The real costs of motorhome ownership

[@davidrobinson6734]

A.S Bikes - a family run business producing high quality aluminium folding bicycles for the motorhome and caravan fraternity. Having purchased two of these bikes and visiting them today to have our bikes serviced I felt compelled to contact you. Samantha,her father and extended family deserve the highest praise for their service and old fashioned values. I know you occasionally invite guests onto your show and I couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than Sam, a real chip off the old block.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

That’s lovely to hear. I’ve dealt with them myself but have only heard good things. Feel free to make an intro! As you know I share a passion for great customer service too! It’s seems hard to find these days

[@allanb52]

8 years ago I bought an 08 Vivaro for £3,200 and spent £3,000 on a partial conversion, finished myself. 90% of the costs you mention don't apply to me including the cambelt which I don't have. I don't have a shower and that's all I am missing, however the time I had a motorhome I never used the shower. At 160,000 miles, I changed the clutch at €450, a set of tyres and servicing. During those 8 years we have spent 150+ nights in the van and covered about 60,000 miles at just under 40 mpg. It drives like a car and I can park anywhere a car can, I can use it as a 2nd car, I can explore safely. Insurance £210/year. A recent trip to Greece/Turkey, 6,000 miles was easy, wild camping, plus a few campsites. So nothing like your costing. Conclusion, unless you have a family, or want to live in it for months, forget a motorhome. A simple campervan is better, has no leak problems, no parking issues or costs and you can have an adventure. The biggest problem with motorhomes is that people never get out, they sit in and watch TV all day. We see them in Figueira da Foz our local resort.

[@bigal2417]

Is it possible to rent the sort of van you disribe? And could me and the wife live in it for 6 or 8 weeks ? Thx

[@allanb52]

@@bigal2417 No, mine is a self build, but.... why not buy a basic van, post 07 Vivaro, do the simple conversion like mine and sell for a profit, maybe a big profit. Where are you, or where will you be for those 6 or 8 weeks. Funny you should say that. in 1990 we had a self converted 1983 VWT3 and tried to sell it in the winter. One person wanted to rent it while is wife was in the UK having a baby. I sold to him for £3k with a promised to buy it back 6 months later for £2.2k, which I did. I then sold it in the summer for £3.5k and he paid only £800 for 6 months rent and was happy too.

[@DrLoendi_Business_Coach]

Just discovered your channel to night. Excellent podcast and presentation is very professional. I am giving myself a gift on my 70 birthday. My retirement plan is traveling and enjoying myself driving in UK and Europe for my last phase of my life, on earth. I will need help and advice doing this right as I do not need trouble at this age of my life.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Welcome aboard! Thanks for your kind words. Your plan sounds amazing, I recommend you look up Siobhan Daniels' book Retirement Rebel, she's lovely and talks a lot on this topic. Equally, if you have any questions then don't hesitate to ask and we'll answer in a future episode - www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt

[@allanb52]

I am 72, based in central Portugal and have been doing what you plan for 8 years, travelling Europe, but semi-retired. What level of comfort do you need is the first question, ours is good, but the conversion is a simple one and therefore reliable, which to me is a top priority.

[@davidtodd907]

we just sold our 6 berth m/home in june - bought as 2 y/o in 2019 for £40k with 6k miles and sold for £48k with 10k miles. Zero regrets , it was an expensive asset which we didn't use from oct to april , I hated driving the 7.5 m beast , sometimes on narrow roads which wasn't a relaxing experience at all , having to book sites usualy way in advance and having to depend on public transport or taxi's to get us into town and/or having to drive it off site to find a suitable parking spot in town was always a major, major hassle. Now we have nearly £50k in the bank earning some interest, we dont have to worry about yearly habitation checks , insuring it, MOT's etc, etc ....and we've just booked a 3 week all inclusive cruise of the New Zealand fiords in January 24 with the 'savings ' by not having put it out on an expensive motorhome ....and maybe a subsequent holday in Mauritius next summer ....nope , nope , nope not one single regret having sold our motorhome😂

[@MotorhomeMatt]

A motorhome can be an expensive asset to own. If not using it or enjoying it then it may well be best to sell. Enjoy your future trips!

