Conquering the Seasons: Tips for All-Weather Motorhome Travel

Motorhomes serve to provide a home away from home. They can be versatile and allow a greater sense of freedom as people go on their holidays.

When it comes to travelling in a motorhome during any season, it becomes essential to understand how you can get the most out of your motorhome so you can have a safe and satisfying experience. Here’s what you need to know.

Essential Motorhome Maintenance

There are numerous essential components to ensure that you look after your motorhome so that it can give you everything you need regardless of the weather, including the following:

• Looking after your tyres by checking for tread wear and tyre pressure. If your tyres are overinflated, this could result in those tyres exploding, causing damage to the motorhome or an accident. Under-inflated tyres will cause your motorhome to work harder, damaging your fuel economy.
• Maintaining the engine. Looking after the engine of your motorhome can be a big task. Like any vehicle, you can maintain your motorhome by changing or topping up the oil and water, as well as taking it in for a service.
• Checking the brakes. Looking after your brakes becomes even more essential in a motorhome because of the additional weight you are carrying, especially in comparison to a car. Maintaining your brakes and getting the brake pads replaced before a long journey in all seasons will give you a far better chance of navigating slippery terrain.
• Testing your lights. Your lighting does not just ensure your comfort while you are spending time in your motorhome, but testing the exterior lights will also ensure that you are visible on the roads, especially when it comes to changing lanes and indicating to other drivers your movements.

Knowing How to Drive Your Motorhome in All Seasons

Ensuring you are looking after your vehicle is only one piece of the puzzle. Depending on the time of year you plan on venturing out, it will mean a number of different methods to guarantee your readiness.

During the Spring:

• Stay updated on weather forecasts. The spring can be notoriously unpredictable. Going from the South of England to Scotland can result in a multitude of seasonal weather from storms to unseasonably cold temperatures. 
• Ensure your motorhome is properly sealed. Checking your motorhome roof is adequately sealed will ensure that you protect the interior from any potential damage while you are on the road.

During the Summer:

• Pack plenty of water. This ensures you and other passengers are hydrated, especially if you are travelling during a major heatwave.
• Plan your travel routes. The summer holidays can result in an influx of traffic. If you are planning a long journey on the M1, you could easily find yourself stuck in a number of different rush hours! Instead, use your motorhome to venture off the beaten track if you can.
• Keep your motorhome well-ventilated. Ensuring you keep your motorhome ventilated by moving fabric away from glass windows into the middle of the van, opening all cupboards to allow airflow, and turning your fridge off and opening it will ensure you don’t overheat.

During the Autumn:

• Pack warm and light. Be ready for fluctuations in temperature by packing warm and light clothing to ensure you are comfortable while driving.
• Be careful when driving in rural areas. As fallen leaves can become slippery when wet, this can be an additional hazard.
• Consider driving during daylight. As there are shorter daylight hours, avoiding driving during nighttime can increase your visibility and minimise hazards.

During the Winter:

• Think twice if you are driving during snowy conditions. In places like America that are well prepared for adverse weather conditions, drivers will use snow chains, but you may want to consider having winter tyres, as this will provide better traction.
• Look after your motorhome. During the winter, your motorhome can be subject to ventilation issues, condensation problems, and water pipe damage. If the water in the pipes freezes, it will expand, potentially causing damage to your water tank and pipes. Keeping an eye on any potential problems while on the road is critical, but you must also make sure that if you are parking your motorhome up for the winter, go for a short drive with drainage points open to remove excess water and ensure that your water tanks are completely empty.

In Summary

There is a lot to consider to ensure you are travelling in your motorhome safely whatever the season. If you are looking to conquer the seasons, one of the best approaches is to ensure you have the right motorhome in the first place.

If you are concerned about your finances, there is always an option to ensure that you can finance the motorhome that suits you in any weather. At Auto Finance Online, we provide convenient motorhome loans that meet your needs. Get in contact with us for a personalised quote and get yourself ready for the road in any weather.