How do you invest in your MH

[Les Haro]

Stairlifts apparently get 18 months’ use on average before their owner moves to a rest home. Most buyers of motor homes keep them for 3-5 years.

This came from a Times article.
So do you buy new every 3-5 yrs and how many new units have you had or do you buy low milage S/H then sell when it starts to cost you, or buy old expecting to throw money at.
Are there people only dip their toes for one van and run.

 

[Deleted member 58274]

Keeping this one...

Having read the pollution/environmental issues lately will be keeping our 11yr old for as long as possible !! Glad we've not just bought a 100 grand 6 wheeler !! Maja. Oh, and because of the depreciation issues mentioned in thread below...

 

[delicagirl]

my delica is now 25 years old but still going VERY strong and i have no plans to change it. I replaced timing chain, tyres, transmission-whats-its, added more batteries, lighting, water pumps, new solar panel, gasit, insulated it, new thermal curtains, new carpets, and because the engine is amazing and clutch-gear box excellent - i am gonna stick with it. I am hoping it will last me for a very long time... but diesel emission laws will inevitably force me to make a decision in the future...

 

[Andys]

Had our Hymer 6 years no plans to change, had new clutch, engine battery, shower repaired, booked to have upholtery re covered in April. Sounds a lot but the holidays we have had .......
Worth every penny

 

[jagmanx]

Pollution control ! so Wait and see

As the OP posted
This makes a big new investment now a shot in the dark !

My vehicle is 12 years old but only 40K (miles) and maybe worth about £20,000
German sticker = green
French sticker no 3 so good

I did see a very nice slightly smaller vehicle for £41,000

But our vehicle suits us
New cambelt just fitted.
Vehicle drives very well and 30mpg

So I will keep the £20,000 for repairs etc
We have Solar. Gas-it, awning and reversing camera.
It is in VG condition for its age and we keep it inside during the winter

 

[harrow]

The bigger problem comes as more LEZs start around the uk.

Glasgow, Birmingham Norwich zone for busses you can see the way it is going.

:wave:

 

[The laird]

1995 Hymer B544SL

Our Hymer is a 1995 coming up to 70k miles 107 KLM’s,keep looking at new vans we do like the Hymer 543 rear lounge suits our need ,but the Hymer has served me so well I keep thinking nah wben posts like this arise,we have our eye on one just now at 60k (private sale) but as I say this old girl is abso amazing ,I’ve done loads to her (cause she’s worth it) rather Mrs thought I was nuts doing the things I’ve done some for comfort but other thing to pamper her ,a few weeks back heading south out the blue the Mrs said when on the motorway we will miss hettie. S build quality ,reliability,few rattles for an oldie ,and the nice comments we get from other motorhomers and even other hymerers
DILEMA OR WHAT .

 

[delicagirl]

as long as there are park and rides then we can get into city centres if we want to... trains if there are any of course. When i am vanning i welcome the rare opportunity to not drive myself and really relax and enjoy the landscape from bus or train....

 

[davep10000]

I always get amazed at the prices of motorhomes especially when based on pretty average van chassis that are not really designed to last more than 10 years without a very high level of maintenance, and rust prevention.


Although my older Delica is only a converted 4x4 van, it is still worth exactly the same as I paid for it 7 years ago.

I am certainly in the minority but would only ever pay what I could afford at the time and always aim to keep it long term to limit any depreciation.

Writing this from my newer Delica deep in the galloway forest - hardly been out of 4wd for days but the snowy scenery is amazing, and most of the rivers here have frozen over.

 

[delicagirl]

I always get amazed at the prices of motorhomes especially when based on pretty average van chassis that are not really designed to last more than 10 years without a very high level of maintenance, and rust prevention.


Although my older Delica is only a converted 4x4 van, it is still worth exactly the same as I paid for it 7 years ago.

I am certainly in the minority but would only ever pay what I could afford at the time and always aim to keep it long term to limit any depreciation.

Writing this from my newer Delica deep in the galloway forest - hardly been out of 4wd for days but the snowy scenery is amazing, and most of the rivers here have frozen over.

i loved the Galloway forest also and found some wonderful forest spots for overnighting - i only saw a dog walker every couple of days.... marvellous. That crisp crunching of the iced-over tracks as i drove out alongside frozen meres with the odd patch of water containing a swan or two will always stay with me.

