Buyers' Guide

Remember being told when you were younger that buying a secondhand car with high mileage was a bad idea? That may still be the case for pre-owned cars — but it doesn’t ring true for used motorhomes.

A recreational vehicle with a few miles on the clock can actually be a smart investment. In this blog, we explain how — by discussing what’s considered to be a high mileage motorhome, the advantages of buying one and the challenges of owning one.

We also look at factors that will mitigate your high mileage concerns, what to consider when evaluating and inspecting a high mileage RV — and how to finance one. Finally, we offer some tips when browsing used motorhomes with high mileage.

Let’s flip the script and uncover some myth busting truths about high mileage motorhomes that may save you a bundle and get you on the fast road to camping freedom.

As the point of contact between the road surface and your motorhome driving along it, tyres are the very foundation of vehicle safety. Although highly durable, they’ll need replacing at regular intervals during the lifetime of your RV.

But which tyres should you choose for your motorhome when the original factory ones wear out?

In this blog, we discuss when to replace your motorhome tyres and what to consider when choosing new ones. We also highlight some essential tips about tyre codes, load indices, tyre load capacity and speed ratings — to help you select the appropriate tyres for your motorhome.

French automotive magnate, André Citroën, was a man always on the lookout for a better way to make cars. Back in 1933, he asked his engineers to investigate what was then considered a radical concept — front wheel drive.

Their report came back highly positive, citing reduced manufacturing costs, more efficient use of space, greater freedom of design and better handling through a lower centre of gravity.

The purchase of a new (or new to you) motorhome is an exciting time, and nobody wants to get it wrong. To help you avoid the pitfalls, Motorhomes, Caravans and Destinations magazine has compiled a list of things to consider when buying your perfect home on the road.

Whether you’re a food traveller looking for local ingredients or an adventurer needing quick meals to fuel your outdoor experiences, the kitchen is where magic happens — it’s the soul of your motorhome.

In this guide, we review the most functional kitchen layouts, assess which appliances work best in a motorhome kitchen, discuss kitchen storage space and look at kitchen lighting.

Like other vehicles on the road, motorhomes and campervans are affected by depreciation. It’s often referred to as the hidden cost of ownership.

Depreciation isn’t always accounted for when looking at the initial purchase price of an RV. This can lead to financial surprises down the road, especially if you’re not prepared for the decrease in value.

In this guide, we look at what motorhome depreciation is, how it impacts total cost, what factors affect it, how to calculate it and how to minimise it.

The real estate industry lives or dies by the maxim location, location, location — while motorhome owners tend to have their own mantra of accessorise, accessorise, accessorise.

Thinking about purchasing a used motorhome and wanting to know the steps to take to get the key in your hand and drive off into the sunset? To find the right reliable RV you’ll need to carefully complete a series of checks — to gain the knowledge and confidence to buy.

In this comprehensive article, we look at your must-haves, consider ex-rentals and run through checking the condition of a used motorhome. We also talk about inspecting the exterior and interior of your prospective purchase and touch on the cost of a used motorhome.

The sole purpose of having solar panels on a motorhome is to recharge its habitation battery. But not all solar panel systems are created equal. There can be significant differences in the way the panels have been mounted on the roof.

The components of a solar system, and the way they’ve been installed, will determine whether the solar panel system will fulfil your expectations while off-grid camping.

In this blog, we discuss what to look for when buying a used motorhome with solar panels. We touch on rigid and flexible solar panels, and the quality of the panels, solar controller, and habitation battery. We also chat about the electrical certificate of fitness, the wiring that connects everything together, and whether a portable solar panel may be your best solution.

If you own a car, you’ll be familiar with warrants of fitness (WoF) and how important they are for keeping your vehicle safe and legal on New Zealand roads.

A certificate of fitness (CoF) is something you may be less familiar with. It’s required for heavier vehicles — including motorhomes and campervans that weigh more than 3500kg.

In this guide, we’ll help you understand the differences between WoFs and CoFs for motorhomes. We’ll also discuss what they cost, what the inspection process entails and how to use this knowledge when buying a motorhome.

If a kitchen is the heart of a home, then the dining area fulfils that role in a motorhome. This is where you’ll come together to eat meals, have a chat and play board games. It’s where you’ll socialise, relax and even work — so it pays to consider your options carefully.

In this article, we look at the most common seating arrangements along with pros and cons for each. We also touch on various table designs and upholstery options, to find the motorhome that best suits your RV lifestyle plans.

Purchasing a motorhome or campervan is a significant life decision. Whether you're a first-time buyer or you’re planning to downsize your current RV, take time to assess all the options before choosing the motorhome that’s ideal for you.

In this blog, we discuss why you should consider buying a campervan, what to look for in a used one and the costs of ownership.

We’ll also hear from Wilderness Motorhomes’ marketing director, Mary Hamilton, a seasoned professional in the motorhome industry. She’ll comment on buying new versus secondhand, renting before owning, listening to friends and the common reasons why people change motorhomes.