The south end of the beach at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Hua Hin, Thailand.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Maldives on March 23rd.

Tuesday, September 15, 2020

It looks like we bought a brand new motorhome!

So, after going back and forth with a few last minute questions with our dealer contact in Germany, it looks like we have bought a new motorhome.

The final paperwork isn't completed yet, but the sales contract is in process. In an unexpected twist, we are not even required to place a deposit yet, and we don't make final payment until we pick it up...  which likely won't be until the end of March 2021.

We bought a 2021 Adria Matrix Access 520ST. This was a new model in 2020, so there aren't many photos available of it online. But here is one that was I found of a British unit with right hand drive...

Other than the side the steering wheel is on, it is identical to this.

It's length is 5.96 meters (19.5 feet).

This is a unit that they already had on order for stock. It is not supposed to arrive at the dealership until sometime in December or January. Had we waited to make an order when we arrive there next month, we could have made more specific factory changes to it, but the manufacturer is so busy that the new unit would not have arrived before next May... and possibly as late as next July. So, because we are not able to special order, we will have to get the oven, solar panels, and bicycle rack installed at the dealer.

Also, although we have made a commitment to purchase this unit, they agreed to put a clause in the contract that says when we arrive at their dealership next month, we have until November 1st to back out if we see something else on their lot that we would be happier with. As I said right from the beginning, we would be quite happy to have a 2017 or 2018 model that has low mileage and at the right price. It is a fairly big dealership and they have a constant flow of used units coming in on trade. 

When we get the final paperwork, we will share with you the numbers.

Here is a British made video of the 520 ST... again, the only difference is the side the steering wheel is on...


And, here is a review done by Practical Motorhome magazine in the UK of the 2020 model...


The things we like about this rig? 

When we had our truck camper rig in Australia, one of the things we loved was being maneuverable and being able to park in a normal sized parking spot. This new rig is only 5.96 meters (19.5 feet) long and all four wheels should fit in a normal parking space... possibly with a small overhang.

For a small rig, they have made incredible use of the space. Did you notice the counter space and the arrangement of the stove burners? There is more counter space than most full size American motorhomes. 

For a small rig, it has a large bathroom. The review I posted above even says that "the bathroom is roomier than it has any right to be"!

It has a large 167L Fridge Freezer. Most rigs this size have a small fridge that fits under the counter.

It totally lives up to the old motorhome saying... 6 for drinks, 4 for dinner, and 2 for sleeping!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Resistance Band Exercise Set. Take 70% off at checkout using coupon code RARTF9IQ For this price, you have no excuse not to exercise 🙂

And in Canada...



32 comments:

  1. Nice rig! Can't wait to see your travels in it!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karyn-Lee, we think it will suit our needs nicely. We can't wait to see our travels in it too! :-)

      Delete
  2. Looking forward to your European adventures. Safe travels

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are really looking forward to our European adventures too but it will be awhile yet before we are enjoying our travels in the new motorhome. There will be lots of other adventures between now and then though. :-)

      Delete
  3. Nice! Congratulations! This unit sorta looks like the Leisure Travel Vans that are manufactured in Winkler, Manitoba.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. "Sorta looks." Yep, sorta! Except those ones are 25' long... and a whole lot more money!

      Delete
  4. Love your new Rig. We are now jealous. Keep us posted if and when you find a used Rig.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are looking forward to this new rig too! If anything changes when we get to Germany and we find something that we like better, then don't worry we will be telling you all about it.

      Delete
  5. Exciting news. Fun to follow along with your discerning planning, shopping and buying!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We think it is pretty exciting too! So happy that you enjoy following along with us. :-)

      Delete
  6. Awesome rig! Perfect for European touring. We have this on our bucket list, once our home situation allows.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We think it looks like an awesome rig too and we can't wait to try it out but we will still have a while to wait before that happens.

      We will try to supply you with as much info as we can into the buying, licensing and insuring of the motorhome and everything that is involved in getting our German resident permit. :-)

      Delete
  7. Our LTV is a 2000 (before EEE) so is very similar to yours in dimensions.
    With solar and it's 19' overall length, it fits anywhere.
    We travelled last winter in our son's 2018 LTV Wonder 25'(EEE)in total luxury for us but did not always fit where you want to go.
    For your kind of travel you have made a great choice. We have never regretted choosing a smaller rig.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We agree, we think the smaller size will be perfect for our needs and much easier for driving in Europe where some towns are pretty tight for space. We really love idea of just using a normal parking spot like we did with Bundy and Joyce in Australia. It was just so much easier for getting around and manoeuvring in small areas. So glad that you think much the same way. :-)

      Delete
  8. Sweet! You have the talent for finding the most amazing deals. :c)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Paul and Marti. Kevin said it isn't really an "amazing" deal but he does think that we are getting our monies worth and it is a very fair price which is the important thing.

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. We can't wait to actually see it! That will have to wait for a while yet though.

      Delete
  10. A new rig is soooo exciting. However, I don't see a roof air on it. Is there one?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not unheard of to have roof air, but it's a fairly rare option on European RV's. Same thing with a generator. Very rare. And of course for us, we hardly ever stay in RV parks so having roof air makes no sense. We prefer to be outside in the shade if it's really hot. And fans work great for indoors at night.

      Delete
  11. Nothing like getting your own brand new RV, that smell of fresh formaldehyde 😂

    Seriously though, you will love it. Got my brand new 5er ten years ago this week!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol, yep we have no doubt that it will have that new "car" smell to it but it had better not be a formaldehyde smell!!!

      Wow, time flies doesn't it?! You have put your 5er through a lot of use in that time.

      Delete
  12. Congratulations Ruth and Kevin! Can't wait for your travel around Europe. Rawn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Rawn! We can't wait for our travels in Europe either. :-)

      Delete
  13. Congratulations you two on your new rig. Looks like fun with very efficient use of space. Have you thought of names?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How about Kerry?(Both your initials).

      Delete
    2. Lol, we have already been thinking of names!

      I think we have thought of a couple other names that we like better than Kerry but we can keep that one in mind, thanks Elaine. :-)

      Delete
  14. We have that saying on the side of our trailer. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice! We have broken that rule a few times, lol. :-)

      Delete
  15. gorgeous rig-- have a great flight!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank think it i a pretty good looking rig too!

      I am sure that we will have a great flight. :-)

      Delete

There are more comments on our facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/TravelwithKevinAndRuth

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.