Motorhome hire, the good, the bad, or the ugly?

Expensive things to hire, Humph (and no, you can't borrow mine )

Whilst I suspect you might get cheaper rates abroad, transhipping stuff and finding somewhere to leave the car might be a pain.

In all seriousness, I suspect the lifestyle might suit you well, and though hiring isn't (IMO) the greatest way to approach it, it might be a good toe in the water.

What it does do is give you a significant amount of independence, and if you like walking/cycling, etc. the opportunity for variety. ('Exhausted' a location, then move on - and follow the weather).

It also has the same advantage as self-catering - you can eat out or not as you wish (we find searching for a restaurant every night rather wearing, especially if you have a view where you can sit with a simple meal and a bottle and just chill).

Getting down to the Alps is somewhat slower than a car, but you'll always find somewhere to stop off, and the journey becomes part of the holiday. Be aware that, heading South through France, autoroute tolls are somewhat higher for motorhomes, and many choose slower but cheaper routes. Driving South through Germany doesn't have the same problems.

With most, but not all, hire 'vans the bikes will have to go on a rack on the back - similar security issues to them being on the roof on a car (though possibly slightly more accessible). I've generally covered mine, though I doubt a hire company would provide a cover.

It takes a bit of a different mindset to get the best at the best value (both economically and holiday-wise). Since divesting ourselves of the kids we have almost invariably used Stellplätze/aires (dedicated, official motorhome stopovers) rather than campsites. These vary in quality and facilities, as well as in price (and we are picky about getting good ones - though the criteria we use vary). What they do do is give you an enormous amount of flexibility. On our last 3+ week trip to Germany we paid between zilch and around €20 per night, and found some cracking locations. Be aware that, in order to take advantage, you will need to be prepared to use the onboard facilities (shower and Dubya's dreaded Chemikazi) though some of the more expensive ones are much like campsites with their own facilities. Most, though not all, of these locations will have fresh water (usually nominally chargeable) and waste water and toilet disposal (usually free) and an awful lot of them now have electric hook-ups (usually chargeable). The latter might prove critical with a UK hire since it is impossible to exchange UK gas cylinders on the continent, so you will (without not a little inconvenience) be limited to the amount you set out with. Since the fridge runs on gas when electricity isn't available, consumption might be a problem. (I have "refillable" cylinders, and can take Autogas on board abroad - not sure if any hire companies do this).

Generally, however, if you like the outdoor life, in the near part of Europe, but especially Germany and France, they make for an easy and enjoyable holiday (and would be a great base for cycling - Germany in particular is outstanding for general cycling, just about everywhere).

If anything does crystallise, happy to provide whatever detail. 

...gas is fine in the Tunnel, as long as it is for "Domestic" use. LPG-powered vehicles are banned. (The "take-off" is different; Domestic is vapour from the top of the container, LPG propulsion is liquid from the bottom - very different risks for leakage).

The issue is the bottles, brands and connections are different sur le Continent, so you can't exchange an empty.

That makes it difficult to be off-grid for a full multi-week holiday without refillable bottles, but the widespread adoption of hookups means you can avoid the fridge gas-guzzling, and even a few nights off-grid is quite sustainable using gas only, given full bottles at the start.

(The zilch to €20 per night quoted generally includes all the costs, incl water and electricity).

The one pictured below was €6 per night plus €1 per 6hr electricity, i.e €10 overall. Direct onto the extensive local walking and cycling network, walking distance of village with all basics including cafe, Gasthof and Supermarket, and very quiet. I've deliberately picked a pleasant, but unremarkable example.

Do you take the dog on holiday?

Humph

I know there is a campervan rental place in north Manchester - Radcliffe. Let me know if you want the name.

Lots of people use caravans and motorbikes for the ease of holidaying with a dog. I suspect it might cramp your style as far as cycling is concerned, though.

I think if you're to get the best from a motorhome, then you need to be having a "motorhome holiday" rather than just using a motor home to go on holiday.

If you want a couple of pre-booked locations, and touring from them as a base, then taking the car is the correct choice.

If, however, you fancy getting to the other side of the channel with a vague plan and then following your nose (or most likely the weather forecast) then you can't beat a motor home (even a caravan comes nowhere near).

To get South, we might do a longish first day's drive, but after that, we'll normally slow down. If we arrive somewhere about midday, we'll walk, cycle or bimble round the local area. Next day, if the weather is good and there's more to see, or do, then we'll stay. Once we've exhausted the immediate area, off by 9:30 following the weather, then it's rinse and repeat. Three nights is usually the maximum stay anywhere.

We rarely follow any detailed pre-planned itinerary, though we will have a few potential targets. We've been known to end up in completely different countries to what was in mind when we set out.

On our last European trip, the potential target was Ceszky Krumlov, via bits of Germany that were unfamiliar. We enjoyed the bits of Germany along the Czech border so much, we dallied there, but still managed a free overnight in Ceszky by dipping in and out quickly.

The lifestyle has always suited me since we started; an escape from the stresses of tight timescales and pretty rigid planning. Most of the people I know who have taken it up have loved it, and are long-term converts (though mode of use does vary). Some have hated it. Nearby friends, long-term caravanners, have recently switched (coincidentally to exactly the same 'van as we have). They've recently returned from 6 weeks in Europe entirely converted (and regretting not changing before, though I suspect a recent inheritance was the enabler)

So, my recommendation would be to adjust the holiday style to suit, or you won't get best value)

Can you get either an adapter or alternative 'pigtail' to use Camping Gaz? We have that facility (an adapter) in the caravan so that, in emergency, a Camping Gaz 907 cylinder would tide us over?

My (late 40s and retired, I hate them) friends who full time in a motorhome:

gailandkeithblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/15/bye-bye-mika-hello-hattie-15th-may-2018/

November - May in Southern Europe, June - October UK and Northern Europe.

Bastards.

Yes I know Rob. I'm just being humorous. Of course I don't hate them.

I am inclined to do similar once it's feasible, keeping a small house in the UK as a base though. These guys have many letting properties (that's their income sorted) and sometimes come back and stay in an empty one if necessary.