Buying a motorhome to travel in is a fairly large investment, but one that we believe is totally worth doing. Because it costs a lot of money, it is vital that you know the most important things about buying a motorhome, to ensure that you will be happy with what you get and make the most out of it. Continue reading to find out the top tips to help you decide if a motorhome is right for you!
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Are You Eligible To Drive A Motorhome?
This is of course one of the most important questions that you must answer before you buy a motorhome, does your license prohibit you to drive it? This depends on the size of the vehicle that you are looking to drive. If your motorhome has a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, you will need a category C1 license to drive it, you must be over 18 years old to get this license. If the MAM is over 7.5 tonnes, you will require a category C license, for large vehicles and lorries. To get your category C license, if you are between 18-20 years old, you must have CPC qualification, if you are over 21, you can apply for this license regardless, as with the C1 license, you cannot get this if you are under 18.
Will You Enjoy Driving And Travelling In A Motorhome?
You may have the idea that you would love to travel in your motorhome before you buy one, but you can never be too sure that you will get on with the lifestyle. If you can do so, it’s a great idea to hire or rent a motorhome for a short holiday before you buy your own. By doing so, you can get a feel for driving the motorhome and see if you really enjoy the travelling side of things. Driving a motorhome is certainly a little bit different to driving a car, if you are planning to do long distance driving it can get tiring. Getting some experience in a motorhome before you buy can be a vital part of making your decision.
Is It Difficult To Drive A Motorhome?
As we previously mentioned, driving a motorhome is certainly different to driving a car, but it depends a lot on the size of your motorhome. If you are driving a smaller motorhome, you may find this relatively similar to driving a car, especially if you drive a larger car type. However, if you are going to drive a larger motorhome, this will be a little bit more challenging, but as we previously mentioned, you do need to get a different license for larger motorhomes, so you will get some experience as you work towards your license.
If you would like further lessons on driving your motorhome after earning your license, there are companies that will offer this – make sure you are fully confident and get some more lessons before you embark on your trip!
What Type Of Motorhome Should You Buy?
The answer to this question is totally dependent on what your needs and wants are when it comes to your motorhome. If you are just starting out your motorhome journey, and you are only travelling with a couple of people, you may be in the market for a campervan. This is a smaller type of motorhome, that will be easier to drive and still have lots of amazing features that will make your motorhome experience really enjoyable. If you are looking for something larger that you will have more features in such as more beds, a larger kitchen area and storage space, you may be better off with a coachbuilt motorhome with an overhead cab. Alternatively, if you are going really big and have plenty of people to travel with, you could be looking for an A class motorhome.
There are many factors to consider when it comes to deciding what type and size motorhome you want, we would strongly advise that you do your research into all the different kinds to find the most suitable vehicle. Check it against your requirements, ensuring you are eligible to drive it and take those extra lessons if you need to.
Top Tips Before You Buy
- Decide how much you want to spend. If you set a budget and try to stick to it then you will have an easier time choosing a motorhome.
- Take advice from experts. There are lots of things to consider when buying a motorhome, if it is your first time, we recommend that you seek advice and let an expert help you pick your motorhome.
- Shop around for a good deal. Don’t just purchase the first motorhome that you think looks ideal, take your time and invest in the perfect vehicle for your needs.
We hope that these questions and answers, followed by these helpful tips, will give you a better idea of how to approach buying a motorhome!
