We are Mike and Ali Kingston and whenever we can we live full time in our motorhome. This website is about us and our life in the motorhome, places we visit and people we meet. A basic travelogue really with photographs.
I have recently been asked to write a list of 10 most important things to consider when purchasing a motorhome for full time travel. Whole books have been written on this subject but briefly the following items could be important to you.
Here are some points to consider when buying a motorhome for long term travelling.
1. Age-if the vehicle is over 3 years old you need to come back to the UK for an MOT as without one negates insurance. However brand new comes with a hefty price tag though you get a guarantee on all the fixtures.
2. Layout. Lots of motorhomes have a double bed but not as a permanent fixture. Our 1st Motorhome had a double bed above the cab which had a high dome so it wasn't claustrophobic. We are agile enough to go up and down stairs.Our second one had a permanent bed at the back. Many motorhomes have single beds which we didn't want. Both motorhomes had a dinette which meant we ate our meals at the table and also had separate space for other activities in our case computer, board games, cards etc. The lounge area is also important. Do you like to relax and watch TV? Look at the size of the motorhome. Is it very tall-are height restrictions going to be an issue? Who is going to do the driving? How are you going to get about when you get there? Pushbikes? In the motorhome, a motorbike or towed car?
3. Cooking facilities. Motorhomes purchased in Europe and many Hymers over here don't have an oven just gas burners. Not a problem perhaps in the summer if you like barbecues but in winter you may fancy baking foods.
4. Storage space. ? Top box or some motorhomes have a garage and big understore cupboards. The garages are good for hiding items such as push bikes but you lose space inside.
5. Capacity ie. Can you have a spare toilet casette, how much fresh water can you store? How big is the grey tank? These are v important if you fancy free camping off campsites.
6. Security. If you are off campsites do you want a dog? Excellent deterrent for burgulars in europe. Consider chaining the two front doors together to stop break ins through the front doors of the cab. Consider extra visible locks on the door to the living space. There are many opportunist thieves out there and a motorhome is seen as easy pickings. Not wishing to be a doom monger-just realistic and what we have learnt through experience.
7. Energy requirements- If you plan to stay off campsites you will be using a 12v supply off batteries. This can be converted to 240v for recharging mobile phones, computer watching tv etc. We have had a solar panel fitted to both our motorhomes which has proved invaluable and environmentally friendly. Some people have a wind turbine. We have a generator on our second motorhome but it is noisy and guzzles fuel so we rarely use it.
8. Fuel consumption. Fuel is expensive everywhere. We minimised our mileage on our second motorhome by exploring/sight seeing in a towed car. We also had long range LPG tanks fitted which we always used except in Spain where it is very difficult to get hold of. Our first vehicle ran on diesel and although we got good mileage we did more miles as we drove up and down a lot of proms and beach fronts looking for places to stop.
9. Communications-are advancing all the time and getting cheaper and easier. Buy an unlocked mobile phone and put in a pay as you go SIM card that doesn't cost the earth in roaming charges. Open a skype account so you can make free calls from your laptop. Make the most of any free wireless signal out there for emailing and communicating.
10. Finally, ENJOY. Full timing in a motorhome is great fun. It's a different world and as soon as you get into it you learn about a new way of life. Love your travelling companion and if you feel a 'situation' may be brewing back away. Go for a walk, immerse in a book but try not to fall out. Life's too short and if you stop and take a time out things are rarely as bad as they seem.
Morocco November 2007