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Choosing the right motorhome is likely to involve several different angles of approach – not least your own research on the designs and layouts available, plus the advice you might get from your friendly motorhome dealer to ways of funding the purchase, including the possibility of part-exchange.

Choosing the right motorhome

In the world of motorhomes, it is often not just a case of how much space is on offer but what’s done with it that counts.

Simply changing the positioning of some of the essential elements inside the motorhome or by applying especially ingenious solutions of design, the usable area and interior appearance may be altered considerably. And that’s what makes the motorhome layout such a critical factor in choosing one make and model over another – to suit the particular needs of you and your family.

The designer’s challenge

For any motorhome designer, the challenge is fitting quite so much into the relative confines of your second home on wheels. There are the driver’s and passenger seats up front in the cockpit, of course, but behind that there need to be spaces in which to relax, to cook, take a shower, a place for the toilet, and to sleep.

Much of that layout is likely to be occupied by the beds – the most extensive single feature that needs to be fitted inside your motorhome –, and that’s where the designer’s ingenuity and imagination are most called for and reflected in the following standard configurations:

Rear lounge layout

  • this is a layout you might have noticed when following a motorhome along the motorway – a lounge area situated at the back of the vehicle, typically to make the most of the panoramic view you are likely to get from a big window at the rear;

Front lounge layout

  • but the lounge area might also be immediately behind the driver and passenger seats in the cab – and is probably nowadays the most popular layout;
  • it means that your galley or kitchen area, washroom and – in the case of larger motorhomes – the bedroom, too, are all situated towards the rear of the vehicle;

Fixed double bed

  • the bed you sleep in at home is likely to have enough space around it to climb in from either side, and this is also possible with a motorhome’s fixed double bed as an “island” with access from both side, and fixed, so you don’t need to fold it down and make it up from scratch every night;

Fixed single bed

  • on the same principle – but for those who prefer to sleep alone – fixed single beds are also available;
  • as an article in AutoTrader Motorhomes points out, a fixed bed is one which you don’t have to convert from the seating area in the lounge – for that reason, fixed beds are normally situated at the back of a motorhome, ready and waiting, already made up for when you want to turn in for the night;

French bed layout

  • the so-called French bed is a layout designed to make the most of the space in a smaller motorhome since it is usually fitted against the wall and the corners at the foot of the bed may be cut off and rounded, so it is easier to get around them;
  • for some of the arguments in favour of and against this type of arrangement, take a look at the article on the website Out and About Live;

Bunk beds

  • not so many motorhomes feature bunk beds, but they tend to be a favourite with children, so if you have a young family travelling with you on holidays, you might want to give a thought to this space-saving arrangement.

Motorhome layouts are many and varied – typically masterpieces in design and ingenuity. You can even get drop-down beds, so you can really maximise the space!

The layout that suits you is likely to be determined by your family’s own particular needs and the way you intend to use your motorhome. Whatever those needs may be, you are almost certain to find a layout that suits you.

Questions to ask your motorhome dealer

Once you’ve researched the possibilities of layout and design, it’s probably time to get down to the serious business of questioning your dealer. Top of the possible questions is likely to be the make and model of motorhome most likely to suit you

Here at Derby Motorhomes, we make no bones about it – Auto-Sleepers are challenging to beat!

We are champions and committed supporters of what we believe, without doubt, to be the leading manufacturer of first-rate motorhomes in the UK. On the strength of that endorsement, of course, we look forward to all of your questions about any aspect of the especially wide range of Auto-Sleepers – including this year’s latest models and award-winning vehicles to buy second-hand or in part-exchange.

Which is the right Auto-Sleeper for my family and me?

There are so many possible answers to this question that you might be glad of our expertise, experience, and guidance. The Auto-Sleeper for you and your family, of course, depends on the way you plan to use it, the size of motorhome you want to buy, and whether you are buying new or second hand.

Since we have such a wide range of new and pre-loved Auto-Sleepers on display, you may try out our suggestions for yourself first-hand, even taking those in which you have a particular interest for a test drive.

For innovative design, layout and spaciousness and through the use of proven chassis and powertrains, it’s no accident that Auto-Sleepers is our flagship range:

Van conversion or coachbuilt?

  • just ask us about some of the differences between van conversions and coachbuilt motorhomes;
  • as the terms suggest, a van conversion takes a standard chassis type and powertrain – in the case of Auto-Sleepers, a Peugeot or Fiat Ducato engine and transmission – with the superstructure skilfully converted to create a spacious and well-appointed interior;
  • a coachbuilt motorhome is specially crafted, lovingly built from the chassis up and, in the case of an Auto-Sleeper, powered by a 160bhp Peugeot engine or a 163bhp Mercedes;
  • as you might imagine, therefore, coachbuilt motorhomes tend to be in a luxury class of their own – and come with a price ticket to match;

What after-sales service and warranties are offered?

