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


The definition of the time period “Leisure Car” will not be that clear reduce. Significantly in Australia the place it’s typically loosely used to explain any car used for enjoyable. Let’s speak about what a Leisure Car is in Australia and the differing types.

The time period Leisure Car (RV) causes plenty of 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 far more broadly to incorporate caravans and different automobiles designed for enjoyable (therefore the recreation a part of the title).

Definition of “Leisure Car”

Wikipedia describes a Leisure Car (RV) as a motorized vehicle or trailer that features dwelling quarters. However, Dictionary.com has a barely totally different definition, “a van or utility car used for leisure functions, corresponding to tenting…”.

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

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

What do we assume a Leisure Car is?

Properly, there isn’t any 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 alternative methods relying on which dictionary you personal, all of them appear to agree that recreation is an exercise you do for enjoyment whenever you’re not working.

So… Leisure Car principally means ‘enjoyable car’, proper?

Proper. Now that we’ve acquired that sorted, let’s have 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 dwelling quarters. After that, it might go both manner relying on whether or not you’re going with the ‘enjoyable car’ definition or the much less enjoyable Wikipedia definition.

Caravans

Recreational Vehicle - Caravan
Coromal Thrill Seeker Caravan © Coromal

A caravan is a trailer outfitted with dwelling quarters thats designed for journey and is towed by a car. Caravans haven’t any engine or motor and and not using a car to drag them, are usually not going anyplace. 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 measurement and options. There are such a lot of several types of caravans in the marketplace in Australia, it’s severely not humorous. To study extra about caravans and resolve if that is the Leisure Car for you, learn our article beneath:

Professionals

  • Usually cheaper to purchase and preserve in comparison with a motorhome
  • Means that you can detach from the towing car, supplying you with the liberty to drive with out shifting your whole campsite
  • Number of sizes
  • Snug dwelling area

Cons

  • You must tow it which can imply upgrading your car. Now it’s getting tremendous costly 
  • Towing a caravan may be difficult, notably for these with little to no expertise
  • It’s laborious to seek out area to park in city areas when its connected to your tow car
  • Much less handy for spontaneous stops

Camper trailers

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

They pack down small for towing and should be arrange whenever 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 traces 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. 

Professionals

  • Usually, extra reasonably priced than motorhomes and bigger caravans (however this isn’t at all times the case in high-end off-road fashions)
  • Lighter and due to this fact towable by a wider vary of automobiles
  • Means that you can camp in additional distant locations
  • Its compact measurement permits for simple storage when not in use

Cons

  • Some require fairly a little bit of establishing
  • Typically lacks the complete vary of amenities present in bigger Leisure Automobiles
  • Extra uncovered to the weather as a result 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 which you could drive like a automobile and it’s not designed to be towed. The dwelling quarters are constructed on a truck or bus chassis and as a rule, characteristic sleeping quarters, a kitchen, a eating space and an ensuite. There are totally different courses of motorhomes so it may possibly get a bit complicated.

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

Professionals

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

Cons

  • Costlier to buy and preserve in comparison with caravans and camper trailers
  • Much less gasoline environment friendly as a result of measurement and weight
  • As soon as parked, you need to transfer your complete camp to go to the outlets
  • Difficult to seek out parking in city areas
  • If the engine breaks down, you’re caught within the one spot

Campervans

You’ll be able to 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 provides fundamental facilities like a sleeping space and a small kitchen however might not characteristic a toilet and/or dwelling space. They’re extra fitted to shorter journeys and weekends away.

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

Professionals

  • Compact and simpler to drive as they typically match into normal parking areas
  • Combines transport and dwelling 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
  • Usually extra gasoline environment friendly than a bigger motorhome

Cons

  • Restricted dwelling area
  • Typically lacks the complete vary of amenities present in bigger Leisure Automobiles
  • As soon as parked, it is advisable transfer your complete camp to go to the outlets
  • Restricted cupboard space

Different varieties of Leisure Automobiles

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

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

Off-road motorbikes

Dust 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 anyplace close to as a lot as we should always. Keep tuned!

All Terrain Automobiles (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 car’ on wheels.

Boats

This one’s a no brainer. It’s a enjoyable car that goes puh-puh-puh on the water. Until you’ve acquired an electrical one, you then make like a water ninja – silent. Both manner, 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 Automobiles open up a world of potentialities for exploring Australia. Whether or not you’re going solo, a seasoned travelling couple or a household on an journey, you possibly can’t actually name your self Australian should you don’t have (or aspire to have) a Leisure Car of some kind.

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





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