If you’ve decided to buy a motorhome then you couldn’t have done so at a better possible time. With the COVID-19 pandemic rendering international travel close to impossible and inconvenient at best, it would appear we’re going to be taking our holidays domestically for the foreseeable future and with your own motorhome, that’s going to seem like a much easier pill to swallow.
But it’s not as simple a decision as you might think. There are dozens of considerations to make and different kinds of motorhome to consider. Here, we’ll attempt to simplify things somewhat through an RV motorhome buyers guide and provide you with all the information you’ll need to make an informed decision on your motorhome or camper van purchase.
Beds
Depending on what is more important to the motorhome owner as well as how many people plan to use the vehicle, the number of beds as well as general size and facilities will change. For example, a couple may only require a single fixed bed compared to a family who requires a modular design which changes living areas into additional sleeping space.
Ultimately, this is going to come down to the number of beds you need and that should be your first consideration. After all, if you don’t all have somewhere to sleep you might as well be staying in a hotel. Note, however, that you are unlikely to find a motorhome that can comfortably fit more than 5 people.
Comfort over fashion
According to the camper van insurance experts at Comfort Insurance, aside from space considerations (remember, parking is also something to take into account), you should also take into account how far you’re likely to be travelling. It’s also imperative to ensure your motorhome is safe and secure, particularly if you’re travelling with small children.
Layout
Once you’ve decided how many beds you need the next logical place to focus is on the actual layout of the motorhome. If you are comfortable with a single double bed then you might want to consider what is colloquially referred to as a French bed layout, which fixes the bed at the back next to the bathroom. This is the preferred layout in smaller vehicles as it makes the best practical use of the space. If you have more space to work with, meanwhile, an Island layout gives over more room to the bed and gives less room to the shower and bathroom.
For family motorhomes, meanwhile, the most common choices are either to go with a rear lounge layout that features sofas that can be easily transformed into beds. This leaves more room for the kitchen/dining area. There might even be room above the driver’s cockpit for another small bed. Any good layout is all about making the best practical use of the space available and you’ll likely be looking at dozens of different designs and ideas before you make your decision.
