Motorhome Advice Archives - Page 6 of 7

Owning a motorhome gives you the freedom of the open road. And if that open road begins with the short hop across the Channel to France, the open road has practically no end.

France is our closest neighbour. That’s why so many Britons visit the country – principally for holidays. They totalled more than 10.3 million in 2019, according to the latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Though it might be just a short cross-Channel journey away, however, remember that France is a foreign country, with rules of the road, laws and customs that may differ substantially to those you are used to at home.

So, if you are planning on exploring France in your motorhome, there is the little matter of getting across the stretch of water known as the English Channel.

So, how do you get to France, what are the routes, and how long does it take?

With all that in mind, the following advice is offered about taking your motorhome to France.

Ways to get to France in your motorhome

Le Shuttle

By far the quickest and probably the most convenient way to get your motorhome across the Channel is through the Euro Tunnel on the train service known as Le Shuttle.

That means first driving to Folkestone on England’s south coast – the route is well signposted from the M20, where you simply drive your motorhome onto the train. The journey lasts just 35 minutes until you disembark in Calais.

When using the tunnel, you may keep onboard any LPG tanks you use for your cooker, refrigerator or for heating provided the cylinders have a capacity of no more than 47kg and that they are less than 80% full.

The Camping and Caravanning Club currently offers its members a 10% discount when tickets for Le Shuttle are bought directly through the club.

Overground

Part of your adventure, though, might be the chance to wave a temporary goodbye to the white cliffs of Dover from the deck of a ship. In that case, you have a number of options – largely determined by where your destination in France will be:

Dover to Calais

the shortest – 22 miles or so – and most familiar, is likely to be the Dover to Calais ferry, operated by two companies, DFDS Seaways and P&O Ferries;

sea crossings with either company – who together offer a combined total of 39 sailings a day – take around an hour and a half between Dover and Calais;

prices are calculated according to the exact dimensions of your motorhome – which you must provide at the time of booking – and larger vehicles are typically loaded first;

Dover to Dunkirk

if you want to arrive a little further along the north coast of France, Dover to Dunkirk may be your choice – Dunkirk is a much less busy port than Calais, the tickets tend to be cheaper, and the journey time is still only around 2 hours;

the route is operated by DFDS Seaways;

Newhaven to Dieppe

DFDS Seaways also operates the ferry service between Newhaven and Dieppe;

this might prove an even more relaxing crossing since both Newhaven and Dieppe are quieter ports than either Dover or Calais and the four-hour crossing gives you time to enjoy the cruise and enjoy a meal onboard;

Portsmouth to Normandy and Brittany

if your destination is Normandy, Brittany or other points west in France, Brittany Ferries offers several routes, all starting from the port of Portsmouth;

the route to Le Havre is billed as a “no frills” economy passage and takes around four and a half hours;

sailings to the historic port of Caen in Normandy prove to be some of Brittany Ferries’ most popular crossings – though you might also want to book a cabin for the seven-hour crossing;

Portsmouth to Cherbourg takes just three hours on Brittany Ferries’ Normandie Express;

since the crossing takes 10 hours, sailings from Portsmouth to St Malo are overnight – a good time to enjoy a relaxing onboard meal as you watch the sea slip quietly by.

Whether you opt for the speed and convenience of the Channel Tunnel or choose a mini cruise across to France, therefore, our closest neighbour has never been easier to reach for your next motorhome tour.

But, so much for getting there – what are you likely to make of the driving in France and what should you know about taking your motorhome?

The driving

One of the main dangers may be the lure of the open road itself. Especially if you are chasing the sun, you might be tempted to drive much further in your motorhome in France than you are used to at home.

As a detailed study by the European E-Survey of Road Users’ Attitudes (ESRA) warned, it is essential to avoid driving fatigue, so plan your route well, and take regular breaks.

Documents

You need to remember your UK driving licence, but at the time of writing (September 2020), you do not need an international driving permit for France. Do note that this could change due to Brexit, so check with the Government website for clarification.

You must also have evidence of insurance for your motorhome since a minimum of third party cover is obligatory in France – as it is throughout the rest of Europe.

Check that your insurance covers driving in Europe and ask your insurer for a “green card” that confirms you are adequately insured for driving in France. The need for a green card is almost certain to increase once the UK has completed its departure from the EU as from the 1^st of January 2021.

Also carry your registration and MOT documents too.

Kit

When driving in France, you must have onboard a warning triangle and a reflective jacket to wear in case of roadside emergencies together with a first-aid kit.

While it is no longer a legal requirement, it has been in the past and is, therefore, a good idea to continue to carry a breathalyser device.

Speed limits

Speed limits may vary, especially in rural areas, are likely to catch out the unwary and are frequently policed – with on the spot fines which vary according to the degree to which you have exceeded the limit.

That means up to €68 for a minor infraction (less than 12mph) but up to €3750 and three months in prison if you are caught for the second time speeding by more than 31mph.

Emissions

The RAC warns that in some French cities you also need to display a “clean air sticker” – a Crit’Air.

This costs £3.60 and you may face an on the spot fine of nearly £120 if you fail to do so.

Please note that this information is correct at the time of writing – September 2020 – so it is advisable to check routes, the documentation needed etc. from official sources when planning your trip, as they may change.

So, it’s that time of year again – you know the one, the one where we sit down together as a family, group of friends or couple, glass of chilled sangria in hand, holiday brochures or i-pad at the ready and try to decide where we fly off to for our annual holidays this year.

Only, this year things are going to be a little different and I don’t know about you, but for me, I certainly won’t be boarding a bargain, budget or charter flight with 200 hundred other excited souls, potentially coughing and wheezing in all sections of the cabin whilst sharing the same recycled air and occupying the very same seat that, less than an hour previously, was vacated by goodness knows who!

