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Post by dtshalpin on Apr 21, 2007 21:16:01 GMT -5
Hi I wondering if someone can help us as we are traveling Europe in a month or so and would like to purchase a small motor home, and am not sure where to get it from? Is it better to get it in the UK where we can speak English with the previous owner and then take it across to Europe or to buy it in Europe and then take it to the UK where we will be ending our trip and selling it. Has anyone ever done this before.
Hoping to have some help in this problem, thanks :)
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Post by Eagle on Apr 22, 2007 1:02:37 GMT -5
dtshalpin, welcome to the Boards! Regarding your question, that's not something I have any experience with at the moment. However, a few comments and observations.
I couldn't tell from your Profile where you normally reside, and therefore what type of driving you're used to? However, one thought that occured to me is that if you buy the Motorhome in the U.K., it will be a bit "awkward" to drive on "the other" side of the road on the continent. Conversely, if you buy it in Europe, you'll be on the other side of the road in the U.K.
Also, how long were you planning to be in Europe? If you reside outside of the Euro zone, you'll have to contend with the limits of the Schengen Visa (3 months, extensions virtually never granted).
Finally, I'm not sure what the insurance implications would be? Many rental firms won't allow their fleet cars to be taken to some of the eastern Euro countries, so I suspect that insurance firms might have restrictions in that regard also?
For extended stays in Europe requiring a vehicle, it is possible to lease one at better rates than renting. However, I'd have to do some checking to get the particulars on that. Also, I'm not sure if leasing a Motorhome is possible?
Hope this is some help? Good luck!
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Post by MuvverRussia on Apr 22, 2007 4:15:52 GMT -5
Firstly, I'd try and get a left hand drive car (i.e. European), as opposed to a right hand drive. Driving a RHD car on the right is a pain, especially at junctions and when trying to overtake - you really need someone you can trust to tell you when to go.
Next, I'm not sure where you're from. A lot (99%) of motorhomes/camper vans in your budget are going to have a manual (stick shift) gear box. This could be an issue if you've never driven a manual before.
Insurance wise, all of the EU is fair game if you own your vehicle. That said, a UK policy (for example) is vastly different to a US one - in the UK individual drivers have to be insured on a vehicle and not just the vehicle itself. That could significantly increase the cost if you have more than 1 driver, especially if you're all under 25.
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Post by herrbert on Apr 22, 2007 4:24:09 GMT -5
As far as I know insurance companies here have no restrictions for taking your car into Eastern Europe. But you have to know that a car must have an insurance (otherwise you are not allowed to drive), and the car needs a periodical check, which has to be done every year. If you would buy a car, be sure, that this check, doesn't fall into the period, that you are the owner.
I think the plan is daring, and can cost you some money (but renting a home, will also cost money), because you don't have the time at the end of your trip, to wait for a decent bid. If you want to do it, be sure to know where it's the cheapest to buy the home, and in which country it is good to sell. And mind that the prices of petrol are a little bit different that in Canada/US. (I presume a home will run on Diesel, so expect to pay 1.20 euro (in some countries more) a liter. Also calculate that a lot of countries, will ask for toll for using motorways, or alpine passes.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 22, 2007 19:50:05 GMT -5
dtshalpin, all great advice from the others. If you do decide to buy a camper/motor home, then have a look on www.gumtree.co.uk as many Australians and New Zealanders do exactly what you want to do and sell their vehicles on to other travellers when they're done. Otherwise a paper called Loot might also be of help. If you are starting in the UK then I guess it makes sense to buy it there, but if you were thinking of starting in Europe, then that's a whole other kettle of fish. LH drive vehicles are available in the UK, but you might have to seach a little. And the insurance points are very important too. Good luck!
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Post by dtshalpin on Apr 24, 2007 19:03:34 GMT -5
Thanks for your replies some of the information was fantastic like the link to www.gumtree.com.uk it was worth looking at. Do you know if there is restrictions on driving a right hand drive car in Europe? and also changing rego if you don't have a permanent address? Once again thanks for you help! |
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 24, 2007 20:09:22 GMT -5
AFAIK there are no restrictions witha RH drive car in Europe (might pay to stick a note on your steering wheel saying "STAY RIGHT"! -those roundabouts can mess with your head!). Many from the UK take their cars over to Europe for driving holidays so there's no issue there.
As for addresses for regristrations, that might be a tricky one. Hopefully Muvver or Crystal will know.
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Post by herrbert on Apr 25, 2007 5:24:09 GMT -5
It's not a restriction, but you might want to adjust the lights a little bit when you are driving in Europe.
Lights always have a little bit of a focus, to the side of the road. If you go to drive, on the other side of the road, your lights can be blinding for cars on the opposite site of the road. (You can also get stickers, to avoid this problem).
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Post by MuvverRussia on Apr 25, 2007 13:43:04 GMT -5
Yeah, you need to adjust halogen lights with beam deflectors. Xenons can only be adjusted by a dealership though, although it's highly unlikely you'll encounter those.
There's no legal requirement for a car to be LHD/RHD in any country in Europe. That said, insurance could be problematic, your best bet is to ask on websites such as gumtree.com or Lonely Planet regarding suitable policies.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 26, 2007 19:00:41 GMT -5
I think it was WillTravel who posted a note about the TV show "Backpackers" a while back. The reason I note this is that these three guys bought (then sold) a van to drive around Europe for months and they started in London so their site might have something about insurance and other tips. If not, email them (if you can) and see what they say. The site is: www.backpakers.tc |
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Post by WillTravel on Apr 27, 2007 2:49:32 GMT -5
I doubt I posted that, because I don't recall ever seeing that. However, I did post about meeting an Australian couple who started their trip by going to the UK and buying what they called a "caravan", which seems to be something like what we would call a van, that was equipped with cooking facilities, toilet, and shower. When I met them in Berlin, they were in the middle of a six-month tour with their van. They were staying way outside of town at a campground several miles from Potsdam. It had right-hand drive.
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Post by madamtrashheap on Apr 30, 2007 2:55:38 GMT -5
Soz WT, clearly my memory needs to do some exercises!
I remember you Posted an article about poshbackers vs backpackers, must be getting them confused.
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