Good tips as always. We Were blessed 7 months ago when we got our van. The previous owner had installed a lot of extras and we later installed a refillable gas system. The only issue we have had is when the gearbox broke recently.If one is buying a motorhome another important factor is to look into the mechanical side of the vehicle, its service history and maintenance and so forth. Always look for a good service history which will be a good reflection on its previous owners and their care of the vehicle.
Well done on another great video! I think the most important aspect which you two show is traveling as a couple to enjoy each others company in a small space. You're always so positive and do things together (apart from kite surfing!!) We really only had a couple of criteria 6 metres, low profile, fixed french bed and decent bathroom which we found this March and have been away at least once a month for a minimum of a long weekend. So many people on UA-cam seem to be at odds with each other and look like they'll be divorced by the end of the video. Thanks again, look forward to seeing more of Italy
Thanks David! We're just really good actors? 😋 Jokes aside, you really have to not only like and respect each other enough to survive 24/7 small-space living, you also need to agree on (most) things and have a similar idea on what the point of all this little thing is that we call life.
I definitely think this was the ideal way to travel during Covid (and possibly your tips are more geared towards that too? Eg getting stuck in there in inclement weather - this is what shops and libraries are for). But to me, traveling in a motorhome is excessive. But that's me. Still, most of the tips can be related to any size vehicle. Mostly I just watched this cos I haven't had time to look at one of your vids in a while and was missing you guys
Hi you guys have a lot of good tips for camper van travelling. If buying second hand you have to allow more money to get the motorhome you want. thanks again
Great stuff and good advice. I agree with all you say, I can add for me that one of my considerations was that I was a Mercedes mechanic (Don't work in that trade anymore) and had never worked on a fiat van/truck (which most van's seem to be motorhome wise) so I had to buy the Mercedes Spinster model (as I was use to working on them) which sort of restricted my choice some what, Anyway I ended up with an Italian make, but on a Mercedes chassis/engine, Just so I can be lazy and work on it myself, which I have always done for the past 20 years and it's still running perfect (touch wood, as we are off to Spain soon). Over the years we have updated it and like you added solar, more batteries etc, We are still happy, mostly because it's expensive to change 🙂 We brought it new and so were able to look after it from the start, sometimes that can make a difference too.
There's a lot of value in having a vehicle you can maintain yourself (especially nowadays) - and it's a massive bonus if you had it from brand new. Hold on to what you have as long as it still serves its purpose. Theoretically we our old Fiat is 'cheap' to keep on the road compared to replacing it - even with some catastrophic mechanical failure it will still be the cheaper option. The shell will start showing its age eventually - that's the downside of all the wood used back in the day.
Hello and greetings from Poland where we just experience now first snow and chilly weather. This is the reason we subscribed to your channel and found it both very informative and giving us opportunity to join you with your journey through the south of Italy. As a mater of fact we plan to go there with our camper. We have LPG bottles. And some people advise us to install permanent LPG system to be able to refill it at the petrol stations. But this is illegal in some countries. Do you have permanent LPG system and have you had any problems with refilling? Once again thank you for great videos you made and Buon Viaggio.
Hi guys and thanks for the comment! We would always recommend getting some form of refillable system, but it does not have to be all or nothing. We have space for 2x 11kg bottles in our gas locker and changed one to a refillable bottle with an external filling point. (Have a look at carbonzorro.com for the Alugas or GasLow bottles.) We kept one Italian bottle as a backup but have never used it. The advantage is that if you do run into a problem with refilling then you can always get a local bottle. That said we have not have any problems so far refilling - except in Italy where it can be a hit or miss. We have beet turned away a few times but have always found somewhere else to fill. It's not that the refilling is illegal, it's that the taxation on autogas does not allow for it to be used for cooking (very confusing). But everywhere else in Europe refilling with an external filling point is no problem. It's not cheap but it saves a lot of hassle to not have to get local bottles or adapters. However, it probably depends on how long you will be away from your home country
@@WeWillNomad Thanks for this "hybrid" idea of having mixed system. Sounds very attractive. Will certainly follow you to see where you are heading for warmer weather.
How against are you :) to a 7.4m semi-integrated motorhome? It's the only length available if you want two separate beds in the back. We're very close to purchasing (in about 3-4 months) and we've narrowed our target vehicle to this type of layout and implicitly this length. What issues do you see with this? (width is 230cm)
The truth is that our opinion will be subjective to personal bias and preference. If you need a van that length and width to cater to your needs, then it will just mean some compromise elsewhere (like available payload, ease of parking, etc). When it comes to motorhomes everything is a compromise. 😋 We do love the 'idea' of a sub-6m van but as we live in it full time this size will bring tough choices. Width is almost equally important once you venture off the main roads in Europe and this is something we've come to appreciate more and more. A vehicle we really like the look of (mostly due to the width but also dure to the light-weight design) is the Carthago c-compactline models. Even the longer 143 model come in at less than 3000kg.
