It’s the big day! You’ve decided to take the plunge and make your first trip in a motorhome or other recreational vehicle! Congratulations! A new life experience full of encounters and adventures awaits you! However, going on holiday in a motorhome for the first time is going to require a certain amount of organisation. And that’s where we come in, to make your travel experience easier and even better! In this article, we offer you our best advice on how to make the most of your first trip in a motorhome!
Be aware of the dimensions of your vehicle
Whether you’ve chosen a motorhome or a camper van for your next holiday, the first piece of advice we can give you is to be aware of the dimensions of your vehicle, both in terms of height and length.
Knowing the height of your recreational vehicle is absolutely ESSENTIAL when you decide to go on your first trip. You may not be able to pass under certain bridges, tunnels or even parking barriers, and it would be a shame to spoil your holiday for lack of knowledge! What’s more, GPS systems can be misleading, as they don’t necessarily indicate the dimensions of the places you want to go to.
The same applies to the length of your vehicle: you should always bear in mind the length of your rear overhang when manoeuvring.
To avoid any mishaps, CaraMaps is here to help! You can click on the map of the place you want to go to and you’ll be given information on the dimensions involved. You can also go directly to our map and use the filters to choose the height and length limits.
To make sure you remember the dimensions of your vehicle, you can also write them down on a notepad and stick it on the dashboard!
Manage the weight of your motorhome
Like length and height, the weight of the vehicle is something you need to be aware of on your first trip in a motorhome. First of all, you should know that the “payload” of a motorhome corresponds to the maximum mass that can be loaded on board the vehicle (luggage, passengers, equipment, etc.). The payload varies from one motorhome model to another. The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) is the weight limit that must not be exceeded for the vehicle as a whole: initial weight + weight with passengers and equipment. On vehicles that can be driven with a B driving licence, this load is 3.5 tonnes.
If your motorhome is overloaded, you are exposing yourself to considerable risks: fines, excessive fuel consumption, burst tyres, etc.
To avoid these problems, distribute the weight of your equipment evenly throughout the vehicle. Try to do without certain accessories and opt for a trailer if you plan to take heavy objects with you!
You can also choose to have your motorhome weighed at a roadworthiness test centre, on a municipal weighbridge (you’ll need to contact the local council beforehand) or at a scrap metal dealer.
Finally, when you’re driving, look out for signs prohibiting vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes from passing!
Find out about local regulations
Before setting off on your first trip in a motorhome, it’s a good idea to find out about the country’s regulations on motorhomes. In fact, even if your trip is in the UK, we strongly advise you to find out about it!
In most European countries, a B driving licence is accepted for motorhomes up to 3.5 tonnes. You probably won’t have any problems with this as long as you have your papers with you. On the other hand, there are differences in speed limits from one country to another, in legislation on wild camping, and in motorway charges. Don’t hesitate to check out our articles on motorhome regulations in other countries, such as France!
We also invite you to check out the interviews with members of the CaraMaps community who come from different countries and are happy to give good advice for motorhome beginners: «Let’s meet Ernesto the Italian caravan, and its incredible crew», «Let’s meet João and Mónica and their vintage motorhome Parreirinha» and many others!
Plan your route
You’ve just bought your leisure vehicle or concluded your first rental contract and you feel ready to set off into the unknown? That’s normal, and it’s all to your credit! However, for your first trip in a motorhome, we advise you to plan your itinerary. You can rely on the comments of the CaraMaps community, and copy the itineraries shared by CaraMaps travellers!
The temptation to set off on a long road-trip for your first trip in a motorhome is great. But we advise you to choose an itinerary that’s close to home and close to shops, in case anything goes wrong.
Similarly, plan an itinerary that isn’t too long. You’ll need time to get used to driving your vehicle and to understand how it works.
It’s by doing a series of short trips that you’ll become more and more at ease, and be able to undertake longer journeys! 🌍
Choose the right facilities
It’s an important step when you’re planning your first trip in a motorhome: choosing where to park. It all depends on what you want to do at the time: a natural spot if you want to get away from the crowds, a service area if you need to fill your motorhome with water and change the oil, a campsite if you want to enjoy activities and benefit from certain extra services… there’s something for everyone!
During the holiday period, some facilities fill up quickly and are fully booked after just a few hours. We therefore recommend that you call directly to reserve a place!