 

[Harleyboygaz3]

1991 Hymer S700

Our Hymer is a 1995 coming up to 70k miles 107 KLM’s,keep looking at new vans we do like the Hymer 533 rear lounge suits our need ,but the Hymer has served me so well I keep thinking nah wben posts like this arise,we have our eye on one just now at 60k (private sale) but as I say this old girl is abso amazing ,I’ve done loads to her (cause she’s worth it) rather Mrs thought I was nuts doing the things I’ve done some for comfort but other thing to pamper her ,a few weeks back heading south out the blue the Mrs said when on the motorway we will miss hettie. S build quality ,reliability,few rattles for an oldie ,and the nice comments we get from other motorhomers and even other hymerers
DILEMA OR WHAT .

Just brought our 27 year old Hymer earlier this year done 75k miles with intentions of it being a long term "Keeper" After lots of research before buying and after driving Mercedes 410 commercial vehicles in the 90,s knowing their reliability etc. Like Gordon, I can't see any reason with the quality build of an old Hymer to want to invest a lot more on a more modern type? As for LEZ s popping up all over the place I will just swerve round them all or park up close and scooter in :dance:

 

[The laird]

i loved the Galloway forest also and found some wonderful forest spots for overnighting - i only saw a dog walker every couple of days.... marvellous. That crisp crunching of the iced-over tracks as i drove out alongside frozen meres with the odd patch of water containing a swan or two will always stay with me.

Hope you weren’t scaring them away so you could keep that peace to yourself Mrs ,glad your okay and safe
Regards Gordon

 

[trevskoda]

I bought my van when it was just over 11 years old,its now 18 and i have done a lot of work to get her as i like at a cost of below 6G ,i cannot for the life of me see how folks could stump up 80/100g on a van and get the use out of it.
When i get rid of it it like my last car will be worn down to the hubs with many miles and only fit for use as a hen house,i may also add i will have prob got a wooden over coat by then.:scared::lol-053::lol-053::lol-053:

 

[mossypossy]

My 18 year old Hobby just passed the MOT and the guy said it was in great condition underneath. It spent a lot of its life in Portugal.

Just the minor inconvenience of a new engine:wacko:.....nothing else major has gone wrong with the Fiat van base.

 

[The laird]

I bought my van when it was just over 11 years old,its now 18 and i have done a lot of work to get her as i like at a cost of below 6G ,i cannot for the life of me see how folks could stump up 80/100g on a van and get the use out of it.
When i get rid of it it like my last car will be worn down to the hubs with many miles and only fit for use as a hen house,i may also add i will have prob got a wooden over coat by then.:scared::lol-053::lol-053::lol-053:

Trevor your just tight :lol-049::lol-049::lol-049::lol-049:

 

[Robmac]

My 2012 PVC is in good nick, galvanised body so no rust and when I had my underslung gas tank fitted, the fitter said the chassis was like that of a brand new van.

Chatting with another WC member recently and we discussed how easy it would be to fit a new petrol engine, so that is the way I think I will go when the legislation kicks in.

 

[trevskoda]

My 2012 PVC is in good nick, galvanised body so no rust and when I had my underslung gas tank fitted, the fitter said the chassis was like that of a brand new van.

Chatting with another WC member recently and we discussed how easy it would be to fit a new petrol engine, so that is the way I think I will go when the legislation kicks in.

You wont need it as only big towns will be hit,anyway no bother over here and houses are cheep so you can move.

 

[Debs]

So I have a question, which I ask because I don't know the answer. If we have a van which we really don't want to part with, is it possible to have the engine re-manufactured to a higher Euro standard?:idea:

 

[trevskoda]

So I have a question, which I ask because I don't know the answer. If we have a van which we really don't want to part with, is it possible to have the engine re-manufactured to a higher Euro standard?:idea:

With modern cars/vans not one bit from later models will fit into old ones unlike years back when any engine could be put into a ford,those days have long gone.

 

[harrow]

So I have a question, which I ask because I don't know the answer. If we have a van which we really don't want to part with, is it possible to have the engine re-manufactured to a higher Euro standard?:idea:

No.

But some of the older diesel trucks in London did have additional filter box fitted into the exhaust to allow them to still operate in London's LEZ, that might be worth researching ?

:idea::idea::idea:

Fit a filter - Transport for London

LEZ Compliant Type Approved DPF Installation | SINSPEED