Motorhoming is fun – Tips on Buying a Motorhome

 

by Nick Jenkinson, March 2010
 

 

 hymers

 

    If you fancy the idea of the open road, house on your back, with no idea where you will stay overnight, this article should help.   If you have some spare cash and want to save on expensive holidays, this article should help.   If you love travel and would like to tour extensively, discovering those special ‘out-of-the-way’ places, this could be for you.   If the idea of camping appeals, but you don’t fancy roughing it, this article has some answers for you.
 

  

 

    A motorhome costs a lot to buy but can save you a lot when you use it.   Think about it.   You and your partner want to go abroad for a month.   You want to travel around a bit and you would like to be flexible.   Perhaps you decide to take your car and stop in hotels.   Instead of paying hotel bills you could stop on French Aires each night, usually for free, or at worst, for a small fee.   These are designated areas where you can park near a town or village, usually with facilities like water and waste disposal; sometimes with electricity too.   They are welcoming and convenient and everywhere in France.   In Germany they are called Stellplatz and they can also be found throughout Europe.   Campsites offer more facilities but a French Municipal campsite, for example, will not cost much.   Sites with swimming pools and luxury facilities will cost more but will be a fraction of a hotel stay.
 

 

    A motorhome will take you to places you might never dream of visiting any other way and with all your belongings on board with you!   It will change your life and open up all sorts of possibilities.   You will also make new friends and discover towns and cities; even countries, that you never dreamed you would visit.   Having said that, your motorhome is likely to be the second most expensive item you will every buy, second only to your house.   Most people who buy a motorhome will exchange it within two or three years because it did not meet their requirements.   This guide should help you avoid that.
 

 

    The first thing the salesman did when we bought our motorhome was to ask us some questions and I will do the same as, until you know what you are going to do with your motorhome, you will not know what you want.
 

  1

    First, consider if you want a motorhome or a caravan.   This is about motorhomes and many people buy a motorhome only to sell it sometime later and buy a caravan, more rarely, the reverse.   It is an expensive transition because you will probably lose out on your motorhome, have to buy a caravan, admittedly at a lower cost usually, buy a car capable of towing the size of caravan you have purchased and have a towbar fitted.   One thing you will save on is that often motorhomers have a small car as well as their motorhome: two road fund licences, two insurances and rescue service, plus servicing, MOTS and repairs.   If you buy as new motorhome, you will probably have to pay for a Damp Test each year to retain your warranty in that respect, as well as an internal (habitation) check and engine service.   A caravan may need a habitation check and Damp Test, but you save in other respects.
 

 

    To decide whether you are a motorhomer or a caravanner, you need to work out what you want to do.   Typically, caravanners drive to a campsite, remain there for the duration of their holiday then go home.   If they want to explore, the car is always handy, but they will always have to go back to base each night.
 

 

    Motorhomers tend to move around a lot more.   With a motorhome you can park anywhere legal overnight and move on each day.   What is legal and what is not differs from country.   Many of the main European countries are based on Napoleonic Law which says that unless you are told you cannot do something, you can do it.   So if there is no No Parking sign, you can park, usually overnight.   In Britain, especially England, Roman Law prevails, which say that you can only do something if told, so unless it says Parking Overnight Permitted, you cannot stay there.   Each country is different and there are a number of countries with strict parking laws like Britain.   If you stop in a campsite or aire each night, there is no problem, and with a motorhome you will tend to move around more regularly.   Motorhomers tend to be more adventurous, don’t mind cycling or walking, like to explore and are not so bothered about having lots of facilities around them.
 

  2

    Where are you going to put it?   Your motorhome will be bigger than a car normally and will take up a lot of space.   If you have one drive, you will not want to have to move it in and out of the drive all the time and parking on the road is not satisfactory for long.
 

 

    Many new houses do not permit you to park a motorhome on the drive at all.   You can sometimes find a campsite or CL (Certified Location) or farmer where you can store your motorhome, but it will cost and you will have a trek every time you want to put something in or take it out or clean your van.
 