Finally, after an hour and a half of what I like to call “sight-seeing” (which is in fact sitting on a cramped, baking hot coach with fifty other assorted families and couples, tired, frustrated, bursting for the toilet and praying that your name isn’t called out for this particularly grim looking destination you’ve just stopped at), you arrive at your hotel only to find the room isn’t ready yet and when it is, it looks out over the next-door building site or municipal dump!

As a side issue, these photographers must have amazing skills as the accommodation is never quite like the pictures in the brochure or on-line, which reminds me, I must try to track down one of those photographers some-day – my passport photo is terrible!

The water is undrinkable, the beer, cocktails and house spirits worse, the bed uncomfortable, the air conditioning doesn’t work, the neighbouring room houses a family of banshee’s who never seem to sleep; the hotel food is usually lukewarm and finally, when you take a closer look, the bedding doesn’t really seem that clean after all, the mattress doesn’t bear thinking about and the room – well, it doesn’t look to have had a thorough clean in decades!

The lifts are crammed full of holiday makers from all over Europe, all happily touching every button and surface produced by mankind while breathing and coughing across everyone within close proximity and then, while desperately trying not look anyone directly in the eyes, you’re left wondering what hygiene standards the chefs, waiters, reception, pool and bar staff apply and finally, to top it all off, social distancing is itself a very distant memory once the beer and sangria kick-in. Happy holidays everyone!

In fact, whilst on this subject, the very last place I could reasonably consider for a well – earned vacation right now would be aboard a cruise ship for that matter – luxurious as I’m sure they are, I couldn’t possibly imagine spending all of that time in such close proximity to a couple of thousand other poor souls also with no escape and all of their associated germs to dodge for a week or more whilst most of the above likely still applies!

And then there’s the excursions to worry about; a coach here, a taxi there, tours around the local must-see’s and snacks and drinks in lovely little tavernas and bars who’s owners and staff possibly think more about tips and profits than anything else – after all, you’re going to be a distant memory in an hour’s time!

I’m sorry if this paints a pretty awful picture and forgive me for using a few clichés, but tell me this hasn’t happened to most us at some time or another and tell me you aren’t having exactly the same misgivings – or am I just being cynical?

Anyway, enough of my hand-wringing doom and gloom, but I’m just saying, there must be an awful lot of other folks out there, also of a certain age and disposition thinking exactly the same as me – come on, I can’t be the only miserable git out there who’s really concerned about catching something incredibly nasty and shuffling off this mortal coil way too early (my opinion, not necessarily that of the current lady of the house).

So, with all of this to the fore of my reasoning, one – word springs to mind – staycation!

However, even that has some drawbacks; where to stay-cate for example, with whom and for how long are just a few of my thoughts.

But it doesn’t have to be that difficult, not when you could buy a motorhome and have as many holidays as you and your spouse could possibly ever desire.

If you think about it, it’s almost the perfect solution – your very own personal space, (or isolation pod as I like to think of them), closed to everyone but you and those lucky enough to be invited in, after thorough vetting that is!

Total freedom and flexibility, the freedom to go exactly where you want and do exactly what you want to do and the flexibility to do this whenever you wish and for as long as you want to, too.

If you really think about this, a campsite could also be the perfect place to enjoy freedom and isolation.

You don’t have to use the site’s facilities – toilets, showers, shops, bars etc. because your very own motorhome usually comes complete with its own toilet and shower, kitchen with cooker and fridge (sometimes a freezer too), tv if you fancy that and they can even be fitted with wind-out awnings for additional sun shelter. Some can even have gas BBQ points fitted for alfresco cooking.

You supply your own food and drinks so, nothing you don’t really want passes your lips and the shopping, if you don’t take it with you, can be delivered directly to your door if the need or desire’s still there to socially distance.

Your neighbours are usually several meters away from your pitch with their door on the opposite side too, so social distancing, again, isn’t going to be an issue and camp sites are usually to be found close to beautiful countryside or coastal areas – some even have fishing lakes attached and most non-motor homers would very surprised at just how good the vast majority of modern sites really are.

So, a motorhome doesn’t have to be huge, it can be and can also have every extra know to mankind too; but then there’s it’s size to consider, it can affect where you travel – too big and English country lanes could prove a challenge; too small and either you won’t have sufficient storage space for clothes and things or, more accurately, the love of your life will but you won’t or, joking apart, too small could potentially restrict the length of time spent away from home.

Well, a motorhome could be considered as “roughing it” by some I suppose but when you actually bother to take a closer look at some of them, well, nothing could be further from the truth.

Take Auto-Sleepers for example – they are the oldest UK motorhome manufacturer; every-one is hand built and quality oozes from every angle. Luxurious Belgian fabrics, quality furniture, kitchens a top chef would be proud of and space abound – even in the smallest of models.

Then there’s their fabulous standard features such as large wind-out awnings, mobile wi-fi, solar panels, re-fillable gas tanks, built-in satellite navigation systems, air conditioning – cab and habitation areas too in their Mercedes range; there’s even the option of remote, self-seeking satellite TV systems if you really don’t want to miss anything.

What could be finer than sitting under your very-own sun awning drinking wine (or gin, beer, cider or any other favourite tipple for that matter) and simply “chilling out” whilst listening to your favourite music or reading the latest novel on your kindle?

If that’s not your “thing” then how about a day exploring the local countryside or walking and cycling to places of interest; maybe visit the local beach (social distancing permitting of course) or town centre for that all-important retail therapy hit, (if the shops are open and you have a face-mask).

Then there’s galleries and museums to consider or the local country estate, farm shop or National Trust venue – really, the list of potential activities is endless as are the wonderful places one could pitch-up in the UK alone.

