Motorhome Buying Advice

Get a few motorhomers chatting for a couple of hours and one topic is guaranteed to come up: whether to take the N roads in France or use the péage. Everyone has an opinion. Hardly any people have the actual numbers. That’s what this calculator is for. It’s a free…

Every motorhomer heading to Spain faces the same decision sooner or later. Do you take the short crossing to Calais or Folkestone and drive south through France, or do you pay more upfront for the direct ferry to Santander or Bilbao and bypass France altogether? On…

[The Calculator is at the bottom of this article] Before we get into the actual cost of running a motorhome it is worth saying something that the numbers will never capture. The real value of a motorhome is not measurable. How do you put a price on your children’s…

It is the question every motorhome owner asks, usually on a dark pitch somewhere in the Lake District with the fridge humming and the lights on and a nagging feeling that something is about to go flat. The honest answer is: it depends. But that is not as unhelpful as…

Ask any experienced motorhomer what single habit has saved them the most grief over the years, and the answer is almost always the same. A checklist. Not because motorhomers are forgetful. Not because they’re disorganised. But because a motorhome is a complex machine…

Motorhome clubs in the UK range from vast national organisations with campsite networks spanning thousands of sites, to small, volunteer-run groups for owners of a single make of van. Whether you want discounted pitches, organised rallies, make-specific technical…

At first, the different types of motorhome all look more or less the same. You walk around a motorhome show or scroll through dealers’ websites and the vehicles blur into one indistinguishable mass of cream fibreglass and Fiamma awnings. Then you start looking…

The Motorhome Payload Calculator lets you enter your vehicle’s weight limits and tick off everything you’re carrying, giving you a real-time figure for how much payload you have left. If you already understand Payload, they get straight to the motorhome payload…

This guide draws on the shared experiences of thousands of MotorhomeFun members to help you make good, sensible choices rather than rushed or emotional ones. Whether you’re on the brink of your very first motorhome or you’ve been here before and the pull of the road…

If you’re new to motorhomes, the sheer number of motorhome brands can feel overwhelming. Hymer, Chausson, Knaus, Rapido, Bailey, Bürstner and that’s before you get to the lesser-known ones. They can all look broadly similar on the forecourt, and manufacturers aren’t…

Can You Drive a Motorhome on a Car Licence? The short answer is yes, probably. But there are a few things you need to know because, as” you’ll likely agree, “probably” isn’t quite good enough. The UK motorhome scene has a long and proud tradition of people not knowing…

A thread started by a MotorhomeFun member has uncovered a potentially serious issue with Fire Safety Stick extinguishers — and the problem may affect far more owners than first thought. It started simply enough. A forum member removed the yellow base cap from their…

Is Your MAN-Based Motorhome or Campervan Running Out of Warranty Without You Knowing? If you’ve bought a new motorhome or campervan on a MAN base vehicle in the last couple of years, it’s worth picking up the phone to your nearest MAN service centre and asking one…

Whether you’re wild camping in the Scottish Highlands, parked up at a French aire, or leaving your motorhome on the drive while you’re away, security is something every owner thinks about. Few actually prepare for properly. That’s why we’ve published The Motorhome…

Modern motorhomes with rear garages offer fantastic storage, but the physics of weight distribution means you may be breaking the law without realising it You’ve done your research. You’ve bought a motorhome with a generous payload allowance. The dealer showed you the…

For decades, traditional motorhomers enjoyed a largely unspoken freedom in the UK. We called it wild camping, which as purists are quick to point out, it often was not. We might well park somewhere wild and beautiful, but mostly it was just parking up near somewhere…

Motorhome condensation happens when warm, moist air inside your van meets cold windows or walls, turning into water droplets. It’s common but can lead to mould, damp, and structural damage if ignored. You can prevent it by improving ventilation, using thermal screens,…

Whether you’re a seasoned motorhomer or just dipping your toe into the world of motorhomes, a visit to a Motorhome Show is a must. Packed with inspiration, advice, and entertainment, these shows offer something for everyone; from excited newbies looking for their…

