_Chris Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 ...a motorhome or a campervan? The V5 states the body type as 'motor caravan' so that doesn't help much. Whatever it is I'm jolly glad that I bought it as we have had a lot of use from it both this year and last despite everything that has been going on (or not) ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 The UK has a bewildering number of ways of referring to the type of leisure vehicle this particular forum relates to. As far as I’m concerned, such vehicles as a species are all MOTOR CARAVANS if they meet the criteria on this DVLA webpage https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan but ‘motorhome’ is shorter and ‘mh’ shorter still. The “MMM” in MMM Magazine expands to “Motorcaravan Motorhome Monthly” https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/store/digital-issue/motorcaravan-motorhome-monthly/ and Warners also publish magazines “What Motorhome” https://www.warnersgroup.co.uk/outdoor-leisure/what-motorhome-magazine/ and “Campervan” https://www.warnersgroup.co.uk/outdoor-leisure/campervan-magazine/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Chris Posted August 6, 2021 Author Share Posted August 6, 2021 Yes, certainly bewildering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAlexander Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I have a rather arbitrary view that campervans are smaller VW type vans and motorhomes are coachbuilt vans. Of course, it doesn't stand up to any reasonable scrutiny - where do i.e. Ducato and similar panel van conversions sit, they can be short or long wheelbase up to 6.4m or so. There are plenty of sub-6m coachbuilt vans too. I think the answer is that most people use the two terms interchangeably and they all mean a caravan type unit with an engine or, a motor Caravan :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Generally my own personal definition is that a PVC is a campervan, and a coachbuilt is a motorhome, but I might make an exception for something like a Romahome built on a Suzuki Carry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John52 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Is there a legal definition of Campervan? If so what speed limits apply My V5 says Light Goods Vehicle Not Campervan or Motorhome - I sometimes wish it did because then I would be allowed to drive faster in it. Light Goods Vehicles are restricted to 50mph single carriageway, 60mph dual carriageway (not motorway) as pelmetman discovered when he got a speeding ticket issued by an average speed camera on the A14. (Probably more of an irritation to the people stuck behind me than at is to me since I have plenty of time.) But it has its compensations When I see a sign saying no campervans or motorhomes I assume (rightly or wrongly) that it doesn't apply to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malc d Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I tend to think of motorhomes as a vehicle in which you are independent - so you could stay ' indoors ' for a couple of days if necessary, without the need to visit any other facilities. If you can't do that - you're probably in a campervan. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 John52 - 2021-08-06 12:47 PM Is there a legal definition of Campervan? If so what speed limits apply My V5 says Light Goods Vehicle Not Campervan or Motorhome - There shouldn't be any UK vehicle with Campervan or Motorhome on the V5, although I have seen people post of their V5 stating these, I wonder if this is a mistake prior to the latest registering procedure, or if they haven't actually read their V5. It might be of interest that recently many conversions have 'Van with windows' (or something like) on V5, and supposedly these would be treated as to there purpose and not description on the V5, although I have no official link to that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 colin - 2021-08-06 1:00 PM It might be of interest that recently many conversions have 'Van with windows' (or something like) on V5, and supposedly these would be treated as to there purpose and not description on the V5, although I have no official link to that. There was an article in a recent MMM and online about the 'Van with windows' categorisation... https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/news/huge-increase-in-campervan-refusals-by-dvla Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 This link includes a list of V5C vehicle 'body types' that the DVLA MIGHT consider altering to MOTOR CARAVAN, and MOTORHOME or CAMPERVAN are not included in that list. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan/converting-a-vehicle-into-a-motor-caravan#current-body-type-shown-on-your-v5c-registration-certificate-log-book I would have thought that UK motorhome dealerships primarily apply to the DVLA to first-register a motorhome, but I don't know how the present system operates, nor what happened historically. It's possible that MOTORHOME or CAMPERVAN might find (or have found) its way on to a V5C, but the DVLA seemingly would not be too concerned if that had happened. https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a-rose-by-any-other-name-shall-smell-as-sweet.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 Keithl - 2021-08-06 1:15 PM colin - 2021-08-06 1:00 PM It might be of interest that recently many conversions have 'Van with windows' (or something like) on V5, and supposedly these would be treated as to there purpose and not description on the V5, although I have no official link to that. There was an article in a recent MMM and online about the 'Van with windows' categorisation... https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/motorhomes/news/huge-increase-in-campervan-refusals-by-dvla Keith. Just looked at another link, talk about 'muddying the waters'! https://www.jerbacampervans.co.uk/motorcaravan-and-campervan-speed-limits/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 _Chris - 2021-08-06 8:51 AM ...a motorhome or a campervan? The V5 states the body type as 'motor caravan' so that doesn't help much. Whatever it is I'm jolly glad that I bought it as we have had a lot of use from it both this year and last despite everything that has been going on (or not) ;-) What is the reason for your question? As above it is properly (legally) a motor caravan, but colloquially, to most, a motorhome, although some might call it a campervan. Has this to with restrictive covenants that affect your home, by any chance? I tend to Colin's differentiation. Coachbuilts (i.e. those, as yours, which retain the original cab but have purpose built bodywork for the rest, or those which dispense with all the original bodywork and have completely purpose built body work - i.e. "A Class" 'vans), are motorhomes, and van conversions (i.e. those which retain the original commercial vehicle bodyshell - saving for cut-outs for windows, fridge vents, flues, pop-up roofs, water fillers and heater exhausts etc.) of whatever type or size, are campervans. But, all are, legally, motor caravans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Chris Posted August 6, 2021 Author Share Posted August 6, 2021 Brian Kirby - 2021-08-06 4:47 PM What is the reason for your question? . I was just curious Brian. When I make a booking inquiry I'm often asked to tick a box saying what type of vehicle I have, motorhome or campervan, and I'm never sure which box to tick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 It may be worth checking with the site (assuming you're booking camp sites) before ticking any box. Some sites make the assumption that large, fully enclosed, awnings associate with motorhomes, whereas campervans will only have wind out type awnings. Many sites observe a rule that flammable items such as awnings should be maintained 6 metres apart, but that unenclosed wind out awnings do not count against the 6 metres. This can mean that booking for a motorhome results in no available pitches, while booking for a campervan (assumed to need less pitch width), may result in (albeit smaller) pitch availability. If that is the case, depending on what pitch width you actually need, it may be worth 'phoning to check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbo07g41 Posted August 6, 2021 Share Posted August 6, 2021 I am with Brian. A campervan is a converted commercial van. A motorhome tends to have a separate cab and chassis with a fiberglass structure built on to the back, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Chris Posted August 7, 2021 Author Share Posted August 7, 2021 Yes, I meant booking campsites. Thank you all for your comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted August 7, 2021 Share Posted August 7, 2021 Brian Kirby - 2021-08-06 6:40 PM It may be worth checking with the site (assuming you're booking camp sites) before ticking any box. Some sites make the assumption that large, fully enclosed, awnings associate with motorhomes, whereas campervans will only have wind out type awnings. Many sites observe a rule that flammable items such as awnings should be maintained 6 metres apart, but that unenclosed wind out awnings do not count against the 6 metres. This can mean that booking for a motorhome results in no available pitches, while booking for a campervan (assumed to need less pitch width), may result in (albeit smaller) pitch availability. If that is the case, depending on what pitch width you actually need, it may be worth 'phoning to check. It sometimes surprises me how many campsite owners/wardens don't have a clue about motorhomes, and in particular how much they weigh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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