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Wi-Fi and Motorhomes

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

If you’re reading this now then you’re obviously pretty technically savvy, but you might not have thought about the possibility of taking an internet connection on the road with you. One thing that can make camping a breeze is a good connection and searching for campsites, fuel stations and food stops can be made much easier with Wi-Fi. There are a number of ways that you can do this and they all range in price, so here’s a quick guide:

Relying on Hotspots

Plenty of campers like to just rely on finding a hotspot wherever they are and connecting up. Lots of campsites offer free broadband but independent providers (in particular BT) offer good hotspots across the country. This can be a good way of getting Wi-Fi around Europe as you protect yourself from any potentially expensive roaming charges. Check the details and offers available before you go and make sure you have a reliable laptop or tablet to take with you.

Mobile Broadband

The simplest way of taking Wi-Fi wherever you are is with a mobile broadband contract. Often these cost around £20 per month and give you an allocation of data, providing there is some signal where you are. Look for the deals that include free hardware (like laptops) and do be careful when travelling on the continent, roaming charges for UK contracts can add up.

Mi-Fi

Mi-Fi is a part of the next generation of Wi-Fi devices and acts as a clever, portable router that you can connect a number of devices to. You’ll need a mobile phone sim-card which allows you to access the internet or to sign up for one of the broadband deals. This technology is reasonably new at the moment, but theoretically a strong contract could replace your home broadband and be free for you to take with you wherever you are.

There are lots of ways to access the internet when you’re in your motorhome, it’s just about finding the one that matches your budget and usage. If you’re thinking of carrying expensive IT equipment with you, make sure you back it up with a good motorhome insurance policy and watch those European roaming charges if you’re travelling abroad.

Campsite Disputes

Friday, April 20th, 2012

Holidays are stressful – it’s been said. However idyllic the open road and sea air might seem there are always problems, whether it’s a five hour queue on the M4, an unplanned return journey to pick up your forgotten mobile phone or just a bad night’s sleep the night before, things can get tense. So when you do finally arrive, the last thing you need is a dispute with your neighbours at a campsite. Here’s a quick guide to keeping relations good.

Noise

One thing that a lot of campers are very insistent about is noise late at night. Sleeping in a motorhome isn’t always the most comfortable experience and with background noise it’s even more difficult to get some rest. Be respectful of others who may have children with them or, perhaps, just have an early start the next day. After 9pm think about keeping things low and after 11pm you should assume that everyone else is already asleep.

Space

Campervans are getting larger and pitches are getting squeezed so that site owners can get more and more people on to their sites. This means that you might be parked up quite close to a neighbour and they may request that you rearrange an awning or park your car elsewhere. Be respectful of this and it can be good to make the first move; if you feel like you might be encroaching on someone else’s patch let them know and keep things friendly.

Damages

One thing that’s not to be taken quite so lightly is damages. A grazed bumper from some bad parking, a wayward football or some careless cookery can all pose a risk to your motorhome. Motorhome insurance is the only sure-fire way to ensure you get your costs back because not everyone will be willing to take account of their own carelessness. Make sure you’re covered and you take good details at the incident.

It can be really frustrating having to deal with disputes when you’re meant to be on holiday but these things do happen, it’s just about being prepared for them. Always keep your policy documents handy and, as far as possible, keep things friendly – it’s much easier to find a good compromise if you’re on good terms with your neighbours.

The South West by Motorhome

Monday, April 16th, 2012

One of the most popular destinations for motorhome owners in the UK is the South West of England, in particular Devon and Cornwall. Beautiful beaches, quaint English towns and great food all attract motorhome owners to the South West, so here’s a practical guide to enjoying the South West.

Getting Around

If you’re coming from London or the North then you might be a little bit surprised that the road system in the South West isn’t always that easy. Though Exeter is easily accessible from the M5, the A30 is the main, and only, road through the heart of Cornwall and, naturally, it tends to get busy during school or bank holidays. Equally, some of the roads through Dartmoor and Bodmin are not motorhome friendly – check before you drive!

