Is motorhoming for me?

RobKeeble

Guest
Just had our first motorhome holiday lasting 18 days and I'm sorry to say I don't think it is for us.

We bought a cheap old motorhome just to try holidaying with our two dogs, spent some time and money getting electrics, gas, and engine checked out before our trip, and installed an 80W solar panel to hopefully make us self-sufficient for as much wild camping as possible.

How not to Motorhome
We started out meandering down from NE Scotland and wildcamping for the first three nights, but soon realised that combining travelling and sightseeing on these short October days doesn't work - we weren't seeing much and we weren't travelling far either. Leaving one place mid morning and needing to find the next around 4-5pm to allow an hour to settle in before darkness fell, didn't leave a lot of time. So we decided that we should spend a day travelling and then a few days staying put to enjoy the local area and actually visit some villages and other attractions.

Housework
We found having to convert the settee into a bed every evening and vice versa every morning was rather a nuisance that we could do without. It might be something to do with running a hostel, but I have more than enough bedmaking to do at home without doing it throughout my holiday too.

Faulty equipment
We soon found we were without lighting and waterpump after pulling in for a night, so after that frustration we went on a campsite for a couple of days. Later in the holiday after buying a new 110Ah leisure battery to hopefully solve the 12v problems, an auto electrician told us that the alternator was barely charging the batteries which explained why the fridge on 12v during travelling was draining the battery. This should have been sorted in our pre-holiday checkup - aargh! So the short term fix was to not put the fridge on the 12v setting when travelling.

In the wilds
After the first three wild camping spots which were very nice, Val said she hadn't slept very well and felt quite vulnerable in places where anyone could turn up and interrupt our sleep. This actually happened on our third night in a remote beach location when three cars of youngsters woke us at 11pm with tooting horns, and then they parked very near us chatting and laughing for 20 minutes before clearing off. So after this and the 12v problems we spent a couple of nights on a campsite with electric and Val felt happier and slept properly. The rest of the holiday was then in campsites which substantially increased the holiday cost.

Conclusion
As we both still have to work, we only have standard two week holidays available to us so can't spend the time touring that we would like to. If our preference is to spend a few days enjoying each location, we might as well stay in a B&B/caravan/cottage in two or three places and just drive our car during the holiday. That saves us the cost of owning and running a motorhome if we aren't actually motoring around very much. I would be interested in your experiences and suggestions, but it looks like motorhoming isn't quite for us.

Rob
 
hi . nothing going right . if all you use it for is 2weeks you maybe right. you need fixed bed .new alternator . more solar more batteries .personally in oct no fridge isnt a problem . i would have run it on gas all the time.
october is short days not the ideal time to experiment. it does take abit of getting used to. personally havent been with out a camper since 1975. but you do have to use it and enjoy it.lots of friends have tried it but dont like it. i love the life . even have a small one for sneaking around cornwall in during the summer.
nothing ventured nothing gained . have fun as much as you can. you only live once . lifes not a rehearsal.
 
Hi Rob..

Sounds like you just got off to a bad start....

If you want to 'wildcamp' and ease into it in a 'safe' way then try joining 'Britstops' Welcome to Brit Stops
where you can safely overnight free of charge in private property...I'd hazard a guess you didn't know about
these types of stopovers...I didn't until I joined here and got reading lol.

Another thing you might consider is a Campervan style vehicle that you could also use as your main vehicle -
smaller and more compact so it becomes a day away or stay away vehicle as you choose without having a
MH sitting in the driveway only used on occassions.....

Winter can be nice, but I'll also bet that if you plan ahead a little better next time....you might just change your mind.

Good luck......because it can be fun:have fun:

p.s. I'm using these http://www.raskelf.com/Boats/Memory_Foam_Duvalay

Something like this might suit you better...it's where I've bought mine....http://www.wellhouseleisure.com/
 
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Hi

Its not for everyone, and it does take some getting used too, you have to enjoy it to overcome the hassles you have, nothing is straight forward unless you have a brand new MH, even then i think things could go wrong, the thought of going in a B&B/cottage etc sends shivers down my spine, each to their own but at least you have tried it

Jen
 
Your experience was hardly a fortunate one. However, as Alan said, if you're only going to use it for two weeks a year, it is going to be a very expensive luxury. If you own one, in my opinioon you have to use it rain, snow, sunshine, whatever to get your moneys worth out of it. We've just been without one for about a month and it was horrible!