  • if you have to wait at all for delivery of your Auto-Sleeper from Derby Motorhomes, that’s because we put every aspect of the vehicle through rigorous and stringent pre-delivery tests, before giving your model a finishing valet service;
  • on the rare occasion that anything should go wrong after that, of course, you expect the reassurance that it will be put right;
  • that’s where our long history in dealing with Auto-Sleepers, and our fully-trained and experienced team of technicians who are familiar with every model in the range, comes into its own – we have the expertise and well-stocked parts stores to ensure any replacements are fitted speedily and professionally;

Can you arrange finance?

  • buying an Auto-Sleeper is likely to represent a significant investment and one for which you may need finance;
  • we are authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to offer three principal motorhome finance options – personal loans, hire purchase and even Personal Contract Purchase – giving you the widest choice of finance options (depending on your credit history, of course).

Part-exchange with Derby Motorhomes

Once bitten by the motorhome bug, the majority of owners progress from one vehicle to another, replacing an old favourite with a new model, based on their changing needs and preferences.

And that means that Derby Motorhomes can offer what we consider is a roaring trade in part-exchange motorhomes.

Here we’d like to run through how we operate our part-exchange system and some of the basic principles behind it.

The basic approach

To give you an initial part-exchange estimate, we will need to have certain key information relating to the vehicle you are considering putting forward. Those details typically include:

  • a precise description of what it is, including things such as its make, model, and year;
  • an accurate indication of its current mileage;
  • how many previous owners it has had;
  • a fairly objective review of its condition – any major problems or damage should be highlighted at this stage to avoid wasting time later on;
  • a statement of any enhancements you might have made to it, such as anything that might affect its registration details and insurance; and
  • a statement relating to whether or not there is any outstanding finance on it.

Once we have those details, we will contact our trusted associates in whatever the vehicle field concerned is, to seek the best possible trade-in price we can on your behalf.

Assuming the figure we indicate is acceptable, we will then proceed with you to the next stage.

Confirmation and engagement

Almost inevitably, the amount you are offered in part-exchange will require the person offering the figure (or their intermediaries) being able to see the vehicle in person before agreeing a definitive and final sum.

There is absolutely no suggestion here that the part-exchange specialist believes you might have misrepresented the vehicle. It is simply a question of them trying to make sure that there is nothing associated with it that you might have failed to spot.

Sometimes those things can be very technical and not immediately apparent to anyone other than a skilled mechanic and one who is an expert in the type of vehicle concerned.

However, in many cases, this is simply routine, and the final figures are confirmed. In some cases, it may be necessary for you to take steps to settle any outstanding finance on the vehicle before offering it as part of the deal or it can be settled as part of the overall transaction.

Do please keep in mind that if you are purchasing a vehicle under hire purchase terms, it is an offence to offer it for sale or part-exchange unless your HP funds provider has agreed to it in advance, with any outstanding sums being settled as part of the final transaction.

As we have said on our website, part-exchange  may typically be an excellent way to offset some of the costs associated with purchasing a new motorhome (depending on your own, unique, financial circumstances).

Our partners and we can be extremely helpful in finding ways to make your part-exchange happen and in a cost-effective way for you. This can all be explained in much more detail and far more quickly if you contact us for an initial discussion. That will be entirely non-committal on your part, but it will give you an excellent idea of how the process works and some of the financial advantages that it might offer you.

Summary

If you are thinking of buying a motorhome – or better yet, have already decided to by one from the Auto-Sleepers range – you’ll not only want your own private viewing and maybe a test drive, but also have lots of questions to ask your dealer.

You might even have a vehicle you intend to offer in part-exchange.

Here at Derby Motorhomes, we’re delighted if you ask away – and our dedicated team of salespeople will do their absolute best to provide the answers.

Owning a motorhome gives you the freedom of the open road. And if that open road begins with the short hop across the Channel to France, the open road has practically no end.

France is our closest neighbour. That’s why so many Britons visit the country – principally for holidays. They totalled more than 10.3 million in 2019, according to the latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Though it might be just a short cross-Channel journey away, however, remember that France is a foreign country, with rules of the road, laws and customs that may differ substantially to those you are used to at home.

So, if you are planning on exploring France in your motorhome, there is the little matter of getting across the stretch of water known as the English Channel.

So, how do you get to France, what are the routes, and how long does it take?

With all that in mind, the following advice is offered about taking your motorhome to France.

Ways to get to France in your motorhome

Le Shuttle

By far the quickest and probably the most convenient way to get your motorhome across the Channel is through the Euro Tunnel on the train service known as Le Shuttle.

That means first driving to Folkestone on England’s south coast – the route is well signposted from the M20, where you simply drive your motorhome onto the train. The journey lasts just 35 minutes until you disembark in Calais.

When using the tunnel, you may keep onboard any LPG tanks you use for your cooker, refrigerator or for heating provided the cylinders have a capacity of no more than 47kg and that they are less than 80% full.

The Camping and Caravanning Club currently offers its members a 10% discount when tickets for Le Shuttle are bought directly through the club.

