Touring Caravan or Motorhome? Choosing the one that will be best for you can be a daunting decision. What are the differences between them? Which types of people are more suited to one over the other? All of these questions are age old dilemmas that have haunted many travel enthusiasts for decades.
With staycations set to soar again this summer in light of COVID-19, purchasing a touring caravan or motorhome could be a sensible option for many safe and fun family holidays this year and for many years to come. But, what’s the best option to go for?
Well worry no longer. If you’re feeling confused, we’re going to examine some FAQ’s, take a look at both touring caravans and motorhomes and examine the pros and cons of each one so you can make a choice that’s right for you.
I want something easy to drive. What are my options?
Whilst touring caravans might have plently of features, they’re not exactly the easiest to drive. Touring caravans must be towed and so you’ll need a vehicle that’s up to that challenge, plus a towing license. Thus a lot of people prefer to avoid caravans because of the additional hassle that driving one brings.
Motorhomes are much easier to handle.
Instead of being two independently moving objects, they are essentially large vans with a wheel in each corner. They are therefore, much easier to manage on the road and don’t require continual adjustments, the adding of extra mirrors, number plates etc. You can just hop in the driver’s seat and away you go.
I’m looking to save some money, which vehicle would be best?
All that convenience, of course isn’t free. Motorhomes are typically considerably more expensive than their touring caravan counterparts.
Touring caravans are just trailers. There are no engine components, driveshafts or anything else required to make a functioning vehicle.
The cost of a touring caravan, therefore, is primarily in the construction materials and the lavishness of the interior, meaning that buyers have a significant degree of control over the price they pay.
Motorhomes, on the other hand, are different. Buyers of these vehicles not only have to fork out for the onboard amenities but also for the engine components, fuel tank, transmission and interior controls, making a motorhome a more expensive prospect.
There is, however, one slight flaw in the argument above.
While the caravan itself is not particularly expensive (at least compared to a fully-fledge motorhome), you still need to purchase a car to tow it. Therefore, when you consider the total cost of ownership, you need to factor in the price of the vehicle you use too.
One way around this predicament could be to store your caravan at a site permanently. Here at Riverside we offer storage facilities including a free tow on and off service, so for those without a towing vehicle, it’s no problem. You can find more info about storing with us here.
I’m worried about having to park my van when I get to my destination.
When you arrive at your destination the ease with which you can park up can differ depending on the type of vehicle that you drive. Parking a touring caravan at a site can be difficult especially if reversing is involved.
If this is a concern we would advise looking into purchasing a motor mover as these can be lifesavers when trying to park up.
However, in comparison motorhomes are much easier and quicker to park up in a campsite once you get used to their size. So if manoeuvrability is a deal breaker for you a motorhome could be a better option.
I want something that will retain its value.
When it comes to picking up a bargain, there’s no better place than the second-hand caravan market. You can pick up a caravan for surprisingly little money.
Motorhomes may cost more to begin with, but they tend to retain their value much more.
A motorhome that is more than a decade old is still likely to be worth tens of thousands of pounds, whereas a caravan might have lost 80% of its value or more.
Part of the reason for this has to do with how much people use their motohomes. As most motorhomes are not driven daily therefore won’t have experienced much wear and tear, either to the engine or living quarters.
In general, motorhomes don’t age that fast.
When I’m on holiday I like to be able to explore an area. Would a Touring Caravan or Motorhome be best for this?
When you go for an adventure in a caravan, you have a lot of flexibility – arguable more than you have in a motorhome. The reason is simple: with a trailer, you don’t have to take your accommodation with you everywhere you go. Just unhook it when you want.
If you use a touring caravan, for instance, you can leave it at the caravan park or campsite and just travel in the car to your chosen destination. Once it’s parked up, there’s no need to bring it with you during the day, making sightseeing much more accessible.
The same is not true of a motorhome. Even a simple trip to the local supermarket becomes a challenge. None of the parking spaces are large enough.
So while a motorhome is more straightforward to drive than a car with a caravan in tow, it’s not as flexible once you have parked up your caravan and want to start exploring the local area.
So, Touring Caravan or Motorhome, Which One Should I Buy?
In summary, neither the motorhome nor the touring caravan is the outright winner. Both have their pros and cons.
The one you should buy depends on the factors that are most important to you.
If you value flexibility and are working to a tighter budget, then choose a touring caravan. If you want to take your accommodation with you wherever you go, choose a motorhome.
Either way, before making a purchase, it’s important to choose something that will fit in with your specific holiday preferences.
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At Riverside we offer top class secure storage facilities for touring caravans and motorhomes.
To find out more about storing your vehicle with us give us a call on 01769 579269 or drop us an email at relax@exmoorriverside.co.uk
