7 Keys to get everything ready
Whether it is your first trip in a motorhome or if you have traveled before, take note of the following recommendations that will help you prepare for your adventure and avoid problems that may tarnish the experience.
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Documentation
Before leaving on your trip, the first thing you should have in mind is all the documentation of the vehicle and of the people who will be traveling in the motorhome (especially for trips abroad).
Remember to carry your ID card or passport, driving license (in case of traveling abroad, check if you will need the International Driving Permit required by some countries), health card, COVID19 certificate (QR code) and credit cards.
Regarding the documentation of the motorhome, make sure you have the insurance receipt, the technical vehicle inspection card and the vehicle registration certificate, all of them in force, as well as the telephone numbers of the company you hired.
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Water and electricity
The current motorhomes have total autonomy, but you have to be aware that this autonomy is limited. If we have to be more than 2 days stopped, and we are not connected to the external current, we will use the interior lights that we need in every moment, that way, the battery will last us 2/ 3 days. In case the battery of the passenger compartment is exhausted, nothing happens, the vehicle has its own battery, we start and starts to charge the battery of the passenger compartment.
Regarding the water, the tank capacity is 110 liters, our water economy will depend on the duration of the same. E.g. In the shower we get wet, turn off the water, lather up, turn on the water again to rinse, so that up to 6 people can take a shower. If we use the shower as we do at home, there will only be enough water for 2 people. You can refill water at gas stations.
Regarding the hot water and heating, they work with butane/propane gas, our motorhomes are equipped with 2 propane bottles of 13 kg. well managed it can last more than 1 month in winter, counting that the heating is what consumes more.
The water called "gray", are the ones we use for cooking and showering, these waters go to a tank that can be emptied in almost all gas stations.
The waters called "black", are the w.c., this deposit if it is obligatory to empty it in zones destined to it, since they take chemical products.
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To distribute the load
When preparing the motorhome, it is important that there is a balanced distribution of the load to ensure your safety and that of the vehicle.
Kitchen and household utensils
One of the advantages of traveling in a motorhome is being able to cook and sleep in it, remember to take everything you need to make the most of it! (sheets, cutlery, crockery, pots and pans, etc.).
If you rent the motorhome and you do not want to take your things from home, they usually offer the extra option of kitchen and household items (charged separately).
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Assistance
Don't forget to have the assistance number of the contracted insurance at hand in case of any technical problem.
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Tolls abroad
Before leaving on a trip, it is essential that you prepare all the information about the destinations. Check the information about possible tolls abroad or the need to buy vignettes.
The vignettes are very common in several countries of the European Union and certify that the tax for the use of highways has been paid. Be well informed and make sure you carry them in case it is necessary to avoid having to pay very high fines.
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Parking
If you are thinking of arriving to the city center with a motorhome, it is not the best idea. The urban centers do not usually allow the entrance and are full of streets that you will not be able to pass with such a big vehicle.
The best option is to park far from the center (there are parking lots for this purpose) and take public transportation (subway, bus, streetcar) to the center.
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The importance of order
Although it may seem a cliché, order in a motorhome is essential so that you can enjoy yourself without feeling limited by space.
For all food supplies, it is advisable to carry them in a box to avoid that they end up scattered in the trunk or the interior due to the effect of the curves.
