Caravan vs motorhome
Discussion
I'm actually talking about car+caravan vs motorhome+car/trailer.
I understand why people would choose a motorhome over a caravan and vice versa, I've had both and they're great for different things.
However, I'm genuinely interested to know why people buy a large motorhome then tow a trailer with a car on or tow the car on an a frame behind. It just seems madness to me that you're having to buy two road registered vehicle's with two lots of insurance, road tax, servicing etc, when you could tow a caravan instead and have the same benefits.
My grandad who is no longer with us, he bought a motorhome as he no longer wanted the hassle of towing, then when and bought a 206 to be towed by the motorhome!
I understand why people would choose a motorhome over a caravan and vice versa, I've had both and they're great for different things.
However, I'm genuinely interested to know why people buy a large motorhome then tow a trailer with a car on or tow the car on an a frame behind. It just seems madness to me that you're having to buy two road registered vehicle's with two lots of insurance, road tax, servicing etc, when you could tow a caravan instead and have the same benefits.
My grandad who is no longer with us, he bought a motorhome as he no longer wanted the hassle of towing, then when and bought a 206 to be towed by the motorhome!
No skin in the game either way personally as I own neither my experience is from family holidays as a child (car and caravan).
It did occur to me though reading the OP that those with a motorhome towing a car, I guess it would make sense if the car was in use daily by the family anyway, such as your grandad using the 206 as a second daily car then sticking it on the back of a motorhome for holidays? I struggle to see a justification otherwise.
I favour hiring a static caravan personally for family holidays, looked at buying one but the figures don't really stack up but that's another story
It did occur to me though reading the OP that those with a motorhome towing a car, I guess it would make sense if the car was in use daily by the family anyway, such as your grandad using the 206 as a second daily car then sticking it on the back of a motorhome for holidays? I struggle to see a justification otherwise.
I favour hiring a static caravan personally for family holidays, looked at buying one but the figures don't really stack up but that's another story
Ex motorhomer here.
Personally didn’t bother with towing a vehicle but I can partially understand why. If you’re touring in the U.K., by and large you’re lumbered with sites which are out of the way of places you actually want to visit. Additionally if you’re longterm-ing and living in your van, then you may need the flexibility of smaller transportation if you’re stopping longer than a few days.
I didn’t really get on with Motorhoming in the U.K. Far more preferable for me was touring on the Continent where you aren’t treated like you’re going to take up root in a village but instead welcomed into the heart of the village or town you’re trying to visit. Away from U.K. there’s very little reason to tow a vehicle IMO, unless you have a very big rig, again which you’re looking to hole up in one location for an extended period.
Personally didn’t bother with towing a vehicle but I can partially understand why. If you’re touring in the U.K., by and large you’re lumbered with sites which are out of the way of places you actually want to visit. Additionally if you’re longterm-ing and living in your van, then you may need the flexibility of smaller transportation if you’re stopping longer than a few days.
I didn’t really get on with Motorhoming in the U.K. Far more preferable for me was touring on the Continent where you aren’t treated like you’re going to take up root in a village but instead welcomed into the heart of the village or town you’re trying to visit. Away from U.K. there’s very little reason to tow a vehicle IMO, unless you have a very big rig, again which you’re looking to hole up in one location for an extended period.
Spuffington said:
Ex motorhomer here.
Personally didn’t bother with towing a vehicle but I can partially understand why. If you’re touring in the U.K., by and large you’re lumbered with sites which are out of the way of places you actually want to visit. Additionally if you’re longterm-ing and living in your van, then you may need the flexibility of smaller transportation if you’re stopping longer than a few days.
I didn’t really get on with Motorhoming in the U.K. Far more preferable for me was touring on the Continent where you aren’t treated like you’re going to take up root in a village but instead welcomed into the heart of the village or town you’re trying to visit. Away from U.K. there’s very little reason to tow a vehicle IMO, unless you have a very big rig, again which you’re looking to hole up in one location for an extended period.
Ah Spuffington, hello hope your well. I remember reading all about your adventures with you and your Concorde etc years ago. Personally didn’t bother with towing a vehicle but I can partially understand why. If you’re touring in the U.K., by and large you’re lumbered with sites which are out of the way of places you actually want to visit. Additionally if you’re longterm-ing and living in your van, then you may need the flexibility of smaller transportation if you’re stopping longer than a few days.
