Have you ever considered becoming a member of a motorhome owners’ club? They can be a great source of advice, social events, cheaper rates and also provide a great way of meeting fellow motorhomers.
By the time you’ve bought one of the best motorhomes, you could find yourself wanting to meet ‘van owners with a vehicle from the same manufacturer, which is where joining an owners club comes in. It provides a great way of finding out how they’ve got on with a similar ‘van, as well as a good source of advice. Just as importantly, they can offer a great social scene too. Here, we’re taking a look at some of the motorhome owners’ clubs from some of the most popular manufacturers out there, so you can find out what they offer and how they could enhance your touring experience.
Motorhome owners clubs:
Adria Owners Club UK
Founded back in 2006, Adria Owners Club UK aims to bring together owners of both Adria and Sun Living ‘vans, ranging from the Adria Supersonic 780DC to the Adria Twin Max 680 SGX. The group allows members to share their interest in the Slovenian manufacturer’s leisure vehicles, be it a campervan, motorhome or caravan.
Anyone who currently owns an Adria or Sun Living leisure vehicle is eligible to join, with members receiving regular newsletters detailing the club’s latest activities, tips and guidance from the club’s dedicated website and Facebook page, a card on your birthday, and access to discounts and merchandise.
Rallies are hosted across the UK while there are also annual Continental rallies – that’s not all, with factory visits to Adria’s headquarters in Novo Mesto in Slovenia also organised.
Need to know…
- Cost: £15, plus a £5 joining fee for new members
- How to join: Complete the form on the club website
Auto-Sleeper Owners Club
Celebrating 35 years in 2024, this owners’ club started with a letter in a travel magazine. With additional support from the Auto-Sleepers directors at the factory in Willersey, Gloucestershire, the club held its inaugural general meeting and first national rally back in 1989. This eventually led to it becoming a company limited by guarantee in 2002.
In addition to the national rally held every year over the spring bank holiday, rallies are organised in the UK throughout the year by the members, for the members. Membership is open to all Auto-Sleeper ’van owners, such as the Burford Duo.
The club also aims to run a 10-day foreign rally in the summer, with previous destinations including France, Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Italy.
Information about these events is available to members on the club’s website and in the quarterly magazine.
The members’ area of the club website is brimming with exclusive resources, which include paint codes, member recommendations and key information on recalls and faults. This area also features a list of companies and dealerships offering club members a discount.
Need to know…
- Cost: £20 per year
- How to join: Email membershipsec@asoc.uk.com asoc.uk.com
Auto-Trail Owners Club
The Auto-Trail Owners’ Club was formed in 1993 by a small group of individuals attending the Motor Caravan Show at Peterborough. Their ambition was to develop a members’ club to promote the brand, share experiences and enjoy social gatherings.
In 2023, the club elected its first female chair, Chris Vinall. Recently, it celebrated its 30th anniversary, marking the milestone with a rally at Newbury Showground.
All owners of Auto-Trail and Tribute motorhomes (any age or model) are welcome to join. The friendly, informal rallies are a great place for meeting likeminded people while getting to see the UK.
Rallies are held near local attractions and members get together for social gatherings and meals out. Activities are sometimes also arranged, including boat trips, walks and coffee mornings.
Other club events to look forward to include the AGM rally, factory visits and rallies abroad (Spain and Croatia have been booked for 2024).
Members also receive the club’s quarterly magazine and an annual rally book, as well as a range of discounts.
Need to know…
- Cost: £20 per year
- How to join: Complete the form on the club website
Bailey Owners Club
Since its founding in 1970, Bailey Owners Club has grown, with the first chairman, John Stayte, succeeded by 21 others. Current chair Rona Boyles is supported by a 12-person committee, while volunteers help out at rallies.
Owners of all Bailey ‘vans, such as the Bailey Endeavour B62 and the Bailey Adamo 60-4, can join, as can caravanners with a tourer made by the Bristol manufacturer. Members get to enjoy benefits and being a part of a passionate community.
Designed with affordability in mind, the rallies are typically hosted at CLs and off-grid sites, so come to around £10 per night. For 2024, 23 rallies are planned, which also include trips to Europe. Travel company Alan Rogers recently took over the planning of foreign trips, including the ferry tickets, site bookings and activities, saving you from the Eurotunnel or Ferry question.
