Can I Live In A Motorhome
- Posted by:
- Admin
- Tags:
- Motorhome, Living
- Posted date:
- 24-08-2021
Many motorhome buyers ask: Can I live in a motorhome? We look at some practical tips and advice for someone wishing to live in their motorhome.
Living in a motorhome
Sometimes weekend trips away in a motorhome or a yearly holiday aren't enough for the outdoor enthusiasts.
That's why the number of people who want to live in their motorhome full-time is on the rise.
Not being trapped within four walls and having the ability to travel, take a road trip or go on an adventure when and where you like comes with an immense sense of freedom, but also with many questions.
Here you will find the answers to some of the most popular questions people ask when they decide if motorhome life is for them.
What will my post address be?
You will need to have an address for all your mail to go to; this could be a friend or family (with their permission, of course) and a local drop off point if you've decided you want to receive packages.
As long as there is somewhere to contact you, you don't necessarily need a permanent address. For dentist's, GP's, bank accounts and getting a job, you will again only need an address to be contacted by.
Insurance companies usually require an address when insuring your motorhome, but some companies specialise in policies that use an address that won't affect your quote price.
Will it get too cold in winter?
Most motor homes come with double glazed windows and are well insulated, so it is important to do your research before buying your motorhome or campervan.
The cab area can get quite cold in the winter months, so it might be practical to screen/cover this area off and close all of the air conditioning vents.
If your motorhome uses electricity for heat, then a campsite that supplies electricity for free with just the pitching fee to pay will be the best place for you.
Some motorhomes that are sold have boilers that run on gas only; if this is the case for you, then, unfortunately, your usage will increase greatly during the cold weather and winter months unless you invest in an electric oil filled radiator or an electric fan heater.
Can I watch TV in my motorhome?
Watching TV in a motorhome requires an address for a TV licence (it's a legal requirement).
If you have an address as well as a van, then you can use this one; if you are a full-time motorhome living, then you would register with the licence plate and an address of a designated site, this could be the pitch that is most regularly used.
Leaving you to watch your favourite stuff on TV without worrying about getting a knock on the door from authorities.
Can I access the internet?
There are a few options for internet access while living in your motorhome permanently; first off is your mobile contract; if your provider allows you to tether your laptop and other devices to your mobile and has a good amount of data each month, you should get on just fine.
Another option is a dongle that many companies sell, which gives you a limited amount of data for a fixed price each month; they come as a USB and can be connected through Bluetooth.
Where do I do my laundry?
Many motorhome travellers invest in a compact/mini washing machine, which saves spending about £5 per wash and dry if you head to a campsite or laundrette, the benefit to using these is that you will fit a lot more washing in one go.
How Do I Use Toilet And Showers?
Most modern motorhomes currently come with a toilet and shower, they will be a lot smaller than the average bathroom in residence, but they do the job.
Your waste from the toilet will be filled into a cassette, and by law, these must be emptied at chemical disposal points at campsites.
The water for a shower comes from the boiler and can take about 20 minutes to heat up, the pressure won't be great, but there are water pumps on the market specifically for this that can improve the water pressure.
Living in a Motorhome - Pros and Cons
A sense of freedom with not nearly as many restrictions as living in a house would bring, constant fresh air and not to mention that you can travel anywhere in the UK and Europe without worrying about finding accommodation.
No week will be the exact same, so no more repetitive days meeting the same people in the same environment. It's important to mention that parking your campervan can be tricky as some locations don't allow it, and other countries have different rules, search for signposts and keep up to date with the laws.
Cleaning in a house can take up a whole day. Still, the good thing about a motorhome is because it is such a confined space, it won't take you longer than a couple of hours to clean to interior and exterior, leaving more time to do the activities you enjoy. You might find that eating out or getting food at a takeaway is quite cheap if you go to the right locations, saving cooking and cleaning up after that.
An obvious pro to living in a motorhome is the cheaper cost of living compared to what you would spend paying rent and bills in a house in England or Scotland etc. If you seem to stay in one place for long periods of time, you could find that you don't have to fork out for petrol, and camper sites often don't charge extortionate fees when spending the night or staying for weeks.
Having no fixed address can bring some struggles with receiving mail, the electoral roll, opening bank accounts and having checkups with dentists and doctors that you know and trust. Another downside to this way of life is that friends and family won't be a short journey away; being on the road a lot can get quite lonely, and you might start to miss the comfort of being able to visit those people.
Depending on your budget for a motorhome, you are going to realise very quickly that there is a lack of space, especially if there is more than one person living with you. Everyone can get on top of each other, and mess can accumulate very quickly; there also certainly isn't as much storage as what you are used to.
There are some costs to consider when acquiring your new motorhome, the first being how expensive they can be, obviously they vary in price but you are looking at tens of thousands of pounds.
The motorhome owners know insurance will also increase since you will be living in the motorhome full time. It can be hard to budget how much will be spent in the month as costs vary depending on the location. Usually, it will be less than renting.
Spending nights out in rural parts of the country with little to no lighting around your vehicle and no solid wooden doors standing between you and everyone else might make you feel a bit unsafe.
How comfortable are motorhomes?
People are normally put off living in motorhomes because of the limited amount of space and not having the comforts that living in a house would normally bring.
Once you're used to the smaller spaces, a motorhome can be very comfortable, and there are ways to suit it to your own preferences.
Beds come in a variety of sizes to fit the vehicles just like they would in a property, and nothing is stopping you from investing in a good quality mattress topper, duvet and pillows.
If you're not a fan of hard flooring, search for motorhomes that are fitted with carpets and be sure to test out the seats before buying, some seats can be hard and unsupportive, which will make long journeys very uncomfortable, in this case, you perhaps might want a complete set of new seats.
Some owners of a large car/van even opt into a conversion, giving them somewhere to sleep while on the road. To conclude, motorhomes are as comfortable as you make them. A more expensive motorhome does not necessarily mean more comfort, so don't assume you won't have to check the little things if you're paying a higher price.
Are you thinking of buying a Motorhome in the Newcastle area? We offer used and new motorhome stock from the leading brands.