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 below are the important issues you could know and step-by-step steerage to your first journey in your motorhome or camper.
Don’t neglect to seize your FREE motorhome departure guidelines under so you could have all the things 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 below are our greatest suggestions and recommendation for brand new or first time motorhome house owners (and step-by-step steerage to 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 certainly one of them has a query about a facet of motorhoming which was worrying them, however they felt embarrassed to ask.
It’s a wierd hobby- only a few of us be part of a membership or have any training- so we find yourself surrounded by like-minded folks, but with no-one to point out us the ropes.
We frequently discover ourselves on a campsite, on our very first motorhome vacation, feeling totally bewildered, surrounded by individuals who appear to have all of it found out.
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 rookies right here
Right here’s a step-by-step information on what to do to 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 pastime in the absolute best means.
Seize a cup of one thing and a notepad. First VERY IMPORTANT tip- No person will know in the event 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 need to GO. However belief me, if you determine these items first, your first journey will go rather a lot smoother.
Firstly, do NOT do what I did and plan a visit a whole bunch of miles down the street, with no clue what you’re doing. Discover a native web site and e-book an evening or two. We advise a correct campsite to your first journey, fairly than wild tenting. Right here’s easy methods 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. Possibly go away the children at buddies or family- though I recognize this can be robust in the event that they’re excited too!
Ensure you have/ perceive:
Additionally, be sure you’ve packed your motorhome securely and have gotten sufficient motorhome safety gadgets to guard your asset.
Lastly, in the event you didn’t have a motorhome habitation examine completed as a part of the sale, we strongly urge you to get one completed earlier than your first journey.
Tips on 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 understanding what to depart behind! Don’t pack as in the event 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 possibly can seize these motorhome checklists to assist.
Important packing checklist:
- 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 superb time for a beer/ bottle of wine to have a good time 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
- Rest room 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 luggage!
- A lighter, for lighting BBQ or hob. Simply in case.
- Transportable BBQ/ campfire bucket (if allowed on the campsite)
- Electrical cable (230v- make it a pleasant lengthy cable)
- Hose for consuming water and faucet connector (again- make it a pleasant lengthy hose that you just ONLY use for consuming water)
- Rest room cassette- Please examine it’s in there first!!
- Levelling chocks if not already along with your motorhome (these are NOT important to 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 know the way issues work, or in the event you 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.
See EVERYTHING we advocate for:
Ideas for brand new motorhome owners- Different issues to examine earlier than you allow
Verify the waste outlet faucet and the freshwater tank faucets are closed – you probably have a handbook system. Verify 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 possibly can go for:
- Swap system – like Calor or JGas
- Re-fillable system – like Gaslow or Safefill
On the time of updating this submit (2025), most suppliers nonetheless don’t permit the acquisition of a Calor bottle in the event 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 gasoline in Europe could be robust with out the proper 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 complete submit about easy methods to drive a motorhome for beginners- you will discover it right here.
First journey in a brand new motorhome- Tips on how to discover a campsite
There are a great deal of campsites across the UK (in the event you’re not within the UK, I guess there are campsites close to you too!) For motorhome rookies, I might advocate becoming a member of a motorhome membership and staying at certainly one of their websites. An alternative 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 the event you’re not a member, though you’ll pay extra.
I might counsel reserving the campsite upfront, 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 world effectively and know the place the small/ slender/ congested roads are.
Your first journey will not be the time to attempt wild parking / off grid. Work out how all the things works first, then set off into the wild! Should you do need to attempt off-grid life, right here’s a step-by-step information to wild tenting with a motorhome within the UK.
Be sure you use a motorhome sat-nav in the event 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, be sure they’re allowed on the site- many campsites limit canine 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 can also make positive all the things works because it ought to. You’ll be able to at all times unplug the electrical if you wish to check how issues work utilizing simply your motorhome home battery.
READ MORE: Tips on how to drive a motorhome: suggestions and methods for rookies
Recommendation for brand new motorhome owners- What to do if you arrive on the campsite
While you arrive, there will probably be a reception constructing. Typically, 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 are going to ask for cost in the event you haven’t paid already. They may also 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 folks and animals onboard, so they may ask what number of adults/ youngsters/pets and many others you could have onboard.
They are going to then usually provide you with a map of the campsite (which frequently has the location guidelines on the again) and they’re going to both inform you which pitch to park on, or inform you to go and choose your personal pitch. Should 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/ bathrooms and likewise for the entry/ exit barrier if obligatory.
Tips on how to choose a spot for a motorhome or campervan
There isn’t a proper or flawed reply to this. I promise. No-one will probably be judging you. It’s totally private desire the place you select to park.
I don’t use campsite bathrooms or services fairly often, so I are likely 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!
In fact, you might need to park subsequent to the children play space, or the bathe block. During which case, choose a spot close to there. On a busy weekend, you won’t 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 degree the motorhome immediately, it’ll make your life a lot simpler.
Tips on how to park up along with your new motorhome
Some campsites are VERY strict on the subject 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 effective.
You’ll be able to typically inform if you check-in; in the event you’re given a 5-minute instruction on how the again left bumper of your motorhome MUST be solely 5 inches from the white submit, at a 73.6 diploma angle… you higher listen!
If not, then you possibly can loosen up 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: Strive to not shout at one another in the event you’re along with your accomplice and even with buddies/ youngsters.
Significantly- there’s nothing worse. Be affected person and sort whilst you be taught and determine this entire factor out. Particularly if certainly one 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 need to choose your spot, go away an indication or electrical cable the place you need to park up, after which go get water. There’ll in all probability be a number of consuming water filling spots across the campsite.
Some campsites even have faucets on every pitch, however most don’t. In contrast to caravans, you could 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 distant the faucet is!
