Ultimate motorhome buying guide: complete checklist

Image credit: Germane Jaws (Unsplash)

Thinking of buying a motorhome?

Owning a motorhome opens up so many options for travelling, with the flexibility to go whenever you like. There are a lot of different motorhome options on the market, with different makes and models offering features and amenities to suit every need.

Here we take you through the ultimate guide to buying a motorhome, with everything you need to consider before purchasing. While doing your research is great, nothing compares to actually being able to try a motorhome before you buy it. Consider looking at Camplify’s range of rental options, since they offer the opportunity to try before you buy.

While smaller campervans have their advantages, in this article we will be looking at Class A, Class B and Class C motorhomes. The definition between campervan and motorhome can be blurry in Class C, but motorhomes generally provide more living space and contain a shower and/or toilet.

What Type of Motorhome Do You Need?

Before you begin looking for your perfect motorhome, you’ll need to start narrowing down from the multitude of options available. Some basic questions to ask yourself are- what kind of trips are you planning to take? Weekends away, week-long adventures, or epic touring odysseys? The length of your average trip will help you decide on how much space you will need for living, cooking and cooking, and what kind of creature comforts you will require to have the best experience possible.

You’ll also need to take into consideration how many people you usually holiday with. Smaller Class C motorhomes generally only sleep two to three people, which larger motorhomes can sleep up to six or eight people.

Your motorhome’s downtime is an important factor here as well. When you are not travelling, where will you park your motorhome? Will it be safe and secure? The research says that the average motorhome owner only uses their vehicle for six weeks out of every year, so consider listing your motorhome for rent on Camplify to earn money off your motorhome when it is not being used.

What Features Do You Need?

There are a wide array of features available in motorhomes, from just the basics right through to everything you never knew you wanted. Every additional feature adds to the cost of the vehicle, though, so make sure the extra amenities you are requesting are worth the additional costs.

You’ll need to think about all the ways you plan to use your motorhome and preference those features that are most important to you. Is it the ability to cook indoors while camping? Look at including a fridge, sink, stovetop and plenty of counter space. If you’re expecting to spend a lot of time in your living space, you should prioritise things like a table, couch, curtains, air conditioning and perhaps dual batteries or solar for indoor light. If longer touring trips are your thing, consider extra water tanks, bigger living space and more storage.

There’s also scope for including additional external add-ons, like bike racks, roof racks, clotheslines, and even pull out annexes or awnings that can add considerably to your living space.

What’s Your Budget?

You will probably have at least some idea of a budget in mind when you begin looking into purchasing a motorhome of your own. It’s important to consider not only the purchase cost of a motorhome, but also the ongoing yearly costs, like registration, insurance, and maintenance, and also the possibility for occasional engine disasters that will require a big money sink.

Even with all that in mind, it’s easy when you start shopping to fall in love with a brand new home on wheels that’s out of your price range. The starting price for an older second-hand Class C model is around $30,000, with prices reaching into the hundreds of thousands and beyond for larger, more luxurious Class A models. It’s a balancing act - weighing up your needs versus your wants, and additional features versus blowing out your budget.

Remember, the purpose of buying a vehicle like a motorhome is to relax - don’t make it stressful by getting yourself into debt you can’t afford.

Which Model Is Best For You?

When you get to the point of researching different motorhome models, the first big decision is whether to buy new or used. Buying new, you get a manufacturer’s warranty, a brand new vehicle with no damage or wear and tear, and the ability to customise your choice to some extent with features, interiors and colours.

A used vehicle does come with some risk associated but might be worth it for the larger range of options available on a lower budget. It’s possible you’ll find the perfect vehicle, with everything you are looking for, for a much cheaper price than if you had bought new. Buying an ex-rental motorhome is often an attractive option, as they tend to have been well maintained and fleets are frequently rolled over with low kilometres on the clock. The end of summer is the best time to start looking for ex-fleet vehicles since they usually update their fleet after peak season.

Once you’ve decided if new or used is for you, start searching around for models that fit both your needs and your budget. When you’ve narrowed your options down to a few different models, turn to the internet to find out as much as you possibly can about your choices. Discussion forums make an excellent resource for learning about the advantages and drawbacks of different motorhomes, and will often alert you to any potential issues that might arise.

If you plug the model number and make into Google with the word ‘issues’ or ‘problems’, you’re likely to find comprehensive accounts of the issues that might affect your vehicle, what causes them to occur, and the rough cost to get them fixed. Another advantage of buying a used motorhome is that you can look for a vehicle that has already had this issue addressed - for example, if you know your potential model is prone to engine problems, look for one that has recently had an engine replacement. Talking to owners online will give you a real sense of how well the vehicle you’re considering will suit your needs.

