We all love to be beside the seaside, but Peta Stavelli discovers there are always tips and tricks we can learn to help us holiday like seasoned pros.
There’s a first time for everything. But when planning for your virgin motorhome holiday, doing everything you can to ensure your trip is trouble-free is worth its weight in gold, so everyone can get the most out of their holiday. There is no substitute for years of personal experience, but there are a few things you can do to avoid any pitfalls as you get the RV road miles under your belt.
The learning curve
When it comes to motorhoming, the learning curve can feel a bit steep at the start. Mostly it’s the small things, but avoiding making costly mistakes often comes down to a few basics, like good checklists, planning, and preparation before you leave home.
Book early
First things first. Planning can be half the fun, and when you’ve worked out where you want to go, don’t waste any time making your booking. Coastal camps – especially beachside spots – are hotly contested, and some popular places are booked for peak times a year out. Freedom camping spots are often full by 4pm daily.
If you have a fully self-contained vehicle you may be able to take advantage of free camps, but be advised that fines for parking outside of these designated areas are steep. Always do your research before settling in for the night – is freedom camping allowed here? If you can, travel in the shoulder seasons when the weather is often more settled and the crowds have eased. However, if you have to travel at peak times, plan to book early so you can choose the campsite you want.
• Look for windbreaks for both privacy and shelter.
• Face your habitation door away from salt-spray and prevailing winds.
• If you’re travelling with young ones, consider camping near the play areas so you can relax while keeping a weather eye out for their welfare.
Protection and preparation
New Zealand’s maritime climate can be hard on vehicles. When you’re making a to-do list for your next holiday, think about additional ways you can protect your RV and extend its life. Before you leave, wash your motorhome thoroughly and coat it with protective wax, to prevent sand, salty air and ultraviolet light damaging its exterior.
• Buy some interlocking rubber mats to sit beside the entry door. These are inexpensive and hard-working. They fold out easily like giant puzzle pieces, ensuring that sand, mud and dirt drop away before you go indoors.
• If there are beach showers, lucky you! If not, place a basin of water and an old towel beside the door to rinse and dry sandy feet.
• Keep a dust-buster or dustpan and broom just inside the door to brush sand off your step and collect any stray sand that may have migrated inside. There’s nothing worse than sand traipsed all thrrough the kitchen and the bedding!
Let the fun begin
If you have an awning or annex, you’re in with a grin for extra space to sprawl, and even to entertain. If you don’t have an annex or awning tent, what about an inexpensive pop-up pavilion or tent? Make the space you have work as well as possible for you, with outdoor LED lights; hard-working mats (Pacific-styled polypropylene mats are colourful and inexpensive – layer them to achieve the look you like); fold out tables and pop-up picnic chairs; blow-up furniture, or canvas beanbags.
Meal prep is a breeze with a barbecue and you can simplify your clean-up, too. Pack a generous carry-all with handles if you’re using the campground kitchen. Keep it ready to go with dishwashing liquid, scourers, brushes and tea towels. You’ll save your vehicle’s water supplies, and reduce the mess indoors. And don’t forget to keep the bugs at bay, indoors and out, with the fantastic new-age combination lamps that come with insect repellent.
Play days
Slap on the sunscreen, throw on a floaty, long-sleeved shirt, and slip on a broadbrimmed hat before you head to the beach. One of the best things about motorhoming is having the ability to take your toys with you. Pile as much play equipment on board as you can to cater for the sunny days. It pays to make sure you’re aware of weight ratios here; a full scuba diving kit or a couple of e-bikes will weigh a lot more than a few surfboards! You might encounter some rainy days, as well. Board games, playing cards, books and movies will all help to while away the wet days, when you’ll also be extra grateful for that roomy annex.
Wilderness only carries premium German motorhomes that are designed to handle changeable environments like those by the beach. Take a look at some features to consider when buying a motorhome.
