Automatic Motorhome vs Manual Motorhome?: What is Right for You?

If you are in the market for a new or used motorhome, there will no doubt be countless questions you ask yourself before committing to a purchase. From size to furnishings, from colour to reliability and from brand to mileage, these are among just a few of the things you’ll be weighing up before you buy. Perhaps one that stands out for many though is whether the motorhome is automatic or manual. Some people prefer an automatic motorhome, others enjoy driving a manual motorhome. So, in the blog, we take a look at both and put automatic up against manual so you can see what the best option for you might be.

Which is better? An automatic or manual motorhome?

Both automatic and manual motorhomes have their plus points, however, there are some negatives too. Much depends on how you drive, your previous experience and your budget.

Manual motorhomes are typically cheaper to run as well as being cheaper to buy, automatics on the other hand make for an easier driving experience and often have a better resale value.

Of course, these might not be huge game changers for you, and a little further down the page, we’ll cover the advantages and disadvantages of both a little more in-depth.

Firstly though, let’s take a look at the differences between automatic and manual.

What’s the difference between automatic and manual?

In simple terms, automatic means that the transmission will be controlled by the vehicle itself. A complex array of tech will help the vehicle move up and down gears as required. With a manual, you do it all yourself.

It sounds like right off the bat, you’d choose an automatic. If the vehicle can do it for you, why give yourself additional things to focus on?

Well, it’s not quite as simple as that as we later explain.

In addition to the simple fact that the gears change either automatically or via human interaction, other key differences are:

• Automatics only have two peddles compared to three in manual motorhomes. This is because you don’t need a clutch!
• Driving may feel different in an automatic. Where in a manual vehicle you get more control, automatics give a smoother drive.

Where an automatic motorhome will adjust to the speed and terrain, a manual transmission motorhome requires the driver to keep themselves aware of their surroundings and adapt as necessary.

What are the advantages of an automatic motorhome?

Perhaps the largest advantage is that there is no longer the need to change gears. This alone can be seen as a blessing as it’s one less thing to focus on when you need your eyes on the road and your focus on everything going on around you.

There are plenty more benefits though as we will now see:

Easy driving

With one less peddle to rely on, driving can take you back to your video game days where just accelerate and brake are all you need. If you are a new driver, this can be seen as a godsend as you’ll have one less thing to worry about when you first hit the road.

Enhanced safety

As you’ll be able to always keep your hands on the steering wheel, you’ll have better control of your vehicle. Whilst you may feel like a competent driver, this added safety aspect could be really beneficial in poor driving conditions or particularly tight roads. Factor in the hill-start and other tech and you’ll pose less risk to yourself and other road users too.

Enhanced tow capability

Many automatic motorhomes have specific features built in to help with towing. This reduces wear and optimizes the vehicle to perform at its best.

Better resale value

Automatic vehicles are becoming more desirable which can often see them depreciate much slower than their manual counterparts.

New tech

Many newer models of automatic motorhomes feature a host of tech innovations that deliver a better driving experience. With the vehicle being able to adapt to driving styles, apply automatic hill starts, optimize fuel use and apply the right gear at the right time, you don’t have to worry about many of the problems you may encounter with a manual motorhome.

What are the disadvantages of an automatic motorhome?

As much as the advantages could sway you, it’s worth paying attention to the disadvantages of buying or owning an automatic motorhome too.

More expensive

Automatic motorhomes tend to be more expensive than the manual version. With much more complex tech involved in the build, the manufacturers can charge more to cover the build costs.

High maintenance costs

The same tech that makes it more expensive to buy also makes it more expensive to repair. Should something happen with your automatic motorhome that requires the help of a mechanic, you could be spending a significant sum getting it back on the road. Compare the costs to repairing a manual motorhome and you’d be surprised how much money you’ll be spending.

Poor fuel efficiency

Another cost-related disadvantage is fuel efficiency. Automatic motorhomes get through more fuel than manual models. This can soon mount up and if you use a motorhome frequently, can you justify the higher fuel costs so often?

Limited stock

Manual motorhomes still dominate the market. This means you may find that the type of motorhome you desire isn’t available as an automatic vehicle.

Heavier than manual

Not seen as a negative by many but certainly seen that way by a few. Automatic transmission motorhomes weigh more than manual vehicles, and this could alter the driving experience considerably. This is especially noticeable if you’ve moved from driving a manual to an automatic.

What are the advantages of a manual motorhome?

Now that we’ve looked at the advantages and disadvantages of an automatic motorhome, we should dive into how a manual motorhome weighs up.

Cheaper to buy

Compared to an automatic motorhome, the manual version comes in at a great deal cheaper. Whether buying a motorhome on finance or outright, cost is always a consideration and if you have given yourself a limited budget, manual could be the best option.

Cheaper to repair

Manual motorhomes are generally cheaper to maintain than automatic motorhomes. With less complexity under the hood, it’s easier and therefore cheaper when repairs are needed.

Better fuel efficiency

Should you be using your motorhome often, you’ll want to keep costs down. Manual motorhomes deliver better fuel efficiency compared to automatic vehicles. If you are adept at using your gear stick, you can really notice the savings over time!

Less weight

Manual motorhomes weigh less than the automatic versions and this can be of huge benefit. With less weight, you can load up on extra supplies without putting a strain on the vehicle.

Better control

With a manual vehicle, you are fully in control and can make decisions based on what you encounter. Rather than relying on the tech to make assumptions, you can observe and react. This could put you in a safer position when driving.

What are the disadvantages of a manual motorhome?

You’ve got the advantages but let’s see why a manual motorhome may not be the best option for you.

Harder for new drivers

If you are a new driver and are more used to automatic, driving a manual motorhome can be a massive change. Considering you can’t drive a manual with an automatic licence if you have only learnt in an auto, a manual won’t be an option without doing another test.

Faster depreciation

Vehicles lose value the moment they are sold, and manual ones do it faster than automatics. If you own a manual motorhome and consider a sale, be prepared for a more significant loss than if it was an automatic.

Not ideal for driving on congested roads

Should you need to stop and start frequently due to traffic, accidents or narrow roads, a manual motorhome may not be ideal. You’ll be constantly changing gears, and this could not only put wear on the vehicle but make your driving experience much more hard work.

Hill struggles

A manual motorhome requires you to pay more attention. Heading up hills requires more gear changes and more concentration. Failing to adapt could see you stall or roll back, and this is far from ideal.

How should you decide whether to buy an automatic or manual motorhome?

After weighing up the pros and cons above, you’ll need to consider several factors that may or may not alter how important each advantage or disadvantage is.

• Think about your driving preferences. Do you prefer more control or more ease?
• Think about costs. Both the initial costs and those yet to come should play a part in your decision.
• Consider how you will use the motorhome. If you are just heading down the motorway to reach a destination, an automatic might be best.
• Think about reliability. Manuals have fewer parts to cause issues.
• How are you with tech? Automatics often feature additional tech. If this is something you don’t want to bog yourself down with, buying a manual and saving cash might be best.
• Look at the fuel usage. Even though automatics get through more, some models perform way better than manuals.

Whatever motorhome you settle on, you can speak to our team. At Euphoria Finance, we specialise in organising finance for drivers both new and experienced. With no judgement on those with bad credit either, we can help all get behind the wheel. Contact us today for a quick quote.