Why would you buy a motorhome?

[Paul]

a two pronged answer:

i wouldn't like a seasonal pitch and goig to the same place week in week out, it would drive you/ me mad (or do I mean more maderer? and have i just invented a new word?)

I have allways fancied a little camper maybe a transit coversion no bigger than a van just for a few little adventures, but i doubt it will ever happen.

Where the van is stored it's also got seasonal pitchs, for peeps like me who work 3 weekends out of four it's usefull for just getting away for a few days, but most of them are used by peeps who work at BAA making the euro fighter, as to be alot cheaper then b&b's or renting somewhere.

 

[wildbri]

Hi plank, what you need (want) is one of these www.longdogent.com bri

 

[Bibio]

Why would you buy a motorhome? That is my question and it's not meant to provoke any ill feeling, as a caravan was all that was in my budget and still seems to be the most practical means of transporting comfortable accomodation to my chosen destination (for me).

Recently whilst on holiday I watched the huge motorhome owners drive onto site and commence setting up. It appears that the they are split into two groups the ones that set up and don't ever leave the site, or the ones that tow a small car behind them.

Taking the car towers first this seems a bit of a back to front arrangement i.e. you have two vehicles to MOT, tax & insure. You are also faced with all of the reversing and manouverability problems associated with towing a caravan. Moving onto the ones that don't tow a car, they appear to be limited to carrying pedal cycles or possibly a small motorbike. In fact one couple who arrived on site in a really nice Hymer motorhome spent around 30-45 mins getting it level with wheel chocks, only the next morning having to undo all their work to go to the local supermarket, and having to set up again upon their return an hour or so later. Seems like a bit of a faff especially considering you must have to lash everything down in the unit each time.

Part of what I like to do whilst on holiday is explore the local area, which often means using single track country lanes etc, where I rarely see these motorhomes for practical reasons. In my opinion they are denying themselves one of the enjoyable parts of visiting new places.

In looking for the positive aspect of them, are they much more comfortable than a caravan, or better equipped? It seemed to me that to get one with the same level of equipment as my Bailey you would have spend £30k to £40k (or more). Perhaps it is that they are easier to drive than a car/caravan combination? One motorhome owner put an awning on the side of his unit, which looked quite tricky to do and seemed to make it even more planted in the one spot.

I guess I am missing some very simple point somewhere. What are your thoughts? It is probably just a case of having what you want and doing what you like.

Alan

Saves difficult Reversing LOL

John

 

[Deleted account DD]

And BTW, the ones that tow cars along behind them? Every single one of them is breaking the law. Something to do with weight and trailer braking requirements - theres no way they can do it legally apparently, despite what they think - the only person that can legally tow a vehicle in such circumstances is a breakdown truck.

Correct in the greater part

It comes down to the definition between between recovery and transportation. A very grey area and in any case above (off the top of my head from memory) 750kgs the trailer must be braked.

Any car under that would be ok, over that in the crap unless some kind of ingenious system exists to brake it. (break away cables alone not acceptable)

And as far as cops not enforcing..............dont tar em all with the same brush :augie

 

[Deleted account DD]

Ton up, your bang on about kit, we paid 1/3 of the cost of a modestly equipped but physically larger transit based motor home and got more kit including that premium item SAPCE on board our new bailey :thumb2

We looked at all sorts from s/h trailer tents through to new motor homes, it was an interesting time :lol

Each to their own at the end of the day though :thumbs

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

out of interest when you tow a car it legaly becomes a trailer, and every trailer with a gross weight of 750 kilos or greater must have brakes acting on all the road wheels! so even a cable system operating front or bak brakes wouldnt be enough, a 'dolly' is only legal for recover not transport as this only allows for the wheel on the dolly to be have brakes.

on top of this ther is the lights reflecters etc, that are needed for trailers and are different heigts sizes stc froma car.

the only legal way to tow a car is on a trailer, then of course you get into train weghts and gross vehicle weights of the towing vehicle, and whether or not the law sees it as a commercial or a car.


so basically I agree there seems no legal way to tow a car behind a camper, unless you have in on a trailer and are onfident about the train wheights etc.

havng said all that, I will still buy a camper one day!

 

[lacroupade]

Correct in the greater part

It comes down to the definition between between recovery and transportation. A very grey area and in any case above (off the top of my head from memory) 750kgs the trailer must be braked.

Any car under that would be ok, over that in the crap unless some kind of ingenious system exists to brake it. (break away cables alone not acceptable)

And as far as cops not enforcing..............dont tar em all with the same brush :augie

Allow me to introduce you to the Heddlu! :surrender :wasntme

Think thats the issue; there isn't a car under 750kg except the Smart, and even that comes in at 730kg without extras, leaving a meagre 20kg for the substantial towing equipment - not even sure if that weight applies to the very latest variant..and of course you still can't brake it.

