Caravan vs Motorhome
Discussion
Looking recently at maybe getting a motorhome or campervan for me and the wife plus Dog to have short breaks in. I'm now thinking a caravan might be a better bet. Here's my pros and cons.
Pro's:
Seem cheaper to buy
Less to go wrong (no mot, engine etc)
More space inside
Still have a car to use when we get there.
Cons:
I'd have to get a towbar fitted
I don't have a B+E licence (but would I be ok as under 3.5 tonnes? Seat Ateca 1.5 tonnes)
Have to store it somewhere (same for a motorhome unless I left it on the road)
Probably loads I haven't thought of. Budget of around £5k. As said I don't have B+E but also don't have C1 either so that rules out large vans.
Pro's:
Seem cheaper to buy
Less to go wrong (no mot, engine etc)
More space inside
Still have a car to use when we get there.
Cons:
I'd have to get a towbar fitted
I don't have a B+E licence (but would I be ok as under 3.5 tonnes? Seat Ateca 1.5 tonnes)
Have to store it somewhere (same for a motorhome unless I left it on the road)
Probably loads I haven't thought of. Budget of around £5k. As said I don't have B+E but also don't have C1 either so that rules out large vans.
James 33 said:
Still have a car to use when we get there.
This is the absolute key decision, above all others. We barely use our motorhome in the UK as it's so restrictive not having transport. Campsites are all in the arse end of nowhere, and surprisingly few are within walking distance of, well, anything, let alone a pub or shop.
The other benefit of a motor home is wild camping. Even if its just at a wedding or friendly pub.
Every time I think about it logically the answer is always caravan. But I want a camper van...
But the cost of a decent campervan or caravan, plus tax, insurance and campsite fees pays for a lot of nights in decent hotels.
Every time I think about it logically the answer is always caravan. But I want a camper van...
But the cost of a decent campervan or caravan, plus tax, insurance and campsite fees pays for a lot of nights in decent hotels.
Caravans are a slippery slope though. One of my camping buddies has a caravan. 20 grand, 2 berth, but he has his own s
tter and shower. But he spends a lot on upkeep, servicing etc, he needs something reasonably substantial to tow it with (his company car is a prius so he tows with a defender...), and the cost of bits and bobs - toilet fluids, water pumps, electrical bits and bobs, is quite surprising.
A camper and decent drive-away awning is a very decent alternative. I spent a great weekend down in Brighton last weekend and with magnetic attachment rails, it's no hardship at all to use the van for driving tasks.
tter and shower. But he spends a lot on upkeep, servicing etc, he needs something reasonably substantial to tow it with (his company car is a prius so he tows with a defender...), and the cost of bits and bobs - toilet fluids, water pumps, electrical bits and bobs, is quite surprising.A camper and decent drive-away awning is a very decent alternative. I spent a great weekend down in Brighton last weekend and with magnetic attachment rails, it's no hardship at all to use the van for driving tasks.
I've got a caravan. Wouldn't consider a motorhome at this point in life as to have something big enough to house me, the wife and 2 kids it would cost a lot more, be big, and have all the impracticalities mentioned.
In years to come I can really see the attraction of a small motorhome to tour Europe and the UK when the kids no longer want to come on holiday with us and even more so when I'm retired. It would then just hopefully be a bed for the night, wake up in the morning, minimal packing away, and head off to wherever we fancy next even sleeping in a quite lay-by or pub car park if it's necessary or whatever. Did a month of that sort of thing in New Zealand and it was amazing.
In years to come I can really see the attraction of a small motorhome to tour Europe and the UK when the kids no longer want to come on holiday with us and even more so when I'm retired. It would then just hopefully be a bed for the night, wake up in the morning, minimal packing away, and head off to wherever we fancy next even sleeping in a quite lay-by or pub car park if it's necessary or whatever. Did a month of that sort of thing in New Zealand and it was amazing.
James 33 said:
Would I be ok towing a 2 berth behind a Seat Ateca on just a B licence?
This will help you out..https://towcar.info/GB/
We gave ourselves the same question, motorhome or caravan? and the thought process went:
- It's just two of us and the dog
- We want to tour and keep moving rather then pitch for a week at the same spot.
- I have some specific travel goals to achieve with this (specifically, I'd like to lap the Baltic)
- We want the option of being independent of services/sites for 2-3 days at a time.
- Using a tent involved a lot of effort pitching and discouraged moving.
- We really dislike tenting in wet and windy weather with a soggy dog.
- We'd enjoyed an AirBnB stay in a vintage caravan, particularly how it had insulated us from a bad storm.
We looked long and hard at caravans, but our current car is limited to <1,200kg and that's very restrictive and we didn't want to change car and couldn't afford any of the modern ultralight caravans that might have worked (e.g. Swift Basecamp). I looked at a few older caravans within the weight limit and under budget, but none were quite right. My researches showed that caravans are prohibited from many aires and similar free/low cost sites on the continent (and in the UK).
