Motorhome Purchasing Guide
The motorhome world is growing and there are more and more persons who prefer a home on wheels to live their own adventures. In this post you will find different suggestions to purchase a motorhome and that way find the one that best adapts to your needs and those of your family.
Purchase your Motorhome According to your Needs
Before fully entering the motorhome world, we recommend analysing which are your needs and preferences so you can find the perfect motorhome.
Motorhomes for couples
If you travel with your companion, ideally you should decide for a model with smaller dimensions, because this will mean a savings in the fuel cost by kilometre and, also, parking will be easier. The perfect models for these cases are those of the Benivan and Tessoro ranges. Nevertheless, being a couple does not exempt you from enjoying the most ample space, because there are premium models to enjoy maximum comfort, like those of the Amphitryon range.
Motorhomes for families
The Sport models are the most adequate for families, because they have large habitable and storage spaces, so you can take all “if necessary” things that cannot be left behind with you.
Another of the factors to be considered is the budget, because the vehicle price will vary according to the characteristics of your motorhome and the optional packs you choose.
Purchase a New or Used Motorhome
Nowadays there are many people that decide for second hand motorhomes to save costs. Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting that a motorhome requires constant maintenance, because travelling many kilometres, it is exposed to more breakdowns and greater wear of the materials. Likewise, when buying an old motorhome, there is a possibility of not being able to make any repairs on your vehicle due to lack of parts which are no longer manufactured.
Therefore, buying a motorhome not only guarantees that your vehicle complies with road safety measures, but also in the long run it means saving in repairs and revisions.
Renting vs Buying a Motorhome
When should I buy a motorhome and when should I rent one? The answer depends on the frequency of when you are going to use it. If you are going to frequently make trips with this type of vehicle, we recommend you buy your own motorhome.
Nevertheless, if you only want to enjoy adventures every now and then, renting will be the best option. In addition, if you are thinking of acquiring a motorhome, renting one will allow to try out the distribution or the type of vehicle that best adapts to your needs.
Motorhome types
According to design and space distribution, motorhomes are classified into 4 different types:
- Luton: Characterised by a pronounced protruding head at the upper part of the cabin (also known as Luton head), where a double bed is located. These models have a large storage capacity and places for travelling and sleeping.
- Low profile: These are the most manageable, economic and efficient. Like the lutons, they have a protrusion (profiled head in this case); nevertheless, being less pronounced, the vehicle is more aerodynamic.
- A-class: These models integrate the driving cabin into the interior, which provides a continuous line allowing you to make maximum use of the space. In addition, their design includes large panoramic windscreens, providing greater illumination in the motorhome and comfort while driving. On the other hand, the suspended roof bed is located above the cabin, not above the dining area (like in the profile models) This detail means that when lowering the bed there is still functional space in the rest of the cabin.
- Van: These are camper vans. they are known for their reduced dimensions, facilitating the driving and parking of motorhomes.
Cechy charakterystyczne samochodów kempingowych
Herein we propose a series of characteristics that define the choice of one model or the other, after selecting the desired typology:
Places
Benimar motorhomes have from 3 to 7 places authorised for travelling and sleeping. Taking into consideration the authorised places is very important, because there are some models that have more space for sleeping or eating than for travelling.
Interior space and distributions
SALON
- Lounge: The location of the lounge will determine the design and functionality of the motorhome. Usually we find two types of distribution:
- Front: meaning the lounge is at the front part of the vehicle immediately behind the cabin. The majority of Benimar motorhomes have swivelling driver and co-pilot seats which are used as chairs in the dining area.
- Rear: When the lounge is located at the rear of the cabin. Although in these cases the lounge is more comfortable and larger, it eliminates a bedroom as such. In Benimar we have the M282 model with this distribution.
Łóżka
- Beds: We can find the following types of beds in motorhomes:
- Bunks: In Benimar, bunks are characteristics of the Benivan models; usually they are two place beds, although there are individual bunks in other ranges.
- Twin Beds: These are individual parallel beds located at the rear part of the cabin, designed to allow transforming them into a single double bed (170 x 201 cm. – T463)
- Central bed: Located at the rear part of the vehicle and can be up to 150 cm wide. Motorhomes with central beds usually have a proviant bedroom with wardrobes, which offers greater privacy.
