Archive for the ‘CamperVan’ Category

Where to buy a new campervan

When considering where to buy a new campervan you could take a look at the many dealerships, you can also use the internet to find dealers and make comparisons and of course you can attend motorhome shows before buying. All of these will give you a great idea on the many different types of campervan that are available.

When asking yourself where to buy a new campervan a dealership is one of the best places to begin. There are many dealerships that specialise in campervans and this is where you would get the widest choice.

However one of the factors that should be taken into consideration when looking at dealerships throughout the country is to try and buy locally. This is due to the fact that if anything should go wrong with the campervan after you have bought it, you would not have to travel for many miles to take the van back to the dealership.

Once you have found a dealership and the right campervan for the right price then you can go ahead and buy. However some campervans could be very expensive and you might have to take out finance for it. The dealership will usually offer finance to help you buy your motorhome, however this might not be the cheapest option and you should consider whether you could get finance cheaper elsewhere.

If you choose a dealership to buy your new campervan and have taken out a loan to pay for the purchase then you can haggle to get something knocked of price of the campervan. Many dealers will expect this so it is worth trying especially if you are walking in there with cash in your pocket. One word of warning, never feel pressured into rushing into buying the motorhome. The dealer could tell you that the price on the windscreen is for one day only or that there is a great deal of interest in the model you are looking at. Nine times out of ten what the dealer says will be far from the truth. Always take the time to ensure that the purchase is what you want at a price you can afford.

When considering where to buy a new campervan the internet can help you. There are comparison sites that would allow you to make a search for the perfect campervan for your needs. There are many different models out there and each will offer a different layout. With a comparison website you would be able to search for the type most suitable and gain a vast amount of information of the campervan. Once you have found the perfect model then you can make a search for the dealerships that carry that model and compare the prices.

Buying a used campervan

There is normally a used campervan in the market place to suit most budgets and design preference. As with all purchases, information is power, so plenty of research before you commence your purchasing trip could be the key when buying a used campervan. Make a list of wants and sort these into ‘must haves’ and ‘would be nice’. Do not be too ridged or unrealistic with your ‘wish list’. After all, the campervan will be second-hand and its condition should reflect its age and mileage. It might be disappointing and expensive to refuse a campervan with low mileage and full service history in favour or a less sound vehicle based on its interior layout!

When buying a used campervan, always view your would-be purchase in good daylight conditions, as this should make detecting flaws easier. Look for cracks on the outside, sun damage, knocks, scrapes etc and check the seals and trims. Look at the chassis and inspect underneath the vehicle. Inside, check the cupboards, handles, carpets, upholstery and beware of over personalisation of the interior. Ensure that there are no signs of damp. It normally has a distinctive smell and mildew is often present in corners and cupboards. An inexpensive damp meter could assist with this.

Test all the electrical and gas equipment, making sure that the seller fully demonstrates every single feature is in good working order and that they all operate from a hook up. Always take the campervan for a test drive, ensuring that you drive down both town and country roads. Also, try parking it and turning it around so that you are fully comfortable with its degree of manoeuvrability.

If buying privately, always insist on viewing the campervan at the seller’s home address so that you can verify ownership. Insist on seeing full documentation and check the chassis and engine numbers. Motoring organisations, for example, the RAC and AA, offer on-line history checks, full inspection and road tests. Be aware that a private seller does not have to make a statement regarding the vehicles condition. However, they are legally obliged to answer truthfully any specific vehicle related question. If you are buying a used campervan from a dealer, they are duty bound to ensure everything is in safe working order and many provide a guarantee with the sale. Some dealers also offer part exchange deals and provide finance arrangements.

Regardless of whom you approach, it is often sensible to shop locally. This not only makes the travelling to view easier but also any after-sales visits more convenient. Also, when buying a used campervan, always haggle. Not just on the price but also for extra items that may not be included in the selling price.

Tips on buying a new campervan

Having the ability to enjoy pastimes for longer and with additional comfort could be made possible by using a vehicle such as a campervan. If home away from home whilst travelling appeals to you, then the following information and tips on buying a new campervan might be of value.

A campervan, or day-van, is referred to as a B-class motorhome, are panels vans converted by the manufacturer into motorhomes. There is a selection of vehicles within this category to suit a range of budgets, storage and layout preferences, so it could be prudent to take your time and do some research before committing to a purchase. It is possible to do this research on-line, or if you prefer by perusing specialist magazines. Often campervan owners are very keen to chat about their vehicles and you might obtain valuable pointers about the practical characteristics of certain models that may help you decide.

Visiting a motorhome show would allow you to view first-hand a good range of new campervan models. Try looking for models with generous payloads, especially if your plans involve the inclusion of heavy equipment in your luggage. Also, give the overhang some consideration. Having a bike rack and bikes could easily have your vehicle exceed the 60% maximum, plus the weight limit for the rear axle.

Once you are certain that a new campervan is for you, pay a visit to your local dealer. Shopping locally does not just make the purchasing visit easier but also any after-sale visits and servicing, more convenient. Once there, again take your time, take hours to view if you feel it necessary. Have the sales representative fully demonstrate all the features and accessories. Take the vehicle for a test drive, making sure that you travel down both country lanes and town roads. Always try parallel parking the vehicle and ensure you are fully comfortable with its degree of manoeuvrability. If you are still not sure, why not hire a particular model for a weekend or holiday.

