New to Motorhomes
If you are a first time motorhome user you will find some useful information below to help you understand more about driving and using a motorhome.
Things to consider when choosing a Motorhome
- Choosing a motorhome
- Driving Licence
- Driving a Motorhome
- Roads
- Fuel
- Parking
- Planning Your Trip
- Choosing Site Pitches
- Water
- Fridge
Choosing a motorhome
There are several factors to take into account when choosing a motorhome to hire. Firstly you need to think about how many people will be travelling with you. Motorhomes are available in a range of sizes, from 2 berths with fixed beds to 7 berths with bunk beds so it best to choose one with enough sleeping accommodation and space for the size of party. You may also want to look at the different bed options on offer; a 6 berth with bunk beds may be more suitable for a family with 3 children whereas a 6 berth with 3 double beds may be the best option for a group of 3 couples. It is also important to look at the number of seatbelts each motorhome has and check that it matches with the number of people travelling. Children must use seatbelts at all times and booster or child seats may also be required. It is a good idea to check that these can be provided and installed before hiring.
The next thing to consider is where to hire from. Many hirers choose to collect a motorhome from a location within 1 hour of their home address in order to transport it back to be packed at their house. However as free car parking is available as standard on all motorhomes hired with Motorhome Group, it is also a good idea to look further afield and think about hiring near your chosen destination. This can help to save money as it is cheaper to drive a car over a longer distance. This also makes it easier to return the motorhome on the last day of hire without needing to cut your holiday short.
Another point to bear in mind is the different motorhome types; the majority of motorhomes have an "alcove" construction. This means that there is an overhang above the cab which usually holds a double bed. This type of motorhome can be a popular choice as the sleeping space does not get in the way of the living accommodation below. Another type of motorhome is called "low profile". This means that there is no overcab double and the motorhome is steam-lined. Low profile motorhomes are shorter in height than alcoves which means that they may be easier to drive in some instances; however they can often be longer vehicles. Many low profile motorhomes also have fixed beds which can be convenient for couples as they do not need to be made up each day. Another motorhome type is the "A Class" which is rarer and incorporates a fully integrated interior. These motorhomes are often the most expensive on offer and interior quality is usually of the highest standard. Once you take these simple points into consideration it should be easy to find a motorhome that fulfils your needs and provides an excellent choice for your holiday or festival trip. Search now for an available motorhome.
Driving Licence
Most motorhomes are 3500kg (3.5 tons) or less in weight. A holder of a full UK or EU driving licence can drive a motorhome in that weight category. Some motorhomes are over 3500kg in weight. To drive these heavier vehicles a C1 entitlement is required on a UK driving licence. EU and international alternatives are also required. It is important to check your driving licence (and the licences of any additional drivers) before hiring a motorhome to ensure that it can be driven.
Holders of UK driving licences obtained before 1997 usually have a C1 entitlement as standard. Driver who passed in or since 1997 may only have category B status and would require extra tests to drive heavier vehicles.
Please check that you have a suitable licence before booking as hire will be refused and the hire cancelled without a refund if licences are not valid for travel.
For insurance purposes, all drivers, both primary and additional, must be between 25 and 70 years old and have held a full licence for at least three years. There can be no exceptions to this policy, please ensure that all drivers are between these ages during the hire dates.
Driving a Motorhome
Most modern motorhomes are based on a commercial van chassis and have power steering and a 5-speed manual gearbox.
The first thing you notice though is the high driving position which gives you every opportunity to be able to anticipate road conditions ahead; to judge bends and brake in good time. There is plenty of height and recline adjustment to the seats and you generally adopt a more upright and relaxed driving position.
A motorhome is obviously bigger than a car and it may be necessary to move out a little to the middle of the road to avoid overhanging trees on the nearside and move over a bit more to avoid the odd cyclist and car when overtaking.
Take a bigger swing when manoeuvring but you will be surprised at the turning circle which beats many 4x4's. Reversing is always best done with a passenger on the ground or for you to get out check the situation before starting.
Keep your speed steady until you gain confidence and remember relax, you are on holiday.
In a motorhome your mirrors become your best friend. They are big and you should check they are correctly positioned to allow you to scan them easily to spot fast approaching traffic. Motorhomes have limited through-vision and some none at all so mirrors are of vital importance.
Motorhomes are easy to drive but different to a car. Take things at a steadier pace and try to anticipate braking and cornering to make the journey more comfortable and reduce the number of complaints from the navigators.
Traffic Rules
Road signs are usually the standard international signs. Buy a 'Highway Code' or download it from the DirectGov website. This information is essential for driving in Britain. Many shops (including those at airports) sell a copy of the Highway Code if needed.
The speed limits for motorhomes are not the same as cars. 70 mph is the maximum on motorways but on dual carriageways the maximum is restricted to 60 mph and to 50 mph on single carriageways, unless there are signs which display lower or specific speed restrictions.
Beware, there has been an increase in the number of speed cameras used on major roads and motorways, hirers are liable for all speed tickets obtained during the hire period so please ensure that care is taken to keep to speed restrictions.
