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Campers or motorhomes are a sight seen more and more on the roads of the UK these days. So just why does it seem that every body has one and is it for you? Read on to find out the advantages and disadvantages of a camper.

On the plus side has to be the outdoor lifestyle, cheap holidays and the opportunity to spend quality time with the ones you love. Most people are drawn to the a motorhome by the lure of the outdoor and simplistic way of life. Many have enough of their city life and office jobs and like a slice of country living for the weekend, to relax. Spending time in your camper is usually accompanied by walking, trekking, fishing, swimming, kayaking, surfing etc. At the very least a football or Frisbee is thrown in the garage space. Although the initial outlay for a camper can be considerable, once you own one you can have an inexpensive getaway. If you find a nice wild camping spot, your only expense can be fuel. You can even power your getaway from your leisure battery. It’s also true that many leisure vehicles are purchased so that families can spend time together. Ideal for parents holidaying with kids, it also works for couples looking to spend time alone in an intimate setting.

Looking for negatives of owning a campervan, well there are a few. The cost is usually the most prohibitive reason for not owning one. If you want a newer model you will pay for the luxury. Additionally your running costs of fuel, tax, insurance and maintenance can be enough to put some people off the idea. The ever increasing cost of fuel is a major concern to all motorhome enthusiasts. Maintenance can be expensive with horror stories of people replacing broken windows, lights, accessories etc. The very fact of driving a vehicle the size of a large coach built can also deter some from buying. In some countries a regular car drivers license is not sufficient to drive a larger camper.

Source by Myles Long

If you’ve recently purchased a motorhome and are planning your first camping trip in it, be sure to complete the four simple steps below before you go. Following this good advice will ensure that your vacation goes off comfortably without a hitch.

Have your motorhome serviced.

Before you hit the highway or the campground, make sure your RV is in good traveling condition by having it serviced. If your recreational vehicle is brand-new, this first step is probably unnecessary; however, if you purchased a used RV or it’s been awhile since your motorhome was last driven, hire a professional mechanic to inspect it and perform any necessary repairs or maintenance. After all, you want to camp in the great outdoors, not on the side of the road surrounded by orange cones!

2. Prepare the sleeping quarters.

Put clean sheets and bedding on your motorhome’s beds. Unless you want to purchase linens that are used only for your camper, you can most likely make do with the same bedding that you use in your own house. The vast majority of RV beds do not require special bedclothes; traditional sheets and comforters work just fine.

It’s also wise to take along an extra set of sheets as well as a few spare blankets, depending upon the time of year. You’ll also want to pack your sleeping bags, too. Who knows? You and your family may decide to sleep under the stars one night or-if it’s particularly cold-you could curl up in your sleeping bags and snooze under the covers.

3. Assemble the kitchen supplies.

Before you head to your campsite, make sure that your kitchen is filled with all necessary supplies. Although most campgrounds have convenience stores on the premises, these are usually expensive and have limited inventories.

It’s best to purchase enough food for your entire trip before you go. Don’t just plan meals, however; plan for snacks and drinks, too. It’s also a good idea to pack enough for one or two extra guests in case you meet up with old friends or make new ones at the campground.

Be sure to take eating utensils with you as well. To cut costs, pack your everyday dishes, glassware and silverware from home. Alternatively, you could purchase an inexpensive, lightweight set of dishes and cutlery just for your motorhome, or you could use disposable (or better yet, recyclable) paper and plastic products.

As you pack these items, consider the meals you have planned. Are there any special kitchen utensils you’ll need, like a can opener or a pair of tongs? Don’t forget the paper towels!

4. Stock the bathroom.

Be sure to well stock your bathroom with sundries, such as toilet paper, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and toothbrushes, especially if you’re planning a long camping trip. Of course, you’ll want to take along a first aid kit, too. You may wish to make a checklist of items you’ll need-for both the kitchen and the bathroom. That way you’ll be less likely to forget an essential.

It’s also a good idea to pack one towel and one washcloth per person for each day of your trip. Although you might still have to use the campground laundry facility, you don’t want to spend hours and hours of your vacation there every other day.

If you follow the above advice, you’ll be well-prepared for your trip. Just be sure to allow yourself at least a week to service your motorhome, and gather and pack all the essentials you’ll need to make your motorhome camping trip a pleasant experience.

Source by Mike Moskvitch

Victoria features large rainforests, skiing, beautiful beaches and bays, surfing as well as the bustling city metropolis of Melbourne. There is something for everyone in Victoria – enjoy the Goldfields, Grampians, Phillip Island and the outback terrain of Murray to name but a few. Motorhomes are a great way to get about in Australia.

