UKMotorhomes.net

Confused by the terminology? We'll try to help, some commomly used terms are listed below - If you come across a term you are not familiar with let us know and we'll add it to the list.

Aire - The most commonly used term for official motorhome parking or service points in France, may also be refered to as Aire de Service, see our article . Be aware that motorway service areas and rest stops are also called Aires, or Aire de Repos.

Air-rides - Proprietory name for spring assisters fitted to the rear axle, said to improve handling characteristics

Cassette toilet- A very common type of toilet where the waste is held in a removable container, which you carry to a CDP to empty, see below for more details on toilets.

CC - Caravan Club

CCC or C&CC- Camping and Caravanning Club

CDP - Chemical Disposal Point, for emptying toilets

CL - Certificated Location, small sites often on farms, that are limited to 5 caravans or motorhomes, open to CC members only. The Motor Caravanners' Club also use this designation to identify sites approved by them, usually open open to all motorcaravanners.

CS - Certificated Site, as above, but open to CCC members only

FSH - Full service history

Grey Water - waste water from sinks & showers

GVW - Gross vehicle weight as marked on the vehicles VIN plate. It means the maximum amount the vehicle and all its contents can weigh. Now usually referred to as MAM or MTPLM. It is illegal to operate a vehicle in excess of the maximim weight marked on the VIN plate.

LWB - Long wheelbase

LPG - Liquified petroleum gas, comes in two types: Propane, good for all season use; butane, no good in the winter as it won't produce gas below 0°C

MAM - Maximum authorised mass, see GVW

Marine toilet - Toilet with a fixed waste holding tank, see below for more details on toilets.

MCM - Motorcaravan Magazine, a popular magazine for motorhomers in the UK

MHM - Motorhome Monthly, a popular magazine for motorhomers in the UK

MMM - Motorcaravan, Motorhome Monthly, a popular magazine for motorhomers in the UK

MTPLM - Maximum Technically Permitted Laden Mass, see GVW

MVWP - MotorVan Waste Point, a road level dump point for motorhomes with on board grey or black water holding tanks

PAS - Power assisted steering

Payload - The weight of the extra items that you can carry in the motorhome after an allowance has been made for driver, passenger, water, fuel, gas and certain other essentials.

PMH - Practical Motorhome, a popular magazine for motorhomers in the UK

PIR - Passive infra-red, security device that detects heat sources

RV - Recreational Vehicle, used in the USA to mean any type of camping vehicle, often used in the UK to refer to the large American motorhomes

Silver Screens - Proprietory name for insulated covers for the cab windows

SOG - A forced ventilation system for cassette toilets, see below.

TD - Turbo Diesel. The engine is fitted with a turbocharger which uses energy from the exhaust to power a turbine which forces extra air into the engine air intake. This gives an increase in power. Many diesels are fitted with a turbo as standard, those without can be fitted with them by specialist companies.

Top Box - A, usually plastic or fibreglass, storage box fixed to the roof of a motorhome

Zig - Proprietory name of a company that produces caravan and motorhome electrical equipment, often taken to refer to a mains powered charger for the motorhome 12V battery

Toilets

Often confusing for the newcomer, here is a brief resume of the types likely to be found in motorhomes.

Cassette toilet: A fixed toilet in the motorhome with a removable box (cassette) to hold the waste. Some types have a built in water tank for the flushing water, others use the onboard water tank. The cassette is accessed from outside the motorhome and is carried to a disposal point for emptying. This is the most common type to be found in motorhomes.

Portapotti: Is a portable self contained toilet, usually in two parts, the top part comprises the bowl and incorporates a tank for the flushing water, tho bottom part is a removable waste tank that is carried to a disposal point for emptying.

Marine toilet: Is a fixed toilet that is connected to a fixed waste tank in the motorhome, flushing water is usually from the onboard tank. As the waste tank is fixed you have to drive to a ground level disposal point for emptying which is accomplished by opening a valve and allowing the contents to drain out. This type of toilet normally has the largest capacity waste tank and is often to be found in American motorhomes and some European ones.