Parking Up

Both Devon and Cornwall are blessed with a large number of motorhome friendly campsites, so finding a spot here shouldn’t be a problem off-peak. During the height of the summer, though, you are well advised to book your spot as campsites will be busy. If you’re looking to camp wild then you’ll find a lot of the areas in Devon and Cornwall are run by the National Trust so do be careful where you stay.

Fuel and Amenities

Cornwall reasonably sparsely populated and, hence, you won’t find the same sort of amenities quite so frequently. Though there are plenty of fuel stations around, you shouldn’t leave it until the last minute to fill up because you may well find yourself short. Equally, though there are plenty of great grocers, butchers and fishmongers in the South West, you won’t find all that many large supermarkets once you get past Exeter. Plan wisely!

The South West is a beautiful part of the UK and best enjoyed by motorhome. You always should check that you motorhome insurance policy covers you for the areas you’re travelling to and make sure to investigate campsites, parking spots and fuel stations before you go.

Motorhome Regulations in Europe

Friday, March 30th, 2012

In Europe, breakdown services run a little differently to over here and it’s important to be aware of the differences just in case you find yourself in trouble. Here’s a quick guide to the process in France, Spain, Italy and Portugal.

Safety Equipment

Unlike in the UK, you need to carry a few items with you; a hi-vis jacket is a must if you’re stopped on the side of the road, and you’ll need a small warning triangle to let other road users know you’ve broken down. A ‘GB’ sticker will let other motorists know you’re driving a right-hand-drive vehicle and you’ll need to adjust your lights, too. You can buy from most garages a small set of stickers which allow you to cover up the bits that are likely to dazzle drivers on the other side of the road.

Getting Towed

If your motorhome actually breaks down, you’ll need to be towed. Though local services can be friendly and useful, your best bet is to get a motorhome insurance policy which covers you throughout Europe and will provide you with a courtesy car and a tow home if needs be. Only the top providers will offer this sort of thing and it may cost you extra but is certainly a worthwhile investment.

Important Documents

If stopped it is very important to have with you your passport and motorhome license. Without these, the EU authorities have no proof that you are road legal and, unlike in the UK, they’re not able to simply look you up on a database. Keep your insurance documents with you at all times too, just in case someone requires proof.

Though the bulk of Europe abide by the same regulations, check specifically what is required in the country you’re travelling to and make sure you’re not caught out. EU authorities are very thorough so don’t have your holiday compromised by a stop in a police station!

Festival Season

Wednesday, March 28th, 2012

We’ve had a glorious few weeks of weather, the sun has been shining and your mind has probably started turning to festival season. With no Glastonbury to book for this year, tickets for plenty of other festivals have been selling fast so there’s no time like the present to think about where you want to head this year. Here’s a quick guide to securing the best spot at the festival.

Booking Early

You can’t book early enough these days and make sure when you are booking a ticket you pay for the appropriate campervan or motorhome spot. Usually you’ll be out in a separate field to those under canvas with marked out spaces so if you don’t book up you’ll be disappointed. Don’t be surprised to pay extra for bigger vehicles, too – space is at a premium on these campsites.

Water, Fuel and Batteries

One of the most important things to remember is to stock up on a good water supply, a nice bit of fuel and possibly even bring some spare batteries. Some festivals are better organised than other but don’t expect there to be a great supply of utilities. You won’t necessarily be running the engine too often, either, so keep your appliances charged and electricity use to a minimum.

Getting There

Expect plenty of traffic for the major festivals and, even if you live relatively locally, don’t assume it’ll be an easy trip. It’s good to travel early in the day and get there in good time to secure the best spot and to minimise your journey time. If you’re coming from a lot further away you might want to think about breaking up the journey – you’re on holiday, why not!?

The final thing to check is ensure your motorhome insurance policy covers you for travelling to festivals – some providers might write exclusions in to their policy. You’re a lot more exposed to theft and damages at festivals so take care and wherever you choose to go, look forward to it!