[@bigal2417]

I'm thinking about renting MH for a couple of months to go all around the UK. Never own or driven one before. Am we going to enjoy it or do u think it will be a big hassel and not worth the stress. Would appreciate ur thought's.thx

[@davidtodd907]

@@bigal2417 renting for a couple of months is a great option after which you will have a good idea if you like the m/home lifestyle . it just wasn't for us

[@bigal2417]

@davidtodd907 ok thx for taking the time to reply. I see camper vans are available for rent and would be easy to drive and park. Hence, less stress 😩

[@Oldguydosestuff]

Cheaper road tax on larger heavy vehicles is probably in my mind because you can’t sensibly use it as a daily driver, unlike smaller campervans and MoHos

[@delwalker6336]

Good honest advice thanks Matt & Keith, catching up wih your older recordings. I like Keith's Dad humour here and there!😅

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Thanks for your kind words! Keith’s humour is legendary! It is like working with my dad 🤣🤣🤣 Enjoy the content and do pose a question if you have one. Always happy to help

[@sinetwo]

Interestingly, I did some napkin maths myself, as we are considering getting one and doing 1 trip a month, roughly: -> Initial cost of camper: £40k * Annual maintenance (servicing, MOT, wear/tear): £1.5k * 6000 miles per year diesel: £1500 * Insurance: £500 * Storage: £350 (for me) * Campsites (3 nights x £40 x 12): £1500 per year * Cambelt change once or twice: £4-800 -> COST PER YEAR: £4700 incl. maintenance, fees, petrol, campsites for 10 trips. Over the course of 10 years, assuming depreciation for a £40k good conversion is sold for £10k after 10 years, adding on 60,000mi (being pessimistic), the total cost of owning this would be roughly £80k. Looking at the market now, I'm not sure you'd get your money back with a van that's done over 100,000+ miles and that would be 20 years old at the time of sale. 1. Compare that to renting a campervan, it could cost you almost the same. 2. Compare that to just using your fuel efficient car: Comparing apples to apples, doing a campervan trip vs a roadtrip (hotels/rentals for £60-80p/n), we could save £50k over 10 years by NOT owning a campervan. That's quite a staggering amount!! I appreciate that many will say you can't put a cost on "the freedom of just going somewhere on a whim", but you definitely can :) £40-50k in an index fund or pension over 10 years with a return rate of say 7% per year will net you £80-100k, whilst STILL allowing you the roadtrips. Sure it's not as fun as a motorhome, but the figures almost speak for themselves - owning a motorhome is INCREDIBLY expensive, even if my figures above are quite pessimistic.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

A great exercise! Quite a few over calculations there but I agree. Motorhome ownership is not a cheap pastime. Thanks for commenting

[@SMGAPR8]

I agree, we sold ours, our dream bubble was definitely burst, wish Matt's Motorhome podcast was available then 🧐

[@darnsarf]

😂😂

[@TheIrishMegaphone]

Just discovered your channel this morning. Excellent podcast and presentation is very professional. Cannot understand why you have so few subscribers.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Thank you! We are still certainly still growing, steady but surely. We appreciate all our support so far from everyone spreading the word of the podcast

[@rationbookrebecca]

One essential that was missed out - RAC, roadside recovery in case the worst happens..

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Or indeed any breakdown although it is of course included for free on new chassis as part of the manufacturer service.

[@chimchef]

With the fuel, this should only be referred to as smiles per gallon. 😊

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Love this! I may use it 👍🏻🏆🧡

[@worldhello1234]

@24:03 It is a depreciating asset nonetheless. The rate is quite low, though.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

It’s been a turbulent time for values over the last 3 years. Traditionally it is a depreciating asset and that rate of depreciation whilst slowed is still real. That said motorhomes at the moment are still holding their used value. Bought 10 years ago you could still see 0% loss selling today in 2024.

[@LB-W]

Do you have a Vlog that talks about van life builders? With a focus on commercial vs MH on the V5C and insurance issues. Habitation checks. Also how it effects MPH restrictions and payload figures?

[@MotorhomeMatt]

We have indeed covered all of these things. They are spread through numerous episodes and some are news items or Q&A. You can search the website for topics or Google the topic with work podcast and our transcription should reveal the content. If not get in touch and we can point you to the right episodes

[@LB-W]

Thank you Matt you have been very helpful and patient with my many questions. 😌

[@mrkrotosuk]

What about the subject of repossessions? I hear there are tons of repo cars coming on to the market possibly pushing down prices. Do you think the same will happen with motorhomes? What about the 2nd-hand values as we go in to winter?

