13 useful tips for motorhome travel

Aleney de Winter and family hit the road on their first motorhome holiday.

If variety is the spice of travelling life, there’s no better way to get it than by buckling yourselves and your kids in each morning and heading off on a new adventure in a hotel on wheels.

Motorhomes are the ultimate in family road-tripping – as we recently found out – offering a sense of freedom and allowing us to get back to basics and explore at a pace set by our needs, staying where we wanted, when we wanted and for however long we wanted.

While I admit that my nerves were all over the place at the very thought of driving our beast of a vehicle, it turned out that it wasn’t much different from driving a van, and as we happily motored our way to our destination, the kids kicked back in the comfy cabin, playing cards, reading and chattering away. Then all we had to do was pull up to the allocated site at our choice of holiday park or campground and plug into the power. There was no setting up camp, no looking for somewhere to cook and clean; everything was right at hand and ready to go, so we could use our time taking advantage of all the activities at our destination du jour.

So, what do you need to know before you go on a motorhome adventure? Here are our tips to ensure your first motorhome holiday hits the high road.

1. Size matters

The biggest motorhome is not always the best for your family. Motorhomes come in two to six berths with optional 4WD – most with kitchenettes, TVs and bathrooms – so consider what’s right for your crew.

2. Check depot hours

Each motorhome depot has different branch hours and may not be open every day. We learned this the hard way when we very nearly missed out on picking up our motorhome because we had assumed the depot would be open later than it was.

3. Roadside assistance

When you pick up your motorhome, program the supplied 24/7 roadside assistance number into your phone so you’re prepared in the event of an emergency.

4. Expect the unexpected

As with any road trip, you need to be prepared for life’s little challenges, such as flat tyres and batteries, so don’t be afraid to ask questions when you pick up your vehicle and make sure you are thoroughly familiar with what to do before you set off.

5. Know your limits

Make sure you are familiar with the dimensions of your vehicle and get a feel for it before you hit the highway. Motorhomes take up a lot more space on the road and, while they are just like driving a car, they can be carried easily by strong winds so take it slow and steady.

6. Get the kids unvolved

Let the kids help plan your route, adding plenty of stops at beaches, parks, wildlife areas, attractions or whatever else takes their fancy. This will ensure it’s a holiday that ticks all the boxes for every member of the family.

7. Follow the rules

By law, every passenger within a motorhome needs to occupy their own seat and wear a seatbelt at all times when you’re driving. Little ones will also require appropriate child seats and/or restraints, so check whether these can be fitted in your chosen vehicle.

8. Allow time

Remember: your goal is to have a good time, not a fast one. Allow time to cover ground and plan to stay at each stop for a few days to break up the driving and explore the delights of your destinations.

9. Take only what you need

You’ll be amazed at how much you can stash away in all the nooks and crannies of your motorhome’s storage units, but there’s no need to pack everything. Your living space will be small and you won’t want to be sharing it with a bunch of unnecessary stuff.

10. Be realistic

You may want your kids to enjoy the view, but the truth is that they are going to spend a substantial amount of time cooped up in a confined space. As the kilometres clock up, so will cabin fever, so pack an entertainment bag with the obligatory iPad, books and board games. Just try to save them for when the fidgeting starts to get the better of them.

11. Map it

You might have a GPS but learning to read a map is a great skill for kids, so let them help navigate with a good old-fashioned paper map. Our kids loved being given the responsibility of getting us there.

12. Plan your meals wisely

One of the benefits of a motorhome is being able to cook in your van. While you’ll have loads of storage for non-perishable ingredients, when buying food, remember that your fridge space is small.

13. Charge!

When you stop at a powered site, remember to not only plug in your motorhome but also charge your phone and camera.

All images © Aleney de Winter