I didn’t really get on with Motorhoming in the U.K. Far more preferable for me was touring on the Continent where you aren’t treated like you’re going to take up root in a village but instead welcomed into the heart of the village or town you’re trying to visit. Away from U.K. there’s very little reason to tow a vehicle IMO, unless you have a very big rig, again which you’re looking to hole up in one location for an extended period.
Funny enough i was actually parked next to this Damon motorhome at Seahouses last weekend which made me think about you living in yours on the caravan site.
We were caravan owners until 2019 when we had a small break while we had building work done at home and just wasn't using the caravan. upon that being finished we then decided we would try a motorhome, main reason being is the wife will drive the motorhome but the thought of driving/towing she wasn't interested and scares her just the thought of it. we haven't gone for the trailer/towing but that is a whole new level as that WAS the idea initially as i already have a trailer and would possibly use the motorhome for driving to circuits with the clio track car behind but when the new spec for the motorhome appeared 3 weeks before delivery it can only tow about 700kg ( from memory) due to the ford auto gearbox i believe.
Very nearly cancelled at that point as wasn't fit for purpose we intended but we got it at the price we originally agreed after 2 price increases so having taken delivery on 1st march we could still sell it with some profit and haven't yet found the need to use it for towing. The wife has on several occasions driven to a campsite 50/60 miles away from home when the kids are on school holidays and i have driven to them when i have finished work so we then also have a car if needed. Altho would only do this on the more local sites if anything further away we would most likely just not have a car with us.
Very nearly cancelled at that point as wasn't fit for purpose we intended but we got it at the price we originally agreed after 2 price increases so having taken delivery on 1st march we could still sell it with some profit and haven't yet found the need to use it for towing. The wife has on several occasions driven to a campsite 50/60 miles away from home when the kids are on school holidays and i have driven to them when i have finished work so we then also have a car if needed. Altho would only do this on the more local sites if anything further away we would most likely just not have a car with us.
We had a 7.4m long motorhome and never had any inclination to haul a bloody car behind. Yes, we occasionally had problems parking due to its size, but not very often, and it was great when out for the day to have all the amenities in the van rather than sitting in a small hatchback with a flask and sandwiches 
Regards towing the cars - I have always wondered how many are over the Gross Train Weight?
Most of the base chassis/vans are GTW of 4000-600kg, dry unloaded kerb weights must be 2500-4000kg depending on model.
Despite being able to tow perhaps 1500-200kg on a braked trailer, it is reduced to 750kg unbraked, and this is assuming the overall GTW is the maximum overall.
I wonder how many have actually been on a weighbridge....
Most of the base chassis/vans are GTW of 4000-600kg, dry unloaded kerb weights must be 2500-4000kg depending on model.
Despite being able to tow perhaps 1500-200kg on a braked trailer, it is reduced to 750kg unbraked, and this is assuming the overall GTW is the maximum overall.
I wonder how many have actually been on a weighbridge....
The whole thing is a compromise in the UK. People don't really sleep in them on the side of the road and as others have mentioned, as soon as you park up on a site and then need to go anywhere by distance, you suddenly find that you need to pack it all up again just to move or do nothing outside of walking or cycling distance.
We had a camper van, sold it and bought a caravan and car to tow it. Towing is really no big deal and we can dump the caravan and use the car wherever we need to go. In both circs you need storage if you can't keep it at home. In laws bought a motorhome, then when they realised the problem of being stuck locally, they bought a trailer and motorbike which they take with them. They didn't want a caravan because they didn't want to tow......
We had a camper van, sold it and bought a caravan and car to tow it. Towing is really no big deal and we can dump the caravan and use the car wherever we need to go. In both circs you need storage if you can't keep it at home. In laws bought a motorhome, then when they realised the problem of being stuck locally, they bought a trailer and motorbike which they take with them. They didn't want a caravan because they didn't want to tow......
We had a caravan for years , a twin axle using a Mercedes suv to tow it. An expensive car to run.
Sold both to convert to motorhome, purchased a l08 to tow behind , 50 to the gallon , zero road tax and £129 to insure , cost to service and tyres is bearly a mention.
We have just completed a 60 day tour of the uk , the car was a god send , we wouldn't have been able to do or see half the places we visited whilst away.
