There are motorhomes, and then there are ... motorhomes. You might remember that we interviewed Peter Gröndahl, CEO of American Motorhomes, a few months ago? When we were at the Elmia Husvagn Husbil fair, we met him and got to check out a huge American motorhome. You are welcome to take a look too!
For those who want to live in a suite - on wheels
If you want to get around in narrow Italian alleys and drive on forest trails, you probably shouldn't get an American motorhome. But if you want to live luxuriously - in Sweden or down in southern Europe - and still be somewhat mobile, then it might be for you.
After all, you get quite a lot of car (or house) for your money when compared to large European motorhomes. According to Peter Gröndahl you can get a used motorhome in this class for around £1.4 million.
Slide-outs give a villa feel
It really does feel like you're entering the living room of a luxury villa when you enter a motorhome like this. And maybe it's not so strange considering it's 35 square metres of living space.
What makes it so big is, of course, the slide-outs on the sides, which slide out in a stationary position and give the rooms a completely different width. Peter Gröndahl says he is a little tired of the question "Do they really work?". "Well, you probably wouldn't manufacture motorhomes with slide-outs for 300 million Americans if it didn't work," he laughs.
And of course ... a washing machine!
It may be a luxury in many modern European motorhomes, but I've never seen a washing machine before. But sometime will be the first! I ask a little uncertainly how big the water tank is, and Peter answers reassuringly that it holds 600 litres. A little different from our 120 litres. But on the other hand, there is not so much in this motorhome that reminds us of our ...
Lennart says:
Peter and I were workmates at the mill once upon a time.
We met a few years ago.
15 September 2016 - 6:43
Mr Steve says:
Wow, wow, wow. There are resources there. In the US, size obviously matters.
15 September 2016 - 7:34
Imelda says:
Well, what do you say? Luxuriously worse but best suited to America 😀.
15 September 2016 - 7:35
anita says:
Wow! But I would never in my life want to drive one of those... although I could really imagine living in it.
15 September 2016 - 9:00
Ann-Sofie says:
Requires a few more letters in the driving licence, I think.
Do you know if these 'monsters' are insulated to work in winter?
15 September 2016 - 9:36
Marina says:
As someone once said, "Everythisng´s big in America"...
15 September 2016 - 9:41
Ditte says:
Truly gigantic! But on the other hand, you are limited in your driving and, at least in Europe, you have to plan your route carefully according to which roads are suitable. Even in the USA there are more mountainous areas...
But very nice to see the car.
15 September 2016 - 11:09
Solan says:
Always fun to look into motorhomes...from tiny ones to colossal ones 🙂 ...
15 September 2016 - 11:26
admin says:
Lennart, yes, I remember you telling me that before. Great!
Steve, yes, it is well known that everything is big in the US 😉.
Imelda, I can imagine that they fit in the USA where both roads and campsites are large. But some people seem to enjoy them here too 🙂 .
Anita, that's how it is! You want to drive a flatbed and then stay in one of these, haha 😉.
Ann-Sofie, I don't know how well insulated they are, but I think they work for winter living. Maybe Peter himself will look in here later and answer?
Marina, yes, that seems to be the case 😉.
Ditte, these motorhomes are not suitable for everyone. Not for those who want to roam around in small towns directly, but more for those who may want to stay for a long time in unfamiliar places.
Solan, of course it is! And a little fun sometimes with the cars where you thought a little differently! 😉
15 September 2016 - 11:26
Goatfish says:
Holy macaroni, I'm just saying, there was a dance floor here 😀.
Jesus!
It's great that there is a size for all different needs.
Thanks for watching! Sun hugs 😀
15 September 2016 - 12:16
Mia's Mix says:
Wonderful to see from the inside! Especially after all we saw on the outside in Canada! Like travelling around with a hotel room 🙂
15 September 2016 - 14:36
Veiken says:
Wow! It was not bad at all. The difficulty is the pocket parking inside cities, so it falls for us! 😉
15 September 2016 - 15:39
Ama de casa says:
Gosh ... the Americans are good at hitting big. But that one was probably not for me 🙂 .
15 September 2016 - 16:06
Robin says:
Absolutely huge, you can hardly believe it's in a motorhome :,D
15 September 2016 - 17:02
Dessan says:
You do not want such a motorhome down in Croatia, for example, where we have been. Talk about crowded with such a large car. Ours is probably so big we discovered? They are nice...but best suited in the USA.
15 September 2016 - 17:47
Alexandra says:
I was actually surprised that there weren't more motorhomes/caravans with slide-outs than there were at the fair... I think I saw only one that could be extended backwards. When we were camping in Australia, we saw lots of them on Lla campsites so I thought it was modern... But apparently not in Sweden.
