The front of a Serial transporters plus individual chassis: In short, this is a narrow, partially integrated motorhome. And Camping is becoming increasingly popular Although not everyone wants to travel in a giant carriage, the smaller ones are also becoming more and more popular.
The TCS has now investigatedwhat they can do.
Campervans are transporter vanswhich offer an interior conversion as a camper. With a length of around six metres and a width of just over two metres, they have the external dimensions of a converted van. As an alternative to this, the increasingly popular narrow, partially integrated motorhomes are becoming increasingly popular. These consist of the front of a series transporter, but on the chassis of which an individual housing structure is mounted.
Der TCS hat fThe following seven models of these motorhomes to determine the main differences to the more common campervans: Bürstner TravelVan T 590 G, Carado V 132 pro, Dethleffs Globebus Go T 15, Etrusco V 5.9 DF, Knaus Tourer Van 500 MQ Vansation, Sun Living C 60 SP and Sunlight Adventure V 60.
The models examined are a maximum of 2.20 metres wide and six metres longAt the front they have the front and driver’s cabin of a standard transporter, to which a vehicle frame with a rear axle, usually specially low for campers, is attached, on which the living cabin is located. This is built and constructed in a similar way to a caravan and is connected to the driver’s cabin by molded parts and a bed niche.
Self-supporting straight floors, walls and ceilings simplify interior construction and enable a sandwich construction with wall thicknesses of up to 47 millimetresn. Unlike campervans, no sheet metal bracing is required, which further restricts the interior space, so they are not heavier.
Who has more space? The surprising winner
Surprise 1: The narrow semi-integrated motorhomes boast a much more spacious interior than campervans. The latter are very narrow inside due to the shape of the body and the side walls that slope upwards. Due to their only slightly larger width, the motorhomes can be steered through traffic just as well as campervans. Since they are available in the same price range, they represent a sensible and interesting alternative to campervans.
In contrast to campervans, semi-integrated motorhomes have a loading area (rear garage) for luggage and Gas bottles separated from living area and accessible through a separate side door. The kitchenettes are arranged similarly in both vehicle types, but the partially integrated models offer a much wider passage between the cooking area and the bench seat.
Who is better insulated?
Surprise 2: In addition, due to the straight side walls, they offer much more storage spaceespecially in the upper area. There is even enough space for clothes to be partially hung up. The transverse bed is usually positioned higher, which offers more storage space in the rear garage. Another decisive advantage is the thermal insulation: especially in cooler temperatures, the entire interior of campervans is revealed by opening the sliding door or the rear door (if you want to access the luggage), while in semi-integrated models the luggage compartment is separated, which ensures less heat loss.
And who scores points in terms of security?
According to TCS, the only area where semi-integrated motorhomes are lagging behind is safety. Isofix anchorages for child seats are often only available as an option in partially integrated motorhomes. Safety assistance systems can in most cases be added when converting the van.
Since the vehicle base is commercial vehicles, production is also ex works for cost reasons in corrosion protection saved, which can have a negative impact on long-term use or in the event of resale.
