{"id":42360,"date":"2021-08-24T12:42:04","date_gmt":"2021-08-24T11:42:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/?p=42360"},"modified":"2021-08-25T11:13:49","modified_gmt":"2021-08-25T10:13:49","slug":"free-beginners-guide-to-motorhomes-and-camper-vans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/free-beginners-guide-to-motorhomes-and-camper-vans\/","title":{"rendered":"Free Beginner&#8217;s Guide To Motorhomes and Camper Vans"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Our <strong>beginner&#8217;s guide to motorhomes and camper vans<\/strong> is chock full of information and links to more detail in other posts in this blog. However if you want to save it and read it at your leisure, please scroll to the bottom where there is a PDF version that you can download.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Free Beginner\u2019s Guide to Motorhomes and Camper Vans<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Motorhomes and campers offer the perfect travel balance. They bring you into beautiful, relaxed surroundings while keeping you and your family in a high level of comfort. It\u2019s \u2018back to nature\u2019 with \u2018at home\u2019 facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Sango-Sands.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"432\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Sango-Sands.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome at Sango Sands Campsite NC500 Scotland Beach\" class=\"wp-image-42365\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Sango-Sands.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Sango-Sands-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Sango-Sands-705x397.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re thinking of hiring or buying a motorhome or camper van, this guide is for you. From the authors of the OurTour motorhome travel blog, it\u2019ll quickly get you up to speed on these key topics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"#typesofmotorhome\">Types of motorhome and camper van<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#motorhomerunningcosts\">The cost of owning a motorhome<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#hiringamotorhome\">Tips for hiring a camper<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#motorhomesystems\">How motorhome systems work<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#firstmotorhometrip\">Advice for your first van road trips<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#findinggreatcampsites\">Finding great campsites<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#stayingsafemotorhome\">Staying safe in your motorhome<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We can remember buying our first camper from a local dealer a decade and a half ago, like it was yesterday. We knew next to nothing and were very nervous about looking daft!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since then, we\u2019ve driven tens of thousands of miles across the UK, Europe and North Africa in our camper and motorhomes. We\u2019ve been incredibly lucky to stay in over 1,000 places across over 35 countries (<a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/all-tours\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mapped out here<\/a>) and want to share with you the joy motorhomes have given us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the years we\u2019ve made our fair share of mistakes and learned a ton of lessons. If you\u2019re thinking of joining the motorhome community, we want to help with this beginner\u2019s guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern motorhomes and campers are very well-equipped. They typically come with a kitchen, wet room, hot and cold running water, fast internet, satellite or streaming TV, comfortable beds and heating. These are all similar, but a little different to their equivalents at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Inside-Zagan.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"782\" height=\"456\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Inside-Zagan.jpg\" alt=\"Inside the comfortable living area of a modern motorhome.\" class=\"wp-image-42366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Inside-Zagan.jpg 782w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Inside-Zagan-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Inside-Zagan-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Inside-Zagan-705x411.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 782px) 100vw, 782px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll familiarise you with how these systems work.The range of van makes, shapes, sizes, layouts and features is overwhelming when you first start looking. Just pull up Autotrader\u2019s Motorhome section and you\u2019ll see for yourself. As you search you might come across tons of new terms too: A Class, C Class, PVCs, Coachbuilt, Self-Builds, MAM, MTPLM and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ll go through all this jargon and then have a look at motorhome life. Afterwards we\u2019ll run through how all the stuff works inside, so you\u2019re better armed at the hire company, dealer, Autotrader or eBay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Wonderful World of Motorhomes and Campervans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Harvey-Anglesey.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"441\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Harvey-Anglesey.jpg\" alt=\"A panel van camper van overlooking the sea on Angelsey, Wales\" class=\"wp-image-42367\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Harvey-Anglesey.jpg 796w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Harvey-Anglesey-300x166.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Harvey-Anglesey-768x425.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Harvey-Anglesey-705x391.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Freedom, Comfort and Flexibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Arrive on site in your motorhome and within minutes you\u2019re settled. Crack open a cold drink from the fridge, get the kettle on for a brew, fire up the BBQ, put your feet up and stare at the views or pull on your boots, grab to dog lead and head out exploring, no time\u2019s wasted!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Come the evening maybe you fancy streaming a film on the TV or popping the lights on and poring over your maps and guidebooks. No need to decide the next leg in your road trip just yet, leave it until breakfast over a hot coffee. A comfortable bed awaits first with your own pillow and duvet, and a solid roof over your head to fend off any rain which arrives with the night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thousands of campsites await, spread right across the UK. Sited above beaches, by stately homes, on the shores of lakes, next to pubs, in forests, on islands and in the mountains, there\u2019s something for everyone. Got children and a dog? No problem. No more hunting around for rental accommodation, you\u2019ve got your own and your entire party\u2019s always welcome. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve your own shower and toilet on-board, you\u2019re not reliant on sites with a shower block. Add a solar panel and you\u2019re even more self-contained, no longer dependant on electrical hook-up pitches. This in turn lowers your overnight site costs and even when your chosen site\u2019s pitches with hook-up are all booked, you can still get a space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Snowdonia.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"809\" height=\"373\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Snowdonia.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome on a campsite in Snowdonia, Wales\" class=\"wp-image-42374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Snowdonia.jpg 809w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Snowdonia-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Snowdonia-768x354.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Snowdonia-705x325.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 809px) 100vw, 809px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"typesofmotorhome\">Types of Motorhome &amp; Campervan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Motorhomes and campervans are mostly based on commercial vans which have been converted to be lived in. They come in lots of different shapes and sizes as you can see in our review of the <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/motorhomes-and-campervans-are-they-the-same-thing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">different types of motorhome and campervan<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the bare minimum, they\u2019ll have a bed, cooking hob and a cool box, but the more luxurious have features like a wet room, skylights, fridge\/freezer, sofas, table, TV and internet system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are motorhomes and campervans the same thing? Erm, yes and no. Many folks use the terms interchangeably, but when people say campervan, they\u2019re often thinking of the iconic VW campervan or its modern equivalent, a Panel Van Conversion (PVC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/VWs-Snowdonia.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"775\" height=\"425\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/VWs-Snowdonia.jpg\" alt=\"Pop-top VW campervans in Snowdonia\" class=\"wp-image-42377\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/VWs-Snowdonia.jpg 775w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/VWs-Snowdonia-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/VWs-Snowdonia-768x421.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/VWs-Snowdonia-705x387.