New Motorhome House owners – important ideas & recommendation on your first journey!

Are you a brand new or first time motorhome or campervan proprietor? Feeling a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry- all of us did after we began. Listed here are the important issues it is advisable know and step-by-step steerage 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 thing 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 large lump of pricey plastic now?

What are the important motorhome equipment you want in your first journey? How do you plan a motorhome street 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 ideas and recommendation for brand spanking new or first time motorhome homeowners (and step-by-step steerage on your very first journey!)

Recommendation for brand spanking new motorhome or campervan homeowners

I get emails each week from individuals who have simply ordered motorhomes.  They’re so excited, but each single one in all them has a query about a facet of motorhoming which was worrying them, however they felt embarrassed to ask.

It’s an odd hobby- only a few of us be part of a membership or have any training- so we find yourself surrounded by like-minded individuals, but with no-one to point out 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 homeowners or anybody who has a brand new (or new to you!) motorhome or campervan. You too can learn our important motorhome ideas for learners 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 e mail or message and I’ll add it in. I hope it helps you begin your new interest in the very best method.

Seize a cup of one thing and a notepad. First VERY IMPORTANT tip- No person will know if you happen to take a look at your notes!! Significantly. So make as many notes as you want.

The right way 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 if you happen to’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 whenever you get again. We’ve listed our important under, or you may seize these motorhome checklists to assist.

Important packing record:

• Motorhome Bedding and pillows
• A change of garments and pyjamas
• Toothbrush, hairbrush and bathe equipment
• Towel, together with hand towel
• Kettle, tea/ espresso and milk
• Another drinks- tonight is a good time for a beer/ bottle of wine to have fun your new buy!
• Snacks- wholesome street journey snacks are enjoyable, however get some treats too!)
• Fast and straightforward street 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 here 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 simply ONLY use for ingesting water)
• Bathroom cassette- Please examine it’s in there first!!
• Levelling chocks if not already together with your motorhome (these are NOT important on your first night time!)
• Hose – for filling up your van at a campsite

In the event you select to spend the primary few nights within the van in your driveway to get to understand how issues work, or if you happen to ever go and go to buddies, then this adaptor is a MUST to have the ability to plug your van in from a home socket.

Ideas for brand spanking new motorhome owners- Different issues to examine earlier than you allow

Examine the waste outlet faucet and the freshwater tank faucets are closed – you probably have a handbook system. Examine all vents, home windows, hatches are closed and the gasoline bottles are turned off. Really, first examine you HAVE gasoline bottles and that they’ve gasoline in them….!!

There are 2 kinds of gasoline system you may go for:

• Swap system – like Calor or JGas
• Re-fillable system – like Gaslow or Safefill

On the time of updating this publish (2025), most suppliers nonetheless don’t permit the acquisition of a Calor bottle if you happen to don’t have one to swap. In the event you don’t have a propane bottle (the purple one) I recommend you attempt to get one from one of many on-line promoting platforms.

(I as soon as found discovering LPG gasoline in Europe could be powerful with out the proper gear- oops!)

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Driving the motorhome for the primary time

I’ve written a whole publish about tips on how to drive a motorhome for beginners- you could find it right here.

First journey in a brand new motorhome- The right way to discover a campsite

There are a great deal of campsites across the UK (if you happen to’re not within the UK, I wager there are campsites close to you too!) For motorhome learners, I might suggest becoming a member of a motorhome membership and staying at one in all their websites. An alternative choice is Britstops.

I extremely suggest being members of 1 membership or the opposite, though it’s NOT a necessity. You’ll be able to usually use their websites even if you happen to’re not a member, though you’ll pay extra.

I might recommend reserving the campsite prematurely, then getting the tackle and ensuring you already know precisely the place it’s earlier than you set off. Hopefully, it’s shut sufficient that you already know the realm nicely and know the place the small/ slender/ congested roads are.

Your first journey isn’t the time to attempt wild parking / off grid. Work out how every thing works first, then set off into the wild! In the event you do wish to attempt off-grid life, right here’s a step-by-step information to wild tenting with a motorhome within the UK.

You’ll want to use a motorhome sat-nav if you happen to’re not sure- now isn’t the time to be getting caught in a small residential avenue!

When you’ve got a number of pets, be sure they’re allowed on the site- many campsites limit canine to 2 max.

You’ll be able to normally select between a grass or hardstanding pitch – hardstanding is normally gravel, which is ideal within the winter ( much less muddy because of the rain). I normally favor grass, however with a heavy motorhome I’ve to be actually cautious, so if unsure discover a hardstanding pitch.

You too can select electrical or non-electric pitch. I might recommend electrical, so you may make certain every thing 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: The right way to drive a motorhome: ideas and methods for learners

Recommendation for brand spanking new motorhome owners- What to do whenever you arrive on the campsite

If you arrive, there will probably be a reception constructing. Typically, there may be additionally a transparent signal saying the place arriving Motorhomes ought to pull in, but when not, attempt to decide a spot which doesn’t block the doorway/ exit.