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Thank you for listening. We will see values dip as we go into winter as is usual although the demand will remain strong. Motorhome finance is something that is far less common than in the car market. So finance company repossessions are less common but no doubt some will struggle with repayments. I think the demand into 2023 will remain strong. Supply will continue to be challenged. The end result will be strong 2nd hand values. That's my crystal ball prediction. I must warn you it is a little scratched and prone to cracking tho LOL!

[@markwallington1233]

I have a Bessacarr 496 2014 and I get 24mpg

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Good to know, thanks for watching!

[@adrianajdelectricals2290]

Hi, I have just discovered your channel so I will be watching more on my journey ( I hope ) to motorhome ownership. Can I ask, is there a perfect A class motorhome for 5 people with 5 seat belts that isn’t huge? Oh and doesn’t cost the earth?

[@MotorhomeMatt]

That’s a great question! 5 seatbelts in an A-class have been a rarity for some time. The vast majority of A-Class motorhomes are 4 belts. This may be to do with payload; the additional weight of an A-class build means the payload is impacted. We tried to find one years ago and actually ended up buying an American A-Class with 6 seatbelts. I had a quick look online for you and I could not find a single A-class for sale with 5 belts. Having an extra seatbelt fitted may be an option but this is a highly regulated process with very strict rules. We have an episode being planned right now on this topic so listen in! Thanks for your question. Enjoy the journey with us :)

[@bigal2417]

Rent one once a year , avoid all these problems ?

[@MotorhomeMatt]

That’s certainly an option for some!

[@SebastianMoody]

Great vid

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Thank you!

[@lupo10]

6:50 a HGV has to have a MOT after one year.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Indeed but not a Private HGV ie motorhome. Correct?

[@lupo10]

@@MotorhomeMatt I stand corrected, if that’s right, I didn’t know that. But I don’t know all the exceptions. Only worked in commercial rules.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Have you got a question about motorhomes, travel or the leisure industry? Ask me directly and hear the answer to your questions on an upcoming podcast! Simply head to www.motorhomematt.co.uk/askmatt or write your question in a comment!

[@russ8544]

Is it worth taking a small family car in tow ?

[@MotorhomeMatt]

We have done this with a smart car and a VW Fox. Plus we have hired a car at our destination. It really does depend on your circumstances and planned use

[@Waynevicv]

love to pay £270 for road tax am paying £325 for my camper van Fiat ducato v line 2020 3500kg

[@MotorhomeMatt]

The road tax was £270 when this was recorded. Shows how much it’s gone up in a short space of time! Thanks for watching

[@terryevans637]

R I C You're using unicorn economics here . Have either of you watched Fantasy Island.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Love this comment thank you

[@goldielocks2621]

Hold onto your cash USED MOTRHOMES going down on price 2024.

[@MotorhomeMatt]

What’s your reasons for thinking this? I’d be interested to hear!

[@alanthomson5042]

Tell its old motorhome talk 20-000 what you buying 60-000

[@MotorhomeMatt]

This video is a year old, but there are still cheaper options out there. All depends what you’re looking for

[@kennymacc]

forgive me if im wrong but doesn't carbon monoxide rise from the floor up? So why are most if not all the Co2 alarms i have seen so high up in vans? (you will be dead before they go off)

[@MotorhomeMatt]

That's a great question. In our shop we have a video about just this, you can watch it here kzbin.info/www/bejne/d2rdkouQp5edsKs

[@keatb3129]

Well, CO2 and carbon monoxide are 2 different gasses for a start. Carbon monoxide is slightly lighter than air. Recommended to have CO (carbon monoxide) alarms at about the same height as the appliance that could emit it.

[@josephmaxwell5033]

CO is Carbon Monoxide. CO2 is Carbon Dioxide.

[@mollypenwhistle7918]

Thanks for this, very helpful... but maybe get a calculator if you are doing maths! 😂

[@MotorhomeMatt]

😅 watching me use a calculator might be even worse 😂

[@swivelclip]

This fella is on a different planet, £5000 to £7000 for a holiday to Costa del sol? He must be staying in the royal suite, what a joke, I don't trust anything he says because his perception of money is way off the mark, must be rich and lost touch with normal people

[@MotorhomeMatt]

Thanks for your comment, if only this were true! If I was rich I'd probably be pricing up a trip to Mauritius, rather than the "Costa del whatnot" mentioned in this episode. I consider myself to be quite normal, in fact.

[@markwallington1233]

I’ve just spent two weeks in Croatia in 2x airbnbs inc flights it was £3000 for 5 of us, pays to shop about