What You Should Know About Motorhome Layouts

There are generally four different types of motorhome layouts available. Each will meet a different need. There are body types and layouts to suit different lifestyles. Here are the four basic types of layouts and what type of motorhome would work for them. 

For Families with Small Children 

You certainly don’t want to purchase another motorhome in a few years as your children get older and need to sleep separately. You’ll also need additional room for storing toys, bicycles, and other family gear. A coachbuilt layout with a double bed over the cab for Mum and Dad, a dinette in the middle, and bunk beds at the other end for the kids will allow you to put the children to bed and still have an area for yourselves. The dinette can covert to another bed if additional space is needed. Many of the bunk bed designs have storage underneath, which is essential when you travel with children! 

The Empty Nest Couple 

If you and your partner are looking to spend a little more time together, exploring the UK and perhaps parts of Europe, then you’ll want to take several factors into consideration. If you plan to have your grandchildren travel with you occasionally, you may want to consider four seatbelts. If not, then two are sufficient. For longer trips, such as those over a week long, then adequate storage space is needed. One of the motorhome layouts that would be perfect for this situation is a low profile, fixed bed motorhome. Around 19 metres in length, this motorhome is easy to manoeuvre into smaller areas. The low-level bed is ready to use and you don’t have to climb up to get into it. There is usually an external access door to storage underneath. The low roofline gives better fuel consumption than those motorhomes with an over cab design. Many people consider it much more aesthetically pleasing as well. 

The Weekend Travellers 

For those that want to escape for just a couple of days at a time and want to look good while doing so, one of the motorhome layouts to consider is the van conversion. With a good comfort level and sleek lines, this vehicle is suited to short trips where appearances matter. Narrower than coachbuilt motorhomes, van conversions are often based upon VW, Fiat, or Renault vans. These are large enough to accommodate two people quite comfortably, but the vehicle will also fit into a typical car park space. There are pop-up, hightop, and fixed roof designs. Often called a compact, these vehicles have more inside than you might think! 

The Long-term Travellers 

For those that want to spend months out exploring the open road, there are many motorhome layouts available. An “A” class motorhome will offer the most space and features. With a large lounge area, fixed bedroom area, large kitchen, and plenty of storage space, these deluxe motorhomes are made to stand up to the rigours of everyday use. They are well insulated, comfortable, and spacious. Some are available with a rear garage in a few of the motorhome layouts. Many times, this area is large enough to house a lightweight motorcycle. 

Some Final Thoughts 

Motorhome layouts can vary significantly between manufacturers. Every family or individual will have his or her favourites. Some prefer to have an end kitchen, while others want this area for a lounge. Take some time and look at the different layout plans to see which ones are a good fit for you and your family. 

Motorhome Layouts Tip #1 

There are several motorhomes that fit into the budget price range, but are not short on features or amenities. A little research can end up saving you a lot of money or it can get you features you didn’t think possible in your price range. 

Motorhome Layouts Tip #2 

Sit down and make a list of features that are important to you and your family. For some, this will be large kitchens or lounge areas. For others, fuel consumption and safety are the primary concerns. By making a list, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for before you visit a dealer or make your purchase. 

Motorhomes Layouts Tip #3 

Some motorhomes will require practice or experience in order to operate them safely. Before you start out on a long journey, it’s best to take a few short trips if you haven’t operated one before.