Could you swap your Motorhome for a Campervan?

When it comes to going on holiday with the family, the general consensus is the more space you have, the less likely it will be for arguments to start. This is why most families choose to invest in motorhomes instead of campervans for their holidays, as most of the time they offer more space. However, over the years the campervan has changed considerably, so could you swap your motorhome for a campervan next time you go away? With the rise in popularity of the staycation in the past couple of years, the rental market is buoyant with owners looking to monetise their motorhome and eager hordes of holidaymakers looking to sample van-life before they take the plunge on a more permanent basis.

The Issue of Space

We won’t lie – having your whole family crammed in a small amount of space for a considerable amount of time will cause arguments. However, even though campervans usually have less space than motorhomes, they can still offer enough to keep everybody happy. The key here is to make sure that you use your campervan’s space wisely – pack only the essentials and try some clever tricks such as storing small amounts of spices in tic tac pots, your socks in your shoes, and your toiletries in miniature bottles. There are literally hundreds of ways that you can save space in your campervan, and if you make it a challenge for all the family you may be surprised how much room you are left with!

Retro vs. Modern

It’s been a few years since the sad news broke that the iconic Volkswagen Type 2 Kombi had finally ceased production. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t still invest in one of these classic campervans – you will just have search for a second-hand model that is in a good repair. Retro campervans are usually much more coveted than motorhomes due to their association with the sixties and the hippy lifestyle. Some people have even spent years restoring or modifying classic campervans to make them truly eye-catching and original. However, even though classic campervans have a certain allure, most don’t come with modern conveniences such as electricity. Therefore, if you are going on a long-haul journey you may be better off choosing a more modern campervan model. If your heart is set on a classic, we’ve still got you covered.

Money Saving

A great benefit of swapping your motorhome for a campervan is that it can help you save money, as they are usually cheaper to run. The sheer size of motorhomes means that they require extra fuel during their journeys, so by going on holiday in a campervan you can save a substantial amount of money on fuel. Furthermore, some caravan parks or campsites may charge less for a campervan pitch than a motorhome pitch as they are smaller, but you will need to double check this before you head off. The great thing about some campervans is that they are also small enough to legally be allowed to park in car parks, meaning you won’t have to pay out for a motorhome specific parking space!

Flexibility

When it comes to campervans you have so much choice it means that you may not know where to start. That’s why it could be an idea to hire a campervan in order to get a feel for it, and if you don’t like it you can try one of a different size or with different features. For example, you could choose a campervan that has rear bed extensions, or one that has the berths built inside the main body of the vehicle. Many campervans also come with the option to pitch side awnings so you can relax outside, or manoeuvrable chairs that you can change around depending on whether you are driving or parked up on a pitch. Just remember to double check that your campervan insurance policy covers extras such as awnings, otherwise if they are damaged you will have to pay to fix them yourself.

Swapping your motorhome for a campervan on your next family holiday is a great way to try something new and exciting, and you could even find that the smaller vehicle comes in handy! Don’t forget that Comfort Insurance offers campervan insurance as well as motorhome insurance, so if you are thinking about investing in a campervan any time soon, give a member of our friendly team a call on 020 8984 0666 or get a quote online with us today and make sure you are protected on all your journeys!

Photo by Norbert Schnitzler / CC BY-SA 3.0