Choosing a motorhome body type

What sort of motorhome do you want to buy? There are five main categories: Rising roof van conversion, high top van conversion, low profile coachbuilt, overcab coachbuilt and A-class coachbuilt, plus a separate category from American RVs. Read on to find out more

Van Conversions

Van conversions use the whole of the base vehicle in its panel van form, leaving the manufacturer to just add windows and vents and the interior furniture.

• The whole structure should be stronger and the risk of leaks is limited to around windows and vents.
• There's a wide choice of exterior colours meaning that modern van conversions can look every bit as stylish as a car.
• Choose from a wide range of base vehicles from the tiny Fiat Fiorino to the massive long-wheelbase Mercedes Sprinter.
• Can be easier to drive as they are generally narrower and shorter than the average coachbuilt motorhome
• Choice of British or European
• Buy from a small manufacturer who can specify your vehicle to your own taste or choose an off-the-peg motorhome from a larger manufacturer. Refer to our bespoke motorhome converters guide for tailor-made one off build projects.
• Show above right is a rising roof motorhome conversion from Reimo. This elevating roof has canvas sides and can just be there to improve headroom one on site, or can actually offer sleeping for two in the roof, once elevated
• The other main type of van conversion is the high-top motorhome (shown on the right is an Auto-Sleeper Stratford). This type has grown in popularity and offers a choice of front lounge, rear lounge or fixed bed layouts.

Coachbuilt motorhomes

These consist of three main types - low profile motorhomes, overcab motorhomes and A-class motorhomes. The motorhome manufacturer uses the base vehicle cab (or certain parts of it the case of an A-class) and the chassis and adds sides, roof and mouldings to create the exterior body.
When lookings at secondhand examples, check carefully for water ingress (using a damp meter). Check around the fitting points for accessories like awnings, bike racks and satellite dishes.

A-class motorhomes

• Mostly luxurious motorhomes, but some entry-level models available
• Same width from front to back - easier to drive
• Large windscreen offers great views, but is expensive and difficult to replace being specific to the model range and not a standard base vehicle item like on low profiles and coachbuilts
• Driving position is a long way from the front of the vehicle with a large dashboard
• Full width cab promotes more spacious interior feel
• Some models only come with one cab door
• Mostly European models available - you may find a secondhand British A-class on the market (Machzone, Elddis and Swift) but these were not popular
• Main benefit is the drop down bed in the cab area. This bed lowers almost to the level of the lounge seats in most models, meaning access is relatively easy and you can even keep your bedding in situ. Can opt for storage lockers instead.
• If that extra width puts you off, there are a few models (Pilote, Hymer and Dethleffs) which are a little narrower than the norm.

Low profile motorhomes

• Uses the cab from the original base vehicle and sometimes the chassis - although some models are built on a replacement chassis (supplied by Al-Ko).
• The low profile often has a subtle overcab moulding, which blends in well with the cab and reputed to be more aerodynamic.
• Some come with sleek sunroofs giving priority to light and looks over stowage space.
• Some are sleeker - and lower - than others. Although the height is more dependant on whether the motorhome is based on a lowered chassis.

Overcab motorhomes

• Offer a large pod on top of the cab, which contains a large comfrotable mattress acessed by a ladder from the lounge area.
• Pod is also known as a Luton overcab
• There are windows in the sides and a roof vent for light and ventilation.
• You can fit restrainer nets across the opening to use this area for storage and stop any occupants falling out of bed at night.
• Can be difficult to access, unless you're relatively agile, particularly if you need to get up in the night.
• Some overcab motorhomes don't have extra travel seats in the rear, meaning that only two people can travel in belted seats, even though they are classed as a four-berth motorhome

Need more advice on layouts, weight issues, best value motorhomes for a specific budget? Then you need to pick up a copy of Buying Your First Motorhome 2015. Buy it directly for just £3.99 with free postage.