A common question asked when considering a motorhome is: what are the advantages of a motorhome over a caravan? We look at the main reasons to choose a motorhome.
With over 500,000 caravans and motorhomes across the UK and 2 million people utilising holiday parks and campsites, there seems to be a boom of interest in this style of holidaying.
Proving cheaper to have a 'staycation' than flying abroad, is now a good time to rent a motorhome or caravan?
Should I Rent a Motorhome or Caravan?
When committing to renting or buying a motorhome or caravan, you are presented with a plethora of choices. Depending on your lifestyle and budget size, you can find yourself unsure of what model is best for you.
Whether you're holidaying with children, pets, or yourself, you can find benefits from a caravan or motorhome.
They provide the much-wanted freedom that many homeowners are craving and can bring you a simple walk away from your favourite travel destinations for much cheaper than a hotel.
Caravan vs Motorhome – What is the difference?
Before we break down the pros and cons of both options, you should understand the fundamental differences.
Caravans
At a basic level, a caravan is any towed structure that can be lived in. There is no engine present, meaning the unit is static and can be attached to most vehicles. The difference between static caravans and touring caravans is the ability to move.
You've probably experienced static caravans in the form of larger holiday homes and aren't designed to be towed.
Motorhomes
Unlike caravans, motorhomes provide an engine and take this a step further. They can sometimes be larger and offer more living space while being driven without the need for a tow.
With the living area built off a suitable vehicle chassis, motorhomes offer travel and relaxation in one model. Arguably camper vans are a type of motorhome, but the design and engine can work differently.
Now you know the definitions of both models, you may have already started to decide what is best for you. Before you finalise the said decision, here are the benefits of both caravans and motorhomes.
Caravans and Motorhomes: Pros and Cons
Caravans
Flexibility is always going to be the main appeal to a caravan. Unlike driving a motorhome, you can detach a caravan and use the car to get around as usual.
This means that you can park your caravan at the holiday park and still have the freedom to move around that area.
Motorhomes aren't ideal for navigating narrow country roads, supermarket car parks or other sightseeing locations.
Caravans are lighter than motorhomes, which means you can be on the go a lot quicker. If you prefer spontaneous holidaying and are part of a smaller family, then this could be ideal for you.
On top of being light, caravans are often more inexpensive to the average family. Motorhomes can be costly and difficult to move around, while all you need for a caravan is a car full of petrol.
Caravan insurance can also prove cheaper than a motorhome.
While the size of the caravan is the main selling point, it can also become one of the biggest cons.
The water tank on the average caravan measures 40 litres, meaning that you will be regularly topping up.
This can become a pain when the water tap/point is further away, which it may be on a camping park.
Unlike motorhomes, you have to abide by a few laws and regulations pertaining to where you can leave a caravan.
You cannot leave a caravan on the side of the road without your towing vehicle, so it must be left at a camping site.
In the winter months, places such as that begin to close, and your parking options can become limited, and you find yourself towing the caravan for longer than you originally wanted.
Towing a caravan relies on you, so your car must have the required power to tow that given unit.
If you own a small car, this limits your caravan options significantly.
Unless you're planning on buying a new car on top of the caravan, at which point a motorhome may be more applicable, this can quickly become expensive.
For this reason, owning a larger car can benefit you when considering a caravan.
Motorhomes
All of this isn't to say that motorhomes are a poor choice. They are generally sturdier than caravans and can withstand much more.
For example, if you're going on longer holidays or hikes, then a motorhome will be much better for you.
You'll find that your carry weight drastically increases and you won't be as affected by packing more items. This opens options to attach and carry additional equipment for many different purposes.
Into cycling? Great! You can bring your biking equipment with you in your motorhome.
Combined with the flexibility of driving and living in one unit, your entire holiday experience can become a lot more enjoyable.
Giving you the ability to drive a motorhome can give some people more freedom and happiness, as they can wake up one morning and decide to drive to a new location.
Comfort isn't all that motorhomes offer, as you can have additional security.
The bigger price tag comes with stronger, sturdier windows and better locking mechanisms than some caravans. For this reason, a lot of motorhome owners prefer to go on wild camping trips.
Larger scale, top of the range motorhomes (ones with larger living spaces and additional facilities) will see a significant price increase, costing you sometimes as much as £100k.
Compared to even a new caravan, this motorhome investment is comparable to a small property.
While smaller models or an old motorhome can cost around the same price as their caravan counterparts, you will generally find yourself spending more on a motorhome.
The greater size means more height on the motorhome, which can become a problem in some parts of the UK.
Small coastal towns where tourists and holidaymakers flock to are notorious for their low-hanging bridges, etc. These quickly become a problem for motorhomes.
On top of the initial price of the motorhome, you have to pay insurance, tax and provide regular petrol/diesel for the engine, as you are driving it as your main form of transport.
As you can expect, insurance can become expensive on certain models.
Forming A Conclusion
Although motorhomes and caravans have some factors in common, they are targeted towards different types of people. Depending on how you like to holiday, you will benefit from one kind more than the other.
Motorhomes can be driven at a moments notice, meaning you can change location and visit a few different parks on one given holiday.
Caravans can be parked and detached, meaning that your car can drive into the local town without the hassle of a large unit being towed behind you.
Both types remain popular for hire, and one isn't better than the other. Those who have hired a caravan will tell you about the pros and cons they've experienced and why they'll choose a motorhome next time. The same will happen with those who rented a motorhome.
We recommend test driving where possible, and having a tour of different sized models can open up options you never thought were there.
The costs of such vehicles are expensive, and you need to be happy with the final product, particularly as they act as your accommodation while on holiday.
If you're interested in hiring a motorhome or other leisure vehicle, get in touch today. We will begin talking you through your options and get you on the road for your next holiday.
Motorhome Hire Near Me
If you are hiring a luxury motorhome near Darlington & County Durham? Contact our motorhome hire team today for motorhome holidays in the north east of England. Follow the links below to book a motorhome holiday in the UK.