Why did you buy a Motor Home.

iana · Guru

Why did you buy a Motor Home.

Happywanderer · The Master

Advantages would be only one lot of insurance and rego. One lot of maintenance.
I have what I call a mini motorhome as it is fully self contained, small enough to go anywhere and Ive never towed anything in my life.
Disadvantages, I would love a 4x4 so I could go more places.

-- Edited by Happywanderer on Friday 3rd of April 2015 11:32:06 AM

TommyG · Senior Member

We explored all options and eventually settled on a long wheel based 6 cyl Coaster for our first trip around Australia. Many reasons for this choice. Robust vehicle, spares readily available, standard tyre size, fairly fuel efficient, we also like to be able to easily go from the cab to the house when we stop.
We found the coaster easy enough to park in shopping centres and CPs.
My wife didnt have any problem getting a LR licence and found the coaster easy to drive.
Once we got used to travelling in a motorhome we liked the concept, We joined the CMCA and also joined a chapter. We love the camaraderie.
We have since sold the coaster and replaced it with a Telvor 7M 4.5 tonne motorhome, Merc sprinter 413. This unit is very fuel efficient for its size, comfortable and a pleasure to drive.
Its turning circle and parking attributes are better than an 80 series Land Cruiser tray top ute.
We watch with interest and often amusement as some caravanners spend up to half an hour unhooking and putting down stabilisers and connecting sullage hoses only to go through the reverse the next morning before moving off.
We roll in the awning, fold up the satellite dish and drive away. I dont mean this as a derogatory remark, its just something that wouldnt appeal to us. We do sometimes see caravanners drive off to go into town if its a distance away and think: Gee thats easier for them than us but overall we wouldnt change what we have for the alternative. As for camper trailers, we did all that when we were younger and had two kids. Nowadays we wouldnt give that a second thought. Twice we have seen camper trailers caught when a sudden torrential down poor has struck. Watching people try to pack up and fold up one of these, when its bucketing down rain and they are standing shin deep in water brings tears to your eyes. Watching the set-up and fold-up even when its not raining makes us think its probably beyond a couple of old fart like us.
Its all a matter of individual choice and compromise, as far as we are concerned its a holiday adventure of camping out (sometimes for up to 8 months). We like the comfort of the shower & toilet but we dont expect to have the patio, garden and all the extras that our home has with us.
As I say it a compromise to home but its nicer if its as comfortable as a camper/caravan/ trailer/ whatever, can be.
I think a 5th wheeler might be a good second choice.
As far as security screens go, I have yet to see any that couldnt be breeched in less than 1 minute by simply dropping a rope through the top bringing it down to about half way, putting a loop at that point, push the other end of the rope through the loop and a quick pull on the rope would pop the screen out or destroy it enough to gain entry. They possibly give a feeling of security and offer a visual deterrent. We have never bothered with them.

madaboutled · Guru

I've had caravans for more than 25 years and a converted bus before that, in last 4 years we've averaged 8 months on the road each year with our old van and it's been great. I just don't bend as well as I used to and to put it mildly, I'm also facing loosing my lower left leg in the not to distant future. So, we decided to get a motor home to make it easier for me physically because we still love to travel. We've only had the MH for about 10 months and honestly I wish I had it years ago, so much easier!.

Regards Steve.

eureka · Senior Member

The transition from caravan to motor home has been an ongoing felling of confinement for me, I miss uncoupling the car and driving off to the shop or to explore the area.
So a couple of weeks ago I went to Super Cheap and bought a fold up bike, having tried it out today I'm feeling good after a slow couple of kl ride.
Also, I have to remember to plan and bring what I need for the stay, till I move on. I think I'll get the hang of it.
H

deverall11 · Guru

Horses for courses. We spent quiet a bit of time researching the whole thing. The list of pros and cons simply just grew together with confusion.
Different time different place/approach. I fully sympathise with those who have a motorhome because os ease of use.
Any number of reasons will go into the pros and cons list.
For us, two things were the standout items in the end:
1) A motorhome will depreciate at the same rate as a vehicle. At the end of the days that's what it is.
2) Being restricted to having one vehicle.
Towing a 'run-around' vehicle is an option but, two vehicles now depreciating. A caravan does not depreciate at the same rate and is cheaper to register.
As time goes on, I can see ourselves going from caravan to motorhome for the reasons mentioned in this thread.
As I said, horses for courses and different time/different place.
Bottom line is there is no such thing as a motorhome is better then a caravan or vice versa. Each has its own place.
Larry

iana · Guru

Sound fair enough so far, I wonder why some folks have a big motor home, then tow a trailer with a car on it.
I think its Glenelg here on the forum has one of the small 5th wheeler vans available now in Oz, a Ultima Café. There are also other models being released by different Oz. manufacturers being about 18ft long making a very short combined tow length, with the added advantage of having the prime mover available as a day trip vehicle.
When I went to the Perth caravan show I visited many motor homes, but didn't see the attraction. Yet I have friends who have travelled all over in a small Hi-Ace.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

As you get older the motorhome becomes the better option.
I have never had issues parking 9m motorhome near a shopping centres.
Yes I we've had to walk a little .. Done us more good than bad! Hmm.
Must remember with van .. You may want a larger vehicle to tow than what you have..
I wouldn't consider the smaller SUVs ...