Chemicals
Normally used in all systems, if only to mask the smell. The formaldehyde based chemicals (like the familiar Elsan Blue) are increasingly frowned on because of the damage the chemical can do to the environment, in fact their use is banned in Germany and some other countries. There are some 'green' alternatives that are acceptable.

SOG
A ventilation system available for the cassette toilet that means the toilet can be used without chemicals at all. The system uses a small fan to pull air down through the toilet as soon as the flap is opened, a flexible tube carries the air to the outside through a carbon filter fitted, usually, on the cassette door.

How can I keep my 'marine toilet' holding tank clean?
After emptying the tank, before leaving, put about 10 litres of water in the tank. On arrival at your destination flush the tank out. It's not always practical to do, but done now and again should keep the tank reasonably clean.

Seatbelts and the law
(last updated April 2008)

We asked the Department for Transport for their interpretation on the law as it applies to seatbelts fitted in motorhomes, this article gives the essence of the information that they gave us:

The information below relates to the fitting of seatbelts and the wearing of seatbelts by adults. There is specific legislation, introduced in 2006, concerning the carrying of children in vehicles. Rather than trying to present all the somewhat complicated regulations here, please see: www.thinkroadsafety.gov.uk/campaigns/childcarseats/childcarseats.htm

For vehicles built up to Oxtober 2007 there was no legal requirement to have seat belts fitted to side-facing seats or seats that make up the accommodation area in motor caravans.
Regulation 46 of the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulations 1986, as amended, states motor caravans first used on or after 1st April 1982 but before 1 October 1988 shall be equipped with anchorage points for the driver's seat and specified passenger seat (if any); and for motor caravans first used on or after 1st October 1988 shall be equipped with anchorage points for the driver's seat and any forward-facing front seat.
You can download a copy of the SI at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2001/20011043.htm.
However, this did not preclude manufacturers fitting seat belts to forward facing or rearward facing seats within the accommodation area if they wished to do so.
Where seat belts are fitted they must be worn.

Seats in the rear of a campervan/motorhome did not, prior to October 2007, require seatbelts (whether forward, rearward or sideways facing) and it is not illegal to carry unrestrained passengers in them while travelling, providing the vehicle is not overloaded. It is not something we would recommend, however.

Although current seat belt wearing regulations do not currently prohibit carrying more passengers in vehicles than there are seat belts available, the police may prosecute drivers for carrying passengers in a manner that may injure someone.
We would advise that no-one should be carried in any unbelted seat in the rear of a motorhome.

An EU Directive (2005/40/EC) on the installation of seat belts required that from 20 October 2007 new vehicles have to have seat belts fitted on all seats except those seats intended solely for use when the vehicle is stationary.

Where seat belts are fitted, from May 2009, the seat belt wearing Directive will prevent more passengers being carried than there are seat belts in the rear of vehicles. This will mean that from May 2009, in any vehicle of whatever age, where seat belts are fitted in the rear, more passengers may not be carried in the rear than there are seat belts available.

The critical point for owners of older motorhomes is that it will not become illegal to carry passengers in the rear, provided that no seatbelts are fitted to any seats behind the driver and front passenger seats. Owners of any motorhome that has belts fitted to any seat in the rear will need to be aware that, from May 2009, it will be illegal to carry passengers in any unbelted seats.

The advisability of carrying unrestrained passengers is another matter, to quote the DfT spokesman:

'... the police can already act where people in the rear of any vehicle are considered to be carried in a dangerous manner because they are unrestrained. [Owners] should beware of unbelted passengers. In a crash, they can injure others in the vehicle ...'.

We are indebted to Rohan Pohl and Tom Norman from the Department for Transport for their time and patience in answering all our questions on this subject.

MOTs for motorhomes

There is sometimes confusion, even within the MOT trade, over the type of MOT test that motorhomes are subject to. Motorhomes are registered with the body type 'motor caravan', in the past this description was applied quite loosely but recently the DVLA and VOSA have been more rigid in aplying the regulations. In fact anyone registering a change of vehicle type after carrying out a conversion, or registering an imported motorhome, is likely to be required to have the vehicle checked at a VOSA Testing Station before DVLA will issue a new registration document.