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Pop-top VW campervans<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Confusingly you can also get larger versions of a PVC, converted from long wheel-based vans. These tend to include a wet room and toilet and are more often called motorhomes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of us think of motorhomes as big white boxes like the one below (which happens to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t1IC2BxtZVY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our Hymer B544 \u2013 have a look around inside<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Aire-France-Pyrenees.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"792\" height=\"445\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Aire-France-Pyrenees.jpg\" alt=\"Hymer B544 A Class Motorhome\" class=\"wp-image-42379\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Aire-France-Pyrenees.jpg 792w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Aire-France-Pyrenees-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Aire-France-Pyrenees-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Aire-France-Pyrenees-705x396.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 792px) 100vw, 792px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Hymer B544 A Class Motorhome<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The two main types of motorhome are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>A Class, made of an entire new vehicle body on a van chassis.<\/li><li>C Class also known as Coachbuilt, which keep the original cab, windscreen and doors.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re wondering what happened to B Class, join the club. In the USA panel vans are referred to as B Class vans, but not here in the UK. We\u2019ve no idea why not!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Then there\u2019s a whole bunch of other types of \u2018van\u2019, from the compact Romahome, to towed \u2018fifth wheelers\u2019 and huge American RVs, to expedition vehicles like the MAN-based truck below which we met in Morocco. Even over in North Africa most people travel in A Class, C Class and PVCs, but if another type of van takes your fancy, go for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MAN-Truck-Morocco.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"814\" height=\"519\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MAN-Truck-Morocco.jpg\" alt=\"A Man Expedition Vehicle in Morocco\" class=\"wp-image-42382\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MAN-Truck-Morocco.jpg 814w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MAN-Truck-Morocco-300x191.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MAN-Truck-Morocco-768x490.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MAN-Truck-Morocco-705x450.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 814px) 100vw, 814px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>A Man Expedition Vehicle<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choosing the Right Van for You<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With such a huge range of vans available it can be hard to decide which is the right one for you. Here are a few areas to help inform your thinking, based on <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/buying-a-motorhome-our-thoughts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the things we considered when buying our motorhomes<\/a> and folks we\u2019ve chatted with on the road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>First we suggest you think about who will be using the motorhome, where they\u2019ll be using it and what for. If you\u2019re a family who plan to stay on campsites in the UK all the time, you\u2019ll have very different needs to a couple who want to wild camp their way around Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Much \u00a3\u00a3\u00a3?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can spend anything from a few thousand (for a self-build) up to \u00a3300,000 (or even millions if you want a superstar Winnebago). The amount you have available to spend probably won\u2019t restrict which type of van is available though, if you are willing to buy an older van.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the order we bought them, our vans cost us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>\u00a39,500 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mVjfiE-y7EU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">an Autosleeper Harmony conversion on a Talbot van, from a dealer<\/a>),<\/li><li>\u00a310,500 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=mVjfiE-y7EU\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a 20-year-old Hymer B544 A Class, from eBay<\/a>), and<\/li><li>\u00a316,800 (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=t1IC2BxtZVY\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">an 18-year-old Hymer B544 A Class, from eBay<\/a>).<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve used the B544s very heavily, travelling tens of thousands of miles across a continent or two. We while we\u2019ve had to do some repairs to them, the cost of those was much cheaper than buying newer, more expensive vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Used vans at dealers tend to be in the \u00a325,000 to \u00a345,000 range. Buying from a dealer will give you more peace of mind, as they\u2019ll often come with a warranty against some types of fault.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Buying a brand-new van gives you the option to get the exact specification you want, including any extras like solar panels and upgraded leisure batteries. Everything will, of course, work perfectly or be fixed under warranty and you won\u2019t need to get an MOT for three years. You\u2019ll also get one of the cleaner engines available, enabling you to access low emission zones across Europe, if that\u2019s your aim. Brand new van prices start around the \u00a350,000 mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"motorhomerunningcosts\">Running Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Don\u2019t forget that once you\u2019ve bought your van, you\u2019ll need to budget for annual running costs (these figures are rough estimates folks):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Depreciation <\/strong>&#8211; maybe 10% a year for new vans, 5% for older ones<\/li><li><strong>Insurance <\/strong>&#8211; from \u00a3250 to over \u00a31,000 for full-timing across Europe<\/li><li><strong>Road Tax<\/strong> &#8211; around \u00a3280<\/li><li><strong>MOT <\/strong>&#8211; around \u00a355<\/li><li><strong>Service <\/strong>&#8211; around \u00a3250<\/li><li><strong>Habitation Service<\/strong> &#8211; \u00a3200<\/li><li><strong>Repairs <\/strong>&#8211; \u00a3500 (just replacing a side window can cost this on an older van)<\/li><li><strong>Consumables &#8211; tyres\/exhaust\/batteries<\/strong> &#8211; \u00a3300<\/li><li><strong>Fuel <\/strong>\u2013 will depend on how far you travel<\/li><li><strong>Overnight Fees<\/strong> \u2013 campsites etc.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Weight Matters<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Each motorhome or campervan has a legal weight limit, referred to as the <strong>MAM <\/strong>(maximum authorised mass). The vehicle can\u2019t legally weigh more than this, including passengers, pets, water, diesel etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The MAM will be shown on a sticker or plaque on the motorhome, sometimes on the side, sometimes under the bonnet (ours is shown in both these places).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your license will determine the maximum van weight you can drive. If you got your full UK car driving license before 1 January 1997, you\u2019ll automatically have a C1 license, and can drive any van up to 7,500Kg. If you got your license after that date, you\u2019ll have a C class license, and you\u2019ll be limited to vans weighing up to 3,500Kg, unless you take an additional driving test (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/driving-a-van\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.gov.uk\/guidance\/driving-a-van<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some very large vans have an implausible 3,500Kg weight limit. These vans probably have a very low payload and it might only be possible to legally drive them with very few possessions or people inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as limiting the vans you can drive, there are a few other weight-related bits and bobs to be aware of:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Legally <strong>each axle also has a limit<\/strong>, keep this in mind if you plan to keep a moped in the motorhome\u2019s garage.<\/li><li><strong>Speed limits<\/strong> across Europe are often lower for vans over 3,500Kg.<\/li><li>Some countries in Europe require vehicles over 3,500Kg to pay tolls per kilometre driven using <strong>an electronic box<\/strong>.<\/li><li><strong>Some bridges and stretches of road<\/strong> have weight restrictions.<\/li><li>If you <strong>plan to tow anything<\/strong>, check the motorhome\u2019s tow weight and your license categories.<\/li><li><strong>When you turn 70<\/strong> you will need a medical to drive vans over 3,500Kg.