With a motorhome, the freedom of touring is excellent, what we like about motorhomes is that you are high up when driving and you can take in the scenery, when you find a nice spot, simply stop, nip in the back and have a cup of tea!

• Much safer driving with no caravan on the back - no danger of 'snaking'
• The ability to do more touring, without worrying about getting back to the site.
• Quick and easy pitching without having to manhandle the heavy caravan into position
• So quick and easy to pack up when moving on to another site
• Your own mobile cafe/washroom while out and about during the day, simply nip through to the back, perfect!

• More expensive to buy than its equivalent touring caravan
• Not usually convenient to be the family's only vehicle
• You may find someone in your pitch when you return from a day out
• You have to tidy everything away every time you want to drive out
• Difficult parking bigger motorhomes in car parks while out and about
• Deteriorates and depreciates more quickly than a caravan

Motorhome types
	A Class motorhome The A class is the king of motorhomes, often in excess of 3 tonnes, the Americans just love this size of motorhome. These vehicles are wide and long, usually well kitted out, and as comfortable as a full sized static holiday home and have all mod cons, king size beds, full size fridge, TV's, etc.. The biggest drawback is their size - there are not many pitches big enough on UK camp sites, and it is even more difficult to find a car park space in a town centre. That is why you often see such motorhomes towing a small car or having a moped on a rack for shopping trips and other visits. They are also very heavy on fuel.
	Coachbuilt motorhome The coachbuilt motorhome is built on an existing vehicle chassis and cab. They can be spacious, offering more interior space and facilities than the smaller panel van conversions. They are usually quite tall, with a sleeping space over the driver's cab. For that reason they can be a problem getting into some car parks with the overhead barriers.
	Panel van conversions This type of motorhome is built by taking a commercial van, usually a peugeot, and converting it to accommodate caravan type furnishings and seating. They often have a high roof added, or a pop-up or hinged raised part in the main body to make them high enough for a tall person to stand upright. The advantage of these smaller motorhomes is that they are easier to park, and may even fit in a normal home garage. You can use this type as a sole vehicle.
	Demountable camper Basically this is a 4x4 pick-up truck with a shaped caravan 'pod' which is secured on the back. When not required as a motorhome, the pod can be removed and stored. It is even possible on campsites to set up the pod as a caravan, and use the pick-up to go sight seeing or getting the shopping.
	Car derived campers This is a smaller conversion, using a car or small van. Being smaller and lower, they will usually have some form of elevating roof. Their main advantage is that they are small enough, and economical enough to be a family car, the disadvantage is that they are very small inside.

Points to consider when choosing a motorhome

• Are you going to buy privately or through a dealer
• If it is the family's only vehicle, is it suitable for every day use
• Fuel consumption if touring long distances, A class motorhomes are thirsty
• Cost of insurance
• Does it have a washroom
• Number and of berths

Accessories

You might think that your new motorhome will come ready to use, you could be wrong, many new or even used motorhomes come with very little accessories! Here we suggest accessories you may need or want to buy before your motorhome is ready to use.

• Security - having spent so much on the vehicle, you don't want it stolen. Invest in the best security equipment you can.
• Mains hook-up lead - you will want to connect to the site's electricity to use all your gadgets.
• Gas cylinder - unless you intend to cook only with electricity, you will need to buy a LPG cylinder and a regulator.
• Awning - to extend your living area, or provide a shaded outdoor seating area in the summer, an awning would be desirable.
• Leveling ramps - few caravan parks are perfectly level, so you will find it more comfortable in the motorhome if you use a pair of ramps to level it.

www.HobbyTouringCaravans.com