Beginner's guide

Being a motor caravan owner gives you the freedom to drop everything and explore places without having to restrict your movements.

You can set off... when you want.

Travel to... where you want.

And stay for... as long as you want.

Your travel movements are unrestricted: this freedom and flexibility are two of its many appeal factors.

The motor caravan industry has seen a surge in popularity over the past two years as more and more Britons have taken long stay holidays in the UK in consequence to the economic downturn, unfavourable currency exchange rates in Europe and travel delays encountered at airports.

Motor caravan convertors today offer owners all the comforts of home, including central heating, air conditioning, HDTV, DVD and sound entertainment, internet links, awning extensions, showers, fully fitted kitchens (with fridge/freezers), and towbars and trailers to transport a small car behind a larger coach built model.

The motorhome offers a wonderful mode of travel and comfort for people wanting to explore further afield. Retired amd semi-retired people have been attracted to the motor caravan lifestyle and all its creature comforts: it's a far simpler proposal than buying a tow caravan.

If you want to learn more about the fun and excitement of owining a motor caravan, take a look through our informative website.

Should you have any questions or need any information, be sure to contact our Great Yarmouth showrooms via email or the telephone.

We look forward to being of service in your endeavours to find the right motor caravan for your travel and sight-seeing aspirations.

Types of Motorcaravan

Panel Van Conversion

The body shape of the basic van remains largely unchanged.

Van-based converters do build extended roofs, or design elevating roofs into the layout.

High top designs offer extra headroom inside and also better insulation.

Van-based conversions are extremely popular: they are the gap between a car and much larger, coachbuilt motorhomes.

In consequence, many touring caravanners choose a van-based conversion to act as a combined car and motorhome.

Coachbuilt design

Converters construct a caravan body onto a cab and chassis: this is a coachbuilt design.

Naturally enough, you can enjoy multiple designs and interior configurations.

The 'coachbuilt' concept offers caravanners much more interior space and considerably more home-comfort facilities, including large kitchen areas, built-in showers and toilet facilities, and far more storage.

A common site is the overcab sleeping area, or luton style.

Low profile coachbuilts are more aerodynamic and lack this facility: they can look aesthetically more eye-catching.

Coachbuilt design Coachbuilts are taller than van based conversions (2.8 metres or more): they offer considerably more headroom inside.

In addition, they are wider than van-based conversions, and a new owner must be sure the overall length and width of the vehicle can access the driveway for parking.

A coachbuilt can easily accommodate from two to seven berths and many luxurious extras like air-conditioning, cooker, microwave, shower, toilet, fridge/freezer, and a home-entertainment centre including flatscreen TV and DVD.

Leading designers like Auto-Trail have given the whole coachbuilt concept an exciting new dimension for caravanners.

'A' class

Welcome to the big league.

'A' Class vehicles are designed and constructed from the chassis upwards.

The cab area extends across the vehicle's full width and both cabin seats are usually swivel operated.

Insulation is good and each 'A' Class vehicle will come complete with a comprehensive interior configuration.

For those of you considering long-haul exploring - or continual exploration after retirement - it is an ideal investment.

'A' class Some are designed with towbars to haul a trailer for carrying a small car or motorcycle: the lighter car or motorcycle will offer a more practical transportation system at campsite destinations.

American built models - or RV's (Recreation Vehicles) - can be considerably larger than their European counterparts, designed on far heavier truck and coach chassis.

First-time buyers would be wise NOT to plumb for a large 'A' Class motorhome as a starter vehicle.

'A' class Spend time planning your requirements and give careful consideration to interior configurations and the maximum number of berths required, especially if transporting a family or friends.

Talk to Simpsons' motorhome experts, first.

We can advise first-time buyers about avoiding all the pitfalls it is so easy to make.

Trust the experts: trust Simpsons to find your first motorhome.