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Subject Topic: Buying a motorhome Post Reply Post New Topic
29/1/2011 at 10:58pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Pennine Fiesta Astoria Rockwell 3
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I'm planning to buy a motorhome in late summer when I retire. I would like advice about what to look out for when buying a secondhand motorhome and about insurance. Can any of you good people give me some good ideas??

-------------
Lakes and Wales... :-)


29/1/2011 at 11:36pm
 Location: Liverpool
 Outfit: IH TIO R
View wineciccio's Profile View Profile   Reply to wineciccio Reply   Quote wineciccio Quote  
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Well i have said this many a times before, how long is a piece of string??????  A motorhome is all about what you want from it/in it and what and how many times you are going to use it or/for. The choice is endless and of course the choice is governed by how deep is your pocket. First start by going round dealers in your area if there are any, magazines related to motorhomes, friends who may already own one, and then shows if you can attend them and see the multitude of shapes/lenght/height and so forth. Insurance well that again  depends on how old you are/how many years you been driving and so forth, again shop aound you will be surprised at how much money you can save. Buying private can save you a fortune but be aware of gangsters out there, buying from a reputable dealer you will pay more, but if you got the ready  cash you might drive away a bargain and have at least some sort of warranty, at least 6 months. No doubt perhaps other members will come along and offer more advice on your query, whatever it is  i wish to welcome you to the forum and when you make a choice enjoy every minute of it, 

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wineciccio


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29/1/2011 at 11:42pm
 Location: Liverpool
 Outfit: IH TIO R
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By the way i'm not very far from Bolton, well perhaps about 20 miles literally the end of M57/M58, you are more then welcome to call in for a chat and the best expresso coffee that ever came out  of Italy, let me know and i will email you my email address.

-------------
wineciccio


30/1/2011 at 9:34am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
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Quote: Originally posted by wineciccio on 29/1/2011By the way i'm not very far from Bolton, well perhaps about 20 miles literally the end of M57/M58, you are more then welcome to call in for a chat and the best expresso coffee that ever came out  of Italy, let me know and i will email you my email address.


Youve just told him to watch out for gangsters.

Only joking mate.

You say 'late summer'. Well, what id do is get a very good idea of what i want through this year, and start looking late Autumn into 'winter'. You are sure to get a better price when 'no-one wants them'. I did!

Be sure to try get at least 6 months warranty, as has been said. You dont want the seller to be able to wash their hands of you the minute the deal is done.

I will say though, no matter how much research and looking and trying you do, you havent a hope in hell of 'getting it right' from the off. One tip, which was my own 'mistake', make sure the engine is big enough - around 2.2/3 absolute minimum on any size of van!

Good luck





30/1/2011 at 4:03pm
 Location: Liverpool
 Outfit: IH TIO R
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I do love a bit of banter on this forum, you too are welcome to have a coffee as well and then i will show you my VIOLIN CASE

-------------
wineciccio


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30/1/2011 at 5:04pm
 Location: Charente
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Jewel Jeep GC
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I'm not buying a motorhome (yet) but can I pop round for an esspresso

Stew



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Does it ever get better than spare ribs and chops straight off the BBQ


30/1/2011 at 5:20pm
 Location: Ilkla moor baht' at
 Outfit: Compass castaway 500 LL
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Well i'm just wondering how many Motorhomes Wineciccio can accommodate on his driveway?

mick


30/1/2011 at 5:35pm
 Location: Notts Lincs border
 Outfit: Burstner A538
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At the last count, there were over 6000 people on line!!!!

That an awful lot of coffee



30/1/2011 at 6:15pm
 Location: Liverpool
 Outfit: IH TIO R
View wineciccio's Profile View Profile   Reply to wineciccio Reply   Quote wineciccio Quote  
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Well you can all come over for the expresso, but alas beside mine i can only accomodate 2 more campers on my driveway, and Stew any time mate. here is my email fcimmino at hotmail.co.uk, drops a us  a line, no problem.