We asked VOSA about the regulations that apply to motorhomes, as far as the MOT test is concerned., with particular reference to motorhomes with garages, or other storage areas. The issue being that some Testing Stations were insisting that such motorhomes were 'Living Vans' and as such, if over 3500kg GVW, require a Class VII MOT test every year from new.

The matter has now (17/11/06) been resolved by VOSA who state that it is up to the motorhome owner to declare if goods are to be carried, when submiting the motorhome for an MOT test. If a declaration is made that goods are not carried the Testing Station should accept that the vehicle is a 'motor caravan' and that a Class IV test is appropriate.

Details of our discussions with VOSA can be found here

What road tax (VED) should I be paying?

Virtually all motorhomes with a revenue weight (equivalent to gross weight, MAM or MTPLM) of 3500kg or less should be taxed in the PLG category, all motorhomes with a revenue weight of over 3500kg should be taxed in the PHGV category - see our Motorhome Road Tax page for more information. Check your motorhome's tax disc, if you are paying £205 or £300 per year please let us know

Do I need to pay UK Road Tax if I'm travelling in Europe?

As we understand it for all EU countries, all visiting vehicles must be road legal in their country of registration, which effectively means that you must have a current UK Road Tax disc and a current MOT Certificate. This may also be a requirement of your insurance company.

Training

The Caravan Club runs a limited number of motor caravanning courses, which are held mainly in the winter. They are designed for participants who are contemplating buying a motor caravan for the first time, or who have very little practical experience. Non-members are welcome. For further information, call the Club on 01342 336808.

The Camping and Caravanning Club also run Motorhome Manoeuvring Courses. See their website for more details.

Servicing

It's important to have your motorhome properly serviced. This will certainly be a condition of any warranty that you have, and full service records will be a great asset when you come to sell your motorhome, not to mention the safety aspects of ensuring that all the equipment is operating as it should.

The base vehicle should be serviced in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, and the accommodation part also needs an annual check over. The converter may well have a service schedule which you need to adhere to in order to maintain the warranty, and you may in fact need to take the motorhome to a workshop approved by the manufacturer whilst the warranty is in force.

There is a standard checklist, produced by the Motorhome Section of the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) that provides guidance to dealers on what should be checked as part of an annual habitation service check. We have their permission to reproduce the checklist to help owners understand what is involved - and also so that they can ensure that a proper service has been carried out! The checklist can be found here.

Speed Limits

In the UK motorhomes are subject to the same speed limits as private cars, unless they exceed 3050kg unladen weight, or they are classed as 'living vans' which are subject to goods vehicle speed limits:

Vehicle		Carriageway
		without trailer			with trailer
		single	dual	motorway	single	dual	motorway
Passenger vehicle, dual purpose vehicle, motor caravan not exceeding 3050kg unladen or 8 passenger seats		60mph	70mph	70mph	50mph	60mph	60mph
Passenger vehicle, dual purpose vehicle, motor caravan exceeding 3050kg unladen or 8 passenger seats and :-	NOT exceeding 12 metres in length	50mph	60mph	70mph	50mph	60mph	60mph
	exceeding 12 metres in length	50mph	60mph	60mph	50mph	60mph	60mph

[source: Section 86 (1) and Schedule 6 Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984]

VOSA's definition of 'unladen weight' is:

'The weight of a vehicle inclusive of the body and all parts which are ordinarily used with the vehicle when working on a road. Unladen weight does not include the weight of water or fuel used for the propulsion of the vehicle, or of loose tools and loose equipment.'

We take that to mean, in the case of motorhomes, the weight of the bare vehicle, without any posessions, portable equipment, water, gas, etc. Many motorhomes with a GVW of 3500kg or less will have an unladen weight of less than 3050kg, but if you are in doubt about the unladen weight of your motorhome you should get the figures from the motorhome manufacturer.

See our page on motorhome speed limits for further information on UK limits.

