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Motorhome Matt

Motorhome Matt

By: Matt Sims and Keith Gooden
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Avoid costly mistakes, make better buying decisions and get more from life on the road with Motorhome Matt.

Hosted by Matt Sims and journalist Keith Gooden, Motorhome Matt is for motorhome, campervan and caravan owners who want straight answers, practical advice and a clearer view of what is happening across the leisure vehicle industry.

We cover the things owners really need to know, from buying and selling to ownership costs, technical problems, accessories, travel, regulation, product developments and industry news.

Matt brings years of experience across the motorhome sector and an insider’s understanding of how the industry works. Keith asks the questions, challenges the jargon and helps get to the answers that matter.

Expect honest conversations with manufacturers, dealers, specialists and owners, plus real listener questions answered in Ask Matt.

We ask the questions owners are already asking... and some the industry would probably rather we didn’t.

Whether you are new to motorhoming or have years of experience, we help you understand what matters, what is changing and what you need to know next.

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Brought to you by That Leisure Shop
Motorhome Matt is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, specialists in motorhome, campervan, caravan and camping accessories.

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Episodes
  • Motorhomes Are Getting Cheaper… But At What Cost?
    Oct 26 2026

    Motorhomes are appearing at lower prices, but what are manufacturers removing to make them more affordable? With some new models starting around £55,000, buyers could end up spending thousands more once they've added the equipment they actually want. So are these genuinely better deals, or are we simply getting less for our money?

    Motorhome Matt and Keith Gooden investigate what's changing in the motorhome market following the October NEC show. Chris Long from Ace Motorhomes and Olivia Simpson from Auto-Trail explain how their brands are reducing entry prices through simpler specifications and optional equipment packs.

    Adam Clark from Adria reveals why its new Select range takes a different approach, offering a largely fixed specification at a lower price than its premium models.

    But what happens to used motorhome values when cheaper new models enter the market? Simon Jenkins from Spinney discusses part-exchange expectations, premium Coachman motorhomes and why travelling hundreds of miles to secure a bigger discount could become a problem when you need warranty work.

    Steve Aspinall from Staycation Lifestyle challenges the idea that a lower-spec campervan is necessarily a false economy.

    Matt and Keith question which extras are worth paying for, what can be fitted later, and how additional equipment affects payload and resale value.

    Our product of the week is the Alogfire portable gas log fire. Matt demonstrates how it works, discusses the safety features and explains why he was initially concerned about carbon monoxide.

    And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on:

    • Is a Mercedes-Benz motorhome chassis worth the extra money compared with a Fiat?
    • Do motorhome speed limits change when you uprate a vehicle above 3,500kg?
    • Why don't more motorhomes have ISOFIX child-seat fittings, and what should families consider?

    If you're buying a new motorhome, comparing it with a better-equipped used model or wondering what your current vehicle might be worth, hear what manufacturers and dealers are saying before deciding where your money is best spent.

    Find out more:

    🗓️ BLOKES BREAKFAST mhmp.info/breakfast

    🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat

    ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved

    🛒 PRODUCT OF THE WEEK thatleisureshop.com/products/alogfire-mini-campfire-compact-real-flame-outdoor-heater

    🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance

    ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt

    The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists.

    10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Is the Motorhome Dealership Model Starting to Fail?
    Oct 19 2026

    Motorhome sales are rising in the UK, so why are dealerships closing, restructuring or struggling to make money? And could the traditional way we buy new motorhomes be about to change?

    Motorhome Matt and Keith Gooden examine the financial pressures facing the UK motorhome industry, from expensive stock finance and rising overheads to changing customer expectations. With new registrations reportedly up 8.5%, is demand really the problem, or has running a motorhome dealership simply become a much tougher business?

    Matt speaks to the MDs of Tottington Motor Company, M5 Leisure and Bristol Caravans at the NEC. They share contrasting experiences of the market, including difficult part-exchange valuations, the cost of stocking new vehicles, strong campervan sales and owners spending thousands upgrading their existing motorhomes rather than replacing them.

    One major development is Trigano's new Atom Motorhomes brand, which sells directly to customers instead of through traditional dealerships. Could this approach bring better prices, and who takes responsibility for servicing, warranty repairs and aftersales support? We hear what dealers think of the model and why some are reluctant to get involved.

    And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on:

    • Which apps can help you navigate low-emission zones and toll roads when touring Norway and Sweden
    • What should a first-time buyer ask before purchasing a Consort campervan, particularly about warranties, insurance and aftersales support?
    • Do you need winter tyres, snow chains or snow socks when driving a motorhome through the French, Spanish and Andorran Pyrenees?

    Find out more:

    Low-emission zones in Europe: urbanaccessregulations.eu

    🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat

    ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved

    🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance

    ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt

    🗓️ UPCOMING EVENTS mhmp.info/events

    The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists.

    10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • 7 Costly Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Motorhome at a Show
    Oct 12 2026

    A £12,000 discount on a new motorhome sounds tempting, but what happens if you realise six months later that you've bought the wrong van? Motorhome shows bring together hundreds of vehicles and attractive deals, but rushing a decision could leave you seriously out of pocket.

    With the Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC upon us, Motorhome Matt and Keith discuss seven costly mistakes to avoid when buying a motorhome at a show. From going in with a fixed idea of the perfect layout to getting carried away by discounts, Matt explains why slowing down could save you money and disappointment.

    Why should you look at motorhomes above your budget? How do you properly test a layout before committing? And why could buying from a dealer hundreds of miles away cause problems when you need warranty repairs? We also tackle payload limits, driving licence requirements and the importance of returning for a second look, including Matt's experience helping a couple narrow down a shortlist of 33 motorhomes.

    In our Motorhome Finance Fact or Fiction feature, Steve Blake from Motorhome Finance explains whether you need to find your ideal motorhome before applying for finance, and how understanding your borrowing options can help when visiting a show or dealership.

    And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on:

    - Can you safely carry a spare gas bottle in your motorhome garage, and what could it mean for your habitation check and insurance? - Which European breakdown cover options should you consider for a larger motorhome, particularly if it needs recovering to the UK? - Why are some motorhome dealers reluctant to discount older or unsold stock, even when vehicles have been sitting on forecourts for years?

    If you're planning to buy or upgrade your motorhome, listen before committing to a show deal. The right layout, dealer and practical specifications could matter far more than the discount on the windscreen.

    Find out more:

    💰 FINANCE YOUR MOTORHOME mhmp.info/motorhomefinance

    🗣️ CHAT WITH MOTORHOME MATT mhmp.info/chat

    ✅ MOTORHOME MATT APPROVED mhmp.info/approved

    🛒 PRODUCT OF THE WEEK: ACSI mhmp.info/acsi

    🛡️ 15% OFF INSURANCE mhmp.info/ripeinsurance

    ❓ ASK MATT mhmp.info/askmatt

    The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists.

    10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
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