LIVING year-round in motorhome can be exciting, but doing this can change your life in many ways and not all may be pleasant.
Before you decide to live in a motorhome, do some research first to find out if this would be beneficial to you compared with staying in a house.
A motorhome is a type of self-propelled recreational vehicle that offers living accommodation combined with a vehicle engine. And just like a house, it has a kitchen, dining area, bedroom and bathroom.
The sleeping area, called a berth, can accommodate between two and six people (depending on the make and model). Each berth is either fixed or converted from another part of the motorhome’s interior, usually a fold-out sofa.
A dinette area provides a table and seating space typically used for eating meals, or doing office work.
A kitchenette area will contain cooking equipment such as an oven, stovetop, sink, microwave and a refrigerator.
The washroom will have a flushing cassette toilet, shower, and basin.
Although motorhomes are popular in the United States, European countries, Australia and New Zealand, it is a new concept of living in Malaysia.
Is it possible to really live in such a confined space?
The answer to this really depends on the type of person you are, and your budget. If you have decided you want to give living in a motorhome a go, then it’s certainly possible to cope with the limited space.
WTA Ventures Sdn Bhd, the sole distributor of Benimar Mileo Motorhomes via its unit Luxe Motorhomes and Caravans, recently unveiled a Benimar Mileo model in Shah Alam.
Benimar Mileo motorhomes have very clever use of that limited space. Even if you are six-foot tall, you would be able to stand up in a motorhome and sleep comfortably in the berth or fold out sofa.
Belongings that you use regularly can be stored in easy-to-access cupboards while things that you rarely use can be stored in boxes under the dinette seat.
Those who live in motorhomes tend to eat out. Although the motorhomes have a proper gas oven and microwave, people generally would use it to either to boil water, prepare light meals or heat up food.
The refrigerators are big enough to store food that you can pre-heat in the microwave.
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, who launched the Benimar Mileo model, said the availability of motorhomes could pave the way for more domestic tourism and promote a new lifestyle that could be a norm in the future.
WTA Ventures managing director Nadia Abbas said the company has received several bookings for motorhomes, which are made in Spain with United Kingdom specifications, priced between RM609,000 and RM650,000.
Nadia said there would be a total of 13 different models available in the local market, ranging from a two-seater to a six-seater.
For all models, the interior floor structure is made of glass reinforced plastic and PVC, which helps attain 99 per cent wood-free construction.
All furniture doors feature secure catches, with soft-closing hinges for the overhead curved doors.