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The Motorhome Manifesto: Freedom, Fate, and Life on the Road.

Updated: Apr 4




They say you manifest dreams by writing them down. That the simple act of putting thoughts into words makes them real, giving them a life beyond the mind’s endless loops of “what ifs.” Ideas are like seeds—left unspoken, they remain potential. Spoken, written, acted upon, they take root.


So here it is.


I want to live in a motorhome.


For years, I’ve flirted with the idea. The notion of having my own space, my own bed, my own familiar surroundings—yet never being tied down. No leases, no hotel bookings, no fixed address. Just the freedom to move. To go where the road calls. To follow an impulse, a curiosity, a gut feeling about a place.




The Restless Mind & The Road


I have always been restless. Motion has been my constant companion, and “next places” have always called me. But here’s the paradox: I also crave comfort. Long-distance travel and budget hotels have never been restful—just a means to an end.


You tolerate them for the adventure, but there’s nothing homely about paper-thin walls, lumpy mattresses, and the chorus of drunken backpackers at 3 a.m.


There comes a point in life where you no longer want to sacrifice comfort for movement. You want both. A motorhome, then, is the perfect solution. A home that moves with me. A space I can design, optimize, and make my own.


A sanctuary I can park by the sea one night, in a forest the next. A place where the view changes but the sense of belonging remains.



The Search for the Right Motorhome


Now, diving into the world of motorhomes is like opening Pandora’s box. The sheer variety is overwhelming. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been immersed in research, trying to understand what’s out there and what might suit my particular vision of life on the road.


There are three main types, each catering to different lifestyles:


Class A: The Land Yacht



These are the big boys—the closest thing to a five-star hotel on wheels. Built like luxury tour buses, they offer spacious interiors, slide-outs for extra room, and high-end amenities: full kitchens, en-suite bathrooms, king-size beds, entertainment systems, and even washer-dryers.




Pros:

✔ Ultimate luxury and comfort

✔ Perfect for long-term or full-time living

✔ Loads of storage for gear, books, and equipment

✔ Smooth ride, especially in diesel models

Cons:

✖ Expensive to buy and maintain

✖ Poor fuel efficiency

✖ Difficult to maneuver in cities or tight spaces

✖ Requires a large parking area


For someone wanting a fully self-contained, ultra-comfortable home on wheels, this is the dream.


But for those who want to be nimble, it might be too much of a beast.


Class B: The Urban Nomad



At the opposite end of the spectrum are Class B motorhomes, which are essentially converted vans.


Compact, fuel-efficient, and easy to drive, they’re ideal for solo travelers or couples who prioritize simplicity and flexibility over space.





Pros:

✔ Best fuel efficiency of all motorhomes

✔ Easy to drive and park (even in cities)

✔ Can access remote or restricted areas

✔ Lower purchase and maintenance costs

Cons:

✖ Limited living and storage space

✖ Smaller kitchens and bathrooms

✖ Less comfortable for long-term travel

✖ Fewer luxury features


Class B is the minimalist’s choice—perfect for weekend getaways or urban explorations. But if you want a true home-on-wheels experience, it might feel a bit cramped.


Class C: The Middle Ground





These motorhomes bridge the gap between luxury and practicality.


Built on a truck or van chassis, they’re easier to drive than Class A but offer more space than Class B. Their signature feature is the over-cab sleeping or storage area, making them a great option for families or those who need extra room.




Pros:

✔ A balance between space and drivability

✔ More affordable than Class A, more comfortable than Class B

✔ Over-cab sleeping area adds extra room

✔ Easier to maneuver in cities than Class A

Cons:

✖ Less luxurious than Class A

✖ Not as compact or fuel-efficient as Class B

✖ Over-cab sleeping area can be difficult to access


This category has piqued my interest the most.


The idea of having a proper living space without the bulk of a Class A motorhome is appealing. And with customization, I can fine-tune it into the perfect mobile sanctuary.


For me personally. I would probably go for a B Class. Discreet. Nimble. Affordable. Cool. But having said that, the converted Green Landcruiser above is a beauty!!!


More Than Just a Vehicle—A Philosophy



But why a motorhome?


Why this sudden commitment to a lifestyle that, for most people, is either a dream or a retirement plan?


Because, for me, this is about more than just travel.



This is an investigation into movement, fate, and choice.


At the heart of every life story is a pivotal moment—an event, a decision, a chance encounter that alters the course of everything that follows.


Some people recognize these moments and seize them. Others don’t even realize they’ve happened.


I want to explore these moments, not just in my own life, but in the lives of others.


The Road as a Storytelling Medium


The motorhome project isn’t just about me finding the perfect vehicle. It’s about taking this philosophy of movement and turning it into a documentary, a book, a body of work that investigates how people shape their own lives.


On the road, I want to meet people who have faced defining moments—musicians, athletes, artists, ex-prisoners, self-made entrepreneurs. People whose paths have diverged dramatically because of one choice, one accident, one stroke of fate.


Would they change anything if they could? Were they destined for this life, or did they carve it out themselves? Are those who live in stagnation victims of fate, or have they simply not dared to choose?


I see this as an exploration of escapism, freedom, and the art of living deliberately.


Some people stay in one place and build a life.


Others move, searching for something—perhaps even for themselves.


The motorhome, for me, is not just a mode of transport. It is a temple to respite, a sanctuary, a creative studio, a fine art print gallery, and a home away from home.








It represents the merging of structure and spontaneity.


The paradox of having both freedom and familiarity. The ability to belong anywhere, yet never be stuck.


And so, I write this down—not just as a dream, but as a plan. Because ideas, once externalized, take on a life of their own.


As one Instagramer uses as his bio banner..... 'it's never too late to feel a little more alive'


Now, the question remains:


🔹 Are we the architects of our own destiny, or are we merely following a script written long before we were born?


The only way to find out is to hit the road. 🚐✨xx




 
 
 

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©2022 Richard Mark Dobson

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Richard Mark Dobson

Unit 701, Royal Commercial Centre, 56, Parkes Street, Jordan, Kowloon, Hong Kong

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