When it comes to driving and manoeuvring, following a few simple steps can have a big impact, not only making you a better motorhome driver but also helping you enjoy more stress-free journeys.
The freedom to set off whenever you want to a destination of your choosing is one of the joys of touring. Whether you’re heading to one of the best motorhome sites or are embarking on one of the best UK road trips, it’s well worth taking the time to carry out some advance preparation to ensure you have a more comfortable time on the road.
Combine this with an attentive attitude when you’re behind the wheel and you’ll be well on your way to achieving a safe and pleasant drive to your destination.
In this guide, we’re sharing eight simple tips that will have you driving your ‘van with confidence. For ease, you can quickly navigate to a particular section via the menu below.
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How to be a better motorhome driver:
Know your (size) limits
Before you set off
Carefully load your motorhome
Give yourself plenty of space
Beware of the overhang
Stick to the speed limits
Take a training course
If the worst should happen
1. Know your (size) limits
It’s a good idea to have the dimensions of your vehicle – including the height, width, length and various motorhome weights – to hand when you’re in the driving seat. Some ‘van owners will print out the information and keep it attached to the dashboard.
It can be well worth investing in one of the best motorhome sat navs before you set off on your trip too. These can have your ‘van’s dimensions programmed in, and will then devise a suitable route to follow, taking into account any obstacles that could otherwise be encountered when you’re on the road, such as low bridges or sharp turns.
One that we particularly rate is the Garmin Camper 795, a gadget that was a winner at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2024. We like how it came packed full of features that ensure you reach your destination safely and can also enhance your tours. This is because it not only takes your motorhome’s dimensions into account but also doubles up as a tour guide, providing suggestions for places to visit in the area. This ensures you don’t miss any standout attractions in the area, helping you to get the most from your travels.
Be sure to keep an eye out for any road and warning signs though. After all, sat navs are not infallible, and it could help you avoid getting into a sticky situation.
2. Before you set off
Safe driving starts long before you turn the key in the ignition – you should be ensuring your motorhome is ready to go before every trip.
Take a look at the condition of your motorhome tyres. Check that there are no cuts or bulges and there’s plenty of tread left (at least 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tread all the way around the tyre).
Make sure there’s the correct motorhome tyre pressure, too.
Don’t overlook the spare tyre either. Some have a tyre-repair kit instead of a spare – if this applies to you, check its use-by date to see if the sealant needs replacing.
Make sure you have ample screen washer fluid and the engine oil is at the correct level. If your motorhome potentially requires AdBlue, carry that with you too – the latter is available in much smaller containers these days, which will help save your payload.
Carry out these checks a few days in advance if you’re setting off on a long journey – this will give you the time to buy anything you need.
3. Carefully load your motorhome
Knowing how to load a motorhome makes life a lot easier. Keep heavy items low down, directly above the axle(s). Retaining bars can be used to stop things moving around while you’re on the road – it’s easy for luggage to shift in the ’van, especially if you brake heavily. Only use the overhead lockers for light items.
4. Give yourself plenty of space
When you’re behind the wheel of a heavy vehicle, anticipation is going to be incredibly important. This is because the stopping distance will increase as the heaviness of the ‘van increases. As a result, it will be crucial to give the vehicle in front of you plenty of space.
As a basic rule of thumb, you should be leaving a two-second gap when driving regularly. This is something we would advise increasing when you’re driving a motorhome – and if you’re driving in wet conditions, doubling it.
Overtaking is a trickier manoeuvre in a larger vehicle. This is because your motorhome accelerates more slowly than a regular car, and you’ll also need to allow for the extra length of the ’van when changing lanes on the motorway. As a result, you should be especially cautious and only overtake when you’re certain that it is safe to do so.
5. Beware of the overhang
Walk around a coachbuilt motorhome and you’ll likely see there’s ‘a lot of it’ behind the rear wheels.
Thus, when emerging from a narrow opening – your driveway, say – always proceed straight ahead until the rear is clear, before turning left or right.
Changing direction prematurely might result in ‘tail swiping’ of the gateposts, or other obstacles.
A good motorhome driving tip is to note that the mirrors stick out further than the bodywork. So if your mirrors fit through a gap, the motorhome will too!
6. Stick to the speed limits
Speed limits for motorhomes with a maximum unladen weight of 3050kg are the same as for cars. Heavier ’vans – those with an unladen weight of more than 3050kg – are restricted to 50mph on single carriageways, 60mph on dual carriageways and 70mph on motorways.
When you are towing a trailer in either case, the speed limit is 60mph on dual carriageways and motorways.To find out more about the limits, visit www.gov.uk/speed-limits.
7. Take a training course
The Caravan and Motorhome Club, The Camping and Caravanning Club and a number of driving schools run specialist motorhome courses.
The C&CC course, at its HQ near Coventry (CV4 8JH), costs £160 for members, £185 for non-members. This year is fully booked, but you can register interest for 2024.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club course costs £184. The Club carries out driver training courses at 18 sites across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
8. If the worst should happen
Fortunately, serious collisions involving motorhomes are rare. However, accidents can occur to even the best prepared.
In the event of one, find a safe place to stop, assuming the motorhome can still be driven. It may be easier said than done when you’re in a larger vehicle, but once you’re parked away from other traffic, you’ll be safer.
Switch your hazard warning lights on and turn the engine off. Then, if you have one, put on a high-vis jacket. This is worth having for every passenger onboard too – if you travel abroad, it’s usually the law to wear one if you’re in an incident as well.
Call the emergency services if someone has been hurt, and help the injured if it’s possible, without putting yourself in danger from traffic. Quiet casualties may need first aid more desperately than someone who is crying for help. If you’re in a dangerous spot or blocking the road, you should also ring the police.
A warning triangle can be placed in the road as a warning to other traffic if required, but avoid putting yourself at risk of other traffic as you do so.
Should nobody be hurt, you should instead photograph any damage, exchange insurance details with other drivers, and get the names and contact details of witnesses.
Are you looking for some tips for what to take in your ‘van? Then follow our guide to kitting out your motorhome to make sure you have everything you need for your upcoming tour. You can also consider joining a motorhome owners club if you’re looking for more sociable touring.
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