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

iana wrote:
My list of reasons that you may have brought a Motor Home, I have come up with are:
You want to do a quick tour and only have short stays at each destination.
You don't feel comfortable backing a trailer.
You feel insecure at camp sites and need to take off in case of trouble (I have seen motor homes completely enclosed with security mesh).
You haven't fully explored the other options.

None of those....

We want to go places that a caravan simply won't go.

We want to live with a high level of comfort.

Setting up camp or packing up takes 2 minutes so if we need to explore or go shopping, we do it with the MH.

All of our 'conveniences' are always with us.

We can change our mind about where we spend the night without having to go back to get the accommodation.

Even when not travelling, the MH is my daily driver. A late night with friends and we always have our accommodation with us.

Cheers,

Peter

Woolly · Senior Member

1. I can tow the boat.
2. Don't get wet when raining just climb into the back.
3. If we go for a night out, don't have to worry about driving home.
4. Fuel economy 10km's to the litre.
5. Ease of getting around in city traffic.
6. If we decide to go away on the spur of the moment, we are on the road in 30 seconds.
7. Takes us less then a minute to setup (30 seconds to wind out awning, 15 seconds to pull out chair & 10 seconds to take the top of a stubbie)
8. Takes us less then 30 seconds to pack up.
9. We can go anywhere we wish to go, no worrying about the NO caravans past this point signs.

These are just a few off the top of my head.
The biggest one for me is the setting up & packing up, we went away for a few days over Christmas & it was raining when we got there. We just waited for a small break & wound out the awning & we we done. The bloke next door turned around & said is that it, I went yep as I grabbed a drink. He turned around & said "it took me an hour + yesterday in the rain & got drenched you pull up and are set up in less then a minute" then he told his wife that they were selling the van to buy a M/H.
I have seen guys takes forever to set up, even just to get the van level. I just pull up and as long as the van is not on a 45 degree angle & our heads are uphill we are happy.

The bit of having to pack up your M/h to go sight seeing doesn't worry us for we throw the 2 chairs in the door & wind in the awning as i said earlier.
Personally there is NO way at this stage in our traveling life that we would own a caravan, we like the ease of doing what we do now.

There has been a few times that I walk in the door after work and say lets go somewhere, I go to the fridge and grab the milk, freezer to grab some meat & as I'm walking past I grab the fresh bread of the bench. As I am doing this my partner is locking the house & we are on our way in less then 5 minutes, generally with no idea where we are going. We get to the first intersection & decide left or right then look at wikicamps to find a free or low cost camp somewhere. We couldn't do this with a van.

-- Edited by Woolly on Friday 3rd of April 2015 01:56:23 PM

shekon · Guru

biggrin I should qualify this answer because I am feeling in a silly mood at present. biggrin

I bought a MH because I could!!!!! confuse confuse confuse

-- Edited by shekon on Friday 3rd of April 2015 03:04:33 PM

frangipani · Guru

biggrin wink biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin I'll put my two cents in, I bought Athena

"To piss my in-laws off"

shekon · Guru

Darn I haven't even had a drink. RockyLizard I need your help please. Could you please put my grandchildren and Miss Daisy back up the right way. Oops I think I might have gone off topic. Still it is my first time going off topic, so I can be forgiven.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

shekon · Guru

Phewwww thanks for that Dougwe, now I know where I am. I think I might need a glass of something, after getting so lost.

chaslib · Senior Member

Rather than repeat the majority of reasons listed below for opting to go the motorhome way, suffice to say ..... Ditto Especially when compared with setting and packing up a camper trailer type of set up ....grrrrrrrrrrr!

Phillipn · Guru

shekon wrote:
I should qualify this answer because I am feeling in a silly mood at present.

I bought a MH because I could!!!!!

-- Edited by shekon on Friday 3rd of April 2015 03:04:33 PM

I turned the computer upside down to view your photo, because I cant stand on my head. biggrin[1].gif

jade46 · Senior Member

Comfort and safety at highway speed. MH will sit on 100/110kph all day safely on most bitumen roads.How many caravans have you followed that are all over the road swaying etc and a lot,not all struggle to maintain 100kph and hold up a stream of traffic behind. Fuel economy has already been mentioned I average 10 /12 lts 100k with 4400kg MH . I have a 28ft MH which gives me about 26 foot of usable space with the overcab bed as storage. If I had a 26ft caravan I doubt I could get this fuel economy or be able to tow at highway speeds as safely.

