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Tips for first time motorhomers!

28 replies

tinofbeans · 04/09/2026 21:12

DH has decided that he’d really like to try motorbiking and has ear marked October half term for a week long trial trip.

We have never motorhomed before (although camped a lot). Please share your tips to help us have as stress free and enjoyable week as possible 😁😁

OP posts:
Lornaadoone · 08/09/2026 13:40

Some motorhomes have firmly fixed tables, others have ones that you stow safely away. It just depends on the make and model.

backformoreofthesame · 08/09/2026 14:22

The size of vehicle makes a huge difference to how easy it is to park up eg at a supermarket or visitor attraction.

we tend to pick a site and stay a few days to a week before moving on , and tend to walk everywhere from the campsite but we do like a good walk. That makes 3 nights ideal I think.

We always have a few meals in stock for emergencies but like PP says - pick stuff up locally - it’s fun

campervan / motorhome selection ( assuming you hiring ) is all about endless compromise. And what works for one will be awful for another. We have a high bed which means we have a lot of storage under it for kit. Other people don’t like climbing to bed, so might choose a bigger van for the same walking kit , which then means less manoverable.

avoid taking too much stuff - pack like you have hand luggage only

ours has a fixed table for the back seats to use

most important - learn the basic rules. Don’t empty the loo or your waste water outdoors or in local toilets ( often a septic tank ) , don’t leave your waste behind, if parked in a general car park, don’t spread out - keep things inside your van. Driving on smaller roads , let locals past when you can

Lornaadoone · 08/09/2026 22:11

We had a 7.4 metre Laika motorhome, it was beautiful. My late DH had no fear driving it. We went all over the UK, France and Spain in it. He was never afraid to park it. He used to say if you want to stay on a campsite, buy a caravan.

He used to scoff at motorhomers who pitched for a fortnight and never moved.

On the other hand, I never drove the Laika, it was too big for me. Then we downsized to a 6.5 Carthago, which I did drive. I remember reversing into a parking space with a row of burly lorry drivers watching. Happy days.

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