Traveling on a motorhome or campervan is a popular way to explore an extensive destination. Instead of staying in a hotel, you and your loved ones can save more time with mobile accommodation. However, not everyone is familiar with these types of touring vehicles. It can be challenging to pinpoint whether to take a recreational car, campervan, or motorhome on your next adventure.
If this resonates with you, read this blog to know the difference between a motorhome and a campervan. We’ll also discuss their ideal uses to know which one works best for your needs.
The Basics Of Campervan
A campervan is a converted utility vehicle intended for quick travelers. As such, these road staples can accommodate up to three people. The van’s rear portion is often converted into sleeping quarters, whereas the seats are taken out and replaced with a retractable bed.
Some campervan beds are double-deck, which means four people can sleep inside. Their compact size could only carry one more section; a cooking area. Most campervans hold a small kitchen, and tables are often retractable to save some space. Only in rare instances do these vehicles have showers or toilets, so they can be challenging to use if you’re taking your children along with you.
Understanding The Motorhome
A motorhome is typically a larger version of the campervan and with more built-in equipment. That being said, a motorhome can carry up to six people with enough space to move around. Besides a sleeping area and a small kitchen, there’s enough space in this utility vehicle to house a toilet and shower.
These better-furnished road machines often provide essential home utilities such as a television, DVD player, and an air conditioning system. Some units allow for expanding storage space, living room, and sleeping areas.
Motorhome vs. Campervan: Which Is Better?
As you prepare for a road trip, consider whether a motorhome or a campervan will fit your travel requirements. Generally, adventurous couples prefer the latter, while tourists traveling with friends and family members opt for the former.
Below are the advantages of one over the other:
Space
As mentioned, motorhomes are bigger versions of campervans. A motorhome is the better choice if you want to have ample space to move around. If you’re traveling for long periods, you’re also better off with these vehicles’ convenience.
Tourists planning to stay longer will likely appreciate the convenience and comfort provided by a motorhome. On the contrary, tourists who prefer a quick holiday may find a campervan enough for their needs.
Comfort
Motorhomes are designed to mimic the comfort inside a home. More expensive units even have an entertainment set so you can watch movies while waiting to arrive at your next destination. In addition, you can use the toilet and bathroom anytime.
Before choosing between the two, think about the facilities you need and the ones you can access. If the absence of a toilet and washing area seems unimaginable, choose a motorhome. Opt for a campervan if using campsite amenities isn’t a big issue.
Privacy and Access To Facilities
If you’re taking a campervan, you’d have to wait until reaching the campsite to bathe and use the toilet. And because there might not be enough to accommodate a high number of campers, you might have to wait for hours before getting access to sanitation facilities. This is quite challenging, especially if you need to send these facilities more frequently.
On the other hand, if you’d like more privacy and quick access to facilities, you might prefer having a motorhome. A motorhome is equipped with bathing and toilet facilities. This is highly recommended for those who would want to have access to facilities anytime.
Storage Space
When it comes to storage space, motorhomes offer bigger living spaces and storage areas than their counterparts. Motorhomes are essentially like homes on wheels. It has multiple compartments for you to store your belongings and equipment.
On the other hand, the living and storage space may be limited in a campervan. In most cases, when using a campervan, you’ll be forced to remove bulky items to have enough space to move about. This isn’t the case when you have a motorhome.
Road Performance
As motorhomes are bigger and heavier than campervans, they’re also more stable on the road. A motorhome can tick these boxes if you’re used to driving more oversized vehicles and don’t have speed requirements. Before taking this bulky vehicle, ensure your international driver’s license allows you to operate heavy trucks, ensuring you’re not violating driving laws.
Don’t forget to check your itinerary. If planning to stay deep in the woods or make a quick visit to the city, a campervan may be better because a motorhome is too tricky to drive and park.
Cost
The campervan is the better choice if you’re concerned about the costs, as it’s cheaper to rent, buy, or run. As motorhomes are bigger and have more amenities, they’re also understandably pricier. In addition, these huge machines require more fuel to run than their smaller counterparts.
Conclusion
There’s no quick answer to whether a motorhome or campervan is better for you. Generally, motorhomes work well for families, while campervans are best for adventurous couples who don’t plan on staying inside the vehicle for long periods.
So, read this guide to study your options better for whatever touring vehicle you prefer. Once you’ve chosen, shop around to get the best deal.
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