+Ditto the convenience factor discussed above.

Cheers
DT

-- Edited by jade46 on Friday 3rd of April 2015 06:29:25 PM

brickies · Guru

TechnoGypsy · Veteran Member

Now can we start a thread about why some of us didn't buy a motor home ?

Joe50 · Guru

When I decided I wanted to join in the fun of the playground I had set my mind on a tug & caravan, but after joining this forum and reading about the skinny margins that many vans have between the tare and ATM I started leaning towards a motorhome. I was pretty much swayed to the MH camp after reading an article about the forces that can act upon caravans of different configurations ... never having towed anything more substantial than a box trailer it did spook me a bit, but looking back I guess I over-reacted, after all there are thousands of caravans out there that survive our roads when driven and loaded safely. Anyway I'm happy with my choice of a motorhome for many of the reasons previously mentioned ... can't wait to hit the road full time later this year.

Joe

jade46 · Senior Member

TechnoGypsy wrote:
Now can we start a thread about why some of us didn't buy a motor home ?

Most of us have had a caravan

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

It's the $$ in the first place.. Our family has had caravans over the years .. So no regret there.. Loved them.. Camping grounds didn't charge too much .. Now we are retired we do a lot of FREE CAMPING . Unless we plan to stay we don't put the awning out or leave it out at night.. We can just start up and move on if any problems Accure ! The last 3 years we have no issues.. I was apprehensive at first though.. So it's more the total package than which is better.. I guess it's like when your younger you like the sports sedans as vehicle then you seem to like the more sedate suv or luxury vehicles as you get older..

Woody n Sue · Guru

Well we went for the 5th wheeler for (1) safe towing, (2) 2 min unhook if going touring or dicide for an extended stay in one spot , (3) don't loose our parking spot as the van is still there (4) set up takes about 5 seconds per slide out (6) what would I know this is our first outing right now . Glad it's with friends though forgot the frypan , milo , shovel , chain saw and a few other little things , but I did rember the beer so all is good.
as has been said there lots of for and against all options isn't it great that we have these options I can think of some places around the world that don't .

iana · Guru

All very interesting. However I went to the Perth caravan show and looked through some of the motor homes there. While I was curious about the rational, they did not interest me at all. I am still going to continue on the path of getting a 5 wheeler, as all of the above are pretty much accounted for with this style of rig. Except maybe the passengers moving to the back while under way for a nap.
I know why we all brought the standard caravans, that was because we have been through an age of having Cheap (er) tugs available i.e. Ford Falcons and Holden's. But that age has now past and the tugs now are quite expensive.
But the utes now have very good towing/load capacity and are quite comfortable inside, and the price and availability is good. The last time I was at a caravan park at least 20% of all vehicles were utes. I think this will bring on a new age of fifth wheelers, together with the stable towing abilities and other attributes. Its the caravan sales people that will keep this a secret.

Cafe Ultima.jpg

PS. I know your passengers would not move down the back of the motor home when under way, its illegal to do that.

-- Edited by iana on Saturday 4th of April 2015 08:04:59 PM

Woolly · Senior Member

It looks like a nice set up Iana but for us it is just too big, couldn't get into some spots that we enjoy going.

Philw · Senior Member

smile We loved our 4wd and caravans. I have spent my life in a 4wd. . But a body that doesnt like bending over and awife that cant/wont tow a caravan when I have pulled my back out whilst hitching or unhitching has meant that we needed an easier soution. I moved into the MH kicking and screaming. And now wonder what my problem was. We love the freedom, ease and comfort of the MH. We are more mobile, (cant go off road), can go places which we couldnt before. BUT. All our friends have vans and they love them. We are all different and have different needs. So we all purchase that which suits our lifestyle. Hence the huge variation of caravan and MH models. Horses for courses.

Peter1059 · Senior Member

Howdy All

We brought a MH 18 mths ago and the reason to us was simple. I didn't want to stay in any one place for to long (3-4 days and I get bored). If we wanted to go somewhere for a week or more my thinking was don't buy anything, bank the money and use the interest to pay for Park Cabins etc.

It is damn simple to set up, handbrake on, awning out drink in hand we can do this in about 5mins plus if it's raining cats and dogs we just move from the cabin to the rear without getting wet.. We are planning 6wks on the road in the new year with 4wks in Tassie where we will be on the road each day. To me it is just simpler in a 7mtr MH than towing a van (approx 14mtrs with tug)

but as we all know .... to each his own

Santa · Guru

We've had a motor home for about 4 years.

I agree with Peter, it really is a simple fuss free way to travel, setting up and breaking camp is dead easy and is usually accomplished within a few minutes.

I spent most of my life towing trailers of various types, caravan, boat, horse float, box trailers and mining equipment I'm well and truly over it, the MH by comparison is a breeze.

As Peter also said "to each his own"