The Motorhome Chooser

Manchester Show Free Tickets Draw

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 13:13:00 +0000

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

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:33:00 +0000

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.

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:52:00 +0000

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?

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:03:00 +0000

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

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 15:12:00 +0000

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

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:43:00 +0000

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

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:56:00 +0000

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:

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 18:13:00 +0000

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

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:12:00 +0000

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

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 18:52:00 +0000

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.

Bilbos Celex LWB

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 10:59:00 +0000

The UK has a huge diversity of interesting places, from rugged coastlines to scenic hills and mountains. Quaint towns and villages wait to be discovered in almost every region.

If there's one thing you can virtually guarantee, its that the more picturesque and remote the location, the more challenging the the access will be. Perhaps the road will be single track, with stone walls either side, or there will be tiny bridges and hairpin bends to navigate.

There can be times, as the road gets narrower and narrower, when the thought of reversing a 7 metre+ coachbuilt motorhome 2 miles, can become a reality if the road peters out. Its also the same time you can wish you'd bought a VW van conversion, like a Bilbos.

The VW 'camper' has been around a long time and there are literally thousands of self-builds and specialist conversions of this compact base unit.

Bilbos have done exactly this for over 30 years, using the VW Transporter almost exclusively as their benchmark base vehicle.

The Celex is one of the Bilbos family of compact motorhomes, offered with fixed hightop roof or Elevating roof as shown here. Its surprisingly roomy in long wheelbase form and the elevated roof space is generous.

Bilbos set their stall from experience as users, manufacturers and retailers, so they understand the concept of a dual purpose vehicle completely. The Celex won't look out of place on your drive as a family workhorse, yet has enough facilities to take you on trips to out of the way places.

It is this all-round ability that attracts buyers looking for a combination of functionality and 'get up and go' appeal.

In our Full Report, we tell you more about the Celex including more images and an inside/outside apraisal. Bilbos aren't the cheapest conversion out there but have a very successful brand and loyal customer base.

New Motorhome Search now live

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:10:00 +0000

There were 742 new motorhomes listed in My New Motorhome Chooser at launch, which happened quietly the other day. There is still alot more content to add, but with 40 makes listed now, there is already enough information to offer a useful service. Judging by the signups so far, its going down well.

There are a few more tweaks and developments to add as we go along, and we listen to the feedback we receive from users which will help us make My New Motorhome Chooser the very best research tool for buyers of new British and European motorhomes.

Its great to see people using the Shortlist facility straight away too, where they can save the models they are the most interested in.

Over the coming weeks and months we aim to add thousands of images and links as we enhance this unique, free and dynamic resource.

Caravan Boat & Outdoor Show Free Tickets Draw

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:54:00 +0000

Without doubt one of the biggest UK indoor events for anyone interested in travelling their own way, whether by motorhome, caravan, trailer tent or boat, this year's Caravan Boat and Outdoor Show promises to be packed with visitors and products alike.

There will be a number of new motorhome model launches and we understand new brands, currently under wraps, will also make their debut.

We are very pleased to have been able to secure 10 pairs of Complimentary tickets for the Show, just go to our Homepage for more information and entry instructions.

2008 Auto-Trail Cheyenne 740 S

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:33:00 +0000

Auto-Trail have been around a long time and are one of the UK's best known motorhome manufacturers. Many old Auto-Trails are still trundling around, giving new owners their first taste of motorhome freedom.

With a large distributor network and a new factory near Cleethorpes, Auto-Trails' lineup for 2008 includes a raft of new models and layout plans, including the twin bed Cheyenne 740 S.

The 740 S is available with or without an overcab bed, and seating configuration options allow up to 4 seatbelts, although the Cheyenne 740 S is most likely to appeal to couples who like personal space and privacy. The layout offers three enclosed 'zones' for dining/lounging, sleeping and changing.

The clever design also makes excellent use of available space, providing internal and external storage in abundance, although there is no garage. Still, Auto-Trail seem to have done a pretty good job to fit it all in under 7.5 metres.

For more information, enlargeable pictures and specifications, go to the full report on our main website.

More Features coming soon...

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:31:00 +0000

The editorial has taken a bit of a back seat lately while we have been working to get our new motorhome listing service, My Motorhome Chooser, off the ground, so apologies if you've been on the main site and not seen much in the way of new stuff since December.

That is set to change soon. We will shortly be adding Features on Bilbos, Torbay, Autotrail and Concorde, to name but a few, plus there is ahost of Snapshot Guides in the pipeline too.

2008 Motorhome Price Increases

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:39:00 +0000

... are on the way. We have heard from several quarters that forecourt prices are about to rise. So what's behind it?

It essentially comes down to the exchange rate between the Pound and the Euro:

As you can see, things have been on the slide for a while. What this means for Britain's motorhome manufacturers (who import many components from Europe)and importers of European models is that they pay more for the product they are selling us.