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If your van is overweight you risk being fined by the police, or worse not being able to stop in the event of an emergency, or a long downhill descent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Belted Seats and Berths<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll need to make sure your van has enough seat belts or child-seat lock points to cater for your entire party. If you want to use child car seats, make sure the belted seats are full 3-point belts and not just lap belts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also need to be sure the van has enough comfortable beds (berths) for everyone. Ideally test the bed out before hiring or buying, even if you just whip your shoes off and try lying in the bed to see if you can stretch out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Overcab beds and bunks can help to keep the living space accessible if not everyone goes to bed at the same time. Think about bedtime. Does the van layout allow the adults to comfortably stay up while the kids are in bed? If you\u2019ve a family, are there doors or curtains to offer privacy at bedtime?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image is-style-default\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motorhome-drop-down-bed.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"499\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motorhome-drop-down-bed.png\" alt=\"motorhome drop down bed\" class=\"wp-image-42272\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motorhome-drop-down-bed.png 681w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/motorhome-drop-down-bed-300x220.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Hymer Motorhome Drop Down Bed<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"hiringamotorhome\">Should You Hire or Buy Your First Motorhome?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you dive in and buy a motorhome, you might want to hire one instead. Some of the situations where it would make sense to hire instead of buy are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>You want a <strong>one-off holiday<\/strong> in one, especially so if it\u2019s touring a distant destination like Norway, New Zealand or Iceland.<\/li><li>You want to<strong> try before you buy<\/strong> to see if this lifestyle is for you.<\/li><li>You\u2019re <strong>not sure what make and model<\/strong> you want to buy, renting allows you to get a feel for what it\u2019s like for you personally to drive, park and live in a particular size, weight and internal layout of camper.<\/li><li>You don\u2019t plan to use the van <strong>for more than a few weeks a year<\/strong>. Motorhomes are fantastic vehicles, but they\u2019re not cheap. Having one sat around doing nothing for 48 weeks of the year is an expensive way to holiday. Before committing to buy, we\u2019d get a calculator out and add up costs for finance, insurance, road tax, MOT, servicing, consumables, repairs and depreciation. Suddenly rental costs don\u2019t look quite so high.<\/li><li>On the flip side, you may want to buy rather than hire, as you prefer the flexibility to head out whenever you want. You might want to modify the van, adding more locks, lights, different upholstery, decals, curtains, anything really. It is, of course, completely up to you whether you decide to hire or buy \u2013 just have fun folks!<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/hiring-a-motorhome-or-campervan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">hiring a motorhome or campervan<\/a> for hints and tips on choosing the right van to hire and heading out on your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Rough Costs for Motorhome Hire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We did a couple of online searches for \u2018motorhome hire\u2019 to get some quick quotes. We aren\u2019t recommending any of the companies below, but these are just to give you an idea of costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mcrent.eu\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Mcrent.eu<\/a> are Europe\u2019s largest motorhome hire company. You can hire a four-berth, four-seat 3500Kg motorhome for a week in early August 2021 for roughly \u00a32,000. Outside school holidays in early September that dropped to \u00a31,300.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On top of the rental price you may also be charged for \u2018extras\u2019 such as additional drivers, insurance, bedding etc. For one additional driver, bedding and towels for four, outdoor table and chairs, and insurance for Europe Mcrent.eu charged an additional \u00a3530 on the example hire we tried.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"motorhomesystems\">How Motorhome Stuff Works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Modern motorhomes are a wonder. It\u2019s entirely possible to live full-time in them, we have, and many others do too. Their facilities don\u2019t all work like you might be used to back home though. We\u2019ll go through each of them below, but if you want more detail, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/usual-motorhome-facilities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">motorhome facilities explained<\/a> blog post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electricity &#8211; Keeping the Lights On<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Unlike in a house, there are a couple of different types of electricity in motorhomes: 230V mains AC and 12V leisure battery DC. They\u2019re outlined below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">230V Mains AC Power<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you\u2019ve used a special cable to connect your van to the 230 Volts mains (called \u2018hooking up\u2019), the three-pin sockets in your van will look and act like those at home. If you aren\u2019t hooked up, they won\u2019t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Campsite-230V-Hook-Up-Post.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"758\" height=\"434\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Campsite-230V-Hook-Up-Post.jpg\" alt=\"Campsite mains 230V electricity hook-up cable\" class=\"wp-image-42389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Campsite-230V-Hook-Up-Post.jpg 758w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Campsite-230V-Hook-Up-Post-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Campsite-230V-Hook-Up-Post-705x404.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 758px) 100vw, 758px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Campsite mains 230V electricity hook-up<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">12 Volt DC Power<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Motorhomes are equipped so you don\u2019t need to hook up for basic electrical needs. In addition to the van\u2019s starter battery you\u2019ll have one or more 12 Volt \u2018leisure batteries\u2019. These store power for use in the habitation area of your van: the lights, heating fan, water pump, etc. You can monitor how much \u2018juice\u2019 you have in your leisure batteries on a control panel inside the van as you don\u2019t want to let them run too low (unless your van has a new super-duper Lithium-Iron battery, then you can safely discharge it all the way down to 0%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Voltmeter-Zagan.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"701\" height=\"434\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Voltmeter-Zagan.jpg\" alt=\"Leisure battery volt meter and charge status chart\" class=\"wp-image-42390\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Voltmeter-Zagan.jpg 701w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Voltmeter-Zagan-300x186.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 701px) 100vw, 701px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Leisure battery volt meter and our charge status chart<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">230V AC to 12V DC Using an Inverter<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want 230 Volts electricity inside your van without being \u2018hooked up\u2019, a box of electronics called an inverter can do this for you. The box will have one or two 3 pin sockets which you can plug-in your mains-powered stuff into.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We have a small 300 Watt pure sine inverter pictured below, which is enough to charge our laptops, watches and phones, and run hair clippers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Inverter-Zagan.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"660\" height=\"385\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Inverter-Zagan.jpg\" alt=\"Small pure sine inverter motorhome DC to AC mains appliances leisure battery\" class=\"wp-image-42391\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Inverter-Zagan.jpg 660w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Inverter-Zagan-300x175.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Small pure sine inverter motorhome DC to AC mains appliances leisure battery<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Recharging Leisure Batteries<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a few ways to recharge your leisure battery:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>By hooking-up<\/strong>.<\/li><li><strong>By driving<\/strong>.<\/li><li>Using the power of the sun with <strong>Solar Panels<\/strong>.<\/li><li>With <strong>a generator<\/strong>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gas \u2013 Cooking and Cooling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Bottled butane, propane or LPG (a mixture of the two) allows you to cook on your hob and oven, get hot water, blow warm air around your van and even, weirdly, keep your fridge cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Cooking-Zagan.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"811\" height=\"498\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Cooking-Zagan.jpg\" alt=\"Cooking in a motorhome kitchen on the hob using a double skillet\" class=\"wp-image-42392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Cooking-Zagan.jpg 811w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Cooking-Zagan-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Cooking-Zagan-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Cooking-Zagan-705x433.