Am just in the process of buying a motorhome...Eldis Autoquest 170....done a fair bit of walking and camping but it will be my first expereince at driving a large vehicle and going touring.
I am 59 going on 21 and will be travelling with a simial aged and outlook lady.
Getting very excited but somewhat nervous about it all especially the driving....country lanes....narrow gates...parking...gives me the shivers.
If anyone has any words of wisedom that they would like to share it might make me feel a little more confident about it all.
I found the most difficult/stressful part was parking or arriving at a new destination . Get out and have agood look at what you are getting into. That small bunch of leaves often hides a large cut off branch / that nice new firm looking gravel has just been laid to cover a wet-boggy patch / be carefull when turning into or out of aparking space for low walls
Remember you are driving a longer, wider vehicle than you are used to & you need to swing out on corners to avoid scraping bodywork or kerbing tyres. You need to concentrate when going onto fuel forecourts & driving around in campsites situations, particularly going through gateways.
Its helpful when there are 2 of you because one can supervise reversing. If you get in an akward situation. don't risk damage by backing up blind to appease other road users, don't panic, make them wait while you sort it out in your own time.
Welcome to the wonderful world of motorhoming and to UKCS!
My advice would be just enjoy every minute of it. It's OK for me to say coz I get driven around - I've not been brave enough to drive ours YET! OH says it's easy, and a pleasure to drive, once you get used to it.
------------- More adventures in 2026 -
Feb - Steamer Quay CAMC, Totnes
May - Cheddar & Dulverton
June - Lake District
July - Devizes, New Forest & Dorset
September - TBA
Christmas - Ayr, St Ives
New Year - Hillhead CAMC, Brixham
It's all about mirrors, always make sure you can see your n/s/r wheel & bodywork in your mirror, if you dont have wide angle lens (2 part mirror) fit one to both sides, do a note on your dashboard, telling you how high & wide you are, 10ft MHs dont go under 8ft gantrys, trust me i've seen it done, look at van from the front, if your mirrors stick out further than the bodywork (which they should) use them like cats whiskers to guide you through tight spots ie if the mirrors go through the van will too, oh & on motorways if lanes are restricted due to roadworks, outside lane is normally down to 6ft 6in so you cant use it
It might sound daft but remember to check the height of car park barriers, your in a taller vehicle now
Our first outing was nearly our last. We were turning into a carpark we used frequently with the car and it dawned on me just in time that an 8ft high van ain't gonna get under a 2.1m barrier
We couldn't get in all the places that we wanted to (narrow streets, parking bays that were too small etc.) So as there are just the two of us we now have a small hightop campervan and we can now drive and park anywhere that a car can.
Much easier to drive and all the conveniences of a larger wagon.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Getting Started
