Carriers
The carrier is the motorized base of the motorhome. Many car manufacturers offer rigids from their commercial range. Thus, Fiat, Ford, Citroën, Renault, Mercedes, Peugeot and Iveco share the French market. The diesel engine is most often used to improve torque and consumption. The transmission can be either front or rear wheel drive. In the first case, the front wheels are driven by cardan shafts, while in the second case, the drive shaft transfers power to the rear wheels. The new generation of carriers has been perfectly designed for tourist use: the high-torque engines are more efficient and less noisy. The European environmental standard Euro 4 applies to all vehicles: particle filters reduce CO and CO2 emissions, six-speed gearboxes reduce fuel consumption.
The carrier also supplies the motorhome with the driver's cabin equipment: controls, mirrors, windscreen, air conditioning, airbags...
The chassis
The manufacturer associates a chassis with the engine base. The "floor", so to speak, the metal base of utility vehicles. Chassis-cab, floor-cab, low-profile AL-KO, awning for the A-Class, all possibilities that are decided according to the type of motorhome and the transmission of the carrier. Some manufacturers, such as Rapido, fit out their bodies with a cab floor that allows the floor to be lowered in relation to the chassis-cab. The rigidity of the whole is perhaps not as convincing as with a chassis-cab, but the vehicle is thus a little less high.
Some profiles are also made on a floor cab to be offered at a lower price than on an AL-KO chassis. The vast majority of cabins and A-Class models are mounted on the chassis cab. They are rigid and some of them are designed for GVW over 3,500 kg.
AL-KO designs low-profile chassis in galvanized steel with dependent wheels. These chassis are mainly marketed with profile motorhomes, but some A-Class and some MPVs are now adopting them. The ground clearance of motorhomes is sometimes quite low. As several wheelbases are offered, even on long vehicles, the overhang is not too exaggerated. Double-axle versions are available. Of course, AL-KO chassis are only available on front-wheel drive vehicles. The Mercedes Sprinter, Ford Transit and Iveco Daily are therefore not affected by this installation. The chassis have different wheelbases (distance between the two wheels). The longer the wheelbase, the smaller the overhang can be. This makes the vehicle easier to handle, especially when there is little room to turn. It is common to improve the suspension of the vehicle by adaptations (JSA, AL-KO, Driverite...). You can have them installed or mount them yourself with a kit.
The nasturtium cell: an ally for families but not only..
The cabriolet cell is the motorhome as most people think of it, even though its sales have largely declined in recent years. With its easily identifiable appearance, it is distinguished by the presence of a bed above the cabin. Its advantage is that this overcabin cell has a large living space that is well suited to families. The price-quality ratio is generally interesting at the time of purchase, since it varies between 40,000 and 95,000 euros, new. Its major disadvantage is its height and wind resistance, which require higher fuel consumption. As for the look, everyone has their own taste. If the nasturtium is probably not the most aesthetic motorhome, it compensates in terms of space and functionality.
In the years 1980-2000, the nasturtium represented 80% of the motorhome market. It has since been overtaken by the profile. However, the MPV is still the ideal motorhome for families. Generally equipped for 4 to 6 people, the nasturtium allows a couple with 2 to 4 children to spend vacations or weekends all together. The most popular versions are, for the most part, capucines with bunk beds for the children. The parents will find their bed in the nasturtium. Another configuration: a mobile bed in the living room in the back for the parents, the nasturtium and/or the dinette bed for the children. These vehicles are between 4.99 m and 7.50 m long. You will have to make your choice according to your needs.
The main advantages
Sleeping for 4 or 6 people: 2 children in the bunk bed (or the nasturtium), 2 on the convertible dinette, the parents at the back or in the nasturtium depending on the configuration.
It is the family motorhome par excellence or which offers a large living space if you leave with two people.
It has a certain style unlike other motorhomes (depending on the old or recent models).
The disadvantages
Overall height of the vehicle, close to 3 meters. Most of them are chassis cab carriers.
It consumes more fuel than other motorhomes: about 14-15 L per 100 km against 11.5-12.5 L per 100 km.
There is a risk of not having enough storage space for 6 people (as it rarely has a large cargo hold); you will have to do without many personal items.
Climbing into the bed, 1.50 m from the ground, can be complicated. The space between the mattress and the ceiling is generally about 60 cm. To be avoided for corpulent people, unfortunately.
The vehicle is heavy and cumbersome. It is necessary to have a good grip (which is acquired rather quickly nevertheless).