Top Tips for Enjoying your Motorhome Holiday

Wednesday, March 21st, 2012

A motorhome holiday could be the best family holiday experience you ever have; however there are a few things you should know before you set off.

Plan Your Journey

It is best to plan your journey before you go. Don’t think you are going to see the whole of England in a week because you will just end up with a lot of photographs of the motorway and not pretty scenery. By planning to visit a few areas that interest you, you will get more out of the holiday. This will also allow you to plan how long moving from campsite to campsite is going to take you so you don’t spend all your time on the road.

Another way of reducing the stress levels is to book the first few nights at a campsite before you go. Over the summer, they get full very quickly so knowing you have a place for a few days is reassuring whilst planning which one to go to next.

Also take an up to date campsite guide with you as this will tell you where is available and where is actually open in what months of the year.

Essentials

Make sure you have a spare gas bottle with you, especially when travelling in Europe. Using a European gas bottle in a UK vehicle is tricky so the best way to avoid this by being economical with what you use and, by using the resources on the campsite this will extend your gas supply.

Packing a torch is also an essential because the campsite might not provide outside lighting and navigating your way to the toilets in the pitch black is not the most ideal situation late at night!

Also make sure you black out and insulate all windows when you are at the campsite. This is where most of the heat is lost during the winter so you will burn through a lot of fuel. In the summer this is also a great way to keep the heat out and keep your motorhome at a reasonable temperature.

Take care of the awning. This causes the most problems in motorhome as they are fragile and require 2 people to put them out and wind them in. Also make sure it is never left unattended as a small gust of wind could cause a huge amount of damage costing up to £500. Although your motorhome insurance may cover this, it is still an inconvenience to get fixed.

Fuel Duty Stays High

Monday, March 5th, 2012

The Chancellor, George Osborne, issued a statement last week saying that he has no plans whatsoever to ease the pressure from fuel duty from motorists. An oil shock in Saudi Arabia has caused a spiral in the price of petrol and diesel and this is undoubtedly bad news for motorhome owners – you might find yourself paying considerably more for your holiday this summer than last. What can you do to combat the rise in fuel duty?

Shop Around
The best advice is to not be satisfied with high, motorway service station prices. If you have to go a little off course to save 5p a litre it might just be worth your while! Equally, if you see a well priced petrol station then fill up, even if you don’t need it immediately. Some providers will offer loyalty schemes, too, which are invaluable for the heavy traveller.

Go Abroad
Tax regimes change everywhere, and you’ll find the fuel prices in Europe are slightly lower than here in the UK due to lighter tax regimes. If you’re planning on doing a lot of driving over the course of your trip then it may work out cheaper to jump on a ferry and pay for petrol across the channel rather than stay here!

Look to LPG
The market for liquid petroleum gas (LPG) conversions has taken off in the last few years and there are plenty of places which will convert your motorhome to LPG, a much more efficient, and therefore cost effective fuel. The duty on LPG is minimal compared to petrol in the UK. Make sure that your motorhome insurance provider is happy to cover you for an LPG conversion, though, and be careful – some travel companies (such as Eurotunnel) will not allow LPG vehicles to travel.

Fuel duty is starting to bite hard in the UK and the government don’t seem to want to budge. It’s best to assess your options and work out where the savings can really be had to combat the rising prices.

Travelling with Bikes in your Motorhome

Tuesday, February 28th, 2012

Whether it’s the successes of British cyclists in events like the Tour de France, people trying to cut down on travel costs in the recession or a renewed environmentally friendly buzz, something has got Britain out on its bike and cycling is taking over the country! Naturally, a motorhome or campervan is a great compliment to cycling and it allows you to explore new terrain and travel to different places with your bikes in tow.

Racks or Mounts?

There are a hundred different ways of getting your bike on (or in) your motorhome. Bike racks which attach to your rear door can be the most effective and are easy to affix, but some people prefer to keep their bikes on the roof to avoid blocking the door. If you want to keep your bikes in your campervan then you need to make sure they are properly secured on mounts and are not likely to come loose in the event of an accident.