Make a list of essential accessories to take with you
Making a checklist is essential when you set off in a motorhome, especially on your first trip! Here are some of the “technical” items you’ll need to take with you:
- Chocks, if you have to park on a slope
- A toolbox for emergency repairs
- An extension lead and a CEE power cable to supply you with electricity
- A garden hose and connectors for filling up with water
- De-icing chains or plates (to avoid getting stuck in the sand or snow…)
- A gas adaptor if you’re travelling abroad
- A bottle of gas
Other equipment that is just as useful and essential:
- Swiss Army knife
- Sponges
- Torch
- 12 V-220 V electrical transformer
- Cleaning equipment (broom, dustpan, sponge, etc.)
- Toilet cassette cleaner
- Crockery
- Kitchen utensils
- Camping chairs and tables
- First aid kit
- Sleeping equipment (pillows, sheets, etc.)
And of course, don’t forget your papers and those of the vehicle!
Carry out a technical check
In the same way as when you go on a road trip by car, a few technical checks are essential when you decide to travel in a motorhome:
- Engine oil, brake fluid and coolant levels
- Tyre pressure
- Functioning of lights and indicators
- Windscreen washer fluid
Also remember to :
- Check the operation of electrical accessories (lighting, battery, heating, etc.)
- Turn off the water and gas supplies
- Close the waste water drain valve
Check that all equipment is stored and doors are closed. Nothing should be left lying around while you’re driving! As well as all these technical checks beforehand, you’ll also need to drain your motorhome’s grey and black water during your journey. Drainage should be carried out every two or three days, as should water replenishment.
The advice that follow have more to do with good behavior and good manners. But they are just as essential to making the most of your experience!
Avoid places that are too touristy
For a first trip, it would be wiser to avoid tourist areas. They are often overcrowded and are also more strict with motor caravans.
Some facilities that are open out of season may close or see their prices rise sharply during the high season. So you’ll get more out of your holiday by staying in more remote areas. If you have less stress, you’ll enjoy your experience to the full!
To avoid any risks, make sure you check out each stage of your journey on CaraMaps.
Be respectful of other travelers and local residents
Avoid parking close to houses or other users, and keep as discreet as possible. Remember that parking your motorhome does not mean camping. Don’t take out all your camping furniture (awnings, tables, chairs, etc.) when you park in car parks. Save that for when you go to a campsite!
Motorhomers love the spirit of sharing and community: wave to other motorhomers when you meet them, be courteous and talk to them at the service areas or campsites – they’ll be happy to give you advice!
Another point that people don’t necessarily think about when they set off in a motorhome is giving priority to local shops. It’s true that if you choose to travel in a motorhome, it’s to make the most of it and experience life on your own.
However, you need to find the right balance between saving money by staying in your motorhome and contributing to the local economy. Because if you choose never to take advantage of the local shops in the places you visit, the whole economy suffers and this will necessarily have an impact on YOUR travel experience. Local authorities and residents will be more and more reluctant to accept motorhomes, so parking will be more expensive or even cancelled.
Respect the environment
Motorhome owners and vanlifers are often criticised for not respecting the environment. Yet this is one of the fundamental principles of touring!
Most people in the world of motorhome and vanlife know the importance of adopting eco-responsible gestures when travelling. But it’s important to remember a few basics if you want to make a success of your first trip in a motorhome while respecting the environment:
- Don’t empty your waste water! Emptying waste water is not a piece of cake, but it’s important to follow this basic rule by emptying your motorhome in the right places. Thanks to CaraMaps, you can quickly find places around you where you can empty your waste water, at service areas or campsites.
- Pick up your waste when you leave a site. There’s nothing more annoying for a traveller than arriving at a place where there are bins that haven’t been thrown away, or worse, where rubbish is strewn all over the ground. If possible, sort your rubbish (paper, glass, plastic, etc.).
- Drive responsibly and give priority to the “slow-travel”. This will save fuel and reduce your carbon footprint.
If you’d like to know more tips for travelling more responsibly in a motorhome, check out this article now! 🌱
You have now all the keys you need to make a success of your first trip in a motorhome with the CaraMaps app! 🚐🌬️
Check out our other articles, such as “Motorhome maintenance checklist” or «10 tips for a motorhome successful trip».
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