Overground

Part of your adventure, though, might be the chance to wave a temporary goodbye to the white cliffs of Dover from the deck of a ship. In that case, you have a number of options – largely determined by where your destination in France will be:

Dover to Calais

  • the shortest – 22 miles or so – and most familiar, is likely to be the Dover to Calais ferry, operated by two companies, DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries;
  • sea crossings with either company – who together offer a combined total of 39 sailings a day – take around an hour and a half between Dover and Calais;
  • prices are calculated according to the exact dimensions of your motorhome – which you must provide at the time of booking – and larger vehicles are typically loaded first;

Dover to Dunkirk

  • if you want to arrive a little further along the north coast of France, Dover to Dunkirk may be your choice – Dunkirk is a much less busy port than Calais, the tickets tend to be cheaper, and the journey time is still only around 2 hours;

Newhaven to Dieppe

  • DFDS Seaways also operates the ferry service between Newhaven and Dieppe;
  • this might prove an even more relaxing crossing since both Newhaven and Dieppe are quieter ports than either Dover or Calais and the four-hour crossing gives you time to enjoy the cruise and enjoy a meal onboard;

Portsmouth to Normandy and Brittany

  • if your destination is Normandy, Brittany or other points west in France, Brittany Ferries offers several routes, all starting from the port of Portsmouth;
  • the route to Le Havre is billed as a “no frills” economy passage and takes around four and a half hours;
  • sailings to the historic port of Caen in Normandy prove to be some of Brittany Ferries’ most popular crossings – though you might also want to book a cabin for the seven-hour crossing;
  • Portsmouth to Cherbourg takes just three hours on Brittany Ferries’ Normandie Express;
  • since the crossing takes 10 hours, sailings from Portsmouth to St Malo are overnight – a good time to enjoy a relaxing onboard meal as you watch the sea slip quietly by.

Whether you opt for the speed and convenience of the Channel Tunnel or choose a mini cruise across to France, therefore, our closest neighbour has never been easier to reach for your next motorhome tour.

But, so much for getting there – what are you likely to make of the driving in France and what should you know about taking your motorhome?

The driving

One of the main dangers may be the lure of the open road itself. Especially if you are chasing the sun, you might be tempted to drive much further in your motorhome in France than you are used to at home.

As a detailed study by the European E-Survey of Road Users’ Attitudes (ESRA) warned, it is essential to avoid driving fatigue, so plan your route well, and take regular breaks.

Documents

You need to remember your UK driving licence, but at the time of writing (September 2020), you do not need an international driving permit for France. Do note that this could change due to Brexit, so check with the Government website for clarification.

You must also have evidence of insurance for your motorhome since a minimum of third party cover is obligatory in France – as it is throughout the rest of Europe.

Check that your insurance covers driving in Europe and ask your insurer for a “green card” that confirms you are adequately insured for driving in France. The need for a green card is almost certain to increase once the UK has completed its departure from the EU as from the 1st of January 2021.

Also carry your registration and MOT documents too.

Kit

When driving in France, you must have onboard a warning triangle and a reflective jacket to wear in case of roadside emergencies together with a first-aid kit.

While it is no longer a legal requirement, it has been in the past and is, therefore, a good idea to continue to carry a breathalyser device.

Speed limits

Speed limits may vary, especially in rural areas, are likely to catch out the unwary and are frequently policed – with on the spot fines which vary according to the degree to which you have exceeded the limit.

That means up to €68 for a minor infraction (less than 12mph) but up to €3750 and three months in prison if you are caught for the second time speeding by more than 31mph.

Emissions

The RAC warns that in some French cities you also need to display a “clean air sticker” – a Crit’Air.

This costs £3.60 and you may face an on the spot fine of nearly £120 if you fail to do so.

Please note that this information is correct at the time of writing – September 2020 – so it is advisable to check routes, the documentation needed etc. from official sources when planning your trip, as they may change.

There are some good reasons why smarter van conversions are in demand. First of all, they are ideal to use as a second vehicle. In fact, they are very appealing to anyone wanting to downsize from a larger coach built motorhome.

In addition, they have become smarter because the motorhome manufacturers see them as being the driving force of the future. Yes, and that is what is happening right now, growing demand is causing growing van conversions. With more independent van converters getting in on the act, the whole area of smarter van conversions is growing.

So, let’s take a closer look at the principles behind a smart van conversion and see how those ideas and concepts have been incorporated into the latest (2020) van conversions from Auto-Sleepers.

Leisure conversions – changing ideas

The market for all types of motorhome is growing and, in many ways, that growth has been born out of campervan conversions. And that boom has been driven by the ability to pack more into a larger van size. So, from a short-wheelbase to a long-wheelbase and even to an extra-long wheel-base. 

Smarter buyers

Not only have they got longer, but they have also got smarter, too. It’s been great to see.

With leisure and back to the outdoors being the driving force, the average van conversion is now even more flexible in what is being fitted as standard stuff. They have now adopted many great extras and cab features – from cruise control to air conditioning and those Bluetooth devices you are itching to plugin. Van conversions are built to include all the latest technology working for the better.

