If you are on the hunt for your first leisure vehicle, you might be a bit flustered by just how many options are out there. There are hundreds of different makes and models available, with hundreds of features to choose from.
In order to make your choice easier, it’s a good idea to first decide whether you want to purchase a caravan or a motorhome. By deciding on which of these you want, you’re able to rule out hundreds of models, making choosing your leisure vehicle that little bit easier.
That’s why we have put together this guide to help you decide whether you want to purchase a caravan or a motorhome. By the end of this guide you will better understand the differences between a caravan and motorhome, and the pros and cons of each.
What is the difference between a caravan and a motorhome?
First and foremost, let’s outline the main differences between caravans and motorhomes. The biggest difference between the two is that a caravan is towed by a vehicle and a motorhome is a self-contained vehicle that has its own cab.
When you arrive at a touring site with a caravan, you can unhitch it and leave it on-site as a sort of base, whilst being able to take your car off-site for little excursions here and there. Whereas with a motorhome, everything sits within the one vehicle, so you can easily head from one location to another - which is particularly useful if you’re on a trip that takes you to a number of different destinations.
When it comes to the living quarters, caravans and motorhomes are very similar. They will all feature their own living areas, and many will also have kitchens and bathroom facilities, though that will vary from model to model.
Do you have a car that is suitable for towing a caravan?
One factor that may make choosing between a caravan and motorhome easier is the type of car that you drive. If your car is not suitable for towing a caravan, then you most probably should opt for a motorhome. If you do still wish to buy a caravan, then you’ll need to buy a suitable towing vehicle as well!
When it comes to understanding the towing capacity of your car, you will want to look in the car’s manual. The manual will usually list the maximum weight your car can tow.
It is also important to understand the terms ‘kerbweight’ and ‘Maximum Technically Permitted Laden Mass’ (MTPLM) when working out if your car is suitable for towing. You can find out more about these terms in our caravan and motorhome glossary.
If you are towing a caravan that is too heavy for your vehicle and you are stopped by the police, you may receive a charge of careless driving, towing a dangerous load, or breaking a general law. You should also avoid overloading a caravan, as this can significantly alter its towing performance and safety on the road.
Are you a confident driver?
A confident driver should have no problems driving a motorhome or towing a caravan. However, it is worth bearing in mind that the two are different from one another.
Driving a motorhome is similar to driving a car, so for most people it will be the easier of the two. It handles much like a car, with the main difference being the fact that your driving position is much higher up. You will also need to get used to manoeuvring a larger vehicle.
Driving a car whilst towing a caravan, however, is rather different and brings an entirely different element to the handling of your car. For many people, it will feel slightly strange at first, when towing a caravan, but over time you will get used to it. You will want to give yourself more time and space for everything when on the road, and be sure to look well ahead so you can predict the movement of other vehicles. You will also want to break earlier than normal and accelerate slower with a caravan attached than you would without.
When you arrive on-site, a motorhome will generally be much easier to manoeuvre in and out of pitches, whereas a caravan will take a bit more effort to correctly position.
Standard sized motorhomes are also easier to drive on smaller, country roads making them more suitable if you’re planning to go off the beaten track.
If you’re feeling especially nervous about driving either a motorhome or a caravan, there are driving courses available for both types of leisure vehicle. It could be well worth booking yourself in if you think it will boost your confidence behind the wheel and make your first trip that little bit less stressful.
What is your budget?
The next thing to consider is how much you are willing to spend. As with all major purchases, the amount of money at your disposal will greatly influence what you can buy.
Generally speaking, caravans are cheaper than motorhomes. If you’re comfortable towing a caravan with your vehicle, and want your money to go further, you may wish to opt for a caravan. By doing so, you’ll usually be able to get more living space for your money.
If you work out your budget and look at the caravans and motorhomes that fit, you’ll get a good idea of what is available. Are the motorhomes available at your price point meeting your needs? If not, then it’s worth seeing how much more, in terms of space and amenities, you can get if you go for a caravan.
It’s also worth remembering that you can often get great deals on used motorhomes. Just like cars, motorhomes depreciate in value fastest in the first few years after they’re built. After this period, they maintain their value much better. This means that you can sometimes find a great deal on a motorhome that is only a few years old but is much cheaper than the current models.
What sort of trips will you be going on?
Knowing what types of trips you’ll be going on can help you determine whether a caravan or a motorhome is more suited to your needs.
If you’re going on longer trips, for weeks or months at a time, then a caravan might be more suitable. For starters, caravans will often have more living space, which will be welcome on longer stays. And secondly, if you’re spending longer periods of time in one place, you might want to pop out for excursions, so having the car with you can be extremely helpful.
However, if you’re going to go on smaller trips, or moving from place to place, then a motorhome might just be more suitable. For starters, if you’re moving about a lot, then you won’t have to continually hitch and unhitch the caravan. With a motorhome you can simply drive from one campsite to the next with ease.
Caravan or motorhome pros and cons
Pros of choosing a caravan
Below are some of the advantages of choosing a caravan…
- Ideal for longer stays: Caravans are great for longer stays as you can unhitch and leave the caravan on-site to use as a base, whilst taking the car out to visit nearby attractions. This means you can leave all of your bits and pieces back at the site when heading out. If you wanted to visit an attraction with your motorhome, you’d need to pack everything up before heading out, which could be a pain.
- More living space: Caravans also tend to offer greater living space than motorhomes do. This makes your life that little bit easier once you’re all pitched up as you’ve got more space in which to spread out and relax.
- Cheaper to buy: As stated above, caravans tend to be more affordable compared to motorhomes, making them more suitable for people with smaller budgets.
