Panelvan Motorhome
Everyone’s idea of what they want from a motorhome or camper is different with each person having their own requirements, must haves, preferables etc etc. This no doubt explains why there is such a huge variety of motorhomes available and such a terrific variance on price as well. To be able to make better informed choice on type and layout whether it is your intention to commission a brand new custom built class A vehicle or acquire a second hand bargain weekender will be worthwhile and will, I hope enable you to avoid some of the pitfalls when purchasing your first motorhome or camper.
A Micro for example is the smallest class of motorhome and usually constructed on or converted from a van chassis such as a Berlingo. It could be expected to have a mains hook-up and heating with a fridge, water supply and a simple bed arrangement. Probably would be better if augmented with a separate tent or awning arrangement for more comfortable accommodation on longer stays.
The Van Conversion – as the name suggests would have been constructed with, or converted from, a van (panel van) type of vehicle and fitted with side windows and special high or pop up roof and interior furniture such as seating etc. A kitchen area and washing facilities would normally be fitted as appropriate to the model etc and so being larger than a Micro; one would expect a commensurate increase in usable accommodation and luxury to be included in this class of vehicle.
The Compact: This class of motorhome is as the name describes, compact in size and usually less than 6 metres long. A kind of a cross between a van conversion and a Coachbuilt or an A class vehicle with some of the attributes of both, so gaining the improved accommodation layout expected of a Coachbuilt or an A class whilst being smaller in profile and retaining the drivability of a van.
Coachbuilt: – This class of motorhome generally is expected to have a living area with the walls floor and ceiling being built upon a chassis cab such as the Fiat, Ford, Renault, Iveco and VW. They usually have an overcab bed arrangement so they can be distinguished by their bulbous nose profile. I suppose this class of vehicle is what we in the UK and Europe identify as the archetypal Motorhome.
Low-Profile Motorhome – Think here of the motorhome above but without the overcab and so the accommodation if not reduced is rearranged to do away with or certainly reduce the overcab accommodation.
The ‘A’ Class: ‘A’ is the motorhome vehicle type that is custom built throughout. That is apart from the bare vehicle chassis, motor and a dashboard, those are taken from the vehicle makers and then everything else is custom-coach built upon that. Modifications could be made to the chassis itself to accommodate the carrying weight and for any special needs. Specialist motorhome makers have significant scope within these vehicles to provide numerous styles and layout plans with superior insulation levels, double floors and other features such as garage style storage, lounges, kitchens and washroom facilities and so on. Often commission built to exacting clients requirements, this class of vehicle is unsurprisingly the most expensive to buy and operate but does provide the superior layouts, accommodation and luxury as befits its high price tag