  3

    Do you want a new or used motorhome?   Determine what you can afford at the outset and stick with that.   Motorhomes are expensive and even used ones cost a lot more than a car.   A new one has a guarantee but you can have ‘teething troubles’.   A used one has had any early problems resolved, but will there be new problems?   Why did the owners get rid of it in the first place?   Is there a guarantee?   How well has it been looked after?
 

  4

    How many people will use it?   There may be just two of you but will the grandkids come sometimes?   What about family; will they want to tag along sometimes?   Motorhomes come in various sizes with differing sleeping arrangements.   Make sure you can sleep the number of people you will take.
 

  5

    How long will your trips be?   If you are just using your motorhome for weekends and summer holidays, you could save on some things.   For example, making up a bed is OK for a while, but if you are travelling for a couple of months, fixed sleeping arrangements are worth considering.   Many modern motorhomes have a fixed bed, sometimes at floor level and sometimes above the driver’s cab.   Sometimes the bed is on gas struts and can be pulled down over the cab seats at night and sometimes it is in a ‘bubble’ above the driver area.   The latter may look cosy but can be hard to access, hard to get out of (especially for those nigh time toilet visits) and rather claustrophobic.   Many end up as storage areas after a night or two!
 

 

    If you are away for a while a decent fridge and freezer are very useful.   We freeze readymade dishes such as mince and casseroles so that we save on elaborate cooking whilst travelling.   For short trips, you tend to eat out more, but if you are away for a long period, cooking facilities are more important and kitchen surfaces are more of a priority.
 

  6

    Where are you planning on going?   Motorhoming abroad often means barbeques, outdoor cookers and late nights outside.   Motorhoming in Britain may mean sitting in whilst the rain stops, cold TV evenings and different cooking considerations.   European motorhomes often come with less seating space and no cooker.
 

  7

    What are you planning on taking with you?   Storage might be an issue.   Motorhoming is great because there are no luggage restrictions when you go abroad, but there are weight restrictions.   Payload is the amount of weight you have left to use after all the fixtures and fittings are in place, but remember awnings, bikes and satellite dishes all weight a lot and are included in your payload.   Authorities are getting more fussy about this and your van could be weighed.   If over, you may not be allowed to continue your journey until your weight is reduced, so start off as light as possible and find out what your initial payload is when you buy.   You can also find out by looking at the weighplate.   More of this later.
 

  8

    Do you want to eat in or go out for meals a lot?   This can make a difference when determining how much kitchen storage you need.   If you carry lots of tins, pots and pans and cooking devices, you will need more space.   You may also want to store wine and beers, fizzy drinks etc.   All take up space that you may need.
 

  9

    Find out the engine power.   A larger engine may sound less efficient, but you have a lot of weight to pull, so it is usually more efficient and can save you money.   A lower powered engine will drag on hills and on motorways, leave you no power in reserve and use more fuel.   It will also wear out quicker.   Also, make sure it is diesel; it is more economical and can be cheaper on the continent.
 

10

    Stay clear of big American RVs.   They may look amazing, with everything you could dream of; better than most people’s homes, but in the UK and Europe in general, roads are smaller and camp site pitches are also often small too.   Corners are also more prevalent and tighter.   American RVs are also often not as well constructed or insulated; a big consideration for winter usage.   Also many run on petrol and, because of their size, can be ‘gas guzzlers’.   I have known of several instances where an RV has been sold to a UK customer which is too wide for UK roads and therefore illegal.   Furthermore, some RVs are so long or heavy you will need to have a Heavy Goods Licence to drive it.   Depreciation is huge and you will lose half the value at least as soon as you drive out of the forecourt.   Many people buy them and then simply drive them to a destination and leave them there because they are so unwieldy.   A static home is a much more economical solution if you are going to do that!
 