It is not for everyone though. Wild camping can be a little primitive at times, though doesn't have to be. I can understand your wife's desire to feel safe. I actually love being tucked away in the middle of nowhere by myself, but I've also got a VERY big dog to look after me.

On the positive side, things do get much easier the more experienced you get at it, and you learn shortcuts to doing things. When we stop, we level up if necessary, light the fridge, turn on the 12 volt and that's it - 5 minutes maximum. Same in the morning - bed down in about 2-3 minutes, breakfast, washing up and off. No more than an hour unless we want a relaxed start in which case it can take hours - the nice thing for us is that it simply doesn't matter. You stop when you want, you don't have to be anywhere by a particular time and you go wherever it takes you.

It is a massive help if the van you have is reliable though!
 
every now and again we find ourselves between campers and it always makes us feel uneasy.once you have one the running costs aren't so bad.but... being able to just change your environment for one night,go out on a sunday morning and have breakfast surrounded by quiet nature[christ the beer's bringing out the poet] the ability to do spontaneous things like go to the welsh coast for a few nights or spain for a few months-no booking ,no planning. its not for every one but it's been giving me and my family pleasure for years,couldn't do without it
some may see a camper as a drain on their resources,i see it as a valuable resource
 
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We hired a MH for our first experience and It gave us a great insite into what we liked and disliked about them and what layout we would want in a van. We like you, didn't like having to make our bed up every night so went for a fixed bed layout.
We have had a van for 4 years now and love it, It hasn't been without it's problems, our 1st van was not quite the layout that suited and we bought private so didn't know how anything worked, it was a headache everytime we went out in it as nothing worked! We now have a lovely van and everything works in it and are doing more and more wilding every outing. We too felt safer in a campsite at first but each time we go out we do more and more nights wild thanks to this site and the POI's. Our last being 6 out of 7 nights wilding.
For us having the dog we wont kennel him so the MH is an ideal way of holidays with the dog and in the 5 years of motorhoming I can say I do not miss going abroad at all, we have seen some beautiful parts of the UK that otherwise we would have never visited and mostly in good weather! Yes we dont use it as much as probably we could but it's always there! A good weekend and it's out in the van, cus we can!
Don't knock it until you've tried it is my moto and youve tried it and you don't like it thats fair enough, although dont let one outing put you off for good, it took us a year to get into it properly!

x
 
sorry to hear your trip didnt match expectations.

I would agree with others there is a challenge travelling with a motorhome.

I agree with the bed bit , I sleep above the cab and leave the table as that to dine, read books and pester you lot on the net.

I fully understand your wifes feeling of insecurity, but I must say I think it is natural when you first start off.

Perhaps use sites then wild every other night etc till you become comfortable.

I have full timed for three years and only had hassle once young lads acting daft in Agen France, at the time I had a German shepheard who soon quelled matters. To put the insecurity in context.

FWIW I work on campsites and cant believe what people pay, to be so close to a neighbour you can hear their flatulance in a morning.

You have invested a significant amount of money in your van, stick with it and see if you can adopt to the lifestyle perhaps then change the van to something which suits your needs better;

TBH if you reach the conclusion sites are better for the reasons you outline car and caravan..... that way you have a base and can tour to your hearts content.

Moving off with a motorhome and finding parking can be a bind, But think outside the box bikes bus trains etc

Stick with it for the time being, Act in haste repent at leisure.

Finally wildcamping can be the most enjoyable experience, but like anything worth having, you need to work on what works for you

Channa
 
Our Motorhoming experience has been the same as RobKeeble's, we seemed to spend more time fussing around the van, finding water, finding safe places to overnight, finding places we could park if we visited towns, etc., we were glad to get home for a rest. There's no point in going away just for the sake of going away. We've found the solution....sell it. My wife doesn't feel safe wild camping either.
 
