on motorway, etc.etc I could go on.

The reason we changed was that we had an accident with the caravan and it was written off. My wife was frightened in the accident and at the moment cannot even look at another one. Our ex son-in-law has bought a caravan and it was parked over night at our house - my wife wouldn't go out the front whilst it was there.

I still have the Daihatsu Fourtrack - SWMBO will not let me sell it as the recovery people recond that if we were towing with a car we would have gone over - the weight of the tow car kept us upright.

Believe me, I'm not anti-Motorhome as such - everyone to their own. It was just that the pleasure of a weekend in a school playground rather escaped me!!

An accident like yours must have been very unnerving - something that I'm sure would convert many of us to Motorhomes!!

 

[colin(bridgend)]

Hi Colin - my wife and I have just converted to a Peugeot Boxer motor home from a Bailey Ranger 500/5 caravan. I was very anti motor home until I bought it and now I love it to bits. We have had no trouble parking in town, achieve approx. 28mpg depending how it is driven - as aerodynamic as a brick, no problems as far as packing up - when something is finished with it is automatically put buy and not left as clutter as in our van, never lost a pitch on site whilst out, no towing or snaking and third lane use on motorway, etc.etc I could go on.

The reason we changed was that we had an accident with the caravan and it was written off. My wife was frightened in the accident and at the moment cannot even look at another one. Our ex son-in-law has bought a caravan and it was parked over night at our house - my wife wouldn't go out the front whilst it was there.

I still have the Daihatsu Fourtrack - SWMBO will not let me sell it as the recovery people recond that if we were towing with a car we would have gone over - the weight of the tow car kept us upright.

Hi Colin I did not get the impression that I thought for one minute you were anti motorhome rather, more curious. If my reply gave you that impression please accept my apology.

Regarding those weekenders I must agree with you as my wife and I went on a C&CC weekend event at Margam Park. What a total waste of time and money. Apart from the weather the only company we had were a very pleasant English couple who were touring and stopped for the weekend with us. We had never met them before but they were very pleasnt company. The rest of the rally were very clicky and could not be bothered to socialise with us or the English couple. Supposed to be the "friendly club".

We are planning a full years touring with the motorhome and with the grace of God we are going to enjoy ourselves now that we are both retired and my wife has recently been give a clean bill of health after 4 years to and fro to the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend.

 

[Colinn]

Hi Colin - my wife and I have just converted to a Peugeot Boxer motor home from a Bailey Ranger 500/5 caravan. I was very anti motor home until I bought it and now I love it to bits. We have had no trouble parking in town, achieve approx. 28mpg depending how it is driven - as aerodynamic as a brick, no problems as far as packing up - when something is finished with it is automatically put buy and not left as clutter as in our van, never lost a pitch on site whilst out, no towing or snaking and third lane use on motorway, etc.etc I could go on.

The reason we changed was that we had an accident with the caravan and it was written off. My wife was frightened in the accident and at the moment cannot even look at another one. Our ex son-in-law has bought a caravan and it was parked over night at our house - my wife wouldn't go out the front whilst it was there.

I still have the Daihatsu Fourtrack - SWMBO will not let me sell it as the recovery people recond that if we were towing with a car we would have gone over - the weight of the tow car kept us upright.

Sounds like you're going to do, well, just what Motorhomes are surely made for! Now that sort of year out I wd really enjoy - have a great time...

 

[CliveV]

The only advantage I can see to a motorhome is the ability to stop wher you want, tho' this is getting them bad publicity for being eyesores in beauty spots.

Interestingly, I am going to hire one in Australia next May for a month or so, when we go over for our nieces wedding. Looking forward to driving up the coast from Brisbane.

After all the depressing stuff on taxes etc on adjacent posts, - we may well stay!

 

[GrahamW]

Clive

You missed the most important advantage in my eyes, the space to move around, entertain young ones etc whilst travelling. I had one for a spell when my eldest was 1 year old and it turned what would no doubt have been a stressful drive to Northern Italy into a pleasure.

 

[cris_408518]

Clive, if it's to be an American RV. See if you can get one with the slide out sides.Much nicer, it makes it seem like you're sat at home in the lounge.

 

[CliveV]

Good points Graham & cris - Not an American RV tho, as we want to have something small enough to be able to really explore rather than just travel from campsite to campsite.

I have seen some that have a horizontal blind that you can easily pull out and sit under and with a nice bed and eating and seating area.

SHMBO likes the idea of being able to use the loo on the move Graham! She is not keen on using a bush that may have snakes or the dreaded Funnel Web Spider!!

I am not going to tell her that they can get under the loo seat - even in Motorhomes until we get there!

LOL!!

 

[GrahamW]

Good points Graham & cris - Not an American RV tho, as we want to have something small enough to be able to really explore rather than just travel from campsite to campsite.

I have seen some that have a horizontal blind that you can easily pull out and sit under and with a nice bed and eating and seating area.

SHMBO likes the idea of being able to use the loo on the move Graham! She is not keen on using a bush that may have snakes or the dreaded Funnel Web Spider!!

I am not going to tell her that they can get under the loo seat - even in Motorhomes until we get there!

LOL!!

Clive

Dont worry it's the red back that lurks under the loo seat and whilst theoretically is more venomous then the funnel web it can't inject enough venom to cause death. Well not on it's own anyway!!

 

[cris_408518]

"SHMBO likes the idea of being able to use the loo on the move"

Is that wise Clive, does it have a seat belt fitted and would she not miss the scenery as you drive along or will she sit holding the frosted window open ;-)

The Aussies think we have some strange ideas already

 

[CliveV]

Ah! I can see it now! - as soon as SWMBO pops in the loo - yours truly finds a nice bumpy off road track to explore - could be fun.

Thanks for confirming the spider type Graham, tho' I am keeping that "little beaut" a secret for obvious reasons!!

 

[cris_408518]

"SWMBO View from a Loo Guide to OZ"

A bit like the "Rough Guides" but with comfort for "ladies" feature slant.

Could be a good publishing opportunity Clive. NZ, USA and other countries to follow ;-)

"Touring without having to cross yor legs"

"Rest Room Rhetoric on Holiday Plans and Routing"

" SWMBO Loo with a view " Awards

 

[AnnM1]

Colin - Not a lot!!!

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Whilst in Cornwall a motorhome pitched opposite us and the first thing they did was put the windscreen covers on and they stayed on until they left. Surely it would have made it dark inside because the side windows were only small. The more I read posts in forums I'm sure I made the right decision in buying a caravan with the space it affords. If money was no object maybe I would go for a large motorhome and a car for running around in at home, but that aint going to happen :O(.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Whilst in Cornwall a motorhome pitched opposite us and the first thing they did was put the windscreen covers on and they stayed on until they left. Surely it would have made it dark inside because the side windows were only small. The more I read posts in forums I'm sure I made the right decision in buying a caravan with the space it affords. If money was no object maybe I would go for a large motorhome and a car for running around in at home, but that aint going to happen :O(.

p.s. brought it back to the top again.

 

[Jennifer_5107596]

As a "Brainless" motorhome owner i agree i think it IS you being sad.

 

[Jennifer_5107596]

having seen a caravan and car turned over down an embankment and following caravans down the motorways seeing them swaying from side to side need i say more?

I'll tell you something though i'd rather be in front of one than behind one...lol