Pitching up at a site of your choosing and exploring a new destination is one of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a ‘van. However, there’s no getting away from the fact that mistakes can occur when you’re on-site, no matter which of the best campervan sites UK you’ve chosen to stay at in your motorhome. It doesn’t always matter how experienced you are either – errors can happen, whether you’re embarking on your first tour or are a seasoned motorhomer – as I, the editor of Practical Motorhome, can vouch for.
That’s something that has prompted me and the expert team at Practical Motorhome, including Deputy editor Paul Critcher, Reviews editor Peter Baber, Staff writer Jo Davies, and contributors Diamond Dave, Gentleman Jack and Nigel Donnelly, to share the mistakes you’ll want to avoid next time you’re pitched up at a campsite…
1. Not checking the site gates are open
Having decided between Eurotunnel or Ferry, I once had to make a swift dash across northern France to catch an early ferry, after not checking that the locked campsite gates would be open for my planned exit at 6am. Luckily I made it (just), but ever since then, it’s made me super-aware of site timings, to avoid the same thing happening again…
2. Driving off with hook-up still attached
This error from Diamond Dave is a straightforward one you’ll want to remember before driving a motorhome away from your pitch: “If you’ve been on a pitch with mains hook-up, be sure to check that you’ve disconnected it before you drive off. I once forgot that my motorhome was hooked up in the workshop and when I started to reverse out, there was a loud bang and all the lights went out as the hook-up lead pulled the socket off the wall and knocked out the trip.”
3. Pitching too far from washblocks
It’s not just a case of choosing the right campsite, says Jo Davies, but also ensuring you have selected a well-placed pitch too. Jo says: “Not weighing up which pitch is best for you (if you’re given a choice) can mean you miss out on making your stay even more comfortable. In my opinion, it’s always better to be a little too close to the washblock, rather than too far away. I recently stayed on a pitch that was closest to the facilities and the ease of taking a quick shower was great. It also made emptying our cassette and waste-water container easier, and we had no washing-up hanging around.”
Top tip: Check out the site map online before you stay at any campsite and try requesting a pitch depending on your needs.
4. Leaving your waste-water drain open
This is seen fairly frequently – the mucky stream of water pouring from a motorhome’s waste-water drain when driving along can give us motorhomers a bad name, and is definitely frowned upon on-site. You should only ever drain out your waste water where the campsite instructs you to do so – and never onto the road.
5. Not taking your awning down on a windy day
One year, on a particularly blustery tour to Trewethett Farm Caravan and Motorhome Club Site in Tintagel, north Cornwall, I witnessed many motorhomers dismiss the campsite owners’ warnings about the danger of strong winds – only to find their awning damaged the following morning. Don’t risk it: at the first hint of wild winds, take down (or roll in) the awning. Otherwise, you may find yourself having to choose a new motorhome awning at the end of your tour…
6. Assuming that you can always use the groundsheet
We all know the benefits of having the best motorhome awning and how the extra space can be a real boon to ‘van owners. However, don’t assume that you can automatically lay a groundsheet down.
Reviews editor Peter Baber says: “You might still think that every tent needs a groundsheet, but awnings are a very different matter. Many caravan park owners assume that you will be staying for a while, and if you leave your groundsheet down for a week or so, it can easily kill off any grass growing underneath. This is why campsites often ban the use of groundsheets, and why many of the awning manufacturers now usually supply their products without them. So always remember to check if a groundsheet is going to be allowed, before you start pegging one down in your awning.”
7. Not checking the WiFi code
Internet in a motorhome can make a real difference to your touring experience but you need to ensure you have the means to access the site’s WiFi, as Peter explains: “If, like me, you have teenage children who, on arrival, demand to know the site’s Wi-Fi code before you have even applied the handbrake, remember to ask for it at reception. It’s easy to forget, because they usually don’t tell you about it straight off. And in my experience, by the time you remember you need the code, reception has closed, and the tiny notice with the code on it is there, behind the desk, just out of sight from where you are desperately banging on the door.”
8. Assuming the sat nav knows best
Do you use a sat nav in your ‘van? Peter says: “Satellite navigation is, of course, often incredibly useful. But you still need to use your own eyes, particularly if you have a sat nav that has not been modified for motorhomes – and sometimes even then. I was once following the directions for a caravan park near Longleat, which I eventually decided were actually taking me to the lion enclosure! On another memorable occasion, the sat nav cheerfully led me down a single-track road to a 6ft-high tunnel. Reversing back from that particular spot was a real joy, let me tell you.”