- Less maintenance and lower running costs: Caravans are often cheaper to run and maintain than motorhomes. Whilst caravan ownership does include certain additional costs, such as a habitation service, insurance, and potential storage fees, motorhome ownership will always include running costs that need to be carried out by law which include MOT testing and insurance.
- Better insulation: Caravans are arguably better insulated than motorhomes. Unlike motorhomes, which are built on existing chassis and thus lose some insulation around the windscreen and fan heaters, caravans are entirely self-contained. This will mean they’re warmer in the cooler months of the year!
Cons of choosing a caravan
Below are some of the disadvantages of choosing a caravan…
- Towing vehicle: The towing vehicle you own may mean you are limited when it comes to choosing a caravan. Larger caravans require larger towing vehicles, which may be an issue for small car owners.
- Towing a caravan isn’t for everyone: Over time you eventually get used to towing a caravan. But for some people the idea of driving with a giant, heavy trailer on the back of their car can be daunting. Driving through high winds or past fast paced lorries, can make towing a caravan rather unpleasant, even for more seasoned caravan owners.
- Setting up and packing down: With a motorhome you can drive it directly onto the pitch and it’s set up within seconds. However, a caravan requires more time to set up and pack down. This is because a caravan is more difficult to manoeuvre than a motorhome when setting up and needs to be unhitched and levelled off. And when it comes to packing down you’ll need to ensure the caravan is evenly packed, before raising the corner steadies/legs. You’ll then need to hitch the caravan to the car, attach the towing mirrors, and check that the rear lights are working properly. Finally, you’ll want to make sure all windows, doors, and appliances are securely closed or turned off.
- Caravans are more difficult to manoeuvre: When it comes to manoeuvring, motorhomes are very similar to cars. Whereas caravans take a lot more effort to position into place. Even the most experienced caravan owners may take some time to reverse a caravan into a space, however, reversing a motorhome is just like backing up a giant car.
Pros of choosing a motorhome
Below are some of the advantages of choosing a motorhome
- Minimal set-up: The beauty of a motorhome is in the lack of set-up required when you arrive at your pitch. Once you arrive and pull up, you’re basically done! All you need to do is hook up the electrics or switch on the gas and you’re up and running. Caravans, however, require a lot more effort upon arrival to make them ready for habitation.
- Quick to leave: As quick as they are to set up, motorhomes are just as quick to pack down. You don’t need to worry about hitching up, you simply disconnect the electricity supply, switch off the gas, and you’re away!
- Ideal for short trips: Where a caravan may be perfect for long holidays in one spot, motorhomes are ideal for shorter trips, or trips that include multiple stops. This is because a motorhome is quicker and easier to move from place to place. And, with a fresh and waste water supply on-board, your motorhome allows you and your loved ones the chance to be off-grid and self-sufficient almost instantly.
- A more pleasant driving experience: Most people would agree that driving a motorhome is a more pleasant experience than driving a car whilst towing a caravan. This means they may be more suitable for less confident drivers.
- Easier to drive on narrow roads: Motorhomes are also more convenient when it comes to driving down narrow lanes. This is extremely helpful when you consider the types of roads you may end up driving down when exploring rural Britain.
- Motorhomes hold their value to a greater extent than caravans: Motorhomes and caravans are pretty good at holding their value. However, motorhomes are slightly better at this than caravans, meaning they may make a slightly more sound investment if you’re going to be selling at some point down the line.
Cons of choosing a motorhome
Below are some of the disadvantages of choosing a motorhome…
- Not that suitable for longer stays: If you are going to be stopping at a campsite for a long period of time, then a motorhome may not be as suitable as a caravan. If you have a caravan you can leave it at the site and head off to local attractions in your car. However, if you have a motorhome you’ll need to use public transport or a taxi to get about, or pack everything up each time you want to leave the site.
- Motorhomes can be difficult to park: When out and about it can be difficult to park a motorhome compared to a car. It’s also worth noting that some car parks do not accept motorhomes, or may have certain height requirements, meaning some research may be required before you head off.
- Smaller living space: Motorhomes tend to offer less living space than caravans, which means they can be slightly less comfortable to spend time in. However, for many motorhome owners, the convenience and versatility of the motorhome outweighs this slight negative.
- More expensive: As we’ve mentioned a few times, motorhomes are often more expensive than caravans, making them less suitable for people with smaller budgets.
- Mechanical issues can disrupt your trip: If your motorhome has an unforeseen mechanical issue whilst you’re on holiday it may need to spend some time at the mechanics. If that’s the case, you and your loved ones will need to make alternative accommodation arrangements at an added cost!
- More expensive running costs: Motorhomes incur larger running costs than caravans, as they require regular MOTs, mechanical servicing, insurance fees, and road tax.
Caravans vs Motorhomes Conclusion
Choosing between a motorhome or a caravan requires a lot of thought. Each option has its unique advantages and disadvantages, and you need to be fully aware of these before making your purchase.
Once you’ve decided which is for you, you’ll then need to navigate your way around the vast array of options in terms of layout, features, and benefits, ensuring you can find a leisure vehicle that suits your needs.
To identify the perfect caravan or motorhome you will want to carry out adequate research. Organisations like the Camping and Caravanning Club and the Caravan and Motorhome Club offer valuable information. Additionally, there is a wealth of online content, including blogs, YouTube videos, and dedicated media outlets focused on caravans and motorhomes. Offline, you can explore specialised magazines available at your local supermarket or newsagent.
It’s also a very good idea to see the model up close in real life before committing to buy!
If you have any questions about caravan or motorhome ownership then get in touch with our team here at Chipping Sodbury Caravans. You can also browse our used caravans and used motorhomes today!
Spidersnet