A motorhome (or coach ) is a type of self-propelled recreational vehicle (RV) which is as the name suggests, like a home on wheels.
42-618: Hymer AG is a motorhome and caravan manufacturer, located in Bad Waldsee , Germany . One of the largest manufacturers of motorhomes and caravans in Europe, the listed company Hymer AG owns several brands, including; Bürstner, Carado, Sunlight, Etrusco, Elddis, Hymer, Laika, LMC, Niesmann + Bischoff, Dethleffs, Eriba, as well as camping equipment wholesale Movera. In February 2017 it acquired The Explorer Group based in Consett , UK adding
84-554: A splitty (split windscreen), a bay (bay framed windscreen), or a bricky ("brick" shaped van). Although less popular, Mercedes also manufactured a similar-sized light van and conversions were reasonably common in the 1960s and 1970s. Of a similar size and vintage is the British Commer Spacevan conversion. In Europe, the Citroën H-Van has also been used as a base for many campervan conversions, and
126-510: A 450 meter long production line with an initial 60 employees and as grown due to popularity. In September 2012, the company had over 260 employees and can up to 5,000 vehicles per year. In April 2014 the 25,000th vehicle left the Capron assembly line in Neustadt. In October 2017, the company had over 600 employees and manufactured its 50,000th vehicle. In August 2022, the 100,000th motorhome left
168-401: A classic Volkswagen. The car camper is an estate car (UK) or a station wagon (USA) converted into a travel home. The rear cargo area is converted into a full double bed area usually with a fabricated aluminium framework. All equipment necessary to set up a well-appointed camp site is stored under the double bed with access through lidded areas under the bed. Unlike a standard station wagon where
210-438: A divide between the living compartment and the cab. The United States term " recreational vehicle " (RV) is more analogous to motorhome than campervan. Campervans may be equipped either with a "pop-up" roof which is raised during camping , or a fixed roof, either shared with the commercial van that forms the basis of the vehicle (commonly a "high-top" model), or as part of a custom coach-built body. Campervans usually have
252-416: A drop-down bed to be fitted above. Recognisable by their large curved windscreens. Coachbuilt body, retaining the base van's cab, with a raised Luton van style area over the cab containing a bed. Other beds may be fixed in place, built by moving seats and tables, or lowered from the ceiling. Shower and toilet cubicles usually fitted. Sometimes including a garage for bikes, and may be large enough to support
294-563: A mechanism for towing a small city car . Roughly comparable to the North American C-class (CC). Common base vehicles include the Fiat Ducato , Renault Master , and Ford Transit . Coachbuilt but without a raised bed over the cab. Other beds may be fixed in place, built by moving seats and tables, or lowered from the ceiling. Shower and toilet cubicles usually fitted. Garages and towing fittings may be carried as with
336-511: A motorhome is referred to as a Wohnmobil . In Sweden , the term husbil means motorhome. In France , a motorhome is called a camping-car . In Italy , the term camper is used to mean motorhome in general, and the term motorhome refers to Class A motorhomes in particular. Spain and Portugal use auto caravana or auto-caravana . In the Netherlands and in Poland , the term camper
378-510: A pattern common in RV history, in 1958 Frank designed and built his first motorhome so his family could take vacations to Florida and the mid-west ; it was 27 feet (8.2 m) long and mounted on a Dodge chassis. Soon afterwards, other campers took an interest in the design and asked Frank to build them one too. By 1960, the Franks had sold seven motorhomes, and decided to open Frank Motor Homes, Inc.