The driving force

More innovative looks different styles and looks – with plenty of scope to “pimp my van conversion”. The layouts and flexible berth spaces are taking the smarter van conversions to even greater heights.

Whenever a good thing comes along, everyone just seems to want one – and we’ve got to admit that van conversions are a great thing for the leisure industry. Not too big, but not too small, they’re ideal for long and short holiday breaks – which sounds like a smart idea to us.

A quick look at the 2020 Auto-Sleepers’ van conversions

So, let’s take a brief look at some of the van conversions from leading British manufacturer Auto-Sleepers and their latest range of models launched for 2020:

Kingham

  • aptly described as the “King of the Road”, the Kingham sets the standards for others in the same class and from the rest of the Auto-Sleepers stable to strive for;
  • it’s been upgraded to feature a fixed French double bed which slides back in order to offer backrest support. It also lifts to reveal a large storage facility underneath;
  • the featured kitchen with bespoke sofa seating helps to make this a fantastic and quite unique luxury 2-berth accommodation motorhome;

Symbol and Symbol Plus

  • the Symbol is the iconic van conversion from Auto-Sleepers with its sleek design, compact yet roomy and highly versatile interior;
  • a host of new features were added for the 2020 model;
  • it has also seen the addition of a new stable-mate the Symbol Plus – an extended version of its ever-popular cousin;
  • that extra space allows considerably greater comfort, including a well-equipped rear kitchen, a washroom – also located in the rear of the van – and a generous lounge providing luxury relaxation on the move or at rest;

Warwick Duo

  • similarly well-established and loved by past and present owners is the Warwick Duo – a firm Auto-Sleepers favourite;
  • it offers spacious comfort during the daytime and then full-size single beds (or a very spacious double bed) for the nights. Many couples love this motorhome;

Warwick XL

  • just as the name suggests, the Warwick XL takes the Duo as its starting point – and just makes it a whole lot better in terms of space and luxury;
  • it offers a sumptuously comfortable lounge, within which you can quickly and easily draw down the pair of single beds or a good-sized double bed;
  • it also comes with a good-sized bathroom which includes a separate shower- and that still leaves adequate space for a large and well-equipped kitchen;

Fairford and Fairford Plus

  • launched in 2016, the Fairford rapidly became one of the most popular Auto-Sleepers’ models – so popular, in fact, that it was soon joined by an extended, long wheel-base model, the Fairford Plus;
  • space and luxury are the watchwords for both these van conversions, which are especially flexible in their use and one of the few layouts in vehicles of this size to offer four berths;

Kemerton XL

  • this van conversion is designed with one purpose in mind – to offer you the ultimate in luxurious living – and the Kemerton XL is granted a “Classic Ensuite” tagline by Auto-Sleepers;
  • it now comes with a full-width washroom which includes a separate shower;
  • added to that are a fully-featured kitchen, spacious lounge and an important additional rear travelling seat – and you have a specification that’s hard to match;
  • it’s the ideal van for wonderfully comfortable long and short breaks.

Come and look

In a simple blog of this nature, we clearly can’t do justice to the full range of these vehicles or their luxurious configurations. You can read the detailed specifications of each model on Auto-Sleepers’ website.

Better yet, we are especially keen to try and encourage you to come along for a look around and to inspect some of our vehicles at your leisure. It’s really only by getting up close and personal, checking out the interiors for yourself and weighing up the many options and specifications that you’ll get a feeling for just how much flexibility and comfort they offer.

We’re also regularly asked about the pros and cons of Auto-Sleepers van conversions versus coach-built motorhomes. Well, that is a big subject! It’s also one which we’d much prefer to discuss with you whilst showing you examples of both types of vehicle.

So, don’t hesitate – please come along and see us at your earliest convenience.

Have motorhome, will travel.

And thanks to the variety and contrasts packed into these British Isles, you’ll rarely need to drive all that far to experience all the joys of the open road likely to stretch out before you.

Motorhomes, of course, are made for just these kinds of road trips – every journey an adventure unto itself, exciting and fascinating, experience-rich, and mind-expanding. Few of us are likely to turn down the opportunity of embarking on the great road trip.

Britain has them aplenty – so, let’s take a closer look as we suggest some of the greatest road trips in the UK.

The far north

We’ll start our catalogue of great road trips with what might be considered the most dramatic scenically and furthest from the gentle English countryside many of us may know.

This is a journey that will take you from a starting point at Inverness on the northwest coast of Scotland, pass along the coast and many Highland towns, through Applecross, Durness, to the most northerly point of mainland Britain at John O’Groats, and Dunrobin Castle beyond.

With everything from mountains, lochs, pristine beaches, brooding castles emerging from the mists, and historic landmarks dotted everywhere along your route, this surely qualifies as one of the great British road trips.

It’s a very satisfying 516 miles in length, and you might want to take as long as seven days – or more – to enjoy the trip. Little wonder that a blog on the Winfields website describes the route – which sticks to the North Coast NC500 – as Scotland’s answer to America’s Route 66.

