Owner guides
Pros and cons of owning a motorhome
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It’s no secret that we’re fans of motorhome ownership here at Camplify! But buying and maintaining a motorhome is a big decision that needs to be considered carefully. Along with all the positive aspects like saving on holiday costs and even making money from your van, the initial outlay, running costs and factors like motorhome security or storage also need to be taken into account. Below, we lay out all of the pros and cons of owning a motorhome so that you can decide whether it’s the right move for you.
Pros and cons of owning a motorhome: things to think about before you buy
Benefits of owning a motorhome
1. Enjoy freedom and flexibility
The freedom it gives you for holidays and spur of the moment trips is one of the biggest reasons for owning your own motorhome. No need to plan flights months ahead or rush for that train at the nearest station, either – with a motorhome, you can just pack up and head off whenever you feel like it!
And with no restrictions like having to be at a particular hotel on a particular night, a motorhome holiday lets you explore the country at your own pace. Get off the beaten track to find hidden gems, remote locations and perfect picnic spots… then park up there or nearby to stay overnight. Check out our guide to free camping in the UK for more.
2. Save money
OK, so we said freedom and flexibility are the biggest reasons for owning a motorhome. But the money you’ll save comes in a very close second. Having your own home on wheels will save you money on hotels, eating out, snacks, entertainment costs… Motorhoming is easy to do on a budget if you need to, and will save you a lot of money on every holiday.
3. Work from the road
Nowadays, millions of people around the world are beginning to appreciate there’s (much) more to life than stuffy train rides and over-priced inner city rental apartments. If you’re lucky enough to have a job you can do remotely, why not do it from the open road and live in your motorhome full time? Imagine a different office view every day with zero commute!
4. Make money
Hiring out your motorhome when you’re not using it can make you thousands of pounds each year. On Camplify, you can list your motorhome for free, advertising to holidaymakers from all over the world. Learn how to hire out your motorhome.
Not convinced yet? Here are even more pros to owning a motorhome:
Join up with a like-minded community – the motorhome community is a famously friendly crowd and the van lifestyle is hard to beat!
Have more family holiday time – as soon as you’re in, you’re off! The extra space means that motorhomes are far more kid-friendly than cars, and kids have more room for their favourite toys and games too.
Take your pet along for the ride! Most campsites are dog-friendly and it’s easy to search for pet-friendly sites. Cooking in your motorhome kitchen also means not having to leave the dog behind as you go to a restaurant.
Motorhomes are often self-contained - get your power needs and bathroom amenities sorted and you can go off-grid at any time!
Festival fan? Bring your motorhome along so you can avoid using the festival toilets – and have a shower too.
Motorhomes hold their value well if maintained properly – as we explain in our likemotorhome depreciation guide, vehicles like this depreciate at a far lower rate than cars. There’s also a strong secondhand market for used motorhomes if you plan to upgrade your vehicle in the future.
Thing to consider before buying a motorhome
1. Upfront costs
There’s no getting around the fact that a motorhome is a big purchase. The average cost of a new motorhome is between about £50,000 and £80,000 for some of the UK's most popular models, while a decent used vehicle is likely to cost at least £10-20,000.
Many new owners get a loan tofinance a motorhome, which obviously needs to be paid back every month. Other costs include:
Insurance
Security
Safety, eg annual gas checks
On the road costs: petrol, gas bottles
That said, this is still a much more cost-effective way to travel! There are also plenty of ways to shop cleverly for a new or used motorhome, as detailed in ourbest month to buy a used motorhome blog.
(Budget no problem? See our best motorhomes to buy in 2022.)
2. Cost per trip
If you can’t use your motorhome as much as you’d like, you might be concerned that you won’t get value from it. But with our library of blogs on the best road trips around the UK, there’ll be no shortage of adventures to experience! Plus, you can share the van love and earn a return on your investment by hiring it out to other holiday makers in between your own trips.
Camplify connects owners like you with local and international holidaymakers - all of whom are verified to maximise the safety when you hire out your motorhome. Discover more of our advantages for owners below:
It's free to list your motorhome.
If you don’t have all-risk insurance, we can provide you with it when you sign up.
We give your van a 24/7 RAC breakdown cover.
You have complete freedom to approve or reject guests interested in renting your motorhome. Your wheels, your rules.
We provide you with tips and step-by-step guides on how to improve your service and your motorhome to get more and more bookings!
The sooner you set up your listing, the sooner it will start to receive visits and bookings! See how much you could earn if you rent out your motorhome with ourfree income calculator or sign up now to start enjoying the above advantages today.
3. Storage costs
Some motorhome owners park their vehicle outside their house. Others don’t have the space for this, or want the extra security of a designated motorhome storage unit. Thecost to store a motorhome varies, but don’t forget to factor in time and cost travelling to get your motorhome. Again, you can avoid this cost by hiring out your motorhome when it’s not in use!
Weighing up the pros and cons of owning a motorhome
So is owning a motorhome a good idea? It absolutely can be! To save money, have more flexible holidays, extra family space, join a friendly community and work while on the road, motorhome ownership is a no-brainer for lots of people. Of course, the biggest obstacle for most is the upfront cost, but this can be solved by motorhome finance or a personal loan, (assuming your credit history is good).
With our above guide to the pros and cons of owning a motorhome, you can make an informed decision on whether or not this venture is right for your adventures. Only you know what factors will influence your decision most.
And if you do purchase a motorhome, it can start making money for you with Camplify! Check out our guide on 'Is it worth hiring out my campervan?'.