What’s The Difference Between A Motorhome & A Campervan

A lot of people use the words ‘motorhome’ and ‘campervan’ interchangeably, and it’s easy to see why! At a glance, both of these vehicles fill the same role. They’re essentially drivable accommodation which you can sleep in, and if you’re new to the van life it can be difficult to tell them apart.

The lines between the two are blurred at times, so there’s no ‘universal definition’ either. It used to be easy enough to say that a motorhome was anything with a toilet and a shower, but nowadays you can find campervans that also have them!

So, what exactly is the difference between a campervan and a motorhome?

What Is A Motorhome?

A motorhome is a self-contained and purpose-built vehicle designed for holidaying and road tripping in comfort and style.

How Big Is A Motorhome?

They can be big or small, with enough space for 2-6 people depending on the size of the motorhome. The biggest ones are built on a truck or bus chassis, and some of the longest motorhomes can be upwards of 13 metres!

Unlike some campervans, most people can stand comfortably in a motorhome because they’ve been designed intentionally with extra headroom.

What Are The Features In A Motorhome?

Motorhomes have toilets, showers, running water, and a well-equipped kitchen (some motorhomes even have an oven, making it easy to cook any type of meal!)

Beds can be either fixed or modular, sometimes you’ll have both! It all depends on the motorhome’s berth. Fixed beds are always made up and ready to go. On the other hand, having modular furniture means that the bed can be converted between a dining/lounge area, giving you a more functional space.

Why Should You Buy A Motorhome?

For travellers who love convenience, a motorhome might just be the way to go! There’s very minimal set up with most motorhomes, and if you’ve got a fixed bed the night-time routine becomes a lot quicker!

Motorhomes are also the preferred choice for families because they’re just so spacious. You’ll have your own space to relax, and you won’t end up with someone else’s foot in your face!

What Is A Campervan?

Generally,a campervan is a vehicle that began its life as a regular van, but was converted into something more suitable for sleeping.

How Big Is A Campervan?

Unless the van was originally designed with (or later customised to have) extra head-room, walking around in a campervan can require a bit of mindful navigation.

Most campervans are 2-4 berth, and it can be squishy if you’re all trying to move around at the same time. But, just like a motorhome, campervans sizes can vary greatly depending on the chassis they were built on.

What Are The Features In A Campervan?

Campervans rarely have a toilet or shower, and when they do it’s usually some detachable and basic feature (such as a shower head that connects to the skink nozzle).

Most campervans also have a small kitchenette, or at the very least they tend to have your basic cooking equipment.

Overall, a campervan is compact and simple, making it perfect for travellers who don’t need the spaciousness of a motorhome.

Why Should You Buy A Campervan?

Campervans are great because they are compact and easily manoeuvrable! They fit in most parking spaces, glide easily under height barriers, and are able to navigate narrow roads.

For solo travellers and couples who just want something comfortable to get around in with a cosy bed at the end of the night, a campervan is the way to go!

So, What’s Better, A Motorhome Or A Campervan?

Both are good options! It all comes down to your budget, how many people you’re travelling with, where you plan to stay, and what kind of traveller you are.

Before you buy, go ahead and rent from Cruisin’ Motorhomes or GoCheap Campervans so that you can get a feel for both motorhomes and campervans! Test out the different layouts and decide what works best for you. Organise your motorhome rental in Australia by calling our friendly reservation team on 1300 664 485 and check out our vehicle pages to see what motorhomes are available to hire at our branches.

Or, if you’re enthusiastic and ready to invest in a motorhome of your very own, check out the used campervans and motorhomes for sale on our website and take advantage of our Try Before You Buy deal. If you don’t see the type of vehicle you’re interested in, go ahead and submit an enquiry form so that we can contact you as soon as something is available.