Buyers' Guide

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.

For a recreational vehicle that’s specifically designed and constructed to your personal needs and preferences, a custom-built motorhome may be your best solution.

Custom-built motorhomes may be designed and built by a manufacturer who specialises in bespoke builds — or built by a capable DIYer to your specifications.

In this buyers’ guide, we discuss how custom motorhomes are built and what features they have. We also look at the different kinds of tailor-made motorhomes and how the cost of these compare to ready-made ones.

German motorhomes have built a global reputation for exceptional design and comfort — but also reliability, innovation and safety.

Carado, Bürstner and HYMER are three of the premium German motorhome brands available to purchase in New Zealand. In this article, we discuss the safety features and innovative technologies of these three popular German brands.

Whether you’re at home or on the road, sleep is important for our energy levels and general wellbeing. And when you’re on a campervan holiday for weeks or months, the impact of a quality bed and bed layout that’s easy to use can’t be understated.

After years of recreational boating, Peta Stavelli of Motorhomes, Caravans & Destinations magazine, returned to motorhoming. As a potential buyer, you might also be asking yourself — how do these two kinds of recreational investments differ?

A key differentiator between a high end motorhome and an ordinary one is the bathroom. It should be a welcoming space for you to refresh and revitalise.

Motorhome bathrooms should be both comfortable and practical. In high end, premium motorhomes,  you can expect wood veneer cabinetry, sophisticated lighting and a self-contained shower — much like your bathroom at home. Although in some models, the bathroom may feel less like an oasis and more like the inside of a bathtub.

In this buyers’ guide, we discuss everything you need to know about RV bathrooms. We’ll touch on layout, features, water storage needs, freedom camping, and different types of toilets — along with how to use and empty them.

If you’re planning to spend a decent amount on a new motorhome, you’ll have the pick of two types of body construction.

In the more affordable corner is the semi-integrated motorhome — which still retains the front sheet metal parts and cab components of its donor van that provided the platform.

Fiat may have recently lost ground to upgraded European vans like the Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit and Volkswagen Crafter. But the new Series 8 Ducato shows improvements that should allow it to continue its reign at the top of the motorhome platform segment.