Are you a brand new or first time motorhome or campervan proprietor? Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry- all of us did once we began. Listed here are the important issues it’s worthwhile to know and step-by-step steering on your first journey in your motorhome or camper.
Don’t neglect to seize your FREE motorhome departure guidelines under so you have got every part you want.
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New Motorhome House owners- what to do first!
CONGRATULATIONS! You’re the proud new proprietor of a motorhome or campervan. That’s so thrilling!!
Nonetheless- it may be a bit overwhelming. What the heck do you do with this huge lump of pricy plastic now?
What are the important motorhome equipment you want in your first journey? How do you plan a motorhome highway journey? And how on earth do you empty the bathroom?
DONT PANIC. I do know it appears intimidating now, however I promise it’s not that scary. EVERYONE began their motorhome life as a newbie (and all of us learnt from our errors!)
Listed here are our greatest suggestions and recommendation for brand new or first time motorhome house owners (and step-by-step steering on your very first journey!)
Recommendation for brand new motorhome or campervan house owners
I get emails each week from individuals who have simply ordered motorhomes. They’re so excited, but each single one in every of them has a query about a side of motorhoming which was worrying them, however they felt embarrassed to ask.
It’s an odd hobby- only a few of us be a part of a membership or have any training- so we find yourself surrounded by like-minded folks, but with no-one to indicate us the ropes.
We regularly discover ourselves on a campsite, on our very first motorhome vacation, feeling totally bewildered, surrounded by individuals who appear to have all of it discovered.
However there’s nothing to be embarrassed about- all of us have to start out someplace and be taught as we go.
So right here we go, only for any first-time motorhome house owners or anybody who has a brand new (or new to you!) motorhome or campervan. You may as well learn our important motorhome suggestions for inexperienced persons right here
Right here’s a step-by-step information on what to do on your first journey, what you want and the way it all works. If I haven’t answered your query, ship me an electronic mail or message and I’ll add it in. I hope it helps you begin your new interest in the very best means.
Seize a cup of one thing and a notepad. First VERY IMPORTANT tip- No person will know in case you take a look at your notes!! Significantly. So make as many notes as you want.
Important issues to do earlier than you allow in your first motorhome journey
I do know, I do know- you’re excited and simply wish to GO. However belief me, if you determine these items first, your first journey will go so much smoother.
Firstly, do NOT do what I did and plan a visit tons of of miles down the highway, with no clue what you’re doing. Discover a native website and e-book an evening or two. We advise a correct campsite on your first journey, moderately than wild tenting. Right here’s the right way to discover in a single day motorhome parking locations close to you.
Attempt to take as few folks with you as possible- only for the primary evening till you work issues out. Perhaps go away the children at associates or family- though I recognize this can be robust in the event that they’re excited too!
Be sure you have/ perceive:
Additionally, be sure to’ve packed your motorhome securely and have gotten ample motorhome safety units to guard your asset.
Lastly, in case you didn’t have a motorhome habitation test performed as a part of the sale, we strongly urge you to get one performed earlier than your first journey.
Learn how to pack your motorhome or campervan for the primary journey
Motorhome packing with out rattles is an artwork. It’s additionally a science- the science of figuring out what to depart behind! Don’t pack as in case you’re going to the Arctic for 3 months. Significantly. You’ll spend all of your time sorting stuff out and looking for issues in cabinets, and never sufficient time having fun with your self.
You’ll be able to pack the van with extra issues if you get again. We’ve listed our important under, or you’ll be able to seize these motorhome checklists to assist.
Important packing checklist:
- Motorhome Bedding and pillows
- A change of garments and pyjamas
- Toothbrush, hairbrush and bathe package
- Towel, together with hand towel
- Kettle, tea/ espresso and milk
- Another drinks- tonight is a superb time for a beer/ bottle of wine to have fun your new buy!
- Snacks- wholesome highway journey snacks are enjoyable, however get some treats too!)
- Fast and straightforward highway journey meals– make forward is even higher!
- ONLY BRING THE PANS/ UTENSILS YOU NEED FOR THE MEALS YOU HAVE CHOSEN.
- Washing up bowl & liquid, scrubber, and drying towel.
- Moist wipes
- Kitchen towels
- Bathroom roll & fluid
- Plates and utensils
- Mugs and glasses- these magnetic glasses are superb!
- Stuff for pets. When you’ve got a canine, listed below are our canine journey necessities. Don’t neglect poo baggage!
