Getting Started

Hi All,
I have not yet bought a Motorhome, still mulling over all the options, so I am a complete newbie. But have decided that I am sick of the cold and miserable winters in Ireland and intend to travel. I have the trip laid out all the way from Dublin to Dublin via Rosslare - Fisguard, south Wales to Devon and up the south coast to dover, then the Europen west coast from France to Gibraltar, the Mediteranean coast from Gibraltar to Greece, then the countries that don't touch the Med, back to Ireland. I estimate maybe 2-4 years minimum ( I'm in no hurry).
So I would appreciate any advice on everything.

I will keep a captain's log, promise

Welcome to the Craic.
Loads of advice in here so ask away.

Now that is a trip and a half.
What size of van are you thinking of using?

Look at as many Motorhomes as you can, sit in them, walk around inside them, sit on the toilet, pretend to do dishes and cook. If you are travelling with two people then do all the above with two people in the motorhome. Kick back relax and unwind, read a book for half an hour - how comfortable where you?

Layout Layout Layout, none of them will be perfect and you will have to compromise but you will find one that suits you the best.

The saying goes "your third Motorhome is the one you like best" so pick wisely it can be a costly mistake.

Most of all enjoy, you will have a fantastic time Motorhoming!

Welcome to Motorhomecraic, Tony!
You have got a lot of sound advice in the previous posts and to add to that maybe you should consider a LHD vehicle seen that most of your driving is on the continent. Ours is LHD and we love it even here in Ireland. Also get a vehicle that you are comfortable driving as there is quite a tail swing in a lot of Motorhomes and they are quite fragile.

Thanks for the comments and advice.
Having done a little investigating, I'm beginning to realise the scale of what I intend to take on. I am definitely going for a LHD vehicle as it makes more sense on the continent ( I hopefully won't forget and drive on the left).
As I have never driven a Motorhome before I intend to take a couple of weeks around Ireland first to get used to it and see some of the family ( mainly Cork and Kerry). As the wife thinks I'm mad, she refuses to come with me, but I reckon she will join me occasionally, so most of time it will be just me and the cd player.
I think the kids ( all grown and mostly married with their own kids) will at various times join me so I'm thinking of a 4-5 berth.
As I'm not wealthy, I'm thinking of a budget of about 15-18,000 Euro. It seems though that the newer the vehicle the smaller the size for this so it looks like it will be a 1998-2003 max model that fits my price range.
This means that I am a little worried about the condition of the engine of course, and that to me has to be the first priority. So I need something that can handle the distance and can be easily and cheaply repaired in the event of mechanical breakdown. While a private deal will get me more for my money than a dealership, at least I can be fairly confident that a good dealer will ensure that the vehicle is mechanically sound when I buy it.
So, my list is starting to take shape.
1. Find a reliable dealer. I did go to East Coast Campers in Arklow and the lads were very good there but any other suggestions would be helpful. We don't have any that I could find in Dublin with the sort of van in my price range but as funds won't be available till early next year I will keep looking.
2. 4-5 berth. this could be flexible though
3. LHD
4. European engine or at least one that most garages can fix with easily available spare parts.

more to follow.