See what we have to say when we answer the question “do you need a special sat nav for a motorhome” too, where we explain why a ‘van sat nav is a crucial piece of touring gear.
9. Forgetting your levelling ramps
Having a pair of the best motorhome levelling ramps can allow you to ensure you have a flat ‘van for the duration of your tour, saving you from the many issues that can arise if it’s angled.
However, Andy has a simple word of advice – don’t forget them at the end of the tour! He says: “I always carry wheel levelling chocks; they are ideal for dealing with uneven pitches. But they are all too easily left behind. Distractions can make a fool of you and, yes, we drove away leaving them there. Luckily, the campsite owner kept them for my return – and I only did it the once!”
10. Not saying hi to site neighbours
Being sociable at motorhome sites can make a big difference to your experience, says Staff writer Jo Davies.
She explains: “One of the many great things about staying at campsites is that everyone is there for the same reason! If you are going to be pitched up somewhere for a while, you’ll be missing out if you don’t give your campsite neighbours a quick “hello”. You could be getting great recommendations for the most interesting local attractions, enjoying a really engaging chat, or even being invited to their barbecue. It’s also helpful to be on friendly terms if you need to ask them politely to turn their music down at 1am…”
11. Running out of cleaning supplies
Whether it’s a motorhome vacuum cleaner for getting rid of dirt and crumbs, or a cloth to wipe up stains, having a good supply of cleaning products will be a big part of enjoying your living area.
Jo says: “Living in a relatively small space is fine when it comes to tidying, because it takes no time at all to clear up, even when your motorhome is at its messiest. However, to my horror on a recent tour, I found that we hadn’t restocked the cleaning cupboard. I stared despairingly at the crumbs and coffee rings, wishing that I could find just one forgotten cloth at the back of the drawer. No such luck. From now on, I’ll be making a careful list of necessary supplies as we go along, ensuring that I can replenish my arsenal of cleaning materials at the end of each tour.”
In short, make sure you’re kitting out your motorhome with everything you could need.
12. Keeping a hook-up lead wound up
You will often see this on site, but it’s not recommended – once your hook-up lead is plugged into your motorhome and the bollard, make sure that it’s uncoiled or loosely wound. Leave it coiled up and it will generate heat, potentially even resulting in a fire. See our advice on motorhome fire safety for more tips on staying safe on tour.
13. Missing out on a barbecue
The best barbecue for a motorhome can be a real tour enhancer, says Paul. He adds: “Is it a proper holiday without a barbecue? Some campers can be upset by the smells and smoke, so be considerate and cook your meal at a distance or in a proper barbecue spot – these are increasingly seen in the UK. You gotta have a barbecue! Banger, anyone?”
14. Not packing for the weather
Jo likes to ‘pack for the weather you want, not the weather you have’. However, she warns of the downside of this policy: “This has resulted in embarking on many trips with a plethora of shorts and sandals, only to spend the week shivering in my one fleece. These days, I use weather apps, cross-referencing BBC Weather with the Met Office, and assume that it’s going to rain at some point. There is nothing worse than being underprepared for what you want to do, so I’d always recommend packing 20% more warmer clothes than you expect to need.” Ok, you can always turn to the best 12v heater for a campervan to keep warm, but making sure you’re dressed appropriately can make a huge difference.
15. Overfilling your ‘van with guests
When does a four-berth motorhome suddenly become an eight-berth? No, this isn’t a riddle about the layouts of motorhomes. Instead, Paul warns: “Invariably, at a music festival, when a spirit of peace, love and generosity (well, a spirit of some sort!) has momentarily overcome you to such a degree that you’ve invited those new friends you’ve just met, who have been struggling to set up their tent, to join you in the motorhome for the night. It’s only when you wake up at 4am to the sound of a snoring flatulent who sleeps with their eyes open that you realise you have made a somewhat regrettable decision.”
16. Not winding up your steadies
Diamond Dave advises: “An all too common mistake is to drive off from your pitch without raising the corner steadies. This will usually leave a couple of furrows across your pitch at the very least, although I know of one case where the corner steady hit a rock and the steady was pushed up through the rear floor of the motorhome – a very expensive mistake to make. Leaving the winding handle resting across the driver’s pedals will help to remind you to check this before you depart.”
