Choosing a motorhome for family travel has its own priorities: it's not the same as buying one for a couple. Seats come into play (for travelling and sleeping), children's safety, a layout that copes with day-to-day life and enough storage for everything a family drags along. Here's the guide to getting your family camper right.
First things first: approved seats
The non-negotiable point. You need as many approved travel seats (with seatbelt or Isofix) as there are people in the family, and just as many berths for sleeping. Watch out: many vehicles have more berths than travel seats. Check the vehicle's technical specs; it's the first thing that rules options out (see 5-seat campers).
The layout: coachbuilt, large overcab or a pop-top camper
- Coachbuilt (with overcab bed): the family favourite, adding berths with the bed above the cab (see coachbuilt motorhomes).
- Large panel van conversion with bunk beds or a drop-down bed.
- Pop-top camper if you prioritise manoeuvrability over space.
Child safety
Check the Isofix anchor points and that child seats fit and can be properly fitted in the approved travel seats. We cover this in travelling with children and, for babies, in travelling with a baby.
Layout and storage
- Beds for the little ones (bunks or convertible beds) that are genuinely comfortable.
- A spacious living area for rainy days.
- Plenty of storage: a family drags everything along; also keep an eye on payload (see weight and MAM).
- A comfortable bathroom makes life with children much easier.
New or second-hand
The second-hand family market is huge. A well-chosen used one saves a lot of money; check watertightness and that everything works (see buying second-hand).
In summary
The ideal family motorhome balances enough approved seats, child safety, a layout that copes with day-to-day life and good storage, often in coachbuilt form. The step you can take today: count the approved travel seats you need and check that your child seats fit; that safety requirement is the first thing any candidate must meet.