At home in Sweden we usually think that our motorhome is "normal sized" - there are motorhomes both larger and smaller than ours. Here in Corsica we have started to reconsider this idea. Right now, it feels more like we have a enormous motorhome. All campsites have more motorhomes of the same size as ours, but most of them are significantly less.
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ShareSmall motorhomes in different models
The small motorhomes come in all shapes and sizes: vans of various models, old and new cars, cars with retractable roofs, off-road vehicles with tents on the roof, ordinary motorhomes that are just unusually short, etc. Most are French or German registered and are usually driven by couples, but sometimes whole families with children and dogs drop in - and sometimes they add a large tent to their small motorhome.
Advantages of a large or small motorhome
Now that we're travelling for a whole year, it's nice to have a big motorhome, but we can also see the benefits of these small vehicles. It is of course easier to drive in narrow alleys and on narrow mountain roads and it is easier to park. In general, it's also cheaper to buy/rent a smaller motorhome.
Maybe this type could be a good option for many Swedes who want to go on holiday? What do you think about this type of small motorhome - is it something that will increase in popularity in Sweden?
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Mr Jan Roth says:
Hi. Great to follow your blog! Can envy your great effort. I think the trend for flatbed and smaller motorhomes is more evident down in Europe. We have just sold our motorhome and will be buying a flatbed, precisely because of the advantages you mention. But the decision has attracted comments from fellow motorhome owners. Changing down... But we are looking forward to that life!
20 June 2015 - 10:37
ActiveDays-Camilla says:
I think that lorries etc. will increase. Thinking that you can perhaps also have one as your regular car. An option for me and my husband in the future!
20 June 2015 - 11:34
Mr Steve says:
Well, what do I know about motorhomes, other than what I learnt from you. Had to google to understand what is meant by flatbed. I know two couples who have motorhomes. One couple has a bautastor. They go to Spain every winter and live in the motorhome from 26 December to 30 April. The other couple has a smaller version, but they use it for trips in Sweden.
20 June 2015 - 12:12
BP says:
I think it's a question of price. In addition, it is actually the case that most people air their flatcars to have 2-4 weeks of holiday. To spend a whole year in a flatbed - no, I would be claustrophobic!
There are 10-15 motorhomes in our car park. Most of them are smaller.
20 June 2015 - 12:34
Ditte says:
Understand the point of having a larger model motorhome when you're out for so long.
I have travelled in the USA several times for between 2 and 8 weeks with a Volkswagen bus, a motorhome model, where the roof could be folded up. It was very easy to drive on small roads and was quite narrow. I think these are still popular on the continent.
20 June 2015 - 13:45
Matts Torebring says:
Here with us and we who live on a terrace campsite right now, almost half of the motorhomes are probably "Plåtisar". We ourselves would probably never be able to go down in (size) floor plan. After all, our car is only about nine metres long. When we're used to having the bikes in the garage, the qweensbed and five wardrobes for hanging clothes and drying cabinets for wet towels. We couldn't bear to sacrifice comfort. We prefer to avoid the smallest roads. Enjoy!
20 June 2015 - 20:10
Matts Torebring says:
Right now we are staying at a terrace campsite on a mountainside. Here there are probably at least a third of "Plåtisar". Our motorhome is just over nine metres long and the only thing that can feel a bit big is the turning radius when it's really tight. We couldn't give up the convenience of not having the bikes in the garage, the qweensbed, five wardrobes for hanging or lying clothes, drying cabinets for wet towels, underfloor heating and the loading spaces we have, etc. Instead, we avoid the smallest roads. The most important thing is to enjoy what you have, whether it's big or small. Have a good time
20 June 2015 - 20:22
Alexandra says:
My girlfriend and I had a Toyota Townace that someone had converted into a "campervan" in Australia. Two seats in the front and in the back there was only a large double bed that was raised so underneath there was room for plastic crates that you could have your things in. We lived in it for about 8 months, so it is possible 😉.
I could imagine having one of those "flatbed" as it's apparently called now, but the ones I've seen often only have two seats that you can sit in when you're driving...and that's not possible for us.
20 June 2015 - 23:08
Henny says:
We have seen a lot of these small cars and my sister and brother-in-law have one. Practical as it is easily parked in the city and can be used more like a regular car. I could very well imagine "changing down" to one of these, the disadvantage is that you become more weather dependent. But as a lonely woman it might work anyway.
21 June 2015 - 7:49
admin says:
Jan Roth, nice to hear that you like following our blog and interesting to hear about your purchase of a flatbed. I don't see it at all that it needs to be a change - it all depends on how you want to use your motorhome! In Corsica it's definitely easier to travel around with a small one 🙂.
Active Days, yes, it's easy to park and you can go shopping with it, etc. I also imagine that the trend will increase.
Steve, yes, there's a bit of figgy language in this world sometimes.... Plåtis is a bit of a nickname for a van. Of course, it may depend on what you need the car for. If you want to live in it for a long time, you might want a bigger one!
BP, the price is of course an important aspect, but I think it can also depend on how many people are in the family and what you want to do. Interesting that it's mostly smaller motorhomes outside of you!
Ditte, down here we've seen a lot of public buses and different variants with retractable roofs. Many charming little motorhomes!
Alexandra, I understand what you mean... I haven't realised how many seats there are in them, but down here in Europe we have sometimes seen families with children coming from some of them. So there must be more belted seats, right? But that's probably not the case in all...
Henny, these small cars are definitely easier to park and drive. Yes, maybe you're a little more weather dependent...
21 June 2015 - 10:41
solan says:
After touring Europe with a short ice (six metres) and seeing many mountain villages, we have had one at 7.5 metres for three years. Nice when you spend the whole winter on wheels. It is good that there are more variants, everyone can find their motorhome. Plain or plastic!
21 June 2015 - 20:31
Frankie & Co says:
Yep - I'm a big believer in small motorhomes and vans - less is more and minimalism.
21 June 2015 - 21:07
Inga M says:
We went on holiday in Denmark once with one of those camper vans, a motorhome kit that was strapped to the truck. I loved it, but the old man suffered from cellulitis. Can understand it a bit too, because he could only stand straight under the roof vent. It was also a bit worrying to drive over the Great Belt Bridge in almost a storm with a car that had such a high centre of gravity. It felt like we would be blown away and took shelter next to a large lorry. So I would love to have a small motorhome or caravan, but it would be foolish to go for it. We almost never go on trips and are not particularly keen on travelling either. It is mostly for the children and an occasional trip of a few days here in Värmland. The few times we go away, they have to be comfortable accommodation with hotel rooms nowadays.
22 June 2015 - 8:32
admin says:
Solan, it's great that there are so many variants! We all have different needs and wishes! 🙂
Frankie & Co, I believe in them too! They won't suit everyone, of course, but they will suit some.
Inga M, interesting to hear! Yes, it is important to find what suits you! We have seen that type of pickup truck here too. Can iofs understand that it is a bit uncomfortable not to have good headroom. I recognise bridges. We have a large windscreen on our car, so it feels when there are gusts...
22 June 2015 - 11:35
Åke S. says:
A new aspect! Travelling around looking for e.g. a house for viewing can be very expensive, as hostels have become very expensive or non-existent. To look at a viewing by travelling from Stockholm to Blekinge, the trip alone can cost 5000sek with hotel, food, travel by car.
In the 1980s, you could pull into almost any square and find a hostel. Now, in 2019, there is almost nothing, the countryside is blacked out in the off-season.
16 March 2019 - 14:23