Wow, I stumbled across your video in my planning to visit Europe, Netherlands etc Hopefully from March, April 2023. Good to see South Africans. I can hear from your accent that you are South African. I surely check out your videos. Looks like you have been grabbing for a while. Have you emigrated to Europe or are you only on a long stay tourist Visa?
Now that I've watched the video to the end I can safely say that I am more clued up on what kind of motorhome that that we should buy, or was that less clued up..... ;-) Its funny, cos all of the points that were discussed are ones that we have also discussed. On Mondays, I think we should get a 6m motorhome, on Tuesdays I've changed to a 9m vehicle and usually by Friday I've 100% decided that a 7.5 meter A-Class motorhome is exactly what would suit us. Decisions, decisions..... I like your point about the width, to be honest most of my focus has been on the length. So, we need to consider the width more. I think its fair to say that everyone who buys a campervan/motorhome would buy a different one after their first 6 months of experience in them. However, it's great to have such valuable information up front, thanks for sharing.
In a way advice like this can easily confuse more than help! 😋😁 Totally agree with you on the flip-flopping though! The really tricky part is that even if/when you have decided on your ideal layout/size/chassis - where will you find it in a good condition and decent price? We met a guy in Spain who searched and waited for almost 2 years to find what he was looking for - and he was prepared to import from Germany!
Thanks. Indeed, well done video. Starting motor homing this summer for a few years, I really keep in mind all your comments. Especially the lengths of my motorhome (9m) will be an experience. But enough living space and good bathroom-space was for me the issue (as an elderly man.)
Thanks Jason! Guess we have to make up for the last 3 weeks of silence! 😁 Alas, we're staying in Puglia until the end of December. Come January we might just head off to find warmer weather for a couple of months though!
Love your presence and presentation. We are from Vancouver in Canada and have now decided on an extended adventure in Europe and the UK. We have been renting motorhomes for about 7 years for extended trips in Canada and Europe. We attended the Dusseldorf RV Show in September so I guess you might say we are on the hook. We plan to buy. One thing I have not seen in your presentations(albeit we have only seen a few) is how you deal with the Schengen situation. I am also interested in your camera(s).
Hi Allan! Thank you for the comment! Sounds like you have loads of experience with this way of travel. Have you decided on what to buy yet? Personally, we would be very tempted by the Carthago c-compactline Super-Lightweight options. Mainly for the width and weight. Fortunately, we both are Italian citizens, so we don't have the challenge of navigating Schengen limits. In your case you will have to find a way to be out of Schengen for some of the time.
@@WeWillNomad Hi Andre and Lisa. We are more than tempted by the Carthago. It is what we will splurge on. I like the Mercedes units but Angela is all Liner for Two. I don't find it too long as we use 25'+ here in Canada. I find the Super-light is also quite interesting. We will purchase it using a company we will form so as to get a proper address which may also help us solve our Schengen problem. I am laughing at your last item in your 'gadget' video. I have been using 'the unit' for the past few years so I don't disturb the 'old girl'. Keep it up...
6 months, nice! Spain is great and we're missing it a lot this winter. Good luck with the plans! We'll probably also head back there towards the end of next year.
Great advices and valuable video - thanks André & Lisa. Valuable questions for everyone who're thinking about purchase a motorhome, or camper. Looking forward to see more your entertaining videos. 👍🥰
Good stuff really good video I suppose I was lucky in the fact I found a really cheap motorhome that had been stud in a carpark for 15 years. So with my skills of being a carpenter, I made the van to suit my life style 😎
Great advice, all those questions. Very valuable video! We always advise people to first rent a motorhome, more than once really, to be able to choose between the different lay-outs and things like that. We have ordered our motorhome in March, hope to have it March 2023. One of the important things to us was to have a separated bathroom and shower. Actually after renting for several years, we had a very clear idea of what we wanted, and had our wishlist in mind. We'll spend quite some money on it, but we do want to travel with it for years and years, weekends and longer holidays. Oh btw, I really loved your video about Gent, in Belgium. I've lived in Gent for most of my life, and we know that camperplace where you were in Maria-Aalter.