Go into the reception and check-in. They may ask for cost if you happen to haven’t paid already. They may even ask for size and generally width of the motorhome too, and the registration, so be sure you know these.

Many campsites cost for the parking spot, after which cost for variety of individuals and animals onboard, so they’ll ask what number of adults/ youngsters/pets and so on 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 inform you which pitch to park on, or inform you to go and decide your individual pitch. In the event you do that, you usually want to return and inform them the place you might be 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 likewise for the entry/ exit barrier if mandatory.

The right way to decide a spot for a motorhome or campervan

There is no such thing as a proper or flawed reply to this. I promise. No-one will probably be judging you. It’s fully private desire the place you select to park.

I don’t use campsite bogs or amenities fairly often, so I are inclined to park far far far far far-off 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!

In fact, it’s possible you’ll wish to park subsequent to the children play space, or the bathe block. Wherein case, decide 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. In the event you can keep away from having to stage the motorhome at this time, it’ll make your life a lot simpler.

The right way to park up together with your new motorhome

Some campsites are VERY strict in terms of how one can park on a pitch. Like, ridiculously strict. Others are way more relaxed and so long as you’re inside your boundary, you’ll be superb.

You’ll be able to usually inform whenever you check-in; if you happen to’re given a 5-minute instruction on how the again left bumper of your motorhome MUST be solely 5 inches from the white publish, at a 73.6 diploma angle… you higher listen!

If not, then you may chill out a little- however look on the web site guidelines… simply in case.

Then, it’s merely a case of manoeuvring that large white lump of plastic into the proper spot. Individuals WILL watch. Don’t be embarrassed. Take your time.

TOP TIP: #1 Couple street journey tip: Attempt to not shout at one another if you happen to’re together with your associate and even with buddies/ children.

Significantly- there’s nothing worse. Be affected person and type when you be taught and determine this entire factor out. Particularly if one in all you is an entire newbie.

Recommendation for brand spanking new motorhome owners- Filling up with water

In the event you don’t have water onboard, you may wish to choose your spot, depart 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. In contrast to caravans, it is advisable take your car to the fill-up level, OR you may get a collapsible water container like this and stroll forwards and backwards a number of instances. I take advantage of each, relying on the pitch and the way far-off the faucet is!

In the event you drive to the water, simply pull in and join your water hose. You’ll usually want to offer your individual faucet connector – it’s value having a few these, since you WILL in some unspecified time in the future, depart it behind! 🙂 I all the time use my very own hose as an alternative of a web site 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, but it surely works!), head again to your pitch- you’ll most likely must go across the one-way system.

Don’t neglect to replenish your bathroom flush water too – you probably have the 2 half water system for the bathroom.

I normally 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 could get demanding. 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’ll depend upon the pitch and the slope.

Clearly, the chocks will RAISE the van- so that you need them on the aspect/ finish which is decrease. You actually place them behind or in entrance of the wheels, transfer far out of the way in which, then get the driving force to SLOWLY reverse or drive onto them.

You may need to trip a number of instances to get the angle proper. One chock may have to be nearer to the wheel, whereas one other is a little bit 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 attempt to not yell at one another.

TIP – Having a slight angle is useful for rain water working off the van and never pooling on the roof. I attempt 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 🙂

Ideas for brand spanking 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 works into the outlet on the positioning.) By plugging the van in, after which the positioning, you aren’t strolling round with a stay electrical cable.

As soon as it’s plugged in, attempt to not depart the surplus cable coiled up in small coils. I unfold mine down the size of the van, and even additional if attainable. There have been incidents of electrical cables catching hearth when they’re left tightly coiled. Depart a number of toes between corners and you ought to be superb.

Some campsite can have totally different bollard connection setups – some it’s only a plug in and also you’re good to go, whereas others, you have to to plug in a flip till you hear a click on.

Turning on the gasoline

Assuming your bottle is in, strapped up and related appropriately, all it is advisable do is activate the bottle. All bottles have an ‘open’ and ‘closed’ arrow on the highest. I don’t open my gasoline 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 gasoline.

Don’t panic, there are far fewer incidents with motorhomes and van- particularly trendy ones, so you may open the gasoline bottle totally if you happen to like.

There’ll all the time be a quick odor of gasoline whenever you gentle the hob or oven, and generally whenever you flip the gasoline bottle on or off. If this doesn’t fade inside a few seconds, flip the bottle off IMMEDIATELY and don’t gentle something. Anticipate the odor to fade (open home windows and doorways for air flow), then slowly flip the bottle on midway. If it nonetheless smells strongly of gasoline, flip it off and search skilled recommendation.

A good friend of mine is tremendous cautious of gasoline additionally, and he or she makes use of this gadget when altering over her gasoline 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 gasoline pig tail (pipe) as she finds it simpler than the spanner model.

