What will suit your needs?

It may be an obvious point but the first decision is whether a motorhome or camper van is the right choice for you. It's a big investment so it's important to get it right. For example, would a caravan be a better option? Or if you don't think you'll get away very often perhaps you could spend the money you would have invested in a motorhome on rented cottages or hotels.


One point to mention here is what is the difference between a motorhome and a camper van. I've asked several people who are 'in the business' and they all said they don't know. My own theory is that if it was originally built as a van and has been converted then it's a camper van. And if the manufacturer has bought just a van or bus chassis and then put their own coachbuilt construction on it, it's a motorhome.


But the terminology doesn't matter and although, by my own definition, I've got a camper van I'll be using the term 'motorhome' for this blog for the sake of convenience.

The right choice

So getting back to whether a motorhome is the right choice ...

Essentially, you will get the same facilities in either a motorhome or a caravan. The big difference, as I see it, is that with a caravan you can leave it on a camp site and head off in the car. With a motorhome you take your whole home with you, even if it's just a trip to the supermarket. Rather like a snail, and my old Fiat Ducato conversion has similar acceleration.

Of course, you can get round that my towing a small car behind the motorhome - or even taking bicycles.

However, having considered all of that, I just didn't fancy towing a caravan so went down the motorhome route. And, as I'll be covering in a separate post, it's possible to use a driveaway awning which you leave behind on the camp site when you go off in the motorhome, thereby reserving your spot.

Of course, the option of not buying either still stands, that's just a matter of personal preferences and being realistic about how often you think you'll get away.

Incidentally, I'm not ignoring the camping - or even glamping - option but having done loads of that when I was younger (camping, never tried glamping) I think my old bones are now crying out for a bit more comfort.