Usually, the Financial people in companies will set a 'band' of exchange rate fluctuation, which allows the retail price to remain consistent. Sometimes the rate is up and they make a little more on retail prices, sometimes the rate is down and they make a little less - this enables them to fix a retail price; otherwise prices would have to change every day.

What is happening now is that the Euro exchange rate is slipping under the minimum level required to retain the minimum calulated profit margin. No profit, no business, no product, its as simple as that.

Of course they all want to remain competitive, but if a number of key brands increase retail prices, the others are likely to follow.

We will be following price fluctuations closely as part of My Motorhome Chooser, our New motorhome research tool, to be launched shortly. Ahead of launch, you can see the User Guide and FAQ's here.

Its in the detail... somewhere.

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 18:06:00 +0000

It would seem a fairly straghtforward, if tedious task. Lift all the key elements of technical specification from motorhome manufacturers and assimilate it into a standardised format.

Given that we are now in 2008 and officially the new model season started on 1st September 2007, it would be safe to assume that this (fairly basic) information would be in the public domain by now. Not so, for a number of manufacturers, some of whom are still offering news items and 'New for 2007' (or even 2006 !) articles on their websites.

When contacted directly, some manufacturers and importers have been very helpful in answers to our questions, whilst others merely put us on the mailing list for 'when brochures are printed'. The polarisaton between the proactive and reactive is painfully clear; the Chooser wonders what signals out of date websites and catalogues send to buyers.

As for the brochure content, some are wonderfully straightforward and logically laid out, others have to be literally examined to find the technical information, itself sometimes, well, not ringing right, needing further investigation. The devils' in the detail, or lack of it.

So we keep plugging away, soon to launch the best New Motorhome information service there is. If you are having trouble finding the right info, watch this space. For a little more info about what is coming and some fuzzy pictures, see the previous post below.

2008 Motorhomes

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 08:43:00 +0000

The 2008 New Motorhomes listings service is taking shape, our most exciting and challenging project to date.

Whether you are a complete novice or looking for your seventh motorhome, this service will be easy to use, allowing you to quickly search hundreds of new 2008 motor homes, to find the ones of most interest. These can then be added to your own Motorhome Shortlist.

And best of all, it will be free to use on registration.

There will be another post here when this service is launched soon on the main website.

Adria Coral S 690 SP

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 19:06:00 +0000

Adria has been around for some 40-odd years now and the Slovenian manufacturer has an established market throughout Europe, with 2007 production of caravans and motorhomes nudging the 12,000 mark. The Coral S 690 SP is a new motorhome model for 2008, being Adria's take on the latest fashion for island bed designs.

First shown at Düsseldorf this year, it looked impressive then, and even more so now we have taken a closer look.
The dinette seating area is neat and airy, provided you go for the optional panoramic rooflight:

There are a number of innovative features and clever details which make this more than a match for its competitors.

Take this rear-facing seat, converted from the side seat. OK, this is a 3 berth, so why would you want 5 belts? Better to have too many than not enough, eh?

The rear island bed is mounted on a raised floor area, so it doesn't feel a climb to get on. This arrangement also allows for plenty of storage inside and outside from below. For more details on this model, the full report is available here.

Manchester Show - Free Tickets Draw

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 12:46:00 +0000

The Manchester Caravan and Motorhome Show opens on Thursday 17th January 2008 until Sunday 20th and Motorhome Chooser has linked up with the organisers to offer 10 free pairs of tickets for the show.

The organisers tell us there will be a large selection of motorhomes and caravans on display at the Manchester Central complex (formerly known as G-Mex). Dealers for brands such as Hymer, Swift, Adria, Burstner and Timberland will be looking to help you spend your Christmas Box.

Hall 2 will be dedicated to accessories, publishers and holdiday destinations. Another attraction will be celebrity barbeque sessions (erm, them showing you, not you cooking them!)

Kids under 16 go free and there is a crèche.

For a chance to win 2 free tickets to this event, just click here

It might seem quiet, but...

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 10:45:00 +0000

Its almost a month ago since the last post already, which is a larger gap than I am comfortable with. Yes, there has been a short 'holiday' of sorts when the Chooser was not allowed anywhere near a keyboard or to utter geeky words, references to motorhomes, or make aspirational statements of intent.

The bulk of this interlude, however, has been down to more practical things, such as gathering further information, including an 800 mile round trip looking at 2008 models for inclusion on the main website. Plus, designing, populating and testing a the new listing resource, which we believe will be of huge benefit to new motorhome buyers, to be released shortly.

Bit by bit, we continue to build our relationships with our visitors and industry. There's still heaps to do to keep us busy, including the next report on the 2008 Adria Coral 690 SP, an island bed layout low profile which is likely to find alot of interest.

Also keep an eye out for a ticket offer for The Manchester Caravan and Motorhome Show in January 2008, to be confirmed shortly.

