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We are planning to buy a used motorhome early next year, it will be our first.
I have been looking at ads in various web sites and noticed that LHD seems to offer better VFM. Obviously there are some issues with using LHD in this country, and while I will probably take it abroad it will primarily be used here, is LHD worth considering ?
What are the main disadvantages and do they outweigh the price advantage ?
There is no doubt that LHD offers much better VFM. We have had two LHDs now, a coachbuilt and now an A Class, and I must say that I was unsure of how easy it would be to cope with LHD at first, but soon adapted to it. It feels strange for a while driving "in the gutter" and you may need extra mirrors to expand your viewing capabilities at junctions etc, but we have never looked back. You will also find a wider range of older vans, as some European manufacturers have only just started producing RHD vans. I would also add that parts availability is excellent (certainly for German vans) and there is no insurance penalty either for LHD.
Hope that helps!!
First and most important question,
Is your better half REALLY happy to sit in the o/s seat, Jokingly refered to as the death seat many Ladies don't like it, many get used to it, and an awful lot did not think about it till the van turned up
apart from that question no reason at all why not
Geo
______________________________________________________________ Welcome to the Dark Side where the Sun shines brightest
Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn´t.
As John said, you soon adapt to LHD. It took me about 30 minutes before I stopped wanting to drift over to the right. Now I jump in it and its like i've never been in a RHD... its like riding abike, you never forget!
There's certainly bargains to be had for LHD... check out www.mobile.de ... a trip to Germany can save you thousands on a similar british RHD one.
As they say: "It's easier to drive a LHD in the UK than a RHD in Europe" - and that's really true for us! It makes a HUGE difference driving a LHD on the continent. I have also driven RHD and didn't like it - I got used to it after a while but would make a mistake or two when tired. Driving on the correct side of the road with a LHD is easier.
I do agree with Geo though, my wife prefers to sit at the back & one of my kids sit in the front.
I would agree LHD makes a lot of sense if you are going into Europe.
It is not much of an inconvenience over here either. One instance however could be for overtaking - you may need to rely on your co pilot for an observation view etc before pulling out.
Russell
______________________________________________________________ Our long trip around Europe - blog now online at www.swift-kontiki.co.uk
I got LHD I have and I am still glad I did even though it took me much longer than other members to get the hang of it. It is in my view far more difficult at first than driving RHD abroad although I had know problems with that even on the first outing.
Now it is sinking in, I am happy withit and of course, our major trips will always be abroad so extremely handy for overtaking and also, it is better to drive the LHD here on roads you do know than don't know. Oddly, I have to get used to driving LHD abroad as well. I must have a very slow learning circle. But gone are the days of trying to change gear with the wing mirror and then as I got the hang of it, the indicator stalk. Feet are no problem because it is the same. I still have the odd embarrasing noise when changing gear sometimes but that is not thinking of what I am doing.
It's alway easier to drive a left hooker if you have vision above other road users as you can then read the road.
If you've been in a left hooking car as a passenger and find yourself looking at on coming traffic as the driver tries to see if it clear to overtake you'll understand this post more probably
Last edited by RR on Thu Nov 30, 2006 8:22 pm; edited 1 time in total
I think it is all about relative height and good mirrors.
If American, the driver looks over the roof of all known cars and transit vans, whereby giving advance notice of most road conditions, well in advance of what car drivers see, as well as providing the most fantastic panoramic view.
In fact after a while you begin to really enjoy the view and do not feel at all glued to the tarmac, visually speaking, as you do in a car. This is what makes long distances possible, as it is not so tiring. Just hit the cruise control and go.
You must however, I suggest, invest in and take the time to adjust properly the mirrors to eliminate all blind spots, if at all possible. You will notice that tourist coaches have three mirrors on each side. We upgraded ours with top hat mirrors to get a third mirror on each side, as well as an off side proximity or kerb mirror.
After taking the above into account the LHD issue really does not exist at all, except that if all others are asleep, then LHD is useful for toll booths in Europe!
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France
many Ladies don't like it, many get used to it, and an awful lot did not think about it till the van turned up 
