| Motorhomes come in all shapes and sizes, delivered | | | | Originally designed to provide more headroom, some |
| to the marketplace by many manufacturers in many | | | | models have been modified to incorporate a bed in |
| countries. These vehicles however are generally | | | | the rising roof. This can vary from a small bed for a |
| categorised as either a panel van (vehicles that use | | | | young child to a larger adult double bed. There are |
| the original body of the van) or a coach built (using a | | | | many recent example of these type motor home in |
| purpose built habitation area, mounted on a suitable | | | | the UK in particular, where fuel cost can be a big |
| chassis). | | | | factor in a vehicle popularity. |
| The Elevating Roof Panel Van is an improved version | | | | The advantages to Elevating Roof Panel Van motor |
| of the Fixed Roof Van, as it allows more headroom - | | | | homes are multiple. These vehicles are generally easy |
| the main problem with it's Fixed Roofed sibling. Early | | | | to drive, easy to park and easy to garage. They fit |
| models designed by Volkswagen introduced the | | | | where many coach built vehicles will not. Most of |
| concept of the rising roof. These days the VW | | | | these type vehicles have large side sliding doors |
| campervans are much sought after classic vehicles, | | | | allowing good access to the interior. These are ideal |
| trading hands for large sums of money and | | | | vehicles to do your own motor home creation and |
| renovated back to their former glory. | | | | often can be started at a minimal cost. |
| Today the elevating roof motor home is still as | | | | There are however some downsides such as single |
| popular as ever and are available on a number of | | | | glazed windows making it difficult to heat. Storage |
| base vehicles. In most cases the elevating roof | | | | space is usually at a premium also. Standing room |
| section deploys an attached fabric panel as it rises, | | | | may be an issue for example if the elevating roof is |
| with other variations having hinged solid sides. The | | | | fixed at one side, then standing may not be an |
| choice of base vehicle determines the vehicle size - | | | | option at that side of the vehicle. Depending on the |
| the Citroen Berlingo (or similar Fiat, Renault and Ford | | | | size of the base vehicle, you may be without |
| models) for example makes for a small motor home | | | | features such as a shower, oven etc. |
| suitable for only one or two at a push. | | | | |