The New Forest

From the far north, let’s now point the compass to central southern England, where the New Forest offers a complete contrast and altogether different – but no less satisfying – road trip in your motorhome.

Because the New Forest is so easy to get to – just take the M3 or the M27 – and lies in a densely populated part of the country, it might not immediately spring to mind when planning a road trip. In fact, the area covered by the National Park – more than 218 square miles (566 square kilometres) – that many a winding journey can be made along its wooded roads and lanes.

The New Forest is unlikely to make an exhausting road trip – rather one in which you spend lazy days strolling through the woodland trails, striking out across the heathland, or visiting the surrounding places of interest. The Gap Decaders website highlight the towns of Brockenhurst, in the centre of the Forest, and Lymington, on the coast – and a gateway to the Isle of Wight – as spots worth visiting.

The Norfolk Coast

A great road trip under big, big skies awaits you along the windswept coast of Norfolk.

It’s an English coastline that is little visited these days – those steeped in an illustrious past. Indeed, your journey might well start in the historic city of Norwich and its landmark 11th-century cathedral.

Indeed, as your road trip progresses, you’re likely to encounter a hundred or so churches from the 11th century or so, built with the round towers that reflect the traditional designs from the North Sea and Baltic nations with long-standing trading links to this part of the UK.

As you head east out of Norwich, you enter the Norfolk Broads – a whole world unto itself, boasting more than 125 miles of navigable waterways winding through picturesque villages and towns. The Broads are a man-made wonder of the east coast.

Leaving the Broads, you’ll head along the coast to Cromer, Brancaster Beach and Blakeney Point (where you’ll also find England’s largest colony of seals).

A mark of the exceedingly high quality of the beaches you’ll drive past – and, no doubt, stop to admire – lies in the fact that the North Norfolk coastline boasts more than any other English region with six blue-flag beaches.

Northern Ireland

When you’re planning a great road trip, you might be drawn to those routes less travelled and paths less trodden. The Causeway Coastal Route across the top of Northern Ireland, from one side of the Province to the other, meets just such a bill – and packs in its fair share of drama and history too.

If you’re not fortunate enough to live in Northern Ireland already, of course, there’s a passage by ferry across the Irish Sea to start your journey. Your road trip can then begin in Belfast, as you take the route north and along what is probably the best of Britain’s coastal drives.

From Belfast around to Derry on the west coast, the journey is around 120 miles long – but you might want to give it a full five days to lend it justice. Handily, the entire Causeway Coastal Route is broken up into nine separate scenic drives, so you can explore each one at your leisure.

The constant backdrop to your coastal road trip is the Atlantic Ocean. Stopover nights are likely to be spent stargazing into the darkest of night skies, and topping up your tumbler of Irish whiskey as you listen to or recount the tales and legends of old.

Stop over at some of Northern Ireland’s best-known locations, such as the Giant’s Causeway, Dark Hedges, the rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede, or the Glens of Antrim. To make the most of the outdoor life in stunning scenery, walk along, swim or surf at some of the island’s gorgeous beaches.

Wales

Can’t choose between North or South Wales for your road trip? Then why not plan one that covers its length, from Llandudno in the north as far as Cardiff on the south coast.

The key to your road trip is the A470, which you can follow from Llandudno to Cardiff, explains Visit Britain – but, of course, you’re almost certain to want to stray away from the main route to take in some of the highlights that just about anywhere in Wales has to offer.

In the north, you have the rugged majesty and splendour of Snowdonia National Park – and here alone, you might want to spend a day or two exploring the 823 square miles or so of its diverse landscapes.

The A470 pretty well follows the Cambrian Way or the spine of Wales from north to south. Once away from the more well-known tourist hotspots, you’ll find yourself deep in the countryside of unspoilt mid-Wales and its plethora of small villages and communities. Once again, you’re going to struggle in resisting the temptation to stray away from the main route and instead follow wherever your fancy may take you.

Eventually, however, you’ll find the Brecon Beacons National Park on your horizon, with its more rugged mountains and moorlands, before dipping down into the valleys of South Wales, the town of Merthyr Tydfil, and on to Cardiff.

From start to finish, this road trip covers 178 miles – on a mix of dual and single carriageway roads – which you could drive in as short a time as just four and a half hours. With so much to see and do along the way, however, who on earth would want to do that? For that chance to travel the length and breadth of the whole of Wales, your great road trip is likely to take at least several days.

We hope these ideas have inspired you on where to go for your next staycation. Enjoy!

COVID-19 Lockdown November 2020

In accordance with the latest Government legislation, our dealership will be closed to customers from Thursday 5th November and re-opening again as soon as we are allowed.

Service department

During this time though, our workshop will continue to operate within guidelines with our staff completing preparation of sold vehicles, handling our collections on a “click and collect” style basis and completing all pre-booked, essential maintenance works.

Our team will have already contacted all affected service customers but if you are unsure of your booking, please contact the service team by email for more information or guidance service@derbymotorhomes.com

Vehicle collections

Collections will be on a “click and collect” style basis; our team will contact you to make all necessary arrangements and book a time slot.

