| Recreational vehicles is a generic term for a vehicle | | | | vehicles and are therefore a little cheaper. A pusher |
| that has living space attached to it, there are many | | | | will have the engine at the back and will be a diesel |
| different types of recreational vehicle, including | | | | and because they're more expensive they will be of |
| motorhomes, trailers and campervans. They are a | | | | a higher quality. |
| great way to explore the country (or even the | | | | Budget |
| cotenant) as they give you the freedom to see | | | | Now you've done your research, you may have even |
| what you want when you want without the | | | | decided to rent one for a week or two to make |
| constraints of tour guides, flight times and other | | | | sure it's what you want. The next thing you'll need to |
| deadlines often associated with holidays. | | | | do is actually go and look at some. Before you go, |
| How often will it be used? | | | | set aside a realistic budget and make notes of |
| If you've decided you want to invest in one of these | | | | exactly what you want for your money. You don't |
| vehicles, the first thing you'll need to do is establish | | | | have to be as specific as a make and model but |
| how often you're going to be using it. If you've | | | | decide whether you want a hot running shower or a |
| recently retired and want to see some of the world, | | | | built in cooker, if you want, set a second budget as |
| you'll ideally be looking for something akin to a small | | | | your absolute limit to include things you'd like but are |
| house, it will need plenty of room, flushing toilets, | | | | not essential. If you've got this clearly in your mind |
| running hot showers and proper cooking facilities. If | | | | you are less likely to be talked into something you |
| you've decided you would simple like to go exploring | | | | didn't want when you go to look at any potential |
| for long weekends and a few weeks here and there | | | | new motorhomes. |
| in the summer, a smaller model may be more | | | | Buying privately |
| appropriate (would you even have room to keep a | | | | Buying a motorhome is likely to be one of the |
| large motorhome on your drive?) | | | | biggest purchases you make in your lifetime text to |
| What sort of vehicle do you want? | | | | buying a house and unfortunately, whereas a house |
| Now you've established exactly what it's going to be | | | | can increase in value your motorhome is only likely to |
| used for, you need to decide what sort of model | | | | depreciate. Look at buying a motorhome like you |
| you'd like. American motorhomes are generally the | | | | would buy a car. If you're going for a private sale be |
| largest recreational vehicles on the market, as well as | | | | very careful, as you're unlikely to have any come |
| being bigger they're generally built to last longer and | | | | back if it turns out to be a lemon. Check the vehicle |
| are more durable. They also tend to be constructed | | | | registration certificate (the log book), if you're buying |
| with an aluminum fiberglass sidewall and are more | | | | from a private seller check it matches their home |
| heavy duty; of course this does mean they're little | | | | address (if it doesn't they may be selling it for a |
| more expensive. The European motorhome will come | | | | friend or they may have a dealership they're |
| in slightly smaller sizes and tend to be wood | | | | struggling to sell it though). Take someone who |
| construction, and although they may not last as long | | | | knows enough about engines with you to check it |
| as their American counterparts, they will be a little | | | | out, if the owner wont let you have a look under the |
| cheaper, to buy, maintain and run. | | | | bonnet, walk away. Remember, there are more |
| How big does it need to be? | | | | people out there trying to sell second hand |
| Once you've decided whether you want a large | | | | motorhomes than there are people trying to buy |
| motorhome or a more economical one, you need to | | | | them, if it looks too good to be true it probably is. |
| decide what sort of class you want. These generally | | | | Buying from a dealer |
| go from a B class which is a campervan, B+ which is | | | | If you can afford to, it's better to go to a main |
| slightly bigger but follows the same general theme of | | | | dealer, just like when you buy a car, you're more |
| the B class with the curved side walls. The C class is | | | | likely to get a warranty and even if you have to |
| slightly bigger and more practical if you're planning on | | | | listen to some of their sales pitch at least you know |
| spending any amount of time in it. The A class make | | | | it's coming from someone who knows what they're |
| up the majority of the American market and are the | | | | talking about. Even at a dealership you are still entitles |
| biggest vehicle available, this would be perfectly | | | | to ask questions, see the logbook, have a poke |
| suitable to live in, but this model would also be the | | | | under the bonnet and see a service history. A good, |
| most expensive. Remember the maximum length for | | | | reputable RV dealership will have an onsite service |
| a recreational vehicle on UK roads is 12 meters. | | | | center or be able to recommend one which |
| Pusher, puller, petrol or diesel? | | | | specialises in RV services and maintenance (no |
| Although this decision may well be taken out of your | | | | matter how perfect it may be when you get it, at |
| hands if you've already decided the size, you'll want | | | | some point it will need MOT and servicing). |
| to look into pushers and pullers. Pushers and pullers | | | | Once you've got your vehicle, you still need to be |
| are more common among American motorhomes and | | | | legal to drive it, anything over 7.5 tones cant be |
| refer to where the engine is. A puller will have the | | | | driven with a standard UK driving licence and don't |
| engine at the front and since 2002 they are made | | | | forget your insurance too, again, this is all something |
| exclusively with a petrol engine. Pullers are entry-level | | | | a reputable dealership will be able to help you with. |