For limits in Europe please see our Foreign Touring Section.

Do I need a TV licence?

If you have a licenced TV at your home and you watch or record TV programmes on an additional TV in a touring caravan or vehicle, or a boat, you do not need a separate TV Licence; you will be covered by the TV Licence for your main residence.

If the television in use in a motorhome is the only or main television then a licence will be required. These can be registered using the registration number of the vehicle and an address of a designated site (a permanent address or, most likely, the pitch which is used most regularly). For those people living and travelling in their motorhomes who don't have a regular pitch, a postal address where mail is received, such as an accommodation address or PO box can be used.

Can I sleep in my camper when it's parked on the road or in a lay-by?

It's very difficult to give a straightforward answer, the problem is that many bits of legislation may apply, including the Caravan Sites & Control of Development Act, and recent legislation covering gypsies and travellers. As a motorhome or campervan is classed in law as a 'caravan', sleeping in it may constitute 'camping'.

Our interpretation of the law is that you cannot 'camp' on land in England & Wales (the law may be different in Scotland and N. Ireland) without the permission of the land owner. As far as the highway is concerned (this includes lay-bys) the land owner is normally the local authority.

However, whether you are moved on or not will depend on the attitude of the local authority or the local police. Our opinion (and it is only an opinion) is that you are unlikely to be moved on if: The vehicle is not causing an obstruction (but remember that there is no 'right' to park any vehicle on the road); there is no specific local by-law prohibiting overnight parking or sleeping in vehicles; you are not in the same place for more than a day or two.

Having said that, we don't encourage overnight parking other than at official sites (sometimes known as 'wild camping'), however we know that many people prefer it. Anyone considering it must be aware of the risks involved, and must have a responsible attitude to the local environment and other users of the location. As the old saying goes: 'Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photographs'. We know of several locations formerly used for overnight parking, that have been lost to all motorhome users because of the irresponsible actions of a minority.

For what it's worth, during our 28 years of ownership of campers and motorhomes we have never been moved on from any lay-by or roadside stopping place in the UK - but we only use them as an overnight stop on a long journey.

Many countries in Europe have networks of approved stopovers for motorhomes and there are moves to establish a similar provision in the UK. Some councils are starting to make provision for overnight stays by motorhomes, see this page for more information.

I've bought a motorhome, but I don't have room to keep it at home

You probably need to find a secure storage site, to satisfy your insurers. Have a look at www.cassoa.co.uk , they are a nationally recognised body providing an official register of safe and secure storage sites. They have a list of sites on their website. Alternatively, some campsites offer long term storage, you could try any that are local to you, just be sure that any site you choose is acceptable to your insurance company.

How can I tow a car behind my motorhome?

Our view is that the safest method is to use a purpose designed trailer. There are devices known as A-frames which allow a car to be towed directly, the manufacturers of these devices will assure users that their use is legal. For the Department for Transport's official view see this Note.
The use of A frames may not be permitted by local legislation in some European countries but there is provision, within the EU, for vehicle combinations that are legal in their country of registration to be used when visiting another country where the combination is illegal for locally registered vehicles. However you may have to be prepared to argue the point if stopped by the local traffic police!

Basic buying advice for choosing a motorhome

If you are completely new to motorhomes, the best advice is to look at as many different types as you can, there is no substitute for seeing a motorhome 'in the flesh' - they often look quite different to the pictures in magazines and manufacturers promotional material. The best places to see lots of motorhomes in one place are the motorhome shows that are organised around the country, we have a list here.

A very good book, almost 'essential reading' for anyone considering buying a motorhome, is Go Motorhoming, written by Meli George and Chris Doree. It's full of useful information and even 'old hands' will learn from it. Complementing this is a new (2008) book from John Wickersham, The Motorcaravanning Handbook. It has a much more technical bias.

If you want to get the feel of a motorhome before spending a lot of money, try hiring one. Check out the hire listings in our Directory for a company near you.

The following was written by K. Stephen Busick, for the Family Motorcoach Association in the USA, but is just as relevant to the UK. It is reproduced here, with alterations and additions for the UK, with his kind permission.