With Motorhome gas attacks so prevalent, we thought we’d put together this handy guide… Good news! Despite all the publicity, about motorhome gas attacks, it’s incredibly easy to avoid becoming the next victim. You just need to follow a few simple steps—and apply a…

Many of our members have reported discovering defects in their motorhomes that should have been caught during a proper pre-delivery inspection. It’s a frustrating experience — just when you should be enjoying your new purchase to the fullest, you find yourself…

This is the time of year when, if we haven’t been out in the motorhome much, we start feeling the itch to escape. You read on the forums about a few rallies happening and consider booking one. However, one thing holds you back: some rallies are held on grass, and your…

Motorhome inverters are rarely fitted as standard in motorhomes. This means most newcomers to motorhomes do not know what they are or if they need one. Do I need a motorhome inverter is a common question in our forums? Table Of Contents show What is a Motorhome…

As I write this, we are mere days away from the year’s shortest day. This proximity to the winter solstice implies that even moderately long drives will probably involve some night-time travel. Twenty-five years ago, I actually preferred driving at night. The roads…

The Autumn storm season has arrived with a flourish. As I write this, a powerful gust of 40mph wind blows from the East, singing against my office windows. Today I have already read two forum discussions about the safety of driving your motorhome in such weather. So I…

Table Of Contents show Don’t get paranoid Perspective Maintain a relaxed level of alertness. Common Street Scams On The Road Fake Cops Pickpockets Handling Cash and Cards Money Safety Outdoors ATM Safety On the street. Can you tell me? Can You Show Me? Don’t let…

Table Of Contents show 3½ LITHIUM MOTORHOME BATTERY MYTHS LITHIUM BATTERIES MIGHT CATCH FIRE LITHIUM BATTERIES ARE USELESS IN COLD WEATHER LITHIUM BATTERIES ARE MORE EXPENSIVE STRAIGHT SWOPS ARE OK (HALF A MYTH) With motorhome batteries, the buzz is all about lithium….

Table Of Contents show Three Options for Motorhome Gas Is LPG Disappearing? Here is my story. I’ve Flip Flopped on what gas is best. Underslung tanks The Thing About un-fillable Bottles It got worse Enough! Back to refillable then? Off to See Charlie What about Vans…

Why a German show when we have so many British ones? Motorhome shows have changed considerably in recent years. COVID-19 gets the blame for most things. However, the changes in shows started long before anyone lost their sense of taste because of covid. Outside shows…

This is a question being asked increasingly often. With ever-growing numbers of people dreaming of owning a motorhome. Should we buy a motorhome? Motorhomes have never been so popular as they are today. It wasn’t always this way. In the UK the Caravan has long been…

It seems we can’t move in the motorhome space without an influencer extolling the virtues of the portable power station. I see some sellers have taken to calling them generators! But that’s wrong, they are no more generators than the battery in my torch. However, as a…

I’m always amazed at how many motorhome owners have never taken their van to France. It’s a conversation that often comes up in the tea tent at a rally. I’ll ask a couple where they’re heading this year or if they’re planning to go abroad.More often than not, I’ll…

I’m going to France. What is a Crit’Air sticker and why does my motorhome need one? The French Government love applying rules to motorists; think about carrying your own breathalysers, speed trap notifications on your sat-nav (turn them off!) and that useless, awful,…

Speed limits for motorhomes and campervans catch people out constantly. I have seen heated debates on our forum where two members were both absolutely certain they knew the correct limits, and they were both wrong. It is one of those areas where a little knowledge is…

The motorhome waste water we generate in our van from washing ourselves, cleaning our teeth, washing vegetables, and doing the dishes etc, is known as “Grey Water” Gravity ensures this water travels in pipes to a holding tank. Your sink, hand basin and shower are all…

Mice in a motorhome are more than a nuisance. They chew wiring, gnaw through water pipes, soak upholstery in urine, and can write off a van that looked perfectly fine when you put it into storage. Here is everything you need to know — how they get in, how to spot…

