The key to an enjoyable motorhome experience is that the body type and layout suit your needs. Once these elements are decided then all other considerations will follow. Something that looks very attractive in the showroom can be a costly lesson if the bed is uncomfortable, there is not enough storage on board or there are not enough seatbelts. So, think hard about what the motorhome will have to do to accommodate your personal needs and interests.
Let’s start by getting to grips with some terminology about body types:
Body Types and Classes
There are numerous names given to motorhome body styles however below are the most popular terms:
 Micro: As the name suggests, these are the smallest motorhomes. Usually converted from a small van chassis, for example the Citroen Berlingo or the Fiat Doblo. Facilities usually include mains hook-up, heating, fridge, water supply (not always hot), plus a simple bed arrangement. There may not be a washroom or toilet on board. Despite their small size, they can provide comfortable accommodation for two, which can sometimes be enlarged by attaching an annexe.
 Van conversion: Starting life as a complete vehicle, the motorhome manufacturer converts the body adding windows, a high fixed roof or pop-up roof, plus seating, cooking and washing facilities as appropriate for the model. Being larger than a Micro, this popular type of motorhome can provide a good combination of usable space, storage and a comprehensive range of equipment.
 Compact: The latest class of motorhomes to emerge from manufacturers and currently enjoying good sales both in the UK and abroad. Usually under 6 metres in length they are look like either a mini low profile or ‘A’ Class and combine the attributes of the van conversions’ manouverability with the layouts and facilities of their larger coachbuilt and ‘A’ class siblings.
 Coachbuilt: This is a motorhome where the living area, including the walls floor and ceiling are built upon a chassis cab. The most popular chassis used are Fiat, Ford, Renault, Iveco and VW. The roof of the cab is cut away and a bed area is built over the cab. Sometimes these motorhomes are also called ‘overcabs’.
 Low-Profile: Essentially built in the same way as a Coachbuilt but with one significant difference - no overcab bed. The low-profile, as its name suggests, has a lower roofline than its coachbuilt counterpart. The bed is usually at a lower level and fixed rather than made up.
 ‘A’ Class: The entire motorhome body is built by the motorhome manufacturer including the cab. Only the motor drive unit and dashboard are sourced from the chassis supplier. Often the chassis is also modified to allow extra weight, length and storage. The manufacturers have significant scope to design stylish body styles with practical features such as insulated double floors, garage style storage areas and roomy lounges. As they are often built to order, customers have more options to personalise their motorhome with additional equipment. Therefore, size for size, these are the most expensive motorhomes to buy.
Next - Understanding Layouts
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