Campervans vs Motorhomes: Which Should I Choose?

Life on the road is the essence of freedom and adventure, but the journey begins long before you turn the ignition. It starts with choosing the right travel companion: a campervan or a motorhome.

Two women with their dogs next to their Auto-Trail Campervan on a camp site

Both campervans and motorhomes promise a lifestyle of exploration and discovery. Yet cater to different styles of travel, depending on your needs and preferences.

This guide looks at the differences between campervans and motorhomes. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of each and help you make an informed decision about which is best for you and your travels.

Understanding the Difference Between Motorhomes and Campervans

Before diving into the specifics, let’s clarify what we mean by campervans and motorhomes.

Campervans

Smaller than motorhomes, campervans are built on a van chassis. They’re more compact and easier to manoeuvre. Their design prioritizes efficient use of space for sleeping, dining, and cooking.

Benefits include;

  • Smaller than motorhomes, making them easier to drive and park.
  • Better for driving on narrow roads.
  • Perfect for weekend warriors, spontaneous trips, and short-term getaways.
  • Accepted on more campsites than some motorhomes.
  • Generally cheaper to buy and maintain than motorhomes.
  • You can also use them as a daily driver.

View Our Campervans

Find your perfect Auto-Trail campervan. Whether you’re a first time tourer, looking for sporting adventures, or holidaying with your family, we have a campervan for you.

View Our Campervans

Motorhomes

Motorhomes present a step up in size and amenities. They’re built on larger chassis and provide a more comprehensive home-on-wheels experience. Perfect if you want more space and comfort. They come in various sizes, from small Class B vehicles to large Class A motorhomes.

Benefits include;

  • Much more living space than motorhomes, including separate areas for dining, sleeping, and relaxing.
  • Lots of storage capacity for gear, food, and possessions.
  • High-end features like full kitchens, entertainment systems, and sometimes even washer/dryers.
  • More sleeping arrangements to accommodate larger families or groups.
  • Ideal for family holidays.

View Our Motorhomes

Find your perfect Auto-Trail motorhome. From budget-friendly models, long distance tourers, to luxury A-Class motorhomes.

View Our Motorhomes

So, Which Should You Choose, Motorhome or Campervan?

If you’re still undecided between a campervan or motorhome, this should help.

Choose a Campervan If

  • You prefer short trips and weekend getaways
  • There is only two of you and you don’t need space for a family
  • You don’t have the budget for a large motorhome
  • You don’t want to have to worry about parking and height restrictions.

Choose a Motorhome If

  • You prefer longer breaks or visiting more remote places
  • You want to holiday with family or friends
  • You like to take the comforts of home with you
  • Prefer a more luxurious camping experience

Why Not Try Hiring First?

Regardless of where you end up choosing a campervan or motorhome, the cost is significant. So you want to make sure you get it right.

One of the best things you can do is to hire a vehicle from one of our hire partners. This will give you the chance to get a feel for each type before you commit to one or the other.

Try Before You Buy

Search through our hire partners and enter your location or view on list view. Each company will list the Auto-Trail models currently on their fleet.

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Summing Up

Choosing between a campervan and a motorhome is as much about your travel aspirations as it is about practicalities.

Whether you value the simplicity and agility of a campervan or the spacious luxury of a motorhome, at Auto-Trail we have a vehicle for you.