Traveling is always cool! Adventures, new places, acquaintances. But only one thing overshadows the upcoming vacation - the collection of things. You never know what you need, so you take whatever you can stuff in your suitcase. It would be great to travel without leaving your home, or rather with him!

For this, inventive people have adapted motorhomes or mobile homes. Every traveler's dream! We will tell you which one is better for the upcoming trip below.

Kinds

Previously, there was one option - he took a horse, hitched a cart and went to wander. This is not a joke - before the advent of cars, circus performers, gypsies, nomads, moved only in this way (by the way, it was they who began to use "motor homes"). There was no dwelling of their own and everything needed was placed in the cart.

Cars not only made life easier, but also made travel more convenient. Now motorhomes for every taste and wallet:

trailed - a living space is attached to the transport using a trailer

motorhomes or campers - the living space is located in the cab of the vehicle

Let's take a closer look at each.

Trailed

Here the link is the trailer. Such motorhomes are divided depending on what we attach to the car - a tent or a caravan (trailer).

Trailer tent

The name speaks for itself - a tent is attached to the car, which must be assembled and disassembled at each stop.

There are extremely simple structures that only create a canopy and provide people with sleeping places. But there are much more advanced trailers that combine: sleeping area, furniture, lighting, kitchen equipment.

The following brands of tent trailers are known in the domestic market: skiff, picnic, kupava, viking, Camp-Let.

Residential trailer

Here you can at least put together a house and attach it to the car. It looks like a full-fledged dwelling with a bathroom, shower, heaters, necessary furniture and several rooms. It is also called a trailer-dacha - Europeans like to go to them on vacation to the seashore or to the mountains.

They come in completely different sizes - it all depends on the imagination and needs of the owner.

Advantages of using a caravan trailer:

1. At any time, you can unhook the trailer and move on in your usual vehicle.

2. Low cost compared to motorhomes.

3. You can save on accommodation.

Disadvantages of using a caravan trailer:

1. Low speed of movement on the road (no more than 80-90 km / h).

2. Poor maneuverability.

3. Caravan trailers are not allowed in many European cities.

4. Passengers are prohibited from driving in a trailer.

Motorhomes (campers)

Any traveler's dream! A compact apartment on wheels - you live and drive with all the amenities.

Camper is a hybrid of housing and vehicle. From the outside they look like a bus or minivan, but inside they look like an apartment or studio. There are sleeping places, kitchen, shower, toilet. Even the smallest camper model can be equipped with a TV, coffee machine, satellite dish, bike shelters, etc.

While driving, the amenities are powered by a car battery, while parking - on gas or from an external source of electricity (in campsites).

Campers are: alcove, integrated and residential minivans (castenwagens).

Alcove motorhomes

A distinctive feature is the superstructure above the driver's roof (alcove), which accommodates an additional double bed. The capacity of such houses is up to 7 people.

The entire structure of the residential module (walls, floor and roof) is made at the factory from special sandwich panels, which improves the thermal insulation of the motorhome. In addition, the living module is much wider than a standard minibus, which increases the interior space of the motorhome.

$ Price - from 1 to 5 million rubles.

Integrated

These motorhomes are similar in appearance to buses and differ in individual design. Not only the main body, but also the car's cabin has an individual design.

Refers to premium or business class campers, since manufacturers complete models at the highest level. Due to the complexity of the construction, the price for them is higher and are produced in smaller quantities.

The driver's cab is fully connected (integrated) with the living compartment, so there is a lot of free space inside. A motorhome of this type can accommodate 4-8 people.

$ The price of the new model is from 1 to 10 million rubles.

Residential minivans (castenwagens)

In fact, it is a residential minibus with a high roof. Due to its small size, it is the most manoeuvrable motorhome on the road.

The castenwagen van has only a living compartment with the necessary furniture and equipment. The bathroom is rarely built in - there is too little space. Designed for 2 people.

$ Price - from 1 to 2 million rubles.

General layout

In most cases, the layout of a motorhome includes: sleeping places, a dining room, a kitchen area and a bathroom. Depending on the size of the interior space, these elements can be placed in the same room or in different rooms.

Canteen

The dining room is the main difference between the motorhome and other vehicles. It has a removable table and sofas around its perimeter, which can easily be used as extra beds.

Usually in left-hand drive motorhomes, where the entrance door to the salon is located on the right, the classic dining room is located on the left side. Two chairs are located across the table opposite each other or around the table in a half ring.

Sleeping places

Sleeping places can be either separate or transformable. The former include fixed double or single beds, usually located at the rear of the motorhomes.

Convertible berths are folding sofas or beds that are formed when the dining group is laid out. The classic version is when dining chairs are transformed into a double bed.

Kitchen

A complete kitchen unit is a gas stove with 2 or 4 burners, a kitchen sink (on the same table top as the stove), a refrigerator built into the furniture (single or with a separate freezer), and cutlery boxes.

