We’d snagged some complimentary tickets to the Caravan, Camping, and Motorhome Show at the NEC, and all we had to do for them was promise to write a report about the show on this site. Ha, as if that wasn’t going to happen! 😉 This is exactly the sort of thing we love to write about!
So, if the truth be known we’ve been thinking of going to this show for years (please don’t tell the promoters as they might not give us tickets for next year!) to see what it was all about. Our main aim being to take a peek at the impossibly large array of “mobile adventuring homes” there are on the market. Virtually every single vehicle here is way past the traditional climber’s van, i.e. a simple doss for the night. In the main these range from plush and comfortable living to complete mobile luxury! Of course the price tags have a similar range! You could sell your house, buy one of the bigger mobile palaces, and do nothing more than spend the rest of your life moving from one playground to the next. Possibly in a more luxurious home than the house you just sold. And the views will almost certainly be better. It sounds like an attractive idea doesn’t it! 🙂
So what did we see? Well, to say there is a lot to see would be a massive understatement. There are five massive halls (all interlinked) cram packed full with every accessory and gadget a well healed camper, caravaner, or mobile home owner could want. Then, of course, there are what seems like an infinite array of vehicles.
I reckon there are likely more caravans here than anything else. But we simply didn’t look at these as they are not our thing and we know so little about them we’d have been unable to comment on what was shown. But if you are in to caravans, come and look, I’m sure it would be at least as good as the motorhome display. Anyway, I say we didn’t look at caravans when in fact we did look at two – a cute one and an iconic one…
The next most represented vehicle was the motorhome and in particular the coach-built style, i.e. a caravan style living area coupled with the driving cab of a standard flat-bed truck, typically the Fiat Ducato. There are hundreds of this style of motorhome on show. And it seemed to us that they all offer a very similar style selected from a few basic layout options. The main differences being what level of luxury and what quality of build you choose. The old adage, “you get what you pay for”, being a strong factor here. But since they are almost all based on the same Fiat vehicle that isn’t a surprise I guess. Choose leather, air conditioning, etc. and the price goes up. One thing I think I noticed is that it is fair to say that the German manufacturers like Hymer and Carthago offered a better level of build, at a higher price of course. Whereas British manufacturers like Swift offer a lower price albeit a bit more “plasticy”.
Then there is the top end motorhome, the A-class, where the whole vehicle including the driver’s cabin is purpose made. This makes them feel way more spacious. The driver’s cab, once the seats are rotated, is truly part of the living space. And the floor area tends to be flat throughout as opposed to having the step down from the driver’s cab to the main living space typical in the coach-built motorhomes. These A-class vehicles are the sort of thing you imagine yourself in travelling across Europe on a modern day Grand Tour. But they are pricey! The modestly, yes modestly, specified Carthago A-class we sat in was a snip at £117k! Tempted? Make sure you have enough money left over to buy your gin & tonic when you get to the shores of Lake Como…
Mainly we settled in to looking for the type of vehicle that suits our needs best – van conversions… This class of motorhome is based on a normal panel van, typically still the Fiat Ducato but we saw a fair few VW Crafter and Mercedes Sprinter options too. The manufacturer then sets about cutting windows etc. in the van sides and roof, insulating, and fitting out the inside with pretty much the same equipment as the coach-built motorhomes. Of course they are a bit less spacious inside. However, the big benefit for us is manoeuvrability. Being based on a normal van they are narrower – they were designed by the original vehicle manufacturer to work as small delivery or working vehicles after all. Plus, the panels are of course still made from the original steel, not the moulded glass reinforced plastic (GRP) of the coach-built motorhomes. A material and fabrication technique borrowed from the caravan world. Simply, steel makes them tougher and therefore able to cope, in our view, with the life of a Europe travelling climber… 🙂
I reckon most climber’s vans tend to be what you’d call a camper-van. That is, a steel tent (bed) on wheels. Maybe there’s a fridge and cooker hob in the more sorted set ups. However, there is rarely a toilet, hot and cold water, heating, etc. It’s these features that raises a camper-van to the status of motorhome.
On an extended trip we reckon that being able to have a bed and sitting area, at the same time, are an undervalued commodity. Say one of your gang is a little ill. Being able to get up, make breakfast, etc. while the other stays in the comfort of bed (just like at home – your brick built home that is) is crucial.
The other key feature of any motorhome is storage. It’s no use going on your European Grand Tour in a luxury motorhome and not being able to store the tools of your adventure. Who wants to sit drinking that gin & tonic watching the sun set over the Alps with your ruck sacks and walking boots lying around in the living space! And what about bikes? A bike carrier on the outside rear is all very well, but it isn’t very secure. A “garage” solves all of these problems – secure storage, and lots of it.
So there we have it, our key factors in selecting the perfect motorhome for a climbing adventure:
- A panel van conversion for manoeuvrability.
- Large enough to offer a true motorhome experience for extended off-grid trips – i.e. toilet, hot and cold water, heating, etc.
- A fixed bed (that is large enough for my 186cm height).
- A garage large enough for plenty of adventuring equipment – back packs, boots, skis, and maybe even bikes!
The last two factors lead one to a particular layout – a raised fixed bed with a large garage beneath, accessible from the rear doors of the van, and it’s best if that garage can also be accessed from inside the van too.
So armed with all that we set about checking out the options on display, here are just a few pictures of the dozens and dozens of motorhomes on display…
If you are in the least bit interested in caravans or any of the types (camper-van, panel van conversion, coach-built, or A-class) motorhomes then simply looking at the brochures or websites isn’t gonna cut it, it isn’t going to provide you with the detail you need to make a good informed decision. Of course you could travel endlessly to any number of dealerships. But that is a big investment in time and fuel (money). It’s simply far easier to go to a show like this to see all the options in the flesh in one place. The ability to compare and contrast the options, build quality, etc. is unbeatable. Be prepared to walk a lot though. Also bring a camera and note pad to take notes and pictures to help keep an accurate record of what you saw. And if you really are hunting for your Grand Tour motorhome dream consider more than one day to cover all the ground. Oh, and bring your cheque book ‘cos there are big offers and big deals to be done!!!
The Caravan, Camping, and Motorhome Show is on at the NEC until Sunday 25th February 2018…