Category: Motorhome Advice

The big day has come. As the proud new owner of a motorhome, you’re ready to embark on your very first trip!

It’s worth curbing that natural enthusiasm for just a moment or two longer to carry out a few helpful “pre-flight checks” and run through your travel plans once you’re on the road. As far as the following tips and suggestions go, let’s assume that you’ll be staying within the UK for at least your first foray or two.

Eventually, and with experience, you’ll almost certainly discover that the time well spent on these pre-outing preparations becomes second nature – practically instinctive.

To give you some idea of the importance of getting the packing, stowing, and last-minute preparations right, you’re unlikely to find anything more comprehensive than the Wandering Bird’s treatment of the subject – and if you’d rather watch than read, there is even a self-explanatory video to accompany their article.

As a rule of thumb, the checklist is likely to feature all or some of the following. For example:

The vehicle

  • check that everything inside is correctly stowed and secured – get it right to avoid spending a potential fortune later if things go wrong, suggests the motorhome rental website Goboony which describes the task of packing as both difficult and easy at the same time;
  • although you’ll have more room for your baggage than if you were staying in a hotel, don’t get carried away with the temptation to pack too much;
  • walk around your motorhome and inspect it from the outside to be sure that everything appears to be where it should be;
  • make sure that all the mechanics and internal fittings are working correctly;
  • disconnect all gas supplies (disconnection is not always quite as straightforward as it seems, so you might need to follow the manufacturer’s specific advice on that one);
  • check that all the electrics – the vehicle’s external system for signalling and lights and internal illumination) – are OK;
  • remember to confirm where you stand with any need for a TV licence – broadly speaking, if your normal place of residence will be empty while you’re away or nobody will be using the TV there, your motorhome TV should continue to be covered. But if someone else back home will be using the TV (your grown-up kids might have stayed behind, for example), you may need a separate licence for the set in your motorhome;
  • pack a good toolkit – and familiarise yourself with how each piece works;
  • include some emergency lighting and dependable, fully charged torches;
  • make certain that you have a good first-aid kit available that is within its “use by” dates;
  • take some means of heating with you or confirm that anything built-in will be adequate – as any native will know only too well, that might be important even at the height of a British summer, so it’s certainly worth checking;
  • make sure the appropriate water tanks and reservoirs have been filled;

The adventure

  • a story in the Daily Mail on the 23rd of June 2022 described the surge in popularity of motorhome holidays as the means of enjoying your staycation;
  • so, remember to double-check the location of your campsite and the reservations you have made there – this is especially important if your first trip happens to coincide with a bank holiday or any school holiday periods;
  • plan your route carefully – whether you use satnav or good old-fashioned maps, this is important since you won’t want to discover low bridges or impassably small access tracks only for the first time when trying to reach your site by that scenic route;
  • plan a route that avoids as many towns and village centres as possible – old narrow streets and large motorhomes can be incompatible with public harmony and tranquillity;
  • check that your insurance is valid and up to date – although that’s almost certainly the case, it’s always good practice to check such an essential before setting off
  • have maps to hand – even with a satnav on board, having a big-picture old-fashioned map, opened in your passenger’s lap, is sometimes invaluable when the electronic device just doesn’t seem to be making sense or you need a quick decision;
  • practise driving and manoeuvring your vehicle beforehand – if you’re still a novice, or feel a little uncomfortable behind the wheel of a motorhome, setting off on your first trip is probably not the best time to learn;
  • consider taking a motorhome manoeuvring course – both the Camping and Motorhome Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club run them – to build your confidence.
  • at the very least, you might want to find somewhere quiet and safe, like a supermarket car park when it’s closed, and practice your basics like reversing and parking before you load up and set off;
  • brush up on the best practice rules of the road for motorhomes – manoeuvres such as attempting to overtake lorries and getting stuck in the outside lane because your motorhome can’t quite make it can quickly lead to difficulties and dangers.

Daunted by this seemingly long list of tips and suggestions? Don’t be intimidated by it. As we have said, most of it will become second nature after your first couple of excursions so enjoy what will be the first of many – it’s a great moment to celebrate.

Whether it’s during the summer season or tucked up at home in the wintertime, there’s one thing likely to pique the interest of any motorhome owner – and that’s any opportunity to accessorise the beloved vehicle.