420-406: A small kitchen with a refrigerator (which is often powered by a choice of gas, battery, or mains electricity) and a two-burner gas hob and grill . They generally have dual-voltage lighting which can work from either a dedicated battery (other than the van battery) known as a deep-cycle or leisure battery , or from AC power , supplied at a campsite via a hook-up cable. Larger models may include
462-785: A subsidiary of Hymer, is the United Kingdom 's second largest manufacturer of caravans , based in Consett . The Explorer Group produces Elddis , Buccaneer, Compass and Xplore brands. Capron GmbH is a manufacturer of motorhomes in Neustadt in Saxony. Capron GmbH builds Erwin Hymer Group for the Sunlight motorhomes and Sunlight and Carado motorhomes. Capron GmbH was founded in July 2005 as a joint venture between Hymer AG and Dethleffs GmbH & Co. KG. The new plant opened November 2006 on
SECTION 10
#1732773156851504-499: A water heater, space heating and air conditioning, a portable toilet and an internal shower. Smaller models often carry a portable toilet, and sometimes an external shower that operates within the privacy of an awning. The term " Dormobile " is sometimes used generically in the United Kingdom due to a once highly popular conversion brand, and "Kombi" is used in Australia and other countries. The popularity of this type expanded in
546-754: A workforce of 2,600 creating 14,243 motorhomes and 6,317 caravans. The Hymer Group operates from factories in: In Bad Waldsee, Germany: In Neustadt in Sachsen, Germany: In Consett, County Durham, England Was (Elddis): Germany: Bad Waldsee , Kehl , Isny im Allgäu , Leutkirch im Allgäu , Sassenberg , Polch , Neustadt in Sachsen France: Wissembourg Italy: Tavarnelle Val di Pesa UK: Consett (Canada: Kitchener, Ontario , Roadtrek from 2016 to 2019) Motorhome Motorhomes usually have sleeping spaces for two to eight people. Each sleeping space
588-500: Is a self-propelled vehicle that provides both transport and sleeping accommodation. The term describes vans that have been fitted out, whereas a motorhome is one with a coachbuilt body. The term motorhome is sometimes used interchangeably with campervan, but the former can also be a larger vehicle than a campervan and intended to be more comfortable, whilst the latter is more concerned with ease of movement and lower cost. For example, some campervans lack built-in toilets and showers, or
630-535: Is also sometimes used to allow for standing room in the vehicle. Shower and toilet cubicles rarely fitted. The Volkswagen Transporter is a common base vehicle, and Ford Transits are also reasonably common. Also known as "surf vans" (or "surf buses") and "day vans". Typically similar in size to the rising roof designs. Beds usually built by moving seats and tables. Shower and toilet cubicles very rarely fitted. The Volkswagen Transporter and Mercedes-Benz Vito are particularly common base vehicles. They have become
672-405: Is either fixed or converted from another part of the motorhome's interior, usually a fold-out sofa. A kitchenette area contains cooking equipment. The type of equipment included differs depending on the motorhome make and model, but generally a kitchenette has a stovetop, oven, refrigerator, and sink. More luxury models may also provide a microwave . A small bathroom with a shower, sink and toilet
714-423: Is not commonly used except for imported North American models, which may vary greatly in size from semi-low profile coachbuilts to van conversions. Typically, a van chassis is provided without interior or some exterior features as an "incomplete vehicle" by an automobile manufacturer, and upfitted with RV amenities by a coachbuilder. It is then sold as a completed RV and usually has safety standards certification from
756-461: Is popular amongst Dutch and Belgian users in particular. Ex-factory, it had several height and length configurations, and in all versions it had a low floor and high ceiling, a legacy of one of its original uses as a mobile shop. It does not usually need a pop-top to accommodate its users. Modern mid-sized Japanese vans such as the Toyota Hiace are sometimes converted to have the appearance of
798-445: Is sometimes reached by basing the conversion on an off-road vehicle. Sometimes the conversion is demountable from the back of a pick-up truck body. In recent years, converting vans into self-contained motorhomes or campervans has become a popular trend among people who want to own a motorhome or campervan but don't have the budget for a purpose built motorhome or professional conversion. The conversion process involves stripping out
840-424: Is used. In Australia and New Zealand , the term campervan is frequently used for smaller vans, either with a low top or high top that do not have a toilet and shower. In New Zealand , the term housebus is frequently used for larger motorhomes. In some countries, the proprietary name Winnebago has been largely genericised to refer to any motorhome. The origins of the motorhome date back to 1910, when
