Motorhome holidays: are you ready for the aventure?

Are motorhome holidays for you?

Not so long ago, the motorhome was associated with early retirees who wished to benefit from a second youth touring the roads of Europe on board their home on wheels.Today, new enthusiasts of motorhome holidays put an end to this cliché. In fact, for Philippe Heinisch, manager at Voyages Emile Weber for the rental service WebCamper, there is no motorhome holidaymaker standard profile. These enthusiasts include couples, both young or old, parties of friends and a lot of families.

“There are vehicles for all needs. From converted more compact but very practical vans, to large luxury motorhomes for 4 to 6 people” he explains.

Where can I go in a motorhome?

For Philippe Heinisch, all destinations are accessible.

“The majority of our customers are more interested in nature destinations. This year, we have rented motorhomes to customers who have ventured as far as Andalusia and Scandinavia” he explains.

Of course, the motorhome model must be suited to your destination in terms of offering suitable stand-alone insulation and heating or air conditioning that operates even when the vehicle is stationary.

What are the advantages of motorhome holidays?

One of the main advantages is that you can tour and change destination whenever you wish. No need to pack up every two days, your accommodation moves with you!

Motorhome holidays are also an opportunity to benefit from a stay in the great outdoors, escape the crowd, and for example, wake up to a sunrise over a Swiss lake. A nice view to wake up to.

The third criterion that tempts enthusiasts of touring holidays: the camping culture. Meeting up with others, working together and creating friendly communities, time to spend a few days in the same place.

“I know people who return each year to the same campsite to meet back up with friends. That’s also the magic of camping!” enthused Philippe Heinisch.

Lastly, there are other lesser known advantages, for example travelling with your dog much easier than a hotel stay. No questions asked, your pet can travel with you on all of your travels!

What are the disadvantages?

For some camping novices, spartan comfort may be a difficulty.

“The majority of our customers who try our motorhome holidays for the first are delighted with the experience. But, some report that they won’t be repeating the experience because they had to learn to cook in a small kitchen, do the household chores and washing up themselves and cohabit with others in a small space” explains a motorhome holiday expert.

On another point, if you set off during peak season - from May to September, it is recommended that you reserve your motorhome pitch a few days in advance. But don’t worry, it's very simple. There are a lot of resources to help you find the right pitch and benefit from the advice and opinions of the community. One of the most popular resources is the application Park4Night.

Is renting a motorhome cheaper than other holiday options?

Not necessarily, it depends on your holiday mode and your destination. Bear in mind that the price of a motorhome ranges from €100 to €180 per day. This corresponds more or less to the price of a night in a hotel in a large European city.

However, the motorhome option also allows you to cook and accommodate up to 6 people.

Consequently, a campsite at the foot of the slopes may be a more cost-effective option for benefiting from ski holidays rather than renting an apartment by the week.

Who can drive a motorhome, is a special permit required?

The majority of motorhomes do not require a special permit. In a very short time, you will see the world from new perspectives, reassures Philippe Heinisch.

Are there many logistical constraints?

Without doubt fewer that you would imagine. You will need to stop off at a campsite every two or three days to recharge the batteries and stay self-sufficient electricity wise. This is also an opportunity to fill the tanks with clean water and drain the waste water.

Mathieu had his first motorhome experience, at the request of his children aged between 4 and 6. It was the idea of sleeping in bunk beds, much like a tree house experience, which really delighted them.

“My fear was the driving” Mathieu recalls.“But it quickly dissipated and I found myself quickly at ease. The logistical aspects were also unknown to me. The hook-ups are very simple to configure. Another nice surprise is the very well designed bathroom!”

How do you ensure your own security and that of your property during a motorhome holiday, particularly when parked up at night in unknown areas?

“It is important to note that wild camping is prohibited in the majority of European countries” says Philippe Heinisch. This means that you should make sure that you should park up in a campsite or in car parks authorised for motorhomes.

If you are thinking about sleeping in a motorway service station despite the motorhome ban, don’t do it.”These are the only potentially dangerous situations that our customers report to us ” explains the lessor.

Renting or purchasing your motorhome?

Today, motorhome rental offers have been democratised. It has therefore become much easier to try out touring holidays for the first time.

If your motorhome holidays are only for a couple of weeks per year, the rental option appears to be the most appropriate. You benefit from vehicles that are less than a year old and you don’t have to worry about their maintenance.

On the other hand, if your lifestyle allows you to set off on the road several months per year, if you are an early retiree for example, the purchase option is more cost-effective. Bear in mind the place where you are going to store it when it’s not on the road, but also the costs of maintenance and insurance.

Because a motorhome is not on the road all year round, AXA has developed a specific offer for motorhomes that allow you to benefit from a 40% discount compared to your car insurance. As a stored motorhome is not protected from theft, it is important to remain insured throughout the year.

Ready to get started? So set off en route for new adventures!

Thanks to Philippe Heinisch, WebCamper for his valuable advice.