Campervans and motorhomes both offer the freedom and pleasure of travelling anywhere you like at the drop of a hat, but when you think of a campervan you imagine a very different picture to the lifestyle of owning a motorhome.

People tend to associate campervans with younger drivers who use them for road trips, festivals and surfing, whereas motorhomes tend to be owned more by families and retired couples who spend the summer travelling around Europe.

As specialist brokers of both campervan insurance and motorhome insurance, we’ve put campervans and motorhomes head-to-head to see how they compare on cost, functionality and more to see which one comes out on top.

Should I choose a campervan or a motorhome?

Choosing between a campervan and a motorhome depends on your lifestyle and budget. Everyone will have their preference. If you’re the type of person who enjoys sleeping under the stars and being at one with nature, then a campervan is perfect for you. It removes the need for all the distractions of day-to-day life and helps you to concentrate on the simpler things life has to offer.

If you like to holiday in luxury and often travel abroad on all-inclusive holidays, then you’d much prefer a motorhome. You have your own private shower, toilet and full-sized bed, which may sound basic, but compared to a campervan, it’s the ultimate luxury.

Longer trips in a campervan can be more difficult if you’re driving with a fully loaded van. This would make it difficult to stop off for meals or sleep, as you’d have to unpack everything before you could get down to business. If you take a campervan on long trips, then it’s best to plan and organise which campsites you’ll be staying at along the route. Use our free campsite finder tool to help you pick the perfect campsites.

A motorhome is perfect for long trips around the EU. You can pack everything you need, and there is plenty of space to store it all. You can stop off along the way to prepare dinner or get a few hours of sleep before continuing on with the rest of your journey.

Ultimately, it’s important to ask yourself these questions to understand which vehicle would best suit you:

• What is your budget?
• What kind of traveller are you?
• how many people will you be travelling with?
• Where will you be staying?
• Do you have access to other vehicles?

Are campervans cheaper than motorhomes?

You may be surprised to find out that the cost of a brand-new campervan is very similar to the price of a new motorhome. The price of campervans and motorhomes depends on the make, model and whether you’re buying used or new.

For example, a brand-new Volkswagen California starts from £69,424.00, while a Swift Escape Compact, a mid-range motorhome, starts from £51,205 or more.

Older models sold online via sites like eBay and Autotrader will undoubtedly be cheaper than buying brand new. However, it’s important to get a full history of the vehicle and consider any potential maintenance issues, as many second-hand motorhomes and caravans are fixer-uppers.

If you come to buy a motorhome then it’s important to carry out a thorough check to ensure you don’t get caught out with any expensive bills later on down the line. For advice on the things, you need to check, read our guide to buying a used motorhome.

How much does it cost to run a camper?

• MOT – You can expect to pay the same price as you would to have your car MOT carried out. Some companies require you to check the garage you’re visiting can accommodate larger vehicles.
• Service – To keep your campervan in tip-top condition, you should get it serviced regularly, which can cost anywhere from £350 to £ 650 for a full service. Due to the size of some motorhomes, services can only be carried out at certain service centres. They also require more oil and other fluids, which all add up to over £300.
• Habitation Service – It’s recommended you get a habitation service every year and depending on the size of your campervan or motorhome, the cost can vary. As campervans are smaller than motorhomes, this service usually doesn’t take as long so is cheaper. To find a workshop near you, you can use the Approved Workshop Scheme, which lists all the NCC (National Caravan Council) approved service centres.
• Fuel Economy – Campervans are much more fuel efficient than motorhomes due to having a smaller payload, so they can get up to 38mpg compared to a motorhome which can be anywhere from 20 to 30mpg.

Where do people store their motorhomes and campervans?

A major difference between campervans and motorhomes is how they are stored when you’re not travelling. 

Many people who own campervans find it easier to store them, and they can begin their holiday directly from their homes. However, it’s the opposite for motorhome owners, who normally have to pick up their motorhome from a storage location.

 Most insurers will not cover a motorhome for use as a daily vehicle, which means you’ll need to have room to store your motorhome, and if you don’t, you’ll need to pay for a secure storage location for when you’re not using the motorhome or during winter.

What licence do drivers need for campervans and motorhomes?

If the campervan weighs under 3,500kg, you should be able to drive it as long as you have passed your driving test. Always check that you can legally drive the vehicle.

Due to the size of some motorhomes, you may need to take an additional driving test before you can drive them. If you passed your test before 1997, then you will already be licensed to drive category C1 vehicles. If you got your licence after 1997, then you’ll need to take an additional test.

If you’re unsure of what vehicles you’re licensed to drive, then make sure you check before you drive using the government website.

How much space is in a motorhome and a campervan?

The important factor in many campervan vs motorhome decisions is how much space you need.

Campervans are compact, with bare essentials like a bed and a small kitchenette area. For some, this is perfect, allowing them to focus on the simpler things in life. Many owners have come up with genius ways of making the most of the small amount of space they have, like the rock-and-roll bed.

However, motorhomes are literally a house on wheels with everything you could possibly need. It doesn’t require moving anything around to set up a bed, and there’s plenty of space even if you’re tall.

How do people cook in motorhomes and campervans?

Depending on the set-up of a campervan you may or may not have a kitchen. If you’re not an avid chef and don’t mind BBQs, then the lack of a proper kitchen won’t affect you much.

Motorhome kitchens can be quite big with all the usual appliances you’d have at home.  Cooking up a tasty meal every night is easy in a motorhome – you even have a full-sized sink to do the washing up after! Some motorhomes also have a dishwasher to make life even easier.

Do campervans and motorhomes have showers and bathrooms?

Campervans usually don’t have showers unless they are separate from the campervan itself and attached to a side awning/tent. Setting one up can be a bit of a hassle, and the water isn’t always going to be warm. 

Many campervan owners tend to visit campsites with shower and toilet facilities on site. Those who don’t set up a toilet tent with a portable toilet next to the awning, if they are camping rural. You can easily find campsites with shower and toilet facilities using our campsite finder tool.

Even older motorhomes have an electric shower with a fully working toilet. On some motorhomes, the toilet is emptied with a press of a button, meaning you don’t even have to get your hands dirty! This means you can truly relax whilst on holiday and not have to worry about running over to the campsite toilets in the middle of the night during a thunderstorm.

MOTORHOME AND CAMPERVAN INSURANCE AT STAVELEY HEAD

If you already have a motorhome, check out our blog of things only motorhome owners understand! If you’re still unsure on which you’d prefer, take a look at our previous blog: ‘Caravan vs Motorhome’ to see the benefits of having a caravan instead of a motorhome.

Do you have a campervan or motorhome or even both? What are the other benefits? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter and share any pictures of your campervan or motorhome with us on Instagram.