Some places you just cant get to in the motorhome.
I also fish so easy to go when we are away.
For a short break or weekend we dont take it.
I dont see any change in mpg when towing , so over all cost is lower than car and caravan.
Sold both to convert to motorhome, purchased a l08 to tow behind , 50 to the gallon , zero road tax and £129 to insure , cost to service and tyres is bearly a mention.
We have just completed a 60 day tour of the uk , the car was a god send , we wouldn't have been able to do or see half the places we visited whilst away.
Some places you just cant get to in the motorhome.
I also fish so easy to go when we are away.
For a short break or weekend we dont take it.
I dont see any change in mpg when towing , so over all cost is lower than car and caravan.
7 metre Knaus Motorhome with garage accommodating two electric bikes. Solves the problem giving a 25 mile radius around a campsites, easily cycle around steep places in Scotland, Devon and Cornwall. Stick to cycle paths so don't have to worry about traffic particularly Cornwall. We went through the same delima and very pleased we have the electric bikes. Added benefit is keeping fit.
Rhodie said:
7 metre Knaus Motorhome with garage accommodating two electric bikes. Solves the problem giving a 25 mile radius around a campsites, easily cycle around steep places in Scotland, Devon and Cornwall. Stick to cycle paths so don't have to worry about traffic particularly Cornwall. We went through the same delima and very pleased we have the electric bikes. Added benefit is keeping fit.
Yeah, this is how I would play it, if i were to get a motorhome in the future. tedblog said:
But if you cant ride a bike ?
As I say that's how 'I' would have my set up. That doesn't mean its right for everyone. Just to be clear i am in no way against towing a car etc, it's horses for courses, I was just genuinely curious as to the benefits people found as it's so popular these days. We have been toying with the idea of picking up a caravan. I did my own campervan conversion a few years ago and we have had good use from it, but, some of the places and sites we visit having a car would be pretty handy. I do have a car trailer and could load up and tow it on that as the camper is also used for racing but it would be a pretty big faff IMHO. So we are thinking of adding the caravan for holidays and swapping the camper for something a bit smaller for when I am racing. We also tend to go with my brother and his wife and they camp in our awning, I am sure they would vote for a step up in their accommodation 
youngricharduk said:
As I say that's how 'I' would have my set up. That doesn't mean its right for everyone. Just to be clear i am in no way against towing a car etc, it's horses for courses, I was just genuinely curious as to the benefits people found as it's so popular these days.
You did say that people lose sight in the reason for a motorhome, its just another form of transport and you can sleep.in it.In Cornwall you have no chance of getting to.some of the remote coves in a motorhome etc etc.
As you have said its horses for courses , gives us better opportunities and for less.
Spuffington said:
Ex motorhomer here.
Personally didn’t bother with towing a vehicle but I can partially understand why. If you’re touring in the U.K., by and large you’re lumbered with sites which are out of the way of places you actually want to visit. Additionally if you’re longterm-ing and living in your van, then you may need the flexibility of smaller transportation if you’re stopping longer than a few days.
I didn’t really get on with Motorhoming in the U.K. Far more preferable for me was touring on the Continent where you aren’t treated like you’re going to take up root in a village but instead welcomed into the heart of the village or town you’re trying to visit. Away from U.K. there’s very little reason to tow a vehicle IMO, unless you have a very big rig, again which you’re looking to hole up in one location for an extended period.
Exactly this. Personally didn’t bother with towing a vehicle but I can partially understand why. If you’re touring in the U.K., by and large you’re lumbered with sites which are out of the way of places you actually want to visit. Additionally if you’re longterm-ing and living in your van, then you may need the flexibility of smaller transportation if you’re stopping longer than a few days.
I didn’t really get on with Motorhoming in the U.K. Far more preferable for me was touring on the Continent where you aren’t treated like you’re going to take up root in a village but instead welcomed into the heart of the village or town you’re trying to visit. Away from U.K. there’s very little reason to tow a vehicle IMO, unless you have a very big rig, again which you’re looking to hole up in one location for an extended period.
We have looked at converting a car to tow it, but for the cost of conversion (good quality / secure / legal) or the cost of a trailer (+ extra storage costs) it is cheaper to hire in both the UK and Europe. Although far less need for it in Europe.
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