Even though your motorhome is already likely to be equipped to a high standard – especially if you’re lucky enough to own an Auto-Sleepers model – there’s always an opportunity to add a dash of your own personality. Accessories can give that extra definition as well as add more comfort and luxury – it’s what motorhome owners call accessorising.

Here are our thoughts on some of the most popular and potentially most useful accessories you’re likely to find.

Satellite TV

Old-style camping might have left you with little to do in the evenings except to play cards, dominoes, or board games. Thanks to the march of technology, TV in your motorhome can these days play a part in your evening’s recreation.

At one time, trying to get portable satellite technology into your motorhome (and the dish locked onto the beam) virtually required a team of rocket scientists and a budget the size of NASA’s. Fortunately, those days are now long gone and it’s really easy to get some great and easily configured satellite dishes and associated TV receptors.

If you own an Auto-Sleepers motorhome, of course, you’re almost certain to find that it’s already fitted with built-in WiFi alongside an LCD TV Point – or even the optional extra of a Mercedes-Benz or Peugeot Media Pack.

A WiFi booster

When your motorhome is fitted with the latest onboard technology, the last thing you’ll want to discover is that your campsite has not kept up to date with all that’s available or is in an especially remote part of the country.

That’s when you’ll be glad of your own WiFi booster – a simple and affordable piece of kit that can help keep you in touch and use all of those internet-based facilities you would do from home.

Awnings

These are fantastic for extending the living space of your motorhome. They come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, solution types and of course, prices.

In passing, remember your motorhome insurance might require you to take certain common-sense steps to protect your awnings when you are away from your vehicle.

A barbecue

Even with the best-equipped motorhome galley in the world, nothing quite beats cooking over an open flame in the open air – a barbecue is an intrinsic part of the whole camping experience.

You’ll not need to invest in a barbecue capable of feeding a football crowd either – they now come in extremely small and lightweight sizes, suitable for use outside motorhomes.

In partnership with the British Beekeepers Association, Valiant make an especially trim and foldaway barbecue ideal for packing into your motorhome and breaking open when you fancy an alfresco meal.

Fold up outdoor furniture

This may sound like something of a no-brainer when it comes to accessorising your motorhome. Yet strangely, it can sometimes be overlooked, and you might suddenly find yourself with nowhere to sit outside on a beautiful day.

This also isn’t any longer a question of digging out that old rickety deck chair that belonged to your grandparents (in fact, they’re just the kind of item that might be collectable and valuable!).

Current ultra-modern designs offer a range of sitting and fantastically inventive table solutions – and they can be collapsed back into incredibly compact sizes for storage and transportation.

Portable external lamps

These can be essential for maximising your time outside once the sun has gone down. They come in various shapes and sizes and use different sorts of technologies.

Solar-powered varieties are great for providing a very low level of basic finding-your-feet safety but for greater illumination, you may need to look at battery-powered models.

Yet again, this is an area where prices have fallen hugely over recent years – as a brief glance at the relevant Amazon UK pages will show.

Summary

Many motorhome veterans will tell you that accessorising your motorhome can be great fun and that the choice available today is vast.

Why not take a few minutes to browse an online catalogue or two? You may get some really great ideas from doing so.

Do you like apps and gadgets? In most walks of life these days, you can’t move for one app or another to show you the way, offer advice, or pluck handy information from thin air just when you need it. And, for motorhome owners, that world is no different – there are apps galore.

Each new season opens the door to a flood of new apps and to satisfy your taste for the latest – and well established – innovations in clever technology here are our suggested top 10 apps for motorhome owners.

