Camper vs. Motorhome vs. Caravan
Discussion
From the top I have to say that I have never been with a motorhome / caravan. Now that the second baby is here we are planing to scale back on work and enjoy time with the kids as much as possible until they go to school. Obviously we are going to wait until the newborn is about 18-months old. Traveling around Europe with a motorhome/caravan/camper has a very special appeal so I have started doing some research.
The romanticised idea at the beginning was buying a motorhome and camping where one pleases, however the reality is that we are no longer in the 1950's and camping is strongly regulated. After reading some stories and seeing some horror youtube movies about overcrowded camping sites I was ready to give up on the whole subject , but the idea won't give me any peace. After some more research I have found out that civilised camping sites with a bit of private space and some nature do exist so I have decided to soldier on with my research.
So getting to the point... what is more recommendable for 3-4 week trips with 2 adults and 2 kids (4 and 2 years old)? I have to add that we are now in the market for a vehicle with 3 rows of seats (6-7 seater) with a decent cargo cappacity when the third row of seats is in use (Viano, MB R-Klasse, VW T5 or american minivan ala Odyssey, Sienna). We also spend time in Romania where the off-roading possibilities are a dream, and therefore the attraction of wild camping off the beaten track in some gorgeous hidden corners of the Carpathians or the Danube Delta.
- The ideal setup would be a 4x4 Sprinter size motorhome. The advantages are obvious as far as the felxibilty of going anywhere anytime. These things are however very rare and expensive.
- The second choice would be a capable 7-seater 4x4 (Discovery or Landcruiser) with an aussie style offroad caravan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk6KJXeOM0k
....there are no such offroad caravans on the european market as far as I can find.
- Third choice would be a nice minivan and a caravan. No wild camping option here but the real question here is how many possibilities are realistically available in Europe for such offroad excursions?
- A leftfield option would be a nice pickup with a slidein camper or a fifth wheel caravan.
I would like this to be a time of our lives that we remember with great pleasure of lots of family time in great places and a nice dose of adventure. I am looking forward to suggestions and discussions. Thanks in advance!
The romanticised idea at the beginning was buying a motorhome and camping where one pleases, however the reality is that we are no longer in the 1950's and camping is strongly regulated. After reading some stories and seeing some horror youtube movies about overcrowded camping sites I was ready to give up on the whole subject , but the idea won't give me any peace. After some more research I have found out that civilised camping sites with a bit of private space and some nature do exist so I have decided to soldier on with my research.
So getting to the point... what is more recommendable for 3-4 week trips with 2 adults and 2 kids (4 and 2 years old)? I have to add that we are now in the market for a vehicle with 3 rows of seats (6-7 seater) with a decent cargo cappacity when the third row of seats is in use (Viano, MB R-Klasse, VW T5 or american minivan ala Odyssey, Sienna). We also spend time in Romania where the off-roading possibilities are a dream, and therefore the attraction of wild camping off the beaten track in some gorgeous hidden corners of the Carpathians or the Danube Delta.
- The ideal setup would be a 4x4 Sprinter size motorhome. The advantages are obvious as far as the felxibilty of going anywhere anytime. These things are however very rare and expensive.
- The second choice would be a capable 7-seater 4x4 (Discovery or Landcruiser) with an aussie style offroad caravan:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk6KJXeOM0k
....there are no such offroad caravans on the european market as far as I can find.
- Third choice would be a nice minivan and a caravan. No wild camping option here but the real question here is how many possibilities are realistically available in Europe for such offroad excursions?
- A leftfield option would be a nice pickup with a slidein camper or a fifth wheel caravan.
I would like this to be a time of our lives that we remember with great pleasure of lots of family time in great places and a nice dose of adventure. I am looking forward to suggestions and discussions. Thanks in advance!
Forgot to mention the campervan option. Ideally a 6-7 seater that can be converted into a camper (modular slide-in furniture and galley). I think these may be a bit uncomfortable for 2 adults and 2 kids for extended periods of time, however I have read some positives about this setup as well.