Awesome thanks! Congrats on the new motorhome! You guys must be super excited. Indeed, as you say, renting for a bit is actually a good investment to learn about what works for you. 😎 We really liked Belgium and next time we'll spend more time there! Sadly, we didn't see much of Gent.. considering we had a massive cycle there and the weather was touch and go we had to make do with the time we had.
Sound practical common sense advice , I am presently planning a new life, living full time and will be buying my motorhome spring next year however we presently have crazy second hand prices in the UK ! your last part about taking ones time to soak up your part of the world ?, great if you live in the EU , but not if you don't, so many road blocks now for those that reside outside and are planning a mega road trip from example the UK which only allows 90 days in every 180 ! however some good news this week , Bulgaria and Rumania failed to get Schengen status (for now) which will give travellers another two countries to exit and re- enter whilst in the EU area, Sad that Croatia is no longer an option ! the other sticking point for us pet owners from the UK , the old pet passport system has been replaced with the health certificate which is valid for only 4 months ! working on the idea of getting an EU pet passport , which requires an address in the EU ? any advice on that would be most welcome from your readers ! look foreword to your next post ..
Hi and thanks for the comment! Gosh it really is getting tricky for Brits to travel longer around the EU 😬 Croatia was always a nice buffe. It might take a while for the zone to expand further but every time it happens it complicates matters further. The whole pet passport thing seems a bit bizarre, hopefully you manage to figure out something.
Wonderful video, I definitely benefitted from your experience in this video.
Good tips as always. We Were blessed 7 months ago when we got our van. The previous owner had installed a lot of extras and we later installed a refillable gas system. The only issue we have had is when the gearbox broke recently.If one is buying a motorhome another important factor is to look into the mechanical side of the vehicle, its service history and maintenance and so forth. Always look for a good service history which will be a good reflection on its previous owners and their care of the vehicle.
Service history is critical yes! Bad luck on that gearbox though! 😭
Well done on another great video! I think the most important aspect which you two show is traveling as a couple to enjoy each others company in a small space. You're always so positive and do things together (apart from kite surfing!!) We really only had a couple of criteria 6 metres, low profile, fixed french bed and decent bathroom which we found this March and have been away at least once a month for a minimum of a long weekend. So many people on UA-cam seem to be at odds with each other and look like they'll be divorced by the end of the video. Thanks again, look forward to seeing more of Italy
Thanks David! We're just really good actors? 😋 Jokes aside, you really have to not only like and respect each other enough to survive 24/7 small-space living, you also need to agree on (most) things and have a similar idea on what the point of all this little thing is that we call life.
I definitely think this was the ideal way to travel during Covid (and possibly your tips are more geared towards that too? Eg getting stuck in there in inclement weather - this is what shops and libraries are for). But to me, traveling in a motorhome is excessive. But that's me.
Still, most of the tips can be related to any size vehicle.
Mostly I just watched this cos I haven't had time to look at one of your vids in a while and was missing you guys
hi Susie! Nice to hear from you again! 😋 No doubt the ideal vehicle size is subjective.
@@WeWillNomad yes, especially solo travel vs family travel considerations
Hi you guys have a lot of good tips for camper van travelling. If buying second hand you have to allow more money to get the motorhome you want. thanks again
You're welcome! Thanks for the comment!
Great stuff and good advice. I agree with all you say, I can add for me that one of my considerations was that I was a Mercedes mechanic (Don't work in that trade anymore) and had never worked on a fiat van/truck (which most van's seem to be motorhome wise) so I had to buy the Mercedes Spinster model (as I was use to working on them) which sort of restricted my choice some what, Anyway I ended up with an Italian make, but on a Mercedes chassis/engine, Just so I can be lazy and work on it myself, which I have always done for the past 20 years and it's still running perfect (touch wood, as we are off to Spain soon).
Over the years we have updated it and like you added solar, more batteries etc, We are still happy, mostly because it's expensive to change 🙂 We brought it new and so were able to look after it from the start, sometimes that can make a difference too.
There's a lot of value in having a vehicle you can maintain yourself (especially nowadays) - and it's a massive bonus if you had it from brand new. Hold on to what you have as long as it still serves its purpose. Theoretically we our old Fiat is 'cheap' to keep on the road compared to replacing it - even with some catastrophic mechanical failure it will still be the cheaper option. The shell will start showing its age eventually - that's the downside of all the wood used back in the day.
Hello and greetings from Poland where we just experience now first snow and chilly weather.
