While working on your next motorhome trip plan, there are some questions you have to answer for each attraction you plan to visit on your next motorhome trip
Seasonality
Ask yourself, does the season I’m traveling in is fitting the activity I want to do?
Tip:
Hiking in the Death Valley in Utah
at the peak of the summer months may turn out to be a serious mistake unless you are very experienced hiker and well prepared.
The temperatures may reached the 50°- 55° C
Ferry availability
If you are planning to cross by ferry, check ferry schedule, remember that some ferries are not operating all year round
Tip:
We recommend you to make a reservation for bigger vehicle group (32-foot in America / 8 m for Europe, Australia and New Zealand) on the ferry, irrespective as to the size of the motorhome reserved, to avoid problems due to possible upgrades
Weather forecast
Very important!
Get weather forecast frequently as much as you can
Tip:
Many Roof A/C units are only cool the
interior of the motorhome up to a maximum of 20 degrees cooler than the outside temperature
Vehicle dimension
Be aware of your vehicle dimensions. Few roads might limit length or height. For example, Mt Edith Cavell Parking Lot in the Canadian Rockies mountains is limited for Maximum length 25 feet
Tip:
Write down your rented motorhome dimensions on a paper sticker and place it in a visible place so you can always easily see it while driving
Driving restrictions
Some roads might be forbidden for traveling, or might need a special permit from the authorities or from your motorhome rental center where you have picked up your motorhome
Tip:
Read carefully your rental terms and condition. While picking up your motorhome ask the staff for updates regarding travel restrictions.
Suitable for your rhythm
Don’t overload or ‘push’ yourself and your family over the limits.
Sometimes if you are trying to to suffice everything you are suffice nothing
Tip:
Travel calmly, remember what written on the book ‘le petit prince’ : ‘ What is essential is invisible to the eye’
So, take your time and find those.
Parking arrangements
Try to know in advance where you would park your RV, see the parking section above
Tip:
In the unfortunate case you have received a parking fine, pay it by yourself. Most of RV rental companies are charging a handling fee in addition to the parking ticket amount .
Certified instructor if required
Some travelling areas are permitted for traveling only by combined with a travel instructor.
Verify vehicle offenses, offenses limits
Don’t try to travel off road with your 2X4 motorhome, It’s a really bad idea.
Tip:
Motorhomes are long vehicles, and they have a ‘long Rear Overhang’.
Remember it when you are driving downhill and the slope angle is changing, your ‘long tail’ might hit the ground.
Navigation Limits
Some travelling areas are not covered with cellular reception. You can find on the web a cellular reception areas map for almost every area in the world.
Tip:
Most of the smartphones could function as GPS (Sat- Nav) so you can still navigate ‘off line’ without cellular reception.
Content fit to travelers age, skills & abilities
Verify that everyone in your group can really do the activities you are planning.
Take your small kids to a nightclub or a Casino – is a bad idea!
Taking someone who don’t know to swim to a rafting ride – is a bad idea!
Taking someone who have a Fear of heights to a bungy jump – is a bad idea!
Tip:
Plan the types of places you will visit along your route according to the lowest common denominator (the ability of the weakest participant in the group). Another idea, not bad at all, is to split into two groups, each will do different activity.
Compliance with local law and local signage
Look on your surrounding and follow the instructions on signs. Be aware of local laws and regulations.
Tip:
Most of the smartphones could function as GPS (Sat- Nav) so you can still navigate ‘off line’ without cellular reception.
General duty of care, discretionary, responsibility
It is always the right thing to do. Be careful
Tip:
Murphy’s First Law: Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
Murphy’s Second Law: Nothing is as easy as it looks.
Murphy’s Third Law: Everything takes longer than you think it will.
Murphy’s Fourth Law: If there is a possibility of several things going wrong, the one that will cause the most damage will be the one to go wrong.
Murphy’s Fifth Law: If anything simply cannot go wrong, it will anyway.
Permission from the relevant authorities if required
Some of the traveling areas are limited for a number of travelers at once. The authorities might limit entrance for some places in order to control or to avoid wildlife Disorder.
Driver driving skills, tiredness, previous experience
If you are not used to driving long distances, don’t push yourself over the limits. If you are tired, stop for a rest. Don’t take a chance
Tip:
If you feel you need some more confidence driving your motorhome, drive first to the nearest big parking lot. Make there some exercises, turns, driving reverse, and so on.
Necessary & emergency equipment, well fitting in sufficient quantity
Always be well equipped. Good proper gear, proper closings, emergency equipment, enough amount of water.
Compatibility of the recommendations and guidelines on the site with the situation in reality
Be aware of your surroundings. If the recommendation or instructions you have got do not correspond to reality, recheck yourself or quite the activity you do.
Tip:
Trust on what you see with your eyes, smelling in your nose, hearing with your ears, feeling in your hands.
Don’t trust on fairy tales like: “I visited there 30 years ago, the weather was perfect”