There will be minimal contact during your collection; we have handover videos which explain each of the basic systems and operations of our motorhomes and you will be encouraged to view these prior to collection.

Sales

Our showroom must remain closed, but that doesn’t mean there will be no one to help you buy a new or used Auto-Sleeper or McLouis motorhome.

Our website will be kept up to date, you will be able to contact a member of our team by telephone, email or via our live chat service and we will be able to assist further via facetime video calls, google meet video calls or zoom.

However, as we will not have a full complement of staff here, we ask that for any video calls you contact the team via telephone, email or live chat first to book a convenient time slot.

Sales are contactable Monday to Friday, 11.00am to 3.00pm via the telephone 01332 360222, email sales@derbymotorhomes.com  and our website based live chat service.

On Saturdays and Sundays our sales team may only be contacted via email or live chat from 11.00am to 3.00pm and any request for a video call will have to be pre-booked in advance.

Small fully refundable holding deposits subject to confirmation available

As lockdown restrictions are lifted there is no doubt we’ll be as busy as last time with sales, so for now we are offering you the opportunity to reserve any motorhome with a small, fully refundable holding deposit which is subject to viewing and confirmation once we’re open again so ask our sales team for more information.

Please stay safe, stay healthy, follow the rules and we’ll look forward to seeing you soon.

Tim Lemon

Managing Director

In these dark days of coronavirus lockdown, you might be wondering when you’ll get the chance to have your motorhome back on the road once again. Make no doubt about it, though, there will be light at the end of even the longest tunnel. When that time comes, you’ll want to be sure that your motorhome is ready and waiting to go.

Here, then, are our tips and suggestions for getting ready for summer:

Check it over

  • given the current restrictions on travel, your motorhome is likely to have been laid up unused for rather longer than usual this year;
  • by giving it a thorough checking over now, you may be better prepared to take to the road once circumstances allow;

Give it an airing

  • since it has been shut up for a number of weeks or months, the inside is bound to smell a little musty or damp – and now is the time to make sure that a good airing is required rather than anything more serious;
  • check the carpets and upholstery for any signs of damp or staining – giveaway clues to a leak or condensation that is likely to bring mould in its train;

Water system

  • hopefully, you remembered to flush out and drain down the fresh and wastewater systems at the end of last season – but they are still likely to need a further rinsing through before you put them to use once again;
  • so, fill up the tanks and add a little sterilising solution before opening all the taps – hot and cold – to wash the system through into the waste storage tank;
  • repeat as often as necessary until the water runs bright and clear;

Gas system

  • before putting a match to any gas appliance, thoroughly check all the pipes and hoses to ensure that none is split or perished;
  • when you are happy with the integrity of the supply system, light the gas and check that it burns with the familiar blue flame – if it’s orange, the chances are that air is getting into the supply somewhere along the line;
  • with any gas system, safety is paramount, so if you are in any doubt or want the added reassurance of professional help ask a registered Gas Safe engineer to check it over or book in your motorhome for a full habitation service;
  • check that the gas cylinders are as full as they need be for your next trip before you set off;

Servicing

  • as important as any habitation service, of course, is a mechanical service too;
  • this needs to follow the engine manufacturer’s specifications – and it is worth keeping a careful record of that service history;
  • included in any mechanical service, there also needs to be a thorough check of the tyres – they must be free from bulges and cuts but also have a tread of at least 2mm across their entire width;
  • remember that the tyres are likely to have suffered more than their usual share of wear and tear simply by standing and taking the whole weight of the vehicle throughout the winter months.

Keep an eye on the current situation, therefore, and look out for that light at the end of the tunnel. Now is the time to start getting your motorhome ready for summer.

Derby Motorhomes is adhering to government guidance and therefore currently closed in order to protect our amazing team and wonderful customers. Whilst very saddened at our temporary closure we accept and understand that the current measures will protect everyone and save lives

“Closed” seems quite final but we would like to assure all our friends, customers and potential new customers that we consider this as a temporary pause in business only.

The Auto-Sleepers factory is also temporarily paused while this period of national crisis continues.

We have been planning for this at Derby Motorhomes and The Auto-Sleeper Exhibition Centre is ready to meet this challenge and will emerge stronger when this is all over.

We have engaged the services of motorhomescampervans.net to assist with all enquiries so please used the following for assistance:

Collections

For any customer who has a vehicle awaiting collection, we apologise but guidance dictates that currently your handovers have been postponed but rest assured, as soon as we are able to reopen, we will re-arrange handovers. All customers who have a vehicle handover currently postponed have been contacted already.

Service customers

Should any service customer have an urgent need to contact our service team, please accept our apologies as we are currently unable to assist; however, in an emergency, you could send an email  to info@motorhomescampervans.net who may be able to assist in a very limited way.

