Manchester Show Free Tickets Draw

A bit late in the day I know, but I've just got hold of 10 pairs of complimentary tickets for this premier indoor event at Manchester Central (formerly G-Mex), which runs from 22 - 25th January.

To register for the Draw, click this link

To view the official show website, click this link

Good Luck !

A Low Profile with bunks? - That'll be the Bürstner

In my days of motorhome sales, I would regularly get customers who liked the idea of a family motorhome but just hated the look of them. Usually, the most objectionable aspect of the vehicle was the overcab structure, housing the front double bed. When there are just two persons or just occaisionally more, a Low Profile body without an overcab bed makes alot of sense, but for a family taking regular trips together, the overcab bed allows for a good number of berths and adequate living space. These customers who wanted a sleeker looking family motorhome for

less than 'A' Class money would lead me to do alot of head scratching and perhaps show them more streamlined designs, but always at the price of overcab bed claustrophobia.

What I could have done with then, is the Burstner Ixeo it666, which has a smooth fronted, low profile style body and a generous, made up front double bed, plus two bunks in the rear. How? By making the front double bed a pull down affair over the dinette.
What's more, it's a proper size, easy to get down or put up and isn't in the least bit claustrophobic. Headroom is good and there are nets on each side.

The bunks at the rear are of good size and there is an external storage.

Overall length is commendable at 6.74 metres and no space is wasted. Even the washroom is designed with families in mind. For the full low-down on this interesting family 4 berth motorhome, see the full

Bürstner Ixeo it666 report.

Bargain hunting - it's the season.

In the UK, we're at that crossroads in the year, when new motorhome model launches are upon us. Officially the new model year starts on 1st September, but in reality the wraps come off most new models in October at the NEC show, Birmingham.

Dealers and importers have to gaze in their crystal ball months in advance when placing orders for stock, so as to have it available for the main selling season. With the market not as strong as it was, there is still alot of 2008 stock around, which dealers will be keen to minimise their margin on and shift, rather than sit on through the winter.

From the buyer's perspective, this is good news. There are few chassis modifications for 2009, so no danger of getting the 'old' version of running gear, as most of the big producers heavily revised their respective chassis line-ups for 2007. Whilst there will inevitably be some new motorhome models for '09, from what we've seen there has been more focus on launching new panel van conversions (in the belief that many customers will be looking for something smaller than the traditional motorhome) than wholesale coachbuilt and A class range revisions. Sure, there will be some new models, but it won't be on anything like the scale of new launches for 07/08; indeed, many will be facelifted at best.

So if you've seen something that fits the bill and aren't worried about having the most exciting new motorhome on the block, now is the time to strike the deal and get it for the best possible price - some dealers are already offering tempting cashback deals in an effort to clear stocks.

Düsseldorf - The Greatest Show on Earth?

Well, maybe, if you are a connoisseur of the recreational motor vehicle otherwise known as the motorhome.

Düsseldorf in Germany kicks off the european autumn show season, running for 9 days during late August and early September, at the Messe complex just northwest of the city. People come here from all over Europe (including the UK) and beyond, to sample the very latest caravan, motorhome and accessory products, alongside all manner of tents, camping equipment and clothing. After that, you can spend hours trawling the stands offering camping pitches in almost any corner of the world.

For UK motor home buyers, it's a great way of getting a headstart on what may be exhibited here in the UK at the first real new product show at the NEC in October.

However, Düsseldorf is not for the faint hearted - the sheer scale of the exhibition dwarfs even the largest UK indoor shows several fold and you need at least two days just to get around. If you are in serious mood to find your dream motorhome (or caravan) allow three or four.

This year there were 2,000 motorhomes on display within the total exhibition area of 200,000 square metres, taking up 11 exhibition halls. That's alot of walking, not to mention the outdoor displays.

Trying to rationalise your buying decision from such a huge choice is a tough job, particularly in what are now seriously competitive times. Some brands will ride the current economic cycle, others may fall off.

