Considerations when buying your first motorhome

Purchasing a motorhome for the first time can be a landmark moment for an individual or family and opens up an entire world of excitement and adventure.

It can, however, also be a daunting prospect. So many brands to chose from. So many layouts to consider. So many custom features available. Just where do you start with the decision-making process?

Here at Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld, our focus is very much on German brands, with a vast range of vehicles from Carado, Dethleffs, HYMER and Niesmann & Bischoff available.

Whatever your individual preferences, there are some overarching factors which should be considered when first thinking about purchasing a motorhome.

Layout

All being well, your motorhome will become your haven for numerous weeks of the year out on the road so it’s vital the layout is to your liking.

The first thing to consider is whether you want fixed or convertible beds. The pay-off for fixed beds can be a smaller living area but, on the flip side, useful storage space can often be found underneath.

Once you have decided which route to go down with sleeping arrangements, it’s then a case of contemplating the other zones of the vehicle – sitting areas, kitchen and dining sections and the bathroom. Continental brands tend to offer larger sleeping areas and smaller living space.

Ultimately, it’s all a matter of personal preference and how much time you are likely to spend in each area. Would you sacrifice additional sitting space for superior cooking facilities or do you relish putting your feet up for a relaxing evening after a day of exploring?

One factor in making this decision could be the make-up of the party using the motorhome.

A couple’s view of an ideal layout will be very different to that of a family of five.

Cost

Before going to look at motorhomes, it’s a good idea to know roughly what budget you are working towards.

Depending on whether you are buying new or used and on the make and model of a vehicle, the cost could vary from anything between relatively low five figure sums to relatively high six figure values.

Such is the wide selection of motorhomes, there is something for virtually every budget but knowing where your levels are will help whittle down the selection process and could save many hours of wasted viewing.

Size

Your decisions on layout will often dictate the size of your motorhome. The maximum dimensions for motorhomes registered in the UK are 12m long and 2.55m wide.

Obviously, a larger motorhome provides additional space and the advantages are clear.

But a small word of caution – always remember someone has to be comfortable driving the motorhome and make sure that you have a place large enough to store your motorhome when not in use, whether that be your front drive or another location.

The above categories are only a very small part of the decision-making process of selecting your motorhome and the most important thing is to relish the experience and not let it become tedious.

Ultimately, so vast is the range of motorhomes available that there is something out there to suit every taste and every budget. It’s simply a matter of finding it.

The team at Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld just off junction 14 of the M6 stands ready and willing to help. Visit our contact page for more information and to book an appointment https://www.motorhomes.co.uk/contact/