You never know too, the urge to go abroad could still prove too great to resist, in which case there’s always the “tunnel” for quick, easy access to France and beyond or endless ferry routes for a more relaxed trip across the water.

Imagine, a lovely warm evening, sun slowly setting, the sound of the ocean in the distance, dining al-fresco with a really great burgundy, fresh-baked French bread, a lovely cheese and a simple salad, all right on your own doorstep and for as long as you feel like it……

And don’t forget, motorhomes are welcomed throughout Europe and Europe’s an awfully big continent to explore and finding beautiful, isolated spots to call your own for a few days before moving on isn’t difficult and the driving? Well that’s all part of the holiday.

Remember too, once you have a motorhome, you also have the potential for hundreds of holidays, long or short, here, there, anywhere in fact – a long weekend or simple overnighter somewhere local or just a day out in the countryside for that matter, the choice is yours and endless!

So, I hope I’ve planted a seed of optimism for a brighter future this summer and holiday season; and one final fact, a motorhome is nothing like a car in terms of depreciation or residual value and if I’m honest, whilst they aren’t that cheap to buy initially, they should be considered more as an investment and once owned, they will retain a huge proportion of their original value and for a darned sight longer than your average family run-around or caravan and definitely longer than your two weeks package to the sun!

You’ll definitely have so very many more memories from a motorhome too so, when you sit down to consider the summer holidays, take a closer look at the motor home option and in particular Auto-Sleepers’ motor home range at Derby Motorhomes, you’re going to be very pleasantly surprised.

Staycation – happy holidays everyone.

Selling any motor vehicle is often a chore and something of a hassle.

Selling your motorhome may prove still more of a headache. Buyers may be few and far between. There is likely to be more money at stake, and viewers are likely to take much longer poring over every inch of the vehicle (and that’s not even counting the time-wasters who say they are coming and then fail to turn up).

When you part exchange your motorhome, on the other hand, you get two essential benefits for the price of one – you avoid the time, hassle and general inconvenience of having to sell your current motorhome. And you are also likely to gain more than enough of a deposit on your new one.

So, let’s take a closer look at part exchanging your motorhome.

At the time of writing, all the news is good news in terms of that “PX” deal! Why?

Second-hand motorhome values

Motorhomes depreciate far less than the typical car. That means they hold their value well, assuming all other things are equal.

Add to that the fact that there’s currently something of a shortage of good quality second-hand motorhomes and you have all the ingredients for great deals if you’re part-exchanging your motorhome.

Part exchange with Derby Motorhomes

If you are selling your motorhome to buy another, we aim to give you a top part exchange price – without your having to go through any of the hassles of advertising, etc.

All we ask is you give us a full and accurate description of your motorhome as possible, including whether it has been involved in any accidents and if there is any outstanding finance on the vehicle.

Even if you prefer to go down the route of selling your motorhome privately, we may still be able to help. Your buyer may be looking for a part exchange deal, for example, or even looking for the finance to purchase your motorhome – both are issues over which we may be able to help.

Choosing a dealer

When you are looking to part exchange, a lot may hinge on your choice of dealer.

Naturally, you want the best possible price for any motorhome you trade-in, based on a fair and realistic valuation of its current market value.

Specialist, reputable dealers are likely to be in the best position to make just such an offer. They know about motorhomes, they know who is in the market to buy a used one, and they are at the cutting edge of the business.

Most dealers specialise in a particular make of motorhome and, if you are lucky enough to already own one of the top-rated brands such as an Auto-Sleeper, you may be likely to be offered an especially attractive deal in part exchange.

Indeed, some dealers are so interested in buying such desirable brands as Auto-Sleeper, that, if you have yet to make up your mind about purchasing a new motorhome, you may be offered an immediate cash price on the one you want to sell.

Some dealers may even agree to take your motorhome on a sale or return basis.

Preparing your motorhome for part-exchange

You might be tempted into thinking that a vehicle you offer in part exchange does not need much in the way of special presentation – if it is dirty or needs minor exterior or interior blemishes ironing out, then the dealer is well able to provide the necessary service.

But dealers are people, too, and just like any other buyer, first impressions count.

In other words, if you are looking to part exchange, it is worth spending some of your own time cleaning the outside of the vehicle, attending to any scrapes and dings, and giving the interior a thorough spring clean. It is all likely to put any dealer in the right frame of mind for offering you a more attractive deal on a motorhome which has clearly been looked after by a responsible and careful owner.

Try to make sure your vehicle is as clean and well-presented as possible. True, a professional dealer will be able to “see-through” certain surface-level presentation problems, but psychologically even the most seasoned professional can be affected by things such as interior dirt, grime, and foul smells etc.

These things can suggest you’ve not really cared for your motorhome and that might imply to the dealer that far worse problems are lurking unseen under the surface so to speak. So – a good spring clean beforehand is a good idea.

Avoid last-second cosmetic improvements like cushions, wall decorations and so on. These will cost you money for no benefit – most dealers will remove them before any sale to restore your motorhome or campervan to its original specification and appearance (as far as possible).

Some motorhome owners, for example, add large numbers of accessories and make other customisations and enhancements to their vehicles.

It’s sometimes disappointing for them to note that many of these will be considered to have zero value by the dealer or indeed a future buyer. That’s because many buyers prefer second-hand motorhomes that are close to the original manufacturer’s specification. They may have little or no use for your gadgetry or accessories.

So, you might have a dish on the roof capable of bouncing a signal off Mars – but a new buyer might value that at zero if they have no interest in doing so! Be pragmatic and assume you may get little or nothing for most of them.

