As the lockdowns came to an end, a whole bunch of Aussies who were couped up at home started to spread their wings to take off for that much-deserved break. In addition, there is a lot of interest from overseas travellers looking to unplug and get away from the maddening crowd. Australia, with its wide-open spaces, canyons, epic sunsets, and views that seem to go on forever, is ideal for people looking to switch off and get away from the cities. The camping opportunities and variety Australia offers can only be described as out of this world; they are simply incredible!
If you’re considering travelling by motorhomes, you have come to the right place! A motorhome should never be an impulse buy. Buying a motorhome is going to be the second largest investment, if not the largest, for most people. Here we have tried to break down the process of buying a motorhome into steps so you have a checklist ready.
What is the purpose and style of your travel?
Before you do anything else, sit down and consider the type of travel you’ll be doing. Will you be using it for months on end, or will you be using it only during long weekends and other short trips? The routes you travel will be important; taking the road less travelled and travelling more off-road is a different requirement from travelling mostly over highways and good roads! Similarly, a caravan that usually parks at a camp and hooks up to the utilities available will differ from a caravan that can go off-grid and take care of its power requirement with solar panels.
You need to finalise the following
- Storage size – Water, food, luggage, etc.
- Self-contained Requirements – Power, water, fuel, solar, battery, toilets etc.
- Off-road Capabilities – Standard motor home, off-road motorhome or towed
- Bathroom – combined vs shower/toilet
- Kitchen – Microwave only or full cooking capability
- Sleeping – Retractable bed vs full bed
- Entertainment – Outdoor only vs indoor space
Now that you have an idea about your travel style let us focus more on the vehicle.
Build Type
Motorhomes are self-propelled RVs. They come with built-in engines allowing them to be driven about. They can be classified into three categories based on their size and usage.
- Class A – The biggest, most comfortable, and most expensive motorhomes, they can handle up to 8 people at a time. They are usually built on a truck or bus chassis.
- Class B – The smallest and the least expensive, ideal for couples or small families. They are usually converted vans.
- Class C – These are the middle-level motorhomes and as a result falls between Class A and Class B in price, people they accommodate and features they offer. They are usually built on a cab chassis.
Which motorhome chassis should you opt for?
The motorhome chassis manufacturers make the engine, driving capabilities, and the structural frame which holds the vehicle’s body. The chassis is paramount when we look at on-road performance, handling and safety. You need to look at the manufacturer’s reputation because it plays a significant part in reliability. A less expensive chassis from a lesser-known brand might be easier on the pocket initially, but you could wind up paying big bucks as soon as you get the motor home off the road for repairs. A base vehicle from a well-known manufacturer is likely to have fewer issues when it comes to sourcing parts or servicing locally. Some of the biggest chassis manufacturers you can see in Australia are
- IVECO
- Mercedes
- Fiat
- Renault
Front-wheel or rear-wheel drive?
So, unless you prefer a particular brand, it is important to figure out whether you are going for a front-wheel drive or a rear-wheel drive and how much engine power you will go for. When talking to the dealer, ensure you have done enough research to be able to ask them questions and figure out which is the best fit for your needs. A rear wheel tends to handle towing better but is more expensive, so you need to work out the benefits vs cost and the availability before finalising on either one. A front wheel is less expensive and handles a lot like your car.
Importance of the manufacturer
Motorhomes are complex machines travelling across Australian roads at speeds. There will be times when you will be travelling across places where help is not easy to get. It is then that the reliability of the manufacturer comes into play.
To boldly go where few have travelled, you need to be able to trust that your RV is made by people with a history of building quality RVs, using the best quality materials, and following best practices. Good manufacturers ensure that integration between the vehicle and the home is seamless and that the bathrooms and kitchens too are integrated perfectly.
Good manufacturers will have been in business for longer and offer better warranties compared to others. They will also be certified by the RVMAP.
What is your motorhome weight?
