Camping guides
Campervan vs motorhome: what's the difference in NZ?
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More and more Kiwi’s are choosing to travel around NZ in recreational vehicles. That said, many have trouble choosing the right one for their needs and want to know which is better when choosing between a campervan vs motorhome.
Generally, campervans are better for couples or small families who do not require a lot of room and are happy to rely on campsite amenities. Comparatively, motorhomes are better for couples or larger families who want an abundance of living space and a fully self-contained vehicle.
However, there is much more to take into account when considering buying or hiring a campervan vs motorhome. To help you out, our travel experts have written this guide in which we discuss:
The differences between campervans and motorhomes
The benefits of both campervans and motorhomes
Whether a campervan or a motorhome is better suited to your needs.
Campervan vs Motorhome
Campervan
What is a Campervan?
A campervan is a commercial/work van that has been converted to include accommodation in the rear. Generally, the accommodation in a campervan includes a bed, a kitchen and a dinette area. Campervans don’t normally have a bathroom (although some have portable toilets and showers).
Most campervans have sufficient space for 2 to 3 people to sleep and live in. Generally, they are smaller than motorhomes but this makes them easier to drive.
What Are the Benefits of a Campervan vs Motorhome?
More Compact and Easier to Drive
Campervans are much smaller than motorhomes and are therefore easier to drive. If you are used to driving a car, you will have no problem driving a campervan. Further, the compact size of a campervan means you will have few issues trying to access low-roofed spaces (e.g. car parks) that motorhomes can sometimes not access.
More Acceleration Than a Motorhome
Because a campervan is much lighter than a motorhome (normally about half the weight), it can accelerate faster. This is handy if you find yourself needing to overtake or merge onto a busy motorway.
Easier to Park and Reverse
Campervans are generally easier to park and reverse because they are smaller than motorhomes and provide the driver with a clear line of sight through the rear windshield. There is no need to have someone guide you into your spot when parking a campervan. Plus, unpacking and repacking your campervan is a breeze - simply pull up and jump into your accommodation!
Unique Designs
Most campervans are privately converted, as opposed to motorhomes which are mass-produced in a factory. This means that many hire campervans (or glampervans) have personal touches that can make your road trip a lot more memorable and unique.
Lower Costs
The cost of hiring a campervan is lower on average than hiring a motorhome. This is because they are generally smaller and have fewer features - perfect for travellers on a budget who only want the essentials!
Who Should Hire or Buy a Campervan?
Campervans are best suited to travellers who do not require all the space that a motorhome provides. They are also great for people wanting to travel on a budget.
The following people may prefer a campervan vs motorhome:
Couples or small families with young children.
People who plan on spending most of their time outside of their accommodation.
People who are happy to rely on campsite amenities.
People who aren’t comfortable driving large vehicles.
People who want to go on a quick getaway (e.g. weekend beach trips).
The Best Campervans in New Zealand
Camplify helps you to find the perfect campervan hire for your New Zealand road trip. Some of the best campervans currently available for hire include:
Tuatara Camper (Auckland - Sleeps 2)
Tapatoru Nr. 9 (Aongatete - Sleeps 3)
Obi Van Kenobi (Auckland - Sleeps 2)
Bernie (Auckland - Sleeps 2)
RocketVan (Auckland - Sleeps 2)
The Thinkers Van (Kaiapoi - Sleeps 2)
Motorhome
What is a Motorhome?
A motorhome is a vehicle that is purpose-built to accommodate travellers in a living module. Motorhomes provide more internal living space and amenities than a campervan - generally including a bedroom, kitchen, dinette, bathroom and additional bedding.
Motorhomes can usually sleep anywhere from 2 - 6 people. They are larger than campervans but still easy to drive and maneuver.
What Are the Benefits of a Motorhome vs Campervan?
More Internal Space
The biggest benefit of a motorhome vs a campervan is the increased living space. Motorhomes provide more room for you to move, sleep, cook, wash and eat. This is more comfortable if you expect to be travelling with 3 or more people or if you want to travel for long periods (i.e. weeks or months).
Just Like Home
Most motorhomes have all the amenities you find at home. Most importantly, motorhomes include a bathroom - vital for those wanting to shower and use the toilet in their own vehicle. They are fully self-contained and perfect for freedom camping. Plus, you will likely find that the manufacturer uses the extra space inside a motorhome to include additional features like a TV, oven, microwave, etc.
Privacy and Separate Spaces
Motorhomes provide more privacy than campervans because the accommodation module is divided into separate spaces. For example, a separate bathroom means that you can shower or use the toilet in peace without others watching you! In a campervan, you will likely have to rely more on the amenities block provided at your campsite.
More Storage
Motorhomes often feature large dedicated storage solutions which you may not find in a campervan. Once you arrive at a campsite in a campervan, you are often forced to leave some of your stuff outside so that there’s enough room to move around inside the van. With a motorhome, however, you can store your large and bulky goods in dedicated storage areas so that they’re safe, secure and out of your way.
Who Should Hire or Buy a Motorhome?
Motorhomes are best suited to travellers who want more living space than a campervan can provide. They provide added comfort and extra features at an affordable cost.
The following people may prefer a motorhome vs campervan:
Couples or families who want plenty of living and sleeping space.
Tall people who want extra roof clearance.
People who aren’t used to driving large vehicles (motorhomes are slightly trickier than a campervan but still very easy to drive).
Road trippers wanting to travel long distances over long periods (i.e. weeks or months).
The Best Motorhomes in New Zealand
Camplify helps you to find the perfect motorhome hire for your New Zealand road trip. Some of the best motorhomes currently available for hire include:
The Moonlight(Auckland - Sleeps 4)
Kiwi Burrow (Tauranga - Sleeps 6)
Your Perfect Getaway (Pukekohe - Sleeps 6)
Zeffer (Waimate - Sleeps 6)
Alba Adventures (Bulls - Sleeps 6)
Mercedes (Auckland - Sleeps 6)
The Boss’s Luxury (Auckland - Sleeps 6)
Campervan vs Motorhome: The Verdict
In general, campervans are perfect for couples or small families who do not require a lot of living space and are happy to use campsite amenities (mainly the bathroom). They are better for short getaways during which you will spend a lot of time away from your campsite.
Comparatively, motorhomes are better suited to couples or large families who want a lot of living space in a fully self-contained vehicle. Motorhomes are better designed for long road trips where you will be spending substantial amounts inside your vehicle.
If you are considering buying a motorhome or campervan, you should sign up for Camplify. Hiring out your camper when it is not in use is a quick and easy way to earn a return on your investment. To calculate how much passive income you could generate each year from a campervan vs motorhome, try our earnings calculator.