CampingCar-Online responds to some common misconceptions
Have you never taken a trip by motorhome and have some concerns? We are here to answer your questions and quell some rumors you may have heard. Below, you will find our advice and facts about the practicality of motorhome travel.
It’s expensive to rent a motorhome!
Since the motorhome is basically a house on wheels, it will allow you to avoid certain costs. For example, by renting a motorhome, you completely remove the cost of renting hotels along your trip. You are free to modify your trip at any moment, without having to worry about cancellation fees at hotels.
Motorhomes are normally outfitted with a well-appointed and fully equipped kitchen, which allows you to make meals for your family no matter where you are or what time of day it is. You won’t have to go out to a restaurant for every meal, and you can buy only the foods that suit you and your family.
It’s difficult to drive a motorhome!
All motorhomes offered by Campingcar-Online can be driven with a normal driving licence. Even so, there are still many precautions you will need to take. On average, the minimum age for renting a motorhome is 21. Certain countries require that you obtain an international licence along with your national licence.
Depending on which destination you are heading to, the transmission can be automatic (North America), manual (most of Europe), or a mix (Australia, New Zealand). Adjusting to driving a motorhome with an automatic transmission is very easy. If you have the choice, why not give it a shot?
Due to the speed limitations on motorhomes, you will be best served to drive with caution. You’ll find that keeping a moderate pace will provide you a very pleasant driving experience, and keep down the fatigue level on both the driver and the passengers.
Keep in mind these three principles for a pleasant drive:
- Wide Turns: Motorhomes take about 20 to 25 feet to turn at an intersection, much more than a normal car. In the United States and Australia, the roads and intersections are quite spacious, but you will need to take more caution in European countries.
- Watch Your Head: Keep in mind there is about 10 feet of vehicle above your head. This should minimize being surprised by low hanging branches, service station canopies, or oncoming tunnels.
- Teamwork: When reversing or pulling into a campsite or parking space, always have one of your passengers on the ground to guide you.
It’s difficult to get around in bigger cities!
You can drive a motorhome in most cities unless it is clearly indicated that you cannot, like in New York City for example. But don’t panic! There are plenty of places on the outskirts of big cities where you can inexpensively park your motorhome and either walk into the city, or use public transportation to get to the city center.
It is difficult to park, and to find parking spaces!
It isn’t especially difficult to park a motorhome. You will just need to use more caution than you normally do in a car. We advise you to have one of your passengers outside of the vehicle to guide you into parking spaces or through entryways. This will also help you avoid tree branches which can cause damage to the body of the vehicle. You can rest easy if you always think on the larger side in regards to the height, length and width of the vehicle.
In addition, it is not difficult to find parking areas specifically for motorhomes and larger vehicles, particularly on the edges and entrances of bigger cities. The destinations that we offer were chosen for their accessibility to motorhome travel. Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are extremely welcoming to motorhomes, and have developed services specifically for motorhome travelers.
It’s hard to find space in the campgrounds!
On the road
Countries like Australia, United States, or Canada, have long developed their parking areas and motorhome accessible campgrounds. This is because in countries that large, drivers need to stop for the night to rest between destinations. Due to the large amount of these sites available, you will never have to go without finding a place to rest for the night.
Outside of the extremely popular tourist areas or especially busy times of the year, there is no need to book in advance!
In the parks
You absolutely need to spend a few nights in the campgrounds inside the parks. Most of these campgrounds are not available to reserve, but run on the concept of first come, first served. We advise you to arrive early (before 11am) to have the best chance at getting one of these sites.
We recommend you to reserve campgrounds in the following cases:
- Short visits to the parks in the western United States
- Trips with multiple motorhomes traveling together