Members of the club get to enjoy a factory tour at Bailey, while merchandise, a quarterly newsletter, an annual rally book and use of the website are also on offer.
Need to know…
- Cost: £20 per year
- How to join: Apply online at baileyownersclub.org/index.php/home/join-us-test
Bessacarr Owners Club
Marking its 60th anniversary this October, the Bessacarr Owners Club focuses on the social side of rallying, allowing members to enjoy a relaxed vibe at its meet-ups. Held at campsites with facilities and, typically, fully serviced pitches, the rallies allow members to find out about the surrounding area and socialise with Bessacarr ‘van owners.
Over a third of club members attend at least one rally each year, a sign of their popularity. Committee membership is decided at an annual AGM, while five to six rallies are held each year, followed by an ‘end of season’ gathering, which includes a members’ dinner.
Members can make use of technical support and user manuals on the club’s website, as well as ask for advice and share photos.
Need to know…
- Cost: £15 per year
- How to join: Complete the form on the club website
Bürstner UK Owners’ Club
The Bürstner UK Owners’ Club began life when a group of friends, all Bürstner owners, met up to enjoy some Spanish sun in 2004. Since then, the club has grown in numbers and in 2024, it celebrates its 20th anniversary.
The main objective is to meet up and socialise with likeminded friends. Most rallies last for five days, and in 2024 the club has venues booked all around the UK.
There’s also a four-week trip around the Netherlands, and the club receives biannual invitations from Bürstner to tour its factory in Kehl, Germany, for a week of entertainment, including a factory visit.
Key events for 2024 will include celebrations for the club’s 20th anniversary, to be marked at Llangollen, in Denbighshire, Wales, during a special five-day rally.
The club has a stand at the October NEC show, with members on hand to offer advice on joining. For the past two years, Bürstner has also supported the club by giving new members a free year’s membership.
The club issues a quarterly magazine detailing recently held rallies and information on forthcoming events.
Need to know…
- Cost: £20 per year
- How to join: Complete the form on the club website
Dethleffs Owners Club UK
Formed in 2005, Dethleffs’ not-for-profit members’ club is self-funded and welcomes owners of any Dethleffs leisure vehicle.
The club has strong links to the Dethleffs factory and the brand’s senior management, giving rise to their motto, “A friend of the family.”
The club arranges an annual European rally, as well as one in the New Forest. This year, members planned a special celebration dinner to mark the 90th year of the Dethleffs leisure vehicle brand.
In 2024, the club plans to head to the Netherlands for the Fruitcorso (the parade of the fruits) in Tiel. They have also been invited to visit the Dethleffs Club in Finland.
Members can enjoy a range of other benefits, including a discount from UK dealers on habitation checks with a valid member’s card. The club also offers access to a dedicated helpline, which is supported by a specially appointed and Dethleffs-certified UK service workshop. There, they can obtain parts information and get expert advice and help with any technical queries.
Members can also access the club’s Facebook group.
Need to know…
- Cost: £15 per year for a couple
- How to join: Complete the form on the club website
Elddis Owners Club
Did you know Elddis Owners Club was established in 1973 at the suggestion of Elddis’ founder, Siddle Cook? Since its founding, nearly 4000 rallies have been planned, 70 of which have taken place in Europe. There are events held throughout the year too, such as a Christmas party.
Membership is open to all of those who have a ‘van built at Erwin Hymer UK’s County Durham headquarters, encompassing Elddis, Xplore, Compass, and Buccaneer (find out more about the maker in our best motorhome brands guide).
Membership includes club newsletters, a rally handbook, a membership card, and the option to meet with like-minded people on affordable trips, with members able to enjoy whole weekends away for as little as £20 per unit.
Need to know…
- Cost: £17 per year
- How to join: Complete the form on the club website
Eriba Owners Club of Great Britain
A small group of Eriba owners founded this Club in 1986 in Northamptonshire. After its forming, it was almost run singlehandedly by one of its founder members, Ian Ashton, who went on to become a club president. He played an active role in the club until his sudden death in 2012.
Nowadays, a committee of members run the club, which is open to all Eribacar motorhome and Eriba caravan owners. There are two yearly email newsletters sent out.
Two rallies are hosted each year, one in May and another in September, with entertainment and events occurring at the site while the gathering takes place.