Many people buy a motor home to take six months or a year out to see Australia.

Goldfields Motorhome Site – Maryborough Caravaa nis a quiet caravan park on the outskirt s of Goldfields. This is a favourite location to base yourself while you explore this beautiful part of the Australian countryside. 7-9 Holyrood Street, Maryborough, Vic, 3465, Australia, 0354604848.

Grampians Motorhome Parks – Edenhope is a campsite and motorhome park with a laid back atmosphere. All pitches have a lake view and pitches start from just $20.00. Lake Street, Edenhope, VIC, 3318, Australia, 0355851659.

Phillip Island Motorhome Parks – A Maze n Things Holiday Park on Phillip Island is at Cowes. This is a great park for young people and families, this is a theme camp site with a number of mazes games and puzzles for the family. 1805a, Phillip Island Road,Cowes, Victoria 3922, Australia, 0359522020.

Bimbi Park – A windeness in Bimbi Park Victoria home to many Koala bears! 90 Manna Gum Drive,Cape Otway Victoria, 3233, 0352379246.

Waratah Bay Caravan Park This is one of our favourite motorhome camps in Victoria. This is an inexpensice beachfront paradise Freycinet St, Waratah Bay, Victoria, Australia 3959.

Source by Marc Angiolo

One of the first things to decide when buying a motorhome is whether you want a new or second hand vehicle. On the one hand, with a new vehicle you get the feeling of being the first to own it and the safety of a manufacturers limited warranty, on the other hand, a pre-owned model can often be picked up with big savings against list price just a year or so after manufacture.

Everyone’s different, but most first time buyers opt for a second hand motorhome as the financial investment is less – and it gives the chance to find out whether motorhoming suits you without being left out of pocket.

Another initial consideration is your budget. Think about what you would like to spend and also what you are willing to spend as a maximum, this gives you a price range to work within and means you’ll be less tempted to overspend.

There are motorhomes available in all shapes and sizes, and to fit all budgets, so think carefully about which type of motorhome suits you best – is it a small panel van conversion or a large A-class or American RV that takes your fancy? If you’re only buying the motorhome for short holidays then a small or medium sized motorhome would most likely meet your requirements, but for those intending on travelling for months at a time a larger, better equipped motorhome may be what’s needed.

Finding a motorhome which meets your requirements can be tricky, and you’re unlikely to find one which ‘ticks all the boxes’ straight away – the key is prioritising your needs. Write a list of things you need from your motorhome, not features as such but just broad requirements you have of your new investment, things such as ‘sleeps 4 people comfortably’ or ‘small enough to drive in European cities’. You can then use this list to figure out which models suit you best and which features are most important to you – doing things this way round ensures you aren’t convinced to buy a motorhome with fancy features you won’t use.

When you’re looking at a prospective motorhome, and particularly when buying second hand, make sure you test out all the features before buying – that doesn’t mean cooking a three course meal, but it does mean pulling out the beds, stepping into the shower area to test its size, opening and closing cupboards, sitting on the sofa etc.

When looking at second hand motorhomes you need to scrutinise the fixtures and fittings even more, making sure you check the water runs properly and all the electrics are working as they should – it only takes a minute to fill up the water tank to test the system, and any person serious about selling the motorhome will be happy to do this.

Never buy a motorhome without seeing the water system, electricity and motor running in full working order, and always go for a test drive which includes roads which you can get up to 50mph on, as some problems won’t make themselves known at low speeds. Don’t be offended if the owner won’t let you drive though as not many people have ‘any driver’ insurance and it’s still the sellers responsibility if anything happens. If you do sit in the passenger seat on a test drive, simply keep an ear out for any unusual noises from the engine, wheels or brakes and an eye on the driver’s hands – are they working hard to turn the wheel? Do the gears change smoothly and easily?

It’s also vitally important that the waste water system is clean and works properly, this should have been done by the seller prior to them putting the motorhome up for sale so get them to show you how the cassette is removed from the toilet unit so you can see whether this has been done – it’s not a job you would want to do after buying!

Make sure you shop around for the best deal, look online at plenty of models but don’t make any decisions until you see the motorhome first hand, no matter how many pictures you look at you won’t get a true feel for the interior spaces until you look around in person. When you’re ready to buy try and use local dealerships with good reputations, that way if anything goes wrong you haven’t got far to go for repairs or advice. It’s also a good idea to check out the insurance costs as you may find some of the larger motorhomes come with larger premiums. Always opt for a specialist motorhome insurance policy rather than a standard motor policy as this will give you more comprehensive cover.

Source by H Robinson