Should you drive to the water, simply pull in and join your water hose. You’ll usually want to supply your personal faucet connector – it’s value having a few these, since you WILL in some unspecified time in the future, go away it behind! 🙂 I at all times use my very own hose as a substitute 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 in all probability have to 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 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 degree the motorhome. Take a deep breath- this will get nerve-racking. You typically solely have two levelling chocks on a motorhome– one for both sides. Usually, you’d use them on the entrance wheels, however it’ll rely upon 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 driving force to SLOWLY reverse or drive onto them.
You might need to shuttle a number of instances to get the angle proper. One chock may must be nearer to the wheel, whereas one other is just a little 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 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 🙂
Ideas for brand new campervan and motorhome owners- Plugging in Electrical
I at all times plug the tip of the cable into the motorhome first (don’t worry- there’s just one finish which might match within the van, and one which works into the outlet on the location.) By plugging the van in, after which the location, you aren’t strolling round with a reside electrical cable.
As soon as it’s plugged in, attempt 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 potential. There have been incidents of electrical cables catching hearth when they’re left tightly coiled. Go away a number of toes between corners and you ought to be effective.
Some campsite may have totally different bollard connection setups – some it’s only a plug in and also you’re good to go, whereas others, you will have 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 you could 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 at all times cautious with gasoline.
Don’t panic, there are far fewer incidents with motorhomes and van- particularly fashionable ones, so you possibly can open the gasoline bottle totally in the event you like.
There’ll at all times be a short odor of gasoline if you mild the hob or oven, and generally if 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 mild something. Await 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 pal of mine is tremendous cautious of gasoline additionally, and she or he makes use of this machine when altering over her gasoline bottle when one runs out – only for peace of thoughts that there isn’t any leak. She makes use of the hand wheel gasoline pig tail (pipe) as she finds it simpler than the spanner model.
Rest room 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 referred to as Solbio natural bathroom fluid, which is pure and doesn’t comprise dangerous chemical compounds.
It’s additionally protected to be disposed of in septic tanks or fosse, which means I’ve extra choices to get rid of 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.
Ensure 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 go away 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. Many of the work is completed, so now it’s time to start out stress-free.
These are among the different jobs I do once I’ve parked up:
- Make up the mattress
- Get out chairs/ outdoor desk you probably have them (don’t panic in the event you don’t- these are NOT important to your first journey!)
- Put out the awning (see under)
- Begin dinner/ get meals
- Put the canine outdoors on a longish lead- be sure he can’t get close to anybody else to trouble them. We additionally need to regulate pleasant youngsters who at all times need to provide him their chocolate! (Should you don’t know, chocolate is toxic to canine.)
Issues to check in your new motorhome
When you’re arrange in your first campsite along with your new motorhome, there are a number of issues I like to recommend attempting/ checking- particularly in the event you’re a brand new motorhome proprietor. I don’t advocate doing all of them at once- simply deal with the checklist one after the other. Ensure to loosen up and revel 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 in all probability 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 then you definately 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 need to launch. Because the awning extends, it’ll get decrease and decrease. Ultimately, you’ll have the ability to attain it. The legs will typically be contained in the entrance fringe of the awning- pull them out after which twist them downwards to decrease and lengthen to the specified top.
That in all probability 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 in the event you put it away moist it’ll begin to rot. All the time go away the awning to dry out as a lot as potential earlier than you place it away.
TIP – no matter climate, use storm straps or rachet straps when your awning is out, it will provide you with peace of thoughts and that further degree of the awning not blowing away :).
First journey in a motorhome- Some unwritten guidelines of campsites
Most of those are widespread 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. Typically there are recycling services, so use these if potential
- 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 get rid of it within the bins supplied.
- Ensure your youngsters/ 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 turbines in the event you can probably assist it- and positively not within the night/ at evening
- Anticipate folks to speak to you- particularly you probably have youngsters/ animals. I’ve by no means been as common because the time I bought 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, it would be best to type issues out to your liking, however hopefully you’d settled sufficient now to get pleasure from your self! And in the event you’ve forgotten something, you possibly can simply pop dwelling (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 in all probability have a complete lengthy checklist of belongings you need 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 all the things is put away safely.
Ensure all home windows and hatches are closed earlier than you begin driving. You’ll in all probability need to empty water and waste tanks, though you possibly can empty the bathroom at dwelling in the event 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 many others. 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 potential 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, often by means of 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 tip of the cassette, and switch it the other way up into the outlet. Yep, it’ll in all probability odor fairly unhealthy. You may need to put on gloves for this bit. Ensure it’s completely empty earlier than changing it into the motorhome. Mine clicks shut- be certain it’s in appropriately!
You’ll be able to, in fact, select to empty the bathroom at your own home if you return dwelling… I attempted this as soon as and vowed by no means again- it smells horrendous!
Emptying the recent water
You’ll in all probability have extra recent water. Don’t go away this in your tank for weeks- it may well 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 probably be two separate faucets for this underneath your car.
Earlier than you allow the location, return any keys you needed to the reception, or put them within the field by the exit.
Last recommendation for brand new motorhome owners- Again at dwelling
When you’re safely dwelling, you’ll need 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- be sure rain can’t get in! If unsure, shut all of it up and are available again to air not less than as soon as each different week.
Observe – you probably have a more recent van, this isn’t obligatory as it’ll have inbuilt air flow within the roof sky home windows. - Take away all valuables, together with your motorhome Sat Nav and many others
- Allow alarm and immobiliser and different motorhome safety gadgets
- 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!
Final replace on 2025-04-12 / Affiliate hyperlinks / Photographs from Amazon Product Promoting API