GAjon said:
That is lovely, but it looks like its only a two-seater....maybe the adults in the motorhome and the kids in the towed Panda? 
andburg said:
Hornetrider I like your style....but to bring us towards a more reasonabe budget
http://www.unimogs.co.uk/machinedetail.asp?searchs...
ther are a few more on there, if you've ever seen truck offroad competitions these things are just unstoppable
Expedition style vehicles are nice but a bit overkill, one kid will only be 18 Mo. old and we are not really driving across all the way to China. Universal Motor Geräte (UNIMOG) are awesome, I have a friend who has an older model, the thing is truly unstoppable. However they are all trucks and therefore require more expensive toll charges and are rather uncomfortable on the road.http://www.unimogs.co.uk/machinedetail.asp?searchs...
ther are a few more on there, if you've ever seen truck offroad competitions these things are just unstoppable
Trailer tents are also not much of an option mainly for the lack of bathroom and shower facilities.
The options are a 4x4 Sprinter style campervan (the T5 would be a bit too small for 4), a classic motorhome (non 4x4) or a solid offroader (Discovery, Landcruiser) with a camper hung to it. The idea of a Ram pickup with a large cummins turbodiesel and a fifth wheel camper is also very nice but these fifth wheels are almost impossible to find on the continent.
LeadFarmer said:
Every option is a compromise. The idea of wild camping in hidden beauty spots sound idillic, but realistically are you really going to be doing that every time, or will commercial campsites end up being more realistic?
Im a caravaner and until recently never saw the appeal of motorhomes. I saw them as expensive vehicles that sit on the drive for 11 months a year. When on holiday, having to pack everything away everytime you want to nip to the shops must be a real pain. But of late, when seeing folk parked up in a countryside lay-by, or by the sea, I can see their appeal. Whenever you see somewhere nice you can just pull over and put the kettle on. Parking is easier than with a caravan, and you can even pull up and have a chill whenever you want.
When towing a caravan you could perhaps do the same, but once at the caravan site you would be using your car to explore everywhere, so you can't just pull up and have a cuppa/snooze/watch tv like you can in a motorhome. But I do like returning to my caravan after a day out sightseeing, having somewhere to escape from being in the car all day, Whereas in a motorhome your stuck in it 24/7.
You won't know whats right for you until you try it. Thats why there are always loads of 2nd hand caravans/motorhomes for sale, owners are constantly upgrading or swapping to other options in search of the perfect rig.
Perhaps the idea of a motorhome towing a small car is the best compromise. Where does one find campsites with lots of private space and nature? I mean, the idea of waking up in the morning surrounded by caravans and motorhomes is not exactly the most attractive.Im a caravaner and until recently never saw the appeal of motorhomes. I saw them as expensive vehicles that sit on the drive for 11 months a year. When on holiday, having to pack everything away everytime you want to nip to the shops must be a real pain. But of late, when seeing folk parked up in a countryside lay-by, or by the sea, I can see their appeal. Whenever you see somewhere nice you can just pull over and put the kettle on. Parking is easier than with a caravan, and you can even pull up and have a chill whenever you want.
When towing a caravan you could perhaps do the same, but once at the caravan site you would be using your car to explore everywhere, so you can't just pull up and have a cuppa/snooze/watch tv like you can in a motorhome. But I do like returning to my caravan after a day out sightseeing, having somewhere to escape from being in the car all day, Whereas in a motorhome your stuck in it 24/7.
You won't know whats right for you until you try it. Thats why there are always loads of 2nd hand caravans/motorhomes for sale, owners are constantly upgrading or swapping to other options in search of the perfect rig.
Edited by LeadFarmer on Saturday 8th November 00:10
The plan is to be away from home for 1-2 months at a time, France and Scandinavia in the summer and the Mediteranean area in the winter.
Lately I have been analising the idea of a camper/conversion van towing a caravan. This way you can setup camp in a commercial camper park, have a vehicle to move around in that can double up as cooking/sleeping alternative in case you stumble across some really nice places.
I also think that vans are a nicer place to travel in for kids, especially if one parent can easily move between the front and back rows of seats, the kids having a table to draw/play etc. on.
The european van market is a bit limited. The VW T5 is the first option, it is however very expensive and seems to have a lot of reliability problems. The previous Viano is not bad (with the 3.0 CDI V6), the new V-Klass is totally overpriced. Will also look into the Transit and Vivaro offerings.
Lately I have been analising the idea of a camper/conversion van towing a caravan. This way you can setup camp in a commercial camper park, have a vehicle to move around in that can double up as cooking/sleeping alternative in case you stumble across some really nice places.
I also think that vans are a nicer place to travel in for kids, especially if one parent can easily move between the front and back rows of seats, the kids having a table to draw/play etc. on.