There are always several outlets near the stove. There can be from 2 to 3 pieces. The mains voltage is 230 V. The power supply system functions only if the camper is connected to the mains using an extension cord.
The refrigerator is replenished from the mains or from the storage battery. Some caravan models allow the refrigerator to be connected to gas.

The kitchen area is complemented by upper shelves above the worktop. The kitchen block can be located on either side or in the stern. The kitchen can be straight or angular.

Bathroom

The c / a combines a shower, a washbasin and a dry closet and is the only room allocated to a separate room. Small motorhomes may not have a shower.

Interior design options

Mobile home interior design can be anything. It all depends on its size and appearance, on the taste and preferences of travelers. Here's how a motorhome can be set up in style and comfort.

Trailed motorhome

In a wooden motorhome with an area of \u200b\u200b9 sq. m and a height of 240 cm has everything you need: a bedroom, a kitchen, a bathroom. The house is made of lightweight natural materials - the facade and interior are made of oiled pine wood, and the floor is made of light birch plywood. One of the facades is completely glass, so it is always bright in the van.

Inside there is a sofa that converts into a bed, wardrobes and drawers above and below the bed.

The kitchen has a small worktop, sink, electric oven and refrigerator.

Electricity must be connected to the campsite using a regular socket - there is a switchboard in the van.

House-bus

Its advantage is its size, so this motorhome can be divided into several living areas: a study, a kitchen, a toilet, a bathroom, a bedroom, a living room and even a garage.

There are solar modules on the roof, LED wiring, ventilation and a water heater. When the batteries are empty, you can cook food on the gas stove. The walls of the motorhome are insulated with a modern insulator so that you can travel comfortably in winter. Interior decoration in light wood.

The kitchen is spacious enough for a typical mobile home and is designed for two people. The long wooden countertop features a deep sink, double burner hob, microwave, refrigerator and built-in cupboards.

Not all motorhomes have a separate living room. Here it consists of a large sofa, armchairs and a separate dining table.

There are even two workplaces with computers, boxes, sockets and a system unit. Everything is thought out and comfortable as much as possible.

The bedroom is a large double bed located at the rear of the bus on a raised platform.

Above the headboard are two lamps and several wooden bookshelves. The highlight is a small glass hatch in the ceiling.

House trailer from the 70s

The interior is done in calm white and gray tones, with bright accents - curtains and bed linen with a floral pattern characteristic of the 70s.

The motorhome is very bright due to the large number of windows.

The trailer has a kitchen (white kitchen set with lights, two sinks, oven, stove and large refrigerator).

Dining room (dark wood table, two sofas that converge into a full double bed and a crystal chandelier on the ceiling).

Bedroom (two beds, built-in cupboards on the ceiling, two large windows on both walls).

A very cozy and light travel house.

American luxury classics

Whereas Europeans build motorhomes in the minimum standard configuration, Americans create additional amenities such as air conditioners, CD audio systems, TVs, full-size toilets and showers. For Americans, comfort is the first point of travel.

They invented a system of sliders (retractable walls) to increase the living space of motorhomes. In many cases, this design increases the final cost of the RV.

We thought of a lot of important little things. For example, the sink (there are two of them, as in all kitchens in the USA) are closed on top, which turns the counter into a large table, convenient for cooking. The stove is also closed with a lid.

All gas stoves, 3-4 burners, with an oven and nothing from home stoves do not differ. In the morning, the coffee maker will brew coffee, toast will pop out of the toaster, the dishwasher will wash the cups, and you can have breakfast and watch your favorite show on TV. As in an ordinary apartment.

The living room is primarily a cozy space for communication. Usually a wide sofa, a couple of armchairs, a chest of drawers, a plasma TV with a satellite antenna are installed.

The dining room is designed mainly for four people, which can be accommodated by a large panoramic window. There is a storage space under the seats. At night, the dining area can be transformed into a comfortable bed for two.

In luxury motorhomes, the center of the bedroom is a spacious bed with bedside tables and built-in drawers for storing linen, a plasma TV. The minimum width of any bed is 90 cm, the maximum is 200 cm or more.

The bathroom is in a separate room. There is a toilet on one side and a shower on the other. There is ventilation in the bathroom area. All plumbing is chrome plated. The bathroom has a heated towel rail and underfloor heating.

Here it is, the American dream in all beauty.

If you are still thinking about what to go to conquer the vastness, then just weigh all the pros and cons of traveling on a motorhome. For this, we have prepared this plate:

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On the roads of Europe and America, cars with caravans or entire mobile homes are often found. They are still rare in our country, but more and more people are thinking that it would be nice to have a house on wheels. Someone needs it to travel around their native country, someone wants to travel around Europe. About the features and types, the pros and cons of owning, and let's talk further.

