In the 70s met a fella who turned out to be my best mate, 4 WD driving, breaking new ground, and exploring the hills east of Melbourne, at the time I had a small van which I used to take the kids camping in, behind the car, and we frequently engaged in a spirited argument in the pros and cons of dragging your bed or driving it,
Bugger is dead now but I bet hes smiling at me as I am proving him wrong,
Have met a lot of people who do both and I  consider that I did the right thing by dragging it,
The disadvantage of driving it means that if you go shopping you have this big bloody mobile home,------where do you put it?   how do you explore that backstreet exhibition, I know thats the way I,m going but it will eventually be my full time home
So you have to drag a buzz box behind you 
Or you have a high-ace size M/H and a trailer to carry what you cannot fit in it
try parking that in a supermarket, very inconvienient, 
So you buy a car and a van, no problems,
so no arguments, I'm right aint I, ------ Alan, bless your soul,  died instantly from a aorta rupture 2001 ------- may he rest in peace,  

Horses for courses and vice versa.
If you have lotsa loot you can have either or both.
Whilst one usually has to "cut ones suit to the cloth available", much will be dictated by the how, where, when and why you want/need to have a mobile accommodation.
I favour a somewhat spartan approach to life generally (which, in view of my parlous financial circumstances, is just as well) and am reasonably content with anything that is practical and convenient.
Others need to take all their home comforts with them and would pall at the way some folk are happy to just chuck down a swag and light a small campfire wherever they find themselves.
I like the versatility of a caravan for porting my gear around in, combined with a modest tent and camping set-up with which to take myself to less accessible places

Now, if I could just find someone who would be happy to take care of my monthly credit card bill, I really could live the 'life of Reilly'.  

.. 'tis very much an individual preference, isn't it .. Dragged numerous vans and tents about, but this time I've chosen a motorhome .. I'll be able to carry a small bike within its walls, and as I'll be on my lonesome, I dont really need to consider another's comfort ..

If you follow this  >>>   http://www.avan.com.au/gallery/web_gallery/index.htm  <<<  and look at M4 Ovation (garage) , thats what I've ordered .. small but comfortable ..

(sorry .. you might have to cut and paste the above ) .. still on a learning curve here ..

Jon

hi.         my wife margaret and i have chosen a winnebago.    (1)  when we bush camp they have a lot more security ( any drama, you  can just drive off )     (2)  re sale value is approx 90 percent,of original buying price.    after 3 years.  (3)     72/68    years of age so motorhome is our bag.        (4)       we plan to be on the road permantly for the next 5 years,so i do think this is the way to go.      i just love it when it when some of these  toyota land destroyers blokes,call me       "the white sneaker brigade" 

Jon, Sometimes the link doesn't work unless you edit, then put the cursor behind it and move the cursor along one space, the save the post and it should work. I don't know why it does this but it happens for me most times, even if I put a space after the link in my post in the first place. Regards the thread, I've had both modes of RV and in one way one is more convenient, but I think if someone is going to stay in one place for awhile, in particular if they are going to work for awhile then the caravan is probably the best, leaving the tug free to run around in. Of course this can be overcome with a motorhome if your are going to carry a m/bike like Jon or drag a small vehicle on an A frame or something similar. I think it all comes down to personal choice and what suits the individual and their lifestyle. When motorhoming, if staying in a park I usually picked one within easy walking distance of shop and bus stops. Tours can also be done from some parks and if in rugged country sometimes the 4WD tours are better done even if you have your own, knock theirs around instead of yours, works out a lot cheaper in the long run. Vic

I have a campertrailer...why.you ask.......??.....simple.......I'm a big man.......most caravans arent high enough for me...and beds never long enough.....and what to do with a caravan once your home.....I dont have space for one.......with the CT...its unhitch.push it through carport.....safe as houses ..... *The disadvantage of driving it means that if you go shopping you have this big bloody mobile home* I've seen lot of small vehicles towed behind..... means..another vehicle .more rego.....more fuel..... I do like your set up Jon.... Dave

we have little blue as well as a camper trailer which we tow on longer distances both are great and both are a pain in the proverbial for differing reaons

Hi Smokey & Dave06 ..

I work out what primarily suits me .. In my new venture as a permanent GN, I wanted that extra piece of comfort. One had to wind back an interest in dirt tracks and reconcile to the 'now' time of my life ..

Even once on the road, it'll feel weird until I'm able to have the rig setup the way I like. Lots of free-camping is a must ..

I wont stop dreaming because thats what got me this far .. but staying flexible til Im out there ..

Jon