Taking To The Road In A Caravan Or Motorhome

Motorhomes and touring caravans have never been more popular.

Holidaying in the UK, and a move towards taking shorter but more frequent breaks, have boosted their sales in recent years, despite the initial outlay.

There are an estimated 555,000 touring caravans and 225,000 motorhomes in Britain, and that number is set to grow as even more people discover the freedom that owning a leisure vehicle brings.

But before you set out to buy a new or pre-owned model from your local caravan and motorhome dealer, it’s worth checking out the rules and regulations.

Where motorhomes and campervans are concerned, it’s all about size, taking your time when maneuvering and driving with extra care.

Your mirrors are your best friend so use them constantly and be aware of your vehicle’s exact dimensions so you can avoid potential problems such as narrow lanes and low bridges with size restrictions. Nose out carefully at junctions, take corners widely to allow for your vehicle’s width and be extremely cautious when overtaking.

Speed restrictions apply to motorhomes, but they are determined by the class and weight of your vehicle.  For more detailed information go to www.gov.uk/speed-limits

Remember too, when parking, that the length of your motorhome will make it difficult to see smaller cars, so always back into a space.

There is lots of advice on towing caravans with a car, with the size and weight of vehicles you’re legally allowed to tow dependent on when you passed your test.  Look at the rules on www.gov.uk/towing-with-car

You must not go above 50 mph on a single carriageway or exceed 60mph on a dual carriageway when towing a caravan, and your number plate must be clearly visible. And never carry passengers in your caravan.

For ease of driving, try to keep the caravan’s weight as light as possible, and opt for a car which is well-suited to towing. SUVs and 4x4s make good choices. The Hyundai Santa Fe, BMW X5, Volvo XC90, Skoda Superb, Kia Sorento and Volkswagen Passat all feature on caravanners’ lists of favourite powerful towing cars.

And, as you would with your car, inspect your caravan or motorhome before setting off on your journey and make sure you have it regularly serviced.

Because caravans and motorhomes are not used over the winter months, it’s particularly important that you examine their tyres before taking them out on the road. Tyres can degrade if unprotected, so check the sidewalls and tread very carefully, and if there are cracks or other signs of damage, get them replaced.

So, whether you’re driving a motorhome or towing a caravan, relax and stay safe. You’re on holiday. Give yourself, and other road users, time and space.