How to Choose Your Rental Motorhome

You have decided to rent a motorhome, but how do you choose? There are vans, low-profile, alcoves, lift-roof vans… Each has advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will help you choose your rental motorhome according to the number of passengers, the equipment you want to have, and the use you plan to make of it.

Lift-top van: the most compact, it measures less than 2 meters high. A template which associated with its capital of sympathy, allows you to sleep in parking lots even when they are protected by a high portico. But, you rarely find a shower on board.

Motorhome: available in three families (low profile, overcab and full), it is the largest inside. It does not require other permits than the B permit and generally includes at least one fixed bed (which one does not need to convert in the stage). In principle, it can be parked anywhere (even at night when you sleep onboard), but in the more touristy areas, local regulations can be restrictive.

Converted van: a very good compromise between discretion and comfort. Like a motorhome, it always includes a bathroom (shower, toilet, sink). Most vans are only designed for 4 people (due to the number of seat belts).

An old combi: the vintage van, what an adventure! Here is a unique vacation, which will leave you with lasting memories. Among the disadvantages, note that the vintage van drives less quickly and for less time (maximum 80 km / h with regular breaks) and that it is less comfortable.

The rental price depending on the motorhome

Good to know: the rental price does not vary so much depending on the type of motorhome. Obviously, if it is more luxurious, it is more expensive, but it is especially the rental period that has an impact.

The price nevertheless changes according to the age of the vehicle. Particularly if you use private hire since you can end up with motorhomes over 15 years old… and therefore cheaper. From € 500 per week in high season, prices can of course reach those of professional rental companies (since they are set by the private owner).

The best rental motorhome to start with

Rental motorhomes behave like cars (with the same license and the same know-how…). But it all depends on your self-confidence. If you have any doubts, opt for a more compact model (less than 7 meters long, and less than 3 meters high).

FYI, there are two sensitive points to keep in mind when driving a motorhome:

• the height (before entering a tunnel for example)
• and the rear overhang (that part of the body that protrudes past the rear wheels, which turns wider than the wheels).

The number of beds

For campervans, the business is simple, you will generally find on the ground floor a sofa convertible into a double bed and upstairs a double bed.

The vans usually have a double bed in the back, sometimes another double bunk bed. The front dinette can also be convertible, to provide a single bed.

In motorhomes, there is usually a fixed double bed at the rear, and sometimes a second above the driving position (when the motorhome is an overcab). There are also motorhomes with two single twin beds at the back, bunk beds, a bed that comes down from the ceiling… everything exists, from 2 to 6 beds.

Autonomy: for more freedom during the trip

When you go for motorhome hire and traveling, the notion of “autonomy” has several facets.

Autonomy in electricity, first of all, because it is very unpleasant to break down. Note that if you move regularly, the battery will recharge accordingly. But if you plan stages of more than three days, a solar panel or even a second battery seems essential. Info: at the campsite, no problem, you are plugged into mains sockets.

Autonomy in provisions: the size of the refrigerator is important. If you are a large family, consider that a small van fridge contains barely 50 liters of provisions. You will shop regularly. Onboard vans and motorhomes, it goes from 90 liters to 150 liters.

Autonomy in water and gas: there you have no real choice. Each category of vehicle (motorhome, van, van) offers homogeneous reserves. Around 100 or 120 liters of water for a motorhome and 90 liters for a van. It is on board vans that the question arises, since depending on the presence or not of a shower (rather rare), the water reserves will increase from 40 to 80 liters.