Short answer: a motorhome habitation check is an annual inspection of the living parts of your motorhome — gas, electrics, water, body, damp and safety systems. It is a check, not a service. Things get inspected and tested, not serviced. In the UK it typically costs…

I always carry a compressor in the motorhome. I’ll admit that when actually on the road, I’ve only needed it a few times. But those couple of times I was so grateful to have it. The first time was on a descent from the French Alps into Gap in Southern France. The…

Table Of Contents show Finding an Insurer The FOUR Big Insurance Don’ts Things that affect motorhome insurance premiums. Third Parties Accessories and Contents Windscreen Cover Motorhome Insurance Abroad Breakdown Cover Insurance for Motorhome Full Timing Your Home…

It’s an exciting time! I know a lot of you beginners reading this will collect a new motorhome soon. You might be waiting on a new van that you ordered a year or more ago, or maybe you’ve just bought a nearly new or really old one. You might buy from a dealer or…

Cooking Gear and Gadgets Over the last 35 years we’ve jumped on most motorhome cooking fads and tried out a lot of different kit. Siân is a foodie and enjoys cooking. I’m not a cook, but enjoy eating. Of course I do cook, but only where a man is often expected to…

It’s that time of year when all of the magazines tell us how to safely store and winterise our motorhomes. I’ll do exactly that in a minute, but before I do, I thought it better to have a go at encouraging you to use it throughout the winter months because a motorhome…

Pull into a popular site at changeover time, or arrive at a rally most anytime, and there will very often be a queue at the freshwater tap. If you need water too, this can be a pain, as some motorhome and hose combinations make for r-e-a-l-l-y-s-l-o-w filling. ​I have…

One Motorhome, plenty of electrical toys. Two separate electrical systems to power them.​ Mains Power​ The first of the two systems is Mains Power, a 240/230v system much like we use at home. If your motorhome was made in the UK, it will probably have a couple of…

The rule is simple: You should strive to have the smallest van you can happily live with.  Why? Well smaller vans are often cheaper to run, can be much easier to drive, easier to tour, with better, more spontaneous touring, much easier to park and pitch, and so much…

Most motorhomes have one of two fridge types: a compressor fridge that runs on 12 volts (or 12V and 230V), much like the one in your kitchen, or a three-way absorption fridge that runs on gas, mains or 12V. Compressor fridges have become the modern default. They’re…

Prior to the digital age, we always carried a cardboard document folder in the motorhome. This folder held photocopies of important things like passports, driving licences, insurance ect. Given that we would only need this folder if something was wrong; I identified…

Losing your motorhome key could easily be one of the most stressful bits of a holiday. Have you noticed that no one ever just loses a key. Losing a key is always a big moment, you’re already late, or really have to be somewhere. It’s always guaranteed to be…

I’m an abuser of batteries, I’m high on use and poor on maintenance. For the sake of my marriage, I recently had to change the failing batteries in our van. So why was a marriage at risk? Well, If I’ve learned one thing in thirty-plus years of motorhoming; it’s that…

If you’re not familiar with or don’t quite understand Motorhome Payload take a minute or so to study this graphic before reading further. MIRO WE’RE NEVER QUITE SURE WHAT IS INCLUDED WITHIN THE FIGURES AND THE MAKERS ARE ALLOWED TO BE 5% OUT ANYWAY. MIRO IS A FUDGE….

