Whether you buy a motorhome from a dealer or embark on your very own van conversion, everyone knows that owning a leisure vehicle means making it your own.
After all, it’s your home away from home on long and short trips, and it’s not until you’ve taken it on a few adventures that you realise there’s a few modifications that will make it work better for you.
With this in mind, the experts at Motorhome Protect have conducted some research into the changes that are most popular within the leisure vehicle industry.
According to the broker’s proprietary data for the UK from the past year, the top modifications are as follows:
Replacing steel wheels with alloys
Some 21 per cent of motorhome and campervan owners have made the decision to swap out conventional steel wheels with alloys.
The smart set-up is sanctioned by most insurers, as long as the alloys are fitted with locking wheel nuts to protect against theft.
Addition of a towbar
There are a number of reasons why you might want to add a towbar to your motorhome, from pulling a small vehicle to taking your bikes or motorbike on your trip.
For 18 per cent of leisure vehicle aficionados, it’s a must and makes their motorhome or campervan even more adaptable for their needs.
Making improvements to the suspension
Poor suspension can make handling corners in your leisure vehicle difficult and even lead to a bumpy ride on your way to your campsite.
That’s why improving this element is the third most popular modification to make on a motorhome or campervan, with 12 per cent of people opting to add rubber spring assisters and shock absorbers.
Upgrading engines
Six per cent of owners said they have made engine upgrades, which are likely to change the cover required and potentially increase insurance premiums.
Reasons for switching out an engine on a motorhome include increased horsepower and torque; improved fuel efficiency; and enhanced drivability and handling.
Eco-friendly improvements
Solar panels and liquid petroleum gas conversions are also popular modifications with six per cent and three per cent of owners respectively, because of their environmentally-friendly credentials.
Adding solar panels will increase the value of your leisure vehicle and therefore impact your coverage, but won’t be included automatically by insurers.
Mark Sheppard, senior manager at Motorhome Protect, said: “Owners will need to make insurers aware of any non-standard feature of a vehicle – the worst case scenario is that not advising of any change could invalidate policyholders’ cover.”
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