Remember to keep in mind those ongoing maintenance costs along with the insurance and registration. Take your time doing your research and find the perfect model for you before you rush into buying anything.

Shopping Time!

When you have decided what make and model of a motorhome is right for you and your travel companions it’s time to get serious about looking around at what options are currently available. It’s important to be patient, especially if you are buying second hand, as new vehicles will come on the market all the time, and if you buy too early in your search you might miss out on something that’s better suited to you and at a better price.

If you’re buying new, a quick Google search will tell you your local dealerships, so you can check out the motorhome first hand. Consider attending caravan and camping shows and events to get a feel for different brands. Some will even offer ridiculously low special pricing if you buy during the show.

When buying second hand, many used car dealerships will stock motorhomes. Get friendly with the salesman to unlock a potentially good deal, but don’t be afraid to walk away if you are not getting the price you are looking for.

TradeMe is NZ’s online auction marketplace and has a huge range of used cars available. Also, consider Turners Cars Auctions. Online travel guide sites like BackpackerBoard will have a range of travel vehicles available - mostly campervans, but with the potential for some Class C motorhomes at a bargain price.

When narrowing down your viable options, low kilometres is obviously the first thing to look at, as it will give you a good indication of usage and potential wear and tear. You’ll also have to consider how far you will travel to pick up the vehicle of your dreams - is it worth flying in to pick it up and drive it from a location a considerable distance from you?

The Nitty Gritty Details

Once you’ve found the perfect motorhome at the right price, you need to make sure it’s as good as it seems. Take your time checking out the vehicle and never feel pressured to buy quickly. Take the motorhome for a test drive to get a feel for the engine, braking and steering. If you have a friend with car knowledge (mechanic friends are ideal) bring them along to check it out too. Consumer NZ has a comprehensive used car checklist available that covers everything you should look at before making your decision.

For $100-$200, you can have a pre-purchase inspection done by a licensed mechanic through AA Motoring or VTNZ, which will either give you peace of mind that you are making the right decision or advance warning if the vehicle is a dud. It’s well worth the money and easy to organise. Aside from that, aVehicle History Check through Motorweb will tell you if the vehicle is stolen, has money owing on it, or if the odometer reading is inaccurate.

Every vehicle in NZ needs a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) and for older vehicles, these need to be done every six months. The WOF is displayed on a sticker on the motorhome’s windscreen and you’ll need to check it is in date. If you buy a motorhome without this, you will need to drive the vehicle directly to a garage or inspection station after purchase to get a new WOF and will be up for the cost of repairs to bring it up to WOF standards (which might add up to a lot).

The current registration sticker for the motorhome will also be displayed in the window and should be taken into account when deciding on a price. It is possible to buy a vehicle unregistered but it will cost more to register (instead of renewing) and probably take a considerable amount of time and money to get it done.

Payment for your new motorhome is best done by bank cheque for the agreed amount, and asking the seller for a receipt as proof of purchase is always a good idea. You’ll need to notify the NZ Transport Agency as soon as the vehicle changes hands (so will the seller), which can be donevia their website.

While insurance isn’t compulsory, it a good idea to have it in place from the first time you drive your motorhome. Roadside assistance is also a good investment, and if you plan on using your new motorhome to its full potential, both insurance and roadside assistance will probably pay for themselves in the long run.

So, Now What?

Well, congratulations on purchasing your new motorhome. There’s no time like the present to get out and about and start adventuring.

To make the most of our motorhome, make sure you keep it clean, well serviced and well maintained. Have it stocked with everything you think you will need and keep adding things as your trips call for them. Keeping your motorhome fully stocked and ready to go means you can take spontaneous trips at any time - think coming home from work on a Friday afternoon and being on the road within an hour. If you're going to hire out your motorhome using Camplify, make sure you take out anything personal or sentimental.

Keep a list of places you want to go and keep a map for marking off the places you’ve been. Enjoy every second of your new home on wheels and exploring this beautiful country and everything it has to offer.

While all of this should maximise how much you use your motorhome and minimise its downtime, it will inevitably spend some time sitting in the garage. This downtime has the potential to turn your motorhome into a solid financial investment if you’re up for sharing it with other travellers, so you might like to consider listing it on Camplify.

So what is Camplify?

We are a caravan hire and RV sharing community, helping connect thousands of holidaymakers with RV owners.

What does that mean?

Essentially, we provide a unique sharing service where owners of caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, and campervans list their RV for hire while not in use. As an owner, this enables you to earn over $10,000 each year instead of having your RV just sitting around while you’re not using it.

As a holidaymaker, Camplify helps you find an RV that is perfect for you so you can experience the joys of caravanning - without having to own one yourself.

Interested? Learn more about Camplify here.