Motorhomes.
What's the story behind this obsession?
I
think I just love the principle of looking at the TV, seeing where the sun is
shining & taking my home & possessions there for a while. Its not as simple as
that but its a dream to aspire to. Maybe I have gypsy blood or I have travelled
a bit & I got injected with the bug. As I can't afford one, I just dream & join in the fun. I
recognise that laying in bed reading the MMM magazine and marking up MH you
can't afford, is a sickness. Surely its no worse than going the shows &
torturing yourself, is it? (Yes I do both!) This is
the time to recommend the website
Motorhomefacts If your into the thought of
Motorhomes, log
in here. Its a great site full of fun, informed & welcoming people (and a few
nutters like me). They even welcome people without a Motorhome and treat you
like a long lost brother, at their rallies and meeting.
I have learnt early, that the secret to buying a Motorhome is the layout. Think
what you need before you worry about cost. Do you need one vehicle to use
everyday? How many will use it? Do you want winter and summer use. Research
first, buy later.
Like everything, Motorhomes come in different guises. The classic Volkswagen boogie bus or surfing camper is high on everyone's idea of a campervan. Its that or a van converted to be more comfortable & made to live in for a while. They usually have seats that make a double bed, a table, a one or two ring cooker, a fridge or cool box and a porta pottie (for midnight emergencies only!). Often they can have heating and mains hook up. Newer models have front seats that turn round & become part of the lounge area.
The
next motorhome is called a coachbuilt. This usually uses a larger van & graft on
a caravan-like structure on the chassis. They can have anything your wallet can
stand. Proper bathrooms with showers & toilet, full sized cookers, fridges. They
can sleep up to six, have separate lounge & bedrooms. Air con, flat TVs,
microwaves all able to run off either battery or the mains hook up on a site.
Now-a-days the batteries can be topped up with a solar panel. The main reason go
down this route is the choice of size you have on offer. You can decide on the
amount of room you need. On your own? A couple? Married with kids & two dogs?
It's your choice (and your wallet).
One of the latest coachbuilt Kon Tiki is going for £50k. Sheer luxury!
A more expensive option is the A class or Integrated. A
motorhome built from the chassis upwards. Using all the space it can find, it is
a stunning European idea. Extra cab space, a huge drop-down bed that is stored
above the front seat. It all gives a feeling of extra room. Equipped to a high standard
to start with, these are superb luxury camping home from homes. More space usually means more goodies. Lack of space
isn't a problem, but the cost maybe. Again its up to you & your wallet. Even an
older Hymer of about '89 to '93 could cost £10k. Hymers are a German company
living off their reputation of bombproof reliability and an expensive well
built, classy outfit. They are now up against many more competitors, all
straining to capture a lucrative market. One of the latest Hymers is on the
market for £93k!
Then
you go on to the American RV. (recreational vehicle) A small block of flats on
wheels! Coming from the land of big skies & wide roads, these wonderful machines
are built on domestic proportions. The equivalent of three piece suits, full
sized fridge & freezer, air con, massive engines capable of the enormous
mileages they may have to cover. Across the pond is a big country. The slight
hitch is the fuel consumption, don't get one if you concerned about that, you could
end up grey with the worry! Full sized bedrooms, bathrooms &
real sized kitchen areas. Generators are common, self levelling systems, some go
as far as washer/dyers. Living it on the wild side ... in comfort!
RVs are only limited by your bottle to drive them,
getting them onto smaller sites & negotiating some tiny English roads. Often considered as prefect
for full timing living and undoubtedly comfortable in the extreme. The more
modern ones have "slide-outs" where the bedroom or lounge area (or both) move
out sideways to give another couple of feet walking area. It can transform your
living space.
I've tried boats on canals (other kinds of boats go up & down & you stand a chance of getting wet and/or seasick). Luckily at 70, I love driving still, (some people think that's a bonus in today's traffic) and I think I dream that a Motorhome will give me the fun & freedom that a petrol head would love.
Just think, drive anywhere your heart desires (& the MH can fit), pull up, put the kettle on & you can eat that West Country cream tea you organised earlier at the farmers market. In the evening watch the sun go down with a glass of Merlot in your hand. Kip in your own bed & off next day to God knows where.
Heaven with the gates shut!
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