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Some people buy a motorhome, hold onto it for a couple of years, and then quickly go back to their motorhome-less life.

For others, their first motorhome is just the initial step on what will be a lifelong passion. Choosing to upgrade your motorhome can be an exciting decision, but it’s also one that’s just as risky as buying your first one. In fact, it’s even more so, since most people spend more money on their second motorhome than they do on their first.

The good news is that avoiding all of the mistakes of buying an upgraded motorhome and making sure you end up with a vehicle that’s fully right for your needs is very much achievable if you treat it as a methodical process. In this post, we’ll outline a few handy tips that should ensure you end up with the perfect vehicle.

Start Planning Early

Planning to upgrade your motorhome so that you can enjoy fun adventures in the summer? Then you’ll need to start planning early, typically around six months before spring arrives. The reason is that beginning your search in Spring means that you’ll miss out on some of the season. It takes time to find and buy a motorhome that you love, so it makes sense to begin looking around autumn or winter. Not only will this allow you to find your new motorhome without feeling rushed, but it’ll also increase the likelihood that you’ll find a good deal, since that’s when the prices are lowest.

Set a Realistic Budget

Setting a budget for your motorhome is important for two reasons. First, it prevents the heartache of falling in love with a motorhome only to realise, once you’ve broken down the numbers, that it’s beyond your scope. Having a solid understanding of how much you can afford to spend will allow you to focus on the motorhomes that are financially realistic.

Second, it’ll give you a good insight into the additional costs. Many people assume that they’ll be the same as their current motorhome, but that’s not always the case. If it’s bigger, for example, then fuel consumption and insurance will likely be more expensive.

Think About Why You’re Upgrading

It’s best to be as specific as possible about why you’re upgrading the vehicle. Many people assume it’s because of one reason, only to get their hands on their keys and realise that the issue with the older motorhome was something else entirely.

Space – or a perceived lack of – is usually the biggest culprit. It’s easy to think that it’s the motorhome’s size that makes it unsuitable, when in fact it was actually the layout. In some cases, it’s even something as simple as a lack of storage space. Getting to the nitty-gritty about why your current motorhome doesn’t quite work will give you a clear framework of what to look for when you’re choosing your next model.

Selling Your Current Motorhome

Some people plan to buy their new motorhome and then sell their current one, but it’s much better to do things the other way around. It can be stressful and expensive to manage two motorhomes at the same time. Plus, selling beforehand gives you extra capital that you can put towards purchasing the new vehicle. Selling directly to a motorhome buyer is often the easiest way to streamline the selling process, since they often offer fair prices, fast, reliable payments, and a free collection. They also typically provide a free online valuation, so that you can have a good idea of what your motorhome is worth early on in the process, and mean that you won’t have to contend with the pitfalls of private buyers, such as dealing with repeated no-shows.

Avoid the Mistake Of Jumping Too High Up

Some buyers see upgrading their motorhome as an opportunity to go big, but it’s worthwhile being a little bit cautious. A motorhome that’s significantly larger may offer a vastly different experience from what you currently know, and not necessarily in good ways. As a general rule, it’s best to focus on incremental improvements, not radical overhauls. That’ll ensure you feel comfortable behind the wheel from the very beginning. 

Make Sure Your Storage is Still Adequate

Finally, if you keep your motorhome in offsite storage, then it’s best to make sure that it’s appropriate for your new vehicle. This is something that many people overlook because they assume that it’s fine, yet quickly discover that it’s not quite right. Even if the vehicle itself will fit into the space, there may not be enough room to comfortably open doors or take out boxes.

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