A-Class vs Coachbuilt Motorhomes: What’s the Difference?

When you’re looking to buy a new motorhome for the first time and are browsing through what your preferred dealership has to offer, you’re sure to come across terms such as Coachbuilt and A-class. It’s important to know what they mean, as they could have a major bearing over the choice you make. These terms refer to what type the motorhomes is, based on how it was constructed and the features it offers.

You may still be wondering “which motorhome class is right for me?” and in this edition of our blog we’ll briefly break it down further so you can discover what the differences are and what each has to offer.

Coachbuilt Motorhomes

When manufacturers construct this kind of motorhome they add the living area onto a pre-existing cab and chassis – and on the van’s exterior the front will look like the front of the pre-existing vehicle. A coachbuilt motorhome is made from materials such as fibreglass, aluminium and wood, and so is often lighter than a standard panel van conversion.

A coachbuilt is also likely to be wider and taller than a conversion so offers much improved living space. It’s possible for travellers to live very comfortably in a coachbuilt for weeks at a time because the interior has everything you need for decent day-to-day function. There are comfortable seats in social spaces, sleeping areas and good quality cooking and washing facilities.

There are two types of coachbuilt motorhome – over-cab and low profile, and these feature some differences in their storage and sleeping arrangements. Over-cabs are usually around 11 feet tall and with a length of approximately 20 feet, and feature an extra area above the driving cab which is used as a bed, but can double as a storage space. A low profile motorhome is usually around nine feet tall and 28 feet long, and does not feature this extra over-cab area. Coachbuilt motorhomes are typically priced at around £50,000 to £60,000 (for over-cab and low-profile models respectively), and these are a terrific option for couples or smaller families looking to live comfortably while out on the road.

A-Class Motorhomes

These luxury motorhomes are usually approximately 13 feet tall and 30 feet long, and built from the chassis upwards. This means that the driving area (essentially the cab) is fully integrated into the interior of the vehicle, extending across the full width. The driving area will feature seats that can swivel to face the interior of the motorhome and become part of its social space. The driving area also offers excellent visibility for the driver and front passenger(s) due to the large windscreen with panoramic views.

A-class motorhomes are based around the idea of quality, luxury and comfort, with many features and extra touches to raise the aesthetic above the standard. There will be high quality materials used throughout, with a significant attention to detail at the design, planning, construction and finishing stages of production. A-class motorhomes are designed to be the best.

They are suitable for families or larger touring parties, being taller and longer than coachbuilt models – though most of them require specific driving licence categories in the UK, which are based on weight (almost always 3.5 tonne plus). To achieve the necessary C1 category a driver must undergo further tests and a medical.

In summary, A-class motorhomes are built from scratch with integrated driving areas while coachbuilt motorhomes are constructed by adding a living area onto an existing chassis. The choice you make between them will be based around factors such as your budget, space requirements and driving licence qualifications. If you are intent on living an on the road life of supreme luxury then it is a sure thing that an A-class motorhome is for you. Here at Spinney we stock a vast selection of coachbuilt motorhomes and top of the range A-class luxury liners, too. If you’re still thinking “should I buy an A-class motorhome?” then let us convince you! Check out our website or make an appointment to visit!