- Luton: These have a double bed that is located in the characteristic overhang above the cabin.
- Roof bed: These are individual or double beds in the ceiling, the height of which can be electrically or manually regulated. They allow better use of the space during the day.
Toaleta
A basic model of motorhome has a very reduced size bathroom, with a portable toilet located in the shower area and that is removed when the shower is used. Nevertheless, all Benimar models have a fixed toilet and shower that is usually independent from each other. Some of our models include a separated shower, located outside of the bathroom, which guarantees a more comfortable area.
Kitchen
Kitchens can be located left of the entrance door, behind the lounge or at the rear part. This latter distribution is less common, but offers more space for the work area, perfect for kitchen lovers that do not renounce preparing their best dishes during adventures in the motorhome. (Model T481)
Wygląd zewnętrzny
The motorhome coachwork will depend on the model and length of the same. The Benivan models facilitate parking, due to their reduced dimensions they allow parking in nearly any authorised space. On the other hand, if you doubt between a model with luton head or a low profile one, low profile have better aerodynamics than the luton ones, which facilitates driving.
Ceny
The end price of a motorhome varies according the characteristics and selected optional packs. Nevertheless, ate Benimar we recommend evaluating the average annual cost before taking any decision. Elements, like for example the weight will determine this amount, because, with more weight, there is greater fuel expense per kilometre.
Accessories and extras
At Benimar we have a series of optional packs to adapt these vehicles to the needs of each family. These packs depend on each range, nevertheless, the most demanded are as follows:
Delivery
This includes a rear view camera, a 140 W solar panel, and an exterior LED lamp. In addition, in some of our ranges there are also cabin darkeners.
Winter
This includes a series of features that adapt motorhomes to low temperature areas, so that motorhome trips are only limited by your adventurous spirits. Among others, they contain: increased heating power, reinforced tube insulation or thermal isolation of windscreens or windows.
Northautokapp
Undoubtedly, the favourite optional pack of our users, that adds premium quality to your motorhome. Depending on the range, it includes increased engine power, automatic gearbox, as well as including the delivery and Winter packs, among others.
Tecno
Mainly, this adds, a 10” screen radio, fully digital instrument panel, air-conditioning unit and Keyless Go
Do not forget reviewing the specific packs and their exact composition at your nearest distributor.
Silnik
At Benimar we exclusively work with Ford and Fiat engines. According to each model, you can find the following base characteristics in the engines:
Amphitryon
Nowy Fiat Euro 6 2.2L 140HP i 6-cio stopniowa skrzynia biegów
Mileo
Nowy Fiat Euro 6 2.2L 140HP i 6-cio stopniowa skrzynia biegów
Tessoro
FORD Euro 6 2.0L 130HP i 6-cio stopniowa skrzynia biegów
FORD Euro 6 2.0L 170HP i 6-cio stopniowa skrzynia biegów
Sport
Nowy Fiat Euro 6 2.2L 140HP i 6-cio stopniowa skrzynia biegów
FORD Euro 6 2.0L 130HP i 6-cio stopniowa skrzynia biegów
FORD Euro 6 2.0L 160HP Heavy Duty i 6-cio stopniowa skrzynia biegów
Benivan
Nowy Fiat Euro 6 2.2L 140HP i 6-cio stopniowa skrzynia biegów
Consumption
This type of transport can consume between 7.4 and 13 litres every 100 km, depending on the engine characteristics, weight of the motorhome and driving.
In this case, you must establish your preferences when travelling in motorhome, meaning, if you prefer having more space although this means increasing the expense of the trip, or if you prefer more economic trips although that means losing space.
Nevertheless, is you are looking for a balance between expense and space, we recommend our low profile models, because of their average expense for a recreation vehicle.
Maintenance
Motorhome maintenance is different to that of any other vehicle, because they not only travel long distances by road, but also the residential part has gas and electrical systems. Therefore annual routine revisions are necessary, or in their defect, after having journeyed the recommended kilometres.
Taxes
Road tax or mechanical traction vehicle tax exist in Spain. This is a municipal annual payment, that varies according to location. This figure is between 60 and 180 euros per year.
Summary
When buying a motorhome, you must only consider your preferences, but you must also analyse your family and economic situation, to find a vehicle with fixed and variable expenses you can face, because the bigger motorhome and more elements, greater the maintenance cost.