  1. Camping and Caravanning Club apps
  • as you’d expect, this leading club for campers of all types develops and updates its own apps;
  • its SiteSeeker Campsite App is just that – it puts in your hands an app telling you the nearest campsite (out of more than 1,300 certified sites), its distance, and the facilities you’ll find when you get there;
  • two further apps – the Camping and Caravanning Magazine and an Out and About Events Listing – are available for members only;
  1. WikiCamps UK
  • this app has won several user awards and contains the largest database of motorhome and caravan parks, campsites, and places of interest in the UK;
  • provided you’ve downloaded it in advance, WikiCamps UK will also work when you’re offline in those difficult-to-reach places;
  1. Park4night UK
  • a new app recommended by Indie Campers offers an alternative listing of spots where you might want to overnight – or simply park up for a while – for an unplanned break;
  1. Campercontact
  • from the same stable comes this app that is designed for use if you’re touring Europe;
  • a quirky difference with what is otherwise a fairly straightforward listing of (more than 30,000) sites is that Campercontact lets you filter the results according to the height and length of your motorhome;
  1. Tourlina
  • another travel app with a difference is Tourlina (available for Android and iOS);
  • it is exclusively for women, lets you pick suitable travelling companions from its female-only membership, and is at pains to verify the identity and details of every registered member;
  1. Google Maps
  • it’s certainly not new – but it is constantly updated and you’re unlikely to be going anywhere without it since any android phone comes with it already installed;
  • with an inbuilt GPS, Google Maps effectively replaces any mountain of paper maps and atlases;
  1. PetrolPrices
  • the developers of PetrolPrices (for both Android and iOS) reckon that the average user can save up to £200 a year with this tell-tale piece of software;
  • you can search by postcode, town or place and filter by favourite brands to find the nearest – and cheapest – filling station nearby;
  1. Petrol
  • unambiguous by name, unambiguous by nature – except that this fuel-finder is limited to petrol stations in Italy, Germany, France, Morocco, and Spain;
  • Petrol is only available on iOS – so might be useful if you are an Apple user touring abroad;
  1. Geocaching
  • have motorhome, will explore – geocaching is another word for treasure-hunting, with caches hidden in various places around your chosen location;
  • you can create your own list of geocaches and save them for use offline, before finding and logging your “trackables”;
  1. AllTrails
  • however deep your love affair with your motorhome, it’s always good to strike away from homebase under your own steam by hiking, running, backpacking or mountain biking;
  • available on both Android and iOS, AllTrails suggests some of the best, most scenic or arduous routes, including those which are dog or children-friendly too – with a GPS tracker that lets you know exactly where you are.

Here is a selection of some motorhome FAQs that we often receive here at Derby Motorhomes. Of course, if you have any questions or queries relating to your motorhome or buying one, please do not hesitate to get in touch!

Will I be able to drive a motorhome on a standard licence?

The answer in many cases is yes – but that might depend to some extent on the specific motorhome you want to drive (specifically its weight) and also the date you passed your driving test.

The current driving licence requirements are clearly set out on the government website or complete the brief online questionnaire to find out what vehicles you can drive.

How easy are motorhomes to drive?

Modern, new, or well-maintained motorhomes are very easy to drive. If you can drive a car, then you should be immediately at home behind the wheel of this type of vehicle too.

Nevertheless, your motorhome is going to be bigger than the family car, so you might need to take a little extra care and practice with manoeuvres such as reversing and parking.

Even better, you might want to consider signing up for one of the motorhome driving courses organised either by the Caravan and Motorhome Club or the Camping and Caravanning Club.

Can I take my motorhome abroad to wherever I like?

There’s no technical obstacle to taking your motorhome to any foreign country you choose – provided you’re willing to abide by that country’s rules, of course.

Countries in the European Union should pose no issue whatsoever. You can also take your motorhome to the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey. Because of the limited space on the islands, though, you need to camp only at authorised sites and arrange a special permit in advance – either through the site at which you have booked your stay or directly to the relevant authorities on either island.

You’ll need to ensure that you have appropriate motorhome insurance cover for the countries you’re visiting or transiting. While there may be no physical barriers to your target destinations due to the motorhome itself, some insurance providers may exclude certain destinations outside of the EU that are perceived to be too high a risk.

Is it better to buy a motorhome for cash or take out finance?

We cannot provide financial advice about the way you choose to use your personal finances.

What we can say is that there are several funding options that may be open to you including Hire Purchase (HP). Some of these will be subject to your overall financial status – and we’d be more than happy to outline those motorhome finance options for you.

There are arguments for and against using cash savings as opposed to finance. If you’re uncertain as to the best way of financing the purchase of a motorhome given your particular personal circumstances, you may wish to do further independent research on the subject or consult an independent financial advisor.