17. Paying high WI-FI charges at the campsite
John has a tip for those who don’t want to encounter high WiFi charges: “When you’re camping, good Wi-Fi is as essential as bacon and Yorkshire teabags! This being the case, you should plan your Wi-Fi access, especially when heading abroad. For example, one year, it cost me £24 in campsite Wi-Fi just to watch Andy Murray losing a Wimbledon final. The Wi-Fi was only available in three-hour slots, but the match lasted for three hours and 24 minutes. I was dischuffed. Hire a dongle before you leave the UK to avoid incurring these costs.”
18. Overflowing the toilet cassette
This one from John could help you avoid some unpleasant aromas. He says: “Letting my children ignore the toilet cassette red light when they were small was a huge mistake! There are so many nooks and crannies in the cassette locker, and after sponging out the, er, spillage, I had to clean every inch with wet wipes, twice. We were in France and it was only 36°C. Très malodorant!”
19. Forgetting to close a rooflight
Diamond Dave advises: “When leaving a campsite, make sure that all your windows and rooflights are fully closed and securely latched. A window left open will be torn off at motorway speeds and can do a lot of damage in the process. This is an expensive item to replace, not to mention the risk of damage to other drivers on the highways.”
20. Not choosing a campsite suited to your needs
We’ve all been there – at a campsite that’s more ‘family friendly’ (read, lots of kids running around) than we wanted, or with less to do in the area than expected. Always read the site reviews before booking, to check that you’ll actually be getting what you want from your stay! For instance, if it’s peace and quiet you’re after, a stay at an adults only motorhome site could be a better bet.
21. Visiting the same places
Deciding where to go can be a tricky choice, and it can sometimes be tempting to return to the tried and trusted locations that you know will deliver, says Nigel Donnelly.
However, this can have a potential downside, he says: “After you’ve been touring for a while, you’ll have found a few favourite sites, and before you know it, you are heading to the same ones each time you hit the road. Mix in your favourites with the occasional new destination. If you have an area that you like, next time you are there, pop into reception at a couple of other local sites to grab a leaflet and perhaps have a look around. You might just find yourselves a new favourite spot.”
22. Making a really disastrous exit
Having a quick check of everything before you leave is well worth the time, says Gentleman Jack. He explains: “After packing away, but before driving off your pitch, walk around the exterior of the ’van to check that everything is stowed for departure. Common errors include not lowering the TV aerial/dish, not disconnecting the hook-up lead, and leaving washing on the bike rack where it was drying. I recall running over the fire-bucket, diligently placed at the front of the ’van, but of course, not visible from the driver’s seat!”
23. Walking over someone else’s pitch
Is this the biggest breach of campsite etiquette? It’s a big no-no for Paul, who says: “If an English person’s home is their castle, a motorhomer’s home is their pitch, and nobody wants you (or anyone else for that matter) tripping over guy ropes, stomping through neatly laid out equipment and picnic blankets, or just generally being in their space. It’s easy: simply think privacy, security and courtesy… and don’t walk over my pitch!”
24. Playing music or a TV too loud
We’ve all been on sites with a noisy neighbour – it’s not pleasant. Always bear in mind how much noise you are making, especially in your awning – fabric isn’t soundproof! Keep noise to a minimum, particularly during the evenings and at night-time.
25. Unhooking the electric motorhome-end first
Always remove your mains hook-up lead from the bollard before you remove it from the ’van. Otherwise, you risk trailing a live cable across potentially wet grass – not a combination to aspire to!
26. Leaving a dog to bark in your ’Van
Touring with a pet can be highly enjoyable, with many sites catering to the needs of our four-legged friends. However, you need to be considerate of your fellow guests. Jo says: “Although a noisy pooch is usually just frustrated, it can be a headache to others on site, and against site rules. If you’re leaving your dog in the ’van, don’t leave them unwalked or without water bowls topped up. You can always rely on a few of their favourite toys or chews, too. Never leave them in the ’van on a hot day, either.”
27. Not remembering to clear food from the fridge
One former PM tester only remembered that they had forgotten to remove a wheel of blue cheese from one of our motorhome’s fridges, a whole month after their trip – cue lots of apologies and frantic scrubbing! But it’s easily done: always be sure to remove all your fridge’s contents at the end of each tour, otherwise you risk a stinky surprise the next time you are going away…
If you’re planning to store your ‘van over the off-season instead of embarking on a tour anytime soon, it’s important to have the appropriate security accessories in place too – one such instance is the best motorhome wheel clamp, which can provide valuable peace of mind and a great visual deterrent.
Lead image: Getty
Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Motorhome, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. You should check that any van warranty will not be affected before proceeding with DIY projects.
If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Motorhome magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things motorhome related.
