Making your motorhome legal
Messages 1 to 8 of 8.
Oh, also - should I be looking for a LH drive, as I'll be spending most time on the Continent? Thanks
You need the van to have an MOT certificate, hopefully valid for a year, certainly 9 months left on it, its a safety check to make sure its roadworthy, its illegal to drive it without one in the U.K. You will also need road fund licence, called road tax, again a legallity in U.K. Finally you'll need europe wide insurance. A left hooker is as you say a good idea if you are touring europe, you may buy it cheaper here but of course you'll have to sell it cheaper here, so it may be wise to sell it over there at the end of your tour. Keith... ___________________ N.E. Leisure products, registered Powrtouch & Truma distributor, supply & fit at your door the full range of motor movers, used units repaired refurbed & sold, contact me for details at http://www.neleisureproducts.co.uk or [Log in to view email]
Thanks so much for the prompt reply. I notice a lot of MHs for sale include info about time left on MOT, but I wasn't sure about the road tax (what we call 'vehicle registration' here) and of course insurance. At the risk of stretching the friendship, can you give me the roughest estimate of cost for the three items for a period of 12 months? As for insurance, I'd probably not go with comprehensive because it's usually very expensive - I thought for a second-hand van I'd go for something a little more basic. Here we have an insurance that's half the cost of comprehensive, which is called 'Third Party, fire and theft'. Does such an option exist in UK/Europe? Many thanks, Orlando
There are big changes in the taxation classes of vehicles at the moment, all down to how green the emissions are, my old car with its 2.5 litre engine was going up to £410 per year, so i bought a more economical one which is only £120 per year, I believe older cars, vans etc will be fixed at about £200 per year. Insurance is rather odd over here, I think you'll find you can get fully comp much cheaper than third party fire & theft, its strange but it seems most good ins companys don't want the business so dont quote, leaving dearer company's to come in at higher prices, & I would imagine specialist vehicles would be even more so, but I could be wrong. I think the young inexperienced drivers get tpft cheaper but not older drivers. If possible it would be wise to take out a comprehensive breakdown cover as well. Having had 2 camper vans when we were younger & a motorhome for a year we have gone back to a caravan, i found that once you sited it, it was a pain to take the motorhome out to tour around, on many occasions my pitch was stolen, or on open field type pitches someone was parked too close even when the detachable awning was left up & we had to ask them to move to connect to the awning again, i also found that there was very little space in a motorhome even when it looked a fair sized motorhome from the outside, plus you get a whole hell of a lot more caravan for your money than motorhome & if i was to tour europe thats what i would want to be in, but thats my personal choice. Hope this helps, Keith... ___________________ N.E. Leisure products, registered Powrtouch & Truma distributor, supply & fit at your door the full range of motor movers, used units repaired refurbed & sold, contact me for details at http://www.neleisureproducts.co.uk or [Log in to view email]
Thanks so much for all the help - really appreciate it. While I agree with you about the mobliity issues with a motorhome, for us it will be the easier option, as we don't want to have to invest in a car AND a caravan. If you start off with a car, then you'd probably be mad going for a motorhome as well, I agree. Thanks again and all the best, Orlando
Hi it's me again. You mentioned in your other email reply to me that MHs are never quite as big as you think they are. This got me thinking about little annoyances like foldaway beds, access to and from the cab, storage space, things like that. With your experience of MHs, do you have any advice on what to look for in a motorhome, or rather what to watch out for? After all, my partner and I are going to have to LIVE in the thing for as much as twelve months - we get on each other's nerves enough living in a house - I assume living in a MH will present new horrors. Cheers, Orlando
I felt that I am just too big (read fat) to work in such restricted spaces like motorhome cupboards. You have to pay through the nose to buy one, i cannot see how you can buy something cheaper which is modern & reliable enough to tour europe rather than buy a car & caravan combo, my former company didn't have a motor home on stock for less than about 8 grand, i could buy a mid 90s dry clean van for around 2 grand & a decent tow car for the same, if not less. I saw a decent Avondale caravan on ebay for £1400 last week, I'm thinking of bidding for it myself. Anyway each to his own, I hope you find a decent vehicle, you are probably better going for a smaller van with free standing awning rather than as large as you can afford, that way you will generate far more space than a larger van & your missus can always chuck you out when she's had enough of you & you'll still have a bed to sleep in. LOL Keith... P.s after re reading your postings I did have one thought, you said should you go for left hand drive yes you should, whichever you choose, left hookers will be cheaper to buy in the Uk, but more so cars than motor homes. ___________________ N.E. Leisure products, registered Powrtouch & Truma distributor, supply & fit at your door the full range of motor movers, used units repaired refurbed & sold, contact me for details at http://www.neleisureproducts.co.uk or [Log in to view email]
Once again, thanks ever so much for your great info. All the very best, Orlando
Messages 1 to 8 of 8.
Important NoteAll messages are submitted by visitors to this web site, and represent their own personal opinion. They do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Preloved. You use this information at your own risk. Preloved can not be held responsible for any damages or loss resulting from the use of this site. Please see our Terms and Conditions for more details. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Not a member yet?Why not join the fun for free! Members can sell their stuff completely free of charge, have searches prioritised for their local area, and lots more. Join for free | Member Log In
Are you a fan of Preloved?
If so, why not help us spread the Joy of Second Hand by joining us on Facebook. [more...] |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Edited by keith 5 November 2009, 9:06 AM
More discussion in