Sales

Although our physical sales showroom is closed, our stock is available to view online with special offers, bespoke descriptions and most with bespoke video available too. So, although the sales team are unable to work and not contactable via their usual telephone numbers and email addresses, you can still contact info@motorhomescampervans.net  who will endeavour to assist where possible.

Vehicle Ordering

For those who wish to place an order against one of our new or used vehicles, please complete and submit our simple vehicle reservation form; we are unable to accept a deposit at this time but you will receive an electronic confirmation of your order and once our team are able to return to the dealership, you will be contacted to finalise all paperwork, preparation requirements and confirm collection requirements also.

Our live chat service, while still active may not be monitored by our team but again our friends at info@motorhomescampervans.net will be happy to offer whatever assistance they can.

Contact sales via info@motorhomescampervans.net  or via our live chat service (service permitting)

Please don’t be afraid to contact info@motorhomescampervans.net via email or their contact number, 07703 107293 – we’re still here (in a virtual sense at least) and really do want to help, if at all possible.

We will still issue updates, special offers, bloggs and postings via info@campervansmotorhomes.net  so, please keep an eye on our website, their website and Facebook for more information.

We have also established space in the https://availabletoday.com virtual showroom where you can also see all our videos as they go on live. This will mirror what stock we have available today; you can select the videos and read information about the actual vehicle and their details.

Our social media continues as described in our Facebook and YouTube channels displaying information about everything that is relevant and happening. 

You will also find us on Auto Trader and in the next issues of MMM, Practical Motorhome and Which Motorhome magazines.

Finally, as a business that has been operating since 1983, we’ve seen challenging times before; we are prepared for them and will survive them. Although the coronavirus pandemic is a unique situation calling for unique measures, we are confident that with the support of our customers, our friends at availabletoday.com and motorhomescampervans.net we can meet this challenge and eventually emerge stronger and wiser.

Please rest assured that our amazing team will soon be fulfilling dreams and solving problems for our wonderful customers again very soon.

Thank you all, please stay safe, keep healthy and look after each other.

Tim Lemon and the Derby Motorhomes team. 

If you managed to dodge the storms and flooding of the past few months, calmer days are just around the corner. It’s time to shift up a gear and get your motorhome back into serious work as the new season dawns.

So, what’s new on the horizon? Here are a few snippets.

Prices slashed at Derby Motorhomes

If you are looking to buy your first motorhome – or want to upgrade – we’re offering a great start to the season with some amazing price reductions on Auto-Sleepers!

The deals include £2,000 the ever-popular Burford and Burford Duo coachbuilt Auto-Sleepers, £1,500 off all of this year’s van conversion models, and massive savings on previous years’ Auto-Sleepers.

Cornish wellness retreats

If you own a motorhome, you already enjoy the outdoor life. How about combining that with a wellness retreat on Cornwall’s north coast, at Holywell Bay, near Newquay?

From the 5th until the 7th of June – and again from the 19th to the 21st of June – Trevornick Holiday Park is running wellness courses, with the price of your motorhome pitch included, writes Out and About Live.

The 5-star holiday park also boasts nature trails, a heated outdoor pool, jacuzzi and spa.

Land Rover Discovery conversion

Van conversions generally work very well – others somehow just don’t make it.

On the 1st of February, the UK’s Motor 1 magazine featured a Land Rover Discovery conversion that has been listed for sale in the United States – where else!

An interesting conversion it may be, but in terms of styling, design and general comfort, practically any other motorhome would knock the socks off it

Ladram Bay goes green

Ladram Bay Holiday Park, near Exeter in Devon is flying its green credentials as it plans to invest £300,000 on cutting edge solar energy systems in various buildings throughout its extensive grounds its grounds.

An infographic illustrates the many ways in which the park is aiming to recycle waste, avoid plastic packaging, install energy-efficient heating boilers, reduce paper usage by slimming down its brochure and relying more and more on the internet, and even investing in onsite electric vehicles to cut emissions.

Driving in Europe in 2021

Just when you thought you’d heard the last of Brexit, the BBC reminded us on the 20th of February that the UK is currently in a transition phase, during which very little will change in terms of driving your motorhome in Europe.

By the end of the year – and it might come around faster than you think – there might be a number of important changes. Preparing for them now might head off last-minute panic as you plan for next year’s holidays.

Depending on the detail of the UK’s final departure from the EU, from the 31st of December 2020, when driving in Europe you may need:

  • not only your UK driving licence but also an International Driving Permit (available from any Post Office for £5.50);
  • a “green card” showing proof of the level of insurance cover required in the European countries through which you are driving; and
  • a GB sticker on any UK-registered motorhome.

No need to panic just yet, but it may be worth keeping any changes in mind as you prepare for next year’s holidays and outings across the Channel.

 

Can’t wait to get behind the wheel of your motorhome to kick off the new season of adventures?

Here are some snippets of motorhome news that might help you along the way.

New carpark stopovers in Wales

Two Welsh towns on popular touring routes are to allow overnight stopovers for what the local council describes as “caravanettes” – motorhomes, in other words – according to UK Motorhomes.