-------------
wineciccio


30/1/2011 at 8:26pm
 Location: Charente
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Jewel Jeep GC
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Unfortunately wineciccio, I can't make it, but I thought it was a damn nice gesture on your part

Regards Stew



-------------
Does it ever get better than spare ribs and chops straight off the BBQ


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30/1/2011 at 8:49pm
 Location: Liverpool
 Outfit: IH TIO R
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No probs mate, i think  that is what the fraternity of motorhome owners is all about, being friendly and always try and help.

-------------
wineciccio


31/1/2011 at 5:00pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Coachman 460 VIP; VW Tiguan
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One of the most important things to check is PAYLOAD. It's not something a lot of dealers seem to discuss, at least not in our experience, but make sure you have adequate payload for what you want to carry. Some motorhomes have, IMHO, an inadequate payload. Bear in mind that any additions already added, like awning, air-con, bikerack, all weigh extra on top of the basic vehicle already, before you add anything yourself.

Layout is a matter of personal choice of course, same with whether to go for a fixed bed or not.

Also test drive any before you buy, and if looking at Fiats from 2007/8 especially, make sure it doesn't suffer from the dreaded reverse judder, a subject covered in detail on some motorhome forums, Google it and you will find some info on that.

Have a look at as many motorhomes as you can, to see the different layouts etc. As you are in Bolton, one dealer I can recommend is Todds at Preston, Lostock Hall, they are very good and very helpful. We bought our first ever motorhome there and even though our current van wasn't bought from them, they have been more than helpful when we had a problem with it.

-------------
Ina


02/2/2011 at 2:30pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: Autotrail Comanche
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Hi there, here's my two pennyworth:

1) I'd go for the biggest engine i could budget for and a diesel for the torgue. 2) Size, will it fit on your drive with a cycle rack on the back? The 6 berth we have takes up a 'rectangle' made up of four parking spaces in Tesco when we stock up! and its awkward to find a space in some town centres. 3) Do you want to make the bed up every time you want to sleep? 4) If you buy from a dealer, try and ensure they are local as you will have so many questions 5) Have a mechanical survey carried out by one of the motoring organisations.

This is just the beginning...........!

Cheers

 

 



02/2/2011 at 11:42pm
 Location: Sheffield
 Outfit: Peugeot Autocruise Sarasota
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Having moved from a six berth caravan to a six berth motorhome, we knew exactly what we wanted.
Our first and most important requirement was the interior set up. This is something which you really must know.
You will be living with it every time you go out.
Do you want to be setting up a bed at every stop?
How many seats do you need?
Size of vehicle? Where will you be parking it?
Will it be a second vehicle or will you need to use it on a daily basis?
Lots of questions need answering first before you decide and a lot of motorhome sales pitches to be visited to see what is available.

Dave


02/2/2011 at 11:51pm
 Location: Bolton
 Outfit: Pennine Fiesta Astoria Rockwell 3
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    I want a fixed bed
    I need at least 3 seats
    Not too big or could not access some sites
    I have an adequate driveway
    It will be a second vehicle. we will trade one in for motorhome or sell one.

    Thanks for these thoughts!

    -------------
    Lakes and Wales... :-)


03/2/2011 at 7:14am
 Location: North Yorkshire
 Outfit: None
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We dont have a fixed bed but ours is at the back of the van so everything else is accessible.

When away for any length of time we make the bed up and live in the awning. Easy to nip in and pop the kettle on or for DH to get in the fridge for another beer Making up the bed when we arrive on site isn't a problem.

My requirements are simple really. I want a van with seating at the back (U shaped) and easy accessibility to everything else.

As everyone else has said - make sure you look at as many as you can and go inside them and sit and look around. Take a note book with you to keep a note of everything that is right or wrong with each one.

Good luck. We are going down the route of conversion when we change our camper. I can have the layout I want rather than the one the manufacturers say I need



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