Pros and cons

Like every phenomenon or thing, a home on wheels has pros and cons. In order not to be disappointed later, you must first carefully weigh the pros and cons, and then make an informed choice. And there is plenty to choose from. In addition to the type - a trailer for a car or a self-propelled camper - you need to choose a size. After all, there are mobile homes that can carry your car, have a rooftop pool. And there are those made on the basis of a three-wheeled moped.

Advantages

Those who dream of buying a mobile home can be conditionally divided into several groups. The first one - lovers of outdoor recreation, who are tired of the tent life and want a little more comfort. The second are those who like to travel around Europe, who are tired of paying large sums for hotels, fooling around with reservations, etc. And the third category is the owners of summer cottages who do not want to bother with construction.

It makes no sense to think too much only for summer residents. It is not a problem to find a suitable used model, which will only have to be transported / brought a couple of times a year. You can invest in a fairly modest budget (from $ 2000). Everyone else will need a much larger amount, so you need to think carefully. In this regard, we will consider the advantages and disadvantages of the motorhomes themselves and travel by them. Let's start with the pros:

In general, having a mobile home is your own boss. It is a great degree of freedom and independence with a sufficiently high level of comfort that attracts.

disadvantages

Now about the disadvantages. A little more about them, so that unpleasant moments are not a surprise. So, here are the cons of traveling in a RV. It should be said right away that in Russia and neighboring countries, camping sites with the ability to replenish resources are very rare. Yes, you can do this at some gas stations or parking lots. But not at all. And for a fee. A separate problem is the roads. Not everyone and not always travel on the trails. Many people drive off-road. Few of the mobile homes can handle our roads. There are such models, but their prices are….

In a trip to Europe, things are different and this is the part we will talk about further.

And one more general problem. If you live in an apartment, you do not have your own plot of land, you need to store your mobile home somewhere. The cost of annual storage is commensurate with the cost of traveling for two for a couple of weeks to not the cheapest country. Like this.

Here are all the pros and cons of owning and traveling in an auto-home in a nutshell. So there is something to think about. Reflections on the feasibility of such an acquisition are given below.

Types of mobile homes

A mobile home can be of two types:

• trailer;
• on the basis of a minibus or bus.

The second option is also called a motorhome or camper (or auto-home). They are not very large - based on minibuses. The same Mercedes Sprinter, Fiat, Gazelles, UAZ-Pickup and Cargo are specially produced by various European and domestic firms. There are whole liners in which cars can fit.

The trailer house can be stationary or folding. There are also tent trailers. The first type is transported in "residential" form, the second and third - folded. The folding trailer can only be folded out in the parking lot. Its advantages are less loosening on the way, less height, which means there are no travel restrictions. Cons - it takes time to unfold / fold. The whole procedure takes about five minutes, but you won't be able to rest immediately after stopping.

Trailer tent - a combination of a trailer with an "attached" tent. Since the size of mobile trailers is usually small, there is little space and it will not work for a large campaign. The trailer tent usually has a dining area in the center in the part that is on wheels, two sleeping areas at the edges in the same place and a fairly spacious tent, the edges of which are attached to the body of the van. Often there is also a canopy in front of the tent so that you can spend time outdoors.

Difference between a campervan (in the background) and a tent trailer (in front)

In terms of comfort, bus-based RVs provide more comfort than any type of trailer. The camper can have a toilet with a shower, a small kitchenette. The trailer can only have berths, some models have a gas stove, and even then it is usually attached outside. If necessary, the bed can be transformed into a dining area - a small table and two sofas. This is all that mobile homes in trailers have to offer.

To have or not to have

First, about which type of mobile home is better to choose - a trailer or a campervan. For traveling in Russia and the countries of the post-Soviet space, if you have a car of sufficient power and maneuverability, you should think about purchasing a mobile tent house. They have less weight and dimensions, and are easier to pull than a full-fledged caravan. If you don't want a trailer and need a greater level of comfort, you can take both a trailer and a motorhome. But models based on trucks and semi-trucks are more suitable. Particular attention should then be paid to the suspension and clearing, as well as the strength and reliability of the cabin / trailer assembly. This is if you like to drive in the outback and dirt roads are nothing new to you. If you plan to drive only on highways, you can look at less passable models.

It should be said that traveling in a motorhome in Russia is not very convenient, since there is no infrastructure. There are, of course, organizations that organize such tours and provide refueling points. But this is no longer a solitary journey and there is no talk of any autonomy and independence.

This is with regard to the use of a mobile home in Russia. If you need it to travel around Europe, then there are no restrictions on "cross-country ability", since the roads are excellent everywhere. But again the question arises about the expediency of ownership. You still have to get to the border, but the motorhome “eats” decently in any modification. So the cost of gasoline is more than ... Many come to a decision - to reach a certain point, and then take a motor home for rent. This option is not at all more expensive, but much more convenient.

This model was developed for the pampas - German Bimobil

In any case, if you have no experience of traveling in a caravan yet, but really want to have one, rent a car or trailer, spend a couple of weeks traveling. Here your decision will take shape. At the same time, decide exactly on the characteristics and options that you would like to have.