A motorhome, whether new or used, is a sizable investment. In addition to being a motor vehicle, it's a home. For many people, it's the second-largest purchase they will ever make. It's important to remember that whichever motorhome is selected, it probably will not be the last one purchased. Just as needs related to permanent housing change as a family changes, motorhome-related needs also change. Obviously, this article will not give the definitive answer to all of your questions, but perhaps it will provide the information needed to begin your search.

Motorhome cost

The first question many people who have never purchased a motorhome ask is about the cost.
It must be remembered that although motorhomes are similar to cars in that both have a chassis and other automotive systems, they are truly "homes." They have plumbing, 12v and 240v electrical systems, and heating and cooling systems, plus kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping areas.
Motorhomes have to endure earthquake-type forces every day when they are driven down less than perfect roads. And driving through a rainstorm often subjects them to storm-force rains. Through all of this, they are expected to stay together, not leak, and to function properly immediately after being taken out of storage. When viewed from this perspective, it's not surprising that even entry-level motorhomes often cost many thousands of pounds.

How big?

Another frequent question is what size motorhome is needed. Buying a motorhome is similar to purchasing a suit: You should purchase the one that fits you. A size 52 suit is not the best purchase for a person who wears a size 44, even if they both cost the same.
Larger does not necessarily mean better when buying a suit or a motorhome. However, the person needing the size 52 suit will not be happy in a size 44 regardless of how great the deal was on the suit. Almost the same can be said for buying a motorhome. While the many owners say their next motorhome will be larger than their current one, buying the "correct size" is important. Just as many owners of large motorhomes are extremely pleased with their purchase, so are the owners of some of the smallest motorhomes imaginable. Like any home and every suit, it's the "fit" that makes it comfortable.
Perhaps a rule of thumb regarding size could be, the longer the motorhome will stay in one location, the longer it should be. You probably wouldn't choose a big A-class motorhome if you needed to use it as daily transportation. Obviously, no motorhome is cumbersome when it's parked, regardless of its size. And, while not all motorhomes are big enough to live in, almost all of them are big enough to live out of. Awnings, safari rooms, and even folding chairs increase living space.
The interior of the motorhome should be determined not only by where the motorhome will be used, but also by who will use it. If the motorhome will be used in unpaved locations, such as in the woods or at the beach, carpeting throughout may not be a good idea. However, if most use will occur in a resort-type setting, the luxury of carpeting underfoot is hard to beat. If a family will travel in the motorhome, make sure there are enough seats with seat belts to accommodate everyone.

Lounging space

Sit on the couches, are they comfortable, do you hit your head on the cupboards above? Is there space for a TV if you want one - can you see it easily from the seats? Decide if the layout will suit your lifestyle, some people like room to sprawl, others prefer to sit more upright

Sleeping space

Several types of sleeping arrangements are found in motorhomes, you need to decide which one is for you. Many have an over-cab sleeping space, but some people find this claustrophobic - make sure that you can get up and down easily and that there is sufficient headroom if you like to sit up in bed. Most motorhomes have some beds that are made up from a seating area - pretend to make up the bed to find out how easy it is and whether all corners can be reached easily. Some people prefer a fixed bed that can be left made up in the daytime, but you need to bear in mind that this may take up valuable space. The 'drop-down' bed often found in A-class motorhomes can give you the best of both worlds, a permanently made bed that is simply lifted out of the way during the day. Make sure that you pull it down and push it up again to check how easy this is. Climb into the bed, is it easy to get in and out, can you sit up in the bed?
Most people don't mind being a bit crowded when they eat, or even eating outside or in "shifts," but sleeping is a different story. Make sure the motorhome can sleep the needed number of people comfortably.
While dinettes and sofas are sometimes touted as sleeping two people, those two people often should be children. No seller should object if potential buyers remove their shoes and lie on the bed to see whether it is large enough. One thing new buyers may not realise is that many beds in a motorhome are non-standard sizes, measuring the bed before buying a motorhome may prevent the new owner from buying fitted sheets that don't fit well. If the bed is situated against the wall, realise that getting into and out of bed can be a chore when the "aisle" person is sleeping. Is there enough storage space for clothing? If dresses will be taken on trips, can they hang freely in the wardrobe?