The profile: a draw appreciated by couples and less fuel-consuming
Like the nasturtium, the profile is a combination of a load-bearing structure and an airframe. However, the front protuberance of the nasturtium has disappeared in favor of a much more aerodynamic profile. The bed above the cabin has been replaced by a bunk in the rear. The habitability is reduced, but not the comfort. The wind resistance is reduced, as is the height of the vehicle, which facilitates certain maneuvers.
Ideal for trips for two, the profile is the favorite "family" of French motorhome owners. It is the most sold vehicle today. It is beating sales records, and is becoming the number one vehicle, both in new and second-hand sales, thus overtaking capecars. The profile is often a two-seater motorhome. It has a permanent bed at the rear of the vehicle, either lengthwise or crosswise, allowing it to have more generous dimensions. Its living room is located in the front around a full or half dinette, and the cabin seats become, by swiveling, living room seats. This type of leisure vehicle is generally used in couples. Less high and less imposing than a nasturtium, it also offers more storage space, especially with its hold located under the permanent bed, allowing you to bring along a large number of objects that would not necessarily find their place elsewhere. The most standard profiles have a length of 6 meters, a width of 2.30 m and a height of 2.70 m, that is to say approximately 30 centimeters less in height than a nighcap. This allows you to go almost anywhere, to have less headwind or side wind, and less "rolling" effect.
The main advantages
It is the lowest motorhome and therefore the most pleasant to drive.
The price of a new profile becomes equal to the price of a convertible, from 30 000 euros.
Its permanent bed. You can go to sleep or take a nap without having to install anything beforehand. This permanent bed also allows you to have a large hold, under the bed. This is almost always accessible from the inside and outside.
Additional storage in the "cap" (where the nasturtium would be).
Most of the profiles are on a cabin floor, which lowers the overall height of the vehicle and allows a lower access to the cell.
The disadvantages
2 to 3 seats generally. If you are a family, you should go for the nasturtium.
Even if it is an advantage, the permanent bed takes up a lot of the interior space.
The kitchen area is often smaller than on other types of motorhomes, mainly due to the space occupied by the permanent bed.
The integral: an investment for comfort and road holding
The integral is very popular and corresponds to the most luxurious models. Unlike the previous families, the bodywork includes the driver's cabin, the carrier and the cell becoming one. The integral remains a "must", as it is more expensive than the models already presented. The finish is often better, for a higher price. The rear bed reduces the living space (unless it folds down), but the swivel seats in the driver's cabin add an extra room. In an integral, the windshield looks like a veranda. This is the ultimate high-end motorhome. The price of a full-size motorhome ranges from 50,000 euros to over 100,000 euros! The integral is equipped with a bed in the cabin which descends from the ceiling thanks to a system of jack, and often a second rear bed on the hold. This type of motorhome is generally reserved for a couple. It is very comfortably equipped. Its layout includes a large panoramic living room on the front part, using the swivel cabin seats. The integral has a larger living area than other types of motorhomes. It has no overhead bed, which allows it to have a very large windscreen, and therefore an exceptional view, nor a permanent bed taking up space, and even less bunk beds. A separate shower, a large fridge with freezer, a gas oven, a large dome roof and a satellite dish are often part of the standard equipment of this type of leisure vehicle. Be careful, some of them have a GVW of more than 3.5 tons, requiring a heavy vehicle license if your license was issued after January 20th 1975.
Its many advantages
More spacious than a profile or a convertible.
Luxurious, it is a high-end product.
Panoramic view from the front lounge.
It has an ultra complete equipment.
Its disadvantages
Its price is the main obstacle. An integral costs on average 2 times the price of a low-end convertible.
Its height, close to 3 meters.
The co-driver often has no cabin door. He has to enter and exit the motorhome through the cell door (for the low range ones of course!).
The removable cell: the small fringe that has yet to make its mark
It is a cell with a hood that is placed on the carrier, a 4x4 pick-up with a rear platform. It is very popular on the other side of the Atlantic, a little less used in France. Once the cell is locked to the carrier, you have a real motor home. When you stop, you have the advantage of being able to separate the cell thanks to its retractable feet which make it look like a house on stilts. This allows you to enjoy your car. At the stage, the cell remains posed on removable feet. Space is limited in this type of leisure vehicle, as is the equipment.
The price of a new vehicle varies between 15,000 and 30,000 euros, not counting the pick-up...