Safety Tips For Setting Up Your Motorhome on holiday in 2023
With Spring upon us many holidaymakers will be turning their attentions to the arrival of the camping season.
The brighter weather heralds the beginning of sun-soaked evenings around the campfire and flame-cooked favourites from the barbecue.
A relaxed, stress-free camping experience starts with choosing the right pitch. However, whether you’re embracing the staycation amidst cost-of-living concerns or a seasoned RV camper, you’ll have to know how to set up station effectively and how to comply with any safety regulations.
Many motorhomes will have been left standing on the driveway over winter and may not necessarily be ready for instant use when the camping season rolls around.
We outline the relevant checks owners need to make before setting up to ensure happy campers all around.
Pitch Perfect Choosing your pitch can be pivotal to your enjoyment. Make sure you choose a pitch with easy access to essential amenities, including water, electricity and extra toilet / facilities if required. Some campers may choose to be in a central location in close proximity to campsite visitor centres and pavilions, while others may prefer something more quiet and remote.
Depending on the breadth of your chosen campsite, parking can be a challenge. Ensure you have enough room on all sides to accommodate any slideouts or extraneous features. Also, remember to leave room for outdoor seating areas and barbecues.
Cooking on Gas One of the real joys of a motorhome holiday is sitting around the campfire, basking in the afterglow of your day’s outdoor pursuits. Portable gas bottles can really light up your camping experience – both figuratively and literally. Check your gas levels before setting up.
Be aware that a regulator is always needed for your gas supply and that you have the correct type and size for your cylinder. Hoses need to be in top condition and marked suitable for use with LPG. Check these over for any cracking, brittle rubber or visible signs of damage. These also need to be less than five years old to guard against internal deterioration – hoses are stamped with a production date so users can check.
Electric Dreams Using the electric hook up supplied on powered campsites lets users electrify devices such as kettles, toasters, hairdryers and televisions. Campers will have to ensure they’re first parked within close proximity to this.
To connect properly, make sure everything in your RV is turned off while also turning off your campsite’s power supply. Check to make sure your electrical system aligns with the power adapter and proceed if so, or connect requisite attachments if not. Once everything is connected, turn the circuit breaker back on and relax.
Level Up If you’re new to the motorhome experience, levelling your vehicle safely is one of the most important skills you can learn. Find a good position on firm ground and make sure to purchase strong, durable levelling ramps to hold your motorhome in place. Kick the ramps into position rather than by hand to avoid any accidents.
Be Prepared Conducting an equipment audit before departing could safeguard your trip against any unfortunate eventualities. You may wish to bring along extra tents if you have guests joining or may require portable camping stoves and grills to experience the joy of cooking in the great outdoors. Extra chairs are also a must for those memorable nights around the campfire.
Sources