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Cooking in a motorhome kitchen on the hob using a double skillet<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The gas is stored in liquid form (under high pressure) in bottles in your van. The bottles are connected to a device called a \u2018regulator\u2019, which reduces the high pressure down to a level it can be safely burned by the appliances in your van.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When a Calor gas bottle runs out, you take it back to a supplier who will sell you a full bottle. You\u2019ll need to close the bottle valve by hand, then use a spanner to remove and re-attach the new bottle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some vans, typically those used for long-term touring, have self-refillable LPG gas systems. You can refill these at Autogas\/LPG refill stations. These special pumps are usually found at petrol stations in the UK and abroad. LPG bottles and tanks have a built-in safety protection device which stops the flow of gas when they\u2019re 80% full. Calor bottles don\u2019t have this feature, so it\u2019s important not to try and refill Calor bottles yourself. Our van has <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/installing-a-gasit-self-refillable-lpg-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a self-refillable LPG gas system from Gas IT<\/a>, shown below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Gas-IT-Refillable-Bottles.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"743\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Gas-IT-Refillable-Bottles.jpg\" alt=\"Self-refillable LPG gas bottles Gas IT motorhome camper van system\" class=\"wp-image-42394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Gas-IT-Refillable-Bottles.jpg 743w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Gas-IT-Refillable-Bottles-300x194.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Gas-IT-Refillable-Bottles-705x455.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 743px) 100vw, 743px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Self-refillable LPG gas bottles Gas IT motorhome system<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cold Beers and Ice Cream \u2013 The motorhome fridge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>They\u2019re generally not huge, and the freezer spaces are sometimes tiny, but the feeling of being on-site, pulling a cold drink from your van\u2019s fridge on a hot day is pretty great.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fridge.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"714\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fridge.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome camper van three way fridge freezer\" class=\"wp-image-42395\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fridge.jpg 714w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fridge-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fridge-705x490.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 714px) 100vw, 714px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Motorhome camper van three way fridge freezer<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Most vans have \u2018three-way\u2019 fridges, so called because they can run on three power sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>On <strong>230 Volts mains<\/strong> when you\u2019re hooked-up.<\/li><li>On <strong>bottled gas<\/strong> when you\u2019re parked but not hooked-up.<\/li><li>On <strong>12 Volts<\/strong> when you\u2019re driving.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fridge-Selector.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"676\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fridge-Selector.jpg\" alt=\"Three-way fridge freezer heat source selector knob motorhome camper van\" class=\"wp-image-42396\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fridge-Selector.jpg 676w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fridge-Selector-300x191.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 676px) 100vw, 676px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A few vans have \u2018compressor fridges\u2019 which work on 12 Volts when you\u2019re parked but these are relatively rare. The three-way fridges in most vans will only work on 12 Volts when your van\u2019s engine is running.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Heating &#8211; Hot Water and Warm Air<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lots of vans have water and air heaters installed, which typically run on gas. Some can also use mains electricity, and a few are powered by diesel. These either provide instant hot water when you open a tap and turn it to hot, or you\u2019ll need to switch them on a few minutes before you want the hot water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Heater-Controller.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"580\" height=\"434\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Heater-Controller.jpg\" alt=\"Trumatic motorhome hot water and blown air heating controller\" class=\"wp-image-42397\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Heater-Controller.jpg 580w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Heater-Controller-300x224.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 580px) 100vw, 580px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Trumatic motorhome hot water and blown air heating controller<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In cooler conditions you can also use your heater to blow warm air through ducts out into the living space and wet room. With a well-insulated van you\u2019ll be kept toasty warm even in blizzard conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Two Types of Water: Fresh and Grey<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Fresh water is held in a tank inside the van. Many vans have about 100 litres of it. The water taps have micro-switches installed which turn on a 12 Volt submersible water pump when you open them. The pump pushes water from the tank out through the taps. Some motorhomes have a non-submersible electric pump which starts automatically when it detects a tap has been opened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fresh-Water-Tank.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"705\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fresh-Water-Tank.jpg\" alt=\"Under-floor motorhome camper van fresh water tank submersible pump\" class=\"wp-image-42398\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fresh-Water-Tank.jpg 705w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fresh-Water-Tank-300x184.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 705px) 100vw, 705px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Under-floor motorhome fresh water tank with submersible pump<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You can monitor how much water you have left using a meter on your van\u2019s control panel. When you want to top it up, you can either drive to a tap and use a hose, or use a water carrier to bring the water to your van. Either way you\u2019ll use a filling point on the outside of your van to get water into the tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fresh-Water-Fill-Point.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"803\" height=\"453\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fresh-Water-Fill-Point.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome fresh water refill point\" class=\"wp-image-42399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fresh-Water-Fill-Point.jpg 803w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fresh-Water-Fill-Point-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fresh-Water-Fill-Point-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Fresh-Water-Fill-Point-705x398.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 803px) 100vw, 803px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Motorhome fresh water refill point<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Waste water flows down the plug holes into a \u2018grey water\u2019 tank. This also tends to hold about 100 litres. To empty the grey tank, you\u2019ll need to drive over a suitable drain and then open a tap on the outside of the van to let the used water flow away. Or you can use a bucket if you don\u2019t want to move the van or can\u2019t get over the drain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As well as our blog post about <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/usual-motorhome-facilities\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">motorhome facilities<\/a>, we also have a post with more details about <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/fresh-grey-and-black-stuff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fresh and grey water<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Black Water: The Chemical Loo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Along with fresh and grey water tanks, most motorhomes and many campers have \u2018black water\u2019 tanks too. These don\u2019t really hold water, it\u2019s the contents of your chemical toilet! This is either in a plastic cassette located under the loo or as part of a Porta-Potti.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Cassette-Toilet.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Cassette-Toilet.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome camper van chemical toilet cassette Thetford\" class=\"wp-image-42400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Cassette-Toilet.jpg 667w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Cassette-Toilet-300x195.