As people are inclined to be fussy about where they sleep and use the bathroom, try to keep these areas particularly spic, span and in good working order. A shower/WC that’s a bit of a mess or poorly maintained will be a big turn off to dealers.

Pricing

Research a very rough price for your vehicle and also the one you have in mind for acquisition. Do some rough sums in your head for the sort of total deal you’re looking for and be flexible and ready to negotiate.

Try to be realistic in your pricing, though. Remember, the dealer has to make a profit on both sides of the transaction, and that can’t be pennies. Give them some breathing room.

You will be very unlikely to get as much as a trade-in, as you would if you sold privately. If it appears you would remember to look at the whole deal, including what the dealer is asking you to pay as the balance for the new vehicle. However, keep in mind that selling privately comes with its particular potential pitfalls. Think carefully before you make your final decision on that one.

It is also important to gather together, ready to hand over to the dealer, the documents and owner’s manual you received when you bought your motorhome, along with its maintenance records and service history.

Selling privately

If you are going down the road of selling your motorhome privately, rather than looking to part exchange, there are a few precautions you need to take to prevent scams, theft or even worse:

never give out details such as the vehicle registration number (technically known as its Vehicle Registration Mark, or VRM), the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), logbook details or your own personal information – which may be used criminally for identity theft;
always offer viewings at your home address, rather than somewhere unfamiliar that is suggested by someone claiming to be an interested buyer, but where you may be vulnerable to an assault or theft;
if a viewer asks to hear the engine running, make sure you are in the driving seat and do not leave the keys in the ignition, suggests the listings magazine Exchange and Mart;
if a potential buyer asks to test drive your motorhome, only hand over the keys once you are sat behind the wheel and after you have checked that their insurance certificate allows them to drive;
it is reasonable to allow any potential buyer to inspect the vehicle’s documents, but do not let them make copies of them – and beware any attempt they make to take photos of the documents using their smartphone;
if you manage to agree on a sale, have prepared a simple document to that effect which both you and the buyer sign;
wait until you have been paid the agreed price – and any bank transfer or cheque has actually been cleared – before handing over your motorhome to the buyer.

With the prospect of so many do’s, don’ts and precautions involved in any private sale, you might already have decided that the easier and safer solution may be to offer us your motorhome in part exchange.

If you are thinking of buying an Auto-Sleeper motorhome, you are unlikely to find anything better when it comes to your choice of large or small, luxuriously spacious or nimbly manoeuvrable. Nor, for want of options when it comes to the layout of your ultimate leisure vehicle.

Indeed, you are likely to be so spoiled for choice that making a final decision seems overwhelming. So, why choose an Auto-Sleeper, and what do you need to consider when buying one?

Why choose an Auto-Sleeper?

This might be summed up in just three words – quality, design, and variety:

Quality

the whole point of a motorhome is to provide comfortable accommodation while you are out and about exploring the world at large;

as a result, you will typically want the accommodation component of your motorhome to offer the height of comfort, and be well equipped and spacious;

while no motorhome is likely to offer the same space and luxury as a penthouse suite in a top-class hotel, even so, Auto-Sleepers come close to achieving this in the vehicles they have constructed or customised;

this is partly about the quality of the materials used internally, partly about the design approach and most importantly, about the overall build quality;

it’s perfectly possible to have a great design using superb materials, but if they are poorly put together, the end result will be sub-optimal – that is not a mistake made by Auto-Sleepers, who consistently turn out widely praised interiors;

Design

there are certainly cases where it is evident the design of a motorhome has perhaps not been entirely well thought-through;

although the materials and build quality may be fine, that doesn’t count for much if you have to climb over a table to reach the WC or can’t easily open a cupboard door when sitting in the lounge because it jams against a piece of furniture;

Auto-Sleepers have clearly been impeccably designed with an emphasis on practical functionality – and the importance of that often becomes crystal clear during the first 24 hours of using your new motorhome;

Variety

Auto-Sleepers offer a wide range of vehicle types;

not only do they vary based on chassis and engine but also in terms of their internal configuration – you could, for example, have near identical chassis and engines but with the accommodation configured for two, three or four-berth use;

the company also doesn’t restrict its activities to larger flagship motorhomes;

the manufacturer’s van conversions are innovative and display genius in terms of the utilisation of available space;

this means that recreational vehicle users of all types and budgets can usually find an Auto-Sleeper to meet their needs.

Meeting your needs and requirements

These three excellent reasons for choosing an Auto-Sleeper come to nothing, of course, unless the motorhome can meet your particular needs and requirements. However brilliant the motorhomes are, you will still want to exercise personal tastes and preferences to your own specification.

Whether you will be happy with a van conversion or a full-sized motorhome is very much a matter of personal choice. The same is true in terms of things such as the size of the shower room and the total number of berths. For example, some people may prefer to trade a berth if it means they have a larger shower and WC area.

These things need to be considered, and a general requirements list produced before you start searching the Auto-Sleepers range. It will help focus your attention on what’s important to you.

So, let’s take a closer look at what might appear on your list of sought-after qualities and features.

Size

Who is likely to be travelling with you on your adventures in an Auto-Sleeper motorhome? Is it just you and your partner or do you have children or maybe an extended family to think of?

The answer governs the number of beds you need in your motorhome and, of course, this determines, in turn, the overall size of the vehicle that may comfortably accommodate your travelling companions.

Weight

Closely related to the question of size is the overall weight and laden weight of your motorhome.

This may become more critical as you consider the largest of the motorhomes you might have an eye on. For the great majority of motorhomes, your standard driving licence allows you to drive vehicles of up to 3,500kg Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM), explains the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). For motorhomes above this weigh, however, you may need to pass and hold a supplementary Category C1 licence.

