Buying the first motorhome - a set of questions before buying

Published on: 2023-04-03

Buying your FIRST motorhome is a much more complicated process than buying an ordinary car for everyday use. There are many more elements to consider here. Motorhome interior layout, type of bathroom, weight of the motorhome, additional equipment, bed layout, type of driving license to drive a motorhome ... In the article below, we give you a set of questions that are worth answering when planning the purchase of a motorhome.

Remember that the best way to find out if a motorhome is right for you is to rent it in advance. Check our motorhome finder to see if there is one in your area rental, or find a specific rental model in our database to test it before buying.

If you are thinking about buying a used motorhome, then in the article " What to look for before buying a used motorhome? ” we suggest what surprises you may encounter when buying a second-hand motorhome .

What is the best bed arrangement in a motorhome?

How many people will use the beds during trips, and how many people will use the seats?
Fixed beds are the most comfortable and functional.
It should be checked whether changing the seats to lying places will not be too laborious (in newer motorhomes manufacturers have used quick systems, but in older ones these systems are a bit more complicated).
When it comes to bunk beds or those placed in an alcove, they have limited space and require some exercise from the users.
Do you have to use a ladder or stairs every time you get into bed?

How to use the kitchen in the motorhome?

Is there enough storage space for dishes and food?
Will an oven be needed?
If you will often be able to connect to 230V, a microwave oven will be a practical solution.
Is the capacity of the fridge and freezer adequate?
Is there sufficient ventilation?
Kitchen layout - is it possible to pass through or access other important places while cooking?
How big is the worktop?

What interior color will be the best?

Light colors brighten a small area, but they can get dirty faster.
Dark colors will make the interior smaller, but it will be more resistant to dirt.

What arrangement of furniture in a motorhome to choose?

Is there enough height to stand comfortably without bending over?
Is it possible to get to the toilet if e.g. some bed is unfolded?
Can two people easily pass each other in the aisle?
There are no sharp corners that could be dangerous for children.
Are there enough lockers and cupboards?
Is there enough space in the living area for all passengers to sit together at a table?

What to pay attention to when it comes to the bathroom in the motorhome?

Is there enough space in the lockers for towels and other necessary beauty utensils?
Is there enough space to easily use the sink, shower or toilet?
How is the ventilation solved?
Is the shower cubicle separate from the toilet?
Is the toilet a cassette or is there a large faeces tank with a mechanical grinder?

How big a motorhome do I need?

How many people are caravanning trips planned for?
Bigger size = more weight.
GVM over 3.5 t means the requirement to have a category C driving license, higher tolls and higher fuel consumption, but there is less chance of overloading the motorhome.
A longer motorhome means higher costs for ferry crossings.
More seats or beds in vehicles with a GVW of up to 3.5 t mean less load capacity, i.e. less things to take on a trip.
When it comes to the permissible load capacity, you should not be guided only by the entry in the registration document , it is often the value of the Permissible Gross Weight reduced by the curb weight of the vehicle with empty water and fuel tanks and without passengers. After refueling all the tanks and packing your luggage, you can exceed the GVWR, which is associated with unpleasant consequences during roadside inspections. Before buying, it is worth checking how much the vehicle itself weighs. After refueling all tanks and adding the approximate weight of passengers, we will get the exact weight that can still be loaded into a given vehicle.
Will it be comfortable to maneuver and travel with a motorhome of this size?
Do you have a place to park the motorhome when the vehicle is not used for a long time?
Do I plan mainly stops at campsites, or rather trips to the wild in more difficult terrain? The weight and dimensions of the motorhome are of great importance here.

Think about what the near future will bring

Is it not planned to enlarge the family in the near future and the motorhome will be too small or will the children start individual trips from next year and the motorhome will turn out to be too big?
Maybe soon there will be a desire and time for longer than, for example, two-week trips and the motorhome's equipment should be richer?
If you plan to spend the night outside of campsites, it is worth thinking about other equipment - adapted more to independent stay (solar batteries, generator).

Where to look for a motorhome to buy or rent?

In our search engine, we have a section where you will find motorhomes for rent and motorhomes for sale only from legally operating companies - this is a guarantee of a successful purchase or rental.

Advice when buying a new motorhome

If you are thinking about buying a new motorhome for the first time and the following questions appear in your mind:

Which brand belongs to which quality shelf?
Which brand should I choose considering budget, quality and where I live?
Will the dealer advise me on his products as the best because he cares about sales, not my satisfaction?
What interior layout will be the most appropriate?
What accessories to choose?

Then I invite you to use my personal consulting service when buying a new motorhome. Thanks to this service, your purchase will be more conscious and will allow you to save a lot. More on this topic can be found in the article " Professional advice when buying a motorhome ".