The european van market is a bit limited. The VW T5 is the first option, it is however very expensive and seems to have a lot of reliability problems. The previous Viano is not bad (with the 3.0 CDI V6), the new V-Klass is totally overpriced. Will also look into the Transit and Vivaro offerings.
Martin, thank you for the suggestions, the France Pssion concept sound great. However we will be traveling with 2 small children and as such I don not think that moving on from place to place every 1-2 days is exactly what we want to do.
I am looking at US motorhomes (RV's) and travel trailers (caravans). Obviously the sheer size of these is very attractive...the european versions of look like a cruel joke in comparison. What I cannot understand is why no european manufacturers have adopted the slide-out concept that seems to be so popular in the states. I have read some german forums on this slideout absence from the european market, and it is always argumented that it is technically difficult to get these slideout constructions to be watertight. The americans seem to have been offering this for a few decades now, so surely they have come up with some sort of solutions for this.
It looks to me that the european caravan manufacturers do not want to raise the market expectations....does anybody else smell a market niche here?
I am looking at US motorhomes (RV's) and travel trailers (caravans). Obviously the sheer size of these is very attractive...the european versions of look like a cruel joke in comparison. What I cannot understand is why no european manufacturers have adopted the slide-out concept that seems to be so popular in the states. I have read some german forums on this slideout absence from the european market, and it is always argumented that it is technically difficult to get these slideout constructions to be watertight. The americans seem to have been offering this for a few decades now, so surely they have come up with some sort of solutions for this.
It looks to me that the european caravan manufacturers do not want to raise the market expectations....does anybody else smell a market niche here?
Squiggs said:
I've always liked the idea of a (smaller) motorhome (to allow for exploration) and having a caravan. Pull up on site and you've got two living spaces, twice the accommodation and twice the amount of beds. But then if you leave the caravan on site to go exploring in the motorhome and stay out overnight you've suddenly only got half the space you had.
This does seem to be a good combination, either a van based conversion (Sprinter style) or a more daily driver oriented vehicle such as a T5 California or Viano MarcoPolo with a popup roof towing a decent caravan. There are some modular style kits that can slide into a regular transporter style van, tranforming it from a people carrier into a camper.This way you don't have to drive the entire furniture with you allyear round when you want to use the van as a daily.
Is there anybody here with such a combination?
The CMT Messe in Stuttgart is probably the second largest Caravaning Expo in Germany after the Düsseldorf show...17-25 January 2015.
heebeegeetee said:
There are European slide-outs available though, from the biggest motorhomes right down to panel-van based campers. 
Perhaps my search has been dominated/centered mostly on the german manufacturers as I live in Switzerland, but I struggled to find any slideout offers on the market (exept 1 british manufacturer). I would be greatful for any suggestions.Thank you and a Merry Christmas to all
The biggest drawback of some american motorhomes is probably their size, but honestly some class C and B coaches are not as gigamtic as they are made out to be. Obviously only diesel engines would make any sort of sense here. As for outdated....its not as if the trusty Ducato base is a staple of modern refinement.
Anyway I am curently leaning towards buying a MB Viano Marco Polo that can also perform daily duties and possibly towing a caravan with it. The Viano comes with a 3.0 V6 diesel, self leveling air suspension in the back, the possibility of 6 seats and is surprisingly enough a lot cheaper then the VW T5.
Does anybody here have any experience with a Marco Polo campervan?
A Merry Christmas to all
Anyway I am curently leaning towards buying a MB Viano Marco Polo that can also perform daily duties and possibly towing a caravan with it. The Viano comes with a 3.0 V6 diesel, self leveling air suspension in the back, the possibility of 6 seats and is surprisingly enough a lot cheaper then the VW T5.
Does anybody here have any experience with a Marco Polo campervan?
A Merry Christmas to all
The idea is to get a van (or camper ala T5 California or MB Viano Marco Polo, so decent in size) as a daily / tow vehicle and a caravan when we go away for a longer period of time.
This way you have a vehicle with which to explore whilst leaving the caravan on the site, but its also a roomy vehicle that can provide extra sleeping space. On site you could have a tent between the caravan and the campervan.
I am looking to rent a MB Marco Polo to see how it works out.
This way you have a vehicle with which to explore whilst leaving the caravan on the site, but its also a roomy vehicle that can provide extra sleeping space. On site you could have a tent between the caravan and the campervan.
I am looking to rent a MB Marco Polo to see how it works out.
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