Know Your Motorhome: Get Wise About Size

Whether you’re a motorhome owner or hirer, chances are you’ll treat the vehicle as your pride and joy. That means keeping it clean, regularly maintaining the engine, checking tyre pressures and generally fixing any issues as soon as they come to light. It’s your home away from home, so it’s only right that you look after it the same way you would your permanent residence.

Life on the road can be a joyful experience, but it’s not without its dangers. And although they say size doesn’t matter, when it comes to looking after your campervan, it’s critical that you’re well aware of its physical dimensions because misjudging them can have grave consequences. It can damage your vehicle behind repair, ruin your holiday, cost you a pretty penny and cause a great deal of embarrassment.

These are all things you’d like to avoid, so what are some of the common hazards that catch people out while they’re off on their adventures? Read on to find out more.

Low bridges

You might think that with all the warning signage, no one would ever get caught out by a low bridge. But it does happen – and if you get stuck it can cause major disruption if the road needs to be closed, not to mention the untold damage it can inflict on your vehicle. You need to make sure you’re well versed in the dimensions of your motorhome before you set off, so that you can plan your route accordingly. You may also find assistance from materials produced for professional truck drivers, including atlases that include road restrictions across the UK. If it looks as though you will be passing under a bridge that could be tight, it’s best not to risk it and include a detour instead. If you happen across a low bridge and need to make a quick decision, having your motorhome’s dimensions clearly noted on the dash or sun visor will inform your manoeuvre.

Narrow lanes

This can be an issue on different types of roads – even on motorways if there are works being carried out. It can make safe driving difficult, for you and for other road users, while great care must also be taken on narrow country lanes. We all love exploring remote areas, but quite often the roads that run through these destinations are scarcely wide enough to allow two cars to pass. You need to be aware that your camper or motorhome will take up the majority of the lane, so be considerate of others – particularly when approaching tight or blind bends.

Theft

Ok, so this is an issue that’s not related to the size of your vehicle but is one that needs your careful attention all the same. Recent years have seen multiple reports of campervan and motorhome theft, with the authorities imploring holidaymakers to park in well-lit areas and not leave valuable personal belongings in plain sight. There are also plenty of security measures you can use to protect your camper, such as tracking devices, wheel locks and alarm systems. These physical deterrents could make the difference between a happy holiday or a horrible one.

Parking barriers

As with low bridges, you need to be mindful of the issues you might encounter when entering a car. Some facilities have height restrictions in place, so make sure you do your homework before you set off so that you know where you can settle down for the night without taking the roof off your pride and joy. Even within the car park there can be hazards such as bollards and barriers, which are not always easily visible when you’re in the middle of a manoeuvre. Being familiar with the size and shape of your vehicle is crucial if you want to avoid any potentially costly bumps and scrapes.

Loading

Knowing your vehicle also means having an understanding of its weight capacity and how it should be loaded. You’ll doubtless have a list of all the essentials you need to take with you, but the next step is to make sure they’re packed and stored away in a secure manner. If this is done incorrectly – if there is too much weight towards the back, for example – it can affect the safe driving of the vehicle and make it difficult to control. This could increase your chances of an accident which, in case the worst does happen, is why you need the appropriate cover…

Try before you buy with Comfort and Camplify

If you’re a motorhome owner, chances are you’re more than familiar with the dimensions of your vehicle and feel confident in your ability to avoid any dings or bumps. But what if you’re yet to experience the joy of ownership? If you’re looking to hire and get used to a camper or motorhome before you commit to a purchase, help is at hand.

We’ve teamed up with Camplify, a leading rental platform across the UK, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. It means we can provide cover for those looking to hire out their vehicles, as well as protection for those on the other side of the arrangement, who might be trying out the motorhome life for the first time.

It’s perfectly easy to get a quote – all you have to do is enter a few basic details – and if you have any questions you can always give us a call on 0208 984 0666. Our friendly team are always happy to help!