It’s a question a lot of people ask, isn’t it? Campervan vs motorhome: which is best? After selling their larger motorhome when they moved to a smaller home, Jane and her husband wanted to get back to travelling in something more manageable. Their search brought them to Free Spirit Campervans, where a Mercedes-based conversion, a newly fitted interior and a friendly welcome helped them choose a campervan for their next chapter of adventures.

Summary:

After selling their larger motorhome following a house move, Jane and her husband began looking for a smaller campervan that would suit their travels together. Their search led them to Free Spirit Campervans, where a Mercedes-based conversion with an automatic gearbox and a newly fitted interior caught their attention. Here, they share why they decided to downsize, what mattered when choosing their campervan, and how friendly advice and support helped them settle into life with their new vehicle.

A Change of Home and a Change of Plans

Jane and her husband already knew how much they enjoyed travelling with their own accommodation. They had owned a larger motorhome and taken their dog along on their trips, but a house move during COVID changed what they could comfortably keep at home.

With nowhere suitable to store the motorhome, they decided to sell it. At the time, they expected to buy another, although that plan gradually slipped into the background as time passed.

When they began looking again, their priorities had changed. They still wanted to travel, but their experience with the previous vehicle had given them a clearer idea of what would suit them next.

“Something that was a bit smaller and a bit nippier.” 

Downsizing from a motorhome to a campervan offered a way to return to the holidays they enjoyed with a vehicle that felt easier to handle.

What Appealed About a Smaller Campervan vs Motorhome

Their previous motorhome had felt cumbersome, and its manual gearbox had been a particular frustration. Driving, manoeuvring and parking therefore mattered just as much as the space available once they reached a campsite.

Their new campervan has an automatic gearbox, and they have been pleased with how manoeuvrable it feels. They particularly praised its turning circle and described parking it in ordinary car spaces that would not have accommodated their former motorhome.

For anyone considering a similar change, their story offers a useful starting point: think about the parts of your previous vehicle that you enjoyed and the things you would like to make easier. The driving experience deserves as much attention as the interior photographs.

Choosing a Layout for the Two of Them

Jane and her husband now travel as a couple, without pets, so they could concentrate on choosing a layout for their own use.

They were clear that they did not need sleeping accommodation for four people. The vehicle they chose had already been converted, allowing them to see the finished interior and decide whether it met their needs.

Their description was simple: “It had already been kitted out.”

There were no changes to the initial specification that they wanted us to make before buying. They were happy with the conversion as it stood, although living with a smaller space would naturally involve some adjustment.

They talked openly about learning to organise their belongings and finding a routine that worked. That practical approach began with accepting what they wanted from this campervan and what they were comfortable doing without. Their campervan has no onboard toilet facilities, for example, and they are happy to choose campsites with the facilities they need.

Finding Value in a Newly Fitted Interior

Before visiting Free Spirit, they had spent time looking at advertisements and had visited other dealers. They therefore arrived with some experience of what was available and how different vehicles compared with their budget.

One detail made a strong impression:

“Although it’s an older vehicle, it felt like a brand new one because everything inside was new.”

The age of the base vehicle and the condition of the living space were separate considerations for them. They liked having a newly fitted interior in a vehicle that they felt represented good value compared with others they had considered.

At Free Spirit Campervans, we import used vehicles and carry out our conversions at our premises near Chichester. You can read more about our team and conversion process to understand the work behind the finished campervans.

 

For Jane and her husband, being able to step inside the completed conversion helped turn an online search into a decision about a particular vehicle.

A Friendly Welcome on a Rainy Day

Their first introduction to Free Spirit came through an online vehicle advertisement. From there, they explored our website and discovered the wider selection available before travelling from near Tunbridge Wells to visit.

The weather gave them a memorable backdrop: it was pouring with rain when they came to look around. What they remembered about meeting Ian, however, was the welcome and the opportunity to ask questions.

“He was very welcoming, friendly.”

They described being able to ask about what the van could and could not do. That conversation matters when you are moving from a familiar motorhome into a different type of vehicle, because the details you want to understand are shaped by your previous experience.

A visit also gives you time to sit inside, look at the storage and ask to see how the bed operates. These were practical considerations the couple returned to when sharing their advice for other buyers.

Help While Getting to Know Their Campervan

Their experience also included a few early niggles, which they said were fixed after they returned the vehicle to us and left it for the day.

They contacted Ian about another concern when the battery went flat on a couple of occasions. He explained that interior lights had been left on and identified a switch they could use to turn them off. They reported that things had been fine once they understood this.

Even with previous motorhome experience, there were unfamiliar controls to learn. Having someone to ask helped them understand their own vehicle and how to use it.

When asked to sum up their dealings with Free Spirit, their answer was straightforward:

“I would say friendly and informative.”

Considering Downsizing from a Motorhome to a Campervan

Jane and her husband wanted a smaller vehicle that suited the way they now travel. Their story shows how useful previous experience can be when deciding which comforts matter and where you are happy to make adjustments.

If you are considering the same move, browse our campervans or contact our team to arrange a visit near Chichester. Call 01243 649087 or email info@fscltd.co.uk to talk through what you are looking for.

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Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00 

Sunday: CLOSED

FAQs

 Why did Jane and her husband downsize from a motorhome to a campervan?

They sold their motorhome after moving to a smaller home without suitable storage for it. When they began looking again, they wanted something smaller and more manoeuvrable that would still allow them to enjoy travelling.

Did they have camping experience before buying?

Yes. They had previously travelled in a larger motorhome with their dog. That experience helped them identify what they wanted to keep enjoying and what they wanted to change about their next vehicle.

What appealed to them about the driving experience?

They appreciated the automatic gearbox and described their campervan as very manoeuvrable. They also praised its turning circle, particularly in comparison with their previous, larger motorhome.

Did they choose a bespoke layout?

They bought a campervan that had already been converted and were happy with its existing specification. Seeing the finished interior allowed them to assess whether it suited their needs as a couple.

What did they like about the interior?

They liked that the interior had been newly fitted, even though the base vehicle was older. This was an important part of why the campervan felt like good value to them.

Does their campervan have an onboard toilet?

Their own campervan does not have onboard toilet facilities. They explained that this arrangement suits them and that they choose campsites with suitable facilities. Buyers should consider their own needs when comparing layouts.

Can their parking experience apply to every campervan?

No. Their comments describe their own vehicle. Check the dimensions of the campervan you are considering against the spaces you expect to use, including any height barriers and parking restrictions.

What support did they receive after buying?

They said some early niggles were fixed when they brought the campervan back. They also received advice from Ian about switching off interior lights after experiencing a flat battery.

What would they suggest checking before choosing a campervan?

Their advice included thinking carefully about size, toilet and cooking facilities, storage and how the bed works. They also suggested trying a campervan before committing if you have the opportunity.

Can I view campervans at Free Spirit before deciding?

Yes. You can visit our showroom near Chichester to compare the available vehicles and ask questions. Contact the team to arrange your visit and discuss what you would like to see.