How to Drive a Motorhome Safely and Enjoy Your Holiday!

Hiring a motorhome or campervan in the location you intend to visit is becoming an increasingly popular way to see new countries.

More flexible than joining a bus tour, and with more options for places to stop than hiring a car and having to book your accommodation in advance. Hiring a motorhome is ideal for travellers who want to spend more time in their destination, enjoy being spontaneous and like to travel at their own pace.

So if you have decided that this is the way you want to go, here are some driving tips to keep in mind to ensure your trip is a safe and happy one.

1. Make sure you know which side of the road is legal in the country you are travelling. If you are coming from the United States or much of Europe, you will be familiar with driving on the right hand side of the road. If you are travelling to British Commonwealth countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Africa, then you need to drive on the left hand side of the road.
2. Check your rental agreement (or ask when you book or pick up your vehicle) to see if there are any roads you are not allowed to drive the motorhome on. Some companies will restrict you from driving on unsealed roads, some will have specific roads you are not allowed to drive the vehicle on, and quite often you will not be allowed to take a motorhome to the top of a skifield road.
3. Make sure you book a big enough motorhome for your family or group of friends you are travelling with. Most companies offer a range of size options, from a double bed plus single plus bunk, up to a spacious six berth with two living areas, and two bedrooms including double or king size bed options. The 6 berth SAM (Spacious Automatic Mercedes) for example, also enables everyone to be seated facing forward when you are driving.
4. Don’t Over Pack. Your motorhome will be fully equipped with bedding, kitchen equipment and appliances, so all you need to bring along is your personal luggage online promotional code, and maybe a torch and first aid kit. You can shop for groceries along the way.
5. Be aware of your surroundings. Once you are on the road, be considerate of other drivers. When possible, pull over to allow any faster traffic banked up behind you to pass. Always indicate you are pulling over, and do it when there is room or a stretch of clear road ahead.
6. If you are travelling in winter, spend a little extra to hire chains for your motorhome. The last thing you want is to be stuck in treacherous wintry conditions.
7. Plan Ahead. Use the local maps to decide which routes to take and plan to stay at a holiday park or somewhere you can dump your waste and grey water every few days. When you are camping on a roadside or at a rest area, look out for and respect “no camping” signs – and always make sure you take your litter with you, or dispose of it in the appropriate rubbish bins. Also keep in mind that you need to refuel the vehicle periodically so don’t miss opportunities to refuel if you are heading to more remote areas.
8. Refill Your Water. Fresh water tanks in your camper van can be refilled at holiday parks or at service stations when you refuel the vehicle.

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