Can I park up overnight in lay-bys?

Strictly speaking, this is likely to be contrary to local by-laws. Most such spaces are under the control of a local authority and typically they’ll prohibit overnight parking.

In purely practical terms, though, the rules and by-laws may be very difficult to monitor and enforce, particularly in very rural areas – so, you might be tempted to take your chances.

Remember, too, that your insurance policy might explicitly forbid overnight stops anywhere other than on an appropriately licenced and regulated campsite.

Is there a best-practice driving code for motorhomes?

There is nothing enshrined in law as such – although you might turn up some good and helpful guides, including those recommended by the Caravan and Motorhome Club or the Camping and Caravan Club on the driving courses we have already mentioned.

How often do I need to empty the WC?

Questions on this subject are also regularly – usually somewhat shyly – raised in motorhome FAQs forums!

The answer, of course, depends on two factors:

  • the capacity of your WC’s storage; and
  • how often you use it.

If you’d like to ask, there are some rough guidelines we can provide. In passing, we’d just say that emptying the WC in modern motorhomes is typically fast, easy, and hygienic.

Setting off on your first journey in your new motorhome is an exciting event.

Even if you’ve owned one for some time the travel restrictions during the recent pandemic mean that it might have been a while since you’ve ventured on an outing of any duration.

So, if you’re preparing for that first trip as the proud new owner of a motorhome, or returning to the pleasures of your second home on wheels, here are a few travel tips from us here at Derby Motorhomes that you might find useful before setting off.

Practice your driving in advance

Practice makes perfect – it might be a truism but is no less relevant to learning or relearning your driving skills behind the wheel of a motorhome.

These vehicles are typically easy to drive but tight manoeuvring, reversing, and parking, will all benefit from a little more practice.

For the complete novice or someone wanting a thorough refresher course, the Caravan and Motorhome Club runs a range of practical tuition packages. Failing any such formal approach, even a few hours on a quiet Sunday in an empty local car park will be better than having to learn everything as you go along on your first outing of the year.

Don’t make your first trip an epic one

For similar reasons, break yourself in gradually when it comes to travelling any distance. It can take a little time to become fully familiar with your motorhome – particularly if you have no previous experience.

That might mean that a fairly local first trip, over perhaps a weekend, might be an excellent shakedown of your motorhome. You’ll learn a lot from it too and it’ll help prepare you for longer duration and longer-distance journeys.

Plan your route and remember you’re driving a motorhome

Picture the narrowest, twisty lanes you can imagine and just know that some very rural back roads are simply unsuitable for motorhomes.

In some cases, they may carry explicit prohibitions for commercial vehicles and motorhomes due to their size – but not all do. Make sure you’ve researched the route thoroughly and, until your experience levels have increased, avoid marginal or what might be considered challenging roads for larger vehicles.

Brush up on your driving codes for motorhomes

Be prepared for the fact that some other road users will seem to take exception to your driving a motorhome on the roads at all. If you are dawdling along – well below the maximum speed limit – on a single carriageway with no safe overtaking options, you’re certain to raise the frustration levels of other motorists. Motorhomes which block both carriageways whilst engaging in a doomed attempt to overtake a lorry or another motorhome on the inside lane whilst going uphill will be an even greater frustration.

Frustration on the road can be dangerous for everyone.

So, brush up on basic courteous driving techniques, as they apply specifically to motorhomes, then use them at all times.

Have you booked your site?

Mention of frustrations and there’s probably nothing worse than turning up at your destination only to find nowhere to park up for the night.

During the bank holidays and the peak summer holiday months, in particular, don’t just turn up in the hope you’ll be OK but spend that minute or two making a simple phone call to be sure of your pitch for the night.

Don’t forget your toolkit

You won’t be needing it for your suitably serviced motorhome, of course, but a toolkit could still earn its keep on any expedition into the wide world out there.

Since you’re about to experience the great outdoors, there might be dozens of times when you’ll wish you had a screwdriver to tighten that BBQ leg or an adjustable spanner to budge that tight nut on your bike rack.

A few basic tools will have proved their weight in gold.

Take all your manuals and appliance guides with you

Operating the cooker in your motorhome or its heating system isn’t exactly rocket science.

