The Importance of Safety When You Own a Motorhome

If you own a motorhome then it’s extremely important that you take the necessary precautions to ensure that you’re able to drive such a large vehicle safety and that it’s also road worthy.

Driving safely

Below are some of the keys to safe driving when you own a motorhome –

  • Take tight corners slowly – When driving a very large vehicle such as a motorhome, one of the biggest things you have to get used to is allowing enough room for turning corners. You need to take a wide berth to make sure you don’t catch your tyres on the curb or hit other vehicles.
  • Practice parking safely  – Another aspect of driving a motorhome safely is to be confident parking. The best way to build your confidence when it comes to parking is to practice in an empty car park where there’s no pressure on you.
  • Don’t overload your vehicle – It’s also important not to overload your motorhome. Although there are built to withstand a lot of weight, you should be conscious not to put any excessively heavy items inside.

Safe driving is more important than ever now, especially since the harsher speeding fines have been introduced in the UK. If you end up with a speeding conviction then you’ll find it much hard to get insurance at an affordable rate and will likely need to get a convicted drivers insurance policy from a specialist provider.

Things to check regularly

In addition to driving safely, there are also regular maintenance checks you should carry out. These include –

  • Tyre pressure – It’s extremely important to check the pressure of your tyres on a regular basis since deflated tyres not only mean you’ll burn through petrol faster but they can also make it dangerous to drive.
  • Oil – It’s also important regularly check your oil and engine coolant levels, especially before long journeys.
  • Battery – If it’s been a while since you’ve used your motorhome then it’s a very good idea to charge the battery before setting off on your next journey.
  • Electricals – You should also do a check to make sure that all the electricals in your motorhome are working properly.
  • Wiper Blades – It’s also important to check your wiper blades are working properly before each journey. You don’t want to wait until you’re on the motorhome in pouring rain before you discover they’re faulty.

Converting Your Minibus to a Motorhome

If you currently own a minibus and are thinking of trading it in for a motorhome then you might consider converting your minibus into a motorhome instead. Although a minibus is quite different to a motorhome inside, the dimensions of the two vehicles are often very similar so converting one to the other is not as strange of a concept as it might seem.

Should you take on the task yourself?

When it comes to having your minibus converting into a motorhome, you can two main options – 1. hire a professional company/carpenter to do it for you; or 2. Take on the project yourself.

Hiring a professional will obviously be a lot less work for you; there are some good reasons to tackle the job yourself however. These include –

  • Save money – A very practical reason to tackle the conversion yourself is that you’ll save money. Of course you’ll still need to pay for the materials but it will cost less than hiring professionals to do the job for you. This couple spent £6,000 in total in converting their transit van into a motorhome, which gives you a good idea what you can expect to pay yourself.
  • A great sense of accomplishment – Another reason to take the DIY approach is that you’ll have a great sense of accomplishment once the project is finished.

This video shows the process of converting a minibus to a motorhome. As you can see it’s no small job but with enough time and determination, it is possible to end up with a very good motorhome at the end of it, providing you have the right skills.

Getting insurance

If the purpose of your conversion is so you can use your minibus for travelling then you’ll want to get the right cover. There are many great providers of pleasure use minibus insurance and getting a lot of quotes is always recommended to help you get the right policy at the best price.

You’ll definitely want to get breakdown assistance included in your policy as well as European cover. European cover will enable you to travel throughout Europe without having to worry about what would happen if you need assistance or were involved in a collision.…

Preparing for Your First Camping Trip

If you’ve recently bought a campervan and are planning your first camping trip then you’re likely excited to get on the road. However it’s always a good idea to plan ahead when taking your new vehicle on its first expedition. This way you can ensure it’s an enjoyable experience and that you avoid any problems.

Below are some of the best tips for your first camping trip.

What to do before you set off

Before you set off, you need to make sure you’ve got the equipment you need. Some of the most important pieces of equipment to bring with you are –

  • A good tent – A good tent is easily the most important piece of equipment to bring with you on a camping trip. You should make sure it has more than enough room in it for everyone who will sleep inside and is sturdy enough to withstand harsh weather conditions.
  • A first aid kit – When you’re out in nature, you want to be sure that if you cut or injured yourself, you have the right equipment to treat the wound. Therefore a good first aid kit is vital.
  • Sleeping bag and pillows – Just as important as a good tent is a warm, comfortable sleeping bag and decent pillows.

Picking the best camping site

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The camp site you visit will play a huge role in whether your first camping trip is a success or not. Not every camp site is the same; some will have a generous amount of facilities and nearby shops, while others will be very bare bones. Which type you pick will depend on the type of experience you’re after.

What if you breakdown?

If you own a campervan then you should definitely get breakdown assistance, whether it’s from a company such as AA or RAC; or as part of your campervan insurance. If you happen to breakdown and don’t have cover in place then you’ll need to make your own arrangements and call as breakdown recovery service. This might end up costing more but you really have no other choice.

Make sure any company you deal with is legit and has motor trade insurance. This will ensure that your campervan is protected while being towed.…

5 Tips for Every New Motorhome Owner

If you’re a new motorhome owner then you’re undoubtedly excited about the future and want to start planning your first trip as soon as possible. Although there’s plenty to be excited about as a new motorhome owner,  there are certain things you should be aware of in order to get the most from your new vehicle.

With this in mind, below are 5 tips for new motorhome owners.

  1. Plan your trips

    When you first buy a motorhome, it can be tempting to simply throw caution to the wind and stay wherever you happen to come across on your travels. This isn’t always the best idea though. Depending on whereabouts in the country you are, it might be hard to find good places to stay. The fun can soon be taken out of your trip if you get a parking ticket or find yourself in the middle of a congested city. A big of planning beforehand is therefore always recommended.

  2. Get the right cover

    When you purchase a motorhome, you will need to get cover from a specialist provider. Motorhomes are typically more expensive than the average car and come with their own risks. You can find motorhome insurance online very easily now so getting a policy for a reasonable price should not prove too much of a challenge.

  3. Don’t neglect maintenance

    Owning a motorhome can be quite an expensive affair. Therefore you want to take any steps you can to keep costs to a minimum. One of the best ways to do this is to perform regular maintenance checks on your vehicle. Ensure that your tyres have enough air, checking the oil levels and having any small cracks in your windscreen repaired are great ways to ensure that no major problems arise that could cost you a lot in the long run.

  4. Make security a priority

    You should also take any steps you can in order to make your motorhome secure. This includes having an alarm and tracker fitted, if they’re not already. Motorhomes are expensive vehicles and can attract unwanted attention so anything you can do to make it more secure is recommended. You should always park your motorhome safely too, especially when you’re at home.

  5. Accessorise

    You can get some great accessories for motorhomes to make your experience that much better. Bike racks, outdoor fold up furniture, wifi boosters and hammocks are all very popular accessories with motorhome owners.