Top 10 Tips - Buying Your First Motorhome or Campervan

[@TheJerk1974]

Hi both, I love the channel and have really enjoyed watching your videos. Can I ask you a couple of questions please (sorry if you answer these in videos I haven't seen yet)? 1) I think your van would be advertised as a 4 berth but do you feel that is realistic (got a couple of teenagers who are right on the cusp of having their own holidays but may want to come with us for a year or two more yet)? 2) Is the shower in your van OK or do you tend to use the site facilities? Thanks for putting your time and effort into the channel. Cheers, James

[@VantasticAdventures]

Hi James, thank you and glad you are enjoying the videos 🥰 The van is a 4 berth but with 2 teens you may need to adapt a little. The pop top is great, plenty of space for 2 and the downstairs bed is even bigger but the issue is they are both doubles so if the teens don't mind sharing then it should be fine, you could easily use 2 sleeping bags instead of a duvet etc. The other alternative is to take an awning or tent, we have a drive away awning that attaches to the van, we had 5 of us in the van for 3 nights and 2 dogs with 1 teen in the pop top and 2 people sleeping in the awning so very versatile. The bathroom is average size for a campervan, the shower is fine to use but the boiler only holds 10 litre of water so need to use sparingly for multiple showers although the shower head has a trigger so you can control it 👍 Any other questions please let us know 🥰

[@kenpurnell4798]

Another suggestion may be dealer verses buying privately.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Great idea, definitely a question we get asked a lot, hopefully a few more review videos over the winter 😊👍

[@paul-fk7de]

Hi am just a new subscriber find your channel very helpful just wondering if you could steer me in the right direction what to look for a do have a budget am after a 2 berth motorhome maybe 1990s to 2000 model's

[@VantasticAdventures]

Hi Paul, welcome to our channel and thank you for subscribing 🥰 The search for a new motorhome is very exciting, we enjoyed it as much as owning one as there is just so much choice and things to consider. We have tried to summarise some key points below but any questions please let us know and will do our best to help: Take your time - probably the most important, don't rush, make sure what you are buying fulfils all your wish list or as close as possible. Visit a dealer or a show - that way you can see what kind of layouts work best for you, this is key as it will impact how you use the van so it needs to be the best layout for your needs. Research - once you understand the best layout, go online to look at what brands made motorhomes like that and try to learn as much as possible. Join forums or social media pages and ask questions, most owners groups are really friendly and helpful. Warranty and checks - before you buy check the history of the motorhome and what warranty you will get if from a dealer. You pay more from a dealer but usually get some warranty and reassurance it's been thoroughly checked. Motorhomes should have a habitation check for the living area part every year and it's important they are certified checks (e.g. by an NCC approved person) - the gas, electrics and also checked for damp. Van conversions are less impacted by damp still should be checked. Also you need to check the history of the cab part, i.e. the engine, etc. To make sure all servicing has been kept up to date, timing belts changed and similar like when buying a car. It seems lots to consider but once you start looking it becomes much clearer. Take your time and get the right layout are the maim things. Also look at the manufacturers websites for ideas, Auto-Trail for example have all their old manuals and brochures on their website you can download for free so you can see older models and get ideas for layouts - that's very helpful 😊 Good luck with your choice, let us know how you get on and any questions drop us a message 👍

[@DABroke]

I have recently come across your channel (now subscribed!) I am not a campervan/motorhome owner .....yet, but hopefully will be taking the plunge probably by about early to mid next year. Already we have decided that a well spec'd campervan would probably fit the bill for us, so your videos have already been very useful to us. (My wife's requirement are similar to Carolines - a toilet and some heating!! This video in particular certainly gives some very sound and logical advice. It's all very well watching reviews, but your channel really does give the viewer a flavour of how the van can be used. Thank you for the effort you put in to produce your content - much appreciated.

