We love our touring holidays, whether it’s a long weekend away in Cornwall or all the way to the sunny South of France. Here at Webbs, we’re all about creating the perfect holiday memories wherever your adventures take you.
Choosing whether to purchase a motorhome or caravan depends on what you’re looking for in a holiday, and what would be the right fit for your family. If you’re still weighing up the pros and cons between a motorhome and caravan, keep reading because we’re here to make that decision easier!
Let’s start with the similarities. Motorhomes and caravans both generally contain a sleeping area, lounge, washroom and kitchen, so they are quite literally homes away from your home. Both give you the freedom to explore at your own pace, and in turn, avoid the limitations of hotels and enjoy a much-needed, relaxing staycation.
Towing a caravan gives you the independence to travel anywhere with your home on wheels, explore new places and make memories with family or friends. One of the key benefits of caravans is that once you reach your campsite, you can leave your caravan there and carry on exploring with just your car. With a motorhome, you’d have to take it everywhere you go after settling into your campsite – driving on those small country lanes can be a task, which is something to consider if you plan to visit very remote or rural destinations!
Caravans can also be a more affordable investment than a motorhome. This is because motorhomes tend to be made out of stronger materials for driving purposes and also require an MOT – saving caravan buyers some cash!
In terms of which type of caravan you can tow it all depends on what type of car you drive and when you were born. If you passed your test before 1st January 1997, you could tow up to 8,250kg maximum authorised mass (MAM). MAM refers to the limit on how much a vehicle can weigh when it is loaded.
If you passed your test after 1st January 1997, you are able to tow up to 3,500kg MAM without taking an additional test (subject to towing vehicle). Find out more about towing and the law here.
For first-time trailer drivers, it’s always best to take training from a driving instructor to help you manoeuvre a caravan safely.
Read our blog to find out more about the new towing rules for caravans.
For those steering more toward a motorhome, it does allow you to have everything in one vehicle, including your bedroom, kitchen and living space. The beauty of having everything in one place means that you can park your motorhome anywhere and at any time without having to mount it like a caravan. You can pack up and leave in an instant, so this could be the best option if you’re planning to visit multiple locations in one trip.
Parking at a campsite is also much easier in a motorhome, caravans can be tricky to manoeuvre, reverse and park, whereas motorhomes are just like large cars. Your motorhome can even be used for other tasks such as running errands when your car isn’t available to use, making it multifunctional.
Enjoy the independence of driving into the sunset with your home right with you, no need to worry about the next steps, just as long as you have somewhere safe and suitable to park.
There are also licence requirements for driving a motorhome, you will need the right licence and your vehicle needs to be within the sizing limits. The licence you need also depends on your age and the vehicle’s maximum authorised mass (MAM).
For those with a category C1 licence, you can drive a motorhome with a MAM of between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes. For those with a category C licence, you can drive a motorhome with a MAM of over 7.5 tonnes. View more information here.
Choosing a motorhome or a caravan is really down to personal preference and your requirements. If you have any questions, you’re more than welcome to contact us to discuss your needs and we can match you with your perfect motorhome or caravan.
At Webbs, we have a wide variety of used and pre-owned motorhomes and caravans for sale.
