What’s in a motorhome or campervan layout?

December 19, 2018

Well, everything actually! Clients who buy motorhomes and campervans fall into two categories – those who have owned or used one before and those who have not. For those who have owned or used an RV already, arriving at a preferred layout is simple because they will already have a good idea of what they do and do not want.

Experienced RV users can take a quick look at a layout diagram and decide straight away if it would suit their needs but if you have never owned or even hired an RV, choosing your ideal layout can be a bit of a minefield because there are literally thousands of different options.

We urge you to spend some time studying different layouts before deciding what you like and you can do this by looking at motorhome manufacturer websites (all of whom publish layout diagrams) and visiting RV dealers near you to experience the differing layouts first hand. Even if you live in New Zealand and are buying a motorhome in France, a visit to your local dealer will help you to eliminate layouts you don’t like and shortlist ones you do.

Once you have “calibrated your eye” and can visualise your perfect layout, looking at diagrams of your shortlisted vehicles will be a great help, especially if you are trying to choose from a selection of vehicles on the other side of the world.

Here are some questions to ask yourself when trying to arrive at the essentials of your ideal layout:-

How many beds to do you need and do you want them to be permanently fixed beds or can some be occasional beds that you make up from the dinette area?

As the principal user, what bed layout and type of bed would suit you best? Are you happy with a bed situated laterally across the back of the van or do you prefer one that runs lengthwise to one side of the chassis? Would you enjoy the extra space in the living area from a bed over the cab area (accessed by ladder) or must you have a low level, island bed that can be easily accessed from both sides?

What length of vehicle are you comfortable driving? If you are happy driving a long motorhome why not have the extra space and comfort it will offer but if you want the shortest possible vehicle for ease of driving and parking, a campervan may be better for you.

How much storage space do you need? One of our clients took part in a European model aircraft flying championship and needed a large garage to carry all his equipment. Others have carried everything from scooters to electric wheelchairs and surfboards to ski equipment but most do not need a garage at all as a regular locker will do for carrying motorhome kit and outdoor furniture.

Try and arrive at this basic criteria before you start to consider which van to buy and your shortlisting process will be a great deal easier. Don’t forget that if you are going to share your vehicle with others for any length of time, you will need to include them in the shortlisting process to ensure you find a layout that works for everyone.

Do however bear in mind that any modern motorhome or campervan which comes with a shower, WC, kitchen and fixed beds will give you a comfortable living space so if you simply can’t decide, don’t worry, you can always just buy one to enjoy your first European adventure then change it later when your preferences become clearer.

Tell us about your needs and let us help you to find the perfect motorhome or campervan for your European road trip.