- A lighter, for lighting BBQ or hob. Simply in case.
- Moveable BBQ/ campfire bucket (if allowed on the campsite)
- Electrical cable (230v- make it a pleasant lengthy cable)
- Hose for ingesting water and faucet connector (again- make it a pleasant lengthy hose that you just ONLY use for ingesting water)
- Bathroom cassette- Please test it’s in there first!!
- Levelling chocks if not already together with your motorhome (these are NOT important on your first evening!)
- Hose – for filling up your van at a campsite
Should you select to spend the primary few nights within the van in your driveway to get to understand how issues work, or in case you ever go and go to associates, then this adaptor is a MUST to have the ability to plug your van in from a home socket.
See EVERYTHING we advocate for:
Suggestions for brand new motorhome owners- Different issues to test earlier than you allow
Verify the waste outlet faucet and the freshwater tank faucets are closed – in case you have a guide system. Verify all vents, home windows, hatches are closed and the fuel bottles are turned off. Really, first test you HAVE fuel bottles and that they’ve fuel in them….!!
There are 2 varieties of fuel system you’ll be able to go for:
- Swap system – like Calor or JGas
- Re-fillable system – like Gaslow or Safefill
On the time of updating this put up (2025), most suppliers nonetheless don’t permit the acquisition of a Calor bottle in case you don’t have one to swap. Should you don’t have a propane bottle (the crimson one) I counsel you try to get one from one of many on-line promoting platforms.
(I as soon as found discovering LPG fuel in Europe will be robust with out the right gear- oops!)
You’ll be able to seize your FREE motorhome departure and pre-trip guidelines right here
Driving the motorhome for the primary time
I’ve written a whole put up about the right way to drive a motorhome for beginners- you will discover it right here.
First journey in a brand new motorhome- Learn how to discover a campsite
There are a great deal of campsites across the UK (in case you’re not within the UK, I wager there are campsites close to you too!) For motorhome inexperienced persons, I might advocate becoming a member of a motorhome membership and staying at one in every of their websites. Another choice is Britstops.
I extremely advocate being members of 1 membership or the opposite, though it’s NOT a necessity. You’ll be able to usually use their websites even in case you’re not a member, though you’ll pay extra.
I might counsel reserving the campsite upfront, then getting the handle and ensuring you understand precisely the place it’s earlier than you set off. Hopefully, it’s shut sufficient that you understand the realm effectively and know the place the small/ slim/ congested roads are.
Your first journey will not be the time to strive wild parking / off grid. Determine how every part works first, then set off into the wild! Should you do wish to strive off-grid life, right here’s a step-by-step information to wild tenting with a motorhome within the UK.
Remember to use a motorhome sat-nav in case you’re not sure- now will not be the time to be getting caught in a small residential road!
When you’ve got a number of pets, make sure that they’re allowed on the site- many campsites limit canines to 2 max.
You’ll be able to often select between a grass or hardstanding pitch – hardstanding is often gravel, which is ideal within the winter ( much less muddy because of the rain). I often desire grass, however with a heavy motorhome I’ve to be actually cautious, so if unsure discover a hardstanding pitch.
You may as well select electrical or non-electric pitch. I might counsel electrical, so you may make certain every part works because it ought to. You’ll be able to all the time unplug the electrical if you wish to check how issues work utilizing simply your motorhome home battery.
READ MORE: Learn how to drive a motorhome: suggestions and tips for inexperienced persons
Recommendation for brand new motorhome owners- What to do if you arrive on the campsite
Once you arrive, there will likely be a reception constructing. Usually, there’s additionally a transparent signal saying the place arriving Motorhomes ought to pull in, but when not, attempt to choose a spot which doesn’t block the doorway/ exit.
Go into the reception and check-in. They may ask for cost in case you haven’t paid already. They will even ask for size and typically width of the motorhome too, and the registration, so be sure to know these.
Many campsites cost for the parking spot, after which cost for variety of folks and animals onboard, so they are going to ask what number of adults/ youngsters/pets and so forth you have got onboard.
They may then usually offer you a map of the campsite (which frequently has the positioning guidelines on the again) and they’ll both let you know which pitch to park on, or let you know to go and choose your personal pitch. Should you do that, you usually want to return and inform them the place you’re parked.
Some websites have a key for the electrical plug-in level, so that you is perhaps given these. You’ll usually even be given a code for the showers/ bogs and in addition for the entry/ exit barrier if mandatory.
