Help in changing from caravan to motorhome

We had three motorhomes over twelve years after caravans and have gone back to caravans. The one thing we found was the motorhome rich, car poor syndome i.e. unless you are very affluent you can have either but not both and in the end we get more use out of a luxury car than a motorhome that sits on the drive for the winter. If you are going to use a motorhome for extended periods like a lot of people do then they are a good bet.

We bought an Autosleeper with exactly the layout you describe. Check out motorhomesales, based in Studley, West Mids. Excellent small secondhand dealer, quality of stock on offer, (including AS Nuevo at time we viewed) was superb. Our MH has been perfect for us, came excellently prepared, with six months warranty on everything, and we have had nothing go wrong or stop working after a year of ownership and 10,000 miles! Highly recommended, we would go back to same dealer when we look to change our MH. Good luck with finding what you want!

Like Brue, we swapped from a van conversion (autosleeper Topaz) to a small coach built, a marquis majestic 115.

Its a similar size to the Nuevo and with the same end kitchen set up but much cheaper.  Two bench seats facing across convert quickly to a double.  We turn the cab seats round to make two generous size singles or a massive double.  I know it isn't the same spec as the Nuevo but it has a good size wardrobe, three gas and one electric hot plate plus oven and grill.  Bathroom is ok if a little snug and there is lots and lots of storage.

Although we loved the Topaz it was getting difficult to make up the beds while the current set up in moments.  We use duvalay sleeping bags which we store under the seats, folding chairs store behind the cab seats, cable, hose and wheel ramps sit in the gas bottle locker. Pillows in two of the large overhead lockers, clothes boxes in the other two, coats, jumpers etc in the wardrobe.  All this and under 2metres so it fits on our drive.

Hi Adrian & Judith.

Three and a half years ago we were looking for our first real MH (had a camper van in late 70's 80's) and also with your budget, well started at £15.000 but that did not seem to get you a van that fitted... Also was set on a AS Nuevo both trade and privat, test drove a private one but unsure private was the way to go so went the trade route in the end but not a AS but a Auto Trail Tracker EKS (same layout and less than 6M ). Have now done about 35,000 miles in the three and a half years and loved it. Spain every winter for 6 weeks plus 2 other europe trips of 6 to 8 weeks a time we feel we are getting full use of our van and think its been good value for our money.When you find the right van you will know its the one for you.

First of all go to vicarious books or amazon and order the Go Motorhoming book.Its brilliant and will answer questions you never even thought to ask.

Secondly remember that motorhomes have fresh and waste water tanks, like a caravan and they have to be emptied and filled.Motorhomes have to be plugged in if you want to use electricity and have to be levelled off as well if you are parking on an unlevel surface.Parking for sightseeing and shopping is not as easy with a motorhome as with a car but we have always found supermarkets no problem.

Mostly it comes down to your style of holidaying.If you like moving on very frequently perhaps shopping and sightseeing en route or using sights near good public transport, places of interest etc,then a motorhome is for you.If you love finding a nice site and staying for a week or more then caravanning is for you.

Slightly disagree with Sumitra.  Motorhomes do not need to be "plugged in".  Lots of motorhomes very rarely plug in, they use their habitation batteries augmented with solar panels.  This enables M/Hs to visit more places such as non electric sites. Freedom to roam is one of the big pluses of a motorhome. 

Slightly disagree with Sumitra.  Motorhomes do not need to be "plugged in".  Lots of motorhomes very rarely plug in, they use their habitation batteries augmented with solar panels.  This enables M/Hs to visit more places such as non electric sites. Freedom to roam is one of the big pluses of a motorhome.                                                        Well I did say it needs to be plugged in IF you want to use electricity and caravans also have leisure batteries and increasingly solar panels too so they can also go off grid. 

We manage for 3 or 4 days without being plugged in. Solar Panel on the roof and 160Ah Leisure Battery. You can find Public Toilets to empty waste and taps can be found in the most unlikely places. Buxton has a mineral water fountain and all you need is a universal hose pipe to fill up ( 2 watering cans ) Plenty of places to stop and you don't have to level them you just make sure its the right way round so you can sleep with your head above your feet so to speak. We have stopped at all sorts of places. Don't carry LOTS of stuff. We can be packed and gone in about 5 minutes. You do need to be tidy and put things away.

Thanks to everybody for their help and advice. We will take it all on board and not rush into anything. Hopefully when we make the decision it will be the right one. Thanks again.

Adrian & Judith

We changed from a caravan to motorhome six months ago as We found with the better half changing jobs the caravan was being used less. Now when she finishes on a Friday evening , and im off the weekend we head off wherever the mood and weather takes us and return on the Sunday night. This wasn't really doable with the caravan. 

We have just returned from five days away at Cairngorms , Fort William and Glencoe with three nights wild camping and one on a site to refresh water etc.

Two leisure batteries , solar panel and gas it system takes care of all our needs. 

Best decision we ever made.