In the end we've just bought a Hymer motorhome, '92 B564:
- It has a lot more space than the equivalent caravan (even more so when you factor in the "dead" length of the a-frame).
- It's a lot shorter than the equivalent car and caravan combination.
- It's got all the facilities we need (Thetford cassette, stand-up shower, heating, hob, grill/oven)
- Motorhomes have access to a wider range of low cost (aires) and free (wildcamping) options than caravans.
It's not without downsides though. It will never pass an EU engine emissions rating so we'll need to park'n'ride some cities. It's another vehicle to maintain, MOT, insure, etc. but we've been a one-car household for a while and so far tax and insurance seem roughly the same as the old TR that I ran as a second car a few years ago.
Now everyone's going to have different requirements and what's right for you is very likely different to what's right for us. It's important to decide what you want to achieve from your purchase before making the final decision. And I think it's also important to look at each answer, camper/caravan/motorhome, as potentially the right answer. And you'll find that there's more than one type of each, "motorhome" alone covers a multitude of variations... A-, B- and C-class, etc, Panel Van Conversion seems to span the motorhome/camper definition depending upon specification.
- It's just two of us and the dog
- We want to tour and keep moving rather then pitch for a week at the same spot.
- I have some specific travel goals to achieve with this (specifically, I'd like to lap the Baltic)
- We want the option of being independent of services/sites for 2-3 days at a time.
- Using a tent involved a lot of effort pitching and discouraged moving.
- We really dislike tenting in wet and windy weather with a soggy dog.
- We'd enjoyed an AirBnB stay in a vintage caravan, particularly how it had insulated us from a bad storm.
We looked long and hard at caravans, but our current car is limited to <1,200kg and that's very restrictive and we didn't want to change car and couldn't afford any of the modern ultralight caravans that might have worked (e.g. Swift Basecamp). I looked at a few older caravans within the weight limit and under budget, but none were quite right. My researches showed that caravans are prohibited from many aires and similar free/low cost sites on the continent (and in the UK).
In the end we've just bought a Hymer motorhome, '92 B564:
- It has a lot more space than the equivalent caravan (even more so when you factor in the "dead" length of the a-frame).
- It's a lot shorter than the equivalent car and caravan combination.
- It's got all the facilities we need (Thetford cassette, stand-up shower, heating, hob, grill/oven)
- Motorhomes have access to a wider range of low cost (aires) and free (wildcamping) options than caravans.
It's not without downsides though. It will never pass an EU engine emissions rating so we'll need to park'n'ride some cities. It's another vehicle to maintain, MOT, insure, etc. but we've been a one-car household for a while and so far tax and insurance seem roughly the same as the old TR that I ran as a second car a few years ago.
Now everyone's going to have different requirements and what's right for you is very likely different to what's right for us. It's important to decide what you want to achieve from your purchase before making the final decision. And I think it's also important to look at each answer, camper/caravan/motorhome, as potentially the right answer. And you'll find that there's more than one type of each, "motorhome" alone covers a multitude of variations... A-, B- and C-class, etc, Panel Van Conversion seems to span the motorhome/camper definition depending upon specification.
We have given this loads of thought, always ended up with a Caravan. We rented a Motorhome ( old Hymer) and really enjoyed it. But the issue we always fall down on is having to move it off site to go anywhere. If you are literally ‘touring’ ie moving on each day, it makes sense but if you are using it for short or long breaks in the same place a Caravan works better.
Then you factor in cost, 5k will get you a reasonable nice Caravan, it will get you a shed on wheels if you add in an engine.
My brother came to the opposite conclusion and bought a Motorhome after Caravanning for a few years, but they do find it restrictive and it cost upwards of 30k for a far smaller space than a Caravan.
Either way, consider a few other points.
Don’t restrict yourself to 2 berths, most 4 berth vans are used as 2 berth. Ours for instance is a 2004 built 4 berth Bailey, worth roughly 4.5k now, fixed bed all the gear and is comfortable towed by our 1.4 tfsi 4x4 Yeti.
Damp!!! Most caravans at this end of the price range will have had, or still have damp problems. When you view take a damp meter or ask to see a professional report. I believe the motorhomes are less susceptible to damp, but it still happens and for 5k......!
Don’t take too much notice of all the naysayers about Caravanning, if you are sensible when you are towing, you shouldn’t cause any hold ups, keep looking behind, pull in when you can if it appears to be an issue. I generally find it’s not me at the front of a que, the fact I can’t overtake anything is a problem, but the fact others won’t overtake even without a ton and a half of plastic on the back is a bigger issue.
Then you factor in cost, 5k will get you a reasonable nice Caravan, it will get you a shed on wheels if you add in an engine.
My brother came to the opposite conclusion and bought a Motorhome after Caravanning for a few years, but they do find it restrictive and it cost upwards of 30k for a far smaller space than a Caravan.
Either way, consider a few other points.
