Motorhome Checklist
Things to consider before you start your motorhome holidayIn order to enjoy a carefree vacation with your motorhome, the right preparation is crucial. Motorhome checklists make planning easier and provide an optimal overview by visualizing all the necessary points. Even for old WOMO hands, it is not always easy to think of everything and pack everything. That's why we're giving you a few tips on how best to fill your checklist. Of course, a checklist should always be customized and tailored to your needs. That's why we'd like to help you with just a few basic things.
Check of the vehicle a few days before the start
It is important to differentiate whether you have been traveling with your motorhome more often or whether you have a newly purchased model. If you have a new Ahorn motorhome, you should definitely try out a few driving maneuvers before setting off on your vacation. An empty parking space is particularly suitable for parking and reversing maneuvers. Once you have become accustomed to the size and maneuverability of the motorhome, you should move on to the technical check. In most cases, motorhomes are not used every day and are parked for a while. You should therefore check the following fill levels before every trip:
- Windscreen wiper water
- Oil level
- Cooling water
- Tyre pressure
Once you have checked the fill levels and refilled them if necessary, you can now move on to the equipment.
Equipment
Not only should the motorhome be ready to drive, but the interior should also be prepared for the vacation. Here, too, there are certain fill levels that should be checked before there are any unpleasant surprises on the journey. These include
- Gas Cartridges
- Light bulbs or LED's
- Fresh water tank
- Fuel tank
- Chemical toilet
Of course, it is also important to make sure that you have enough safety vests, a warning triangle, a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher. The expiration date of the latter two must also be taken into account. Pay attention here: In many countries, it is compulsory to have one high-visibility vest per person traveling in the car. Failure to do so can result in severe penalties. Furthermore, especially when buying a new motorhome, you should buy a CEE power cable, a cable reel for the power supply and a rubber hose for the water supply.
Outdoor equipment
Camping chairs and a table are also essential for sitting outside in comfort. These can be conveniently stored in the garage. An awning or pavilion can help you to sit outside even in bad weather. You can read about how to ensure sustainability here in this article . It is also a good idea to buy a second set of dishes, spices, tea towels and non-perishable food, which will then become part of the motorhome's inventory so that you can go on vacation flexibly and spontaneously. If you are traveling to a warm destination in your motorhome, it also makes sense to have a washing line with you so that you don't have to store wet bathing gear in the motorhome or van. For children or even for you, the trip to the beach or to the bakery will be easier if you take a few folding bikes, scooters or even real bicycles with you so that you don't always have to take down your tent to fetch bread rolls. With the new Canada TU and TF models, you don't even need a bike rack, as the spacious garage offers enough space for two bikes.
Luggage
For all those who are traveling with a motorhome for the first time, we have compiled a list of all the important utensils that you should not forget. In addition to the packing list, it should also be noted that you are usually either on a campsite or in unprotected nature with a motorhome. It can get a lot colder here than in heated cities. Therefore, as a precaution, you should always take a warm fleece sweater or jacket with you on a motorhome vacation so that you don't have to freeze while stargazing in the evening. For an optimal view of the stars, we recommend the PhotoPills app, which shows you the right spot for pictures of the Milky Way or the Little Dipper every day. To pass the time until the stars unfold their full splendor, a table lantern is useful so that you can still play cards or read a book at dusk. So that you can watch a movie or series on rainy days, make sure you take a power bank with you so that you don't have to rely on a power socket.
Use storage space
A motorhome invites you to take a lot with you. However, you should pay attention to the permissible total weight. That's why you should always go to a weighbridge before setting off with your packed motorhome. To make the most of the storage space in a motorhome or van, you should make a plan in advance of where you want to stow what. Small stickers that provide information about the contents of the compartment can also help here. It is best to always stow things close to where they are needed. Otherwise, it is advisable not to take a suitcase with you on the trip, as it takes up a lot of space. It is better to take a travel bag with you or store clothes directly in the motorhome wardrobe. Otherwise, it is advisable to repack food and spices as they take up less space. Another advantage here is that packs with loose contents do not leak so easily. You can either use washed-out jam jars or order large storage boxes at a reasonable price. Another tip for making the best possible use of storage space is to store everything that is not needed in the motorhome in the garage.
Route planning
They say there are different types of vacationers. But not only structured planners, but also chaotic spontaneous holidaymakers should think about which country they are traveling to and what they want to get out of their vacation in the high season. If you want to go beach hopping, this naturally involves less planning than if you want to visit the sights. Nevertheless, camping vacations have become increasingly popular in recent years and this naturally leads to full campsites. For this reason, you should at least look for a few alternatives beforehand so that you are not dependent on a single campsite. It also helps to call the campsites in advance and ask whether a pitch will be available in the next few days or whether a reservation is possible.