Road Trip Ready: 7 Things to Remember Before You Set Off
The joy of owning a motorhome is being able to take off and explore some new corner of the UK whenever you like, embracing all weather! Motorhome holidaymakers going to Wales can set up camp in beautiful locations like the Brecon Beacons Caravan and Motorhome Campsite or the remote stargazing haven of Elan Oaks in the Elan Valley.
Before you set off, there are several things that you will want to tick off the list!
- Driving documents – motorhomes are a lot of fun, but you will want to be prepared for every eventuality. Stow evidence of all the important paperwork safely in the glove compartment. Bring along your driving licence, your motorhome insurance policy, and your up-to-date MOT.
- Vehicle maintenance – of course, this isn’t a physical item to bring but it is one of the most important preparatory tasks you can do. Unexpected vehicle-related dramas can put a dampener on any holiday, so do what you can to prevent it! Check the tyres over properly before you set off, inflating them to the correct pressure and keeping those oils and fluids all topped up.
- Emergency roadside assistance kit – just in case something does happen to your motorhome on your road trip, a pre-prepared roadside assistance kit is always good to have. They often include a handy torch, tow rope, tyre inflator and a warning triangle.
In fact, should you go further afield and drive in the EU, you’ll be required to have a European breakdown kit by law.
- Jump cables and/or battery booster
Who wants to put the keys in the ignition and find the motorhome won’t start, mid-holiday? No one! You can buy jump leads and battery boosters fairly affordably, luckily. Jump leads can start your car immediately, though they won’t fully charge the battery. This means you may need to keep driving for a while to give the battery a chance to continue charging itself.
Battery chargers are great as long as they’ve been fully charged beforehand, and you’ll need to be near an electrical outlet when you use them. So, consider which method might be best for you!
- Snacks – Road trips are meant to be fun, so don’t forget the little things that go a long way, ie: snacks! You don’t want hanger-filled holiday memories, so keep that motorhome stocked with nuts, seeds, fruits and perhaps some more self-indulgent edibles aside as well!
- First aid kit – Back to the serious side, it’s always a good idea to keep a motoring first aid kit in your motorhome. Whether one of your passengers simply needs a plaster or something else, like a burn dressing or a sterile cleansing wipe to stop a wound from getting infected, they’ll be grateful you thought to bring a first aid kit along.
- Spare clothes – Road trips are typically outdoorsy affairs… and outdoorsy affairs in the UK are often rain-drenched affairs. Pack plenty of spare clothes for you and your travellers. You never know how the weather is going to behave!
If you’re a regular motorhome, our top tip is to write out this list with some extra additions of your own and refer to it every time you’re about to embark on a new adventure. Enjoy your travels!
Photo by Kai Gradert on Unsplash