Security

You’d be amazed at what some bikes can fetch on eBay and thieves are very clued in to this. The problem is that the often cheapest models are sometimes the flashiest and can tempt thieves, so whatever price range your bike is in, make sure you get a good lock for when you’re out and about and always store them behind a locked door when you’re camped. Check, too, that your motorhome insurance covers your bikes.

Safety Concerns

The biggest thing to watch out for when transporting bikes is height restrictions. You would not believe the number of drivers who forget they have bikes mounted on their roof and end up pulling their racks clean off their roof, damaging both bikes and motorhome. Remember that even if your bikes are flat they are likely to add a foot or so to your height clearance. Always check your bikes are full secured too, your bikes will add a lot of drag to your vehicle and they take a lot of force; it’s more likely than you think for things to come loose on the road.

Bikes are great for campers and there’s some great roads and terrain to explore both in the UK and abroad. If you take a few precautions and look into the safest way of getting your bikes about then you’re in for a few very good trips!

Booking Campsites

Monday, February 20th, 2012

Sure, there are plenty of campervan and motorhome owners who like to see where the road takes them and pull into a campsite, or over by the side of the road, when the moment feels right. However, there is a different school of thought which says that, really, the best thing to do is to book in advance. The choice is, of course, yours but here’s a few reasons why you might want to think about planning ahead.

Maximise Your Time

We’ve all been there: it’s getting dark, everyone’s getting a little hungry and the last two campsites you tried were full. By booking ahead you can maximise the time you spend enjoying your holiday – you can just turn up and there’s a pitch reserved for you. By wasting less time looking for places to stay you can make sure you do the things you want to do on holiday.

Take Advantage of Discounts

A lot of campsites offer discounts for four or five night stays (or possibly longer) so shop around and make sure you can maximise these discounts. Even a saving of ten percent might buy you a round of ice-creams! Even if a specific campsite doesn’t offer a long-stay discount it’s worth enquiring; especially if you’re looking at staying over a week.

Plan Your Route

It does reduce the chances of you finding somewhere one off and surprising but being able to plan a route is really helpful. It’s much easier to calculate costs if you know what you’re doing, you can do thinks like book restaurants or find supermarkets before you leave and you make sure that you stay within the area which your motorhome insurance covers. Plus, you can have a look at the site before you leave and you can make sure it’s up to standard!

Booking particular campsites in advance is not for everyone but you can certainly benefit from thinking ahead. Take advantage of discounts, look for the best places to stay and then look forward to your trip!

Motorhome Gas Canisters

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

The camping stove is a feature of any good holiday and trying to light up those little blue canisters in the pouring rain is something few of us will forget in a hurry! But whether you have a camping stove on board or perhaps an integrated gas cooker, travelling with gas canisters can prove problematic if you’re trying to travel abroad and there are a few safety requirements to bear in mind.

Storing Gas

When you’re on the road keep your gas canister well away from your driving position and away from anything that might cause a spark. Even things like mobile phones have been known to generate static so don’t take any risks. Your best bet is probably to stow your gas canisters away in a high locker at the rear of your vehicle so they can’t be compressed or ignited and, in the event of an accident, they’re not too close to the fuel tank.

Ferries and the Tunnel

Some ferry companies will ban gas canisters onboard and the regulations on the Eurotunnel are also very stringent on what you may and may not carry. This is something that you should investigate before travelling because ignoring the regulations could invalidate your campervan insurance. The good thing is you can buy gas very easily and one of the primary suppliers of camping gas, Campingaz, are actually based in France so it’s reasonably easy to get hold of what you need.

Travelling with gas is safe as long as you think about what you’re doing. Don’t expose a gas canister to anything that might generate a flame and store it somewhere that, if it did go off, wouldn’t be too much of a disaster. Equally, follow all regulations you’re given when travelling over (or under) the sea – there are always reasons behind the rules and most of them are in place for your safety.