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fofeg101 said:
Our Motorhoming experience has been the same as RobKeeble's, we seemed to spend more time fussing around the van, finding water, finding safe places to overnight, finding places we could park if we visited towns, etc., we were glad to get home for a rest. There's no point in going away just for the sake of going away. We've found the solution....sell it. My wife doesn't feel safe wild camping either.
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Each to their own, you see, i enjoy searching for water, finding places to stay, running out of gas in freezing conditions, burst pipes, getting stuck in snow, rain coming in the roof in bucket loads, I know this must sound horrific to you but its all part and parcel of camping, i have been in hotels and sat in a breakfast room with loads of strangers, knifes and folks clanking on the plates, the occaisional word spoken, god that to me is my worst nightmare, so it is a personal choice, like i have said to RK, you have tried it, good on ya, i hope you get a good price for your van and have many happy holidays to come

jen xx
 
Just returned from a week travelled to north of scotland and back down the west coast. Wildcamped each night,one mistake we made was to look for a spot after dark it is so much harder,so now will always find somewhere before dark.
We hired a MH a few years ago it got us hooked,we bought ours the next year.
After a couple of trips we realised with us and 2 dogs the layout wasnt the best, so instead of changing the van we decided to fit a fixed bed and garage door in the side which makes an entrance for the dogs to their own large area.On the inside at the end of the bed a child stair gate allows plenty of light for them and they are with us.Keeping wet dogs in their own space.So converting what you have is an option.
Not had any problems being disturbed at night but understand concerns so finding right spot is important most people have their favourites and return to them on next visit where you will feel more comfortable.
2 weeks a year is probably not enough to make a MH viable but the feeling of being able to go when it suits is great.
Good luck give it another go if not sell and at least you have done it
kenny
 
Well I do have to smile with this forum. I place a post just before going to bed and wake up to 8 replies - initially from the day members, and then replies from those kindly mole people who deal with the overnight processing. What a great place.
:fun:


vwalan said:
... if all you use it for is 2weeks you maybe right ... october is short days not the ideal time to experiment.
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Hi vwalan

Our circumstances are perhaps not ideal to make use of our motorhome. Val works at college so we only have school holidays and weekends available, and I run a tourist hostel so we can't be away from Easter to September. This leaves the weekends and a couple of two week hols from October to March, missing out on the warm summer months unless we go south in Europe, but again difficult to fit into two weeks.

Rob
 
Viktor said:
... try joining 'Britstops' ... Another thing you might consider is a Campervan style vehicle
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Hi Viktor and thanks for the suggestions. I had heard of Britstops but thought we would just give the POIs a go for real wilding, and the three places we did use were in beautiful spots and very peaceful apart from the 20 mins of late night visitors.

Our dogs aren't small and us two with a goldie and black lab in a campervan would be a bit cramped. Even in our small motorhome with one dog on the passenger seat, us on the bed/settee, and the other by the rear door it was quite cosy. And there's the dogs' snoring so close to our heads, and I'm not even mentioning the other noises!

The bedding looks good on your link but we were very comfortable and warm as we also have a memory foam topper and a lovely quilt over us.

Rob
 
We will be getting away for a few weekends over the winter and maybe a week or two over Christmas before possibly selling up in the spring. As you say Jen we are all different and we had a lovely fortnight with the dogs in dog-friendly pubs and B&Bs back in April, so it seems strange to me that that kind of thing gives you the willies.:scared:

Hi caspar. We live in a remote spot and love being out in the countryside, but the difference for Val is sleeping in a vulnerable little van where anyone could turn up in the night. Still, maybe after a bit more practice in the wild spot next to our home over some forthcoming weekends I'llsee if Val is happier with wilding.

The vehicle itself was totally reliable over the whole 1500 mile trip until near Perth when a copper fuel pipe to the injector snapped in two. Quite a rarity according to the AA man but quickly replaced while we had lunch and then we continued on our way home. We were mainly let down by our local auto electrician who should have picked up on the alternator problem which had a huge impact on our holiday. So once the alternator is fixed and we have plenty of 12v for the lighting and waterpump, we will be much better prepared for wild camping. Simply having those two things is so important for a relaxing stop.

Like fofeg101 we didn't have the relaxing holiday we usually have, and unfortunately were much happier arriving home after this holiday than after others. Then there was only one day left to relax before going back to work. :( We'll see how we get on over the winter before deciding if to sell in the spring, but as the MH is only worth about £3k the 'try it out' holiday shouldn't have cost us much anyway.

Rob
 
Hi Rob,

Sorry your first experience of motorhoming didn't work out too well for you! We have been doing it for just over a year, but before that we were caravannners. It is a very expensive investment if you can only use it for a couple of weeks a year. Ours seems to cost us money just sitting on the drive, MOTs, servicing, habitation checks, insurance and road tax, never mind running it!! Possibly you would be better off hiring one for your holiday, if you still want to go down the motorhome route??