Still, the embarrassment of admitting you can’t work out how to do something as simple as switching on the power or coupling the gas is best avoided. Your manuals might help you get right to the business of enjoying yourself just that little bit faster.

Read your owner’s manual thoroughly and before departure

This will contain volumes of helpful tips, so it’s important to read through it at your leisure.

In it, you’re likely to find some advice about basic pre-departure vehicle checklists. Some of those might be obvious, such as checking tyre pressures but others less so – such as weight distributions and loading.

Be sure to run through the checklist carefully and rigorously before you leave.

Take a good torch

Finally, remember that some of the campsites you’ll be visiting will be very well lit – others may be less so – with more of that “back to nature” atmosphere about them.

A torch is likely to be invaluable.

The British public has confirmed its love affair with the staycation. 53% declared their intention of taking a holiday in the UK in 2022, said the website Pass the Keys on the 28th of January 2022.

For those who are looking for a mobile yet affordable, self-contained. and self-catering staycation, a motorhome represents the ideal choice – and that’s why sales of these leisure vehicles have grown by 15% since the lifting of pandemic restrictions, said a story in the Caravan Times on the 20th of December 2021.

There are any number of benefits attractions in motorhoming – and they are by no means restricted to staycations within the UK – but here are just some of those that appeal to our customers here at Derby Motorhomes:

The freedom to explore

  • Britain is a nation of explorers and every one of us is likely to have some inner yearning for the freedom of the open road and the sense of adventure to follow it wherever it leads;
  • motorhomes provide just that release – with a vehicle that may be nimble enough to manoeuvre even the most winding or narrow roads at home or abroad;

Home from home

  • but for all that adventure and exploration, you don’t need to sacrifice the creature comforts of home;
  • modern motorhomes are built to such a high standard that you have everything you need – the fridge, oven, flushing toilet, running water, and every manner of home comfort – right down to the proverbial kitchen sink;

Everything to hand

  • in a motorhome, everything is to hand;
  • there are no hotel bookings to be made and no restaurant tables to be reserved – still less the need to find a family-friendly eating place if you have the kids in tow;

The great outdoors

  • whenever you are holidaying in a motorhome, the great outdoors is ever-present;
  • all the fresh air you could need, all the natural wonders of the world, are right on your doorstep – providing a welcome and healthy getaway from the city-centred hotels you might otherwise be staying in;
  • the UK has some amazing countryside – some of it is off the beaten track and well away from the hectic hustle and bustle of daily life;
  • when you’re feeling confident to make those forays onto the European continent once again, your motorhome will open still more doors to an even greater outdoors;

Encounters with the unexpected

  • motorhomes give you the chance to ditch any rigorously planned itinerary and, instead, grant you the freedom to explore whatever you encounter along the way;
  • free of the constraints to meet hotel booking-in and checking-out times, feel free to expect the unexpected and awaken once again that sense of exploration, adventure, and wonder;

Social occasions

  • neither is motorhoming a solitary affair;
  • motorhomes make ideal family getaways in which you can enjoy some quality time;
  • membership of a club also links you to an even wider social network of like-minded souls – the Caravan Club, which claims more than a million members, changed its name just a couple of years ago to the still more inclusive Caravan and Motorhome Club;

Pet-friendly

  • how many holidays have meant the anxiety and pain of separation from your pets;
  • with a motorhoming holiday, you’ll avoid any such pain or heartbreak since your pets can come along too;
  • an increasing number of campsites are dog-friendly these days – and recognise that your four-legged companions are as likely to enjoy a holiday just as much as you do;

Economise

  • your bank balance is likely to be one of the major constraints on your taking more holidays and weekend breaks – hotel rooms and dining out every day make many of those trips prohibitively expensive;
  • once you’ve made that initial investment in buying a motorhome, on the other hand, your holidays and breaks in the future are likely to prove a fraction of the cost.

These are just a few of the benefits our customers have told us about. Set about purchasing – or upgrading – your motorhome now, and you’re almost certain to discover a lot more.

Although a brand new motorhome is expensive to buy, you will be pleased to discover that it holds its price well and you’re likely to get a good price for it when it’s time to sell. It is estimated that the average vehicle will have retained around 70% of its value after three years. Contrast this with the 50% or so valuation of your new car after three years, according to WeBuyAnyCar.com.

