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What’s a Leisure Automobile (RV)? Let’s get again to fundamentals


The definition of the time period “Leisure Automobile” isn’t that clear reduce. Significantly in Australia the place it’s usually loosely used to explain any automobile used for enjoyable. Let’s speak about what a Leisure Automobile is in Australia and the differing types.

The time period Leisure Automobile (RV) causes numerous confusion because it’s a time period generally used to explain motorhomes and fifth-wheelers within the USA. Nonetheless, in Australia, we have a tendency to consider the time period way more broadly to incorporate caravans and different automobiles designed for enjoyable (therefore the recreation a part of the identify).

Definition of “Leisure Automobile”

Wikipedia describes a Leisure Automobile (RV) as a motorized vehicle or trailer that features residing quarters. Alternatively, Dictionary.com has a barely totally different definition, “a van or utility automobile used for leisure functions, resembling tenting…”.

The Queensland Authorities takes it a step additional and along with caravans and motorhomes, contains off-road motorbikes, quad bikes, golf buggies and even wheeled armoured automobiles. 

You see why it’s complicated? So what’s a Leisure Automobile?

What do we suppose a Leisure Automobile is?

Effectively, there isn’t a clear definition. However right here at RVDaily, we prefer to be inclusive of all automobiles that present recreation. And though the time period ‘recreation’ is outlined in many various methods relying on which dictionary you personal, all of them appear to agree that recreation is an exercise you do for enjoyment if you’re not working.

So… Leisure Automobile principally means ‘enjoyable automobile’, proper?

Proper. Now that we’ve acquired that sorted, let’s take a look at the several types of leisure automobiles in Australia. Now the primary 4 are very clear, no argument wanted, leisure automobiles as a result of they’ve residing quarters. After that, it might go both method relying on whether or not you’re going with the ‘enjoyable automobile’ definition or the much less enjoyable Wikipedia definition.

Caravans

Recreational Vehicle - Caravan
Coromal Thrill Seeker Caravan © Coromal

A caravan is a trailer outfitted with residing quarters thats designed for journey and is towed by a automobile. Caravans haven’t any engine or motor and and not using a automobile to tug them, aren’t going wherever. All of them have a sleeping space and most even have a kitchenette and a toilet. Nonetheless, small caravans might or might not have a toilet.

Caravans vary in dimension and options. There are such a lot of several types of caravans in the marketplace in Australia, it’s severely not humorous. To be taught extra about caravans and determine if that is the Leisure Automobile for you, learn our article beneath:

Execs

  • Typically cheaper to purchase and keep in comparison with a motorhome
  • Permits you to detach from the towing automobile, providing you with the liberty to drive with out shifting your whole campsite
  • Number of sizes
  • Comfy residing area

Cons

  • You need to tow it which can imply upgrading your automobile. Now it’s getting tremendous costly 
  • Towing a caravan will be difficult, significantly for these with little to no expertise
  • It’s exhausting to search out area to park in city areas when its hooked up to your tow automobile
  • Much less handy for spontaneous stops

Camper trailers

A camper trailer (or camper) can also be a towable trailer that features residing quarters and most definitely a kitchen. Nonetheless, there’s the place the similarities finish to a caravan. Camper trailers are as a rule, designed to go the place caravans can’t (even when they are saying they’ll) – off highway. 

They pack down small for towing and have to be arrange if you attain camp. Older model camper trailers are extra like a heavy-duty canvas tent on a field trailer, however lately, they’re much more refined and simply to be complicated, the strains have effectively and actually blurred between camper trailers and caravans with the introduction of hybrid campers. Learn extra about camper trailers in our newbie’s information beneath. 

Execs

  • Typically, extra inexpensive than motorhomes and bigger caravans (however this isn’t all the time the case in high-end off-road fashions)
  • Lighter and due to this fact towable by a wider vary of automobiles
  • Permits you to camp in additional distant locations
  • Its compact dimension permits for straightforward storage when not in use

Cons

  • Some require fairly a little bit of organising
  • Usually lacks the complete vary of services present in bigger Leisure Autos
  • Extra uncovered to the weather on account of exterior kitchens and canvas partitions.

Motorhomes 

Recreational Vehicle - Motorhome
Avan Ovation Motorhome

A motorhome is totally different to a caravan and camper trailer in that it’s principally a house you can drive like a automobile and it’s not designed to be towed. The residing quarters are constructed on a truck or bus chassis and as a rule, function sleeping quarters, a kitchen, a eating space and an ensuite. There are totally different lessons of motorhomes so it may get a bit complicated.

We’ll be writing a sequence of guides to motorhomes very shortly. Keep tuned!

Execs

  • Combines transport and residing quarters in a single unit, simplifying journey logistics
  • Gives extra residing area than a campervan with bigger kitchens and bogs.
  • No have to unhitch, you merely park and plug into energy and water
  • Handy for spontaneous journey

Cons

  • Dearer to buy and keep in comparison with caravans and camper trailers
  • Much less gas environment friendly because of the dimension and weight
  • As soon as parked, it’s important to transfer your complete camp to go to the retailers
  • Difficult to search out parking in city areas
  • If the engine breaks down, you’re caught within the one spot

Campervans

You possibly can consider a campervan like a small motorhome. Like a motorhome, it’s a house that you just drive your self however its extra compact, and normally constructed on a van chassis. It presents primary facilities like a sleeping space and a small kitchen however might not function a toilet and/or residing space. They’re extra suited to shorter journeys and weekends away.

We’ll be writing a sequence of guides to campervans very shortly. Keep tuned!

Execs

  • Compact and simpler to drive as they usually match into normal parking areas
  • Combines transport and residing quarters in a single unit
  • No have to unhitch, like a motorhome, you merely park and plug into energy and water if it’s out there
  • Typically extra gas environment friendly than a bigger motorhome

Cons

  • Restricted residing area
  • Usually lacks the complete vary of services present in bigger Leisure Autos
  • As soon as parked, you want to transfer your complete camp to go to the retailers
  • Restricted cupboard space

Different sorts of Leisure Autos

Okay, that is the place we begin to push the boundaries as to what’s thought-about a Leisure Automobile. However keep in mind, right here at RVDaily, we don’t take into account residing quarters to be the deciding issue and take into account any ‘enjoyable automobile’ on wheels and water a Leisure Automobile. 

Listed below are a number of different Leisure ‘enjoyable’ Autos we like to speak about, take a look at, and principally, waste hard-earned cash on.

Off-road motorbikes

Grime bikes, quad bikes and even electrical off-road bikes – we love them. They’re a ton of enjoyable for all ages, and we don’t speak about them wherever close to as a lot as we should always. Keep tuned!

All Terrain Autos (ATVs)

ATVs, UTVs, side-by-sides – we’ll be having a dialog about these quickly too. However once more, we love them simply as a lot as caravans, motorhomes, campervans and motorbikes. Why? As a result of they’re a ‘enjoyable automobile’ on wheels.

Boats

This one’s a no brainer. It’s a enjoyable automobile that goes puh-puh-puh on the water. Until you’ve acquired an electrical one, then you definately make like a water ninja – silent. Both method, a ship lets you do much more enjoyable leisure actions like fishing, getting to chill tenting spots, snorkelling and leaping off it. Keep tuned for extra incoming boat content material.

In conclusion

Leisure Autos open up a world of prospects for exploring Australia. Whether or not you’re going solo, a seasoned travelling couple or a household on an journey, you may’t actually name your self Australian in the event you don’t have (or aspire to have) a Leisure Automobile of some type.

Tell us if we’ve missed any and what you’d prefer to see extra of!