You want to travel and get away from it all and are thinking of acquiring a recreational vehicle that can take you to many destinations. However, you are hesitating between the van or campervan and the motorhome. You have trouble deciding on one of these models to go as a couple, with friends or family. There are so many models on the market that you don't know where to turn. Each of these vehicles has its strengths and weaknesses. Here are their differences to help you choose the one that will suit you best.
The van or converted van is a fairly small vehicle that fits everywhere, because it measures around 5 meters long while having a height of around two meters. Thanks to these measures, it falls into the category of category I cars or vehicles. When we think of camper vans, we immediately think of the Volkswagen T2 combi, which has long been synonymous with freedom and trips. Nowadays, this vehicle has many emulators and exists in several versions and brands. Gone are the days of the combi with acid colors and slightly stiff seats. The various current vans are very discreet and can go almost anywhere to help you discover very beautiful spots in the heart of nature. The fitted van will allow you to go on a bivouac on a road trip while being very comfortable. Its roof is often liftable so that you can sleep almost under the stars and stand up.
The camper van is a vehicle less than two meters high and can access many car parks prohibited for camper vans and motorhomes which are higher. It can go just about anywhere in nature and park easily while driving like a car. Its fuel consumption is lower than that of the converted van and the motorhome. Its opening roof offers an even greater feeling of freedom and remains the ideal vehicle for traveling with two people.
The capacity of the fridge in the fitted van is limited to 40 litres; it is also often equipped with a simple cooler. The water reserve is still limited to thirty liters and in winter, its occupants can be cold, because it is poorly insulated. Every day, it is necessary to make your bed and there are few storage spaces. In addition, the van does not have a toilet or shower inside. It should also be noted that there are many trips back and forth between the trunk and the interior of the van to pick up or put away your belongings.
The converted van is the big brother of the van. Its length is around six meters and it is basically a utility vehicle. As its height exceeds two meters, it allows you to stand up inside. The camper van has some differences with the van like:
The fitted van allows you to leave longer while enjoying more comfort than the fitted van. At the same time, it is quickly ready and will also allow you to simply go away for the weekend if you wish.
As the van is converted into a commercial vehicle, it blends into the mass on a parking lot. Its water reserve is often around 110 liters and the refrigerator is around 70 liters. Storage is more important than that of the van. The camper van drives like a car and can be used by a family of two parents and two children.
In winter, it can be cold in a converted van, because its insulation is often sketchy. While driving, it consumes more fuel than the van. As its height exceeds two meters, it does not go everywhere like the van.
The motorhome is not much different than the camper van. On the other hand, this leisure vehicle is built from the chassis of a utility vehicle on which is placed a cell converted into a dwelling, unlike the converted van which retains its original bodywork. The motorhome is the largest of the three recreational vehicles. Thus, its length is around seven meters for a height of about two meters eighty and a width of two meters thirty. It has a real bathroom with toilet, sink and shower. It also has several single or double beds.
The motorhome is the leisure vehicle par excellence thanks to the comfort it offers. The living space is quite large and quite distinct from the sleeping area. The motorhome has plenty of storage and a much larger storage capacity than the van and the camper van. It also has more beds and seats. The refrigerator can also be equipped with a freezer and its capacity is larger than in the other two vehicles. The motorhome is very well insulated. It is therefore possible to use it all year round. The different models of motorhomes such as overcabs, low profiles or even integrals, allow you to have several different sleeping places such as:
Motorhomes, depending on the model, can thus be suitable for a family of up to six people.
The main disadvantage of the motorhome is its fuel consumption which is quite high. Driving the motorhome is more difficult, because its size is quite imposing. It is not possible to enter narrow streets. The bends are also to be taken delicately. Motorhomes are prohibited in certain car parks and must often be parked in dedicated spaces. Once the motorhome is parked in a place, you have to put everything away to go shopping, for example. It is therefore advisable to also have a light vehicle to move around such as an electrically assisted bicycle or a scooter at least.
The fuel consumption of a van is about seven liters per hundred kilometers per hour. That of a campervan is about eight to ten liters at the same speed and that of a motorhome is ten to twelve liters at 80 km/h.
In France, the toll on motorways is different for these leisure vehicles. Thus, the van is in class I like cars, against class II for fitted vans over two meters high and motorhomes.
Vans allow couples, especially retired couples, to go camping everywhere, in the summer and for short periods, because they are not independent. Converted vans are already more suitable recreational vehicles for summer holidays for families made up of two parents and a maximum of two children, but comfort is still limited due to crowding and lack of autonomy. The motorhome is the leisure vehicle allowing you to travel all year round while enjoying very good comfort in all seasons.
Of course, you can always acquire one of these used vehicles, vans or motorhomes. On the other hand, be aware that if you are thinking of buying a new campervan or campervan, it will cost you almost as much as a new motorhome. Campervans start at €45,000, campervans around €50,000 (starting price) and at this price you can also find a small new motorhome of around six meters with a very good comfort.
So van, converted van or motorhome? It all depends on your idea of travel. If the freedom side prevails, opt for a fitted van, especially if you are young. Converted vans are also the favorite of the youngest for the comfort they offer. Motorhomes are the favorite of retired or senior people who can also leave for several months.