11

    How are you going to get about?   Silly question, you may say but once you are parked on a campsite with perhaps your awning out, a mat on the ground and your electricity plugged in, you often don’t fancy uprooting it every day to go somewhere.   If it is small, it is easier, but remember, you will also have to pack away all your loose items before driving off.   Some people get a scooter and have a rack on the back to hold it (or buy a motorhome with a garage that will fit it).   That may also mean fitting gas struts or increasing your payload capacity in some other way.   It can be very expensive.   Many use bikes and have a bike rack fitted.   This may restrict your rear view and will certainly reduce your available payload, but it is cheaper and you will keep fit as well!   Some tow a car and you can either use a trailer or attach a towing device, but it makes your overall length much longer and it you take a wrong turning, you will have to unhook it to do a three-point turn, something I find I have to do a lot!   Some just use busses or walk.   You do need to decide if you are fit enough (or want to be fit enough) to take the cycling/walking option, or whether you would rather take the more expensive option of scooter/car.
 

12

    Who does the driving?   It is best if there are two of you both to drive the motorhome.   Problems can always strike and if your partner can drive (and is insured to do so), it is a real boon.   However, it is worth noting that if you are on the insurance document you will be expected to drive.   There have been many instances where say the husband has been taken ill and the wife (who is on the insurance document) is unwilling to take over the driving.   Insurance Companies will not assist in these instance and will expect the other driver to take over.
 

 

    If you are under 70 and passed your driving test before 1st January 1997, you can drive 7500kg.   This is normally all right for all but the biggest motorhomes, but needs to be born in mind.   If you passed your car test after 1st January 1997, you are licensed to drive up to 3500kg.   This will restrict what you can drive, but many are now being plated to cover this restriction. (It might mean that your payload is ridiculously low though).   The 3500kg rule also applies once you reach age 70, but you can apply to the DVLA to keep driving up to 7500kg, normally requiring a regular medical.
 

13

    Take a test drive.   It sounds obvious but some people are so scared of driving a motorhome, especially one they don’t own, they would rather the salesman drove it for them.   You must swallow any fear and have a go.   It really is easier than you think and quite exhilarating once you get going.   I actually prefer driving the motorhome because it has a higher viewpoint.   And you are bigger than cars so they respect you!
 

 

 hymers





 

Buying a Hymer - an Unbiased Guide

This Guide to Buying a Hymer was compiled by Trevor Banks in 2006/7,
parts may now be out of date but the guidance is still valid.

 

Information sheet - Buying a Hymer

Members of the Committee are often asked "where is the best place to buy a Hymer?"

The easy answer is "where you get the deal that you are happiest with".  Hymer Club International is completely independent of any dealer, official or otherwise, but it would be unwise to try to direct any prospective purchaser in any one particular direction.  The text below is provided for information only.  It is not exhaustive and should certainly NOT be regarded as a list of recommendations.

Whether buying new or second-hand there is a choice of options available to the potential purchaser, both in the UK and abroad.  How much you spend depends, to some extent, on how much you are prepared to do yourself and how much risk you are prepared to take.  Whether you have a trade-in is also an important factor.

The easiest, and for most people the safest, option is the official British Hymer dealer, Hymer UK or one of their approved outlets.  They are committed to keeping the Hymer marque at the forefront of the home market and they have a determination to try to keep residual values high - useful when it's time to trade-in.  There have been major changes in their organisation and after sales care and spares supply is now reported to be very much improved and equal to the quality of product supplied. Understandably Hymer UK are not normally happy to rectify faults or assist customers on vehicles not supplied by them. It can also be assumed that the trade-in value to them of a vehicle not originally supplied by them, or their outlets, will be less.

For those willing to go abroad to do a deal the prices at Hymer dealers on mainland Europe are undoubtedly less than in Britain but any warranty claim or back up service may involve expensive travel back to the place of purchase.  This route gives the security of buying from an official dealer but the costs of returning to the dealer for servicing etc. (vital to keep the warranty valid) should be included in your costing exercise.