15 September 2016 - 17:59
admin says:
Geddfish, if you're going to dance, this motorhome is definitely better than ours, haha 😉.
Mia's Mix, I imagine you saw more of those here in Canada! It's like travelling around with a hotel room 😉.
Veiken, for pocket parking there are probably more convenient motorhomes 😉.
Ama de casa, for those who are afraid of driving in narrow alleys... no, haha, probably not 😉.
Robin, when you're inside them you almost forget that it's something that can roll away 😉.
Also, we don't want such a big motorhome because we want to be able to go everywhere. I think that these motorhomes are best suited for those who want to stand still a little longer in different places. But they are fascinating to see and if you want a big motorhome, you get a lot for your money compared to the European ones 😉.
Alexandra, slide-outs are very common on American motorhomes and perhaps also in Canada and Australia. European motorhomes very rarely have slide-outs for some reason, and what is sold in Sweden is mostly European motorhomes (from Sweden, Germany, England, France, Italy, Slovenia etc).
15 September 2016 - 19:13
Lena - good for the soul says:
During one of our recent trips to California, we took the opportunity to visit an RV company. And yes, I can attest that they are absurdly large. Nothing that attracts me exactly, but it's kind of fun to have been inside one (or a few), haha.
Hug Lena
15 September 2016 - 19:28
Matts Torebring says:
It can't be cosy, just going out for a weekend, in such a car. It requires a new lifestyle and living entirely in the car. I don't envy anyone who has one.
15 September 2016 - 20:28
BP says:
In America, everything is a bit bigger than here in Europe, so to speak. And there is a "culture" with "recreation vehicles" and "motorhomes" for permanent accommodation.
I think that 1.4 million SEK is quite affordable anyway considering the cost of the models you presented.
Then again, I may find the interior too gloomy and "woody" and the exterior terribly ugly (the colours), but that's another matter;-).
15 September 2016 - 21:11
Anna, Travel on a Cloud says:
Wow, truly impressive! When I was a kid, American caravans came to our little town. I remember thinking they were so exciting. But of course they don't come close to these motorhomes. Very interesting to see!
15 September 2016 - 23:03
Lena says:
Now we are talking RV Coaches, they are amazing! We like to follow the construction of these on the Travel Channel for e. m. coffee. What rolling homes they are building in the U S A, like boats!!!
15 September 2016 - 23:10
Susjos says:
Thanks for watching! In California, we saw that they had their cars "in tow" behind their motorhome....
15 September 2016 - 23:52
small area big space says:
I love American cars, but chose the smallest on the market for accessibility. Sold my studio house in the woods and looked for a motorhome to live in a new way. Almost fell for a 9.5 metre with a gold bathroom, crystal chandelier in the kitchen and purple plush American sofas! Wardrobes and bedchamber! But realized when I almost struck that I would not be able to get lost on a forest road or stay in the city... or fit in my beloved mountain villages... So it only bit an inch with a bed in the roof! <3
16 September 2016 - 2:43
admin says:
Lena, how nice that you checked out motorhomes! We also think they are a bit too big for our purposes, but it's fun to look! 🙂
Matts, I also think they suit a slightly different lifestyle. There is a motorhome for everyone 😉.
BP, everything is bigger in the US! These cars are suitable for living in, regardless of whether it is full-time or seasonal. Interior design is a matter of taste 😉 (But the European and American cars differ somewhat even there.)
Anna, interesting, who came in American caravans?
Lena, this is really rolling home! Nice that you can follow the construction!
Susjos, I can understand that you want to have the car with you, but it will be a long journey! 😉
Small surface large space, haha, how funny that you were falling for a golden motorhome! 🙂 Sounds lovely, but think the one you have is better suited for what you want to do! Have a nice time!
16 September 2016 - 8:16
Karin Mikkelsen says:
It is absolutely wonderful to go into the woods for a weekend with one, we can't imagine anything less since we moved into our Monaco in May 2010.
17 September 2016 - 8:15
Maria's Memoirs says:
My God, what a luxury! I could live in one all year round (I guess you can keep them warm somehow, if the climate requires it).
18 September 2016 - 11:13
Marianne - Glimpses of the world says:
Wow, that's quite a motorhome! I would have preferred a smaller version that was easier to drive on small roads, but it must be very comfortable with so much space!
18 September 2016 - 23:19
Marie Ringström says:
Finally these big cars have come to Sweden!!!
17 April 2020 - 20:22