If you’ve just invested in a motorhome, then you might be excited at the opportunities for adventure laid out before you. But if you’re going to enjoy many fulfilling holidays in your new vehicle, then you’ll need to make sure that it’s up to the job – and that you have the knowledge you need to get the best from it.
Choosing the right motorhome and checking your driving licence
Just because you’re legally entitled to drive a car doesn’t mean that you’re entitled to drive a motorhome. Motorhomes come in many shapes and sizes, ranging from modified vans to larger coachbuilt models to ‘A-class’ vehicles that incorporate a caravan with a driver’s compartment.
If you want to drive a vehicle that’s heavier than 3.5 tonnes, then you’ll need a category C1 license. If your motorhome is heavier than 7.5 tonnes, then you’ll need a category C license. These weight limits, as we’ll see, cover more than just the vehicle itself.
In either case, investing in the right motorhome insurance and ensuring that the class and weight of the vehicle are known to the insurer are essential.
Weights, payload and packing safely
When we judge the weight of the motorhome for legal purposes, we’re talking not just about the vehicle itself, but all of the things that might realistically be loaded onto it. This figure is known as the Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM). Before you load up the motorhome prior to a trip, you’ll need to be sure that you come in underneath the MAM. Special caution is warranted if you’re going to be transporting heavy equipment, furniture, and large groups of people.
Where you can stay and the rules on campsites and overnighting
When you’re staying in a campsite, you’ll need to be sure that it’s licensed. If you intend to stay in an off-site location, you’ll need to be sure that you’re legally entitled to do so. The rules will vary from one local authority to the next, and so it’s worth checking before you arrive. Wherever you’re staying, courtesy is required. Make sure that you don’t disturb your neighbours, and that you take any rubbish with you when you go.
Clean air zones, low-emission rules and running costs
One perhaps overlooked aspect of motorhome ownership stems from the fact that these are large, polluting vehicles. If you intend to drive through a city centre, then make sure that you pay any relevant Clean Air charges. If you don’t, then you might find yourself faced with a fine. For motorists who live in the middle of a city, this might inflate the cost of owning a vehicle of this kind, so make sure that you understand what you’re getting into.