The pay and display carparks are at Quay Street in Cardigan and New Promenade in Aberystwyth where overnight stopovers are being introduced this season on a trial basis. No other public carparks in the county currently allow such use.

Campervan refusals by DVLA

The DVLA has announced a massive increase in the number of refusals it has made of applications to reregister vehicles converted into campervans, reported Out and About Live on the 21st of January.

In just the first 11 months of 2019, the DVLA refused 9,488 such applications. This compares with 2,266 rejections in the whole of 2018 and just 622 in 2017.

The DVLA is unable to give any explanation for such a huge increase in rejections and insists that any vehicle meeting the required criteria would be passed. Nevertheless, some van converters protest that their vehicles met the necessary standards but still failed to gain registration by the DVLA.

Auto-Sleeper takes the laurels – again!

For the second year in a row, Auto-Sleeper walked away with the Best Motorhome Manufacturer award for 2020 at an annual dinner hosted by the Camping and Caravanning Club on the 17th of January.

Organised in collaboration with Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan magazines, the awards made on the basis of owner satisfaction surveys which were run between April and October 2019.

Concerns about “smart” motorways

January saw considerable media speculation about the safety of so-called smart motorways – where the hard shoulder is effectively turned into an operational lane of the motorway and safety laybys can be as far a mile to a mile and a half apart.

Drivers of motorhomes are likely to have a particular interest – if not concern – about the debate since they are among the most frequent users of such slower lanes of traffic.

You might want to read the discussion on the subject published in Practical Motorhome magazine on the 30th of January.

Pet-friendly pubs

If you’ve braved the elements and continued outings in your motorhome this winter, you’re also likely to have taken along the family dog.

Since any bracing winter’s walk always ends best at the local pub, it can nevertheless cause frustration if the beloved pet has to be left in the vehicle – or even worse tethered outside.

For a dog-friendlier welcome, therefore, you might want to browse the top ten list of pubs suggested by the online pet food supplier Webbox.

Have motorhome will travel

If you thought you’ve spent the winter months hatching an adventurous trip in your motorhome, you might want to cast an envious eye on a family from Derbyshire who are doing just that.

Mum and Dad quit their jobs, sold the house, and together with their children aged eight and five, invested in a 23ft motorhome. They are already in northern Africa on the first leg of their worldwide travels, recounted the Mirror newspaper on the 11th of January.

The whole family enjoyed a relaxing Christmas on the road and everyone is enjoying meeting new friends from different cultures in amazing places, they told the newspaper.

A new year brings with it a packed schedule of motorhome events, shows and exhibitions.

Whether you are looking to buy your first motorhome, trade up to a new one, or simply have an interest in holidays that combine the freedom of the open road and the outdoor life, there’s almost certain to be an upcoming event near you.

This is where you can get up close and personal with some of the season’s exciting new launches – including a range of 2020 Auto-Sleepers – talk to experts about any aspect of owning and driving a motorhome, or browse the bewildering array of gadgets and accessories.

Here are some of the key dates and places for your diary.

Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show, Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Glasgow, 6th to 9th of February

Scotland is never slow to get in on the act and stages the biggest of its kind north of the border in February.

The Camping and Caravanning Club organises this extensive display of everything related to caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes at the expansive SECC in Glasgow.

Yorkshire Motorhome and Campervan Show, Harrogate, 20th to 22nd of March

Just a month later is the Yorkshire Motorhome and Campervan Show, held at the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate and expected to feature more than 300 new and second-hand leisure vehicles for sale.

If you want to try your hand at manoeuvring a motorhome, campervan or caravan, the Caravan and Motorhome Club will also be there to offer free 20-minute hands-on courses.

Southern Motorhome and Campervan Show, Newbury, 15th to 17th May

With springtime’s new season well underway, why not pay a visit to the South of England’s main event, the three-day show at the Newbury Showground, in Chieveley, Berkshire?

Make a longer break of it by pitching up at the onsite camping grounds, which are open for visitors to the show from 10 a.m. on the 17th until noon on the 20th of May.

Your entry fee gains access to two shows for the price of one – not only is there the motorhome and campervan show, but also the National Park and Holiday Homes Show in the same grounds.

Midsummer Motorhome Show, Kenilworth, 19th to 21st of June

Organised by the Camping and Caravanning Club in the beautiful grounds of the Midlands’ foremost showground at Stoneleigh Park, near Kenilworth, this show has a 1950s rock and roll theme.

But you’ll not be coming for the music alone, of course, rather the 300 or so new and used motorhomes for sale, the 30 national and local dealers to talk to, and the 145 or more retailers of accessories and gadgets.

Motorhome and Caravan Show 2020, NEC Birmingham, 13th to 18th October

By the time mid-October comes around, it has probably been worth the wait for the biggest show of them all, the jewel in the crown that is 2020’s Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

The extensive exhibition halls of the NEC pack all of 2020’s caravans and motorhomes under one roof, there are mountains of accessories, devices and gadgets to browse, and expert advice from the UK’s foremost caravanning club is readily on hand.