Maciej Mokwiński

The caravanning equipment market is growing every year. Especially in countries such as Poland, from year to year more and more people decide to buy a motorhome or caravan. Producers from Western Europe, in pursuit of the demand, constantly make their catalogs more attractive. As a result, customers have a huge choice. One of the most interesting propositions for a reasonable (in Germany) price of 18,000 euros is the Knaus Sudwind Exclusive model. Similar constructions are created for families actively spending their free time, traveling around Europe and beyond at their own discretion. To facilitate maneuvering on the camping site, the trailer is mounted on a single- axle chassis - you must remember not to go inside after detaching the drawbar from the tow hook.

Knaus Sudwind Exclusive - a reasonable proposition

Most caravanning enthusiasts attach great importance to the activities related to the search and selection of a new or used motorhome. Checking all on-board systems, the health of the driveline, bodywork and more - everyone knows this list. Few people put a lot of effort into selling it. By investing a few hours of our own work and a small amount, we will effectively prepare our mobile home for sale at a slightly better price. At the very beginning, it is worth emphasizing that by masking damage and any shortcomings, we will not do much. We will achieve the opposite effect by honestly and reliably informing the buyer about all serious defects of the equipment sold . In this way, we will gain trust, and we will exclude the possibility of possible complaints caused by concealing important information. Therefore, at the very beginning of the inspection, it is worth presenting dents, cracks and scratches of furniture , and tell about the mechanical repairs .

We sell a motorhome - what to do to get a better price?

The vast majority of us, caravanning enthusiasts, are used to the classic approach of manufacturers to designing usable spaces of trailers. The Knaus company, presenting its single-axle model, breaks from known patterns and goes towards modern design - like architects responsible for the design of lofts. The single-axle chassis facilitates maneuvering on the camping field, which is over 7.5 meters long - with a drawbar ( 554 cm of the body's length) and a trailer. From the outside, the front stowage compartment for gas cylinders and touring accessories is striking. At the customer's request, in the Lifestyle model, the drawbar can be covered with a stylish plastic cover - while also hiding the elements of the overrun brake system. The rear part of the trailer was designed following the current trends of the automotive market - strongly marked LED lights are integrated into a prominent bumper.

Knaus Lifestyle - a caravan for families with children

The market for manufacturers of caravans and campers has been doing quite well for many years, despite the high prices of this type of equipment. Budget models of caravans provide only the necessary minimum for two or three people, in their case there is no large usable space or comfortable accessories - at a reasonably configured price we get an orbutical minimum. However, not every driver is satisfied with the Spartan conditions known from small and cheap models, some expect more than a place to sleep and a gas stove. Especially for them, trailer manufacturers offer single-axle structures that offer a surprisingly large amount of space, as well as a whole list of useful optional equipment.

FENDT Opal 560 SRF - a trailer for the more demanding

The vast majority of motorhomes are used only for a few spring and summer months of the year. They spend the remaining time in garages, under shelters or in guarded parking lots - waiting for the next holiday season. Unfortunately - their owners very rarely decide on pre-winter service procedures aimed at keeping mechanical components in good technical condition. The vast majority of campers spend the winter unattended. It would seem that a few winter months of a motorhome's downtime are the best times to make all the necessary repairs and a number of other service activities. With a lot of free time at our disposal, we can confidently commission specialists to prepare our own camper for further use. Of course, we can carry out a large part of the maintenance work ourselves by devoting a Saturday afternoon.

How to take care of the mechanics of a motorhome during the winter

Many drivers starting their adventure with caravanning decide to use the offer of the secondary market. The reason why motorists choose motorhomes that are several years old is, of course, the price . An alternative to used equipment, and at the same time a proposal for less demanding users, are models based on popular delivery vans. Among the greatest advantages of such structures, as mentioned by all manufacturers, is primarily mobility , unattainable for larger models. The relatively small size makes it very easy not only to maneuver on the campsite , but also to drive around a crowded city. One of the newest offers among budget motorhomes is Caravans International Kyros - planned for 2015 . The smallest and cheapest at the same time ( PLN 125,000 net , including VAT and transport to Poland) model in the Italian manufacturer's offer, like most similar constructions, is based on Fiat Ducato .