To complicate things a little further, your precise driving licence qualifications also depend on whether you took your test before or after the 1^st of January 1997.

Where are you going?

Your choice of the size and weight of your motorhome might also be influenced by where it is you are likely to be going and how you intend to use the vehicle:

if you are planning to use it mainly for touring, with just overnight stops along the way, a smaller vehicle is likely to be more manoeuvrable along narrow winding lanes or congested city streets;

if you have a particular destination in mind and plan to use your Auto-Sleeper as a – somewhat luxurious – home away from home, then the extra spaciousness and higher standard of fittings and furniture of a larger, heavier vehicle may be more appropriate.

Seeing is believing

As you begin to lock onto the motorhome of your choice, there is nothing to beat the experience of ditching the brochures and magazines and getting up close and personal to the real thing.

Why not stop by our Auto-Sleeper exhibition centre and view the whole range on offer? Settle down in one of the comfortable seats in the cockpit or lounge area, bounce up and down on a bed or two, and get hands-on with the galley.

Your budget

As with so many things, your final decision may come down to the hard realities of your bank balance.

Once again, though, Auto-Sleeper build motorhomes to suit many a pocket – and reputable dealers such as ourselves here at Derby Motorhomes offer access to finance specialists who may advise on the ways to finance your purchase – including the Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) similar to the deal with which you might have bought your last motor car.

What’s the most important feature of a motorhome? It’s one of the frequently asked questions we’re asked at Derby Motorhomes.

It’s also one of the most difficult questions to answer, of course, since so much about choosing your motorhome is down to personal taste and preference. There may be many different aspects of a motorhome that might lead you to decide either for or against a given model.

In fact, there are so many things to consider that a single article of this nature just cannot cover them all. So, here we will concentrate on just one of the features we are asked about most often – the internal layout.

Think numbers

The optimal motorhome layout might depend upon just how many people there will be on your trips.

In situations where there are four adults (or grown-up children) regularly aboard, you may really appreciate fold-away beds and much more dining space in the living area. On the other hand, if you are a couple with perhaps the odd trip involving your grandchildren for example, then your motorhome layout thinking might be quite different.

True, you shouldn’t size your motorhome and select configurations based on perhaps one trip every 12 or 18 months with others aboard. But if you’re planning to invite other people with you on a regular basis, it should be taken into account in your configuration design and selection.

Your home on wheels

The precise layout of your motorhome will go a long way to maximising the usable space within the vehicle, the way you intend to use it, and the number of people you expect to accommodate.

A motorhome is your home on wheels, says the Camping and Caravanning Club, so there is an inevitable trade-off or compromise between interior spaciousness and the need to negotiate the vehicle on the roads – which might often be narrow, twisting, or occasionally congested city streets.

Just remember that even motorhomes that are a similar overall length – points out an article in AutoTrader Motorhomes – may differ in both height and width to allow a layout which offers more in the way of usable space inside.

So, whether you are looking for a sufficiently agile and manoeuvrable motorhome to use for touring off the beaten track or a sufficiently spacious and luxurious second home which to which you return as your base each day, there are plenty of layout options from which to choose.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the considerations involved.

The overall size of your motorhome

Remember that the smaller the motorhome you select, by and large, the more compromises you might have to make on internal living space. That’s something that might affect aspects of your motorhome layout.

For example, some motorhome owners prefer lots of living room and kitchen space but are more than willing to compromise on sleeping area dimensions. That’s fine but in the case of say over-cab sleeping accommodation, keep in mind that headroom will be restricted and also one partner will have to climb over the other if they need to get up in the middle of the night.

Sleeping arrangements

The degree of flexibility that now exists in terms of choosing sleeping layouts is phenomenal. Even so, not all of them will necessarily appeal to everyone.

For example, if you have two smaller children or grandchildren you take on trips, then you may be very attracted by the idea of bunk beds. If you don’t, then that type of sleeping accommodation may be largely irrelevant in terms of your requirements.

Things you may wish to consider might include:

how many berths;
single or double beds;
where the sleeping areas will sit in your motorhome (at the rear, central areas etc.).

Some options may allow you to keep the bed permanently in place whereas others will allow it to be converted into additional seating accommodation in your living area.

Although tastes and preferences obviously differ, it’s probably fair to say that many people would suggest that fixed beds are more comfortable than those which fold away.

If you are someone or a couple who really values the ultimate in comfort for a great night’s sleep, then it might be better to opt for fixed beds. On the other hand, if you can sleep on the head of a pin, then folding beds may give you much more legroom during the day.

Kitchens

The size and configuration of kitchen areas may also vary considerably between models.

The equipment level contained in many motorhome kitchens is now staggering.

There are often quality appliances and ones which would grace even a conventional kitchen in a main home, as well as specially-designed motorhome gadgets that are economical in their use of space.

If you are someone who really enjoys cooking, wherever you are, then you may be prepared to sacrifice something like fixed beds or larger sized shower facilities in order to have a substantial kitchen.

On the other hand, not everyone goes on a motorhome holiday with the intention of cooking cordon bleu cuisine. It may be that you prefer eating out or preparing basic meals on minimalist kitchen equipment. If that’s the case, picking the right motorhome for you might involve deciding to reduce the amount of floor space allocated to your kitchen and deploying it instead to living or sleeping areas.

You might also want to think about where the kitchen sits in your motorhome. Some people like it at the very back, well out of the way of everything else, whilst others prefer it conveniently located mid-vehicle near the main sitting area.

WC’s and showers

This is one of the areas where individual requirements are most likely to vary. It’s not unusual to hear people say they’ll go for the smallest option possible and use the space saved elsewhere. In practice though, that doesn’t necessarily suit everybody in real life.

