Category: Motorhome Advice

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.

All of us enjoy taking a few home comforts with us when we are out and about with our motorhome.

True, “roughing it” a little is often part of the fun when in the countryside but a few motorhome accessories can make life just that bit more comfortable.

Here are some general ideas as to things you might consider taking with you. They’re not in any particular priority sequence, as that is largely a matter of personal preference.

A WIFI booster

Many of us want to stay in touch when we are on the road. Our various portable technological devices usually play a key part in that.

While many sites today offer WIFI services, it’s a fact of life that if your pitch is some distance away from the main router then your internet service may be patchy or at worst unavailable. Cue much frustration!

That’s why one of the most popular motorhome accessories is a WIFI signal booster.

There are various forms available using different technologies but the costs are usually relatively modest.

An E-book reader

If you love reading through lots of books when you are on your holiday, then you’ve probably experienced the downside of needing lots of space to store them and of course, there is the weight issue too.

An E-book reader removes all that because you can take virtually an entire library with you and hold it in one hand. Not everybody instinctively warms to these devices in advance but it’s worth giving them a try because once you get used to them, they’ll revolutionise your view of how to take reading materials with you.

Portable satellite TV

Once upon a time you almost needed a PhD in astrophysics and a team from NASA to set up your own satellite TV system on or around a motorhome.

Those days are now long-gone and the systems are small, highly intelligent and above all, easy to use.

Unless you pay for a very high-tech one that will tune itself in to the satellite of your choice, you still may need to spend a little time aligning it every time you use it. That though is much easier than it used to be and this is now a really viable option if you’d like to watch your favourite programmes.

Remember, if you’ve left somebody behind at home who is watching your normal television, once you start using your television in the motorhome you will need a second TV licence.

Battery operated lanterns

Many motorhome owners sensibly take torches with them but those are hardly conducive to creating a pleasant evening glow as you sit out watching it get dark around you.

On the other hand, battery operated lanterns can provide a great ambience on those warm evenings outside your vehicle.

Most providers of motorhome accessories will offer a wide choice.

Awnings

These can be extremely useful motorhome accessories because they can significantly increase your living space.

There is a vast range to choose from though it’s worth checking to make sure that any motorhome insurance you have covers them against a range of mishaps.

External collapsible furniture

There’s little point in sitting inside your motorhome if the weather outside is beautiful!

The days when external collapsible furniture consisted of two rickety deckchairs you’d inherited from your grandparents are (or should be) history. Most motorhome accessories providers now offer a range of ultra-modern external furniture that isn’t only practical but stylish as well.

It’s worth checking out.

Getting the most out of the Motorhome Show

Some motorhome shows are what might be described as manageable size.

You can stroll around fairly easily and take everything in over an hour or so.

However, the giant shows, such as that at the NEC Birmingham, are in a different league. It’s very easy to walk in and be overwhelmed by the scale of what’s going on.

That’s why we at Derby Motorhomes have put together a few basic thoughts on how you can get the most out of the Motorhome Show.

Research and plan ahead

The big shows typically have a website set up a long time in advance and plenty of information is usually available there.

You are really looking for things such as floor plans and a list of exhibitors plus what they have to show. Once you have that to hand, you can start to look for those things that are of particular interest to you and make a note of exactly what you must see during your visit.

Consider the amount of time you have available

Many of us are prone to being overly-optimistic about just how much ground we can cover at these shows and over what period of time. Don’t forget that the Motorhome Show environment may be busy and individual exhibitors may have queues of people waiting to see them and their offerings.

If you have say, 10 exhibitors you feel you really must see, then finishing the day only having seen three or four, all in the bottom half all of your list might be disappointing.

So, be realistic with how much time it is going to take to get around and concentrate on your top priorities. Only move on to things lower down your list once you have dealt with your priority “must see” needs.

Avoid getting side-tracked

Exhibitors are, of course, experts in catching the attention of passers-by.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with you suddenly diverting from your plan but don’t keep doing so if it puts at risk your primary objectives in attending the Motorhome Show.

Take water and snacks

The catering at major exhibitions can be perfectly acceptable but it can also be placed under intense pressure by crowds. On the whole, people might also find it to be moderately expensive.

It’s a good idea to put some food and drink in your bag/rucksack. It will save you time and money.

Use your camera or phone camera

Many of us have experienced the frustration of returning home, only to find that we are struggling to remember whether an item was a certain colour or not. More seriously, at the end of a tiring day, it’s also perfectly possible to struggle to remember which company was offering what service or product!

In these days of digital technology, taking plenty of snaps by way of aide-memoir is easy and zero cost. It can be invaluable when you return home but do remember to ask exhibitors’ permission (where practical) before photographing them or the items they are showing.

Get an early night beforehand

Almost everybody agrees that visiting a major exhibition of this nature can be tiring.

If you had a very late night the night before and were up at the crack of dawn to get there early, by lunch you are likely to be at best jaded or at worst, wiped-out.

At the risk of sounding like a parent, it’s always a good idea to get an early night before setting off for a major motorhome show!