The obsession with motorhomes

We got back from our D&G tour last Sunday, and by far the largest proportion of outfits we saw on the road, and parked up (CLs, Overnight stops, Club Sites) were PVCs, branded and very well done DIYs. They outnumbered coachbuilt, particularly the big ones by about 4:1 where we were touring, along the coastal routes. I would say this is where things are going at the moment, away from the very big park it up and walk jobs, to the get about all over sizes. We even saw some excellent 4x4 models, and some very nice Wildax conversions, they were very popular. Average age group more in the 35-65 range.

Sites were heaving with outfits all along the coast. We used a lovely community Aire designed for a maximum of 7 outfits. One night there were 15 outfits on it, and more driving past. (To be fair, the area easily took the 15 outfits, with plenty of room between, but that wasn’t the point😡) All I can say is that we now have an insight into what is coming to Scotland this year, loads of hire outfits of all shapes and sizes, from tiny to huge. At the start of our ten day tour, we didn’t see too many outfits out. By the end, ten days later, it was like a  procession, lots of overseas visitors, lots of hire users. Heaven help anyone doing the NC 500.

There was clearly a big uptick in LV ownership due to the consequences of COVID, not perhaps so much the impact of the illness but probably the restrictions placed on other sorts of holiday, particularly abroad. Not saying it didn't happen but it is beyond me how anyone buys a motorhome on a whim, especially in the £50000 plus price band? It still seems that manufacturers have issues meeting delivery times and how long will that last? Prices also seem to be rising exponentially and that was before the impact of inflation started so it seems those prices will continue to rise even more. It seems that the price of new motorhomes have risen by at least 10/20%. So even if people do decide to "give up" its likely they will retain value in their LV because of the difference between what they paid and the price of new vans. The other elephant in the room is how many older people will decide that after an almost two years interruption of their normal holiday routine have found it difficult to get back to a hobby they have enjoyed for years before? 

David

" and some very nice Wildax conversions"

Yes, very pleased with ours....

I too suspect that the bubble will burst at some point. Rising prices that outstrip wage rises for most of us, fuel prices, camp site prices etc, coupled with the realisation that larger motorhomes have disadvantages in terms of parking, popping off site sight seeing etc and the availability of a "proper" holiday (on a plane to a sunny beach) will start to make some people think again. But as said above, the supply constraints may keep used values up for a while.  There will be a time lag as the cost of living rises work through into peoples mind set, I don't think we are there yet.....

Then when new electric van conversions start to appear in a few years there will be a rush to sell dirty diesel M/H's and prices should truly plummet.......

Interestingly our drive past Bristol docks during recent travels showed no cars but lots of vans, some no doubt moving on to be converted to LVs. (No cars at all, the docks used to be packed with car deliveries.) On sites we saw the usual mix of new and used LVs, possibly a few more self-build conversions as we were away from CAMC sites for most of the trip.

As corny as it sounds any LV's true value when it comes to selling or buying is what price you will sell or buy at . The true value to you has to have the pleasure that you have had with it in the calculations. I could give my Caravan away ( it is15 years old now but in excellent condition ) and still saved a fortune on wonderful holidays we have had. People looking to sell LV's for profit or even to recover their initial outlay of a recent purchase instigated by Covid or the so called Staycation I think will be disappointed. I hope I am wrong for their sake ,but it is certainly looking that way to me.

if the intrest rates keep rising,  if those that bought on finance and having mortgages, and the price of fuel rising and higher electric/gas bills a lot might reconsider that its not a cheap holiday.   i looked a getting a vw before lockdown it would have costs me 45-50k for a newish one with low mileage now ive seen 50k ones with 80thousand on the clock. met someone on site and he paid £72k for a new one.

I have orderd a new motor home for a fixed price. Should be here in September.  I have just found out that the price advertised when I order could go up in September this could be another 10% on the ariganal invoice.  Has anyone else experienced this. 

Surely if the price increases you then have the right to cancel? I suggest you read your contract very carefully.

They did say I can do that. But is this the normal.

I think in this climate no supplier will guarantee a price unless it’s paid for fully at point of ordering. I can’t imagine the boom continuing into next year unless this country is rammed with rich folk🤷🏻‍♂️. The consumer squeeze over the next year is going to be unprecedented-no one is insulated from inflation🙁