Are you planning your first motorhome trip and don't know where to start? Or, maybe you have some experience, but want to improve your planning skills? Although motorhome and campervan trips have an important component of improvisation to enjoy the freedom of being able to choose at any time what to do or where to go, it doesn't hurt to have some planning to avoid surprises. Today we tell you how to plan a hassle-free motorhome trip, so you can enjoy an unforgettable adventure.
What is the first thing we should take into account when planning a motorhome trip?
Planning an RV adventure can be a fun experience, but there are also certain things to consider before you hit the road. To begin with, it is important to check the condition of the motorhome and carry out all the necessary tuning before leaving. If we opt for a rental motorhome, like the ones we offer in Express motorhome (you can visit our "Rent" section and consult all available models), we should not worry about that point, since all vehicles are thoroughly checked and They are delivered in perfect condition to start the trip.
Once we are sure that all the mechanics are ready, we will try to start the trip with the full fuel tankas well as that of clean watersThat of gray empty, make sure we carry gas cylinder for the operation of the kitchen, refrigerator and water heater (boiler), the necessary products to use the chemical bath, drinks and food. All this will allow us to be prepared for take course to any destination.
Choose the right destination
The world is huge and full of incredible places waiting to be visited. Having said that, How do we choose the most suitable destination? To begin with, it will always depend on the personal interests each traveler. That will be the first factor to opt for cities or nature, beach or mountains, etc.
In addition, we must take into account the days we have available. If we only have a weekend or a short bridge, it is advisable to opt for nearby destinations so as not to spend most of the time driving. Although the journey should always be part of the travel experience, it is also part of enjoying the destination and, of course, life in the motorhome.
Another aspect that we will have to consider is the physical limits of the motorhome. It is a large vehicle and, with few exceptions, without four-wheel drive, so we must think about it if our intention is to reach remote, narrow places, with difficult terrain, etc. And, of course, it is convenient to investigate a little the places to which we are going to go to check if Is there any access or overnight restriction? for our vehicles.
What time of year is the best to take a motorhome trip?
Actually, any time of the year is perfect for a motorhome trip, since these are vehicles conditioned to live in them at all times. It will be necessary to take into account, for example, that a trip through the mountains during the winter will require special equipment to deal with snow and ice, while a trip through the desert during the summer can be exhausting due to the extreme heat. But let this not stop you from traveling beyond the summer months, on the contrary. There are many destinations that in low season give us the opportunity to enjoy them with hardly any people and they show us a very different face from other times of the year.
Is it necessary to take a previously planned itinerary?
The answer is yes and no. What do we mean by this? Well, we can take an idea of the trip we want to do and the destinations we would like to visit, but leaving it quite open. One of the great advantages of traveling by motorhome is the freedom that it offers when enjoying a destination. We can extend the days that we had planned in a specific place because we are loving it or, on the contrary, leave as soon as we arrive because it is far from what we thought it was for whatever reason.
Fortunately, today there are many websites and mobile applications, both free and paid, which offer us the possibility of planning in real time the itinerary to follow, the places to spend the night, the car parks, service areas, etc., in addition to helping us discover new routes and interesting destinations.
What apps and tools can help plan a motorhome trip?
There are several useful tools available to help plan a motorhome trip, as we already told you in this article from our blog. The best known and used by motorhomes is Park4night, which allows you to find places to spend the night, whether they are motorhome areas, campsites or parking lots where sleeping is allowed. The interesting thing about this app is that, thanks to the comments of other travelers who have stayed overnight in one of the destinations, we can get to know each of them much better.
We can also discover overnight areas in other apps, such as caramaps, Motorhomes en route, perfect vans, Camper contact o parkopedia, a website with information on parking in cities around the world.
In addition, Google Maps It is also a great ally when looking for a place to sleep, planning an itinerary or looking for points of interest.
In short, planning a motorhome trip is an exciting experience. You just have to get to it... and enjoy every moment!