Motorhomes and campervans for sailors

Motorhomes offer great flexibility on where you stay and for how long. It's also great to have the self-catering option of travelling with your own well-stocked kitchen.

Nevertheless, it's an expensive investment up front, and while saving money on hotels sounds attractive, budgeting must also take into account fuel efficiency, insurance, MOT, storing it when not on the road and servicing costs.

Motorhome and campervan types

1. Micro-motorhomes - usually based on car-derived vans or the smallest panel vans - have limited space and facilities but with a windsurfer or smaller dinghy, can be a relatively cheap option.


2. Campervans - often VW-based although other makes are also popular - are compact, reasonably car-like to drive, and usually capable of towing a fair-sized trailer.


3. Van conversions - typically Fiat Ducato-based although again plenty of other types - are more spacious and usually include a washroom with toilet and shower.


4. Coachbuilt - again often Fiat Ducato-based - have a chassis cab and caravan-type body, offering more space, better insulation and often more storage


5. A-class motorhomes - have a fully integrated body - offering generally high-end, luxury units with prices to match for those who need the creature comforts of a mobile hotel room.

You can see a selection of motorhomes and campervans in this sailing club dinghy park - on the left is a full-sized motorhome, while on the right you can see a couple of campervans.

Choosing a motorhome or campervan

1. Size: It could be a small van little bigger than a car, a larger van or even a huge RV almost like a bus. Your choice affects ease of driving, parking and storage, plus comfort in use


2. Budget: If you’re buying new, most types start around £40,000 and go up from there. However, these vehicles last a very long time. Older vehicles, if well-maintained, are perfectly viable and can be sourced for a few thousand pounds upwards. Look for a comprehensive warranty if buying from a dealer, and consider getting the vehicle checked in terms of its mechanical condition and the state of the habitation area if you have any doubts, or are buying privately


3. When to buy: Most new motorhomes are delivered around March/April, so that’s also when dealers will have plenty of trade-ins. The tail end of the touring season (October/November) is another time, as vehicles are sold before the winter


4. Weight: If you're likely to take the vehicle onto the beach, smaller vehicles may be less likely to get bogged down. Four wheel drive models are quite rare, but useful when launching and retrieving boats if you can find one


5. Features: smaller vans tend not to have toilets or fixed beds with proper mattresses. They may have limited storage for wet weather gear, life jackets and all those ‘essentials’ of any active hobby. Coach built models usually have toilets, washrooms with shower and often external storage lockers or even a ‘garage’ area intended for carrying bikes, but ideal for all sorts of other kit


6. Is it ‘Approved’? Look for the National Caravan Council 'NCC Approved' badge for peace of mind that the vehicle fully complies with legislation, mandatory and recommended best practice, safety standards and industry codes of practice. It’s well worth looking for, as the scope covers everything from the safety of children’s beds and gas safety standards


7. Tow bar fitting: Look for a member of the National Trailer and Towing Association’s ‘Quality Secured’ scheme https://ntta.co.uk/about-us/ntta-quality-secured/

Second-hand savings

Top tips for buying secondhand motorhomes and campervans

1. Make initial viewings during daylight hours; it's too easy to miss things in the dark.


2. Exteriors should be free of any damage or signs of major repair work. Check leading edges especially and scrape marks on wing mirrors. Slight changes of colour can indicate panels have been replaced.


3. Water ingress - check exterior sealant, look for signs of leaks and ask for results of any damp tests.


4. Exterior locker doors should open and shut easily and locks should work.


5. Ensure items like corner steadies and retractable steps are fully operational.


6. Check tyres: Many motorhomes have long periods of inactivity and though the tyres may look serviceable they'll have aged; it may seem counter-intuitive but an idle tyre ages faster than one frequently used.


7. Inside: go through the motions of bed making and using the kitchen (cooker, sink, fridge), washroom (shower, toilet, hand basin) and other facilities (eg. lights, awning).


8. Try all seats for comfort, including living quarters and driving position.


9. Documentation - ask for the full MOT, service, repair/conversion history, as well as the vehicle's own history (owners, etc).


10. Ask for owner and operating manuals.


11. Dealers should be able to offer up to a year's MOT and tax and evidence of a full inspection and any repair work, plus a warranty.


12. Mileage: 4,000 to 6,000 is a typical average annual mileage; MOT certificates will verify any mileage claims.


13. If buying privately, always view at the seller's house, the address of which should correspond with the vehicle's V5C certificate (log book).


14. Consider using an independent specialist motorhome inspector.


15. Check if a second-hand motorhome has any outstanding payments due on it by contacting HPI.

Motorhomes and caravans 4 no credit required

Campervan conversions

Try before you buy