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Which is best – caravan or motorhome? It’s a great question and one that anyone getting into the world of ‘on the road’ holidays will ask themselves. Just as with finding the right motorhome cover you’ll need to weigh up a fair amount of options before coming to a conclusion.

So, whether you’re a free spirit looking to roam or you want a more eco-friendly holiday with the kids, the team at Lancaster Insurance has put together this guide to help you decide.

What’s the difference between a caravan and motorhome?

To get the easiest question out of the way first, simply put, a caravan doesn’t have an engine of its own.

It’s a separate trailer with living space that’s towed behind your regular vehicle.

Whereas a motorhome is like a car and caravan combined – so you can easily get from the driver’s seat to the living quarters by simply turning your seat around! No dashing through the rain to get something from the car or vice versa.

Pros and cons of caravans and motorhomes

No vehicle is perfect so you’ll always have to consider the pros and the cons of both options. Your eventual decision will come down to your own personal circumstances and what works best for you and the family.

Caravan pros

• Purchase price
  Caravans tend to have a cheaper upfront cost than comparable motorhomes, mainly because motorhomes provide a car and caravan in one package.
• Ongoing costs
  Unlike motorhomes, you don’t have to tax or MOT a caravan but it is a good idea to keep it regularly serviced to ensure it’s safe to take on the road.
• Flexibility
  Once you’ve set up your caravan at the campsite you can use your car to explore the surrounding area, do shopping trips and so on. Getting around narrow country roads, bustling towns and city car parks is a lot easier in a normal family car than with a caravan behind you.

Caravan cons

• Manoeuvring
  Reversing a caravan is not for the faint-hearted! It will take some practice and you’ll really need to know what you’re doing when parking – it can be costly if you don’t.
• Tricky handling in bad weather
  As with towing any trailer, in adverse weather conditions caravans can be difficult to handle.
• Finding a suitable tow car
  If you own a small car, then it might not be up to the job of pulling your caravan. Inexperienced drivers should make sure the laden weight of the caravan is no more than 85% of the car’s kerbweight, otherwise it might be difficult to handle.
• Durability
  Caravans aren’t as durable as motorhomes, particularly if you’re driving over rougher terrain. Some caravans might only last a few years before they need replacing.

Motorhome pros

• Sturdy vehicle
  As a single roadworthy vehicle, motorhomes have been designed to withstand more punishment and are better for wilder routes and weather.
• Driveability
  While motorhomes are much larger than a normal car, once you get used to them, they’re surprisingly easy to drive. The raised cab gives you great visibility while many motorhomes come equipped with driving sensors for parking and reversing.
• Great for wild camping
  Whether you just want to pull up for a quick brew or fancy staying the night in the perfect lakeside spot, with a motorhome you simply park up and relax – far less stressful.
• Euro friendly
  If you plan on travelling through Europe’s fine network of Aires then you’ll want a motorhome, as some Aires won’t allow caravans. Remember, if you’re planning a European trip then call Lancaster Insurance to add EU cover for your motorhome trip.
• Towing
  If you want to take motorbikes or another car then motorhomes really are the only option – a great way to build in extra flexibility into your holiday.
• Security
  Motorhomes tend to be more secure as you have just one space to protect rather than two.

Motorhome Cons

• Cost
  Motorhomes can cost more than caravans and can also incur more ongoing running costs. As a vehicle it needs to be road legal, taxed and insured. However, a motorhome that’s serviced regularly will hold their value well. Ensuring your vehicle is covered by motorhome insurance is a good way to protect your investment.
• Manoeuvring
  Like the caravan, moving a large A-class motorhome can be tricky, especially if you’re a new owner. It’s also advisable to get a motorhome-specific sat nav so you don’t get caught out by narrow country lanes.
• Licence requirements
  To drive a motorhome with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) of between 3.5 and 7.5 tonnes, you need a category C1 licence. To drive a motorhome with a MAM of over 7.5 tonnes, you need a category C licence. Something that you need to know if you go down the motorhome route.

How to decide

Once you’ve weighed up the pros and cons be sure to ask yourself the following questions when deciding which one is best for you.

• How do you want to spend time in your vehicle?
• Do you prefer campsites, or being out in the wild?
• How many people does it need to hold?
• Are you taking any pets?
• Do you want to stay in one place for a week and explore, or move more often?
• What's your budget?
• Can you afford ongoing extras like tax and insurance?
• How long do you plan on travelling for?
• What are you capable of driving?

Our verdict

For ease of driving, value of investment and sheer sense of adventure it has to be the motorhome for us, but whichever you choose will depend on your own personal circumstances.

Protecting your investment

Whatever you decide you’ll want to protect your investment, and smart motorhome owners know that having sufficient insurance for your motorhome is the best way to go about this.

Obtaining cover through the specialist Lancaster Insurance team can provide you with a range of benefits including:

• 90 days EU cover and a 365-day option available for an additional premium
• New for old replacement available if vehicle is less than one year old
• Up to £1,000 audio cover
• Windscreen cover included
• Personal effects cover up to £5,000
• Up to £2,500 cover for awnings, gas bottles, generators and camping equipment
• Optional breakdown cover from £49.95

Take the first step to protect your cherished motorhome today by calling Lancaster Insurance for a quote on 01480 484826.