Never rush your purchase and do not be pressurised by any time-limited deals. In fact, if you are requiring finance for your purchase then fully explore and compare the options available from other providers besides those offered by the dealer. Some dealers will accept part-exchange, which may include cars and boats. However, once you have made your choice, then haggle! Not just on the price but also on the extras, for example, hook-up leads which may not be included in the price. These are just a few tips on buying a new campervan, which might lead to many years of happy campervan ownership.

Essential items for your campervan

Before embarking on a journey in your campervan, a number of checks could be performed to ensure a pleasant outing. Besides doing the usual inspection of tyre pressures, oil level, fuel, water and windscreen washer, there are a number of other essential items for your campervan, whose absence could make your trip problematic and spoil your enjoyment.

Ensure that you have packed all the necessary habitation equipment. For example, it might be difficult to power anything that requires electricity without a leisure battery or the main electric hook-up lead. How could you boil a kettle for tea or cook a meal if you have forgotten the gas tank or allowed it to run empty? If you plan to travel during a national holiday or in an area where the availability of gas supplies could be reduced, then it might be sensible to make sure you have enough gas for the whole trip. This could be especially important if you are travelling in Europe, as each country seems to have its own gas suppliers and bottles making the refilling or exchanging of gas containers impossible.

Forgetting to fill the fresh water container, or worse still, forgetting it completely or any of its components such as the submersible pump and connections, could make any impromptu stop for a drink unfeasible. Even having a wash within the campervan might be difficult without fresh water and may be virtually impossible if the wastewater container and connecting pipe were left behind.

It rather defeats the object of being able to travel freely around if you must stay in campsites that can provide the facilities your oversight has denied you. Especially so if it is the chemical toilet you have forgotten! You could reduce the risk of neglecting to include these essential items for your campervan when preparing for a trip by composing a checklist in advance. In this way even the little essential things like the spare wheel and jack, the tiny portable step, first aid kit, fire extinguisher and the rear registration plate for the bike rack, could be less likely forgotten.

Protect your campervan from being stolen

Whether you use your campervan for daytrips or for longer outings, one of the attractions of using it is because it can be your home from home whilst travelling. Therefore, it makes sense to protect your campervan from being stolen by undertaking a few simple steps that can reduce the likelihood of theft.

One of the simplest things you could do is not to make things easy for the criminal. Always lock all the doors and windows when leaving the campervan even if it is just for a very short time. After-all, the thief could be in the driving seat and away in less time than it takes you to walk to the kiosk and pay for the fuel you have just filled up with. The fitting of an immobiliser could add to the difficulty of starting your campervan without the keys… because you always take the keys with you, don’t you?

Although good quality padlocks and heavy-duty chains might be expensive to buy, their presence could make attempting to remove items like gas tanks or bicycles from a bike rack rather challenging and time consuming. Using locking wheel nuts and fitting an alarm from a reputable company, which is activated each time you leave the vehicle, could also act as an effective deterrent. The idea of stealing your campervan and stripping it for parts and accessories might not be so attractive if the actual initial vehicle theft is not going easy.

Whenever you leave your campervan, always take your valuables with you. Never leave them in plain sight, always lock things away. Even items of clothing or trainers can be appealing to a thief who might be tempted to try to break in for a closer look. Whilst inside, takes a good look around and could be happy to remove anything that is not locked away, even the campervan itself. If you leave any of your vehicles registration documents inside, it could make stealing your campervan to sell on, worthwhile.

Having the registration number of your campervan etched onto all its windows and any other part that could be removed and sold on, could help reduce your vehicle’s appeal to a criminal. It might also be prudent to security mark all your valuable possessions within the campervan, perhaps using an ultraviolet pen if etching is not practical. You could also electronically tag your campervan to give added security. All these tips could help you protect your campervan from being stolen.

Where to buy a new campervan

Campervans are also known as Class-B motorhomes or day-vans and are invariably panels vans, such as the Ford Transit, fitted out as motorhomes. When considering where to buy a new campervan, the majority of people choose to buy from a dealer. With the latest technology available, it is now possible to view many campervans using the internet before venturing out to visit the dealers. For ease, it is often advisable, to shop locally, thus reducing the amount of travelling time required for both buying and making any trips for after-sales care.

There are many campervans to choose from so good research to find the one that most suits your needs can be important. It might be advantageous to visit motorhome shows and exhibitions to view first-hand the selection of makes and models with their variety of layouts. There is also a vast array of add-ons available, which may prove desirable, for example, awnings and bike racks. Visiting a motorhome show may possibly assist you when deciding which campervan to buy, however, a buyer might be shrewd not to be too ridged with their requirements, as this may inhibit obtaining a good deal when purchasing.

It can be prudent to take your time when buying a new campervan; do not be pressurized into taking a time-limited deal. If possible, hire the type of campervan you wish to buy first to ensure that it meets all your requirements and that you are comfortable with its lay-out and manoeuvrability. Failing that, at least spend a couple of hours in the new campervan before committing to the sale.

Always take it for a test drive, making sure that you travel down both country lanes and town roads, and try parking it. Have the dealers demonstrate all the equipment and accessories are in good working order and that you are familiar with their operation before proceeding with the purchase.

Be brave and haggle, not just over the price but also the extras that are often not included, for example, the gas hook-up lead. If you require finance when purchasing, always compare their financial arrangements with those on offer from other providers. The dealer may also offer part-exchange deals, which may include taking cars, motorbike and boats. These are all factors you may wish to take into account when considering where to buy a new campervan.