We get plenty of questions on e-mail and social media. Whilst we are able to’t present 1-1 emails (or we’d by no means have time to do anything!), you’ll discover LOADS of data on this web site (utilizing the search perform) or on our YouTube channel.
We’ve additionally answered a few of the extra frequent questions requested about motorhoming and campervanning, together with touring the UK and Europe right here. If you have got any extra, be happy to depart a touch upon this web page and we’ll do our greatest to reply it.
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Practical Motorhoming Tips
Campsites
“Can you recommend anywhere to overnight in________”
This publish might help you discover motorhome/ campervan spots to remain.
If you need extra suggestions, take a look at our street journey planners, which have in-depth itineraries and in a single day recommendations.
“What breakdown cover is best for motorhomes?”
This publish on motorhome breakdown cowl will assist.
“Have you ever come across any product that stops your floor rugs from sliding when travelling in the Motorhome?”
Yup- these!
“Can’t I just refill normal LPG bottles?”
Please don’t- it’s extremely harmful. Refillable LPG bottles or tanks have minimize off valves to cease over filling so the liquid can flip right into a gasoline. Normal bottles don’t have these so you may overfill and find yourself with liquid popping out of your gasoline jets or an excessive amount of strain within the bottle.
And sure, I do know there are adapters which might do it and locations which supply the service, however I extremely suggest you spend money on correct refillable LPG bottles which have all the security options.
“A while back you reviewed power packs and for whatever reason I didn’t get round to getting one. Now I’m looking again but I see powerpacks are also available with battery chargers/jump leads and tyre compressors on some (a basic tyre pressure unit has been useless and failed before getting anywhere near 80psi) … and now I am lost in my search. Can you help in suggesting which I should be looking at?”
It relies upon what you need the facility pack for. I primarily have one so I can energy my laptop computer and work outdoors or away from the motorhome, so I like this one.
If you primarily need one to kickstart a flat engine, you’ll want one like this with an enormous quantity of energy, but it surely doesn’t have any 3 pin sockets for charging units that want these. Sadly, there’s no ‘one thing is best’ reply.
Wild Camping with a motorhome
“You say you have not used a campsite for over 3 weeks (whilst touring Ireland.) How have you managed to dispose of Grey & Toilet Waste? This is a common concern for most who are likely to try wild camping”
I exploit authorised disposal factors or companies on Aires. This publish will assist you additional.
“As I’m looking at stopping in wild places I need a solar panel. Any recommendations?”
A hard and fast panel in your roof is best than a flexi one. I’ve each a 100w and a 200w panel on my roof they usually had been professionally fitted.
“My question is about safety. I agree your advice re ‘gut feeling’ but to do that you need to have another site to go to. What sort of time do you usually arrive at your site on the day? If things don’t feel right you have to have time to find another place right?”
It depends upon the day and place. Sometimes I flip up mid-afternoon, others I flip up later. There’s nearly all the time one other spot inside an hour or so. I be certain to learn the opinions very fastidiously earlier than deciding on a spot. I’ve additionally moved throughout the evening if wanted. Keep your van able to go at very quick discover.
Motorhome wild tenting guides for the UK & Europe
UK & Ireland touring ideas
“Ireland- how much of a faff is it taking the dog?”
You can see what I wanted on this video. There are additionally extra ideas in my Vanlife with Dogs information.
Europe touring Tips
Paperwork
“Thank you for your informative emails, they are always interesting to read. We would just like to ask a question please regarding travelling through Austria and Switzerland, which we intend to do next month. We have a 2 berth, 6 mtr motorhome, which was new last year and has the latest Euro 6 engine. We intend to travel through the tunnel and make Bruges our first stop, then into Germany, down the Rhine, eventually into Austria, Switzerland and back through the east side of France. We would just like to ask if we needed anything in particular for Austria and Switzerland, other than the usual stuff we have for France, someone was saying we needed particular forms for crossing the border? Hope you can help.”
Nope- you don’t want something completely different, though you’ll need to purchase a vignette for every nation in the event you want to use the principle roads. This is very easy to do and is finished on the border. You can discover out extra right here: Motorhoming in Switzerland
Connectors
“What’s the best electric connection to have for Europe, would the 16A blue commando plug work? and equally what water connections could you recommend please”
Your regular lead will work for many European campsites- I’d suggest taking one at the very least 20m lengthy or one in every of these extenders. I’d additionally take one in every of these and a splitter.
For water, 1/2″ and three/4″ are greatest (like this), however take a collapsible jug too and one in every of these packs.
Taking a canine to Europe
“Just wondering from your experience how easy is it to find a vet before the return trip to England. What you do, costs etc.”
This publish will assist, as will my Vanlife with Dogs e-book.
Internet
“We are travelling to France in May for a month. We have the very same Wi-Fi unit (as your internet in a motorhome post recommends) but which sim do you use for your French travel? Ideally we just want data only sim, for just 30 days.”
I’ve an EE sim which I pay for on a month-to-month contract. Data solely is okay, and you will get PAYG if that’s higher for you. Just make certain it’s unlocked for roaming.
Winter Touring
“We are considering renting a motorhome in Europe in December/ January, to explore France and Germany. Do you recommend us renting that time of year? Are there issues we are not aware of? Will the vans with the canvas tops be too cold?”
It will certainly be chilly and also you’ll must be sure you have heating, which can imply you’ll want plenty of LPG (until the vans have diesel heating.) In my opinion, the canvas high can be freezing!
Be conscious many campsites are closed at the moment of yr, though aires could also be open. You may also get snow. This publish has extra ideas for winter motorhoming.
Motorbikes
“I hear that transporting motorbikes into Europe since the dreadful Brexit requires additional paperwork & costs. What was your experience when transporting your motorbike & did you require additional paperwork & incur additional costs?”
The distinction right here is within the phrase ‘transporting’. Taking your personal bike for a visit is just not an issue. ‘Transporting’ different folks’s bikes (comparable to in the event you’re transport them out to Spain for a monitor day) requires a carnet. Obviously, carry your logbook and different paperwork to show possession and insurance coverage.
Misc Questions
“I’ve lost your email on________. Can you resend it?”
All my articles are on this web site (https://www.wandering-bird.com) so you possibly can seek for them utilizing the search perform on the backside of this web page.
“Could you please tell me what the situation is with electric vehicles and will you only be able to use electric vehicles including motor homes after 2030 (I think the date is correct)?”
No concept sorry- I don’t assume anybody is aware of that! My intestine feeling is they’ll’t eliminate all current autos that quickly, so they could simply ban sale of recent diesel autos while working in direction of one other resolution.
