Public Servant Lifestyle

A motorhome can be a spacious, versatile and fun way to escape from it all. Let the Motorhome Information Service be your guide.

Unlock the motorhome potential – your way.

A motorhome can deliver dreams – your dreams. We all want to make the most of our leisure – whether we can do it full-time when we finish working, or whether we need to escape from our increasingly busy lives. Whatever your dream, a motorhome can put you that much closer to living it.

Motorhome Facts

These notes are just a few pointers to help you on your way.

What motorhome do we want?

Size matters. If you’re planning to do a lot of touring a big coachbuilt motorhome may be the right choice. If the vehicle is a second, or day to day vehicle, then a high top or micro utility might suit you more. The first requirement will be how many people need to be accommodated – at what time of year and for how long.

Are motorhomes suitable for all year round or just in summer?

Most motorhomes are well heated (or cooled) and insulated. Air conditioning is available, too. So all you do is specify your needs.

Can we afford it?

A motorhome is a very affordable investment. Dozens of finance options are available to suit all budgets – and set you on the way to buy your dream motorhome.

Will I be able to drive a motorhome?

Even the biggest are easy to drive. But you should be sure you are comfortable with the length, height and width for what you plan to do and, of course, where you park and how many people you want to carry. A short test drive will soon boost your confidence.

The works, or just the essentials?

Going to sophisticated sites with showers, washing facilities, restaurants etc, or doing your own thing? If you’re the roamer, get all the fittings and equipment you can. If it's full service sites all the time, buy a vehicle with practical simplicity.

Can we try before we buy?

Many people try a motorhome first by hiring a vehicle before committing to buy. It is certainly worth considering, and it’s easy – there are hire companies up and down the UK, making it fairly easy. Some dealers run hire fleets as well as sales and there may be the opportunity to try before you buy. Contact the Motorhome Information Service for details of companies near you.

Work as well as Play?

Motorhomes can also provide the ideal solution for businesses that need to take to the road. From transporting exhibition materials around the country on sales tours to setting up mobile offices, the cleverly designed motorhome is a multi-purpose vehicle you can trust.

Hiring a Motorhome

Hiring a Motorhome is an excellent way to a free and easy holiday – going where you want when you want. It’s a way of going to unusual places, off the beaten track and really getting away from it all.

Types of Motorhome

Hire companies offer a variety of vehicle sizes. The first type is the van conversion. These motorhomes are based on a light commercial van such as the Volkswagen Transporter, Ford Transit or Peugeot Boxer. They will normally have a ‘high top’ to increase the height, providing standing room. A van is 15 feet long, and the accommodation is normally for two or four people. The facilities will typically include a cooker, grill, sink and fridge, so you would normally want to stay on a campsite with all its amenities. However, some conversions may have shower rooms.

The second most common hire vehicle is the compact coachbuilt, most usually Peugeots or Fiats. A ‘coachbuilt’ has a caravan-type body built from the chassis base. It will have the same facilities as a van conversion but can also include hot water, heating and a toilet/shower compartment. These vehicles can accommodate four to five people and are about 18-20 feet in length.

The last type is the larger coachbuilt, accommodating five or six people and usually about 22 feet in length. These obviously have more space and a correspondingly wider range of equipment.

Motorhomes are straightforward to drive, once you've allowed for the extra length of the coachbuilts. The cabs of modern base vehicles are well equipped and compare favourably with the average family saloon. Both petrol and diesel engined vehicles are available, the latter becoming more popular because of their fuel economy advantages.

How Much Does It Cost?

It is difficult to generalise about hire costs and if you are considering hiring a vehicle for your holiday, you are advised to contact a number of hire companies to obtain detailed information. The base vehicles cost between £20,000 and £30,000 to buy, so the rates are bound to reflect this. As a very general guide a van conversion would cost from £295 per week in low season to around £495 in July and August. Similarly the hire cost for a smaller coachbuilt will range between £395 and £595 with the larger coachbuilt between £495 - £795 per week. Rates, however, can vary and you will probably want to look around before deciding.

These prices will normally include insurance and breakdown recovery for the UK travel but additional charges may be made for use on the continent. Most companies will also require a deposit - or bond - before departure, which will be refunded, provided the vehicle is returned in a satisfactory condition.

We do advise you to discuss the conditions of hire with your chosen company so that you know exactly what they contain. Your hire company will be very pleased to assist you, as this will always avoid misunderstandings later.

Crockery,Cutlery,Bedding,Etc.

These will not normally be included in the basic hire charge, you will either be expected to provide your own or they can be separately hired at a modest cost.

Have a wonderful motorhome holiday!

Information provided by the Motorhome Information Service (telephone: 01444 453399).

More information available in On The Road, Holidays, Vehicle Hire, Finance