You don’t have to be a particularly nervous person to have a few concerns about buying a motorhome.
We fully understand the fears and what stops people from taking the plunge. We were first-timers too once (feels like a while ago now) and remember that should we / shouldn’t we debate.
Back in those days, motorhomes weren’t quite the offering they are now either, a parking camera would be someone stepping outside, taking a picture and then waiting two weeks to have it developed at the local chemist.
However, we are here to put your mind at rest; there really is no need to have any fears about buying a motorhome – either the process of buying itself or the ownership and use thereafter.
Of course, you might expect us to say that! Our job is selling motorhomes. We don’t, though, want to push people into a decision that isn’t right for them, motorhomes won’t be a good use of money for some people.
But, if it’s just a few small fears gnawing away then you really need to read on…
Motorhomes can make strong financial sense
One obvious reason for having concerns is the cost of a motorhome. Whether it is a new or second hand motorhome, it is going to cost a five-figure sum; spending that sort of money is a serious consideration.
What people sometimes fail to do, though, is to work out how that compares with what they would otherwise spend on different types of holidays and trips.
Spending thousands to have a motorhome sat on the drive, while you continue to take package holidays makes no sense. Spending on a motorhome and then cutting back on package holidays, hotel stays and trips to expensive B&Bs can make complete financial sense.
Take a motorhome on a two-week holiday around Europe and you will save thousands compared to the cost of paying for a package, with the flights, hotel and the cost of continually eating out (as opposed to having kitchen on hand).
Factor in short breaks and weekends away too and it’s easy to save many thousands a year.
Depreciation also isn’t the huge issue many imagine it to be. The car on your drive will depreciate quickly, the motorhome less so – something that is even more true for any used motorhome. A five-year-old motorhome might not have many miles on the click, yet you could buy it, enjoy a few years of great travelling and holidays, and then find it has only seen a small drop in value.
Another thing in motorhomes’ favour is that they can be rented out when not in use. If you’re only using your motorhome for two or three weeks during the summer, you could rent it out for the rest and bring in valuable income. There are even sites which help facilitate this.
Motorhomes are not difficult to drive
A fear many have is that motorhomes are, if not outright difficult enough, at least troublesome enough to put you off using them regularly.
Mere words are unlikely to fully put your mind at rest. Modern motorhomes are great to drive, they have superb cabs which offer a great view of the road and can come with a whole range of driving aids and accessories.
On motorways and major roads they offer superb cruising, while they are manoeuvrable of country and mountain roads too – motorhomes are often driven up mountain passes for ski trips, or even the slightly closer-to-home setting of the Lake District.
If you do have concerns over driving a motorhome, why not head to a local dealer and take a test drive.
Motorhome owners often take more holidays – not less
Another nagging doubt some have is that they just won’t use their motorhome enough to justify the purchase.
Every owner and family will vary, but often the motorhome owner takes more holidays than they would otherwise have gone on.
With a motorhome, it becomes easier to justify a spur-of-the-moment trip. Fancy a trip to the coast? For most people, if choosing a trip at the last minute, the cost of a hotel or staying at an Air BnB type dwelling is likely to seem exhorbitant (and that’s if you can even find a space).
With a motorhome, all you need to do if find a suitable nearby campsite or equivalent – or even a pub with many chains now allowing free stays as long as you go for food in their restaurant.
Other concerns
You might have other small concerns too. To have read this far, you must have some thoughts of buying a motorhome, but are not sure if it’s the right choice for you.
We completely understand that, it’s a sizeable purchase and also one which is then going to impact holidays in the future.
Our recommendation would be to find a friendly, reputable local dealer and go along to pick their brains and have a look at what your budget would get you.
If you’re in the north west, we think we might be that friendly, reputable dealer!