882-466: Is usually also located in the motorhome. On smaller motorhomes, the toilet may be of the "cassette toilet" type, which is a kind of portable toilet or container-based toilet . The toilet sometimes swivels to provide extra room and can be accessed from outside the motorhome for easy emptying. Larger motorhomes usually have a separate shower cubicle. A motorhome also has a cab area with a driver and passenger seat. These seats often swivel to become part of
SECTION 20
#1732773156851924-654: The Pierce-Arrow motor company introduced the Touring Landau model at the Madison Square Garden auto show. The Pierce-Arrow's entry was specialized for the camper in mind—providing cargo compartments for camping equipment and even an on-board toilet. In the 1920s, individual builders and manufactures began to convert panel trucks and buses to be used for camping. Designers patterned these "housecars" after airplanes, boats, and buses. One of
966-696: The 1950s after Volkswagen commissioned the Westfalia company to use the Kombi version of their Type 2 transporter as the basis for a campervan. Off-road campervans are often referred to as 4WD or 4x4 campers. Some models include expandable tents mounted on the roof while others have pop-up roofs for additional sleeping space and storage. Pop-up roof variants share certain design elements with roof tents as sometimes fitted to more robust four wheel drive off-road vehicles intended for expeditions rather than relaxed camping. A compromise between these two purposes
1008-573: The Elddis, Buccaneer, Compass and Xplore brands to its portfolio. In 2018, Thor Industries acquired Hymer. Alfons Hymer, the father of Erwin Hymer, had operated a repair shop in Bad Waldsee since 1923. In 1956, Erich Bachem made the first caravan to a customer order, and in 1957 designer Erwin Hymer created the prototype "Eriba" range, the original Trolls. As a result, that same year the two formed
1050-536: The United States. Motorhomes can be roughly categorized into three categories: There are many different motorhome layouts available with each manufacturer offering a range of options. One layout innovation that started in 1999 was the development of a slide out or slide room. As seen on the floor plan of the Thor Motor Coach, a slide out is an area that increases the square footage living space of
1092-477: The camping equipment has to be removed before sleeping or a tent set up, the car camper is self-contained. Similar to North American A-class recreational vehicles (sometimes known generically as "Winnebagos") but generally still smaller in Europe . Fully coachbuilt over a medium-to-large van chassis, from 7.5 tonnes and upwards. Highly appointed, sometimes with electrically operated slide-out (sideways) extensions to
1134-455: The chassis. In ten years, Winnebago had grown from 415 employees to 1,252 in 1969 with over $ 3 million in sales. While Winnebago was the market leader, other companies were also growing. In 1969 a total of 23,100 motorhomes were sold. While the gas crunch of the 1970s drove many manufacturers out of business—including Frank Motorhomes (then known as Travco) —today, the motorhome market continues to be strong. In 2014, 43,900 motorhomes were sold in
1176-538: The earliest known RVs is the "Gypsy Van," built in 1915 by Roland and Mary Conklin. The Gypsy Van was essentially a motorhome constructed on a bus chassis, featuring a range of amenities that were considered quite luxurious for its time. RV production was halted during World War Two and would not resume for the domestic market until the 1950s. When production did begin again, designers began grafting trailer bodies onto truck or bus chassis. Raymond Frank gave these housecars their contemporary name of “motorhome". Following
1218-408: The existing interior of the van and installing the new components. This can include insulating and lining the van, cutting and fitting furniture, installing electrical systems, new windows, a pop-up top and plumbing in a sink and water supply. It is possible to do a hybrid conversion where large elements such as roof, windows and bed are installed by a professional company and the owner then completes
1260-454: The job themselves. Gas installation requires particular expertise and must either be completed or certified by a qualified engineer. Insurance for a DIY campervan requires a policy that is flexible enough to cover the vehicle while it is a van, during the conversion process and when it is a completed campervan. There are several types of campervan manufactured by Volkswagen ; depending on their age, they are colloquially referred to as either
1302-402: The living space, electricity-generating windmills and in very large models (of North American scale) sometimes even fitted with a hydraulically operated garage capable of transporting a small car. Smaller (sub 7.5 tonnes) A-class vehicles are also popular in Europe, similar in size to overcab coachbuilts, but without the base vehicle's cab. In its place, a (wider) cab is added, which allows for
Hymer - Misplaced Pages Continue