Learn how to choose a spot for a motorhome or campervan
There is no such thing as a proper or mistaken reply to this. I promise. No-one will likely be judging you. It’s fully private choice the place you select to park.
I don’t use campsite bogs or services fairly often, so I are inclined to park far far far far distant from them. I park even additional away from youngsters’s play areas, bars, eating places or different communal areas.
If there’s a small, secluded nook with out many individuals in it, that’s the place I’m heading!
After all, it’s possible you’ll wish to park subsequent to the children play space, or the bathe block. By which case, choose a spot close to there. On a busy weekend, you may not get a lot of a selection in any respect!
One different factor to search for is a flat pitch. Should you can keep away from having to stage the motorhome at the moment, it is going to make your life a lot simpler.
Learn how to park up together with your new motorhome
Some campsites are VERY strict in the case of how one can park on a pitch. Like, ridiculously strict. Others are far more relaxed and so long as you’re inside your boundary, you’ll be wonderful.
You’ll be able to usually inform if you check-in; in case you’re given a 5-minute instruction on how the again left bumper of your motorhome MUST be solely 5 inches from the white put up, at a 73.6 diploma angle… you higher listen!
If not, then you’ll be able to chill out a little- however look on the website guidelines… simply in case.
Then, it’s merely a case of manoeuvring that huge white lump of plastic into the right spot. Individuals WILL watch. Don’t be embarrassed. Take your time.
TOP TIP: #1 Couple highway journey tip: Attempt to not shout at one another in case you’re together with your associate and even with associates/ children.
Significantly- there’s nothing worse. Be affected person and type whilst you be taught and determine this complete factor out. Particularly if one in every of you is an entire newbie.
Recommendation for brand new motorhome owners- Filling up with water
Should you don’t have water onboard, you may wish to choose your spot, go away an indication or electrical cable the place you wish to park up, after which go get water. There’ll most likely be a number of ingesting water filling spots across the campsite.
Some campsites even have faucets on every pitch, however most don’t. Not like caravans, it’s worthwhile to take your car to the fill-up level, OR you will get a collapsible water container like this and stroll backwards and forwards a number of occasions. I take advantage of each, relying on the pitch and the way distant the faucet is!
Should you drive to the water, simply pull in and join your water hose. You’ll usually want to offer your personal faucet connector – it’s price having a few these, since you WILL sooner or later, go away it behind! 🙂 I all the time use my very own hose as an alternative of a website hose, as I do know the place it’s been and what it’s been used for!
When you’re full (I actually wait till the water overflows- it’s not scientific, nevertheless it works!), head again to your pitch- you’ll most likely have to go across the one-way system.
Don’t neglect to refill your rest room flush water too – in case you have the 2 half water system for the bathroom.
I often put some aquasol into our water tank with every fill-up. It’s completely odorless and tasteless and helps kill any micro organism which is perhaps within the water supply or the tank.
Levelling the motorhome
Regardless of your greatest efforts, you may discover you NEED to stage the motorhome. Take a deep breath- this will get anxious. You usually solely have two levelling chocks on a motorhome– one for either side. Usually, you’d use them on the entrance wheels, however it is going to rely on the pitch and the slope.
Clearly, the chocks will RAISE the van- so that you need them on the facet/ finish which is decrease. You actually place them behind or in entrance of the wheels, transfer far out of the best way, then get the motive force to SLOWLY reverse or drive onto them.
You might need to commute a number of occasions to get the angle proper. One chock may should be nearer to the wheel, whereas one other is slightly additional away so it doesn’t rise a lot.
Be affected person – ultimately you’ll get actually good at this, however for now it’s all new and complicated, so strive to not yell at one another.
TIP – Having a slight angle is useful for rain water operating off the van and never pooling on the roof. I try to angle the extent towards my bathe drain, this helps with draining the bathe and never getting a pool of water within the bathe tray 🙂
Suggestions for brand new campervan and motorhome owners- Plugging in Electrical
I all the time plug the top of the cable into the motorhome first (don’t worry- there’s just one finish which may match within the van, and one which matches into the outlet on the positioning.) By plugging the van in, after which the positioning, you aren’t strolling round with a dwell electrical cable.
As soon as it’s plugged in, strive to not go away the surplus cable coiled up in small coils. I unfold mine down the size of the van, and even additional if doable. There have been incidents of electrical cables catching hearth when they’re left tightly coiled. Depart a number of ft between corners and try to be wonderful.