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Motorhome chemical toilet cassette from Thetford<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>If you always stay on campsites with toilet blocks, you won\u2019t need to use the chemical loo if you don\u2019t want to. Some folks opt to only use it for liquid waste: number ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do use the loo, you can add a blue chemical after you\u2019ve emptied it to keep it smelling fresh(ish) until you next empty it. You can also get a pink-coloured chemical, which you add to your loo\u2019s flush tank (if it has one) to keep the bowl smelling nice. You can get green liquids too, which are kinder to the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll need to use either a toilet or an \u2018elsan point\u2019 to empty your loo, which flows into a septic tank or the sewers. You can read more in our blog post about <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/toilet-talk-thetford-loos-exposed\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">motorhome loos<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Elsan-Point.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"433\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Elsan-Point.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome camper van elsan point chemical toilet emptying disposal\" class=\"wp-image-42401\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Elsan-Point.jpg 667w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Elsan-Point-300x195.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Motorhome elsan point for chemical toilet emptying<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Watching TV in Your Motorhome<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You can get TV in your motorhome and with a 12 Volt set you don\u2019t even need to be hooked-up to the mains to watch some great telly!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Internet-12V-TV.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"709\" height=\"402\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Internet-12V-TV.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome camper van 12V TV internet streaming television\" class=\"wp-image-42403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Internet-12V-TV.jpg 709w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Internet-12V-TV-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Internet-12V-TV-705x400.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 100vw, 709px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a few ways to watch TV in your van including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>With a roof-mounted or tripod satellite dish.<\/li><li>Using a terrestrial TV digital aerial on the roof.<\/li><li>By streaming TV and films over the internet.<\/li><li>By watching DVDs.<\/li><li>By connecting your laptop and watching offline programmes from iPlayer.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve also written a blog post going into more detail about the <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/streaming-uk-tv-into-a-motorhome-in-europe\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">various ways to get TV in your motorhome<\/a>. We currently have a satellite dish and a built-in Freesat receiver in our TV but tend to stream most of our content over the internet. Check out our blog post giving details of our <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/the-amazon-fire-tv-stick-tv-anywhere-in-your-motorhome\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">motorhome TV set up with an Amazon Fire TV Stick<\/a>. With fast 4G connections and unlimited data SIMs (see below) we can do this almost everywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Internet Access<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We can all get internet fast enough to stream TV and make video calls pretty much everywhere these days. 4G mobile networks are widespread, easily accessible with a smart phone or personal WiFi hotspot device (sometimes called a MiFi or a router).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MiFi-Motorhome-Internet.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"763\" height=\"502\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MiFi-Motorhome-Internet.jpg\" alt=\"Huawei motorhome camper van internet router MiFi personal WiFi hotspot \" class=\"wp-image-42405\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MiFi-Motorhome-Internet.jpg 763w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MiFi-Motorhome-Internet-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/MiFi-Motorhome-Internet-705x464.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 763px) 100vw, 763px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Huawei internet router MiFi personal WiFi hotspot<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>By adding <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/zagans-connected-motorhomewifi-com-4g-internet-system\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a roof-mounted internet booster antenna<\/a> to your van, you can further increase the places you can get a strong 4G signal. Also, using <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/best-sims-for-roaming-internet-in-europe-2019\/\">an unlimited data SIM<\/a> means you don\u2019t have to worry about the many gigabytes (GB) you\u2019ll go through with such a fast connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4G-Roof-Antenna.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"815\" height=\"488\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4G-Roof-Antenna.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome camper van roof antenna 3G 4G 5G mobile internet booster stonger signal faster\" class=\"wp-image-42406\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4G-Roof-Antenna.jpg 815w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4G-Roof-Antenna-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4G-Roof-Antenna-768x460.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/4G-Roof-Antenna-705x422.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Motorhome roof antenna for mobile internet access<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Some campsites include WiFi in the price of your pitch, but it can be too slow for streaming TV. You can get booster antennas, so it works more quickly if you\u2019re some distance away from the WiFi access point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"firstmotorhometrip\">Enjoying Your First Motorhome Road Trip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve bought or hired your first motorhome or campervan and are ready for your first trip out. It will likely be a mixture of excitement and trepidation! Here are some of our best tips to keep your stress levels down and pump up the fun. You might also want to have a quick look over <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/just-bought-a-motorhome-a-survival-guide-for-your-first-outing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our survival guide for your first motorhome trip<\/a>, for a few extra tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Carsington-Water-Campsite.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1030\" height=\"475\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Carsington-Water-Campsite-1030x475.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhomes camper vans farm campsite nature field Derbyshire\" class=\"wp-image-42408\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Carsington-Water-Campsite-1030x475.jpg 1030w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Carsington-Water-Campsite-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Carsington-Water-Campsite-768x354.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Carsington-Water-Campsite-705x325.jpg 705w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Carsington-Water-Campsite.jpg 1169w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1030px) 100vw, 1030px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Motorhomes Don\u2019t Drive Like Cars, Take it Easy!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you\u2019re driving a relatively small campervan, it won\u2019t drive quite like a car. Crank the size up to 3.5 tonnes or more of motorhome, and you\u2019ll notice much more difference, things like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Motorhomes feel wide!<\/strong> They are wide, but not as wide it might feel when you\u2019re sat in the driver\u2019s seat for the first time. We suggest using a quiet road or car park to get a feel for your road positioning.<\/li><li>Your <strong>motorhome won\u2019t slow down<\/strong> as quickly as your car when you brake. Leave a bigger space ahead of you than you would in a car and start braking much earlier. If you need to brake hard expect things inside cupboards to move and be prepared for stuff to fall out when you open them.<\/li><li><strong>Cars can\u2019t see past you<\/strong>, so are more likely to caught out with heavy braking. Also <strong>indicate early<\/strong> if you need to pull out, to pass a cyclist for example.<\/li><li>The longer your van, the more you need to <strong>delay turning into junctions<\/strong>. If you don\u2019t, the back end of the van will go up the kerb.<\/li><li>On motorways, large overtaking vehicles will <strong>\u2018push\u2019 and then \u2018pull\u2019 your van<\/strong> as they pass. Try not to over-compensate with your steering.<\/li><li>If you have a left-hand drive van in the UK, having a <strong>passenger look up the road<\/strong> for you is helpful, especially when you need to overtake or pass obstacles parked in your way.