Motorhomes: how to buy or rent a camper at a good price
First decide how you will travel
A motorhome is a home and a vehicle in one, so a mistake in the type is costly. An alcove has a bed over the cab and suits a family well. An integrated camper is better for aerodynamics and warmth. A low-profile one is more compact, and a camper van is easy to park in the city.
Think about the season. For travel in cold hills, independent heating, insulation and an insulated water tank matter. For summer: an awning, a shower and room for bicycles. Hot weather also means good ventilation and air conditioning. If you go only once a year, renting for 10 days often works out smarter than buying.
What to put in your request
- Type of motorhome — alcove, integrated, low-profile, camper van.
- Base vehicle — for example Fiat Ducato, Mercedes Sprinter or Ford Transit.
- Buy or rent — for rent, the period and dates.
- Beds — how many people travel, including children.
- Year and mileage — for example from 2012 and up to 1,50,000 km.
- Equipment — shower, toilet, independent heating, fridge, inverter, solar panels.
- Technical condition — whether you can spend on repairs, or need a “get in and go” one.
- City and budget, if you want to state it.
Example: “Looking for an alcove motorhome on a Fiat Ducato base, 4 beds, from 2012, mileage up to 1,50,000 km, with a shower and independent heating. No repairs needed, ideally with a service history. Sydney, budget up to $59,000.”
What to look at during inspection
The biggest danger in a camper is damp. Leaks through the roof and windows can ruin the wall panels, and this is not visible at once. Ask for a moisture check in the corners, near the roof hatches and under the floor. Just as important are the gas system (the date of its last check and the paper for it), and the state of the tyres, brakes and chassis.
Weight matters too: check that the gross weight does not exceed what your driving licence allows. Ordinary licences have limits, so ask the seller for the permitted weight and the real load, and check the rules with your local transport authority.
How to compare offers
Compare similar bases, years and mileage. For rental, look at the deposit, the kilometre limit, insurance and what is in the set: bedding, dishes, gas, chairs. For buying, look at the service history, the papers and whether you can bring your own mechanic to inspect.
The price often depends on the season: demand grows before the holidays, and terms can be better in the off-season.
How it works through BlaBlaPrice
You do not have to scroll through listings and write to each one: create a request, and owners and dealers answer in the chat with price, photos and terms. The request is checked first, and you get hints on what is missing. BlaBlaPrice shows the best offer first, you see reviews next to the seller, and sellers see their place and can improve their terms. Your phone stays hidden until you choose. Details are on the “How it works” page.
If you also need to carry gear that has no room in the camper, look at a car trailer, and all options are in the “Trailers / motorhomes” section.