If you invested in a high-end motorhome, such as an Auto-Sleeper, it is even more likely to have held its value.

With such a combination of positive factors, your motorhome can become a prime subject for part-exchange whenever you decide it’s time to renew. So, here are some frequently asked questions on just that subject.

How can I be sure of getting a fair price?

A motorhome part exchange is intended to represent a fair deal for you, for the dealer who accepts it in part exchange, and for any customer looking eventually to buy it.

Although motorhomes typically hold their price well and depreciate at a slower rate than many other vehicles, they do depreciate over time. This needs to be taken into account when managing your expectations for the price you are offered by the dealer.

The more information – and the more accurate information – you can provide the dealer, the fairer the valuation is likely to be. And the fairer the valuation, of course, the better the price you might expect to be offered.

What determines the valuation?

In addition to your contact details – and in advance of the dealer’s inspection of the vehicle – there are several details on which any valuation is likely to be based, including:

  • the make and model of your motorhome – and as previously mentioned, the more reputable the marque, such as Auto-Sleeper, the more impressed any dealer is likely to be;
  • the registration number, age, and mileage of the vehicle;
  • whether it is diesel or petrol, the engine capacity, and the type of transmission (manual or automatic);
  • whether you have a full mechanical and habitation service history;
  • the overall condition of the motorhome – some indication of whether it is clean, average, or below average;
  • whether smoking has been allowed in the vehicle; and
  • whether your pets have travelled or slept in your motorhome.

Are the extras fitted into my motorhome also taken into account in any part-exchange valuation?

Extras, such as onboard entertainment systems or fitted appliances, may enhance the part exchange value of your motorhome.

To help ensure that you are receiving top price in part exchange, therefore, give as full a picture as possible of all the extras fitted, when they were fitted, by whom, and the individual service histories if these are available.

Once again, the more detail you offer, the greater the financial consideration is likely to be.

What if I’m dissatisfied with the part exchange price I’m offered?

With the best will in the world – on the part of both parties – there is always the chance that you consider the price you are offered for your motorhome to be underrated.

In those circumstances, there is nothing to stop you from arranging a private sale – and taking on the potential hassle and inconvenience of arranging viewings, allowing test drives, and negotiating a price.

If you manage to find a buyer, it is entirely possible that that person, too, is also interested in making a part exchange. If you put them in touch with the dealer from whom you are planning to buy your new motorhome, you might find that you have made two new friends – your buyer and the dealer from whom you are planning to buy.

Your motorhome gives you the freedom of the open road. And the less you need to spend along the way, the further you make your money stretch, the further you can travel, and the more you get to enjoy the adventures as you go.

So, here are a few tips and suggestions for making your money go further – so you can spend it on those things that make a holiday so truly memorable.

Go off-peak

If you are able to travel outside of the holiday periods, you’ll typically find that the roads will be quieter, but pitches, ferries and the Eurotunnel may also be cheaper:

  • if you’re after peace and quiet at your campsite, off-peak bookings are likely to involve fewer families with children;
  • the weather remains reasonably warm and dry during the so-called “shoulder months” of May and September;
  • you’ll probably pay less for your pitch – and have a greater choice and availability; and
  • many campsites remain open the whole year-round.

Motorhome breakdown cover

Spend a little to save a lot – that’s the secret to being prepared for emergencies and setbacks such as a vehicle breakdown. Spend a little on the appropriate breakdown cover and you could be saving yourself considerable expense if anything goes wrong.

If you’re touring, it’s a nightmare, of course, if you suffer a breakdown. If you’re touring in a motorhome the nightmare can only get worse because it’s not just your transport but also your overnight accommodation, cooking, and storage facilities.

So, don’t rely on whatever roadside DIY mechanical skills you think you might have picked up or the expense of unexpected recovery and vehicle repairs but invest in a policy that gives you peace of mind that you’ll keep on moving!

Planning

Motorhome breakdown insurance can certainly help you avoid major expenses if the vehicle breaks down – but a little forethought and planning can go still further than that.

By paying attention to the range and choice of campsites available you can choose those campsites that deliver everything you need – without it costing you an arm and a leg into the bargain.