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you for your lovely comments, we really appreciate it 🥰 Glad you are finding the videos useful, we are trying to mix up the content as much as possible to show the van being used so good to know we are on the right track 👍 Enjoy the choosing part, we enjoyed that so much and hopefully the NEC show will go ahead in February, that's a great place to see all the vans and try out the layouts 😁

[@peterhobbs7609]

Good tips, and enjoyable video, thanks guys

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you 😁👍

[@barryhaines1727]

Thanks great video very helpful

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you Barry, glad you found it useful 🥰👍

[@russfinn4602]

good advise new buyers so many of us have made that mistake of buying wrong layout enjoy when able too

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you Russ, with hindsight we were very lucky the first van didn't come off as we wouldn't have enjoyed it nearly as much as the Adventure, very glad we watched KZbin channels for advice so we hope to help others now ourselves 😁👍

[@timharrison3521]

Hey you two, thank you so much for this video, I came across your channel a couple of weeks ago and am now going through all the videos. A great point about take your time, I really came close to taking the plunge just before Christmas (Suze the sensible dragged me away🤣). I know we’re not quite ready yet, so patience is the way forward. Thanks again 🙌☕️

[@VantasticAdventures]

Hi Tim, thank you for your lovely feedback and welcome to our channel 🥰 Well done for taking your time, it's one of the hardest things to do once you decide you want a van 😂 The NEC show really helped us understand the layouts and what would work better for us so hopefully you get chance to visit in February, it's a great place to get information and sit in the layouts etc. 😁👍

[@Bobjuana]

Really helpful and informative guys, some great suggestions. The thought and preparation you put in to choosing your own Campervan has clearly paid off. Looking forward to hearing your recommendations for Top 5 KZbin channels 👍🏻

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thanks very much Lyndon, we hope our experiences help anyone new looking to buy too 🥰😁👍

[@sccobyste]

Iain out of interest have you put your van on a weigh bridge seems they are pretty heavy with the pop top

[@tylerstravels0610]

Very informative video, always useful to do research before buying and spending such a large amount of money :-) We looked around loads, mainly Elddis though, as they were in our price range, i mean cheap ( as far as vans go anyway :-) ) Then we decided ( well Debz decided ) on the CV40 as that has the front dinette which we like and also a good place for Tyler to sit on journeys, where as the CV20 ( our 2nd choice) did nt. Counting down the days now until we get it :-)

[@VantasticAdventures]

Thank you 🥰 yes we went through a similar thought process when looking at vans and came to the same conclusion on the CV20 so it didn't make the short list due to layout but a nice van too 😁👍

[@pig733t9]

Thanks for tips. Really helpful. Just a question, how do you secure Mollie while driving? Thanks

[@VantasticAdventures]

Hello 🥰 Thank you that's very nice of you to say 😁 it's a very good question, one we get asked quite a lot so coincidentally we have a video coming this Friday which will show this in more detail. Also check out this video which may give a bit more info on traveling with dogs kzbin.info/www/bejne/l328XpSih6yAa9k 😁👍

[@chazzabrown26]

Very useful video. Would you guys recommend hiring a Campervan/Motorhome first if you're unsure on the long term commitment?

[@VantasticAdventures]

Great Question! Yes absolutely if you are in any doubt the family will enjoy it try before you buy - especially if you haven't been camping or caravanning before. It's an expensive purchase so another good tip - thank you 😁👍❤️

[@davidmeadowcroft7626]

Great video and some really valid points raised. Men and their spreadsheets eh Caroline 😂 I’m a bit like Iain in as much as it’s sometimes the first thing I see. Research has said that it takes 3 attempts to actually get the right van that you settle on for the long term. Take care from Mal, Dave and Sally the Labrador in Stoke

[@VantasticAdventures]

😂 thank you, yes we have spreadsheets for everything that's interesting but not always the most important things 😁 We are glad we didn't rush in for once, definitely taking your time is highly recommended 👍 P.S. Mollie would love Sally, labs are her favourite along with other Collies ❤️

[@richardbisset8323]

Is there a site or dealer best fir theses vans .

[@VantasticAdventures]

Hi Richard, we were able to view the van at the NEC show in Birmingham but sadly they have just cancelled this year's show in October. Also our local dealer, Spinney in Cheshire had one in when we were passing so we're able to have a second look but the adventure appears to have sold out everywhere this year so dealer stock is very limited or non existent unless you can find a cancelled order. You could ask your local dealer if they would let you see a sold on before it has the covers removed etc and delivered to the customer, some dealers do this so worth asking with the current stock situation 👍