1344-469: The living space. A dinette area provides a table and seating space typically used for eating meals. A lounge may also be included, consisting of either a U-shaped sofa located in the rear of the motorhome or a side lounge. In the United Kingdom and the United States, the word motorhome is commonly used. On occasion, other synonyms are used, such as motor home and motor caravan . In Germany ,
1386-659: The motorhome factory. In 2019, Rapido Group acquired Roadtrek from Erwin Hymer Group North America. Rapido Group's Roadtrek is in Kitchener , Ontario , Canada . The Roadtrek motorhome company was founded in 1980 by Jac Hanemaayer. Roadtrek Inc.'s headquarters is in Cambridge, Ontario , Canada. Rapido has specialized in building Class B Vans and also rebuilding Westfalia vans. In financial year 2010/2011, Hymer Group turned over €792 million, with
1428-465: The motorhome. These slide out(s) extend to allow for more living space while parked and retract while driving. As with most innovations, the original slide outs were considered a luxury item, whereas they are now standard on most of today's motorhomes. Campervan A campervan , also referred to as a camper , caravanette , motorhome or RV (recreational vehicle) in North America,
1470-617: The new distribution company Hymer AG , and in 1958 the company began production of the Eriba-Troll range, which is still in production today. The first Hymer motorhome was produced in 1961, the Caravano. During the mid-1960s, Dornier Flugzeugwerke and Hymer developed the Dornier Delta II , a development of the earlier Zündapp Janus . The vehicle could carry up to six passengers and offered two sleeping places for camping, but
1512-538: The next year. With the stylish fiberglass construction and contemporary color palette, the Frank motorhomes became an acceptable option for 1960s suburbanites who wanted an RV but scoffed at the travel trailer . Soon other firms began to manufacture these mainstream motorhomes. In 1958, one of the most recognizable names in motorhomes was launched— Winnebago . Under the direction of John Hanson, Winnebago began to produce nearly all of their motorhomes' components other than
1554-418: The overcab designs. Typical base vehicles are lighter-duty or smaller-engined variants of the same vehicles used for overcab designs. Based on a high-top van, typically of around 2.8 to 4.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight, without major coachbuilding modifications to the body. Beds typically fixed in place or built by moving seats and tables. Shower and toilet cubicles sometimes fitted. Typical base vehicles are
1596-446: The same as for the coachbuilt designs, above. Often, a Dodge, GMC or Ford van will be professionally converted into a high top. Often based on a relatively small van, typically 2 to 3 tonnes gross vehicle weight, including the classic Volkswagen Type 2, and with a roof which raises, usually with fabric sides, in a way not unlike a roof tent. Bed typically in the rising roof but also sometimes built by moving seats and tables. A rising roof
1638-726: The same year the camping accessories wholesaler Movera was founded. In 2000, Hymer AG acquired the Italian motorhome manufacturer Laika. The 100,000th leisure vehicle left the factory in October 2004. In 2005/6 Hymer and Dethleffs established of Capron Ltd., which distributes vehicles under the Carado and Sunlight brands. On 29 October 2011, the €17 million Erwin Hymer Museum opened in Bad Waldsee. In 2016, Hymer acquired esteemed North American Class B RV manufacturer Roadtrek, and created
1680-645: The subsidiary Erwin Hymer NA (North America) to manage the acquisition. In 2018, Thor Industries acquired Erwin Hymer (Europe) without Erwin Hymer NA and Roadtrek because of financial irregularities uncovered at Erwin Hymer NA (during due diligence investigations as required by the sale). Erwin Hymer NA subsequently fired the CEO, and COO, halted work at four factories in Ontario, laid off approximately 850 workers, and went into Canadian receivership. The Explorer Group ,
1722-592: The successors to the classic Volkswagen Type 2. Slightly smaller vans such as the Fiat Scudo may be used; on occasion, even smaller vans such as the Fiat Doblò are used to make casual light-duty campers with minimal facilities beyond sleeping space. A coachbuilt body sits on a (sometimes modified) pick-up load-bed, and generally removable at campsites to allow the vehicle to be used. Ford , Toyota , Nissan and Mitsubishi vehicles are common bases. This term
Hymer - Misplaced Pages Continue
1764-472: Was never developed beyond the prototype stage. However, from 1971, serial production of motorcaravans started under the Hymer brand. In 1980, the Hymer and Eriba companies formally merged, before also merging with Dethleffs and TEC to form CMC. Since 1990, the company became publicly traded. In 1995, the company became the first caravan manufacturer to become ISO 9001 certified. In 1996, Hymer took over Niesmann + Bischoff GmbH, and in 1998 added Burstner . In
#850149