The Wanderer
This little missive comes to you from Western Australia. We’ve flown to Perth, rented a Maui motorhome, and are heading north. Hiring a motorhome in various countries is something I have done on a fairly regular basis, as I am sure many Club members have also done, but for those who haven’t, here’s a few tips before hitting the road.
PLANNING
If contemplating a rental motorhome trip, choosing the right motorhome is at the top of the list. A good motorhome rental company like Maui will have a decent website for checking out the various models. If you’re new to motorhomes, it’s not a bad idea to visit the rental motorhome depot to see what’s available. Most motorhome rental depots are in capital cities, usually near an airport, but places like Cairns, Broome and Alice Springs will often have facilities for motorhome pickups or returns. There’s a similar situation in Europe, the USA and New Zealand. For instance, in New Zealand, Queenstown has motorhome rental depots and an international airport.
If you are new to the motorhome world, don’t underestimate your comfort levels. A two-berth camper might look like a good bargain, but making the bed up every night after a long day on the road might be a chore too many. I know it costs more, but my travelling preferences are for something with a fixed double bed or single beds that don’t have to be made up every night. We are travelling with a another couple and so have opted for the largest six berth we could get.
Storage is another consideration, inside and out. Rental motorhomes sometimes need more storage, but most people on fly-drive holidays can only carry the maximum luggage the airline allows.
Motorhome rental rates vary considerably on a seasonal basis and the age of the motorhome. Operators like THL have Maui, Britz and Mighty brands under its banner, and the newer Maui motorhomes are naturally more expensive than the older Mighty rigs.
Generally speaking, rental motorhomes are purpose-built, but some operators run units built for the retail market. Overseas rental motorhomes will be different to ours, of course. Generally speaking, anything in North America is bigger than we have here, but the roads are wider too. In New Zealand, the motorhomes are similar to Australia, but several rental operators run European-built motorhomes, which are a treat to travel around in for those who like them. Also, ahem, usually more expensive.
Booking ahead as far as possible is highly recommended because your desired choices may not be available during peak periods. Once your motorhome is booked and presumably related items like air travel, there are a few other considerations.
GETTING ORGANISED
Packing for a motorhome trip, particularly when flights are involved, requires some consideration and items like clothing are very much determined by the season. Lightweight layers work well in cooler months. Something I discovered a few years ago is packing cubes. Primarily designed for air travel, these work a treat in motorhomes, particularly those with high overhead lockers. I have six of various sizes containing all my clothing and some knick knacks I carry like a torch, Swiss army knife, Leatherman tool and a small set of screwdrivers. In addition, there are assorted devices and camera battery chargers which all need a home. Great for packing in bags but equally great for effectively using premium storage space in a motorhome. There are four of us travelling in a six-berth motorhome, and we are using every square cm.
Something else I have learned to carry when using rental motorhomes is a power board. Almost all the motorhomes I have come across need more power points or have them in awkward to get at places. Plugging in multiple chargers overnight and, in our case, a sleep apnea machine takes a few power outlets, and for this trip, we have two power boards—one at each end of the motorhome.
A consideration these days is booking ahead in peak times. In many places, having a loose plan for travelling and just turning up to a caravan park at 4.00pm and checking in may find the inn full. Booking ahead for popular places is essential. In our case, we are staying at several favoured destinations, and we booked our caravan park accommodation before departure. Those folk who enjoy freedom camping are not free of this problem too but cannot book ahead.
Immediately after collecting a motorhome, the first chore is often a visit to a supermarket. As a result of Covid, supermarkets have made this much more accessible via click-and-collect. Pre-ordering supplies and specifying a pickup date and time can be done quite easily. Just pick the nearest supermarket to the motorhome depot and place an order. It’s a great time saver on the day.
MOTORHOME PICKUP
When picking up your rental motorhome, the procedures are more time-consuming than a rental car. However, in recent years rental companies have honed their methods, used pre-departure check-in just like a plane flight and have apps to explain how everything in the motorhome works, from driving the cab to emptying the toilet cassette. The handover can take time; if you need help understanding something, do ask. It will save stress later. Competent staff will determine if you are familiar with rental motorhomes or motorhomes in general and will tailor the handover process to suit. Make sure you understand the insurance excess details and various waiver costs. It might look expensive, but the alternative might be even more costly.
HIT THE ROAD
Once the handover process is complete, it’s time to head for the supermarket and then hit the road. If unfamiliar with the motorhome and/or driving a left-hand drive vehicle, then take it easy on the first hour or so to gain confidence. From then on, it’s time to enjoy the trip.
Category: Features
Written: Sat 01 Jul 2023
Printed: July, 2023
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