Bathroom speak

Soooo… it’s time to arrange the bathroom. There’s not a lot to it. When it’s empty, add in some bathroom chemical compounds. I take advantage of a product known as Solbio natural bathroom fluid, which is pure and doesn’t comprise dangerous chemical compounds.

It’s additionally secure to be disposed of in septic tanks or fosse, which means I’ve extra choices to eliminate my bathroom 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 bathroom chemical is “inexperienced” / natural and is septic tanks pleasant.

Be certain that the water flush has water in (you probably have a separate flush- there will probably be a separate filler on the surface of the motorhome.)

I discover cheaper bathroom paper dissolves faster – making it simpler to empty. However I’ll depart that as much as you!

Phew…. Make your self a brew

In spite of everything that onerous work, make your self a cuppa – or open one thing stronger. A lot of the work is completed, so now it’s time to start out stress-free.

These are a few of the different jobs I do after I’ve parked up:

• Make up the mattress
• Get out chairs/ outdoor desk you probably have them (don’t panic if you happen to don’t- these are NOT important on your first journey!)
• Put out the awning (see under)
• Begin dinner/ get meals
• Put the canine exterior on a longish lead- be sure he can’t get close to anybody else to hassle them. We additionally need to control pleasant children who all the time wish to supply him their chocolate! (In the event you don’t know, chocolate is toxic to canine.)

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 making an attempt/ checking- particularly if you happen to’re a brand new motorhome proprietor. I don’t suggest doing all of them at once- simply sort out the record separately. Be certain that to chill out and luxuriate in your self too- if it’s all work it gained’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 an eye fixed) and you then begin turning the bottom. (Hopefully, that makes extra sense when it’s in entrance of you!)

A method will tighten, the opposite will launch. You wish to launch. Because the awning extends, it’ll get decrease and decrease. Ultimately, 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 prolong to the specified peak.

That most likely sounds terribly complicated, however as soon as you already know, all of it is smart. Possibly attempt the awning out earlier than you go- simply so you already know 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 if you happen to put it away moist it’ll begin to rot. All the time depart the awning to dry out as a lot as attainable earlier than you set it away.

TIP – no matter climate, use storm straps or rachet straps when your awning is out, it gives you peace of thoughts and that additional 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 depart litter around- take all of it to the bins onsite. Typically there are recycling amenities, so use these if attainable
• Don’t empty waste water (or different waste!) in your pitch- extra on that under. This consists of throwing washing up water into the bushes. Until 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 certain 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 street
• Don’t run engines or motorhome mills if you happen to can probably assist it- and positively not within the night/ at night time
• Count on individuals to speak to you- particularly you probably have children/ animals. I’ve by no means been as fashionable because the time I acquired Mac as a brand new pet. It was crazy- individuals have been knocking on the door as a result of they’d heard about him and wished to say hello!!

And that’s it. Clearly, it would be best to kind issues out to your liking, however hopefully you’d settled sufficient now to get pleasure from your self! And if you happen to’ve forgotten something, you may simply pop dwelling (or to a close-by grocery store.)

Motorhome Proprietor tips- What to do whenever you’re prepared to depart

Sadly, the time will come when it’s time to pack up and depart. You’ll most likely have a complete lengthy record of belongings 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 gasoline, unplug electrical, drive off chocks and ensure every thing is put away safely.

Be certain 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 may empty the bathroom at dwelling if you happen to favor.

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 on. 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 below 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 attainable BEFORE you wash up. It will cease meals waste and grease stepping into the tank, the place it’s REALLY HARD to get it out of!

Emptying the toilet- Black waste

Your bathroom cassette will probably be detachable, normally by way of a door on the aspect of the motorhome. Take this out and stroll it to the black waste disposal / chemical waste point- which is usually 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’ll most likely odor fairly dangerous. You may wish to put on gloves for this bit. Be certain that it’s completely empty earlier than changing it into the motorhome. Mine clicks shut- ensure it’s in appropriately!

You’ll be able to, in fact, select to empty the bathroom at your own home whenever you return dwelling… 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 depart this in your tank for weeks- it could possibly go stagnant and nasty issues can begin rising in your tank. In the event you’re not going to be utilizing the van for some time, empty the water out concurrently the gray waste- over the drain level. There will probably be two separate faucets for this below 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.

Closing recommendation for brand spanking new motorhome owners- Again at dwelling

When you’re safely dwelling, you’ll wish to do some closing checks and a closedown. This could embrace:

• Closing all of the blinds
• We depart a small roof hatch open for ventilation- be sure rain can’t get in! If unsure, shut all of it up and are available again to air no less than as soon as each different week.
  Word – you probably have a more moderen van, this isn’t mandatory as it’ll have inbuilt air flow within the roof sky home windows.
• Take away all valuables, together with your motorhome Sat Nav and so on
• Allow alarm and immobiliser and different motorhome safety units
• Lock the cab and habitation doorways (we’ve fitted an further 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!

Final replace on 2025-04-20 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photos from Amazon Product Promoting API

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