Have you ever wondered what the difference between a campervan, motorhome and RV is? If you're interested, read on.
Campervans are just what they say they are - a van that is great to go camping in, because they are fitted out for travelling and sleeping. Are RVs and motorhomes any different? It depends where you come from.
In the US, you will seldom hear the term "campervan" used, but rather RV and motorhome are much more common. "RV" is short for recreational vehicle, and for Americans and Canadians, RVs and motorhomes are usually larger than campervans and are used for everything from short holidays to permanent living quarters - not to be confused with mobile homes which are typically a fixed abode in a trailer park. In North America, campervans are often associated with Volkswagon buses produced from 1949 - 1967.
For the British, a "campervan" or "camper van"is the most common term, followed by "motorhomes" or "motor home". But they can also be called Motorcaravans, Campers, Dormobiles or Caravanettes.
For Australians and New Zealanders, Recreational Vehicle is not a common term, and the terms "campervan", "camper" and "motorhome" are the most widely used. For most people, all terms refer to the same vehicle, but for some locals "Recreation Vehicle" can refer to a sport utility vehicle or a four wheel drive vehicle. Also, in Australia and NZ, smaller campers are sometimes referred to as 'Kombis' after the Volkswagen Kombi van of the 1950s (also know as "Microbus" or "hippie van").
In France and Quebec, the most commonly used descriptionis the Anglicized term "camping-car", while in Spain it is referred to as "autocaravana."
While in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, it is called a "wohnmobil", "wohnwagen", "reisemobil" and also "camper".
For South Africans and Namibians it is most often referred to as "camper" or a "truck camper". Other terms such as "RV', "motorhome" and "campervan" used by some, and generally understood – but less common.
If you are looking for genuine web discounts for your next overseas holiday, we offer great campervan rental deals on the leading providers in many countries:
I have been General Manager of Motorhome Republic, the operators of this website, for 4 years and with the company for 6 years starting as a Sales / Account Manager. Previous roles have included account manager and software architect for a web design firm, advertising sales across multiple media and television production. I’ve been lucky enough to go Motorhoming several times in Canada, USA and New Zealand so far and grew up going on caravanning holidays with Mum and Dad. The value and freedom Motorhoming offers are its two main drawcards for me. That and the envy on the other campers’ faces when you pull into a State Park campground with no hook ups in a 31’ Class C with double slide outs, on board generator, side awning, exterior entertainment unit and smoker unit for a 10kg salmon caught earlier that day.
I have been in the Motorhome industry for the best part of 6 years and with Motorhomes Republic for the last 18 months. I previously worked for the largest Motorhome rental company in the world as the New Zealand Sales Account Manager. I’ve traveled the length and width of New Zealand in many different categories of Motorhomes, in fact I don’t think there is a main state highway I haven’t driven. The love I have for Motorhomes is one of freedom and flexibility, doing what I want when I want. If I have a hankering for a cup of coffee in a beautiful scenic spot simply stop boil and enjoy….
