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Article: ABC's of motorhomes

I had an enquiry this month from subscribers who are new to motorhoming. They ask “We are very new to the motorhome concept and are planning to 'run away'. We have been looking through the Motorhome Trader and Motorhome Guide and find that writers refer to A Class, B Class etc. Can you please tell us what this means”. To answer the question here is my view of what it all means

A Class – A purpose built motorhome built from the chassis up by the original manufacturer. Very comfortable and lots of room inside with at least 26 foot length. The drivers and passenger seats are usually mounted as swivel chairs and are part of the living area. Usual layout has the living area to the front with kitchen in the middle. Behind the kitchen is usually the bathroom with the bedroom in the rear, although there are variations on this theme

B Class – A custom built motorhome on a truck chassis. In other words the cab chassis is built as multipurpose for the trucking industry and a motorhome body is then added behind the cab. Usually more streamlined front than the cab-over C class.

Trakka's Torino motorhome

C Class – (cab-over) are motorhomes built on a cab chassis with a bed over the cab area. Usually more compact and easier to drive than an A or B class. Also usually with a GVM less than 4.5 tonne so they can be driven on a car licence.

Trakka's Veneto motorhome

Campervan – Smaller again based on a van body and normally without shower and toilet. Usually the size does not permit bed and lounge/dinette so bed will usually have to be made up each night.

Bus/Coach Conversion – As the name states it was a bus which has had all the seats removed and been converted to a motorhome. Large coaches are a good alternative as they were built for long distances – the engines will last for many hundred thousand kilometres and are usually fitted with air bag suspension for a more comfortable ride. Most have a high GVM making them popular for full timers as they have the size and strength to build a palace on wheels.

5th Wheeler – A motorhome in a caravan configuration that is towed with a special purpose turntable hitch over the middle of the rear axle of the tow vehicle. The body of the motorhome extends well over the tow vehicle which usually has a utility style body

WORT – Weird off road truck. A term used for a group of home built motorhomes based on truck chassis’ that are - well - weird (and fantastic at the same time). Go to www.robgray.com to see what I mean.