How to Choose the Right Campervan or Motorhome

We get asked this question so many times and, to be honest, there is no simple answer. But as we are now on our third van, we are pretty well versed in what to look for. There are so many questions to ask yourselves, and I apologise in advance if you feel like you’ve been under police interrogation by the time you have finished reading, but I promise it’s worth it. I know this process can be as difficult as naming your firstborn, but after owning three leisure vehicles and living in two of them full-time, we have learnt a lot about what works, and even more about what doesn’t!

Are you sitting comfortably? Get yourself a brew and buckle up!

Set Your Budget

This is arguably the most important place to start, as it is pointless looking at £100k vans if you only have £20k to spend. We would all love a champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget but unfortunately we need to be realistic.

Setting your budget early on will help narrow down your search immediately and will probably answer some of the later questions for you.

New Vs Used Campervans: Which is right for you?

There are a few things to consider here: Style, Capability, Reliability and BUDGET!

Style

There is no denying that the retro vans have a certain look that you just don’t get with the newer models. I really believe that the look and feel of a van should suit its owner, but at the same time you don’t want to choose something that is all fur coat and no knickers, as my Gran would have said. Van number 2 for us was a 7m Chausson Titanium Ultimate 640, an absolutely stunning motorhome, but we are in our late 30’s and early 40’s…it just didn’t suit us! (more on this later…)

Capability & Reliability

Both yours and the vehicle. If you plan on carting a 1967 VW T1 up a mountain road with hairpin bends and inclines to give Chris Bonington a run for his money…Think again!

It is also worth considering your mechanical abilities. Whilst the older vehicles are easier to fix, there is likely to be more regular maintenance required. Fine, if you know what you are doing, but for someone like me who doesn’t know one end of an exhaust from the other…expensive. Know your limits!

Budget

With brand-new coach-built vans starting around the £50,000-£60,000 mark, you will need to have a realistic idea on what you can get for your money. Only you can answer this one!

Self-Built Campervan, Professional Conversion or Coach-Built Motorhome/campervan?

This is where it gets fun! We have owned 2 out of these 3 options, and there is honestly no right or wrong answer. Let’s explore the pros and cons for each:

Self-Built Campervan

Professional Campervan Conversion

Coach-Built

Armed with all of the information, you should now be able to get a steer on what is most important to you so you know where to start looking for your little home on wheels.

Choosing your Campervan/ Motorhome’s Size and Layout

This all comes down to what you will be using your van for. Weekend getaways? Month-long trips? Full-time vanlife?

Does Size Really matter?

Most people will tell you that the longer you plan on spending in it, the bigger it needs to be. I would like to call Bullsh*t, with a capital B, on that statement. Why? Because we listened, and it came back to bite us in the ass! The bigger your rig is, the fewer places you can comfortably drive it and park it. Van 1, Kermit, was a 4.8m Ford Transit that fit pretty much everywhere. When we decided to go full-time, we bought Titty, the Chausson Titanium. At 7m long and 2.85m wide, she was a BIG lass! We kissed goodbye to supermarket carparks, country lanes and even visiting our family, because she just didn’t fit. So if you listen to nothing else I have said, please listen to this:

“CHOOSE THE SMALLEST VAN THAT YOU CAN LIVE COMFORTABLY IN!“

We now live in a 6m coach-built panel van conversion, and there is plenty of space for two people and a cockerpoo!

Also, please, please, please pay attention to the payload of your vehicle. I am too young to drive anything over 3.5 tonnes, and whilst many campervans and motorhomes claim to be suitable, they are not. When you consider all of the stuff you will need to carry, including passengers, dog, spare pants (because I obviously plan on sh*tting myself 15 times a day,) tool kit, food, water…300kg ain’t a lot even if you resort to wearing thongs and only eating marshmallows.

Which Campervan/Motorhome Layout is best?

The layout of your van will all come down to how you want to use it, but there are a few things worth considering:

Fixed bed vs Lounge Conversion?

I was always firmly in the camp “fixed beds being a waste of space”…HOOOOOWEVER… The storage underneath our bed is invaluable, and there is no way on God’s green earth I would be building a bed each night. Drop-down beds are also worth considering, as you seem to get the best of both worlds. Just be mindful, the mechanisms are heavy and can go wrong.

Bathroom Vs No Bathroom?

The aforementioned “sh*tting ones pants” should tell you that I am going NOWHERE without a toilet in tow! Our first van had a Thetford Porta Potti, which was great; however, sending the other person out to walk the dog whilst Storm Doris is whistling around the van? Marginally inconvenient. If you are full-time, I strongly advise a bathroom if your budget allows it.

Storage

Somewhere to put your 900 pairs of spare knickers, obviously! Seriously though, think about where you are going to put everything. Do you want to carry bikes? BBQ? A week’s worth of food? 14 tonnes of kitchen equipment? (yes, me!) All of these things will need a home in your van.

High Top vs Low Top?

Do you want to be able to stand up, or are you 5ft 4 like me and could stand up regardless? I would give the same advice here as I did with the size of your van/motorhome: as small as you can without being uncomfortable. Of course, I chose to marry someone who is 6ft 4, so a high top was our only option. (I did suggest a monthly visit to a chiropractor but….)

Motorhome Vs Campervan?

We have owned both and much prefer the Van to the motorhome. It feels sturdier, is much narrower and fits in more places. Having said that, the living space you get in a motorhome is unrivalled.

The Round up

Mind boggled? Don’t worry, let’s break it down:

The Key Questions

• What’s your budget?
• How long do you plan on staying in your van each time you use it?
• What are you willing to compromise on?
• How much space do you need to be comfortable?
• How much stuff do you plan on taking?
• What can you legally drive?
• Where do you want to travel? (A giant RV on single-track roads is a no go)
• What kind of look do you want?

The answers to these questions should help steer you through our step by step process below:

The Process

1. Answer our million and one questions
2. Set your budget
3. View as many options as possible (the shows are great for this)
4. Collate a shortlist
5. Hire a couple of different layouts
6. Choose the one that works best
7. Drive off into the sunset in your perfect vehicle

If you are still struggling, we are always willing to put our 2 pence worth into the mix. Drop us a comment below and we will try our best to answer any questions you might have. Remember size always matters, but in this case bigger may not be better!

Choosing the Right Van FAQs

Is a campervan or a coach-built motorhome better for full-time vanlife?

Panel van conversions are generally narrower, sturdier, and much easier to park in standard spaces or navigate down tight country lanes. While coach-built motorhomes offer unmatched internal living space, their extra width and length can limit where you can drive and park comfortably.

Should I buy a new or used campervan?

Buying new gives you dealer warranties, modern reliability, and pristine condition, but comes with high upfront costs. A used campervan is much more budget-friendly, but requires extra attention to mechanical maintenance, damp checks and equipment functionality.

What size campervan can I drive on a standard UK driving licence?

It depends on when you passed your driving test. Before Jan 1st 1997 and you can drive up to 7,500kg, after Jan 1st 1997 and you are allowed to drive vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) of 3,500kg. Pay close attention to the “Payload” of the campervan you are purchasing, so that you don’t exceed weight limits when you are fully loaded.

Is a fixed bed better than a lounge conversion in a campervan?

A fixed bed saves you the daily faff of building and putting away your bed. It also gains you a HUGE storage space underneath. A lounge conversion may be more convenient in smaller vans, where a fixed bed would take up too much valuable space.