Campers - a set of possible amenities and service on the road

To begin with, such a mobile home is large. Length - from 6 meters, width - 220-230 cm, height - at least three. If you have never driven such a car before, it will take time to get used to driving such a large and heavy vehicle. Difficulties can arise when parking - two parking spaces are required, as well as free space for maneuver. Campers are "summer" - without insulation and "winter" - with insulated walls. With equal parameters, the width of the latter is 5-10 cm larger - due to the greater thickness of the walls.

A travel van can have different "stuffing" and a complete set

Inside, a mobile home based on a bus or minibus can have the following support systems:

• interior battery;
• external network for 230 V;
• water supply;
• gas cylinders (usually 2 pcs) to ensure the operation of a small stove, water heating and some other systems.

Inside there can be a shower with a water heater, a toilet (with a dry closet), a kitchen with a gas stove and a refrigerator, an air heater and several sleeping places - from two to six. With the rational use of resources, a mobile home can exist autonomously for two or three days. The water supply is consumed the fastest. In the basic configuration, the fluid supply is designed for a day, while saving it can be enough for a day and a half. Therefore, when choosing a parking place, pay attention to the possibility of replenishing the supply of water or carry an additional container with you. The second resource that is quickly depleted is the battery charge. The problem is solved by the presence of a generator (gasoline or diesel).

There are parking areas for campers where the camper van can be connected to the network using a carry. On such sites, columns with rosettes stick out. A mobile home is connected to them (for a fee).

Travel service

When traveling in a motorhome, you have to monitor the availability of water. The stock needs to be replenished, and the used water must be drained (there is a special container that is emptied through the drain hole). The water level is usually monitored on the driver's panel (indicators) and on a panel in the passenger compartment.

Another maintenance operation is cleaning and refueling. The container must be emptied (in Europe there are designated areas on campsites) and filled with funds depending on the type. So, on the road, you also need means for a dry closet and you cannot forget them. How often should this operation be performed? Once every two days with regular use and once a week if used only if absolutely necessary.

The kitchen compartment usually contains two gas cylinders. One worker, the second is a backup. Gas cylinders are connected not only to the stove. They still supply gas to heat the water in the shower, to the air heater. Also, gas ensures the operation of the refrigerator. If the cylinders are fully filled, they are enough for two weeks of moderate use.

The state of the electrical network of the RV interior is displayed on a special panel, which is usually located above the entrance door. Sometimes water level indicators are immediately displayed. This panel turns on / off the power of the passenger compartment. There is an opportunity to check the battery level of the car and the passenger compartment (there are two of them). When the battery is low, the warning light turns on (red light). There is light in the kitchen compartment, at the entrance to the bathroom, there are several lamps in the cabin, each berth has separate lamps with switches.

General arrangement and operation

The centerpiece of the salon is a table with benches. The number of seats depends on the "human capacity" of the model. A gas stove and a sink are usually located opposite the table. Both the stove and the sink are closed with lids - you get a work surface. There are two or three 230 V sockets next to the stove. They work only if the camper is connected to the mains through a carrier. There is also a refrigerator. It usually runs on battery or mains power, but in some models it can also run on gas. There is a switch to select the power source. You can put a certain one or choose the "auto" mode, in which the unit decides for itself which network to feed it from.

If there is an air heater. There are two options - gas and diesel. The heater can operate in two modes: summer and winter. In summer mode, only water heating is turned on (from 40 ° to 60 °), in winter mode, the air is still heated. The air temperature in the passenger compartment is regulated by a separate knob. The number of modes depends on the model, but usually there are at least five of them. The air is heated by a convector that heats up a small volume in a matter of minutes. The convector is switched off and on automatically - according to the readings of the temperature sensors in the passenger compartment.

If the mobile home has a toilet and shower, this compartment is fenced off. In the normal state, a toilet and a washbasin, a cabinet for small things are available. To take a shower, you need to "take out" the shutters of the shower cabin. At the same time, they will close the door, the sink will sink into the wall, there will be a little more space, but still not too spacious. As the water supply is very limited, showers are usually rarely used.

Beds, windows and wardrobes

Camper is the most comfortable mobile home. There is enough space for a good rest. The number of berths depends on the model. There is a motorhome for two people, there is a motorhome for six, respectively, the number of beds is different. But, in any case, you can relax with a sufficient level of comfort. Sleeping places can be located:

The mobile home has several windows that are closed by blinds. Can be opened for ventilation. When driving, they should be closed, but in the parking lot in daylight they give enough light, and by opening all the windows, you can quickly ventilate the interior.

In the upper part there are cabinets with shelves for things and dishes. All doors have locks so that things do not fly out when moving. So that the dishes do not rumble during maneuvers, it is advisable to put something soft and elastic in such cabinets before starting the movement (terry towels, for example).

