Motorhome and Camper Van Hire - The Basics by Steve Thomas

Motorhomes for hire come in all shapes, sizes and prices. The trick is to find a motorhome to suit your requirements and budget.

There are a few styles of motorhome to choose from, with varying levels of comfort and price. Smaller vans are easier to handle, but larger vans offer more comfort. If it's your first time, I suggest you go for the largest van that you feel happy to drive, within your budget.

A hightop is basically a van conversion with a specially made high fixed roof. These come in various lengths, short, medium and long. These sizes refer to the wheelbase, which is the distance between the front and rear axle. Motohomes with a medium wheelbase are popular hire choices as they are easier to handle than the long wheelbase versions, whilst still offering a good degree of comfort. Some companies also offer motorhome hire with folding roofs. The above types of motorhomes are often referred to as camper vans.

Coachbuilt motorhomes (C class) are generally a lot larger than campers and are more like a house on wheels. Most will have all the comforts of home and often a double bed. Many of the designs have a bed area which sits over the top of the drivers cab. These motorhomes can be expensive to run and hire.

Fuel costs are a definite consideration for many when deciding to hire a motorhome. This problem has been taken on board by some rental companies and manufacturers. Many motorhome hire companies now offer vans that have been converted to run on LPG. This should at least half your fuel costs.

For most people, the hire cost is a definite consideration when looking to hire a camper or motorhome. My advice is to not overstretch your budget on the rental cost. Part of the enjoyment of the motorhome is being able to visit and enjoy new places. If you are a couple, a medium wheelbase motorhome should provide you with good overall comfort levels, ease of use and at a reasonable price.

One thing I should mention is that insurance cover for motorhome hire can be expensive and you should know up front exactly what you are covered for. Take time to review the policy. Remember to comply with most insurance policies you should carry out the daily maintenance tasks on the motorhome as specified by your rental agent.

You've booked the motorhome hire, now what.

Well it really depends on what type of holiday you are looking for. If you are using the motorhome as a base to visit new places then to get the most out of your hire, it's always a good idea to plan your route in advance. This means that you will know each day where you are going and don't waste any time deciding where to go while on your holiday.

Of course for some, there will be no route and hiring a motorhome is all about the open road with a new adventure each day.

Author Resource: For a comprehensive list of camper van and motorhome hire companies see http://www.ukaway.co.uk/.

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