Some campsite could have totally different bollard connection setups – some it’s only a plug in and also you’re good to go, whereas others, you’ll need to plug in a flip till you hear a click on.
Turning on the fuel
Assuming your bottle is in, strapped up and linked appropriately, all it’s worthwhile to do is activate the bottle. All bottles have an ‘open’ and ‘closed’ arrow on the highest. I don’t open my fuel bottles fully- there’s no actual cause for this besides that I’ve lived on a ship for years and there are such a lot of tales of boats exploding that I’m all the time cautious with fuel.
Don’t panic, there are far fewer incidents with motorhomes and van- particularly fashionable ones, so you’ll be able to open the fuel bottle totally in case you like.
There’ll all the time be a quick scent of fuel if you mild the hob or oven, and typically if you flip the fuel bottle on or off. If this doesn’t fade inside a few seconds, flip the bottle off IMMEDIATELY and don’t mild something. Watch for the scent to fade (open home windows and doorways for air flow), then slowly flip the bottle on midway. If it nonetheless smells strongly of fuel, flip it off and search skilled recommendation.
A pal of mine is tremendous cautious of fuel additionally, and he or she makes use of this gadget when altering over her fuel bottle when one runs out – only for peace of thoughts that there is no such thing as a leak. She makes use of the hand wheel fuel pig tail (pipe) as she finds it simpler than the spanner model.
Bathroom discuss
Soooo… it’s time to arrange the bathroom. There’s not a lot to it. When it’s empty, add in some rest room chemical substances. I take advantage of a product referred to as Solbio natural rest room fluid, which is pure and doesn’t include dangerous chemical substances.
It’s additionally secure to be disposed of in septic tanks or fosse, which means I’ve extra choices to eliminate my rest room responsibly. Simply add a squirt into the bathroom cassette (yep, the place the ‘enterprise’ goes) and also you’re good to go.
So to talk.
Alternatively, the Elsan merchandise are good and the inexperienced rest room chemical is “inexperienced” / natural and is septic tanks pleasant.
Be sure that the water flush has water in (in case you have a separate flush- there will likely be a separate filler on the skin of the motorhome.)
I discover cheaper rest room paper dissolves faster – making it simpler to empty. However I’ll go away that as much as you!
Phew…. Make your self a brew
In any case that arduous work, make your self a cuppa – or open one thing stronger. Many of the work is finished, so now it’s time to start out stress-free.
These are a number of the different jobs I do after I’ve parked up:
- Make up the mattress
- Get out chairs/ open air desk in case you have them (don’t panic in case you don’t- these are NOT important on your first journey!)
- Put out the awning (see under)
- Begin dinner/ get meals
- Put the canine outdoors on a longish lead- make sure that he can’t get close to anybody else to hassle them. We additionally must keep watch over pleasant children who all the time wish to supply him their chocolate! (Should you don’t know, chocolate is toxic to canines.)
Issues to check in your new motorhome
When you’re arrange in your first campsite together with your new motorhome, there are a number of issues I like to recommend attempting/ checking- particularly in case you’re a brand new motorhome proprietor. I don’t advocate doing all of them at once- simply deal with the checklist separately. Be sure that to chill out and revel in your self too- if it’s all work it received’t be as enjoyable!
Unwind the awning
The motorhome awning confused the heck out of me the primary time I did it. When you’ve got an awning, you’ll most likely have a winder (an extended stick factor with a hook on one finish.) That hook goes into one finish of the awning (there ought to be a watch) and you then begin turning the bottom. (Hopefully, that makes extra sense when it’s in entrance of you!)
A technique will tighten, the opposite will launch. You wish to launch. Because the awning extends, it is going to get decrease and decrease. Finally, you’ll be capable to attain it. The legs will usually be contained in the entrance fringe of the awning- pull them out after which twist them downwards to decrease and lengthen to the specified peak.
That most likely sounds terribly complicated, however as soon as you understand, all of it is sensible. Perhaps strive the awning out earlier than you go- simply so you understand what to anticipate.
Additionally, don’t get the awning out if sturdy winds or rain is forecast. They aren’t excellent in inclement climate and in case you put it away moist it is going to begin to rot. At all times go away the awning to dry out as a lot as doable earlier than you set it away.
TIP – no matter climate, use storm straps or rachet straps when your awning is out, it offers you peace of thoughts and that further stage of the awning not blowing away :).