Trailer Houses at a Glance

Trailer houses are also called a cottage on wheels. Because there are models with all the amenities. Such a mobile home can be placed in areas where construction is not permitted. It will be registered as a caravan, so it does not fall under the scope of the monitoring organizations. There are models of mobile homes in a trailer with only a minimum - sleeping places and a dining area. Here everyone chooses according to their requirements. There are several types of trailers.

This is also a mobile home in a trailer ... Futuria with pool, garage for sports car, living room and bedroom

Stationary trailer with rigid walls

There are such trailers for a different number of berths - from 2 to 6. Length - from 3.6 meters, height - from 2.5 meters, width - from 2.2 m. Can be with or without insulation. In terms of a set of amenities, it may not be inferior to a motorhome: a kitchen with a sink and a refrigerator, a bathroom with a shower and a dry closet, and heating the room. But such a set can only be in a rather big trailer.

Mobile home in a trailer - section and one of the possible layouts

The simplest models can only provide a place to eat and sleep. And keep in mind that you cannot be in the trailer during transportation. When choosing, in addition to a set of amenities, pay attention to the mass (loaded with water, gas, etc.). You need to assess whether your car can move such a mass.

Trailer tent

This type of folding mobile home. Almost all of them are for summer use, since there is no insulation. When folded, the height of the trailer is just over a meter. According to the number of "rooms" and sleeping places, they are different. Sleeping places are usually organized in the trailer itself, and the rest of the rooms are under an awning, which is located on the ground. Such a mobile home is usually completed with a small gas stove and a sink. The stove is connected to a gas cylinder, water is supplied to the sink using a small submersible pump, which is lowered into a container of water. There are three varieties:

This category has its own price hierarchy. Not only do they differ in size and number of beds, there is also a significant difference in material consumption, which invariably affects the price. The most expensive are trailers-tents with rigid walls and a roof. The other two categories are roughly equal in cost.

Semi-truck trailer

This mobile home is called "blotch". This is because it is installed in a semi-trailer of certain car models - with an open trunk. Part of it hangs over the cab, part is in the body, and a small "tail" hangs down from behind.

Such models are still rare in our country, and there are not so many of them abroad. A very good solution for semi-truck owners.

And what to choose?

A trailer-mounted mobile home is a good choice if you have a vehicle with a powerful engine that can pull a lot. Such a unit costs two to three times less than a camper (travel van). But when selecting, pay attention to the total weight and length of the caravan. If the standards are exceeded, another category of driver's license is required. And keep in mind that most trailers are not designed for off-road driving. There are models for bad roads, but their price tag is much higher.

A tent trailer is already a less comfortable holiday, but there are more models that can be pulled off-road. They are a great replacement for a regular tent. It's better to sleep in a trailer, not on the ground. And to have a rest, cook, swim, you can also under an awning.

A mobile home is not cheap. Prices for high-quality imported equipment in Russia start at five to six million rubles. It is all the more gratifying that on the territory of our country there are companies engaged in the construction of motorhomes for every taste and wallet. We got acquainted with the products of some of them at the Caravanex exhibition in Sokolniki.

Externally, the motorhome of the Avtokemper company is difficult to distinguish from imported analogues

One of the main suppliers of caravan vehicles to Russia, the Avtokemper company, has recently started its own production of caravans. The first swallow of the company was the Helix camper model 4200. It is built on a Citroen Jumper chassis with a 130-horsepower diesel engine and a "mechanics" with a total weight of 3.5 tons - this means that the driver needs to have a category B license to drive it.

In the back there is a solid sleeping place

The walls of the motorhome are made of sandwich panels, and the plastic elements of the cladding are made by the Togliatti company "Avtoritet Plast". Inside there are sleeping places for six travelers. At their service there is a gas stove, a sink, a 90-liter refrigerator, and a bathroom, which includes a shower and toilet.

Combined bathroom

The motorhome is equipped with two independent heating systems (if one fails, the equipment can still be used for its intended purpose), and the gas equipment is located in a separate compartment, in which heating and ventilation are provided. The clean and waste water tanks (100 l each) are also heated.

The body is integrated with the cab into one whole

At the moment, several similar motorhomes have already been built. Moreover, at the beginning of the summer, their additional production should start in Kolomna, Moscow Region. Moreover, the cost of one such camper is four million rubles.

The back of a Toyota housed a small but full-fledged house

Another solution is a "house" in the back. For example, the four-seater module Helix 2400 quietly sits in the cargo platform of the Toyota Hilux all-wheel drive pickup. This module is designed for four people.

The interior is cramped than in a full-fledged motorhome, but there is also a kitchen and a toilet with a shower. The approximate cost of such a superstructure is in the range of one and a half to two million rubles, depending on the content.

Want to get cheaper? Then a smaller house with a lifting roof - Helix 1500 can be installed in the back of a pickup truck. At the exhibition, this structure was installed on a Volkswagen Amarok. In the bowels of such a “tent” there is a large bed (2x1.4 m), a table and a sink with a fold-out washbasin. The price starts at 650 thousand for a superstructure without a heater. And this figure seems big? Then welcome to the "DIYers".

