How to buy a cheap motorhome

Cheapest family motorhomes

Payload is possibly the most important thing to watch here. SvTech suggests 400kg of payload is ideal for a couple, so you’ll need much more if you are an active family planning to cram the motorhome with stuff for your adventures near and far. 

If you have a C or C1 category on your driving licence you’re allowed to drive motorhomes up to 7.5 tonnes instead of a max of 3,500kg for a normal car driving licence, which opens up the possibility of heavier motorhomes with more payload. But consider this carefully as there are lower speed limits and higher tolls in Europe for vehicles over 3,500kg, as well as restrictions on some roads.

Also check the seatbelt situation – some seats are not suitable for child seats or booster seats. The typical rear bench travel seat offers two belts but may not have enough space to fit two child seats side by side and we have experienced child seats placed on the seat furthest from the wall falling off the bench when cornering – you may only be able to fit a kiddy seat alongside the wall. 

Isofix is a becoming more common in motorhomes but it may be an optional extra and is hard to find on the secondhand market.

Cheapest motorhomes for couples

If you’re a couple looking for a budget motorhome, you will likely have your fill of choice.  

There are two key options – models with fixed beds and layouts that involve making up the bed from the lounge. There is actually a third option these days thanks to the increasing popularity of the drop-down bed. Found originally in A-classes and increasingly in low-profiles, dropping a permanent mattress from the lounge ceiling potentially gives you the best of both worlds, a comfy bed and a brilliant seating area, in a more compact package. And because this type has been popular for over 10 years, the chances of your finding an affordable option within your budget are good. 

Cheapest motorhomes for all-year adventures

The questions to ask here are all about winterisation, whether you want to head for the slopes or enjoy a bracing off-season escape in the UK (temperatures can still drop below zero and cause issues). 

While there are things you can do to minimise the risk, getting a fully winterised motorhome will make winter motorhoming much less stressful.  

What you are looking for here ideally is a double floor. A lot of motorhomes come with underslung fresh and waste water tanks, which are exposed to the elements; however, if you place these between two floors and they benefit from underfloor insulation as well as heating from the motorhome system, the chances of freezing are negligible. Tank heaters and insulation blankets can help, but if temperatures drop very low, as has been seen this winter, even these may not be strong enough. 

There are two types of double floor, the full type with across-the-van storage often found on more expensive motorhomes, and a more recent addition, the technical double floor, which usually just contains water tanks, heater ducts and pipework.  

You may also find some motorhomes with the fresh water tank on board (this does take up a lot of valuable storage space) but the waste water tank underslung. On this type, have a look underneath the vehicle and see if there are visible pipes running to washrooms or kitchens as these will be prone to freezing if not properly insulated.