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Subject Topic: Got the keys - Now what? Post Reply Post New Topic
09/6/2017 at 5:26pm
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View iZogAdventure's Profile View Profile   Reply to iZogAdventure Reply   Quote iZogAdventure Quote  
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Hi All,
I haven't really got the keys just yet, but wanted to say a quick hello and some awesome advice on here.

My other half and I are planning on quitting our jobs in the near future and traveling round the UK. We are currently in London and can't wait to escape.

We have both done some camping before and excited to buy a Motor-home to tour the UK and then maybe Europe and beyond.

Maybe we are just a little bit crazy? (sensible & funny answers welcome).

We are hoping to visit a motorhome show at some point. Any recommendations on which ones my be best to attend?

Cheers

Zoggy


09/6/2017 at 7:47pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs
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Welcome to UKCS.
We find the best show is the NEC one in October, but that's because we're looking at what we might buy very second hand later. If you're selling your property in London, then the £50K price tag for a brand new MH bought at a show won't be an issue.
If you have zero experience of camping in a MH, I'd strongly suggest you rent or borrow one for a week to see what you really need or not, what you enjoy or not. Chat to folk on sites about their MHs.
I worry when folk we meet say "I'd love a motorhome, because you can stop wherever you want" which isn't true. It's great fun in MH, but if you plan to camp for free all round UK, you'll still need to use a site every 3 days to empty your toilet & grey water, top up with fresh water & have a shower. And you're unlikely to be alone admiring that sunset.
Good luck following your dream.

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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


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09/6/2017 at 8:15pm
 Location: Rannoch Scotland
 Outfit: autosleeper fairford
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Crazy is good! Brilliant idea! Go for it, you will love it. Get yourself in and try as many van layouts as possible. Find out what suits you most. It's fun trying them all out! There is an amazing amount of info and advice to be found on this forum, I've found it isooo helpful.

Keep us posted with all your developments.


09/6/2017 at 9:25pm
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Quite a few Motor Home shows all year, from early spring. I would buy an MMM, (Motorhome Monthly Magazine) July issue has beginner guides, they also do a Practical Motorhome and Buying your first Motorhome. I would further suggest that you look in at few dealers and check through their stock to see what would meet your needs. Layout / size / etc. For the moment I would keep looking, keep reading and NEVER show excitement when a dealer thinks he has you hooked LOL. The number of passengers that will be carried all need seat belts. Enjoy the looking , enjoy the bargaining, and when you have done the deal....that is the time to do crazy.

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Fish like a matchman <*))))><


10/6/2017 at 10:18am
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How much do you want to spend? Post that up first because £10k spend requires quite different advice than say £60k spend. Hardly a crazy idea though judging by the amount of pensioner motorhomers spending months down here in sunny southern France spending their kids inheritance. 😊


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10/6/2017 at 12:50pm
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View iZogAdventure's Profile View Profile   Reply to iZogAdventure Reply   Quote iZogAdventure Quote  
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Thank you. We will be sure to check out lots of the advice here and keep you updated with what we decide. Currently thinking it will possibly be spring next year we start the larger tour, with smaller ones and a hire before then.
We are planning on hiring one for a week and will be having a look round plenty before we decide. Good tip to speak to some owners.
Unfortunately we don't own a property in London to buy a brand new one. So will be the secondhand side we look at :-)
Have done some camping in the past and have a couple of trips camping planned this year.
Mostly we can't wait to get away from London and see the beautiful countryside round the UK.
As much as the "stopping anywhere" would seem an awesome idea, we will be hooking up in camp sites.


10/6/2017 at 1:58pm
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I have never fancied sleeping just anywhere, roadside, field, beachside or whatever. Unfortunately motorhomer's who do this are classed as second class. Plus Scotland in some areas are now making sure that everyone is able to see the signs that have been erected...to make sure that they don't do it. Campsites with even minimal facilities deserve their revenue. Zoggy, the quality and quantity of motor homes in dealers are amazing, whether you go for young or old. Quite honestly, our pensions have bought us 3 brand new vans. This means that the choice of almost new, but with miles on the clock, are immaculate inside and out. These type of vehicle are sold within a few days of them being taken in as part exchange. They will have been serviced and habitation serviced. To conform to manufacturers warranties. Most likely they will have added extras, such as bike racks, audio/ media packs etc. Check out tyres as well they are your only contact with the road remember. Take your time talk the backside off of salesmen (they are mostly men)I know first hand, that just because the dealer NEAREST TO YOU does not have the vehicle you fancy the most of those you have looked at...his mate up the road another 100 miles, would most probably have one. They just swap them around. You do not have to deal with the dealer nearest, to get the one you want. BUT a 200 mile journey to a dealer who sells you one, and then when you have a problem occur can be very costly, heaven forbid, even with warranties. Good luck, keep us informed, look at adverts it will help you with your choice.

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Fish like a matchman <*))))><


14/6/2017 at 10:04am
 Location: North Yorkshire
 Outfit: Burstner Lyseo 710G
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Definitely visit the shows and then hire the one you think you like the layout of. Our first van had a rear lounge with a drop down bed and a double at the front dinette as we had the kids with us - as they got bored of "camping" we realised that having our bed drop down over the lounge was a PIA when OH wanted to watch late night films and all I wanted to do was sleep (fresh air knocks me for 6!), so we sold it.

We're picking up a fixed transverse bed on Friday with a front dining/lounge layout. There is a drop down over the front should one of the kids show an interest but ultimately this van loses all of the niggles of the last one and we did heaps of research and hiring before we bought.

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Adventure before dementia


15/6/2017 at 9:18am
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Awesome. Thank you. We are planning on hiring one for a week in September once we decide which direction we will head in. :-)


16/6/2017 at 6:40pm
 Location: crewe
 Outfit: Elddis Xplore 302 and Nissan Campervan
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Zoggy,
      sounds like a great idea to me. I would advise having an intensive look around as many motorhome dealers as you can. Pick out your favourite layouts within your budget. Then perhaps check on prices for your favourites if bought privately.
     You can save money by wild camping and there are several websites to advise on this.
If you are interested in compact campervans, my Blog has lots of ramblings if you delve back into the archives section, including some super self built campervans. Access via https://dvickers1955.wordpress.com/
       Good luck and best wishes

-------------
cramming for my finals in the twilight zone


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16/6/2017 at 8:17pm
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Welcome aboard. Remember there are no stupid questions, though some of the replies may be.

Have a look at buying 2 to 3 year old van and then selling it on after your first trip when you have a good idea what you really want.

My brother in law, coming over from Australia for a holiday, did just that. He bought for £25.6k and sold for £24.8 after 4 months ( net cost £800k for 4 months use).

Look at going to France straight off and using all the free sites for motorhomes.

We have been spending about 4 months a year for the last 10 years wandering around France, best thing we ever did.


19/6/2017 at 12:04pm
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Thank you. I'll be sure to check out the Blog. We will be putting together a Blog and Vlog of our tour. mostly we are excited to get away from city life (I miss the hills of Wales and the seaside I remember).

Stuart, this sounds like a good plan. We will intend to sell it at the end of our tour and various trips. So this is a good idea.
I guess at some point we will have to buy a home to live in and not live in the van for ever. :-)




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