Hi, I'm a seasoned camper, retiring in the Summer and I want to buy either a caravan or a motorhome. I can't decide which way to go. There seem to be advantages and disadvantages for both! I still want to camp but would like to be able to go away all year round, hence the idea to buy a caravan or motorhome. Can all you good people out there give me your thoughts on the pros and cons of the two as I'm getting more and more confused about which would be best!
Theres no real caravan vs motorhome thing, they serve different purposes. First decide what you want to do.
If you want to park on a site for a few days/weeks, then caravan. If you want to move every couple of days &/or park off site at times(ie wild camp)then motorhome.
If you try to do either of the above with the wrong piece of equipment you will wish you had got the other.
Bear in mind that if you want to stay anywhere for any length of time with a motorhome, you will need to use campsites that are within walking distance of places of interest/shops etc, or near to public transport, or else you will need to take bikes with you. On the other hand if you go abroad you can free- camp in some places, or use aires for overnight stops, much more easily than with a caravan.
------------- Il vaut mieux vivre ses reves que rever sa vie
As said - 2 different things for different purposes. If you move on after a few days - go for a motorhome but you will have no onsite transport without packing stuff away.
If you are staying put for a week or so. Go for a caravan.
There are two of us and we started off with a campervan (so can't speak for a bigger motorhome really) but some bits might help.
We had no shower or loo so limited our choice of campsites as we needed to have them on site. We eventually bought a portaloo to use in the night. Campervan too small for two to sleep comfortably (OH is big bloke!). Bought a drive away awning used as living area in day and OH slept in it at night. OK in good weather but bit chilly for him at times so had small heater in awning. Could leave awning up with stuff in and drive off for day out taking our fridge kettle gas rings etc which was great and we could stay out longer and stop anywhere instead of looking for cafes and pubs to eat which was liberating and cheaper!
However, for more comfort own shower, fixed bed generally bit more scope for staying away longer we bought a caravan. We have kept campervan as OH likes it for days out for fishing and it tows the caravan brilliantly. It is an expensive luxury to have both though and I think campervan may be redundant really but didn't want to let it go just yet while we "suck it and see!". As people have said, they both serve different purposes. For nipping about whilst on holiday, they are not ideal very thirsty.
I have seen some people with motorhomes and towing small cars which works for them.
Motorhome is very little setting up ; just park up and more or less ready. (unless you are putting awning up I suppose) downside is not so nippy for going out for day and for us campervan not enough room.
Caravan - just love it after the camper more space and fixed bed less hassle and OH doesn't have to sleep outside which is fairer now lol )but I realise motorhomes are bigger than our granvia so may not apply to you).
Be interested to know what you decide on? Happy hunting.
If you are going to be going all year round then you will be getting plenty of use. For a couple moving around from pitch to pitch then a motorhome might be the obvious choice. If you like to stay for a week or two in one place then a caravan would give more freedom.
A caravan suits us because there are usually 4 of us and we like to pitch up and use the car to get around and see the sights in. We can only get away a few times a year due to work. When we retire and there is just the two of us then we might consider swapping and get a motorhome.
Bear in mind that if you want to stay anywhere for any length of time with a motorhome, you will need to use campsites that are within walking distance of places of interest/shops etc, or near to public transport, or else you will need to take bikes with you. On the other hand if you go abroad you can free- camp in some places, or use aires for overnight stops, much more easily than with a caravan.
I've never quite got this argument - but it is one that is used often. We have a campervan and we don't just go to sites within walking distance of things. We use it to DRIVE around and see places and takes us all of 5 minutes to take off! There is a trick - keep the campervan/motorhome clutter-free and you can be off on no time.
The advantage of a campervan, for us is that we find it easier to just go somewhere, even in winter, at the drop of a hat. When we had the caravan we never camped in winter - just seemed too much bother. I'm quite sure there will be others who will tell you they use their caravan all the time! Horses for courses.
MMm Caravan, say £16000, Motorhome, say upwards of £25,000. Big point to consider.
Where there are two of you you may find that the other follows the motorhome in a car so that you have transport for getting out and about once pitched. Motorhomes are not as good around the small villages where many a camp site is situated. Again extra expense.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Quote: Originally posted by Surfer01 on 24/1/2011
Isn't there more depreciation on a motorhome than a caravan?