Some people just don’t like cramped spaces when they are trying to take a shower and very restricted spaces in these areas can be an issue for larger people. It’s certainly possible to opt for smaller solutions but think it through first and be sure that it’ll result in something you’ll be comfortable with.

It’s entirely possible to have a fully functioning WC contained within your motorhome. What is less commonly known, though, is that it’s also possible to have a normal shower too.

Some people prefer to have the WC and shower room as two separate units. That takes up more space, of course, but it does mean that the two can be used simultaneously.

Still others are less concerned about having a full-sized shower and would prefer instead to use that space for other purposes within the motorhome, being happy to use the communal shower facilities on the campsite.

Once again, your individual requirements can almost always be accommodated providing you select a motorhome provider who is able to offer the appropriate design flexibility.

Popular layouts

With some of these design and configuration considerations firmly in mind, therefore, let’s see how it all translate into practice, so that you are ready to pick your way through some of the most popular types of motorhome layout. And, once again, it is worth stressing that the imagination and ingenuity of contemporary designers, gives you an amazing selection of different motorhome layouts to suit a variety of personal preferences and uses:

Campervans

as the smallest in the stable of motorhomes, campervans are perhaps the most challenging for layout designers;
typically, the forward driver’s and passenger seats swivel around to face the interior, there is a bench seat at the rear – which converts into the bed – and a small galley and cupboards arranged along the side;
yet even within the relative confines of a campervan, there are variations on the theme – explains a guide produced by Out and About Live – and you have a wide choice when it comes to selecting the layout that suits your purposes;

French bed layout

also designed to maximise space in smaller motorhomes is the so-called French bed layout;
it is smaller than a regular, fixed double bed because the corner is rounded off to allow greater access around it – it is also an alternative to an island bed when space is at a premium;

Fixed bed layouts

as you move up in the overall size of your motorhome, it becomes possible to have fixed beds rather than those which pull down or convert and which you have to make up at the end of each day;
fixed bed layouts may feature a double bed or two singles – depending on the layout – and are prized for the comfort and convenience they bring to life in your motorhome;

End kitchen layout

if you are looking for a motorhome that serves as a home away from home, you might want to consider the luxury of a spacious end kitchen layout;
by putting the kitchen across the rear of the vehicle, you may achieve a fully-fitted kitchen – with an oven, multiple hobs, workspace and room for a fridge;

End bathroom layout

perhaps even more luxury can be found in having the bathroom at the rear of your motorhome;
it makes room for the toilet, hand basin and walk-in shower – all creature comforts that are likely to make your motorhome a comfortable yet mobile second home.

With layouts for all occasions, uses and personal tastes, choosing the one that suits you may be as important as picking the motorhome itself.

There’s nothing quite like spring cleaning. The very term conjures up the excitement and enthusiasm of a new season and all the adventures that lie in the offing.

When it’s a question of giving your motorhome a spring clean, of course, you’ll be looking forward to those upcoming days and nights of touring the country – and abroad – from the comfort of your second home on wheels. You’ll want to make sure that it is up to the task, looking, smelling and feeling renewed and refreshed both inside and out.

The exterior

While it has been laid up over winter, the bodywork of your motorhome will have attracted its share of dust, dirt and grime – including grit and birdlime.

Liberally hose down the exterior of your motorhome using plenty of fresh water – this washes off the looser dirt and softens more persistent patches for removal later. When adding cleaning products to the next wash, choose those that are specially formulated for motorhomes, so that you avoid any which are too harsh.

An article in Out and About Live on the 9^th of March 2020, suggests that you avoid washing down the outside of your motorhome on a windy or hot day since the water will dry too quickly before you’ve had the chance to rinse it down, and so leave unsightly streaks.

Pay particular attention to any acrylic windows, which may be sensitive to some chemicals and will scratch easily from abrasives. Use plenty of warm water to wash them, therefore, and make sure to remove the residue from any cleaning products.

Tackling the inside

If you took some care to clean your motorhome before its winter layover, tackling the interior is likely to be a simple question of airing it thoroughly and removing the dust and debris that might have built up.

Open all the windows and doors and get your duster out to tackle every surface and the inside of cupboards and storage units. When that’s been done, take a vacuum cleaner to the floor – or a mop if it’s a laminate covering – and keep the doors and windows open so that the interior remains well ventilated for at least the next few hours or so.

Upholstery and soft furnishings can be cleaned with shampoo or specialist cleaning products but remember to keep the interior well ventilated until everything has dried out thoroughly – wet cushions are only going to encourage damp and mould.

Functionality

Spring cleaning also gives you the chance to check that everything is working as it should. There is nothing worse than discovering a malfunction when you have already set off from home.

Sit behind the wheel and operate each of the switches at your fingertips. Check that the headlights come on and that no bulbs need replacing. Do the same for the brake lights and indicators. Ensure that the handbrake works smoothly and effectively.

Check the controls for the air conditioning, together with other gadgets and devices such as the radio, TV, CD player, sat-nav and any onboard WiFi system. Test any fire alarms and smoke detectors, ensuring that each one has enough battery life.

Once you’ve given your motorhome a clean, you can start planning your next journey!

Finally, after a an hour and a half of what I like to call “sight-seeing” (which is in fact sitting on a cramped, baking hot coach with fifty other assorted families and couples, tired, frustrated, bursting for the toilet and praying that your name isn’t called out for this particularly grim looking destination), you arrive at your hotel only to find the room isn’t ready yet and when it is, it looks out over the next-door building site (they’re never quite like the picture in the brochure).

The water is undrinkable, the beer, cocktails and house spirits worse, the bed uncomfortable, the air conditioning doesn’t work, the neighbouring room houses a family of banshee’s who never seem to sleep; the hotel food is usually lukewarm and finally, when you take a closer look, the bedding doesn’t really seem that clean after all and the room – well, it doesn’t look to have had a thorough clean in decades!