This is the reason we subscribed to your channel and found it both very informative and giving us opportunity to join you with your journey through the south of Italy. As a mater of fact we plan to go there with our camper. We have LPG bottles. And some people advise us to install permanent LPG system to be able to refill it at the petrol stations. But this is illegal in some countries. Do you have permanent LPG system and have you had any problems with refilling?
Once again thank you for great videos you made and Buon Viaggio.
Hi guys and thanks for the comment! We would always recommend getting some form of refillable system, but it does not have to be all or nothing. We have space for 2x 11kg bottles in our gas locker and changed one to a refillable bottle with an external filling point. (Have a look at carbonzorro.com for the Alugas or GasLow bottles.) We kept one Italian bottle as a backup but have never used it. The advantage is that if you do run into a problem with refilling then you can always get a local bottle. That said we have not have any problems so far refilling - except in Italy where it can be a hit or miss. We have beet turned away a few times but have always found somewhere else to fill. It's not that the refilling is illegal, it's that the taxation on autogas does not allow for it to be used for cooking (very confusing). But everywhere else in Europe refilling with an external filling point is no problem. It's not cheap but it saves a lot of hassle to not have to get local bottles or adapters. However, it probably depends on how long you will be away from your home country
@@WeWillNomad Thanks for this "hybrid" idea of having mixed system. Sounds very attractive. Will certainly follow you to see where you are heading for warmer weather.
How against are you :) to a 7.4m semi-integrated motorhome? It's the only length available if you want two separate beds in the back. We're very close to purchasing (in about 3-4 months) and we've narrowed our target vehicle to this type of layout and implicitly this length. What issues do you see with this? (width is 230cm)
The truth is that our opinion will be subjective to personal bias and preference. If you need a van that length and width to cater to your needs, then it will just mean some compromise elsewhere (like available payload, ease of parking, etc). When it comes to motorhomes everything is a compromise. 😋 We do love the 'idea' of a sub-6m van but as we live in it full time this size will bring tough choices. Width is almost equally important once you venture off the main roads in Europe and this is something we've come to appreciate more and more. A vehicle we really like the look of (mostly due to the width but also dure to the light-weight design) is the Carthago c-compactline models. Even the longer 143 model come in at less than 3000kg.
Wow, I stumbled across your video in my planning to visit Europe, Netherlands etc Hopefully from March, April 2023. Good to see South Africans. I can hear from your accent that you are South African.
I surely check out your videos. Looks like you have been grabbing for a while. Have you emigrated to Europe or are you only on a long stay tourist Visa?
Impossible to hide that accent! 🤣 No we both have Italian citizenship.. which makes it a lot easier to do this long term. ..
Now that I've watched the video to the end I can safely say that I am more clued up on what kind of motorhome that that we should buy, or was that less clued up..... ;-) Its funny, cos all of the points that were discussed are ones that we have also discussed. On Mondays, I think we should get a 6m motorhome, on Tuesdays I've changed to a 9m vehicle and usually by Friday I've 100% decided that a 7.5 meter A-Class motorhome is exactly what would suit us. Decisions, decisions..... I like your point about the width, to be honest most of my focus has been on the length. So, we need to consider the width more. I think its fair to say that everyone who buys a campervan/motorhome would buy a different one after their first 6 months of experience in them. However, it's great to have such valuable information up front, thanks for sharing.
In a way advice like this can easily confuse more than help! 😋😁 Totally agree with you on the flip-flopping though! The really tricky part is that even if/when you have decided on your ideal layout/size/chassis - where will you find it in a good condition and decent price? We met a guy in Spain who searched and waited for almost 2 years to find what he was looking for - and he was prepared to import from Germany!
Thanks. Indeed, well done video. Starting motor homing this summer for a few years, I really keep in mind all your comments. Especially the lengths of my motorhome (9m) will be an experience. But enough living space and good bathroom-space was for me the issue (as an elderly man.)
Appreciate your comment. Comfort is important and if you can manage the length it's well worth it. Enjoy your trip!
Great vid ,thanks . 2 vids in 1 week ? Stop it ,your spoiling me 😂.
Wher are you both hoping to be for Christmas 🎄?
All the best 👍🇬🇧X
Thanks Jason! Guess we have to make up for the last 3 weeks of silence! 😁 Alas, we're staying in Puglia until the end of December. Come January we might just head off to find warmer weather for a couple of months though!
Love your presence and presentation. We are from Vancouver in Canada and have now decided on an extended adventure in Europe and the UK. We have been renting motorhomes for about 7 years for extended trips in Canada and Europe. We attended the Dusseldorf RV Show in September so I guess you might say we are on the hook. We plan to buy. One thing I have not seen in your presentations(albeit we have only seen a few) is how you deal with the Schengen situation. I am also interested in your camera(s).