- Cost: £8 per unit per year
- How to join: Email membership@eribaownersclub.co.uk
Hymer Club International
Hymer Club International (HCI) was founded in 1990 by a group of enthusiastic Hymer owners who wanted to hold rallies overseas.
It is a very friendly club with a cross-section of members, all of whom enjoy meeting to share the common interests of motorhoming and Hymers in particular. HCI is for Hymer-badged motorhomes only.
HCI’s Facebook group is where members can exchange ideas and information about their travels and motorhomes. There is also an online newsletter, distributed for 10 months of the year.
Apart from rallies to all parts of England and Wales, the club has organised trips to Ireland, the Isle of Man, Germany, Spain and France.
All rallies are organised by club members themselves.
In May, HCI holds the Spring Gala and AGM, where as many members as possible meet up to enjoy a sociable and entertaining few days, as well as getting an opportunity to have their say about the running of the club.
Need to know…
- Cost: First year membership is £1.25 per month for the remaining full months of the year, plus £5 admin fee. Renewal in January is £15 for one year, £39 for three years.
- How to join: Complete the form on the club website
Lunar Owners Club
Founded in 1976, Lunar Owners Club continues to go from strength to strength, despite the demise of Lunar itself in 2020. The club prides itself on being a small group of enthusiasts which allows members to enjoy getaways that have been planned to a high standard.
Rallies are held monthly, running between five and seven nights at sites across the country, with the majority available at reduced rates. A Continental rally was initially held in France in 1982, and proved to be such a hit that it still occurs nowadays in June.
Other yearly meetings include an AGM rally in September, a Christmas rally and a New Year rally.
- Cost: £15 per year, plus one-off joining fee of £5
- How to join: Complete the form on the club website or call 0161 820 2466
Pilote Owners Association
The first Pilote motorhomes were shown in the UK in 1985. This led to the formation of the Pilote Owners Association in 1987, with the objective of fostering friendship among owners and promoting the brand, while liaising with dealers to support them.
Pilote CEO Philippe Padiou is the club president, while founding member Bill Hayes is the vice-president.
The club welcomes members whose motorhomes are made under the Pilote group, which includes Bavaria, Frankia, Joa, Le Voyageur and Pilote itself, opening it up to a wide range of ‘vans, such as the Pilote Vega V600G X Edition and the Le Voyageur Eterna 7.0 GJF.
A diary of events is issued to members in November, detailing all of the rallies for the following year.
Members can enjoy at least one gathering every month in the year, with the AGM, usually at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse, and the club’s Christmas rally always proving particularly popular. Most years, there is a foreign rally, with this year’s event taking place in Germany.
Members also benefit from a varied social programme, club rates at trade shows, a newsletter and a dedicated area on the website.
Need to know…
- Cost: £18 per year; £20 off new members’ first rally
- How to join: Complete the form on the club website
Rapido and Silver Owners Club
Open to members of Rapido motorhomes, Rapido, Silver, Fleurette, Rubis and Eriba caravans, and Esterel and Rapido folding caravans, this small and friendly club has become a sociable group since its founding in 1983.
The club holds a week-long rally in both June and September, while social rallies are also held in March or April. Comfort is prioritised when choosing a campsite, so sites with electric hook-up and facilities are always picked.
Optional activities are also on offer, including guided walks, crafts, and pub visits. There is also an AGM weekend in October.
- Cost: £24 per year
- How to join: Complete the form on the club website
Swift Motorhomes Owners Club
This club was established in 1989 to offer Swift owners a way to enhance the pleasure they gain from their vehicles.
They can do this through networking and interacting with other likeminded Swift owners at the club’s rallies and through other channels, such as the club’s quarterly newsletter and website.
The club has established a reputation for friendliness, while entertainment and an active social programme are key elements at the rallies.
Rally events are organised by club marshals, but they are always optional and the club respects members’ individual freedom and privacy.
Details of all the rallies and other club events can be found on the website or via the quarterly newsletter, which includes hints and tips about motorhoming, members’ recommendations, touring information and other topics of interest to ’van owners.
Need to know…
- Cost: £20 per year, plus a one-off £5 joining fee for new members
- How to join: Go to webcollect.org.uk/smoc/subscription or email membership secretary Robert Hubbard at smoc.members.secretary@gmail.com
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