Finding the best motorhome for your needs
Facing the challenge of finding the best motorhome for your needs can be quite daunting. You could start by identifying what you wish to do with the motorhome. Are you going to tour for months on end or just for a couple of weeks? Do you require it for just weekends, perhaps making outings to festivals and sporting events a little more comfortable? How many will be travelling and sleeping in the vehicle? Answering these questions may give you an idea on size and possible layout of the vehicle.
It is doubtless wise to do plenty of research before buying a motorhome to avoid disappointment and unnecessary expense. There are a number of specialist magazines available and looking on the internet might be an option. Attending motorhome shows and exhibitions so you can inspect the vehicles first-hand, even viewing the range offered at a dealership, could help you quantify your choice. However, if you are planning to hire, then finding the best motorhome for your needs is not such a dilemma, as the staff of any reputable hire centre will match their most suitable motorhome to your requirements.
Besides being swayed by the aesthetics of a motorhome, its practical and technical attributes should also be considered. The largest legally allowed motorhome permissible in the UK is 12m long by 2.55m wide. However, most campsite, ferries, road tolls, insurance and recovery packages are based on motorhomes of 6m in length, which is the benchmark between medium and large. Its running costs, the choice of fuel and availability of parts, ought to be considered along with its manoeuvrability.
A very important factor that should never be overlooked when finding the best motorhome for your needs is the payload capacity. This is the difference between the MIRO (Mass in Running Order), the entire manufactured weight, including all the essential equipment for operating and making the motorhome habitable, less the MTPLM (Maximum Technically Permissible Laden Mass) its legal maximum weight that includes all the occupants. There is a chart available to assist you when comparing the various motorhome payload details, as currently there is no universal interpretation of the MIRO regulations between manufacturers.
Another factor is the overhang of your motorhome, the legally permissible overhang in the UK is 60%. However, 55% is deemed more desirable to allow for tow-bars and bike racks. Do not forget that 200-300kg of motorbike on the back of a motorhome not only adds to the payload but also can exceed the permitted rear axle weight. Failure to adhere to payload limitations could lead to serious trouble with the road traffic police and the Law. Therefore, storage is not the only consideration when thinking exactly how much you are going to pack into your motorhome!
The choice of layout is often a personal thing, but it may be wise to remember that as the motorhome is probably going to be used for pleasure, the kitchen should be just big enough to prepare a simple meal and it would most likely be inadequate if there were not a separate toilet and shower. The design of motorhomes is constantly evolving, so try not being too inflexible with your specification when you attempt finding the best motorhome for your needs.