Which Motorhome Is Right For Me?

Motorhomes, or sometimes otherwise known as recreational vehicles (RVs) are simply put, vans with accommodation facilities. They were first introduced in 1910 by Pierce-Arrow. But there was a halt in their production during the World War II. But later, after the 1950s, the production picked up again and today there are several variants of the motorhome. They are made much more comfortable and spacious owing to the innovative designs suiting the customer needs throughout decades of development.

What Features Are Available?

Generally they have accommodation ranging between 2 to 8 people. The sleeping space depends on the type of vehicle. Each sleeping place is called berth which can be fixed or convertible, depending on the type of vehicle. They also have a kitchenette which has a stovetop, a sink, grill and an oven in most cases. Some advanced models also have a microwave but they are generally more expensive. There is also a separate washroom with a cassette toilet, shower and a basin. In many recent models, the washroom is accessible from the outside for making the cleaning easier. A separate shower cubicle is also added in the recent models. The cab area has a driver and passenger seat which, in some vehicles is convertible and can be made a part of the lounge or the main residence area.

Motorhome Types:

There are several models of motorhomes with distinct features and sizes. They are divided into five major categories. Let us take a look below;

A-class motorhomes:

These are the most spacious of all, fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. The cab can integrate into the rest of the vehicle more easily than the others. Other features include drop-down beds which offer flexibility, thus being very clever space saving. The vehicle also has an excellent coach-built insulation which is a distinct feature and makes it standout from other motorhomes. The cab area also has a wider screen, facilitating better view of the surroundings. One issue with the A class motorhome is that they can often have high motorhome insurance costs

If budget is not an issue then the A class motorhome is indeed the best out there with all the luxuries of a home. But on the downside, it is much more expensive than the other variants and the fuel consumption is also much higher than other motorhomes. Moreover, they generally have only one or no cab doors because the cab is designed to be a part of the rest of the vehicle. Crucially, some of them may weigh more than 3.5 tonnes so you must have the proper license to use an A class. The normal UK driving license won’t cut it for vehicles more than 3.5 tonnes.

The Coach-built:

These are the most common motorhomes with the over-cab space. This over-cab bed space is considered to be the added feature in this type which is lacking in the A-class motorhomes. The rest of the luxuries are definitely a little less owing to their lower price. Since they are really common, they also give a fair re-sale value. They can also be called the budget motorhomes because with a lower price tag, they give you wider space.

Some things that you won’t find in this style is the matching seats with the interior, some kitchen items like the microwave are not as sophisticated in style as the A-class motorhomes. The over-cab space is also considered to be a disadvantage because it may incur extra fuel costs due to the drag.

The Campervan:

These are smaller in size, compared to the above mentioned motorhomes. Generally they have two types, a high roof and a rising top. With all the essentials of a house, they are perfect for a small family. They are also easier to drive and park and can also be used as a normal family car. However, the rising roof top should be checked before buying. This feature can affect the insulation of the car as it can render heat-loss.

Low Profile:

This type was once only known among the couples who want to enjoy a lot of space. But there have been recent modifications like the electric drop down beds which make this type as good as the A-class. It has almost all the luxuries with less air resistance but these low profiles have varied types and price ranges. The lack of uniformity makes it difficult to classify a motorhome as a low profile but the shape is the major difference. The low profiles have relatively more streamlined shape.

Micro:

It is more like a pickup van with the characteristics of a coach-built. It is easy to drive and is perfect for one or two people. The cab area is mostly integrated with the lounge. It has only the basic cooking facilities and a there is only a small portable toilet and a small cupboard.