It must also be remembered that not all models on display will be available in the UK. Some will not be deemed by importers to be saleable in sufficient quantities, whilst others may not have UK dealers. Of course, there is nothing to stop someone from the UK buying abroad, however, with the current weak Euro/Pound exchange rate and potential questions marks over warranty and future resale of a non-UK recognised make of vehicle, one should think very carefully before handing over money.

But, as a spectacle and a barometer of what is to come, you can't beat Düsseldorf for its organisation and presence. And that's exactly why I went there, on an information gathering exercise. Some of the new model launch highlights will be summarised on Motorhome Chooser soon.

Eric on Tour

For those people thinking about whether its about time they started taking control of their free time rather than conforming to the wishes of airlines, bus companies, train timetables and hotels, a motorhome or a caravan can seem an attractive proposition. The dream of going as you please can even seem a little daunting when for years one has known only a structured holiday itinerary based on strict timetables, or picked nice-sounding brochure destinations for a week's enclosed r & r.

Like any other large purchase, we seek others who have done the same as we are considering. We look for reviews, relevant forums and interest groups, magazines, events and so on. Our own website deals with the 'nuts and bolts' aspects of motorhomes to help people towards the most suitable motorhome for them. But what about when you're 'out there' doing it? Thankfully, there is a wealth of information available through press articles, forums and blogs. The quality and quantity of this info varies enormously and some of it, especially when its compounded by waffle, is a bit of a yawn.

What I like about Eric on Tour is it's straightforward honesty. The blog details the experiences of two lads, who, instead of doing Australia or New Zealand after further education, decided to do European road trip in a motorhome. And they are out there right now, until December. Every few days they make a post and tell it just like it is - the good, the bad and the challenging (like getting stuck in sand) are just set down.

Admitting themselves to be complete motorhome novices from the start, the periodic posts outline the daily challenges and unexpected wonders of a trip which has a basic structure of destinations, yet also has enough flexibility to stop, look, listen and get closer to the real people and cultures at each port of call.

James and Mike are masters of their own travelling destiny, rather than conforming to holiday brochure destination lists, and my guess is they are enjoying richer experiences for it, without it costing a fortune. No doubt Eric would agree, but he's an Auto-Trail.

Classified Advertising

At the design stage of Motorhome Chooser, Classified Advertising was not high on the priority list of jobs to do on the website. There are already lots of sites out there offering advertising facilities, some good, some utterly awful and most somewhere in between.

We set out to offer something different - an enquiry service for consumers, generating leads for industry. Time and again we have had enquiries from private motorhome buyers and just have not been able to place the enquiry. It seems almost unbelieveable that in the current economic climate, many dealers are just not interested in sales leads, or don't follow them up, (despite spending thousands of pounds on hard copy advertising) especially from web-based sources, however well qualified the leads are. When someone goes to the trouble of filling in an online form, they should at least expect some contact, but in many cases, they didn't get even that, as we just could not place the lead.

Our scheme was successful in generating enquiries and we did have some success helping to achieve sales with a small number of proactive partners, but the income we envisaged from the scheme was far less than anticipated, which, coupled with the administration involved, made it uneconomic to run.

More recently we have been running a similar scheme for sellers wishing to part with their motorhome, using the services of a Trade Buyer. This has been more successful, however with the slowdown in the economy, many traders are sitting on stock that is slow to sell, which means they are less inclined to buy.

With so many prospective buyers (and sellers) visiting Motorhome Chooser, the next logical step for us is to offer them a way to get together through the site. I'm pleased to announce that our Classified section is now live, focusing on motorhomes and nothing else. Account setup has been made as straightforward as possible and many motorhome features can be preselected to speed up an advertisement entry.

