Motorhome Buyer's Timeline
Step‑by‑step motorhome buyer’s timeline—covering research, hire, purchase, and setup to help you plan confidently and avoid costly mistakes.
🕰️ Thinking About It
- Start a wishlist – What kind of trips do you imagine? Who’s coming? What comforts matter?
- Browse YouTube & forums – Watch van tours, campsite reviews, and “what we wish we’d known” videos.
- Join a Facebook group – Ask questions, read real-world advice, and see what others are buying.
🧪 Try Before You Buy
- Hire a motorhome – Test different layouts, sizes, and features.
- Take notes – What worked? What annoyed you? What would you change?
- Read our guide → Hire Before You Buy
🧠 Research Phase
- Set a budget – Include insurance, road tax, servicing, and gear.
- Learn the types – Campervan, coachbuilt, A-class, van conversion — what suits your style?
- Visit dealers & shows – Sit in different models, ask questions, compare layouts.
📝 Shortlist & Viewings
- Make a checklist – Fixed bed? Garage? Solar? Payload?
- View second-hand options – Ask about service history, damp checks, MOTs.
- Don’t rush – The right van will come. The wrong one will haunt you.
💸 Purchase & Prep
- Negotiate – Dealers often have wiggle room, especially off-season.
- Insure & register – Shop around for quotes and breakdown cover.
- Stock up (sensibly) – Essentials first: levelling ramps, hookup cable, toilet chemicals.
🚐 First Trips
- Stay local – Test everything close to home.
- Keep a log – What you used, what you didn’t, what you forgot.
- Tweak your setup – Add solar, swap bedding, reorganise storage.
🔁 Reflect & Refine
- Update your gear list – What’s essential, what’s cool, what’s clutter?
- Share your story – Help others by sharing your wins and fails.
- Plan your next adventure – France, Scotland, Cornwall… the road is yours.