Hobby Toskana Exclusive D 750 FLC

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:21:00 +0000

Blimey what a mouthful, in more ways than one. The 2008 Toskana Exclusive range from Hobby holds nothing back - the 750 series really look the business, having 'tag' axle Al-Ko chassis. If thats a bit too long for you, they do make shorter models with a single rear axle too. All of the UK spec Toskana Exclusives will come with the Fiat 160 Multijet power unit, so this thing will cruise effortlessly all day if need be. And when you're done for the day, you can relax in its' luxurious ambience:

Storage on this 750 FLC is immense; ladies, you can (probably) take all your shoes! The kitchen is equally generous on storage and has decent worktop space.

Like many continentals, the Hobby does have a big fixed table in the dinette, but at least it has a drop leaf.

Given Hobby's long standing reputation for building quality motorhomes, if its stunning looks and luxury you're after in a Low Profile, the big Hobby has got to be on your 'must see' list.

For the full report, including a series of enlargeable photos, follow this link.

Autumn Changes and Colours

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:00:00 +0000

Over the last few weeks we have been busy behind the scenes getting things in place for the 2008 season. Yes, officially the season has started, however, with the NEC show now out of the way and a gap in the show calendar, we can get access to new models easier. Next week, we are taking a trip accross the South of England, to view and photograph a selection of 2008 motorhomes from manufacturers and importers, which over the coming weeks, will make their way onto our main website.

Also coming soon, will be our complete listing of all 2008 motorhomes available on the UK market (excluding, for the moment, Americans).

Plus, we are working with other organisations to enhance the resource that Motorhome Chooser offers; again, new developments will appear in the not too distant future.

So although it might not look like much has changed on the site just recently, you will be seeing significant and exciting developments soon.

During this 'interlude' period, the Chooser just couldn't resist sharing with you this selection of landscape photographs. Capturing the colours of Autumn, these were taken in the last few days by Doug Gage, a photographer from Halstead in Essex (who has been known to photograph the odd motorhome for Chooser in his spare time). Enjoy the Autumn colours:

How can a motorhome buyer make sense of it all?

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 20:25:00 +0000

The mind absolutely boggles. The Chooser has been involved in Motorhomes and Caravans for quite a few years on a day to day basis, so is generally familiar with the format of weights, dimensions, chassis etc, within Manufacturers' publications.

Now, having gathered all the published information on 2008 models for our new listing service to be launched on the main website, we are starting to discover just how hard it must be for prospective purchasers to sift through all the data that is at their disposal, in order to make some kind of shortlist to see and ultimately buy the best motorhome for their needs.

With the introduction of multiple chassis variations from many manufacturers, there are endless permutations of almost any basic layout. At a rough calculation, there are around 70 motorhome brands in the UK 2008 buying season, chasing maybe 10-12,000 sales. We estimate that there are at least 1,000 models on the market, so some will sell in very small numbers indeed.

Buyers have to study brochure material very carefully to extract the information they need, checking the various chassis and engine options of models of interest. It is not unusual now to find a single model with three engine options, 2 chassis options and sub-options for chassis maximum weights and dinette/seatbelt configurations. And thats' before 'packages', add-ons and special versions.

The reason for all this complexity lies in the manufacturers' efforts to make their product appeal to the widest possible audience, not losing a sale to a competitor because the customers preferred layout appears too light, too heavy, has a small engine, or not enough payload.

Yet, the question is; is the complexity of choice making it so difficult for some people to make their buying research arrive at a logical conclusion, that they buy the wrong motorhome, or don't buy at all? The Chooser has enough trouble just deciding which pasta to buy.

When we decided to offer a meaningful listing of 2008 UK and European motorhomes on Motorhome Chooser, we didn't believe that we'd really be scratching our heads so hard trying to standardise the information available to us. Ultimately, it will not be a item-for-item list taken or scanned directly from the manufacturers. It will, however, be more user-friendly, with an interactive element, allowing for searches of multiple brands in one go.

We will have to concentrate very hard as we enter the data...

Thinking of getting away this weekend? Be prepared for delays....

enquire@motorhomechooser.co.uk (The Motorhome Chooser) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 06:19:00 +0000

According to a congestion report released by Trafficmaster and the RAC foundation, the worst UK congestion occurs not at Christmas or even Bank Holidays, but today, the 19th of October, named 'Black Friday' by experts.

A number of factors contribute to the phenomenon, which in previous years has resulted in more congestion than any of Britain’s regular public holidays. These factors include darker (and possibly wetter) weather encouraging more drivers to use major roads, a high level of commuting and commercial traffic and a rise in accidents.

According to the Trafficmaster UK Congestion Report, if the current trend continues, this year’s congestion could be as much as 10 per cent worse than 2003. Last year, there were over 8,000 congestion alerts on 'Black Friday'.

So, the message is , be prepared. Try to re-plan routes away from the heaviest used motorways and avoid the evening rush hour if possible.

Perhaps save a nights' pitch fee, have an early night and set out early in the morning?