The distinct advantage of your motorhome, of course, is that it is entirely self-contained. You do not have to rely on those more expensive sites offering 5-star amenities because all that you need is on your own four wheels.

The website Pitchup, for instance, markets its listings for motorhome sites in 2022 with prices that start as cheap as under a tenner anight.

Find cheap fuel

By signing up to an app such as PetrolPrices.com you will be able to find the cheapest petrol in your area – and, according to the website save up to nearly £500 a year on your super unleaded petrol.

For further fuel-saving economies and driving habits, you might want to take a look at the Money Saving Expert’s views of the 4th of March 2022 on the subject.

Bikes aboard

Your motorhome is perfectly equipped for each overnight stay and getting from A to B is as simple as sitting behind the wheel. But why not get further enjoyment from the great outdoors by leaving the motorhome on its pitch for a day or two while you take to the roads, lanes, and trails on your bikes – saving the wear and tear on your vehicle and, of course, the cost of fuel.

If there is room inside your motorhome to store the bikes, all well and good, but practically any motorhome these days will easily take a safer and more secure exterior cycle-rack.

Getting to know your galley

Eating out for the duration of your holiday is likely to prove expensive, yet your motorhome comes equipped with a galley – and using it need not be a huge chore:

  • casseroles, grills, oatmeal, and cereals take little time to prepare and are unlikely to tax the skills of anyone at the galley for a great length of time;
  • if you are feeling a little more ambitious, the Camping and Caravanning Club has even come up with a few recipes that are especially suited to cooking on the galley of your motorhome;
  • even just hitting the local supermarket for cold drinks, sandwiches, snacks, and the like means you can save money you would have spent out at a café;
  • don’t splurge at Starbucks – make your own coffee in your RV and you’ll potentially save a small fortune.

Saving money while travelling in your motorhome doesn’t mean scrimping and going without, it only takes just a little forethought, preparation, and planning.

Your motorhome is likely to prove great for enjoying the great outdoors, but don’t assume that it’s suitable only for trips into the wild and remote countryside.

On the contrary, many people love the versatility of a motorhome for exploring some of the fascinating and beautiful cities here in the UK – and in Europe, too.

Here are a few ideas from the team here at Derby Motorhomes about motorhome city breaks in the UK you might wish to think about.

Edinburgh

The historic capital of Scotland commonly features in any top-three listing of the most attractive cities in the UK.

The city is simply packed with things to do and see as well as having the additional benefit of being surrounded by some beautiful countryside to the south and north. Some of the coastal towns around the Firth of Forth are also well worth exploring if – however unlikely that’s going to be – you grow bored with Edinburgh’s attractions.

You might indeed struggle to find a campsite for your motorhome in the city centre itself, but there are plenty in surrounding areas that are serviced by good public transport links.

Do note that like many cities, Edinburgh now has major traffic restriction measures in place – so, you’ll want to make best use of the several park and ride schemes available.

York

With its Roman, Viking, Anglo-Saxon, and medieval past still very much in evidence, York is clearly an ancient city of northern England.

The cathedral is the focal point of the town but there are simply stacks of other attractions – notably, the medieval Shambles, the Jorvik Viking Centre, and the historic, largely intact, city walls themselves.

You can also take in the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire coastline for some stunning scenery during day trips out from the city.

Stratford upon Avon

In the peak holiday season of July and August, this charming, but small, town can become a little packed with tourists. However, at other times of the year, it is much more manageable with space and room to wander around and about the wealth of historic buildings – many associated with one of the fathers of English literature, Shakespeare himself.

In the surrounding countryside, you’ll also find other Midland towns that are more than worth a visit including Warwick, Leamington Spa, and Kenilworth.

Manchester

Now, it’s perfectly true that Manchester doesn’t often score highly in terms of the picturesque quality of its city centre but that shouldn’t detract from its many attractions. The website Trip Savvy ranks Manchester in third place among the top twenty of UK cities for international visitors.

Here in the northwest’s powerhouse, there are some major galleries and museums – not to mention a vibrant and very trendy commercial life on display in the centre of the city.

The city is also well positioned to explore some of the industrial museums and heritage of towns in Lancashire to the north and Cheshire to the south.

