Motorhome layouts guide

Introduction to motorhome layouts

Layout is the most important thing

The layout (otherwise called the floorplan) of any motorhome is probably the main reason why you’ll want to buy it, or not. It’s far more important than décor, or details like the upholstery, and much more crucial than any discount being offered, however tempting.

Don't rush the decision

The layout is also, perhaps, the easiest aspect to get wrong, especially if you’re buying your first motorhome. In these times of limited dealer stock and motorhomes selling quicker than freshly baked patisserie, it’s so easy to think you need to make a quick decision before you miss out.

Tread carefully

But tread carefully – those one-owner, ultra-low mileage motorhomes you see on dealer forecourts are usually there because someone chose the wrong layout. And, although motorhomes are known to retain a strong residual value, the biggest loss is always immediately after registering a brand-new van. You don’t want to be asking about part-exchange prices when your motorhome still has that new vehicle smell.

Motorhome bed layouts

Thinking of hiring a motorhome?

Want to find out more about hiring a motorhome first? Find out more in our motorhome and campervan hire ultimate guide.

Motorhome and campervan hire

Motorhome lounge layouts

Things to consider about your motorhome layout

Question 1: Fixed bed or not fixed bed?

You can find fixed beds in a number of compact coachbuilts, some only 6m long. However, as you move into larger coachbuilts of 7.5m or more, it becomes harder to find layouts that don’t have a fixed bed, while, of course, in longer ’vans the bedroom feels less of a dominating feature. If you’re really not sure which way to go on this topic, why not hire a ’van first?

A possible compromise, if you’re unsure, is a drop-down bed. If this is the main bed, it won’t take up any space during the day, but it will still give you a proper bed with a flat, one-piece mattress at night. It still won’t feel like a separate bedroom, though, and you’ll usually lose your lounge with the bed down (except in an A-class).

Question 2: How much storage and living space do you want?

Fans of traditionally British layouts without a fixed bed will point to the extra living space on offer and extra space for entertaining friends and family, but a fixed bed also results in a large storage area beneath the mattress (right up to a full-sized garage for your bikes).

Always think about whether you need to get your cycles inside and where you’re going to keep other bulky gear, such as outdoor chairs, barbecue, etc. Some layouts without fixed beds still manage to offer a reasonable amount of external storage, but many fall down in this area. Remember, too, that bedding will usually live in situ with a fixed or drop-down bed, but will need storing separately in models where seats become beds at night.

Question 3: How many travel seats do you need?

There are pros and cons for any layout – there’s no such thing as the perfect ’van – so it’s important to decide what’s essential for you (as well as things you’d like, but might not be deal-breakers). Think carefully about how many travel seats you need and, where sofas convert into forward-facing passenger seats, see how easy that conversion process is.

Question 4: How many berths do you need?

As with seatbelts, so with the number of berths – you may plan on just being a twosome for most trips, but think about whether other family members might need to be accommodated from time to time. Unlike travel seats, though, there are alternatives here to increasing the tally in your ’van – an awning, tent, or Cabbunk system could be a better alternative than a different model of motorhome, especially if the additional beds are only going to be required on rare occasions.

Question 5: How big a vehicle do you want?

Think, too, about the size of vehicle you want – not just in terms of length but width, too. The latter can become important on country lanes, although there are some slimline coachbuilts that are not much broader than a campervan.

Typical coachbuilts are often 2.3m wide and 7m to 7.5m long. A smaller vehicle means less living space but also a ’van that’s easier to drive, less hassle to manoeuvre – and, perhaps, a better fit on your drive at home. Bigger motorhomes also weigh more, thus reducing the payload, unless you go for a heavier chassis (with implications for driving licences, as well as speed limits and tolls, especially on the Continent).