Kitchen

No matter how small a kitchen is in a stationary home, it's probably larger than the one in a motorhome. Buyers must ask themselves what kind of meals they will prepare in this kitchen. Many pre-owned motorhomes feature ovens that have never been used. Many continental motorhomes have no oven or grill fitted. Perhaps a simple microwave or combination microwave-convection oven is sufficient if you intend to use electric hook-ups most of the time. If not, conventional ovens and other kitchen appliances are available to be retro-fitted. Make sure the galley has adequate storage for both the food that will be prepared and for the utensils and crockery that will be used to prepare it and serve it. Is there a spot big enough for the largest pan or portable appliance that will be used? Pretend to prepare a meal, is there enough room to cook whilst others are sitting in the seats? Do the drawers and cupboard doors work easily yet have some provision for not coming open as the motorhome is driven?

Bathrooms

Motorhome owners seem to fall into two categories when it comes to bathrooms. Some like large bathrooms, while others prefer to have the extra space utilised elsewhere in the motorhome, because of the relatively small amount of time spent in the bathroom or the fact that they always use the on-site facilities. Keep in mind that the water heater probably will hold only a few gallons, while the one at home will have a much greater capacity. Thus, frugality with the hot water may be essential. Obviously, the same is true when using the shower. Whichever style of bathroom is chosen, make sure it fits the your lifestyle and physical body. Take off your shoes and stand in the shower to see whether it has sufficient headroom and enough space to move comfortably. Also, sit on the toilet and make sure there is adequate room when the door is closed.

The test drive

When test driving a motorhome, it's a good idea to take it on a selection of road types of roads. It's unlikely that any motorhome will handle the same as a family car, but if you feel that it's too cumbersome, it will not be used as much as it should. Make sure the mirrors can be adjusted for good visibility. If vision to the rear or side is a problem, cameras and additional mirrors to minimize this problem are available and can be installed at any time. Also, make sure the co-pilot has a chance to drive the motorhome before purchasing it.

Weight

Ask the seller what the motorhome weighs. Ideally you should know the weight carried by each axle and compared them with the weight ratings given on the vehicle's VIN plate. If the seller doesn't know this information you should ask if the vehicle can be taken to a weighbridge for checking. If you find that your motorhome is overweight it may be possible to have the chassis upgraded on some models by specialist companies. An overloaded motorhome can be unsafe and illegal to operate. If the motorhome is empty, remember that water, fuel, tools, food, clothing, people, and all of the other things that go into most motorhomes will weigh hundreds of kilogrammes. The power, acceleration, and handling of the motorhome during a test drive may change once the vehicle is fully loaded. If possible, talk with other owners about their experience with the same motorhome.

Other Concerns

If the motorhome being bought from a dealer, check the terms of any warranty. Check to see whether the manufacturer is still in business. Although parts such as pumps, water heaters, and windows are often made by various manufacturers regardless of motorhome brand, parts such as body mouldings, trim pieces etc. can be difficult or impossible to locate if the motorhome manufacturer is no longer in business.
Verify the model year of both the base vehicle and the conversion. Manufacturers often stockpile chassis, and it's not unusual for them to have chassis from the previous model year when production for the new model year begins. This is not bad in itself, but it can cause confusion when having the vehicle serviced.
Like any motor vehicle, the motorhome will need servicing. Finding a service centre near home that can do routine maintenance saves time and helps to prevent inconvenient breakdowns on the road.

When owners are asked for a one-sentence summary of what they tell their friends to do when contemplating the purchase of a motorhome the following advice comes up time and again:
"Take your time," "Do your homework," and "Talk to people" are typical answers. So are "Attend motorhome shows," "Find a good dealer," and "Check with owners of similar motorhomes."

Remember, there is a new or used motorhome for just about every budget and every family. It just takes some time to find it.

Motorhome FAQs