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Our <strong>overall best advice is this: don\u2019t panic<\/strong>. You\u2019ll probably feel you\u2019re holding up the traffic sometimes, we always do. Take it easy, don\u2019t go any faster than you\u2019re comfortable with. Pull over where it\u2019s safe to let the faster traffic past, or go all the way around a roundabout &#8211; slowly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Finding Great Campsites and Other Overnight Locations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Where are you going to stay in your new home on wheels? For the first few nights at least, being on a campsite near to your home is perhaps the best idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That way you can try hooking your van up to the electricity, can practice using ramps to get level, can try out your internet and TV systems and so on. And if needs be, you can nip home to get stuff you\u2019ve forgotten (we always manage to forget something, even with a packing checklist!).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Robin-Hoods-Bay.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"368\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Robin-Hoods-Bay.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome camper van campsite Robin Hood's Bay seaside farm\" class=\"wp-image-42411\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Robin-Hoods-Bay.jpg 796w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Robin-Hoods-Bay-300x139.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Robin-Hoods-Bay-768x355.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Robin-Hoods-Bay-705x326.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few ways you can find places to stay in your campervan or motorhome:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Books<\/strong> \u2013 search <a href=\"https:\/\/amazon.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">amazon.co.uk<\/a> for \u2018campsites uk\u2019 and you\u2019ll be shown all the best-selling campsite books they have.<\/li><li><strong>Apps and Websites<\/strong> \u2013 search <a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.co.uk\/search?q=campsite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">google.co.uk for \u2018campsite\u2019<\/a> and click on Maps, and you\u2019ll see many of the sites around you, with photos and reviews. Or websites like <a href=\"https:\/\/ukcampsite.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ukcampsite.co.uk<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/pitchup.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pitchup.com<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/searchforsites.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">searchforsites.co.uk<\/a> are all very helpful. The <a href=\"https:\/\/park4night.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">park4night.com<\/a> website and app is also very popular but is more focussed on off-site parking than campsites.<\/li><li><strong>Club Sites<\/strong> &#8211; If you join the Camping and Caravanning Club (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk<\/a>) or the Caravan and Motorhome Club (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.caravanclub.co.uk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.caravanclub.co.uk<\/a>) they have their own websites mapping out their sites. Look out for CLs (certified locations) and CSs (certified sites), which are small sites with fewer facilities and lower costs.<\/li><li><strong>Business Sites<\/strong> \u2013 if you\u2019re happy using all your van\u2019s facilities, then no-frills locations like pub car parks and farm shop parking areas open up. Some charge a fee to use their parking overnight, while others allow free overnight stays on the unspoken assumption you\u2019ll buy something from them. Check out the Brit Stops scheme which lists over 1,000 \u2018hosts\u2019 (typically pubs) across the UK and Ireland which offer free parking (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.britstops.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.britstops.com<\/a>).<\/li><li><strong>Word of Mouth<\/strong> \u2013 ask your friends and family! Someone\u2019s bound to have enjoyed a campsite or two in their time.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out this blog post for more details about how we find places <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/finding-great-uk-motorhome-campsites-and-stopovers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">great motorhome campsites and stopovers in the UK<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Planning the Best Motorhome Driving Routes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Wherever you choose to go, check the route there to make sure you\u2019re not trying to squeeze down narrow country lanes on your first drive out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_20210624_114924580_HDR.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1025\" height=\"473\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_20210624_114924580_HDR.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome camper van narrow bridge Wales campsite entrance\" class=\"wp-image-41675\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_20210624_114924580_HDR.jpg 1025w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_20210624_114924580_HDR-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_20210624_114924580_HDR-768x354.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/IMG_20210624_114924580_HDR-705x325.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1025px) 100vw, 1025px\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Our Motorhome on a narrow bridge to get access to a campsite in Wales<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few tips for planning good driving routes for a motorhome:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Maps <\/strong>\u2013 paper maps are great for checking an overall route. Car satnavs will often take you down small roads to save a few miles. You may want to drive further, sticking to motorways and A roads rather than, narrower B roads.<\/li><li><strong>GPS<\/strong> \u2013 you can get \u2018truck\u2019 satnavs for under \u00a380 which let you put in the dimensions of your motorhome. These plot better routes than car satnavs, avoiding low bridges and sticking to wider roads. We highly recommend still checking the route on a paper map though!<\/li><li><strong>Ask the Site<\/strong> \u2013 sites, like the one above, have a narrow entrance or pitches which are tight to access. If you\u2019ve a larger van it might be worth calling and asking before you book.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Assume it will take you longer to get to a destination in your motorhome than in a car. They\u2019re not as quick to accelerate and are hard to drive quickly on winding roads. Some satnavs let you input a maximum speed. If you do this to get a more realistic arrival time, they might deliberately avoid faster, wider roads which you really want them to include.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want an idea of how we have learned the hard way about planning a route, check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/our-top-ten-scariest-motorhome-driving-experiences\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">10 scariest motorhome driving experiences<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avoiding Damage When Driving Away<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Like airline pilots, many motorhome owners have a pre-departure checklist. Each time they set off from home or their motorhome pitch, they run through the list item by item, before starting to drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time you may want to develop your own list or approach, maybe starting with something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Nothing on table or counter tops?<\/li><li>All cupboards and doors locked?<\/li><li>Hook-up cable disconnected?<\/li><li>Gas bottles turned off?<\/li><li>Fridge switched to12 Volts?<\/li><li>Levelling ramps stowed?<\/li><li>Steady legs lifted up?<\/li><li>All external lockers secure?<\/li><li>Skylights and windows closed?<\/li><li>Satellite dish or TV antenna lowered?<\/li><li>Bikes and bike rack secure?<\/li><li>Habitation doorstep stowed?<\/li><li>Trailer secure (if you\u2019re towing)?<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We also check around the ground we\u2019ll drive over for any holes, rocks (or kittens \u2013 it\u2019s almost happened to us) before driving. We also have a look above the van for low tree branches and the like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Arriving on Site and Getting Settled on Your Pitch<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After arriving at your site, it\u2019s time to getting checked in, into your pitch, hooked-up and level with the kettle on! Each site will operate differently, but this is roughly what to expect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Larger sites have barriers at the entrance. Look for the indicated place to park and wait to access the site, while you check in.<\/li><li>Some sites have introduced automatic check-in, so your numberplate is read and the barrier opens.<\/li><li>You may still need to go to reception to tell them who you are. If you don\u2019t have a reservation, they\u2019ll check if they have space for you.<\/li><li>Some sites will let you choose your own pitch. Many will have a pitch number for you. They\u2019ll let you know where the pitch is, and maybe give you a map. It\u2019s worth asking at this point where the nearest hook-up point, water tap, bin and elsan point\/motorhome service point are.<\/li><li>Drive to the pitch and decide whether you want to reverse in or face outwards. Most sites ask you to park so that your habitation door isn\u2019t facing your neighbours, to give you both space and privacy.<\/li><li>If the pitch isn\u2019t level, use levelling ramps to get the van level. This is a bit of an art. Don\u2019t try driving forwards up a slope with the ramps in front of the wheels, put them behind the wheels and slowly reverse onto them instead.