How to Choose Your First Motorhome Holiday Without Getting Overwhelmed
Your first motorhome trip shouldn’t feel like military operation levels of planning – but inevitably it does. There’s a vehicle to choose, routes to plan, places to stay, not to mention about a hundred questions you never thought to ask. Some people overthink the whole process and others wing it and forget the most obvious things that would make life easier.
But here’s the kicker: your first motorhome holiday doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to function well enough that you enjoy it and learn what you really want. That takes pressure off right there.
Base It On Duration First
How long do you actually want to be away? Forget what’s impressive or what everyone else appears to do and instead consider your reality – what’s your work schedule like? Will your kids tolerate a week of travel? Do you prefer being away from home for long stretches or short spurts?
For example, many first-timers book a week on holiday because anything less seems subpar. But by the fifth day they realize they want their own bed and a proper shower. And that’s perfectly fine. A long weekend or four-day stint may be all that’s needed to test the waters.
In fact, the ideal timeframe for most first trips is about three to five days – more than long enough to get into the groove yet short enough that small irritations don’t become exasperating issues. You’ll have more time on subsequent trips once you’ve learned what you’re doing.
Pick a Region That’s Accessible
People get stuck here for hours scrolling through potential options. The Scottish Highlands are stunning. Cornwall is gorgeous. The Lake District is beautiful. Wales has it all! How to choose?
The answer is simple: anywhere within a drivable distance and with plenty of camping options. Your first trip isn’t about driving six hours with wild camping a route option. You’re going to want options and backup plans as you test everything out.
Coastal destinations are ideal for first trips – you can see different types of scenery, access multiple amenities, and if the weather’s bad, you can find plenty of stops along the way to make it worthwhile. The southwest coast offers exactly this sort of variation – it’s not surprising that Motorhome Hire Devon options are popular for anyone trying a first-ever motorhome holiday since it’s got beaches, countryside, towns with shops, and campsites galore.
National parks are also great options but check the road situation first – some of them have narrow, winding roads that feel exceedingly dodgy if you’re not accustomed to driving something that size!
Consider Who’s Traveling and Their Needs
A romantic getaway for couples has different needs than if you’re traveling with two kids under ten. Obvious, but it’s true, and affects everything from vehicle size to desired stops along the way.
Kids require distractions, playgrounds, and campsites with other families nearby. Partners may want pubs within walking distance and decent views at mealtimes. If someone in your group is claustrophobic or needs personal space, that tiny two-berth is probably not going to fly!
Be realistic in terms of comfort too. There are people who truly don’t mind basic amenities and can roll with whatever punches are thrown their way. Others need certain comforts to truly relax – from actual beds to decent toilet situations and enough space not to feel cramped at all times. Neither camp is wrong; you just have to know which camp you’re in before booking.
Don’t Overthink Vehicle Choice
When you choose a company to hire a motorhome from, they’ll likely ask how many people will be traveling, what your needs are, and how comfortable you’re driving something so large. Answer honestly and trust their recommendations – they work with hundreds of first-timers and know what works well for people wanting easy solutions during their first-ever outing.
Most people worry about actually driving something that large – and while there’s validity here, it’s a bit overblown. Yes, it’s different driving a larger vehicle. But modern-day motorhomes aren’t scary once you get into them. They’re slower, require more space for turning corners and parking takes some advanced planning. But that’s it!
If you’re really concerned, go with a van conversion over an A-class – not as much space but it drives more like a normal vehicle. For your first trip, this added trade-off often makes sense.
Plan Your Route Laxly Instead of Rigidly
Here’s where first-timers often fail – planning every single day to the hour – where they’ll stop for lunch, which beach they’ll visit when and if they don’t arrive exactly at 4:30 pm for dinner at the designated campsite they’ll lose their minds. One day runs late and suddenly everything planned goes down the toilet.
Better solution: select a rough area and book your first night somewhere – and maybe your last night somewhere else. Book spots in the middle only as backups. Choose places you may want to see and campsites you’d like to access but don’t lock anything in during your learning phase.
This is the best part about travel in a motorhome – you can change your mind! Find someplace that’s interesting? Stop! Weather awful on the coast? Head inland! Love where you are? Stay for another night!
Book Campsites For Peace of Mind
Some experienced motorhomers are able to pull up where they please and find a nice spot begging for a newbie like them. But that’s not what you want for trip number one! At least book your first couple of nights at campsites that boast great amenities – all the amenities you need during your first stint out there!
This way you have somewhere designated to head towards – which eases up much stress when you’re still learning the ropes – and you’ll have electric hook-up, toilets, showers and likely Wi-Fi! Once you’ve gained confidence you can explore club sites or more wild options!
Avoid larger holiday parks with clubs and pools – they cost more than needed – and steer clear of ones that are just fields with taps (overly basic). Mid-range sites should boast solid reviews from families or couples (depending on your situation) as the Goldilocks option for the first time.
Accept That Things Will Go Wrong
The fridge won’t work right. You’ll forget something obvious (like seasoning). Parking at a quaint spot will be tighter than expected because everyone had the same idea as you did. Someone will need to use the toilet at an inconvenient time after stopping suddenly for an interesting sight.
None of this ruins the trip unless you let it. The people who adore traveling via motorhome aren’t those who never run into problems – they’re those who know how to deal with minor hassles along the way to get back on track in no time. Most issues either have quick fix solutions or they really don’t matter in the big picture anyway.
What Really Matters
When all is said and done without overthinking it – a successful first motorhome trip comes down to only a few aspects – a vehicle that suits your numbers, a rough idea of where you’re going, a couple of nights booked at decent campsites and realistic expectations on how much you’ll actually do along the way.
Everything else comes together as you go – your route may change, the order may be revised day by day and you’ll learn what works best for your family or group as you proceed along (or how quickly you like doing things).
It’s not about executing a perfect plan – it’s about getting out there doing it with a sense of freedom while determining if this style of travel works for you. For most first-timers despite slight wobbles, it does!