Roads
There is a good motorway network. Motorways are shown by 'M' plus the number. Other main roads or trunk roads are shown by 'A' plus the number. There is no 'toll charge' to pay on British motorways, except the M4 Severn Bridge into Wales, the Humber Bridge near Hull, the M25 Dartford Tunnel and the M6 near Birmingham.
All motorways have emergency telephones every kilometre. There are also markers every tenth of a kilometre. which point to the nearest phone. The phone operator will obtain help or alternatively phone the Motorhome Group and we will co-ordinate assistance. Park as close to the inside edge of the 'hard shoulder' as possible. It is safer to wait outside the motorhome, on the grass banks as far away from the traffic lanes as possible.
You must not stop on a motorway, except in an emergency.
Small, coastal and country roads get congested during the holiday periods and you have to be more aware of narrow bridges and roadside hedges as the motorhome is wider than a normal car.
Driving on non-metalled roads is not permitted. Also be aware of low bridges or areas where access is restricted to 10 feet high or 6 feet, 6 inches wide. Please make yourself aware of the dimensions of the motorhome you are driving before you begin your journey to avoid accidents.
Fuel
Most motorhomes have diesel engines but please be careful as most garages have multi-fuel pumps. The diesel pipe is usually black and it is an expensive repair if the wrong fuel is pumped into the tank.
A good place to buy fuel is at supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury's or Asda. They have good access as they are often on the outskirts of a town and provide easy parking. Diesel is often cheapest at supermarkets. Diesel prices are not fixed, as in some countries, so price varies between garages. Expect to pay between 0.94 to 0.98 pence per litre for diesel (January 2009 prices). Fuel consumption is around 6 miles/litre.
Please note that in Britain, motorway service stations are occasionally some distance apart, usually they are approximately every 25 miles but occasionally as far as 50 miles apart.
Parking
Parking in the centre of most big towns is difficult and best avoided. Motorhomes cannot be parked in multi-storey car parks. Parking in central London is very difficult if not impossible as you have to find available street parking. We suggest that you do not even attempt to travel in London, but park on the outskirts and use public transport.
The most convenient places to park are large supermarkets and railway stations as they are well signposted. Generally, they have easy access and are within walking distance of town centres.
Car park areas have a large 'P' sign on a blue background. Aim for those but be aware some have height restrictions and you cannot get into anything less than 10 feet.
Planning Your Trip
If travelling from abroad, try to obtain a good quality large-scale road map before you collect the motorhome. You will need a scale of 3 miles to 1 inch/2 kilometres to 1 cm. Also try to obtain other advice about road travel in Britain from a motoring organisation in your country.
It is worth booking the first night camp site in advance and choosing somewhere close to us if you have already had a long journey. The owner of the motorhome may advise on good local sites or contact the Motorhome Group for more information.
Complimentary membership to the Camping and Caravan Club is offered and provides a discount on site fees and a good range of national campsites.
"Wild camping" is not strictly allowed as technically you should always seek the landowner's permission to stay overnight but as long as you are not blocking a gateway or causing a nuisance we have stayed at some great rest areas, viewpoints or beach areas without problem.
Overnight halts are allowed in Motorway service areas in the heavy goods vehicle but it can be noisy at all hours. Fire regulations do not permit use of gas appliances.
It is best to plan your route, before starting. You should consider what attractions you want to visit. Do you need to make small travel breaks along the way if you have children? Does the driver need to take driving rests periods along the way? The AA.com Route Planner is ideal for viewing the various driving route options.
For travel in Europe, Michelin Route Planner offers a useful website to calculate travel distances and costs.
Choosing Site Pitches
It is generally recommended that you use hard-standing when available. Most motorhomes are front wheel drive and easily loose grip on wet grass and if the ground is soft you might find you will sink in a little. If parking on grass in wet weather it is advisable to use wooden boards or wedges to minimise the risk of sinking. If breakdown callout is required due to an unsuitable pitch then the hirer is liable for costs.
Water
Most motorhomes have an on-board fresh water tank, and this will be full upon collection. Gauges on board will indicate when you are running low and you can fill up at sites or garages. A hose is provided. A grey water waste tank is also on-board and needs to be emptied when you fill up with fresh water. Both tanks have a similar capacity.
The toilet must be emptied into an appropriate chemical disposal point or toilet. A formaldehyde-based fluid, or "green" fluid, is added as a de-odoriser and does not adversely affect sewage systems. A bottle of fluid is supplied upon collection.
Fridge
The fridges operate on gas, 12 volt or 240 volt. The 12 volt feed is available only when the engine is running and current is supplied directly from the alternator. It is not supplied by either the leisure battery or engine battery.
Once on-site, if you are hooked up to mains you can switch the fridge to operate on the 240 volt supply. Alternatively if you are on a site with no mains supply or parked somewhere enroute you can switch the fridge to operate on gas.
If you are planning a long trip on a ferry you will not be able to power the fridge but for a one or two hour crossing the high level of insulation of the fridge will keep the contents cool.
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