Mobile home, motorhome or camper? What are the different types of campers and what are their advantages and disadvantages?
What is the difference between a half-integral and an integral? Do you want a camper bus, campervan or a bus camper? Alcove, what the hell is that? There are so many terms to describe the types of motorhomes that you can no longer have a clear overview of everything. In this blog we will put an end to your confusion once and for all.
MOBILE HOME, CAMPER OR MOTORHOME?
Although 'mobile home' is the most commonly used term, this is actually incorrect. The term couldn't be further away in meaning from our favorite travel method, as it is the French name for mobile home.
Mobile home = mobile home = bungalow = does not have its own engine and is too large to move with a normal car
Caravan = a caravan does not have its own engine and is pulled behind a car by a towbar
Motorhome = a motor vehicle that is equipped for sleeping and, ideally, for cooking, washing... living.
Synonyms: house on wheels = camper = stray car = camper
We at Vanomobil personally prefer 'camper', because it rolls off the tongue easily and symbolizes the simplicity of our way of traveling.
Broadly speaking, we make a distinction between 5 types of campers: alcoves, semi-integrated, integrals, campervans and camper vans. But of course there are also many synonyms for each of these classifications.
THE ALCOVE
The alcove is undoubtedly the stereotypical image most people have of a motorhome. It is therefore the oldest type of camper and although it offers many advantages, it has largely disappeared from the streets. An alcove is easiest to recognize by the large, streamlined box above the steering cabin, which houses an extra double bed. Very handy indeed, but of course an alcove catches a lot of wind, which increases consumption. In addition, the center of gravity is drastically higher, with all the consequences for driving behavior. Finally, the total height of your camper quickly exceeds 3m, which often leads to additional costs on toll roads and can be dangerous on small bridges in adventurous regions. Nevertheless, the alcove offers a lot more space than the other types due to the extra bed above the driving cabin and is therefore the ideal family camper.
Discover our alcove models here. Our Coral XL Family Edition from Adria is the perfect example of this.
THE SEMI-INTEGRATED
Synonyms: semi-integral, profiled
The semi-integrated is one of the most popular types within traditional motorhomes. They are easily recognizable by the van's original driving cabin with a streamlined structure behind it. Originally, these were campers for 2 people with a seating area at the front and a comfortable double bed (or twin bed) at the back. The seating area can usually be converted into an extra sleeping place for 1 or 2 people. For about 10 years now, you have also been able to order most semi-integrated vehicles with an extra fold-down bed above the seating area, allowing you to travel very flexibly and comfortably with 4 people. You can lower this fold-down bed manually or electrically when the guests or kids go to sleep. If you don't need it, your extra fold-down bed is safely stored in the ceiling without being a nuisance. Of course, there are also a number of disadvantages to such a fold-down bed: there is no longer room for a roof hatch above the seating area, which means less light enters. The extra weight of +- 60kg is also not an unimportant factor.
Adria, Chausson, Bürstner and Knaus distribute a wide variety of solid semi-integrated vehicles.
Discover our semi-integrated models with a pull-down bed and without a pull-down bed!
THE INTEGRAL
The integral is built on a 'bare' chassis, without a driving cabin. The motorhome manufacturer not only builds the living area, but also the driving cabin. From the outside you cannot see which chassis the camper is on. The biggest advantage is that the steering part can be nicely integrated into the construction of your motorhome (hence the name). The large windshield offers a beautiful panoramic view around you and also lets in a lot of light! An integral is usually a lot more expensive and heavier than a semi-integrated, but the chassis cannot become dated.
The Liners or Premium Campers are also integral campers in this definition. The only difference is that a Liner is built on a truck chassis. That requires a C driving license and costs as much as a small house, but with all the comfort that entails.
Adria, Bürstner, Chausson and Knaus each offer a wide range of integrated models. Itineo is known for its affordable integrals with some very nice family layouts with bunk beds. Our luxury brand Niesmann+Bischoff is the leader in the luxury liners sector.
CAMPERVAN
Synonyms: bus camper
The campervan is a closed van converted into a full-fledged motorhome. You can stand up and walk around perfectly in it. You will find all the comfort of a normal camper. Moreover, it is a lot easier to drive, more compact, more agile and the great darling of the adventurous camper! The campervans are mainly built on a Fiat Ducato, Citroën Jumper and Peugeot Boxer. More and more campervans are appearing on other chassis such as the Volkswagen Crafter, MAN TGE, Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit. The campervan has increased enormously in popularity in recent years and now represents more than 50% of new sales. They exist in all possible layouts and combinations and since they can also be easily used for everyday travel, a campervan is frequently purchased as a second family vehicle.
Adria is the creator of the most ingenious campervans: the Twin series. Dreamer and Westfalia offer a whole range of fun layouts. But Bürstner and Knaus have also succeeded in developing beautiful campervan models.
CAMPER VAN
Synonyms: bus camper, pop-up van
Do you want to be even more mobile and use your motorhome for both daily trips and holidays? Then the camper van is ideal! This type has the size of a monovolume car and is the pinnacle of flexibility! Camper vans are usually equipped with a pop-up roof with sleeping space for 2 people and you can usually also convert the living space into a bed. The freedom of movement and standard equipment are of course more limited, but you get a lot of flexibility in return. The most popular models are built on the Volkswagen T6, Ford Transit Custom and Mercedes Viano, but here too, camper builders are increasingly experimenting with other brands such as the Volkswagen Caddy, Peugeot Expert or Hyundai H1.
Westfalia is and remains the founder of camper vans. They launched their first camper van on VW T1 (Bulli) in 1957, making them the founder of this type of camper. This makes Westfalia the oldest camper builder in the world! In 2022 we will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the import of Westfalia camper vans into Belgium.
Feel free to come and discover the different types up close in one of our showrooms!