Independent importers, sometimes known as grey or parallel importers are another source.  They are able to source new and used Hymers from mainland Europe.  It is worth considering that, in the event of purchasing a new Hymer from them and having a warranty claim, they have no direct access to the Hymer factory service department and therefore warranty claims may not be straightforward.  Hymer UK, and perhaps other official dealers, could be reluctant to assist.  Again this is a factor that should be taken into consideration when assessing value for money.  Some of the suppliers of used Hymers claim to have quick access to Hymer spares and this might be a relevant factor for those wishing to purchase second hand.

Below are listed some of the suppliers of new and used Hymers:

 
 

Official Dealers

External links will open in a new window.

 
 

Hymer UK/Brownhills

The official UK main dealers for Hymers. Mainly right hand drive but left hand drive can be obtained to special order - often at lower price.  Prices tend to be high, but trade-in allowances can also be very good. Many used vehicles available.  Customers are able to join Hymer Club UK.  Main dealer warranty back up.

 
  

Hymer UK tel 01772 684619   www.hymeruk.com

 
  

Brownhills tel 01636 704201   www.brownhills.co.uk

 
 

Durrwang-Morlein

This large Hymer dealership in Dortmund, Germany is gaining increasing popularity among HCI members for the quality of service and deals obtained. All documentation to ensure smooth importation is supplied. Special deals are often available.

 
  

Durrwang-Morlein 00 43 231 94 11 65 0 www.hymerexport.com (then click on the Union flag for the English version).

 

Other Official Dealers

Look up official Hymer dealers throughout Europe on   www.hymer.com

 
 

Independent Importers

 
 

There are now many dealers able to supply new and used Hymers sourced from mainland Europe.  We have received good reports about four of them but we are also aware of possible warranty problems.  We have had no feedback about any of the others and therefore can make no comment.

 
 

Bundesvan

Supply of new LHD Hymers or can source second hand to your specification.  Offers accompanied viewing to Germany.  Can deliver to your home.  All documentation and registration is done for you.  Hymer spares supplied.

 
  

Bundesvan tel 01803 606335   www.bundesvan.co.uk

 

Deepcar Motorhomes International

Mainly deal in the supply of second hand Hymers.  Always 12-15 in stock.  All paperwork taken care of.  All vehicles are converted to meet UK standards ie lights and mph speedo.  If they don't have the right vehicle in stock they will try to find it for you.  HCI member.

 
  

Deepcar tel 0114 288 2660   www.dmiuk.com

 
 

Edgehill Motorhomes

Helpful, family run business.  Good stock of second hand Hymers.  A number of HCI members have purchased here and report very good service.

 
  

Edgehill Motorhomes tel 01623 631837   www.edgehillmotorhomes.co.uk

 
 

Peter Hambilton

New & Used Hymer sales.  Has contacts in Germany to source specific requirements.  Quality repairs and modifications carried out by Hymer trained staff.  Occasionally undertakes some warranty work on behalf of European dealers.   Hymer spares supplied.  HCI member.

 
  

Peter Hambilton tel 01772 315078   www.hymerdirect.com

 
 

Other Independent Importers

  
  

Oak Tree Motor Co tel 01623 622300   www.omcmotorhomes.co.uk

 
  

Many classified ads. for Hymers available in Britain can be found in specialist magazines such as MMM,  Which Motorcaravan?,  Practical Motorcaravan etc.

The HCI monthly newsletter usually contains members' Hymer sales and the HCI website now includes a Hymer Sales page.

A useful web site for those trying to find a Hymer in Germany
is www.reisemobil-international.de/markt.  A list of both trade and private sales is available.
 

 
  

revised Dec 2007

  

The above information is a starting point for those seeking a Hymer.
If you need further information please contact the Hymer Club International article author.
Please share your own Hymer Buying thoughts by sending an email to Trevor Banks.