Tips for Hiring Your First Motorhome

According to recent reports by Direct Line, over 10 million Brits take camping holidays in the UK, and according to Cover for Caravans, around 755,000 touring caravans and motorhomes are in regular use across the UK. Other reports suggest that around half a million people live in converted vans or camper vans, too.

There’s no denying these are great ways to get out and see more of the country, and if you don’t want to be fixed to one permanent abode, they’re a great way of life too.

If you’re planning on hiring a motorhome or even buying one, what do you need to know?

Overnight Parking

Before you go anywhere, you need to understand the rules and regulations around overnight sleeping in a motorhome. You cannot just park up anywhere and be expected to stay overnight. You can risk fines, damage, criminal damage, safety issues, or even arrest for trespassing. You need to be safe and confident that you have the right to park up. You can use camping grounds and sites that accept motorhomes, or you can use apps such as Park4Night, Searchforsites and Campercontact to help you find somewhere safe and legal to stop.

Learn the Van

Vital for first-timers, this isn’t something to skip. You need to get yourself familiar with the van before you head off on the road. You need to know its height, weight, length and how to operate all of its systems too. This means water, toilet tanks, shower, connecting and disconnecting utilities, and how to secure everything when driving to avoid damage. Don’t just pick up a motorhome and head out. Take the time to understand how the van works and familiarise yourself with it. You will be glad you did.

Follow a Checklist

You may find the company you hire from gives you a checklist, but if not, have one written down somewhere you can follow before moving off. Have you turned off the gas and heating before driving? Have you secured everything loose, i.e. cupboard doors, and put dishes away? Are all windows and doors shut tight? Not mere suggestions, actual rules and tasks to tick off a list, so you’re safe when driving.

You Have the Right Insurance

Don’t just assume your normal insurance covers you, especially if you don’t take out insurance when you hire your motorhome. The company will usually have basic cover, but this might come with certain limitations or a high excess on it. Your personal belongings likely won’t be covered. To give yourself added peace of mind, you can choose to purchase short-term insurance or even breakdown cover to make sure nothing is left uncovered and you have adequate insurance for anything that happens during your trip.

Learn to Drive

Driving a motorhome is vastly different from driving your car, and you’ll feel that as soon as you sit in it. You need to spend some time learning how to drive it before hitting the open road and having no choice. You can take manoeuvring courses, or you can practise in quiet areas local to where you live. Practise parking, navigating tight roads if you can, going on the motorway if possible, and just make sure you feel comfortable driving it before you are behind the wheel for prolonged periods in new places.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.