At the exhibition a well-worn old Gazelle buried its face in the bushes, and in its body there was a simple-looking, but neat motorhome trimmed with aluminum panels. Its author is the Russian traveler and engineer Yuri Litovka.

Everything is very simple inside, but cozy

The motorhome itself is removable: it is installed in the body of any flatbed truck - for this you just need to remove the sides on the sides and front. Inside you will not find finishes with "purebred" materials, but it is very cozy here. In front there is a huge bed. In the middle there is a living room area with a table and sofas, which can also be transformed into sleeping places. Behind - a huge (for motorhomes) shower stall.

The bathroom is larger than the more expensive competitors

The caravan was made entirely by hand, only sandwich panels for the walls were ordered by Yuri from the company Istok from Krasnogorsk, which produces trailers with various superstructures. According to Yuri, if you build such motorhomes to order, then they will cost no more than 350-400 thousand rubles.

So, with a strong desire, even in the Russian market, you can find a completely budget solution even in such a highly specialized segment as the construction of motorhomes.

Campers are cars combined with living quarters in them or living quarters in the form of trailers and vans. A mobile home is designed for long-term stays and can be traveled with the whole family.

By choosing this method of active recreation, you have freedom of movement, and at the same time there is no need to purchase tickets and book hotel rooms. For the convenience of travelers, the camper is equipped with the equipment necessary for a long trip: in it you can cook food, watch TV and relax comfortably after a long journey.

Classification and design features

According to the method of movement, there are two types of campers: self-propelled and trailed motorhomes (trailer).

In turn, self-propelled vehicles are divided into five types:

1. Kastenvagen.
2. Alcove camper.
3. Semi-integrated campers.
4. Integrated mobile homes.
5. Trailer.

Let's consider each of these types in more detail. Castenvagens are built on the basis of a minibus, so they can be used in everyday life. They are equipped with furniture and appliances and are intended for short-term trips to nature.

Alcove camper

The device is built on the chassis of a serial car and consists of a driver's cab and a caravan. Above the roof of the driver's cab there is an alcove with a double bed. This design allows you to save free space, so you can go on a trip with a large company.

The RV is divided into a dining area, which is convenient for cooking, a relaxation area, a toilet with a shower, and a storage space for luggage. Semi-integrated campers are similar in design to previous models only without an alcove, however, they have better technical characteristics.

Integrated mobile homes

Integrated mobile homes differ from other types of campers in that the driver's cabin is integrated into the living compartment. This is the most expensive type of camper, therefore, the level of comfort and quality of equipment are much higher.

For the convenience of passengers, such vehicles are equipped with floor or wall-mounted air conditioners, electric generators, for autonomous operation of a mobile home, a stove and a gas cylinder for cooking. In order to travel on a camper in winter, its walls and floor are insulated. Some models have a garage in the back that can accommodate a small car or motorcycle.

The trailer, like the camper, is designed for long journeys and is equipped with everything necessary for a comfortable journey. However, such a mobile home is not able to move independently and is attached to a car. Most often, such a motorhome has one axle for better maneuverability. But there are also multi-axis models that are larger in size. The design of the exterior and interior of the trailer can be chosen according to your preferences.

Advantages of buying from Autoline

If you are going on a trip and need to buy a camper or a trailer, contact Autoline. The specialized Autoline marketplace is one of the largest international Internet portals in Ukraine, where advertisements from many countries of the world are posted.

These ads will help you buy a new or used or new camper made by well-known manufacturers: Mercedes-Benz, Possl, Knaus, Hobby, Fendt, etc. You can also order spare parts for any type of motorhome from us. Go to the site and choose the most suitable camper or trailer.

Motorhomes are vehicles with living quarters in a dedicated van. The living quarters can be located, including in the trailer, and inside the car itself. The residential module is installed on the chassis of light trucks and is attached to the vehicle. At the same time, the car cab is inextricably linked with the living compartment.

This is the most common type of motorhome, because the living compartment itself can be easily unhooked if, for example, the car needs to undergo an inspection, and its availability will be problematic.

However, there are motorhomes whose living quarters are located directly in the cab of the car. It turns out a hybrid of a home with a vehicle. The exterior of the motorhome may resemble a bus or other shuttle vehicle.

Inside the motorhome there must be all the amenities for the life support of people. There must be a shower and a dry closet, a gas or electric stove or a microwave oven if residents prefer semi-finished and ready-made products, heating so that it is not cold to move around at low temperatures (most often gas), lighting and cabinets with shelves for storing items.

Box carts

The idea of \u200b\u200bmotorhomes passed to humans from ancient people. Our ancestors used wagons for long journeys and military campaigns. These carts were very comfortable, since they could accommodate several people, and it was also possible to store provisions and transport jewelry and prisoners in case of a successful military campaign.

