New to Motorhomes?

Don’t worry we were too! They are very simple to use and we will run through everything with you before you leave as well as giving you written instructions on the equipment and appliances to make sure everything runs smoothly. Our motor homes are suitable for couples, families and/or friends. They’re a fantastic way to see the country and are great fun.

The motorhomes are surprisingly spacious, the kitchen is well equipped and easy to use as is the shower room. The beds are very comfortable with their own reading lights and privacy curtains, the bunk beds are ideal for kids or adults as they are full size – plenty of room for the kids to keep their toys at the bottom of the bed.

Driving your motorhome is much easier than you may think! All our vehicles are based on the right hand drive Fiat Ducato chassis. They have a 5 speed manual gearbox, the gear lever is a stubby stick conveniently positioned on the dash. The first thing you notice though is the high driving position which gives you every opportunity to be able to anticipate road conditions ahead, to judge bends and to brake more easily. There is plenty of height and recline adjustment to the seat and you generally adopt a more upright and relaxed driving position.

You are bigger than a car and need to move out a little to the middle of the road to avoid overhanging trees on the nearside and move over a bit more to avoid the odd cyclist and car when overtaking. Take a bigger swing when manoeuvring but you will be surprised at the turning circle which beats some 4x4’s. Reversing is always best done with a passenger on the ground or for you to get out and make your own check before starting. You need to use your wing mirrors a lot, they are big and you should check they are correctly positioned to allow you to scan them easily to spot fast approaching traffic. Motorhomes have limited through-vision and some none at all so you soon start to rely on the mirrors. Keep your speed steady until you gain confidence and remember relax you are on holiday.

Motorhomes are easy to drive but different to a car, take things at a steadier pace and try to anticipate braking and cornering to make the journey more comfortable and reduce the number of complaints from the navigators. Finally remember all handbrakes are on the right hand side.

Parking in the centre of most big towns is difficult and best avoided. Motorhomes cannot be parked in multi-storey car park. The most convenient place to park are large supermarkets.

Using the on board facilities

Water

The Motorhomes are fitted with an onboard water tank, which when full will last for around 2/3 depending on how much you use. You will be able to fill up at petrol stations and camp sites this is very easy – simply drive your Motorhome up to the relevant tap fix on your hose pipe and fill the water up into the external water tank fill up point. There is also a grey water tank (used dirty water) and this will need to be emptied when you fill up with fresh water. This must be done at Motor Van Waste Points (MVWP) which can be found on most campsites

Toilet/ shower room

The cassette toilet has an electric flush and the chemicals required to keep it clean and fresh are provided. The toilet has a separate cartridge which needs to be emptied into an appropriate disposal point which you will find on campsites. It’s very simple to empty and it does not smell! There’s a light on the toilet that turns red when the toilet needs to be emptied. Household cleaning products must not be used to clean the toilet and normal toilet paper must not be used – these products are both supplied as are the special chemicals needed and are readily available on campsites if more are required. Please empty and clean the toilet upon return. Failure to do so will result in a charge of £50.

The shower rooms in our motorhomes are larger than average and as well as the cassette toilet, sink and shower contain useful storage lockers. Having a shower is just like having a shower at home although you must remember that there is not an endless supply of water and if you like long showers you must be prepared to fill your water tank up.

Refrigerator

All of our motorhomes are fitted with a refrigerator in the kitchen area. It can be run by gas, mains electricity or the 12v battery. It’s very simple to use – while you’re plugged into an electrical supply on your campsite turn the fridge to 230v, if you move off site and are driving turn the fridge to 12v and finally if you are staying somewhere with no mains electricity turn the fridge to gas. Don't worry if you're just out for a few hours and intend to go back to your site - the fridge and contents will stay cold.

Cooking Area

The gas hob and grill are easy to use – simply turn the knob and press the ignite button with 4 burners there’s plenty of room to do all your cooking. When the hob’s not in use put the glass top down and you have extra preparation space.

Heating

Is blown air heating and is run from gas. It's easy to use and keeps and heats the van very quickly.

Planning your holiday

It is best to plan your route before you leave. Where possible book campsites in advance and make sure they have the practical facilities you require, such as power, water and waste disposal facilities.

Camping and choosing pitches

Motorhomes are not able to overnight on the roadside in most areas of Europe. Therefore it is best to pre-book a campsite pitch before you leave, particularly at busy times.

Where possible, hard standing pitches are the most desirable as they make parking easy. Check with the campsite the facilities available and whether there is mains power, also remember to ask what facilities are close to your pitch, such as a children’s play area. Your motorhome is supplied with a 25 metre mains electric hook up lead simply plug into the campsites electric supply and then plug into the vehicle. This then enables your motorhome to use normal household electrical appliances – tv’s, laptops, mobile phone chargers etc. These appliances will not run from the 12v leisure battery only special 12v appliances will run from this along with the lights.

Upon Arrival

Choose your pitch

Go to a Service Point (SP) or Motor Van Waste Point (MVWP) use your hose (provided) to fill the Motorhome up from the drinking water tap ( if not already full). When full go back to your pitch, park van up and make sure it’s level – if on a slope use the levelling blocks provided. Plug your mains electric hook up lead into the campsites electric supply. Take the cowl cover off the water heater (located outside of van on drivers side). Turn the gas on located in gas locker – passenger side of van. Switch the pump and the electrics on, on the control panel above the door and then run the hot tap to fill up the boiler – switch the boiler on (located under left hand side of table) if hot water required. Turn the fridge to 240v mains electrics. Roll the awning out, take your outdoor furniture out of the garage (if supplied), sit down with a nice glass of wine and relax and enjoy your holiday!

Departure

Emptying toilet

Remove the cassette located drivers side of van and take to chemical waste disposal point (CWDP). Turn tube around and remove top, press quick release button and empty, flush out with clean water several times until clean make sure you also clean the sliding cover. Put 100mls of chemical fluid provided in (use the cap to measure) along with 2 litres of water. Put cassette back in Motorhome. Your toilet is now ready to use again.

• Make sure all loose items are put away in the provided lockers and the doors are locked.
• Close all windows and roof vents – don’t forget the ones in the shower room!
• Put the ladders on the top of the beds.
• Switch gas off and replace cowl.
• Unplug electric cable and put away.
• Lock the fridge door and turn supply over to 12v electrics.
• Drive the Motorhome to the Motor Van Waste Disposal Point (MVWP) on site and empty the grey water tank (located underneath the van - drivers side) lift drain cover make sure the end of the waste pipe is over the drain and open the red lever to release the water.
• Hand your toilet key or barrier passif supplied back to the campsite owners. You’re now ready for your next adventure.
Tel: 01697 742599- Email: motorhomes@offthewallpromotions.co.uk