Motorhomes vs. Campervans: A Size Guide

Two of the things you need to factor in, when you’re considering buying a leisure vehicle, are its size and class. In some instances these things can mean the difference between looking at motorhomes for sale or opting for campervans. The distinction is important. In fact, it’s going to be absolutely crucial to how much you are able to enjoy your life on the road.

For instance, if you’re part of a couple and you’re looking for weekend breaks and perhaps even slightly longer holidays away, then you’re not reasonably going to need to own any of the largest vehicles available. You’d be wasting money on space you don’t really need, and you will probably find that a campervan can perfectly suit your requirements. Similarly, if you’re in a family of four, it’s worth looking at medium to larger models, as more compact vehicles such as campervans are just not going to cut it when you want everyone comfortable and breaks to swing by in a spirit of happy co-existence!

The different motorhome classes

n this edition of our blog we’ll take a look at the issue of size (i.e. the general size differences between campervans and motorhomes), and drill down even further into the different classes. We’ll explain howmotorhomes come in a wide variety – and what that means for you, the buyer… Firstly, although motorhomes and campervans are distinctly different, they also both fall into a broader class of vehicles which provide a mobile home from home. We’ll explain what they are, and what each means.

• A-class Motorhomes
• Campervan Conversions (sometimes referred to as B-class motorhomes)
• Coachbuilt Motorhomes (sometimes referred to as C-class motorhomes)
• Campervans

A-class Motorhomes

A-Class motorhomes are built chassis upwards – in other words the entire motorhome is constructed ‘as one’ on the chassis rather than a self-contained area being constructed and stuck behind a pre-existing cab / chassis. The cab of an A-class spans the full width of the motorhome, with both seats able to turn inwards to face the interior.

This is the largest type of motorhome, and almost certainly the most impressive and prestigious due to several advantages over the other classes. A-class motorhomes tend to be more luxurious vehicles with increased interior space (with some sleeping up to eight), superior fixtures and fittings and better quality amenities (larger washroom with better shower, more or larger beds plus additional storage space). Broadly speaking you could think of an A-class as having a luxury hotel room vibe.

• Common features: Integrated driving cab, quality heating system and insulation, well-fitted and self-contained bathroom, well-kitted and ergonomically designed kitchen, high quality comfortable soft furnishings in entertainment and social spaces, luxury quality larger beds.
• Height, Length and Width: 4m H (average), 10m L (average), 2.5m W (average).
• Weight: Over 3,500kg and up to 7,500kg.
• Price Point: This is certainly the most expensive level of motorhome you can buy, with prices beginning in the region of £100,000 and continuing upwards.
• Additionally: To drive an A-class motorhome you will need to have the C1 classification added to your driving licence. This entitles you to be at the wheel of a vehicle with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) or more than 3,500kg. Achieving a C1 requires further specific testing including medical, theory and practical.
• Snag list: Financially, the price tag puts A-class out of reach for some people, and fuel efficiency is lower than you might desire so they are costly to run. They are also more challenging to park due to their size and dimensions, and not all campsites have access for (or will allow) A-class motorhomes.

Van conversions (or ‘B-class motorhomes’)

You will almost always find, across the internet and in common parlance, that B-class motorhomes are referred to as campervan conversions (or just conversions). These are, as the name suggests, standard ‘cargo vans’ which provide a chassis which is converted into a campervan to manufacturer, dealership or customer bespoke specifications. As such, they are smaller than A-class and C-class (coachbuilt) motorhomes. From a holiday perspective campervan conversions are best suited for weekend travellers rather than for long breaks. Due to their size and the way they are comparable to a car to manoeuvre on the road, they can be used as day-to-day runners, too.

• Common features: Much more scaled back than other classes, though this should not be taken to mean that interiors are low quality. There will be seating and a bed (most often this is converted from the seating as and when required), plus some relatively well-kitted kitchen facility. A conversion could also contain a permanently fixed toilet and shower.
• Height, Length and Width: 2.5m H (average), 5.94m L (average), 1.9m W (average).
• Weight: 2,000kg (average).
• Price Point: A new camper conversion is likely to cost £50,000 or more.
• Snag list: Sleeping and social space tends to be limited – though a conversion can mitigate some of this by clever bespoke design. The bathroom is, necessarily, very small.

Campervans

Broadly speaking campervans are the same as van conversions, though much more ‘off the peg’ in terms of the fixtures, fittings and features.

Coachbuilt motorhomes (or ‘C-class motorhomes’)

The term Coachbuilt is based on the method of construction of the C-class motorhome. The manufacturer has used a pre-existing cab and chassis, building up the motorhome onto it. The front of a coachbuilt vehicle will look like the front of the van it has been built on, and the interior will feel good and will contain everything you need for extended breaks – social space, sleeping space, cooking space, bathroom space. A coachbuilt will be 2, 4 or 6 berth and will feel relatively spacious – although it will be more functional than luxurious when compared with an A-class.

• Common features: Kitchen, seating / dining area, beds (different types and orientations, dependent on the layout). Though coachbuilt motorhomes are lower class than A-class, they are superior to van conversions in terms of available space and level of features etc. A coachbuilt motorhome will also contain a permanently fixed toilet and shower. There is often garage space, too.
• Height, Length and Width: 2.74m H (average), 8.53m L (average), 2.53m W (average).
• Weight: From 3,000kg (average).
• Price Point: Starting point between £50,000 and £60,000.
• Snag list: Not as easy as campervans to manoeuvre, payload limitations due to MAM.

Buying a leisure vehicle of any kind is a big decision, and it’s not one you should make too spontaneously as there is actually a lot to think about. In particular, as we have explained here, the different classes of vehicle available – and, therefore, the size. So how do you go about deciding which is the right one for you?

How to choose the right type of motorhome of campervan?

The internal height, width and sleeping layout should be the most important factors in your choice of leisure vehicle. The process of choosing your motorhome will become much easier once you factor in all of these logistical points during your search. You should allow them to influence you more than anything else, as they will determine the class of vehicle that is most appropriate to meeting your needs.

Carefully consider the likely use of any vehicle you’re interested in, and discard those that will be unable to meet them. In other words, if you are a family of four looking to go on longer holidays, it’s not going to make sense to buy a campervan or a van conversion. Similarly, if you are a couple looking for regular spontaneous weekend breaks, an A-class motorhome is almost certainly going to be inappropriate – i.e.. excessive for your needs.

At Spinney we stock a variety of each class of vehicle so that you have the ultimate choice!