October is maybe not the best time of year to start going wild, as you're much more dependant on your batteries, and there isn't the daylight to charge via the solar panel like there is in summer. We noticed that our batteries weren't coping too well by the end of our trip, which started in August and ended in October. As for the bed problem. we have a 2 berth with 2 long bunks, which we use as singles. Drop the back cushions, pull sleeping bags/ duvets/pillows out of over-the-cab bed and arrange on bunks. Bed sorted in a couple of minutes!! (Sleeping single avoids mountaineering in the night if you have to get out for a pee - getting old is a b*gger!!)

The suggestion of a caravan instead of a motorhome was a good one, as you would have the security of a site, but be able to tour the area with no parking problems. You'd also only have one vehicle to road tax. We wouldn't go back to one because of all the hassle setting up one - we like being able to just park up, turn on the gas and get on with it. Also the cheapness of a wild site, must have saved about £200 on site fees! We do use sites, because it is easier to re-fill & empty, and catch up on the washing. We did feel nervous about wilding to begin with, but once everything is locked up, and the mobiles are charges and handy, we don't worry so much. The beauty of a motorhome is that you can move on from an unpleasant sitaution easily.

Full time work does make it hard to justify the expense of OWNING a motorhome, but if you like that kind of freedom, then hiring one or getting a caravan are probably your best bet. You have come to the right place to find out about it; they are a great bunch on here and will always have advice for you.

Good luck with whichever way you go!

KP
 
"Patience is a wonderful thing if you have the time for it."

......and if you really want to do it you must make the time.


All the points you raise seem to have been covered by others Rob....one thing I would say though is don't ever get intimidated by the boy racers/ noisy teenagers....More often than not we are the ones who are on "their territory"....It's a simple matter of differing perspectives.....they are more frightened of you than you are of them...ever notice how they never get out of their cars? Even to chuck litter in the bin! They feel safe in there.....Get out of your van and walk around....go and have a friendly chat, you may be surprised by how matey they can be. And as a back up you no doubt have a mobile phone.
Persevere man! It's a great way of life.:goodluck:
 
I could only repeat what Rubber tramp has said.:ditto:
I am a lone camper and have in the past fealt intimidated but have a large wheel wrench in the cab which I have never taken out but it gives me a sense of security.
I have also chatted to the boy racers on occation especially the ones with great DIY cars. Said how good they looked and sounded and found that they are not the ogres they are made out to be. They are a bit like my cat who thinks he is a siberian tiger, but in reality he is a pussy cat.:DIn fact they often remind me of me 60 odd years ago. Pumping up their egos in front of their women. This kind of play or behaviour is found in all forms of amimal life.:welcome:
 
Hi. i would give it another try, but without it expecting to be a nightmare... its not for everyone, just like most things people are different. its me and my 2 dogs, in a crappy very old basic van. i havent had to look for places, as only been to places people recomended off here, had boy racers but was fine....

i like it, the dogs like it, get away from all the stress i have at home.

give it another try, nowt to lose :)
 
ickyackyad said:
... we decided to fit a fixed bed and garage door in the side which makes an entrance for the dogs to their own large area.On the inside at the end of the bed a child stair gate allows plenty of light for them and they are with us.Keeping wet dogs in their own space.So converting what you have is an option. 2 weeks a year is probably not enough to make a MH viable but the feeling of being able to go when it suits is great.
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Hi Kenny, puzzling username - no idea what it could be.

I like that idea of a separate entrance to a dog room under the fixed bed where they can sprawl out without being underfoot all the time, and especially when they are soaked after a swim. It's not something we could do to our small motorhome with a rear door, but should we eventually decide that motorhoming is good for us, either now or at some later date when we have more than a couple of weeks at a time, it sounds like a good layout option.

Rob
 
An 18 night experience is not long enough, and things do go wrong with Camper Vans, if the weather had been better, if you found better places to overnight, if you didn't have to make up beds etc you may have enjoyed your experience more, I would say don't give up so soon, try it just for weekends , try a few Rallies with one of the clubs, take the van out for an evening drive and sit on a beach or in the Country somewhere and have a cup of tea, you may find it grows on you, I hope so after you have laid out money on the purchase of the van, Good luck Malc.:wave::wave::fun::fun:
 
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