Caravan or Motorhome? Part 2

In the previous article we took a look at some of the best reasons for considering a caravan and now we turn our attention to motorhomes. So why is it that people will spend alot more money on a motorhome? Read on to get some insights:

a) Some folks just don't like to tow. One reason could be fear of snaking (the situation where the caravan sways on the back of the towing vehicle, in some cases resulting in an accident owing the the driver losing control of the outfit). The risk of snaking can be minimised by correctly matching the towing vehicle to the caravan, loading the caravan correctly and using and anti-snaking device, but some people will always feel uncomfortable with the sensation of towing. Speed can also be a factor, as in the UK caravan outfits are restricted to 60mph on motorways and dual carriageways. Unless you have a motorhome over 12 metres long (which is pretty big) you can legally drive on UK motorways at 70mph at the time of writing. Image also has a part to play; both caravans and motorhomes still suffer a certain amount of stigma, rooted long in the past and in total ignorance of the freedom and facilities that either means of holiday accommodation now offer, however, motorhomes seem to attract less derogatory attention and are often more favoured by the style concious nomad.

b) Convenience. When it comes to parking up, either for a rest stop, or pitching overnight, the motorhome is a cinch. Stop the engine and turn around, and everything you need is right behind you. No need to unhitch, stabilise and move stuff out of the aisle etc. OK, a caravan can spin on its axis when off the towing vehicle, and you can minimise manhandling with a caravan mover, but you still have a fair bit of work to do before you can relax. Getting either vehicle level for an overnight stop though is a must.

c) Drifting. No, we are not talking about burning rubber with rear wheel drive cars, or being cast at sea, but the concept of having no fixed agenda or destination. You know when you leave and when you have to be back - the rest is up to you. A night here, a night there. If you like where you are, stick around a while, if you don't or want to chase better weather, move on. Don't get me wrong, you can do this with a caravan, but it is alot more work and the motorhome is better suited to the 'go as you please' lifestyle. Check out our Beginners Guide for some real life motorhome articles.

d) Long trips. Similar to (c) above, when considering a longer trip, for example into Europe or around the Scottish coastline, the motorhome makes sense. Chances are, you will be staying no more than a few nights in any one place and the relatively quick setup/decamp makes this less of a chore. Generally speaking, this kind of trip usually involves a fair amount of driving on minor roads, which is easier accomplished in one rigid vehicle, rather than towing a caravan.

e) Downsizing the Day vehicle. If you are going to tow, you need a decent size car, in many cases this means 1.5 tonnes upwards, often in the SUV class. Not everyone wants a big car for everyday transport, with occasional use for caravan towing. With relentless Government pressure on motorists, those who motorhome can consider a smaller day car and enjoy both the economy and preferential road fund licence rate for smaller engined cars, plus the relatively cheap Private Light Goods or Private Heavy Goods banding which motorhomes fall into; believe it or not, in 2008, annual UK Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax) on a 5 tonne, 3.0 litre turbo-diesel motorhome (Private Heavy Goods) is just £165.00. You could even consider towing the small car behind the motorhome on some trips for added transport! For more info on UK Vehicle Excise Duty follow this link.

f) Short breaks.If a quick getaway is what you are after, forget the classic Jaguar and think about a quality small camper like a Bilbos, or a Murvi. Small, neat and dare I say, fast, these little marvels can whisk you away to almost anywhere and still give you the means to be self sufficient. Just chuck in some walking or beach gear and zoom off for the weekend. No wonder the 'VW camper' is as popular today as ever.

Caravan or Motorhome ? Part 1:

Here's a topic I've been meaning to tackle for a while, and seeing as the last post was a few weeks ago now, there is no time like the present to get started on it.

During my Leisure Industry career I've spent several years in caravan sales, before switching to motorhome sales. Within this time, I've also used a variety of caravans and motorhomes too. This experience from both sides of the recreational vehicle fence has helped me understand the concerns of those who are contemplating a caravan or motorhome but find it hard to work out which way to go.

Now I know this blog and our main website are about motorhomes rather than caravans, however I will try and be as objective as possible:

Let's assume for the moment that price is not a barrier to either type of recreational vehicle (meaning caravan or motorhome in this instance).

Firstly, what type of car do you run? If it is a large family saloon, estate or 4WD with a 2 litre-plus engine, you stand a good chance of being able to tow a decent variety of caravans, which means that you also have a decent choice of what to buy. The science of matching cars to caravans hinges around the ratio of the car's kerbweight to the fully laden weight of the caravan. The general recommendation here is that the caravan when fully laden should not exceed 85% of the car's kerbweight. For a more detailed explanation and further help you can look up the Camping and Caravanning Club, or you can pay for computerised towing matches through Towsafe.

