How to choose the right motorhome layout for Irish touring

Choosing the right motorhome layout is the key decision that will determine how much you enjoy your motorhoming adventures, more than the size of the vehicle or the badge on the front. Bed arrangement, kitchen priorities and the weight class your licence allows all feed into it. This guide walks through how to choose a motorhome layout for touring in Ireland and Northern Ireland, or further afield if you want to head off to mainland Europe, whether you buy from current stock or decide to design your own motorhome through a custom build.

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Family with their dog beside a KNAUS motorhome at Donegal Motorhomes when choosing a motorhome layout in Ireland

Why layout matters more than the badge

A motorhome layout is the arrangement of beds, kitchen, storage space, washroom and living space within a given size of vehicle. It matters more than the name on the front or even the chassis. Two vehicles on the same chassis can perform completely differently depending on where the bed sits and how the space flows. Choosing the layout that fits how you travel personally is what keeps a motorhome useful and used for years. Getting it wrong is the most common reason people trade in and start again. The whole trading in or resizing thing can be expensive and stressful for some people. For others it is a natural progression to get to the exact model they want at any given stage of their lives.

Comparing French double and fixed island motorhome bed layouts when choosing a motorhome layout in Ireland

Start with the bed layout

The bed layout is usually the decision that determines how long you keep a motorhome, so it deserves more thought than any other single choice. Getting it right at the start avoids the most common reason people trade in and start again a year or two later. And a poor quality mattress will determine how well you sleep every night, so make it a priority to get good ones.

Fixed double or island bed

A fixed double or island bed at the rear gives permanent access without making up bedding each night, which suits couples who value comfort over garage space. And you can access the bed from either side, much like at home. The trade off is less storage underneath, since the bed keeps a fixed footprint as such. When travelling during the day you can throw loads of clutter up on to the bed out of the way, so it does act as storage space for things like coats or laptops, books or bed linen from other beds that are being used for seating when travelling.

French double

A French double sits across a rear corner rather than centred, which frees up floor space and often allows a larger rear garage for bikes or outdoor gear. It works well for couples who want that extra storage without giving up a proper double bed. You can still get the great mattress. And again you can throw clutter on the bed when travelling. Access is from one side, usually with a step or two up to it. So depending on your health, weight and general fitness, this might be unsuitable for some couples.

Twin single beds

Longitudinal single beds running along each side of the rear give each person independent access without climbing over a partner, which some couples prefer on longer trips. Several layouts also convert the two singles into one wider bed when needed. This can allow you get a better sleep if each person has their own mattress. Again, even if you get singles, do splurge on a good mattress.

Drop down and overcab beds

A bed that drops down from the ceiling for the night or a fixed bed above the cab, often referred to as the Luton, adds sleeping capacity without permanently using up floor space. This matters for families or groups who need extra berths, but do not want a fixed bed reducing the daytime living area. Ideal for children, or having occasional visitors. There is a short ladder for access, so do bear in mind the age and fitness of the people who might be sleeping up there.

Table beds

A table bed usually a small double, that drops down towards the floor to connect with the bench seating, for the night. And you add the mattress and bed linen from storage. This adds sleeping capacity without permanently using up floor space. This matters for families or groups who need extra berths, especially for children or having occasional visitors.

So you can see how you can sleep and seat 6 people in a mid to larger model of motorhome..

Kitchen, bathroom and comfort priorities

Whether you are leaning towards a brand-new vehicle or a quality pre-owned model, customising your layout to fit your travel style makes all the difference. Try out the Donegal Motorhomes Configurator to build, tailor, and explore the exact features, options, and specifications that match your budget and adventure goals in Ireland.

Why buy through Donegal Motorhomes

Once the bed layout is settled, kitchen and bathroom specification is the next practical decision. It depends heavily on how you plan to use the vehicle. For extended, independent touring, fridge size tends to matter more than almost anything else, since it sets how long you can go between shops. Buyers who do shorter trips or stay on serviced sites more often prioritise a separate shower cubicle over fridge capacity, since they rely on the motorhome less for every meal. If you plan to stay on campsites, then you can use the showers provided. Many people use their shower space for storage or hanging garments. But it still leaves them with the option of using their own shower. Some people for privacy or health or age reasons consider having a usable shower very important. Indeed for many people it is a primary factor in how they choose a motorhome, in which case do ask questions about the water heating and tank capacity etc.