You must be aware of the difference between the various types of weights that are bandied about. The dealer or manufacturer can help you figure this out.
Tare Weight
Tare Weight represents the vehicle’s unladen weight, including all engine fluids and a 10L fuel reserve. This may not include dealer inclusions or optional fittings at the time of purchase.
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM)
Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) is specified by the manufacturer and is the maximum legal loaded mass of the vehicle.
Payload
The payload is the maximum weight you can load into your motorhome. It includes people, water, fuel, and all your personal items and the Tow Ball Weight if you tow.
If you are looking at towing a trailer or car behind your motorhome, you need to consider its towing capacity, tow ball mass and gross combined mass (GCM) as stated by the manufacturer.
What Licensing is required?
Most motorhomes can be driven on a standard car licence, provided it is current and valid. However, it is best to keep in mind that the GVM of your motorhome will dictate what license is required for your vehicle.
- Car License – Does not exceed 4.5 tonnes
- Light Rigid – More than 4.5 tonnes but no more than 8 tonnes
- Medium Rigid – has more than 8 tonnes and no more than 2 axles
Identify standard or extra features beforehand
A motorhome is built for comfort, ease, and safety. They usually come with a list of standard features, and anything extra you add must be factored into the cost. Get your list of must-have features first. Check with the salesman which of your required features are standard equipment and which are paid extras. This will go a long way in helping you eliminate items from your list.
We have curated a list of essential items from our experience. You can start with this list and maybe add or remove it as you go along
- Shower & toilet
- Awning
- Cooktop, grill and oven
- Fridge
- Microwave
- Ample water and grey water storage
- Battery
- Solar panels
- Storage compartments
- Air Conditioning
- Air vents
- Bike racks
- Television
- Gas bottles
- Reversing camera
- USB outlets
Do you need to tow another vehicle as well?
This is a common question among first-time buyers of motorhomes. As first-timers, they might be hesitant to give up the ease of access a second car gives when you are travelling by motorhome. The benefits of having a smaller car for trips to town are obvious. You can go without having to pack everything up. Going sightseeing will be easier and more fun when you have a smaller car to drive around in. However, towing another vehicle comes with its own issues. The increase in fuel consumption, the additional cost of the towing equipment, etc., need to be factored in. Plus, the tow weight and your motorhome tow capacity must match. So, the question, do you need to tow another vehicle, really carries a punch. If this does not suit you, you can look at bikes or e-bikes as an alternative.
What about the sleeping facilities?
How long are you going to be travelling and staying in the RV? The longer you are in the RV, the more important your sleeping facilities are. If you use the RV only for short trips, the sleeping area might not be as important as the other facilities.
There are a lot of types of beds for motorhomes nowadays.
- Style – island, dinette-conversion, french, Drop-down, Retractable
- Size – double, single, bunks
- Position – north/south or east/west
One of the biggest decisions made when choosing a motorhome is the bed which takes up a lot of space. The layout of your motorhome will depend heavily on the bed system you choose.
A good night’s sleep every night of your holiday is essential, so choosing the right bed layout for all travellers is vitally important. You will need to factor in the number of sleepers, the amount of storage you need, the amount of free floor space you want, or even how you want your bed to feel before deciding.
Never buy a motorhome before testing it out
For a newcomer or even an experienced hand, one thing you should always do before you buy a motorhome, and that’s to try it out! That does not mean a quick drive around the block. You need to spend time for a few weeks travelling in either a friend’s motorhome if they have a similar one or renting one out. This will ensure that you are used to how the motorhome handles and can identify any issues that might exist. Also, get the dealer to let you try out the motorhome you are buying before you make the final payment.
At RV Central, it is always about the customers. Our experts are there for you through each stage of buying your motorhome. We are one of the top motorhome dealers in Australia, with a huge inventory of campervans, trailers and motorhomes for sale. Drop into our showrooms for the best deals on new and used motorhomes. We also finance all sorts of campervans, camper trailers, and motorhomes across Australia.
