How To Plan The Perfect Motorhome Road Trip

A motorhome road trip is unlike anything else; it gives you the opportunity to truly get to grips with the road and everything around it. But an amazing motorhome trip is about making things easier while also making it a trip you will talk about for years to come. So whether you just want to go around the UK or you’re venturing further afield, here are some things to consider. 

What Do You Want Out of Your Road Trip?

It may sound obvious but everybody has their own opinions of what makes a great holiday. Do you like the sun, sea, and sand, or do you prefer the mountains? Do you want to go with the kids or not? What about overnight stays? And how long do you really have to cram in an amazing motorhome road trip? Once you understand what you really want out of your road trip, you can press on with the finer details. 

Decide Where You Want to Go

You may be tied down by work commitments or school holidays, so the best thing to do is to have a few weeks to plan in advance. If you’re retired, you can be more spontaneous but planning earlier means you can take advantage of offers on campsites and ferries.

This is why you need to look at the location and see if there’s anything that could throw a spanner in the works. For example, if you want to go to France and it’s Bastille Day, you might not be able to pitch up at a campsite during these busy times. Booking in advance or getting there a few days before the holiday can give you more peace of mind. 

How Are You Going to Get There? 

Motorhome road trips are not just about getting on the road, but if you’re travelling in a motorhome outside of the UK you will need to book your ferry as soon as you can to get the best deal. But even if you decide to stay in the UK to save some money, it’s important to remember that there are still toll fees within the UK. However, some careful sat nav prep can bypass this. 

Preparing Your Budget

In addition to toll costs, you could end up being charged more if you are in a motorhome. For example, you could get caught out by being charged as a Class 3 vehicle at the toll booths in France. But trying “je suis une camping-car” could mean you end up being a Class 2 which will save you a few euros! 

Structuring Your Journey

If you’re driving across a large geographical area you need to give your trip a bit of structure. You can start by using Google Maps to plot and plan your journey so you can make a note of all the destinations you are interested in. You can then agree on a few key places on a route and the dates you plan on stopping there and will give you a lot of time to cover all the locations you want. 

After this, you can start to dive into the finer points of your locations. For example, if you plan on a road trip across Europe you can start researching the great campsites, tourist attractions, and what you really need to see. 

When you are planning your journey it’s always important to leave a bit of wiggle room because if you go somewhere you completely fall in love with and want to stay longer, it won’t completely throw the road trip into disarray. Ultimately, your goal is to relax! 

A Couple of Extra Things to Consider

Once you decide on everything you’ve got to bear in mind a couple of extra things: 

The Weather

If you plan on a road trip through Germany in the middle of winter where they have a lot of snow, you could experience a lot of road closures. You will also need extra kit, such as winter tyres. 

Finding Overnight Stops

Planning your camping sites is essential, but you should also think about hotels or hostels where you could rest up. Additionally, it’s worth considering places where you can fill up the tank!

Just Before You Head Off…

Here are a couple of final things to check before you head off: 

• Do you have insurance, paperwork, and MOT? You will need to bring all of these along with you. 
• Do you have a fresh water hose? It’s one of the most essential accessories for a motorhome. 
• Have you got the safety equipment required by each country you are driving through? 

An amazing motorhome road trip is about planning, and if you are learning how to plan a motorhome trip, don’t forget the most important rule: enjoy yourself!. And if you’re looking to buy a motorhome to take your trip in, we can help you get the finance you need.