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For many vanners, us included, getting onto our pitch can be the most stressful part of \u2018moving day\u2019. We sometimes see couples shouting at each other as they try and get the van positioned and onto the levelling ramps. We get it, we\u2019ve done the same, everyone\u2019s a bit on edge after a long drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One way we\u2019ve found to reduce the stress-levels is for one of us to get out of the van and use exaggerated hand signals to tell the driver when to reverse, when to turn left, how close we are to the tops of the ramps and so on. We don\u2019t try and shout over the engine noise, we do it all in silence. We\u2019ve never seen anyone else do this but hey, it works for us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avoiding Getting Stuck<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Tractor-Tow.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"520\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Tractor-Tow.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome towed tractor muddy field\" class=\"wp-image-42414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Tractor-Tow.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Tractor-Tow-300x152.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Tractor-Tow-768x390.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Tractor-Tow-705x358.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Unless you have a tractor to hand to tow you out every time, the best bet is to think about where you are going to park to try to avoid getting stuck. Avoid parking on soft ground, or downhill on a grassy slope when it\u2019s rained, or if rain is forecast. Heavy motorhomes don\u2019t much like mud. We\u2019ve \u2018Mud and Snow tyres\u2019 fitted to ours, and we\u2019ve a set of traction mats, but after the above incident we avoid grassy slopes like the plague.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Motorhomes and Pets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Being dog owners drew us to campervans in the first place. With our own van we didn\u2019t have to worry about hotels or B&amp;Bs not allowing pets. Charlie, our unimaginatively named Cavalier King Charles Spaniel travelled with us for years. We like to think he loved being so close to the rest of his pack and enjoyed lots of good sniffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Jay-Charlie.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"811\" height=\"509\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Jay-Charlie.jpg\" alt=\"Julie Jason Buckley ourtour our tour Charlie pet dog travel motorhome blog camper van\" class=\"wp-image-42416\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Jay-Charlie.jpg 811w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Jay-Charlie-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Jay-Charlie-768x482.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Ju-Jay-Charlie-705x442.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 811px) 100vw, 811px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We were lucky as Charlie was chilled out about travelling in a van. He was used to being in the back of the car, and this seemed to translate well to the motorhome. Not all pets are so relaxed, and the last thing you need is a howling dog or manic cat (yep, lots of folks take their cats) while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Charlie-Asleep.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"813\" height=\"544\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Charlie-Asleep.jpg\" alt=\"Dog asleep motorhome camper van\" class=\"wp-image-42417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Charlie-Asleep.jpg 813w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Charlie-Asleep-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Charlie-Asleep-768x514.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Charlie-Asleep-705x472.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 813px) 100vw, 813px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few more tips for travelling in the UK with your pet dog or cat:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Not all campsites allow pets. Check before you pay a deposit.<\/li><li>Some sites allow dogs, but not certain breeds.<\/li><li>Unless you\u2019ve a fence around your van, you\u2019ll likely need to keep your pooch on a lead while on-site.<\/li><li>We\u2019d take our pooch for a long walk before driving and try to limit drives to a couple of hours at a time.<\/li><li>Have a packing checklist for your pooch so you don\u2019t forget their lead, bed, water, any medication, treats, tick remover, poo bags, comb, toys, etc etc! Charlie had his own section on <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/ourtour-motorhome-essentials-packing-list\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">our motorhome packing list<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you plan to travel abroad with your pet, you\u2019ll need either a Pet Passport (if you live in Northern Ireland) or an Animal Health Certificate (in Britain). These require a microchip and rabies inoculation. Talk to your vet as early as possible to make sure your pet\u2019s ready to travel. When you return to the UK (with a dog, this doesn\u2019t apply to cats) you\u2019ll need to visit a vet abroad to get a worming treatment done. See this website for more information: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/taking-your-pet-abroad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.gov.uk\/taking-your-pet-abroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve also got lots of hints and tips in our blog posts about <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/travelling-in-a-motorhome-with-your-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">taking your dog abroad in a motorhome<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/motorhome-travels-with-an-old-or-ill-dog\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">travelling in a motorhome with an old dog<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"stayingsafemotorhome\">Keeping You and Your Van Safe and Secure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Staying Safe Inside Your Van<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Motorhomes and campers are fun and enjoyable ways to holiday, but they do have gas and electrical systems, which can be potentially dangerous if not properly maintained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Fire-Blanket.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"618\" height=\"434\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Fire-Blanket.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome camper van fire blanket kicthen safety\" class=\"wp-image-42419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Fire-Blanket.jpg 618w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Fire-Blanket-300x211.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few key tips for staying safe while you\u2019re in your van:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Fit a <strong>Carbon Monoxide (CO) and smoke alarm<\/strong> (we have a combined alarm).<\/li><li>Install <strong>at least one fire extinguisher<\/strong>. Our van has two of them, plus a fire blanket in the kitchen.<\/li><li>Get a professional to <strong>check the gas system<\/strong> once a year.<\/li><li>You can <strong>get a \u2018habitation check\u2019 done<\/strong>, which will check the gas and electrical systems, look for problems with damp and so on. Some warranties require proof of these checks.<\/li><li>While driving, <strong>don\u2019t have anything loose<\/strong> in the habitation area which could fly around and hit you in the event of sharp braking or a crash.<\/li><li>Unless your van has an auto cut-off valve (most don\u2019t), <strong>turn the gas off at the bottles<\/strong> before driving in case an accident severs the lines.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Preventing Thefts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No-one wants their motorhome to be stolen or broken into. There\u2019s a huge range of locks and alarms available to try and prevent this. Some are built-in by the manufacturer, some you can have fitted to your van (trackers, additional alarms etc) and others you can fit yourself (steering and wheel locks).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve never found a formal study of motorhome security, based on figures released by the police or insurance companies for example. But we have travelled widely ourselves and spoken with lots of other motorhomers. Also, motorhome insurance isn\u2019t wildly expensive, all of which leads us to believe that motorhomes are generally a safe and secure way to travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From our travels and discussions we\u2019ve come up with a few security rules we apply when travelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Campsites are the most secure overnighting spots. Although bits and bobs left out might be pinched, we hear of very, very few problems with sites.<\/li><li>When you\u2019re not on site, be careful where you park. Break-ins seem to happen most on busy city streets and in the car parks of tourist attractions.<\/li><li>Use your intuition. If a parking place doesn\u2019t feel secure, either one of you could stay in the van (while shopping for example), or you should look for somewhere else to stay. You need to feel safe enough to sleep.<\/li><li>Always lock the van doors and put the alarm on when you\u2019re not in the van. Your insurance may be invalid if you don\u2019t do this and the van\u2019s broken into or stolen.<\/li><li>Never leave anything on display when you\u2019re not in the van. Some people choose to leave their blinds open once everything\u2019s hidden. We opt to close ours.