Motorhome Madness ~ Marvelous Motorhomes!

Riding in Mr. Horace has been comfortable and enjoyable!  Mr. Horace is a 2008 model so you can only imagine the enormous upgrades in design that have occurred since that year.

It IS nice to sit up high because you are able to see all traffic ahead of you and you know better which lane you need to choose.  Admittedly, I do feel safer while travelling and the sheer excitement of being able to clearly see the terrain ahead...which can change rapidly...is exhilarating.

YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES can do this type of travelling, too.  The biggest expense we incurred was the motorhome.  We researched the type we wanted for months.  We looked at literally hundreds of ads and we visited dealers which sold used motorhomes so we could get a real sense of the space in which we would be living.

We knew for certain that we did not want anything too large.  Tinto has all sorts of driving licenses, and a heavy vehicle license is one.  I do not know if that type of license is required to drive a motorhome...CAN anyone else answer this for us?  We were happy he had it and Tinto is a very confident driver.  Although the first practice run through Cornwall the rear bumper kissed a granite pole.  I shrieked.  The next morning when I woke up in the gentle, rolling fields of Cornwall, I became too excited and cracked a hole in the rear bedroom window.  (You may take that any way you like!)  It was great that we BOTH got the chance to put our stamp on Mr. Horace within 2 days.  Heartbreaking, actually, but Mr. Horace is a hearty beast and Marcus waited for a new rear light to be sent and promptly repaired the old fella.

We wanted a fixed bed.  You will find out that you may have (or seem to have) more space if you put your bed together at night, but we preferred to have a permanent bed and flop into at night after a long day of exploring and being tourists.  Plus, a fixed bed is super if there are only 2 of you.  I can understand that couples with children or more than 2 people on an adventure would prefer a wide, open space during the day time.  Even with the fixed bed we have all the space we need.

When it came time to purchase and we had done as much research as possible...this is what we discovered:

• Every one has a story, but they became familiar; some sweet, some sad.
• People purchase these little, medium, or enormous rolling homes and after 1 or 2 trips decide that it is just NOT for them.   (Hmmmmm...you think they would have hired a few different ones to begin with, but that is their choice.)
• Divorce occurs...
• People inherit a motorhome and say, 'Oh, this is not for me.'  See?  Everyone thinks differently; therefore, a LOT of motorhomes on the market.
• The worst scenario:  A partner loses a loved one and says, 'I cannot get back in this motorhome without him/her.'  This made my heart hurt and we heard this frequently.  I would feel the same way.

We decided ultimately to use Gumtree.com.  Whenever we found a motorhome that excited us on E-Bay...well, the same motorhome was attractive to many; therefore, the original price looks astounding, but after all of the bidding, the price becomes outrageous.  With Gumtree...what you see is what you get.  With Gumtree you are allowed to ask questions, meet with the owner when convenient, and preview the motorhome, in person, before purchasing.  Gumtree is a fabulous way to  conduct business.  We will be offering Mr. Horace through Gumtree.com.

So, food for thought...

Purchasing the motorhome was a fun experience.  There are many choices, so it should not be stressful.  Take your time.  Do the research and ENJOY.

In the meantime, be safe, we wish you happy roaming and please ask questions...the planet is YOURS to be discovered.

Warm Regards,
Tinto & Blanco of The Roaming Stevens