EVER considered buying one of those impressive homes-on-wheels that roam the roads?

You're not alone - recent surveys show it is a retirement dream for many Britons.

As the weather warms up, so does the demand for what was once termed camper vans, and Britain's motorhome market is one of Europe's largest.

There are more than 136,000 registered on our roads, and sales of new motorhomes here are topping 11,000 a year.

Fiat is the biggest supplier in the UK of base vehicles to the motorhome industry, but "base vehicle" is a little misleading, as roam-from-home vehicles have come a long way since the legendary VW Camper first chugged around the countryside.

The Fiat Ducato's cab - which often gets only minor alterations when the actual living area is built behind it - has a swept-back design which allows motorhome stylists to create more of a 21st-century look to the overall vehicle.

And state-of-the-art turbo diesel engines sit under the front-wheel drive Fiat's bonnet, ranging from a 100 horsepower, 2.2-litre unit through to a powerful 3.0-litre capable of producing 157 horsepower. If it sounds a little too technical, then remember that the chassis and engine is becoming more important, and less emphasis is being placed on fabric fashions and the finer points of the fridge.

When developing the latest Ducato, Fiat consulted widely with motorhome manufacturers across Europe to ensure the new basic template would be user-friendly, and the result is a unique, low-line chassis with a wider wheelbase, which provides more of a car-like drive and enables manufacturers to build special low-line motorhomes. The other big player in the UK market is Peugeot, whose Boxer comes out of the same Italian factory as the Fiat.

With Fiat and Peugeot supplying the basics in the UK for two out of three motorhomes, the remainder of the business is mostly split between Volkswagen, which sells the Transporter base and remains a force in the camper van sector, Ford's Transit, Mercedes' Sprinter and Vito, and Renault's Trafic and Master chassis.

While interior design and upholstery can be made a matter of personal preference at the ordering stage, motorhome owners are keeping with the times in demanding climate-friendly motorhomes.

So, all the new breed of base vehicles meet the latest European emissions standards, and perform much better in the mpg stakes.

Overall, 2007 has seen some very refreshing exterior designs appear in the motorhoming world, but with the current pace of development, it's even more exciting to consider the kind of roam-from-home look we can expect in the future.

Any wanting information on motorhomes, or manufacturers, can visit the industry's website at www.motorhomeinfo.co.uk Meanwhile, the first bespoke conversion of a new Volkswagen Crafter into a "race home" for motorcycle racing enthusiasts has been developed by the VW Van Centre in Cardiff, South Wales.

The race home uses a Crafter long-wheelbase, high-roof panel van with a 2.5-litre diesel engine as the base vehicle, and the actual conversion work was carried out by Tui Motor Caravans in Doncaster, South Yorks. A well-appointed base for weekend race meetings, the race home has hand-built, leather-clad furniture, four berths, double-glazed windows, blinds and flyscreens, and a heating system.

Behind the living accommodation is a sturdy garage area, with heavy-duty checker-plate interior cladding.

There is also storage space for tools, equipment and fuel, plus bike anchor points. For those who can reclaim VAT, the cost is £39,995, or £46,994 with VAT added.

The VW Van Centre in Cardiff can supply more details - telephone 02920 492 112.