Wagons were used not only by the military, but also by merchants and missionaries. The first ones carried goods in them, as well as provisions, spare clothes and weapons in case they had to defend themselves from robbers. The latter simply traveled around the country, spreading the ideas of their beliefs. For them, carts were a means of storing belongings.

It was easy to shelter from the rain in the wagon wagon, but serious bad weather in the form of storm and squall wind could easily turn this prototype mobile home, and it could only be lifted by the efforts of a few people.

Dwelling carts were most likely used by nomads, but they still preferred to sleep in tents and use carts for storage. Some inquisitors transported captured witches in special cages installed on carts.

Abbots and other clergymen made long journeys from one abbey to another in them. What can we say about the whole train for the royal person. In such a train, which consisted of several carriages (carriages), not only the nobles themselves moved, but also their decoration.

The dwelling van is mentioned in the fantasy novel The Wizard of Oz. In such a van lived the family of a little girl Dorothy (Ellie), who was the first of the people to enter the magical land.

Such vans were not uncommon in the United States, since they were much more convenient to move around the semi-desert state of Kansas. The vans were harnessed by horses when needed and moved from place to place when, for example, the supply of fresh water ran out.

Leisure Trailer

The world's very first vacation trailer was created by the Bristol Carriage Company. The client was the popular writer Gordon Stabels. The first mobile home was named The Wanderer. With his family, the writer traveled to this house in Britain.

Zagleimer made a big step in the development of motorhomes. Its design, based on the Ford T. car, had a retractable sleeper. However, in the future, cars with telescopic sliders did not receive distribution. When cars became commonplace, full-fledged car cottages with terraces and backyards began to appear.

All the conveniences of life that we can see in ordinary residential buildings have become available. They experimented with motorhomes as best they could: they made extensions over the body, attached whole wagons, fitted a platform and put an ordinary house on it, refurbished buses.

The first motorhome to have a more or less modern look was the Land Cruiser bus house. In fact, these were simple intercity buses, converted into houses. The line was soon sold to a certain Kirwin Elmers, who founded the Custom Coach Corporation. The company was engaged in alteration of buses for motorhomes to order. Today this company occupies a leading position in the bus conversion market.

Motorhomes were designed not only on the basis of buses, but also on the basis of trucks. For example, Ray Frank built a motorhome on a Dodge truck chassis. Having good engineering auto and air training, Frank was able to create a model that was quite breakthrough for its time.

The model began to attract attention, and the son of a talented designer, Robert, acquired a significant investment for Frank Motor Homes. Frank's company soon merged with Chrysler Motors, and the motorhomes began to be produced under the Dodge brand. From this moment, the heyday of class A motorhomes begins.

Since the early 50s, motorhomes have really come to resemble ordinary trucks and buses. Moreover, the most compact of them turned out to be VolksWagen, which firmly consolidated its position in the United States due to its compactness and unpretentiousness. VolksWagen has also been developing unique DIY kits for MiniHomes. Such a motorhome was offered for assembly on its own, like a regular constructor.

A very unusual motorhome is a five-wheeled camper trike built by David Castillo from California. The model was five-wheeled and outwardly resembled a motorcycle, since instead of the driver's cab it had a steering wheel from this vehicle.

By the way, some models of old motorhomes are still relevant to this day. For example, GMC Motorhome manufactured by General Motors is still in use today (remaining models). The model combined a body with an aluminum frame and fiberglass coating.

For the suspension, special airbags were used, which were manually controlled for ease of parking. The options that this car contained were almost exclusively available to luxury passenger car models (cruise control, powerful audio system). The streamlined body slightly improved the dynamics and gave the motorhome an original design.

Advantages and disadvantages of a motorhome

Many people are fired up with the idea of \u200b\u200bbuying a motorhome, because it gives a kind of independence and freedom of choice. Indeed, having a motorhome at your disposal, you can choose the place of residence that suits you almost anywhere on the continent where there is a road network.

And those who do not like to sit in one place for a long time are attracted by the opportunity to explore new tourist routes without leaving home. In this case, you will save on hotel rooms and on some excursions, since you can lead them yourself.

Booking rooms during the holiday season really takes time and money, and the motorhome will only consume excess fuel.

Also worth highlighting is the spaciousness and comfort of modern motorhomes. As progress does not stand still, motorhomes are becoming more comfortable, and living conditions are as close as possible to those of an ordinary house.

A motorhome may have amenities such as a shower, refrigerator, toilet, a comfortable bedroom, and even a gas or electric stove. Also, they did not ignore the cross-country ability of the motorhome. Since they are usually constructed on a truck chassis, flotation problems are rare. Is that the clearance is not enough, but this problem is easily solved.

As for the disadvantages of a motorhome, there are certainly fewer of them. But still, some disadvantages can scare away from acquiring such convenience as a mobile home. First of all, a motorhome is a luxury item, because not every inhabitant of even the richest country can handle its cost.

