VAN-COMPARATOR Guide
How many travellers aboard? Registered seats, berths and payload
Homologated travel seats, advertised berths and real payload: the three numbers to check before booking — and why they differ.
By Clément Lacaille, editor of Van-Comparator · updated
“Sleeps 6” does not mean “carries 6”. Three distinct numbers govern a motorhome: the registered travel seats, the berths and the payload. Confusing them costs a fine — or an uncomfortable holiday.
Registered seats: the only legal limit while driving
This is the number of homologated, belted seats on the registration document. A “sleeps 6” semi-integrated often has only 4 travel seats: travelling with 6 aboard is simply illegal. In rentals, the seat count appears on the listing — check it first, before the price. Forward-facing seats with headrests are essential for child car seats.
Berths: count the real beds
Listings count generously: the converted lounge “double” sometimes measures 1.70 m for two. Comfort rule: travellers = fixed berths, with convertible beds reserved for children. For 4 adults, aim for 4 genuine bed spaces — our guide to which vehicle for which trip ranks the layouts.
Payload: the number nobody checks
A 3.5 t motorhome often weighs 3,000–3,200 kg empty: that leaves 300 to 500 kg for everything — passengers, water (100 L = 100 kg), luggage, bikes, food. With 4 adults plus kit, you brush the limit fast. Overloading is enforced at roadside checks (fines, possible immobilisation beyond 5%) and degrades braking. Reflexes: travel with the water tank a third full, pack light, weigh the vehicle if in doubt (a weighbridge costs €10–20). Above 3.5 t the licence changes — see what licence for a motorhome.
On Van-Comparator
The “travellers” filter compares on advertised berths: always cross-check against the registered seats shown on the listing before booking for a tribe.
Which Motorhome for 6 or 7 Travellers? The Guide
Travelling as 6 or 7 in a motorhome is possible — but it is the narrowest segment of the market, and the one where booking mistakes cost the most. Here are the real options, their prices, and the two traps to check before you pay.
A "7 berths" listing says nothing about the number of approved belted seats. The rule is simple: one traveller = one seatbelt, no exceptions. Many vehicles offer 6 berths but only 4 or 5 registered seats. Check both figures in the listing, plus the number of Isofix mounts if you travel with young children.
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