Looking at Buying A Motorhome. Advice Welcome!

replied on 21/02/2021 19:34

Posted on 21/02/2021 19:34

We have started to look at holiday plans for after the pandemic and are moving to the notion that touring within/outwith EU might be easier by motorhome than by car + touring caravan. We don't want a Pickfords Removal Lorry [no budget either], but something that will be comfortable for the 2 of us for stays of up to the 90 days EU Limit, without having to eract/dismatle awnings and all the paraphenalia every time we move site.

We like the Swift Escape Compact C404 at 5.99 metres, BUT there doesn't appear to be much storage for the obligatory external dining table + 2 chairs and I don't want the challenge of trying to stop them sliding up and down the living area whilst driving.the 120BHP engine seems a tad underpowered for shifting something with the aerodynamic profile of a loaf and the max load is limitd to 3300kg

We've seen [online only] a low mileage 2017 Swift Lifestyle 622 [seems to be a Dealer Special based on the Escape Range] that has a 130BHP engine and a 6.29m length and an external 'cupboard' rather than garage for the table and chairs and the layout is essentially our Swift Challenger caravan bolted onto the Fiat chassis. The slight increase in length might make all the difference and we have the comfort of knowing that the same caravan layout was quite comfortable for our trip to Spain 15 months ago.

Has anyone got any thoughts/advice/experience that will steer us in the right direction, please? We won't be committing to a purchase until we have the chance to see the motorhome at the Dealership and do a physical check to confirm that the configuration etc workfor us.

TIA

Steve

82 replies

replied on 22/02/2021 12:57

Posted on 22/02/2021 12:10 by brue

The other consideration is taking it out for the day, whether from home or when you're away. You'll have everything with you and smaller vans are much easier to take to places.

I haven't felt any more cramped sitting with friends in a motorhome than a caravan, I feel they're all a bit cramped for indoor gatherings but some like to meet up and it's fine either way.

Since Brexit you won't be able to load up with consumables if heading to the EU so you'll be joining in a bit more with the locals and carrying a bit less weight in the van!

Posted on 22/02/2021 12:57

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brue replied on 22/02/2021 13:06

Member

brue

Motorhomer

Posted on 22/02/2021 13:06

David. I was responding to a light hearted comment by the OP and I think it's fair to say until the recent Brexit changes many loaded up with food at the start of their overseas travels. We certainly have done. The last time we were in France visiting friends we took a lot of cakes as they missed certain uk ones. I know all about markets and fresh food and use them here in normal times.

However that was just an aside and not much to do with buying a motorhome.

replied on 22/02/2021 13:10

Posted on 22/02/2021 13:06 by brue

David. I was responding to a light hearted comment by the OP and I think it's fair to say until the recent Brexit changes many loaded up with food at the start of their overseas travels. We certainly have done. The last time we were in France visiting friends we took a lot of cakes as they missed certain uk ones. I know all about markets and fresh food and use them here in normal times.

However that was just an aside and not much to do with buying a motorhome.

Posted on 22/02/2021 13:10

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replied on 22/02/2021 15:17

Posted on 22/02/2021 13:10 by

He was bringing it back

Posted on 22/02/2021 15:17

You're both wrong! But, I caused the misinterpretation because I had my mental image of the repacking after a short stay at our hovel in France ...

It was our first trip to Spain and didn't know what to expect, so we packed n number of packs of coffee; 20 miles down the road, we were stopped by the Gilet Jaunes protests andhadto return to the hovel for a week, so unloaded the kit we needed and then repacked, food & clothes, with the 'Did we pack coffee?' so decided to add more 'just in case' and rammed bags in the footwells of the car, in the boot area, and anywhere else that wasn't already jampacked. Went shopping at local Mercadona and discovered a special offer on coffee ... And that's how we ended up with 26 packs of coffee

Of course, that amount of coffee is far too wet, so we took full advantage of a special offer on a new range of hobnob style biscuit with chocolate chip cookies so that added 16 packs to the load when we repacked to move to the 2nd site ... well, we wouldn't want to risk starvation or being parched!

Those days are gone, as is our former practise of driving from Scotland to Newhaven, arriving around 6pm and hitting Sainsburys for bread rolls, quiche, pains au raisins etc so that we have supplies for an early breakfast on the move when rolling off the overnight ferry in the wee small hours ...

Lowdhams have just'released' their 2020 Demonstrator stock of M/Home and there's a couple of Dethleffs that really appeal, but not to our Bank Manager! Off now to have a more detailed look

Steve

SteveL replied on 22/02/2021 16:52

Member

SteveL

Motorhomer from Nottinghamshire

Posted on 22/02/2021 16:52

hitting Sainsburys for bread rolls, quiche, pains au raisins etc so that we have supplies for an early breakfast on the move when rolling off the overnight ferry in the wee small hours

Due to covid we have only taken ours to France once, for 6 weeks in 2019. The difference to towing our caravan was immediately obvious. We diverted off the dual carriageway out of Cherbourg and into a small French village to get bread and croissants for breakfast. We wouldn’t have done that with our 12 metres of car and caravan.

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Navigateur replied on 22/02/2021 17:26

Member

Navigateur

Caravanner from Lanarkshire

Posted on 22/02/2021 17:26

Some discussion of length but no mention of what weight restriction is placed by type of licence held, and of speed limits related to weight. Might be a factor in the overall equation.

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Tinwheeler replied on 22/02/2021 17:34

Tinwheeler

Campervanner from Cornwall

Posted on 22/02/2021 17:34

I credit the OP with having done his homework, Nav. 👍🏻

Navigateur replied on 22/02/2021 17:46

Member

Navigateur

Caravanner from Lanarkshire

Posted on 22/02/2021 17:46

Indeed! But the 3050 does seem less well known that many realise.

Tinwheeler replied on 22/02/2021 17:53

Tinwheeler

Campervanner from Cornwall

Posted on 22/02/2021 17:46 by Navigateur

Indeed! But the 3050 does seem less well known that many realise.

Posted on 22/02/2021 17:53

In that case you could explain and enlighten folk to prevent them confusing it with 3500. That might be more helpful than telling us what we've omitted to post. 😏

replied on 22/02/2021 18:03

Posted on 22/02/2021 16:52 by SteveL

hitting Sainsburys for bread rolls, quiche, pains au raisins etc so that we have supplies for an early breakfast on the move when rolling off the overnight ferry in the wee small hours

Due to covid we have only taken ours to France once, for 6 weeks in 2019. The difference to towing our caravan was immediately obvious. We diverted off the dual carriageway out of Cherbourg and into a small French village to get bread and croissants for breakfast. We wouldn’t have done that with our 12 metres of car and caravan.

Posted on 22/02/2021 18:03

Yes, COVID Travel restrictions and Brexit food import restrictions do change the established routines somewhat. Forget 'Come the Revolution' and substitute 'After the second inoculation' ...