 

[Deleted account DD]

Some try to get around the lighting situation with a trailer board. They do suffice if fixed properly but not many know the dimensions

 

[Deleted account DD]

Allow me to introduce you to the Heddlu! :surrender :wasntme

I couldn't think of a car that clocks in below 750!!!! thought a panda might but nope.

Anyway vosa (and will lend them out) now have some very nifty portable weigh pads that would easily fit in a car boot, they measure up to 44t :naughty

 

[lacroupade]

I couldn't think of a car that clocks in below 750!!!! thought a panda might but nope.

Anyway vosa (and will lend them out) now have some very nifty portable weigh pads that would easily fit in a car boot, they measure up to 44t :naughty

Nasty! So I may still yet see one of these goliaths stranded in a layby because they daren't leave their towcar abandoned there...LOL

 

[Deleted account DD]

Dont rely on it, one of the pads measured me @ - (yes minus) 45kg!!!!

 

[lacroupade]

Dont rely on it, one of the pads measured me @ - (yes minus) 45kg!!!!

LOL!

Scratch my comment about the Smart being possible; apparently its the GVW that has to be used, and thats higher than kerbside weight (the 730kgs I mentioned for the Smart.

Read this interesting extract (I'll post the link for anyone interested below):

I have a motor home and want to tow a Fiat Seicento behind it using an A-frame. This car has a kerb weight under 750 kg so am I legal with this outfit?
Sorry no is the answer. The law regards this as an unbraked trailer and you are allowed to tow up to 750 kg Gross Trailer Weight, not a car’s kerb weight. The figure you have to use is the car’s Gross Vehicle Weight or Maximum Permitted Weight. This is usually at least 300 - 400 kg more than the kerb weight. We have no knowledge of any car sold in the UK that has a GVW under 750 kg. The only vehicle we know that is completely legal to tow with an A-frame is the French Aixam small "car". This is a full four seater and details can be obtained from Aixam UK on 01926 886100. An A-frame or dolly can only be used to recover a broken down vehicle to a place of safety. Transporting a car is, therefore, illegal. A-frames may be offered with a braking system that applies the car's brakes. These do not conform to the law as the car then becomes a "braked trailer" and has to conform to European Directives contained within the Construction and Use Regulations. It does not conform to the European Directive 71/320/EEC and amendments regarding braking requirements in any way. The use of this A-frame for transportation is illegal. It is still OK for use to recover a vehicle to a place of safety.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=61469

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

interesting idea te smart car at 720k but is that kerbside or gross?

with trailer law it all hinges on gross weight, for example, i have a small (ish) ifor williams trailer with a gross weight of 1250 kilos but empty it probably weighs around 200 to 250 k giving it a payload of 1 tonne, it does of course have brakes.

now, if you have recently passed your test you can not tow a trailer with a gorss weight of over 750 kilos GROSS so even when towing this trailer emtpy you would be breaking the law.

So fomr this example it would be fair to assume that the smart if capable of carrying 2 average adults at 70k each plus luggage and fuel would, as a gross weight be way over 750k!

ther are some breaking systems around now for cars towed behind motor homes but i dont think they operate the brakes on all 4 wheels. I'm sure some one out there knows better?

I am still of the opinion that it still leaves you with two insurance policies two lots of road tax, two mot's etc and you are still towing something so there is no saving over having a car and caravan combination, but then many people seem to love doing this so there must be some benefits too it.

 

[lacroupade]

GVW Plank....even worse as you say...

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

We like to rally with our caravan, or use 5 van farm sites. these are often uneven
fields and have seen to many motor homes bog down with the need of recovery.

obviously fun to offer help, further as stated as their axles are at the ends of the
vehicle atleast compared to a caravan levelling is a bigger issue. have seen many
return from a day out using levelling ramps with difficulty - much reving only to
still be out of level.

if they go out then have to leave sign behind saying motorhome on this pitch etc.
then if find somewhere else nice have to come back to collect their bits.

only real use is on tours moving on every day or so and using ferries where length
savings can be made.

reckon some scared of towing or perhaps mobility issues preclude towing. these
days their are lots of gadget to help though; motor movers, levelling devices etc

all said a small transit van sized camper capable of towing a boat or caravan might
be handy for short trips or even scouting trips from 'van as a base station.

would like a big m/h one day capable of towing a decent 4x4 on its own trailer, one
of these yank coaches with slide outs, just for the hell of it you understand.
saw one other day at £135,000 oh yes.

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

thats another thing i was wondering about, most large motorhomes /campers, seem to have a lot of body overhanging the back axel, which must make taking a trailer round a corner an interesting experience!

 

[Deleted account DD]

Easy then innit....................buy a caravan and a terrano AND save money :clap:thumbs

 

[Travis]

Which is exactly what I've done!

Andy.

 

[Deleted account DD]

:thumbs:clap

 

[lacroupade]

Which is exactly what I've done!

Andy.

Andy? Sure its not Dave Lee, the well-known 80s DJ and Terrano enthusiast?