A motorhome based on a tinplate - Caravans International Kyros

Every year, active leisure is becoming more popular not only in the rich countries of Western Europe. Poles are also convinced of the undeniable charms and advantages of caravanning, buying more and more motorhomes and caravans. A very wide market offer helps in the implementation of holiday plans, practically everyone will find a mobile home on two or four wheels for their pocket. The very selection of a new or used trailer is quite a challenge for the buyer, and this is only half of the dilemmas. When looking for a trailer, few people care about its curb weight, the number of axles - the most important thing is its technical condition and interior equipment. In this way, we omit a very important issue - what will we tow it with.

What criteria should I use when looking for a car to tow a trailer?

For decades, the car has been used by enthusiasts of active recreation to implement their vacation plans. Especially delivery cars - buses - that fell into the hands of the aforementioned people, quickly turned into mobile bedrooms. Most of the major manufacturers of motorhomes, apart from a wide range of "extended" motorhomes, also offer budget - models based on "tin" buses. Among them, in my opinion, Knaus Boxstar deserves the interest of those actively resting. This basic model of the German brand, like other similar constructions, is built with the use of Fiat Ducato . Its main advantage - apart from the relatively attractive price of EUR 40,700 - is its small size . Contrary to the higher Knaus models, the Boxstar does not cause difficulties during typical city driving. What's more - it provides much better handling and lower fuel consumption .

Knaus Boxstar - functionality in a small space

Neismann-Bischoff became the first motorhome manufacturer to win the prestigious Automotive Brand competition. In October 2014 , for the first time in history, a motorhome manufacturer received such an important award for its work. The Managing Director of the company - Hubert Brandl - attended the award ceremony in Paris, alongside premium brands such as BMW and Audi . It is worth adding that the competition organized by the German Design Council appreciates communication products each year. The international jury of the competition appreciated the achievements of Niesmann + Bischoff, which is also proven by the statements of the evaluators themselves. Prof. Andrea Lipp (dean of the Faculty of Interior Transport Architecture at Reutlingen University) - praising the attention to detail and high quality of workmanship that creates new trends among motorhomes.

The new Arto sets trends

The purchase of virtually any vehicle, new or used, requires a lot of knowledge and free time needed to make the right decision. Especially the choice of usually expensive motorhome is associated with a lot of stress and financial burden for many years of its use. No wonder that before finalizing the purchase transaction, we should take a close look at a given copy - this way we will avoid serious, costly defects. At the very beginning of the motorhome inspection, it is worth taking a look at the documentation at the disposal of the current owner. The serial numbers recorded in the registration document must agree with the facts , otherwise let's look for another motorhome. In the absence of a service history, we should be more stringent, it is worth spending more time inspecting the entire vehicle. Nowadays, "creating" a new service book is not a problem. Any gaps or errors in official documents may turn out to be a big problem in the future.

Buying a used motorhome - what should you pay attention to?

It has been known for a long time that manufacturers from Germany are the leaders in the European motorhome market. Their offer practically meets the tastes, needs and financial possibilities of every (statistical) European caravanning enthusiast. The cheapest models of motorhomes are actually only slightly modified buses, while the slightly more expensive ones are based on ready-made chassis of vans. However, according to some users, only integrated campers provide favorable conditions for rest.

Niesmann + Bischoff motorhome - Flair 920 LE

The love of traveling manifests itself in a completely different way for many people. Some, regardless of the cost, use travel agencies to fly first class to famous resorts. For other people, the approach to the subject is quite different - after all, visiting and planning a holiday according to your own ideas is no less exciting - especially when driving. When traveling through Europe, most drivers use campers or tow a trailer with usually rich equipment. Unfortunately - the mobility and functionality of such a set, especially in cities, leaves much to be desired, which provokes reflection.