What Sort of Motorhome Should I Purchase?

What Sort of Motorhome Should I Purchase?

​The RV World is expanding as baby boomers retire and the general population want the freedom of living off the grid, or at least away from home. There are so many options out there and so many things to think about, so we have put this guide together to help you through the process.

Weighing Up Your Options

​The first thing you need to do is look at the varying configurations of motorhomes. There are dozens of different configurations; however, we believe there are three main configurations which we would like to highlight.

Permanent Island Bed Model

​Having a permanent bed is fantastic when you park up after a long day. You can lay down and have a nap and there’s no hassle of making the bed every night. All positives do come with a negative, though. The bed takes up a lot of space, and if you are purchasing something between 6 - 8 meters long then the bed does eat up quite a bit of your overall interior.
 
Ideally, if you are purchasing a Motorhome with a permanent island bed then you want to make sure your front driver and passenger seats rotate so you can use them when you park up. At the least, make sure you have a big enough dining area for your requirements.

The U-Shape Lounge Cabover

 This motorhome is very popular with rental companies. Usually, they are 6 berth which makes it very convenient for families. This Motorhome is well-suited for families as there are 6 seatbelts and lots of options for sleeping, dining and relaxing. 
You will find:
 

• there is a large, permanent double bed above the cab – this area is called the Luton
• the centre area doubles during the day for dining and also for added car seats whilst travelling – this dining area can convert into a double bed at night
• the U-shaped lounge in the rear can be used as a lounge or dining area during the day and also converts to a double bed at night
• usually, this model motorhome has a good-sized kitchen featuring both a Hobbs and an oven​

The Dropdown Bed Cabover

​It’s like having the best of both worlds. In this 4-berth, you will find:
 

• a large, permanent double bed above the cab – this area is called the Luton
• the centre dining area is fixed and generally doesn’t turn into a double bed – this is the area where additional passengers will sit when travelling
• the beauty about this model is that you have the U-shaped lounge in the rear for daytime use and then the bed which is hidden in the ceiling drops down for night time use
• usually a good-sized kitchen featuring both a Hobbs and an oven

 
Make sure you test the bed in the motorhome you want to purchase, especially if you are tall.

What Are the Essentials?

The first thing you need to think about is whether you are going to mainly stay in a camp ground, freedom camp or both. If you are not going to freedom camp then things like solar power and water capacity will not be so important.
 
However, if you are going to go off the grid for a few days then these are things that become more important. Ideally, you want around 20 litres of water per person per day for freedom camping. As for solar power, you ideally want a minimum of a 150-watt panel and a regulator.
 
Obviously, the amount of power that you will generate will depend on the weather and the time of the year. Also, if you want to generate power from your solar panel then remember not to park under a tree for the shade and coolness. This will have a huge impact on your ability to recharge your batteries.

Choosing a TV and DVD Player

There are many sizes and options available. Ask your dealer what’s going to work best for the space you have available. Also, make sure it has an inbuilt DVD and USB port. 

Satellite Dish Options

​You need to research carefully as to which option will work best for you when it comes to a satellite dish. There are cheaper ground dishes right through to the fully automatic roof models. You need to think carefully about your roof height if you are parking the Motorhome under cover. This may restrict some satellite dishes from your shopping menu. Speak to your dealer about Sky TV options.

Oven and Cook Top

​Before you purchase, it’s always a good idea to think about how you are going to cook and how much space you are wanting to give up for benches. Many European models have smaller kitchen areas and some don’t have ovens, so you need to think about whether you want an oven or just a Hobbs with a grill.

Your Refrigerator

​Your refrigerator is one of the most used things in your motorhome. There are many refrigerator options; however, most fall into a 12-volt category or a 3-Way Fridge. Here are the differences:

12-Volt Only Refrigerator

​The 12-volt fridge will only run off your house batteries. Many rental motorhomes only have a 12-volt option as they are travelling most days and the engine will recharge the batteries. The disadvantage of 12-volt only is when you are parked in the same spot for multiple days, with no engine running. Solar will obviously assist and so will additional house batteries. You will need lots of solar to keep your batteries charged and if you get overcast days then your house batteries could run flat. 

3-Way Refrigerator

​The Automatic 3-way fridge is the ultimate way to go. You get the benefit of your battery running the fridge whilst you are driving, the fridge works off 240-volt power if you are plugged in at home or at a campground, and then you can use gas when freedom camping. An automatic option will self-select depending on whether you are driving or parked. We do recommend that you turn your gas off whilst travelling.

Speak to DeLuxe RV Group for More Information

​Our motorhome specialists are here to help with any query you may have about your purchase. Contact us online or call 03 926 6789.