Canterbury

The ancient city of Canterbury boasts some of the country’s finest medieval architecture, including one of its oldest cathedrals, and its place in literary history thanks to the Canterbury Tales written by Geoffrey Chaucer at the close of the 14th century.

The city makes a natural base for exploring the county of Kent – aptly called the Garden of England, with some stunning countryside and a breath-taking coastline just a short drive away.

Top tips for exploring city centres

Don’t forget that, particularly during the holiday season, good campsites close to city centres can be snapped up very quickly by eager motorhome owners. So, make sure that you book in advance to secure the pitch you’re after for that city break in your motorhome.

If you can, take some personal transport with you like bicycles. It’ll make it much easier for you to get around and you’ll be less likely to run into some of the traffic congestion that, however much you try to avoid it, can be a fact of life with areas surrounding major conurbations.

It might also be highly advisable to seek sites that are located within very easy reach of good public transport services into the city. Not all cities are necessarily equally well equipped in terms of the transport infrastructure, so a little internet research will be essential.

Wherever you choose for your city break, it’s probably always a good idea to avoid, driving your motorhome into the city centre. You might get lucky, but you won’t want to lose a lot of your precious exploring time simply driving around one-way systems while trying to find a car park suitable for motorhomes.

Above all, though, remember to have fun!

After saving some hard-earned cash and with countless destinations reopened after several years of Covid restrictions, your long-awaited motorhome has finally arrived. You took great care and not a little time choosing the vehicle of your dreams – and now it’s sitting in your driveway.

Taking your motorhome on the road for the first time, however, is bound to bring on a flush of the nerves and there are a few things to do to prepare yourself for that first outing – or, indeed, refresh your memory, if you’ve not driven the vehicle for a while.

1. Take stock

Before you go anywhere, just sit in the driving seat and familiarise yourself with the controls. You’ll want to know where everything is, especially in an emergency, but it shouldn’t be too long before your reactions become second nature – just as they should be.

2. Passengers

Your family members are just as likely to want to clamber on board to take that first journey in your new motorhome. But it will probably be less taxing on your nerves if you persuade potential passengers to wait at least until you’ve driven the vehicle around the block a few times.

When you are ready for passengers, you and your co-pilot, of course, will be in the seats facing forward in the cockpit. Eager children, however, may be fighting for seats behind you in the rear of the vehicle – and that’s where a degree of caution and common-sense may need to be exercised.

Guidance published by the Camping and Caravanning Club emphasises this general need for common-sense. It points out that any motorhome first registered on or after the 20th of October 2007 must have seatbelts fitted to “designated travel seats”.

The guidance goes on to explain that only forward and rear-facing seats are suitable as travelling seats – and will, therefore, have the necessary seatbelts appropriately anchored in place. Typically, of course, that rules out side-facing seats as safe travelling seats. Even if these are fitted to such side-facing seats, it is not advisable to use them at all when travelling, because of the danger of injury in a collision.

3. Preparing the vehicle

If you’ve taken delivery of a new motorhome, your supplier is almost certain to have performed all the necessary checks to ensure that the vehicle is in perfect working order.

It is your responsibility, however, to ensure that it stays that way and that everything is packed and stowed away safely and securely.

That means making sure that you know the maximum authorised laden weight of your motorhome and that you do not exceed it. An overloaded vehicle is unsafe since it is more difficult to control, and you are putting excess pressure on the load-bearing tyres. What is more, you face a stiff fine and penalty points on your driving licence if your vehicle is overloaded and you are stopped by the police.

Be careful in the positioning of the items you pack, putting the heaviest on the floor in the middle of the motorhome, other heavier items evenly spread across the remaining floor area and only lightweight items in overhead lockers and cupboards.

Secure everything to make sure none of it shifts while you are on the road.

4. Tyres

Tyre pressures are even more important on your motorhome than on many other vehicles.

The Camping and Caravanning Club suggests that you might consider using TyrePal which constantly monitors the pressure in the tyres and warns you of any pending problems. The Club also recommends the use of a rear-facing camera – especially when you are a novice at manoeuvring a larger vehicle in reverse.

We hope these four quick tips will help you feel confident when you first hit the road in your motorhome. Enjoy your trip!