Also known as caravans and RVs, motorhomes have become increasingly popular with people that love the outdoors. A caravan or motorhome is exactly what the name suggests, a home on wheels; just like an ordinary home a motor home has a kitchen, seating area, sleeping space and a chemical toilet. People all over the US have started using motorhomes to enjoy the outdoors, and also as substitutes for camping equipment. Although RVs (Recreational Vehicles) are now considered as mobile homes, traditionally mobile homes have been larger in size when compared to RVs.

RVs have been in existence for nearly 40 years now, but it is only recently that motorhomes have received the recognition they deserve. A stigma attached with people living in motorhomes was that only poor people lived in motorhomes on a full time basis. The truth is many people have sold their houses, and decided to live in motorhomes because they enjoy travelling when they like, without having to worry about accommodation expenses. Today RVs can cost up to $150,000 depending on the facilities they offer.

If one were to attempt to differentiate between an RV and a mobile home, the biggest difference will be that RVs have their transportation integrated into the structure; whereas a mobile home (trailer) is designed to be more stationary. Mobile homes are usually moved to a trailer park once, and they remain there for a long time. In essence mobile homes are designed to be an alternative to housing where as RVs are as the name suggests for more adventure and recreational activities.

Motorhomes are divided into the following categories:

Class A (motorcoach)

Class A motorcoaches are constructed on a commercial truck chassis, or a specially designed motor vehicle chassis, or a commercial bus chassis. Class A motorcoaches are one of the largest motorhomes, and have ample space for a family to live in. Class A motorcoaches are ideal for people that want to travel in luxury. Today luxury motorhomes come equipped with internet connections, and spacious bedrooms. No wonder people have started selling their homes to live in motorhomes!

Class B (campervan)

As the name suggests, campervans are built using a van, and are considerably smaller than motorcoaches. Compared to a van, the diving cabin is unaltered, but the back of the van is converted into storage cum living area. The roof is raised to allow more space.

Class C (Motorhomes)

These are custom motorhomes built on truck (pickup) chassis. A motorhome is larger than a camper van. Class C motorhomes can also be built on freightliner trucks as well, and are almost as large as or sometimes larger than motorcoaches also. What differentiates class C motorhome from class A motorhomes is their custom ?cab-over? design.

Ideally, for shorter trips and limited budgets, a class B campervan is the ideal buy. However for larger families or for people looking to live in motorhomes permanently, a class A motorcoach or a Class C motorhome is the ideal option. Another vital aspect when it comes to choosing motorhome is the price, which more often than not depends on the features that the motorhome is offering.

Motorhome vs. Trailer

Basically motorhomes and trailers are designed for somewhat different purposes. A trailer is designed to act as more of a residence than a motor home. However, with motorhomes becoming larger and with so many options available motorhomes too are being used for accommodation purposes. For people that do not plan on using their mobile home for much travelling, and only move from one location to another once every few years, a trailer is an ideal option. Similarly people that already own their own transportation can buy a trailer and use it in conjunction with the vehicle they already own, as a motorhome comes equipped with its own transportation. By and large trailers or mobile homes are meant for more permanent residence; in fact some trailers are actually integrated into the ground using masonry and have a proper foundation.