How to Buy a Motorhome

Which Motorhome is Right for You?

That is the first big question to answer. When we say motorhome, we are talking about everything from campervans up to luxurious Class A coaches. One of these are sure to fit your needs and your budget.

New or used?

A new motorhome will be in the best condition and will be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty – You can also pick and choose between options and colours. You can’t go wrong with new if it fits in your budget. The condition of a used unit is very important – more so than when buying a used car, because of the additional complexity of a motorhome.

Mileage is less revealing on a motorhome than on a car. A low-mileage motorhome may have been sitting for long periods and not well-kept or attended to – and a high-mileage unit may have been all over Australia, but for that reason had its maintenance and upkeep needs seen to regularly. Don’t be misled by shiny chrome and fresh paint – that is not how to buy a motorhome. These are special-use vehicles and can have dozens of ways to go wrong. A professional inspection is always advisable.

Campervans

A van conversion, often with a pop-top – can be great for solo travellers or couples. Minimal space inside, but some have a stove and fridge. Very manoeuvrable, inconspicuous, and usually the least expensive to buy and maintain. Great bargains can be found in used campervans, but close inspection is necessary – as especially in this category, some may have been driven pretty hard.

Class Sizes

For a travelling party of two adults or more, you will probably want to look at Class B and C motorhomes. They are similar in many ways, but Class C is larger overall. Both come in longer and shorter versions, with corresponding internal space. Class C have a camper body built onto a heavy-duty van chassis. Class B are usually built using the van’s own body, but some have a compact camper body. Class C have an extended space with a sleeping bunk over the front seats, in addition to a bed or sofabed in the cabin.

A similar space over the front seats in a Class B is normally meant just for storage. Class C feature an internal bathroom and shower, functional kitchen, and often a high-capacity roof-mounted air conditioner – Class B may lack one or more of these. Headroom may be limited in a Class B. Class B and C motorhomes can be found almost everywhere, at a broad range of prices. Top of the lineup is the Class A motorhome – developed in the United States and very popular there, and now seen more and more on Australian highways. Built on a commercial truck or bus chassis, these can be truly luxurious and comfortable – and if there’s a special feature you want, you can probably have it.

Some will have slide-out modules for even more space inside. They can be quite large vehicles, which may limit access to some locations. Maintenance is unlikely to be a DIY project – motors and transmissions are heavy-duty and long-lived but will usually require specialised professional service. Everything in a good Class A is bigger, better, and almost always more expensive.

What Else Will You Need?

When you’re buying from a dealer, they can usually install these for you, if the motorhome you’ve chosen doesn’t already have them.

• All motorhomes will make good use of a generator and auxiliary 12-volt batteries. A multi-battery charging system keeps the house battery charged up while you drive, so you don’t drain the starting battery when you’re stopped and running electrical devices. A good generator can keep you out of more trouble and inconvenience than you thought you could get into.
• Awnings are a great way to stay cool without running the air conditioning – because you won’t always find a shady spot to park and set up camp. They are often found on Class A motorhomes but can be fitted to smaller units. A couple of 12-volt fans inside will also make warm days more pleasant.
• A rear-vison camera is almost a necessity on all but the smallest motorhomes, especially as roads and parking areas get more crowded. They’re also important for keeping constant track of anything you may be towing.
• A trailer hitch is good to have even if you don’t plan on towing. Most motorhomes are strong towing vehicles, and the day will likely come when that is very useful. Having a heavy-duty hitch already installed and the towing lights sorted will make it much easier.

Time for Homework

This is just a quick overview of some of the things to be aware of when buying a motorhome in Australia. Lots of research, online and in person, will pay off in a big way – the choices can be confusing, but as you become more and more knowledgeable, they will narrow themselves down to the make and model that will be right for you.