<\/li><li>Bikes on rear racks are an obvious target. Lock and cover them so thieves can\u2019t see them. Our bikes are worth about \u00a350 each, which helps us to not worry too much.<\/li><li>No motorhome is 100% secure. Professional thieves can bypass many security devices. Less skilled villains will simply prise open a plastic window or a door. So don\u2019t take anything with sentimental value with you. It would be a pain if it did get stolen, but everything is replaceable, so it\u2019s not the end of the world.<\/li><li>If you\u2019ve a smart phone, photograph your driving licenses, insurance certificate, breakdown cover details and so on, and email them to yourself.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mothballing Your Van<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lots of us park our vans up for long periods without using them much, or at all, particularly over winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Winter-Mothballed.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"767\" height=\"530\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Winter-Mothballed.jpg\" alt=\"Motorhome camper van caravan storage winter snow ice mothballed\" class=\"wp-image-42420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Winter-Mothballed.jpg 767w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Winter-Mothballed-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Zagan-Winter-Mothballed-705x487.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 767px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few tips for mothballing your van, keeping it in good condition while you\u2019re not using it, you can also find lots more detail on our blog post about how to mothball your motorhome for winter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Drain all the water from the habitation area of your van. In freezing conditions any water left in the van might damage the water heater, tanks, pipes or taps. We\u2019ve made this error, and it can be expensive to fix.<\/li><li>Keep your starter and leisure batteries topped up or you might find they\u2019ll no longer hold charge when you come to use the van. If your van is parked outside and has a solar panel, this might be enough. Ideally hook up your van to the mains periodically, to charge the batteries back up to 100%.<\/li><li>Close all the blinds. This stops the sun bleaching your upholstery.<\/li><li>Move the van from time to time. This prevents the same area of each tyre holding all the weight of the van while it\u2019s sat still.<\/li><li>While you\u2019re in the van, check for any damp patches, especially around skylights or windows. If you find any water ingress, it\u2019s best to sort the problem as soon as you can. Here\u2019s how <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/reseal-a-leaking-motorhome-caravan-roof-vent-skylight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">we solved a problem with a leaking skylight<\/a>.<\/li><li>Rodents love vans in storage. Vans have safety vents in the floor to allow any leaking gas to escape. These have metal grills to stop rodents getting in. Don\u2019t block these up but check to make sure you\u2019ve no tiny holes a mouse could crawl through.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We hope you have found this guide useful. Please feel free to <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Beginners-Guide-to-Motorhomes-Campervans-A-Free-OurTour-Guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">download and share our free <strong>beginner&#8217;s guide to motorhomes and camper vans<\/strong> as a PDF<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Beginners-Guide-to-Motorhomes-Campervans-A-Free-OurTour-Guide.pdf\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Free-Beginners-Guide-to-Motorhomes-and-Camper-Vans-from-OurTour-Blog-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-42423\" width=\"234\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Free-Beginners-Guide-to-Motorhomes-and-Camper-Vans-from-OurTour-Blog-1.png 394w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Free-Beginners-Guide-to-Motorhomes-and-Camper-Vans-from-OurTour-Blog-1-214x300.png 214w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 234px) 100vw, 234px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/Beginners-Guide-to-Motorhomes-Campervans-A-Free-OurTour-Guide.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download the Free Beginner&#8217;s Guide to Motorhomes and Camper Vans<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Enjoy this Guide? Get Much, Much More!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve found this guide useful, it\u2019s just a taste of all the hints and tips gleaned from tens of thousands of miles of motorhome touring in our book <a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/the-motorhome-touring-handbook\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Motorhome Touring Handbook<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Motorhome-Touring-Handbook-Practical-Year-Long-ebook\/dp\/B07HMLKSBC\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TMTH-FrontCover.jpg\" alt=\"The Motorhome Touring Handbook\" class=\"wp-image-30234\" width=\"275\" height=\"415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TMTH-FrontCover.jpg 477w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/TMTH-FrontCover-199x300.jpg 199w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 275px) 100vw, 275px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\">We update the book at least once a year, so it\u2019s always up to date. The book has tons of positive reviews and is available in paperback or eBook format on Amazon. To look inside the book, click on the link below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Motorhome-Touring-Handbook-Practical-Year-Long-ebook\/dp\/B07HMLKSBC\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Motorhome Touring Handbook, at Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Authors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hi folks, we\u2019re Julie and Jason Buckley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ourtour.co.uk\/home\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/The-Authors.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"795\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/The-Authors.jpg\" alt=\"Julie Jason Buckley OurTour Motorhome Bloggers Writers Authors\" class=\"wp-image-42421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/The-Authors.jpg 795w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/The-Authors-300x189.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/The-Authors-768x483.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ourtourmedia.s3.eu-central-003.backblazeb2.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/The-Authors-705x443.jpg 705w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>We quit our jobs aged 39 and bought an aged Hymer B544 we called Dave. Ready for adventure, we headed for Calais and turned right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two years later we\u2019d explored much of Europe and North Africa and were keen for more, but the funds had finally run out. We were forced home and back into the office (boo, hiss).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A further two years later we\u2019d replenished the war chest and were off again (hooray!). This time we were in a slightly newer motorhome we called Zagan. Huh, weird name? It\u2019s the town in Poland near the prisoner of war camp featured in The Great Escape. Zagan\u2019s our own great escape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve now spent over a decade touring in campers and motorhomes, travelled tens of thousands of miles and slept in over 1,000 places in more than 35 countries. It\u2019s been an absolute blast folks, and we hope you get to enjoy the same experiences we\u2019ve had over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can follow us at any of these, and we\u2019d love to hear from you:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Subscribe to <a href=\"http:\/\/eepurl.com\/bT2SW1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">emails on this blog<\/a><\/li><li>Facebook: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/OurTour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.facebook.com\/OurTour<\/a><\/li><li>Twitter: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/OurTour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">twitter.com\/OurTourBlog<\/a><\/li><li>Instagram: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/OurTour\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.instagram.com\/ourtourblog<\/a><\/li><li>YouTube: <a href=\"https:\/\/tinyurl.com\/ourtouryoutube\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">tinyurl.com\/ourtouryoutube<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019re thinking of hiring or buying a motorhome, our Beginner&#8217;s Guide to Motorhomes and campervans will quickly get you up to speed on several key topics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":42411,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[417,531,523,560,513,516,509,442,511,514],"tags":[1817,467,469,134,1818,1472,1821,1819,1820,471],"class_list":["post-42360","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-motorhome-blog","category-choose-your-motorhome","category-cook-in-a-camper","category-escape-in-a-motorhome","category-sleep","category-preparation","category-stay_connected","category-security","category-dog-how-to","category-use-your-motorhomes-facilities","tag-beginners-guide-to-motorhome","tag-camper","tag-campervan","tag-motorhome","tag-motorhome-for-beginners","tag-motorhome-guide","tag-motorhome-help","tag-motorhomes-for-dummies","tag-new-to-motorhome","tag-rv"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.4 - 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