My first motorhome vacation

The most important questions and answers for motorhome newbies

Whether rented or bought: Anyone looking forward to their first vacation with a motorhome is excited and full of anticipation. But there are also a few things to bear in mind. Below we answer the most important questions for newcomers.

Which driving license is required to drive a motorhome?

An old class 3 or class B driving license from before 1999 entitles you to drive motorhomes up to 7.5 tons. With a class B driving license after 1999, only up to 3.5 tons are permitted. Class C1 is required for heavier vehicles or class B96 for fully integrated luxury motorhomes. In the case of rented motorhomes, there may also be minimum age limits such as 21 or 25 or a minimum period of time that the driver must have held a driving license.

What should definitely not be missing from your luggage?

A CEE power cable, an adapter and a cable reel - suitable for outdoor use - are very important. This is the easiest way to connect the motorhome to the power supply on the pitches. Drive-on wedges can be used to level out uneven ground. A fold-out sun protection mat prevents the driver's cabin from heating up too much. Hard-shell cases are also very impractical, as they take up a lot of space and are very difficult to stow away. Sports bags that can be folded up empty are better. Towels made of microfiber are also useful: in wet areas, the humidity can quickly shoot up when showering. While normal towels quickly become soaked, microfiber towels remain pleasantly dry - and also dry faster after use.

Can you take as much luggage with you as you like?

Motorhomes with their numerous storage options invite you to take this and that with you. However, the payload is limited, often at 400 kilos - and that includes the body weight of the travelers. Care should therefore be taken not to take too much luggage with you, especially on family vacations. It is also helpful to empty the waste water tank frequently and not to fill the fresh water tank completely, but only to the necessary level - this saves weight. Heavy loads such as tinned food or gas bottles should also always be stowed close to the ground and, if possible, on the axle, with lighter items on top. Storage boxes prevent items from sliding back and forth during the journey.

Waste and fresh water - how exactly does it work?

A motorhome usually has separate tanks: at the start of the trip, the one for fresh water should be (at least slightly) full and the one for waste water empty. The latter fills up when water is used for washing hands, showering and rinsing (gray water). Refilling or draining takes place at special disposal stations - at campsites and parking spaces, service stations or petrol stations. There is usually a hose connection to fill up with fresh water and a special gully into which the waste water can be drained. The chemical toilet (black water) can also be emptied and cleaned there. Under no circumstances should gray or black water be discharged into a normal gully - this could result in fines.

What should I bear in mind when driving?

The maneuverability, cornering behavior, braking distance and visibility are different in a motorhome than in a car. Even frequent drivers should therefore take test drives before their first trip - preferably even with a load in order to simulate the driving characteristics in the best possible way. A few maneuvers such as turning circle, turning, maneuvering and parking can be tested well in an empty and large parking lot. Otherwise, professional driving and safety training on a traffic practice course is also recommended.

Are there other options for staying overnight besides official campsites, for example if the campsites are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic?

In some regions, farmers, winegrowers or even private individuals offer pitches for rent. It is usually possible to spend one or two nights on a public pitch without registering. Some of these are free of charge, but sometimes a parking ticket is required. There are also differences in the standard of service: While in some cases it is simply a parking space, other pitches have, for example, a water or electricity connection, a facility to empty the chemical toilet, picnic benches, public toilets or even showers. Here for more information and tips on self-sufficient camping.

Can I park my motorhome on the side of the road overnight?

This varies from country to country. In Germany, you are generally allowed to park your vehicle on the side of the road for up to ten hours to rest - this usually also applies overnight. However, longer stays are often not permitted.

Are there any restrictions on where motorhomes can be parked?

It is highly advisable to pay attention to the signs. If you see the sign "Only for passenger cars" in Germany, most motorhomes are excluded - only very small and compact vehicles are still considered passenger cars. The corresponding limit is a weight of 2.8 tons. As most motorhomes weigh more, they are special vehicles. This can also be read in the vehicle registration certificate. If the sign says "parking space", this may also be used by motorhomes. However, camping is usually not permitted - for example, tables and chairs may not be set up under the extended awning. It is also important to take a closer look at the entrance to the parking lot. In some cases, barriers are installed there to prevent tall vehicles from driving onto the site.

Walking around or lying down while driving - is that allowed? And what about pets?

As with other vehicles, seat belts must be worn during the journey. The number of passengers is therefore limited to the number of seats with seat belts. Smaller passengers must also sit in a child seat, as in a car, and dogs and cats in travel boxes. Moving around in the vehicle or lying down in one of the beds is not permitted.

How much fuel does a motorhome consume?

Of course, this depends on several factors such as the type of vehicle and engine, the weight, the condition of the tires and the driving style. As a rough rule of thumb, you should expect to consume between 9 and 16 liters per 100 kilometers.

A semi-integrated motorhome from Ahorn Camp on a Master base, for example, consumes an average of 9.3 liters per 100 kilometers combined.

What does semi-integrated and fully integrated mean - and what is an alcove?

With semi-integrated models The driver's cabin is the same as in the vehicle on which the motorhome was originally based. In a fully integrated motorhome, this area is also completely redesigned. As Alcove is the name given to the sleeping chamber above the driver's cab - easily recognizable from the outside as a distinctive bulge. Two people can usually sleep there comfortably. The cabin is accessed via a ladder inside the vehicle. If you want to find out which type of motorhome best suits your own habits and requirements, will find a good decision-making aid here.

This article was written in cooperation with Focus Online was created.