Motorhome tax is appropriate. Those who think that buying a motorhome saves themselves from real estate tax are only partly right. The second major drawback is the increased fuel consumption. Motorhomes are quite "gluttonous", because they have to carry a whole dwelling in the back, and this is a rather big weight.

For some, the disadvantage may be the need for campsites where residents can restock and just relax. The networks of such campsites are underdeveloped, and you have to be content with what you have. In Russia, motorhomes are not widespread, despite the wide variety of attractions.

Modern motorhomes are divided into 4 main types.

The main feature of this mobile home is its original design. Only serial engines, suspensions and transmissions are used in its production.

The cab is fully integrated into the living space. These motorhomes are of the highest class among other models.

Semi-integrated motorhome

These motorhomes are built on a serial chassis, on which a living cabin is installed. The semi-integrated motorhome is more agile.

A residential minivan or castenvagen is a mass-produced minivan that is equipped with all the necessary furniture, household appliances and a bathroom.

Designed, as a rule, for no more than two people. In Europe, these motorhomes are popular with short-term tourists.

Alcove motorhome

Like the semi-integrated one, it is built on a serial chassis. But the main difference between such a motorhome is the presence of an alcove, which is located above the driver's cab. This alcove usually accommodates a double bed. Such a motorhome is very convenient for large companies as it can accommodate about 8 people.

Trailer house

A good alternative to a motorhome is a trailer-based housing. It differs from the motorhome mainly in size (there is no near-land area), the absence of a stationary waste water tank (they are discharged to the side of the road, as in many long-distance trains), as well as the necessary category of rights to drive a vehicle.

To move a house on the basis of a trailer, you will need category E rights, but when moving in accordance with traffic rules, there will be no people in the trailer.

Another difference is the way of living. The trailer house is designed for long-term stay in one place with the ability to move. Whereas a motorhome is much more suitable for constant movement. After transportation, a house on the basis of a trailer must be brought to comfortable living conditions (electricity and a pipe for the bathroom).

Trailer tent

It is the most maneuverable and cheapest type of caravan. It is transported by ordinary passenger cars, for which a regular driver's license is sufficient. A special difference is the folding mechanism, thanks to which the tent takes up little space during storage.

A caravan is considered the most comfortable type of mobile home for those who prefer stationary camping with minimal displacement.

The interior of such a trailer can be divided into several rooms.

Pickup module

It is a caravan that is attached to the body of a pickup truck. Even a regular Nissan is suitable as a pickup truck.

This type of house does not require any special categories of driver's license and is perfect for those who like to spend weekends in nature and travel without roads.

The living compartment can be easily detached and stored separately to easily move around the city by car. The living compartment can accommodate up to 6 people.

Choosing a motorhome

By living space

Alcove motorhomes are the record holders for living space. They can accommodate up to 8 people thanks to the presence of an alcove with extra berths. But if we are not talking about the number of people, but about the size of the living space, then it is best to choose an integrated motorhome.

Passability

Most caravans have good mobility, which is not the case with trailer-based homes. Trailers are difficult to transport off-road, with the exception of the pickup module. So if you want to travel off-road, go for semi-integrated, alcove and minivans.

The cost

The most expensive are integrated motorhomes. They are also the most comfortable. These houses are considered luxury goods.

Therefore, if you want to save money when traveling together, give preference to a residential minivan and a pickup module.

Trailer-based houses are also relatively cheap, but they are not suitable for frequent movements. If you want to travel a lot, you should stock up on money, since motorhomes are expensive in themselves, so also not weak fuel consumption is added.

Service

Trailer-based homes are the least maintenance-intensive, as they are transported by conventional vehicles. They do not have any wear parts and assemblies, except that the tires on the wheels and disks need to be changed.

On the other hand, motorhomes are more demanding in terms of maintenance, since there are even more units and assemblies in them than in conventional cars. Plus, motorhomes use more fuel. If there is a gas stove in the motorhome, you must also take care of the gas supply.

Well, you shouldn't forget about water for the bathroom and sink. As for food and water, it is better to store them for future use, especially if there is a refrigerator in the motorhome. Thus, in terms of maintenance of a trailer-based home, motorhomes are overtaken.

conclusions

Motorhomes are not only a convenient means of transportation, but also an excellent alternative to real estate. At the same time, they are deprived of some of the amenities that are present in an ordinary home. For example, there may not be a bathroom, you need to constantly stock up on water, there are no utilities that will come on call and fix all the electrics.

The high cost of motorhomes is especially worth noting. Trailer-based houses are much more affordable, since they are more unpretentious in maintenance and create a complete imitation of living space.

Such houses are easy to move, but it is not possible to live in them in conditions of transportation. Therefore, when choosing a motorhome, be guided first of all by the way of using it. Good luck and easy roads!

(11 estimates, average: 4,55 out of 5)