The lifts are crammed full of holiday makers from all over Europe, all happily touching every button and surface while breathing across everyone within close proximity and then you’re left wondering what hygiene standards the chefs, waiters, reception, pool and bar staff apply and then, to top it all off, social distancing is itself a very distant memory once the beer and sangria kick-in. Happy holidays everyone!

In fact, whilst on this subject, the very last place I could consider for a well – earned vacation right now would be aboard a cruise ship for that matter – luxurious as I’m sure they are, I couldn’t possibly imagine spending all of that time in such close proximity to a couple of thousand other poor souls also with no escape and all of their associated germs to dodge for a week or more whilst most of the above still applies!

I’m sorry if this paints a pretty awful picture but tell me this hasn’t happened to most us at some time or another – or am I just being cynical?

So, with all of this to the fore of my reasoning, one – word springs to mind – staycation!

However, even that has some drawbacks; where to stay-cate for example, with whom and for how long are just a few of my thoughts.

But it doesn’t have to be that difficult, not when you could buy a motorhome and have as many holidays as you and your spouse could possibly ever desire.

Total freedom and flexibility, the freedom to go exactly where you want and do exactly what you want to do and the flexibility to do this whenever you wish and for as long as you want to, too.

If you really think about this, a campsite could also be the perfect place to enjoy freedom and isolation.

You supply your own food and drinks so nothing you don’t really want passes your lips and the shopping, if you don’t take it with you, can be delivered directly to your door if the need or desire’s still there to socially distance.

Your neighbours are usually several meters away from your pitch with their door on the opposite side too, so social distancing, again, isn’t going to be an issue and camp sites are usually to be found close to beautiful countryside or coastal areas – some even have fishing lakes attached and most non-motor homers would very surprised at how good the vast majority of modern sites really are.

Well, a motorhome could be considered as “roughing it” by some I suppose but when you actually bother to take a closer look at some of them, well, nothing could be further from the truth.

Then there’s features such as solar panels, re-fillable gas tanks, built-in satellite navigation systems, air conditioning – cab and habitation areas too in their Mercedes range; there’s even the option of remote, self-seeking satellite TV systems if you really don’t want to miss anything.

Imagine, a lovely warm evening, the sound of the ocean in the distance, a great burgundy, fresh French bread, cheese and a salad and all right on your own doorstep, for as long as you feel like it……

Don’t forget, motorhomes are welcomed throughout Europe and Europe’s an awfully big continent to explore and finding beautiful, isolated spots to call your own for a few days before moving on, aren’t difficult to find and the driving is all part of the holiday.

Remember too, once you have a motorhome, you also have the potential for hundreds of holidays, long or short, here, there, anywhere in fact – even a long weekend or simple overnighter somewhere local or just a day out in the countryside for that matter, the choice is yours and endless!

So, I hope I’ve planted a seed of optimism for a brighter future this summer and holiday season; and don’t forget, a motorhome is nothing like a car in terms of residual value and if I’m honest, whilst they aren’t that cheap to buy initially, they should be considered an investment and once owned, they will retain a huge proportion of their original value and for a darned sight longer than your average family run-around or caravan and definitely longer than your two weeks package to the sun!

You’ll definitely have so very many more memories from a motorhome too so, when you sit down to consider the summer holidays, take a closer look at the motor home option and in particular Auto-Sleepers motor home range at Derby Motorhomes, you’re going to be very pleasantly surprised.

Staycation – happy holidays everyone.

In these dark days of coronavirus lockdown, you might be wondering when you’ll get the chance to have your motorhome back on the road once again. Make no doubt about it, though, there will be light at the end of even the longest tunnel. When that time comes, you’ll want to be sure that your motorhome is ready and waiting to go.

Here, then, are our tips and suggestions for getting ready for summer:

Check it over

given the current restrictions on travel, your motorhome is likely to have been laid up unused for rather longer than usual this year;
by giving it a thorough checking over now, you may be better prepared to take to the road once circumstances allow;

Give it an airing

since it has been shut up for a number of weeks or months, the inside is bound to smell a little musty or damp – and now is the time to make sure that a good airing is required rather than anything more serious;
check the carpets and upholstery for any signs of damp or staining – giveaway clues to a leak or condensation that is likely to bring mould in its train;

Water system

hopefully, you remembered to flush out and drain down the fresh and wastewater systems at the end of last season – but they are still likely to need a further rinsing through before you put them to use once again;
so, fill up the tanks and add a little sterilising solution before opening all the taps – hot and cold – to wash the system through into the waste storage tank;
repeat as often as necessary until the water runs bright and clear;

Gas system

before putting a match to any gas appliance, thoroughly check all the pipes and hoses to ensure that none is split or perished;
when you are happy with the integrity of the supply system, light the gas and check that it burns with the familiar blue flame – if it’s orange, the chances are that air is getting into the supply somewhere along the line;
with any gas system, safety is paramount, so if you are in any doubt or want the added reassurance of professional help ask a registered Gas Safe engineer to check it over or book in your motorhome for a full habitation service;
check that the gas cylinders are as full as they need be for your next trip before you set off;

Servicing

as important as any habitation service, of course, is a mechanical service too;
this needs to follow the engine manufacturer’s specifications – and it is worth keeping a careful record of that service history;
included in any mechanical service, there also needs to be a thorough check of the tyres – they must be free from bulges and cuts but also have a tread of at least 2mm across their entire width;
remember that the tyres are likely to have suffered more than their usual share of wear and tear simply by standing and taking the whole weight of the vehicle throughout the winter months.