Hi Allan! Thank you for the comment! Sounds like you have loads of experience with this way of travel. Have you decided on what to buy yet? Personally, we would be very tempted by the Carthago c-compactline Super-Lightweight options. Mainly for the width and weight. Fortunately, we both are Italian citizens, so we don't have the challenge of navigating Schengen limits. In your case you will have to find a way to be out of Schengen for some of the time.
@@WeWillNomad Hi Andre and Lisa. We are more than tempted by the Carthago. It is what we will splurge on. I like the Mercedes units but Angela is all Liner for Two. I don't find it too long as we use 25'+ here in Canada. I find the Super-light is also quite interesting. We will purchase it using a company we will form so as to get a proper address which may also help us solve our Schengen problem. I am laughing at your last item in your 'gadget' video. I have been using 'the unit' for the past few years so I don't disturb the 'old girl'. Keep it up...
We had this discussion with my wife for so long and in the end we bought a caravan. :D
And you're did it work out? Happy?
@@WeWillNomad yessss, we already did 6mo trip and now preparing for another one. We are planning for Spain, thats how we found your channel.
6 months, nice! Spain is great and we're missing it a lot this winter. Good luck with the plans! We'll probably also head back there towards the end of next year.
@@WeWillNomad Safe and happy travels guys! Check out our channel you might find some ideas for Italy and Agriturismo.
Great advices and valuable video - thanks André & Lisa. Valuable questions for everyone who're thinking about purchase a motorhome, or camper.
Looking forward to see more your entertaining videos. 👍🥰
Thank you! Glad you found it useful ❤
Good stuff really good video
I suppose I was lucky in the fact I found a really cheap motorhome that had been stud in a carpark for 15 years. So with my skills of being a carpenter, I made the van to suit my life style 😎
It makes SUCH a big difference to be able to change it to suit you - especially if you have the skill to do it yourself!
Great advice, all those questions. Very valuable video! We always advise people to first rent a motorhome, more than once really, to be able to choose between the different lay-outs and things like that. We have ordered our motorhome in March, hope to have it March 2023. One of the important things to us was to have a separated bathroom and shower. Actually after renting for several years, we had a very clear idea of what we wanted, and had our wishlist in mind. We'll spend quite some money on it, but we do want to travel with it for years and years, weekends and longer holidays. Oh btw, I really loved your video about Gent, in Belgium. I've lived in Gent for most of my life, and we know that camperplace where you were in Maria-Aalter.
Awesome thanks! Congrats on the new motorhome! You guys must be super excited. Indeed, as you say, renting for a bit is actually a good investment to learn about what works for you. 😎 We really liked Belgium and next time we'll spend more time there! Sadly, we didn't see much of Gent.. considering we had a massive cycle there and the weather was touch and go we had to make do with the time we had.
Wow what a wealth of advice! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Dani you should check out @LifeistooshortCK for some micro-campervan inspiration!
Thank you for the time and effort you spend on these great videos. They are so informative.
You're welcome! Thanks for the comment.
looking for 1 RV
😋 If you're still heading for Scandinavia it will have to be a Nordic Edition! Are you thinking of rescheduling your trip at some point?
Yes ,but still got 3 hospital appointment to go.
So may replan some time March or April 2023 .
Good to hear! That's a good time of the year too! The weather overall is much better than November.
Sound practical common sense advice , I am presently planning a new life, living full time and will be buying my motorhome spring next year however we presently have crazy second hand prices in the UK ! your last part about taking ones time to soak up your part of the world ?, great if you live in the EU , but not if you don't, so many road blocks now for those that reside outside and are planning a mega road trip from example the UK which only allows 90 days in every 180 ! however some good news this week , Bulgaria and Rumania failed to get Schengen status (for now) which will give travellers another two countries to exit and re- enter whilst in the EU area, Sad that Croatia is no longer an option ! the other sticking point for us pet owners from the UK , the old pet passport system has been replaced with the health certificate which is valid for only 4 months ! working on the idea of getting an EU pet passport , which requires an address in the EU ? any advice on that would be most welcome from your readers ! look foreword to your next post ..
Hi and thanks for the comment! Gosh it really is getting tricky for Brits to travel longer around the EU 😬 Croatia was always a nice buffe. It might take a while for the zone to expand further but every time it happens it complicates matters further. The whole pet passport thing seems a bit bizarre, hopefully you manage to figure out something.