Yes there certainly is. We lost a fortune when we went back to caravanning as we hated the motorhome. There are lots of caranners that have tried the motorhome route and have gone back to caravanning.
I always believe that if you can trial something first then it's easier to make a decision prior to purchase so my advice is to hire a Motorhome for a week first and see if you like it then go round the showrooms and have a look at the various caravans and layouts. This will enable you to focus better on what would suit your needs.
What put me off Motorhomes and to remain with caravanning is I did my research and asked myself a question. Why is it that the majority of Motorhome hire is in Scotland? and I found out why. The highway law differs in England and Wales compared to Scotland in the fact that in England and Wales you cannot legally stop overnight in a lay-by and the Police have the powers to move you on whereas in Scotland you can, so no more research needed on this issue. This means that in Scotland you can tour round without having to pay site fees every night, but then you have to consider finding a site with a Motorhome service point so you can replenish your on board fresh water tank and empty the cassette toilet, and they do make quite a hefty charge for this privelage too. I also considered the fact of fuel consumption that in a Motorhome you get no relief from consumption whereas with a caravan you do. Once the caravan is unhitched and your car becomes the tourer, you get better fuel economy, no parking restrictions especially if the there are overhead restriction height barriers installed and of course then there is the weekly shopping task to consider as well, at home and on site.
But there is also one other point to consider in all of this. Although Motorhomes are more expensive to buy in comparison to caravans as already mentioned, it all depends if you or your partner are registered disabled or not. If you are and in receipt of the higher rate of Disabilty Living Allowance, you can purchase a brand new one that is totally exempt from VAT charges which is currently 20%. Quite a huge saving not to be sniffed at so you could end up paying less for a brand new one than a second hand one that's only a few years old. No discount with a new caravan though as it is classed as a luxury so you have to pay the value added tax at source.
Well there's my input regarding the two choices, but I would really consider the hire of a Motorhome first if this information still leaves you undecided between the two.
We often ask ourselves the same question. We have caravanned for 30 years and it suits us at the moment. One thing that scares me about changing to a motorhome is the cost for the one that we would like. It is such a lot of money, even a fairly modest one would cost between £30000/£40000 . (I would not entertain a secondhand one) I would still need a car, albeit a smaller one than currently. Your difficulty is, as I understand it, is that you have neither caravanned or motorhomed before so either will be a bit of a stab in the dark! As has been said think about how you will use it. If you want to stay in one places for several days and tour from a site then car and caravan might be the best option. However if in the main you want to tour from place to place staying no more than one or two days then go for the motorhome option. Good luck with the choice.
many are content to get to a site set up windbreak/screens draw the curtains and put TV on.
then there are those of us who get away to see and experience new parts of the country. try getting to and from a Devonshire village or drive to a fishing village to see the sights for the day in a motor home. with lanes that are one car wide its far from easy. every thing has to be packed away each time you go out. and if the place you visit fails to meet your expectations its again a chore getting away and on to another place of interest.
with a caravan you set up and go to and from each time with ease, in the vehicle and get to far more places of interest.
if you are a walker its fine but if your idea to go away for a time is to chill and relax then its a caravan each time no contest.
Where a motorhome really scores if if you want to travel around France. It is totally motorhome friendly with free or low cost stopping places everywhere & you can park overnight in town centre car parks if you want.
By contrast, I would describe the UK as about the most motorhome unfriendly place in Europe. Really in the UK you have to use a motorhome as a caravan, which puts the m/h user at a disadvantage.
A distinction also has to be drawn here between a VW sized campervan that fits into a car parking space & a larger motorhome, the accomodation of which that can be compared to a caravan. I think motorhome parking in UK seaside towns is becoming more & more difficult.
in the UK you have to use a motorhome as a caravan, which puts the m/h user at a disadvantage.
Wonderul summary Tentz.
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
The other thing is how able you both are? we have a caravan for ease of use as my wife is disabled and finds walking any distance a problem and a balance issue which is not helped on public transport . Therefore we prefer our caravan it gives us freedom to explore when we are sited with out the humbug of packing stuff away each time, having traveled with motorhome friends I can see the attraction as they are much quicker to set up or move off with but we still enjoy the freedom the caravan gives us.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level then beat you on experience.
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Topic: Caravans vs motorhomes