Black Waste is the name given to all the nasty things that go into your motorehome toilet. Just a few years ago the most common method for dealing with toilet waste was colloquially known as “Bucket and chuck it” (as used in some of her Majesty’s prisons to this day.)…

Tips to keep you safe when wild camping For those people lucky enough to live in the countryside; crime is not as high on the agenda as it is for those that live in our towns and cities. Yes, there is crime in the countryside, but it is statistically a much safer…

A Beginners guide to camping in the wilderness or, if you must, that quiet bit of the Lidl carpark. Some of my most memorable evenings have been when we are tucked away in a quiet wild camping place enjoying the sights and sounds of nature without another family…

What the law says about Motorhome Seatbelts As far as the law is concerned a motorhome is a private vehicle and subject to the same laws as any other motor car on the road, so Motorhome seatbelts must be worn.  The wearing of The only persons who don’t need to…

Calculating your Motorhome Payload Some people guess that as many as 1 in 4 motorhomes are loaded beyond the legal limits. Many of those motorhomers have no idea they are breaking the law. They don’t know what they weigh or how much ‘stuff’ they can carry. We…

I owned my First VanBitz Motorhome Alarm for a year without knowing it. This was over 20 years ago. It had been installed by the previous owner of an AutoTrail van we had bought; they’d left no paperwork. I had the alarm fob and used to alarm it after we locked the…

A common question on our forums is  “ Is drinking alcohol in your motorhome legal? Hardly surprising that this question is asked a lot because more than ever, motorhomers are parking in places other than campsites. We have schemes like Britstops which…

Lots of people headed abroad in their motorhomes this month. Here is a Motorhome pre-trip checklist that should help you remember the essentials. Documents Before you leave home on your trip, make sure you have copies of all your crucial paperwork. This will include;…

Carbon monoxide (CO) in the confined space of a motorhome is very dangerous and can easily kill. Known as the Silent Killer; it is a tasteless, odourless, invisible and poisonous gas produced by sources such as petrol, diesel engines and gas fuelled appliances. In our…

Most UK motorhomes need CP-rated tyres (not standard C-rated commercial tyres). The leading motorhome-specific brands are Michelin Agilis Camping and Continental Vanco Camper. Pressures should be set from your actual axle weights and the tyre maker’s tables, not just…

TVs have always been very popular in motorhomes. Some are prissy about watching TV in the van, but most of us do. A TV in your motorhome can provide welcome relaxation after a long day’s travel or help you wind down after a hard day at the beach or a day of…

Short answer: there is very little credible evidence that motorhome gas attacks happen the way most people imagine. The overwhelming majority of reports turn out to be opportunistic theft from a vehicle that wasn’t properly secured, while the occupants slept far more…

12-Volt DC – A motorhome’s electrical system. 12-volt direct current is supplied by on board batteries to run the lights, fridge, stereo, radio, water pump, fans and other equipment. 240AC – This is the electricity that the motorhome receives when on…

I drive thousands of miles a year in our motorhome, Mostly I could navigate without the aid of map or satnav as very often I’m heading to places on routes I know well. However, I’ll admit that many of those are done without looking at a map, relying entirely on my…

Writing an article about Motorhome Etiquette could not be more of a waste of time, as I know acutely that the very people who should read it, won’t bother, no rules apply to them. But here goes. I’ll mention just a few items that always seem to make for the strongest…

In almost 35 years of travelling in motorhomes, we came up with rules of motorhome happiness. We didn’t set out to write them; they grew over time and now we see that we rarely break one 1. Always be ready to go when you own a motorhome. There is one of the biggest…

EDDIE ‘VANBITZ’ JONES DISCUSSES LITHIUM LOTS OF OPINIONS ON THIS ONE SO WE THOUGHT WE’D ASK EDDIE JONES OF VANBITZ, FIRST, WHAT HE MADE OF THE RUSH TO INSTALL LIFEP04 AND WHAT HE THOUGHT ABOUT STRAIGHT SWAPS, LEAD-ACID OUT, LITHIUM IN​ I would just like to state that…

Many people believe that raw food is best for their dogs. In the last couple of years, feeding raw has become popular and there are lots of companies offering complete frozen meals, delivered to your door for your freezer, just thaw and feed. It is very convenient. We…

Most of the signs you come across in France will be recognisable from those you are used to seeing at home. For example; the French stop sign shouldn’t confuse you at all. Mostly it will say STOP. A few will say just ARRÊT and to avoid any confusion, plenty will have…