Modern motorhome interior with tall fridge, compact kitchen and separate shower cubicle for touring in Irelands

Worktop layout, washroom configuration and storage are specified within the motorhome model range you choose from rather than fixed as standard. Comparing how different layouts handle this is far easier side by side, so it is worth browsing the full Knaus motorhome range to see how the kitchen and washroom change from one model to the next. Or talk it through with Liam. If you plan to cook inside the motorhome most of the time, then you may want more space than someone who plans to cook outside most of the time. Some people like to use a Cadac type barbeque outside or an airfryer to do the cooking.

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Match the layout to how you travel

The right layout depends less on the model name or type and more on who travels and how they want to travel. This is your home from home. Couples touring for long stretches usually want a permanent bed and a decent fridge over maximum number of berths. Families need a precise berth count and often a table bed that clears the floor by day, so the living area still works when everyone is up. Retirees frequently prioritise easy access, a low step and a comfortable fixed bed over compactness. Anyone heading to mainland Europe for extended trips leans towards more storage and a larger fridge, while buyers who mostly use serviced sites at home can trade some of that for a roomier washroom. Many buyers travel with a dog. Pet owners tend to want a flat floor near the door and a garage that takes a crate, which is worth flagging early.

Modern motorhome kitchen, dining and sleeping layout showing comfort and storage options for touring in Ireland

The same questions come up on both sides of the border. Buyers across Ireland and Northern Ireland weigh them up the same way. If it is your first motorhome purchase you will possibly not have much idea what exactly you need, so talk in detail with Liam about your options. He has 30 years experience of seeing people get it right or wrong. This is a big investment so you want to get it right or as close to perfect as you can first time. The more right you get it, the more you can travel comfortably, because the layout is just right for you personally. But the good news is that if the first choice does not work out, there is a market, so you can trade in at any time.

Weight class and your Irish or UK driving licence

The layout you can have is also shaped by the weight class your licence allows, since it decides which chassis options and factory extras are realistically on the table (excuse the pun). A standard Category B car licence covers vehicles up to 3,500 kg maximum authorised mass, which suits most compact and mid size layouts without further testing. Every extra bit of kit or baggage adds to the overall weight, so you need to bear this in mind in order to be legal on the road and be covered by your insurance.

A Category C1 licence covers vehicles between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg, which opens up heavier coachbuilt layouts with larger rear garages and more onboard equipment, though it needs extra theory and practical testing plus a medical report. Irish licence categories are set by the Road Safety Authority.

Every factory extra you add, from solar panels to a dual battery system or a heavier chassis, reduces the luggage margin left within the vehicle's legal weight limit. Knaus builds have to keep a legally set minimum weight free for luggage, so a specification that eats too far into the chassis limit is flagged before the order is placed. This is worth understanding early, because a layout with a big rear garage and a full options list can quietly push a compact vehicle over the limit for a standard licence.

When a custom build makes sense

Once you know the layout that fits, the next question is whether to buy from current stock or order a build to that specification. Donegal Motorhomes keep new Knaus models and pre-owned motorhomes on the forecourt. If one already matches your layout, the new motorhomes in stock are ready to view now. Seasonal demand sees new models sell off the forecourt very quickly.

When nothing in stock matches, you can design your own motorhome to the exact layout, berths and fittings you have settled on. Every configuration is handled personally by Liam Ruxton, who established Donegal Motorhomes in Letterkenny in 2003 and holds the sole official Knaus Tabbert agency for the Republic of Ireland, either at the office or by Zoom or Teams. The Knaus motorhome configurator sets out how that works, from first call to handover. It is a great way of seeing your future motorhome and discussing all your options.

Frequently asked questions

Which motorhome layout decision matters most?

Bed layout is the one that has the biggest effect on how long a motorhome suits you. Kitchen and washroom choices tend to follow from it. Most people who trade in early do so because the sleeping arrangement did not work for how they actually travel. Or their circumstances changed.

How do I decide between a fixed bed and a bed that drops down?

A fixed bed is ready at any time and suits couples who value comfort and rarely need extra berths. A bed that drops down from the ceiling frees the floor during the day and adds sleeping capacity, which suits families or anyone who wants living space back once everyone is up.

Should fridge size or shower type take priority?

It depends on how you travel. Longer, independent trips rewards having a larger fridge, since it decides how often you need a shop, while buyers who stay on serviced sites more often value a separate shower cubicle over fridge capacity. It is hard to beat having a good sized fridge, ideally with a small freezer box included. Think of the ice on a sunny day or the frozen food options available at any time. And in warm weather having space for keeping food cool is so important.

How do I choose a layout if I have never owned a motorhome before?

Talk the layout through before committing. First time buyers make the most avoidable mistakes, usually around bed access and storage or weight. A short conversation about how you plan to travel tends to save a costly change of vehicle later. Talk to Liam and get it right.