First journey in a motorhome- Some unwritten guidelines of campsites
Most of those are frequent sense, so sorry if I’m stating the apparent, however simply in case you don’t know:
- Don’t go away litter around- take all of it to the bins onsite. Usually there are recycling services, so use these if doable
- Don’t empty waste water (or different waste!) in your pitch- extra on that under. This contains throwing washing up water into the bushes. Except in any other case specified by the campsite (some permit this, primarily throughout summer season to assist water the vegetation).
- Don’t have loud music blaring.
- Choose up after your canine and eliminate it within the bins supplied.
- Be sure that your children/ animals aren’t bothering anybody else close by and ensure they’re quiet by the curfew.
- Don’t block entry to anybody else’s pitch or hang around over onto the highway
- Don’t run engines or motorhome turbines in case you can probably assist it- and undoubtedly not within the night/ at evening
- Anticipate folks to speak to you- particularly in case you have children/ animals. I’ve by no means been as in style because the time I obtained Mac as a brand new pet. It was crazy- folks had been knocking on the door as a result of they’d heard about him and needed to say hello!!
And that’s it. Clearly, you’ll want to type issues out to your liking, however hopefully you’d settled sufficient now to take pleasure in your self! And in case you’ve forgotten something, you’ll be able to simply pop house (or to a close-by grocery store.)
Motorhome Proprietor tips- What to do if you’re prepared to depart
Sadly, the time will come when it’s time to pack up and go away. You’ll most likely have a complete lengthy checklist of stuff you wish to purchase/ repair/ improve- that’s completely regular.
So, to pack up, simply reverse the steps above. Begin with closing up the awning, then flip off fuel, unplug electrical, drive off chocks and ensure every part is put away safely.
Be sure that all home windows and hatches are closed earlier than you begin driving. You’ll most likely wish to empty water and waste tanks, though you’ll be able to empty the bathroom at house in case you desire.
Empty the gray waste tank
Almost each campsite has a gray waste water disposal level. Gray waste water is stuff from the bathe, sink and so forth. NOT TOILET (that’s black waste.) You discover this level in your map, drive OVER it till the drain is roughly under your disposal faucet, after which open the waste faucet underneath the motorhome. Water will come gushing out, and also you simply wait right here till it stops.
TOP TIP- attempt to wipe off as a lot meals waste as doable BEFORE you wash up. This may cease meals waste and grease moving into the tank, the place it’s REALLY HARD to get it out of!
Emptying the toilet- Black waste
Your rest room cassette will likely be detachable, often by a door on the facet of the motorhome. Take this out and stroll it to the black waste disposal / chemical waste point- which is commonly a gap within the floor or a white disposal level (clearly marked- don’t use simply any gap within the floor!)
Unscrew the top of the cassette, and switch it the wrong way up into the opening. Yep, it is going to most likely scent fairly dangerous. You may wish to put on gloves for this bit. Be sure that it’s completely empty earlier than changing it into the motorhome. Mine clicks shut- make certain it’s in appropriately!
You’ll be able to, in fact, select to empty the bathroom at your own home if you return house… I attempted this as soon as and vowed by no means again- it smells horrendous!
Emptying the contemporary water
You’ll most likely have extra contemporary water. Don’t go away this in your tank for weeks- it might probably go stagnant and nasty issues can begin rising in your tank. Should you’re not going to be utilizing the van for some time, empty the water out similtaneously the gray waste- over the drain level. There will likely be two separate faucets for this underneath your car.
Earlier than you allow the positioning, return any keys you needed to the reception, or put them within the field by the exit.
Ultimate recommendation for brand new motorhome owners- Again at house
When you’re safely house, you’ll wish to do some closing checks and a closedown. This could embody:
- Closing all of the blinds
- We go away a small roof hatch open for ventilation- make sure that rain can’t get in! If unsure, shut all of it up and are available again to air at the least as soon as each different week.
Word – in case you have a more recent van, this isn’t mandatory as it is going to have in-built air flow within the roof sky home windows. - Take away all valuables, together with your motorhome Sat Nav and so forth
- Allow alarm and immobiliser and different motorhome safety units
- Lock the cab and habitation doorways (we’ve fitted an extra habitation door lock to make issues much more safe.
And that’s it! You’ve accomplished your very first journey in your new van. I hope all of it went/ will go smoothly- be happy to tag me on Fb and let me know the place you find yourself!
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