Don’t restrict yourself to 2 berths, most 4 berth vans are used as 2 berth. Ours for instance is a 2004 built 4 berth Bailey, worth roughly 4.5k now, fixed bed all the gear and is comfortable towed by our 1.4 tfsi 4x4 Yeti.
Damp!!! Most caravans at this end of the price range will have had, or still have damp problems. When you view take a damp meter or ask to see a professional report. I believe the motorhomes are less susceptible to damp, but it still happens and for 5k......!
Don’t take too much notice of all the naysayers about Caravanning, if you are sensible when you are towing, you shouldn’t cause any hold ups, keep looking behind, pull in when you can if it appears to be an issue. I generally find it’s not me at the front of a que, the fact I can’t overtake anything is a problem, but the fact others won’t overtake even without a ton and a half of plastic on the back is a bigger issue.
Edited by velocemitch on Friday 28th June 10:42
We have just sold our caravan and are looking for a panel van conversion.
Caravans are ideal if your not travelling long distances and are also ideal if you wish to stay in one spot for a few days/week at a time. Fuel wise, we got an average of 20 mpg in our 2 litre diesel and obviously when up hitched the usual 50. Ideal for bombing around shopping/sightseeing etc.
You cannot wild camp at all.
Motorhome/campervanning is quite differant, better mpg when travelling but when camped up, your kind of stuck especially if local transort sucks...(and thats why we will either have a small scooter on the back or inside). Ideal for wild camping.
Get a caravan with a fixed bed. Our Bailey Pageant Bordeaux cost us 4 1/2 k, plenty of room inside, was like a Tardis. Only needed I gas bottle and a portable gas stove for outside. Cassette loo ideal for late night pee. Never used the shower. Swivel TV for dvds etc. No A/C. But heating fantastic.
Its all down to what and where.
Caravans are ideal if your not travelling long distances and are also ideal if you wish to stay in one spot for a few days/week at a time. Fuel wise, we got an average of 20 mpg in our 2 litre diesel and obviously when up hitched the usual 50. Ideal for bombing around shopping/sightseeing etc.
You cannot wild camp at all.
Motorhome/campervanning is quite differant, better mpg when travelling but when camped up, your kind of stuck especially if local transort sucks...(and thats why we will either have a small scooter on the back or inside). Ideal for wild camping.
Get a caravan with a fixed bed. Our Bailey Pageant Bordeaux cost us 4 1/2 k, plenty of room inside, was like a Tardis. Only needed I gas bottle and a portable gas stove for outside. Cassette loo ideal for late night pee. Never used the shower. Swivel TV for dvds etc. No A/C. But heating fantastic.
Its all down to what and where.
agent006 said:
We barely use our motorhome in the UK as it's so restrictive not having transport. Campsites are all in the arse end of nowhere, and surprisingly few are within walking distance of, well, anything, let alone a pub or shop.
Never really found that to be a problem - careful planning often means there is a bus route or public transport nearby and if not, walk or use bikes, which we did at the weekend around York.We've been caravanners for many years through several caravans and awnings. After a long holiday touring around Ireland and a desire to go abroad we ended up selling the caravan and one of the Range Rovers and building a camper. They've both got pros and cons which have been mentioned several times before. I never had an issue towing, normally being held up by other traffic and we also tow with our camper on occasion.
The main reasons we chose a campervan, rather than a caravan or even a motorhome, was flexibility.
Driving between sites or touring we can pull over if we see something interesting, visit attractions or just explore a fun looking track.
We have food and cold drinks with us along with cooking facilities, we don't need to be tied to a "base" if we don't want to.
Ease of use, we can decide to go away for a night and be on the go an hour later with a spare change of clothes.
We can "rough camp", this was one of the biggest draws for us. Touring Ireland there were 100s of amazing locations by the beach we would have loved to camp but it's not possible with a caravan.
The lack of fixed facilities can be a drag, a larger van would have provided those but detracted from some other qualities. It's nice having a full size shower and dressing room in a caravan, showering outside gets a bit nippy, that's probably the biggest thing we miss. Besides that though the lack of space hasn't really been the issue I expected it to be. With a good sized drive away awning you can leave everything setup if you're staying on one site for a length of time.
The main reasons we chose a campervan, rather than a caravan or even a motorhome, was flexibility.
Driving between sites or touring we can pull over if we see something interesting, visit attractions or just explore a fun looking track.
We have food and cold drinks with us along with cooking facilities, we don't need to be tied to a "base" if we don't want to.
Ease of use, we can decide to go away for a night and be on the go an hour later with a spare change of clothes.
We can "rough camp", this was one of the biggest draws for us. Touring Ireland there were 100s of amazing locations by the beach we would have loved to camp but it's not possible with a caravan.
The lack of fixed facilities can be a drag, a larger van would have provided those but detracted from some other qualities. It's nice having a full size shower and dressing room in a caravan, showering outside gets a bit nippy, that's probably the biggest thing we miss. Besides that though the lack of space hasn't really been the issue I expected it to be. With a good sized drive away awning you can leave everything setup if you're staying on one site for a length of time.
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