Buying a Camper Van

lordmountararat

Who, in their right mind, spends £19K on a 19 year old motorhome? (LOL!!!)

Someone who knows that they will get nearly as much for it (perhaps more if it is something like a split screen VW) when they come to sell it. Motorhomes and campers depreciate far more slowly than cars, good ones may actually appreciate in value, and with interest rates at a derisory level you might as well spend some of your savings on getting out and about. 

BOWFER

lordmountararat said:

Who, in their right mind, spends £19K on a 19 year old motorhome? (LOL!!!)

Someone who knows that they will get nearly as much for it (perhaps more if it is something like a split screen VW) when they come to sell it. Motorhomes and campers depreciate far more slowly than cars, good ones may actually appreciate in value, and with interest rates at a derisory level you might as well spend some of your savings on getting out and about. 

Nah, prices are artificially high just now due to foreign holiday restrictions, it's the same with holiday rental property.
That same motorhome would have been many thousands less a year ago.
Same goes for the £34K one at 13 years old.
Anyone buying now had better be prepared to take a hit if/when they sell it.

Herzlos

I've seen carnage before when road closures have forced caravans to detour though minor roads. It's normally fine until 2 caravans meet, but then at least you can usually unhitch the caravan, rotate it on the spot and then re-connect. You might not be able to turn a large motorhome in the same space.

BOWFER

Herzlos said:

I've seen carnage before when road closures have forced caravans to detour though minor roads. It's normally fine until 2 caravans meet, but then at least you can usually unhitch the caravan, rotate it on the spot and then re-connect. You might not be able to turn a large motorhome in the same space.

Surely there's an argument for motorhomes and caravans to be banned from certain roads.
They can easily be the same size as large commercial vehicles.

coffeehound

BOWFER said:

Ibrahim5 said:

. The normal default for a family should be a caravan. I just don't understand why they are buying motorhomes.

TBH I often wonder if some buy motorhomes so that they can't possibly be confused with travellers.
I don't think it's a massive leap given that a fair number of motorhome buyers are older and perhaps a bit 'gammon' in their thoughts/ways.
I suppose there may be an element of not being able to hitch/unhitch a caravan as well ( honestly can't remember how difficult this is, I was young when we used one for motorbike racing weekends).

I would think the challenges with manoevering (sp?) and risk of crashing are the biggest deterrents.

Herzlos

BOWFER said:

Herzlos said:

I've seen carnage before when road closures have forced caravans to detour though minor roads. It's normally fine until 2 caravans meet, but then at least you can usually unhitch the caravan, rotate it on the spot and then re-connect. You might not be able to turn a large motorhome in the same space.

Surely there's an argument for motorhomes and caravans to be banned from certain roads.
They can easily be the same size as large commercial vehicles.

There sort of are with width, height and weight restrictions. I'm not sure a "No HGVs" style sign would deter them either because technically they aren't heavy or goods vehicles. 
I doubt there's any caravan/motorhome option with most navigation systems either.

I'd be all for sticking up "No caravan" signs for routes that aren't suitable in caravan counties, though. They don't want to be stuck any more than you want to be stuck behind them.

Ibrahim5

When you inform your car insurer that you have modified your car with a towbar they say "thanks for letting us know. No charge". Caravan insurance is not necessary and much cheaper than motorhome insurance. I am not sure who is paying for all these 'accidents'. I have towed for years and never even thought about it. Of course you can do daft things. One of my favourite YouTube videos of all time is 'Renault 5 caravan crash'

Herzlos

That'll only cover you 3rd party with the caravan on, you'd probably still want some insurance for the caravan itself. It's still a lot cheaper than insurance for a whole other vehicle though.

Ibrahim5

If towing was so dangerous car insurers would ask if a towbar was fitted and then charge loads extra. They don't.

BOWFER

Insurance is a good point, motorhomes seem spectacularly easily stolen.
Caravans get nicked too, my BIL got his stolen, but needs a bit more logistics in terms of a towing vehicle.