Keep an eye on the current situation, therefore, and look out for that light at the end of the tunnel. Now is the time to start getting your motorhome ready for summer.

You already own your prized and trusty motorhome, have just upgraded to a new one, or are about to embark on the brand-new experience of renting and touring in one. Only one big question remains. Where are you going to go?

When you own a motorhome, the world is quite literally your oyster – you have the wheels and you have the living accommodation, you are free to travel practically anywhere.

Inspiration for the many possible motorhome holiday destinations depends on your particular tastes and preferences, of course, together with who’s travelling and the size of your motorhome. But here are a few suggestions, featuring those countries which many consider to be the most motorhome-friendly:

The world

for the truly adventurous – and if you have all the time in the world – there really are no frontiers that cannot be crossed in your motorhome;
if you were in any doubt, take a look at the brief account given in the Sun newspaper a couple of years’ ago of the couple from Brighton who spent 8 years or more globe-trotting in a modest campervan – and circled the globe three times;

France

in the meantime, other destinations may be closer to home;
France remains a popular destination – if only because it is so close and easy to get to by ferry or the Channel Tunnel;
exploring the country by motorhome is made that much easier by the number of basic-amenity “aires” which you find just outside towns and villages on major highways;
with rudimentary facilities, they are free or very low-cost and are essentially for overnight stopovers, but with almost 4,000 of them dotted around the country, make excellent last-minute parking spots;
elsewhere, the high invariably high standards of regular campsites in France are legend;

Norway

you might be surprised to find Norway on our list of suggested destinations – but you’ll already be aware of the stunning scenery afforded by its mountains and fjords;
it is especially motorhome-friendly because of its law of “allemannsretten”, which allows you to free-camp – or park your motorhome – for up to two nights on any patch of uncultivated or unfenced land;

Iceland

the land of ice and fire also extends a surprisingly warm welcome for motorhome holidays;
there are more than 150 campsites spread over what is a relatively small island, so you are unlikely to have to travel far to find one that suits you;

Canada

friendly people and spectacular scenery make Canada a favourite among more adventurous motorhomers;
the extensive network of provincial and national park campsites stretches across the country, leaving you rarely without a base from which to admire the wild landscapes;

United States

probably the home of the road trip – “from California to the New York island/From the redwood forest to the Gulfstream waters”, to quote Woody Guthrie – the United States is probably high on the list of destinations for any motorhome enthusiast;
there are iconic sights too numerous to mention in this big, wide country – from the well-known attractions to its myriad of small towns;
Kampgrounds of America is probably the bible for those looking to park up their motorhome to admire the sights – but, in emergencies, you might do well to note that many Walmart supermarkets allow free overnight parking, too.

Not yet ready for such great adventures? Then why not make the most of your motorhome by getting to know all those many fascinating and unexplored corners of the British Isles – where your motorhome is likely to be welcomed just as warmly as anywhere else in the world.

TIP: before you travel, make sure your motorhome insurance covers your destination and any stop off points enroute.

When the chill winds and frosty nights of winter keep you tucked up at home, your thoughts may be turning to those long summer days in your motorhome. What better way to breathe life into those dreams by considering those must-have motorhome accessories for 2020?

One motorhome owner’s must-have accessory could be another one’s passing fancy or mere folly, of course, but here is a selection of this year’s possibilities:

Dashcam

one in four UK motorists already use a dashcam, according to a report by the Consumers’ Association’s Which? magazine. And what’s good for your car is perhaps even better for your motorhome;

Kenwood’s KCA-DR300 GPS Integrated Dashboard Camera not only records incidents which you might later want to use in evidence with your insurance company – or to help the police – but also provides additional security and parking assistance;

TV

you might have invested in your motorhome for a taste of the outdoor life, but that doesn’t mean you have to forego cosy evenings in just watching TV;

Cello’s 22-inch HD Traveller TV is a smart television that is suitably compact for any motorhome and may be powered either by 230V mains or a 12V source. It’s Wi-Fi and mobile hotspot capabilities mean that you can stay connected whilst on the move;

Leather-bound travel log

it’s not all about gadgets, however. Some of the best things about your motorhome adventures are the fond memories you are likely to have of trips at home or abroad;

what better way to record those memories – the old-fashioned way – than to keep a travel log for posterity’s sake;

the Italian-made Vietri Classico is a leather-bound journal and logbook in which to record your treasured memories and comes in a special gift box;

Personalised pitch-saver

you’ve found the perfect pitch at the campsite of your choice. After spending the first of several booked nights, you naturally use your motorhome for a spot of daytime exploring. At the end of the day, you return, only to find that someone else has parked on your pitch;

avoid that irritation and frustration by investing in a simple “pitch reserved” sign from Pitch-Saver that can be personalised with your motorhome’s registration number to remove any doubt;

Folding cupboard or larder

once you’ve set up camp, you want the room to move around in your motorhome;

a folding cupboard or larder gives you just that extra space – either inside your vehicle or under an awning outside – and is easily stowed away when you are on the road again;

the Kampa Amber Cupboard fits that bill perfectly;

Brit Stops

it’s neither a device nor a gadget, but Brit Stops might be one of the most useful accessories to keep in your motorhome’s glove box;

Brit Stops is a book, an old-fashioned guidebook, but one that lists over 1,000 hosts in the UK who are happy to offer free overnight parking to motorhome owners;

the parking pitches are at country pubs, farm shops, vineyards, breweries, craft and antique centres – where the hosts are happy to offer you free parking in the likelihood of your passing business at their establishment.

Getting your motorhome ready for the forthcoming new season is exciting in itself. Making sure you have the latest of gadgets and accessories only adds to the fun and sense of satisfaction.