Top Tips for New Motorhome Owners

If you’re new to the world of motorhomes, you may be looking for advice to get you up and running for your first motorhome or campervan adventure. Well look no further, we’ve answered some common motorhome questions to alleviate any concerns or confusion around setting off on a holiday in your leisure vehicle.

How do I deal with adverse weather whilst on my travels?

It’s important to check the weather forecast before you travel so you’re able to reschedule if need be (and if possible). Always slow your speed in windy, foggy, rainy and snowy conditions for vigilance and ensure all lights are working, clean and switched on to increase visibility. Also, make sure your screen wash fluid is fully topped up before setting off on your holiday.

Check weather forecasts whilst you’re away and if there’s a likelihood of a storm at a campsite, ensure you put away your awning before the storm arrives, as the force of the wind is likely to cause damage to it.

If your awning has been exposed to rain, make sure it’s dry before packing it away to prevent mould. If you have to pack up your awning whilst it’s wet, air it out at the earliest possible opportunity when you get to your next campsite or upon arrival home. Read further for here for information on how to maintain your motorhome during winter.

What’s the best way to secure my motorhome when driving?

Once you’re all packed and ready to set off, it’s crucial to make sure all your belongings are safely stored away. Be sure to secure cupboard drawers and drawers to prevent items from flying out while on the move. Items not in cupboards, should be gently wedged or if necessary tied to prevent movement whilst in transit. Pack food in your fridge sensibly, making sure that all lids are secure to avoid messy breakages or spillages that’ll need to be cleaned up either on route or when you arrive at your next destination. Make sure that any external carriers e.g. cycle racks are securely mounted onto your vehicle and that their contents have been correctly secured. Also make sure that neither your motorhome, nor any external carriers have exceeded their maximum carrying capacity.

It’s also extremely important to safeguard your motorhome when you’ve arrived at your destination. Although it may be temping whilst you go for a quick swim, don’t leave your motorhome keys in the vehicle when it’s unattended as your insurance won’t cover you in the event of it being stolen. Click here for more motorhome security tips and here for further ways to prevent your motorhome or campervan from being stolen.

What’s the best food to eat and take on my travels?

You can still eat great food when living in a motorhome, in fact, motorhome living gives you the perfect opportunity to try new recipes. As there’s less space and fewer items of cooking equipment than you’re probably used to at home, you may prefer to try more simple recipes. There are plenty of simple, but very tasty meals to make in your motorhome or campervan, such as all-time favourites: pasta, pizza and chilli con carne. You can even put your own twist on these recipes for something a bit different. Many motorhomers take a BBQ with them. This not only extends the range of options to cook and eat, but a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors.

An all-time favourite motorhome recipe is breakfast burritos. This simple yet exciting recipe is sure to set you up for a day of fun activities. Click here for some more fun meal ideas and recipes for when you hit the road.

What should I do in the event of a fire in my motorhome?

Whilst rare, motorhome and campervan fires can happen, so it’s good to know what to do if an accident like this does occur. At Comfort, we cover cooking fires as do most decent motorhome and campervan insurance policies, however others may not.

It’s useful to have a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket on board to help you put out a fire before it becomes a major issue, but don’t risk your life. A good campsite will allow a safe distance between vehicles so that there’s enough of a gap to stop fire spreading from pitch to pitch. It’s also good to have a smoke detector fitted in your vehicle, click here to find out more about motorhome fire safety.

Where do all the fluids go in my motorhome?

When on your motorhome or campervan travels, you rely on your clean water system so you can be self-sufficient in the wild. So, it’s extremely important to know how it works, along with the waste water system. It’s crucial to know your vehicle’s payload so you can allow a sufficient amount for the weight of water, as well as making sure you know exactly how to fill the water tank and dispose of waste water. If you’re hiring a motorhome the owner should show you how everything works, including where all the fluids go. Check out our Owner’s Guide for the Comfort Discover Hire policy for more information.

It’s recommended not to drive around with a full tank of waste or water as this can reduce stability of the vehicle when it’s on the move, not to forget suffering from greater fuel consumption.

Although this may sound obvious, it’s very important to know the correct fuel for your vehicle. You’d be surprised by the amount of claims we get from people who have mis-fuelled their motorhome or campervan. This is a costly mistake that is completely avoidable with due diligence. 

Is there anything I should do before heading home post-holiday?

Before leaving the campsite you’ve been staying at, the first thing you should always do is check that you haven’t left anything behind. It’s amazing how often people forget things and this will certainly make for an unfortunate end to an otherwise great holiday. The main thing you should do is make sure to leave the site as you would expect to find it – clean. This includes disposing of all rubbish and leaving your pitch spotlessly clean.

A useful tip before leaving your campsite for your journey home is to empty your waste water properly on site, then fill your waste water tank up with a bucket of water from your tap and pour some disinfectant down the sink. Let the mixture bounce around the tank on your way home and empty the last of the contents once you arrive at home. This will eradicate any smell from your waste water tank.

If you’re looking for more information read our Essential Tips for New Motorhome Owners.

Stay Protected with Comfort Insurance Cover

If you’re planning on hitting the open road in a motorhome this year, let Comfort Insurance take care of your cover. For extra peace of mind while on your holidays, check out our motorhome and campervan insurance policies starting from just £220, or call 0208 9840 666 and our friendly team of motorhome experts will be more than happy to help!