OK, so let's say that the car is not an issue and you are happy to tow a caravan (this is a matter of personal preference and possibly your partner's too if you are going to share driving). So why would you want a caravan and not a motorhome?

Well, perhaps you want to have a semi-permanent base for a holiday and still have comfortable transport for day trips. Or, you may have small children who will be quite happy to play on well run, clean and safe play areas at many of the top quality caravan parks now available - this is not to be under-estimated as happy children often mean relaxed parents! Getting away from it all and then making a hit-list itinerary of must-see attractions can make the holiday more stressful and expensive than it needs to be. Stopping at one idyllic place for several days without getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle can be a revelation.

Pound for pound, caravans offer more interior space than many motorhomes and there are some very spacious models on the market offering luxurious facilities.

And there's another point - noise. Both caravans and motorhomes have a certain amount of creaks and rattles in transit, caused by plastics and furniture flexing, or blinds and other loose fittings . When towing the caravan, these are not heard, but in the motorhome, you will hear it. To some people this will not be of consequence, but to others, it can become very wearing. The noise levels will vary depending on construction, terrain and how the vehicle is loaded, but to be sure you can live with it, test drive any motorhome you are contemplating buying, for this and many other reasons !

Blimey, I think I'm sold on a caravan, aren't you going to tell me why I shouldn't buy one?

No, but I will tell you why some people prefer a motorhome in Part 2, coming soon. In the meantime, our Beginner's Guide can offer good quality essential generic information about motorhomes, plus some real-life examples of how a motorhome (or caravan) can enhance your leisure and pleasure.

Murvi Morello

Murvi have a long history of building high quality panel van conversions (campers) and offer customers a great deal of control over the final specificaton of their purchase. Therefore, no two Murvi's are the same. Once an order is placed, customers will often visit the factory in Ivybridge, Devon, to view production of their dream motorhome. Aimed at the luxury end of the market, a Murvi won't come cheap, yet Murvi's order books remain healthy and you may have to wait several months for delivery.

If you seek to be reassured without visiting the factory, just ask for a brochure and you will also get an A4 sheet listing a host of awards.

For 2008 there are 19 published variants available on a variety of base vehicles including VW, Mercedes and Fiat.

Without doubt the model which impresses most is the Morello. An innovative and extremely versatile design, it offers a generous lounging area compared others of similar size, yet the seat base can be easily rotated through 90 degrees to offer extra forward facing belted seats.





On top of that, the bed mechanism is a cinch to operate and makes a comfortable and roomy resting place:



There are lots of other features to make the Morello stand out in the panel van conversion market, such as a completely wipe-clean kitchen area (including the floor) with generous worktop space and a (just about) usable washroom.



For more pictures, information and links, see our full article.

Torbay New Yorker Ducato Conversion

Torbay Camper Conversions are a niche conversion company in the South West of England, near, well, Torbay.

In business since around 1994, Torbay have built up a portfolio of conversions, often with a range of sporty styling options, which are aimed at the young at heart, in an area of the UK favoured by surfers.

Many of their conversions are VW based, but Torbay also use Fiat, Renault, Vauxhall, Renault and Mercedes. For their largest conversion to date, the New Yorker, they employ either the new Fiat Ducato or the VW Crafter.



Having a fixed hightop roof, the New Yorker has Torbay's signature light woodwork and brushed aluminium style trimmings to make the interior feel very light and modern, whilst the seating is of high quality and has a great level of adjustment.

There is plenty of room to stretch out after a hard day on the beach and a roomy enough kitchen to prepare calorie restoring meals.





There is a washroom, but the shower is only practical for emergency use, being small and curtained off.

At nightime, the bed is a piece of cake to make up and offers a very comfortable resting place.

For more comments and pictures on the Torbay New Yorker, see our 2 page Full Report.