Renting a campervan or motorhome is an excellent option to take advantage of the benefits of a Scottish vacation However, you might be thinking about what you can expect when you finally hit the road. Here are our top tips for a comfortable motorhome experience.
Motorhome Size
The first thing to note is that your motorhome rental is likely larger than the one the vehicle you’re familiar with in the past, unless you’re regularly driving the HGV or van. It’s worthwhile to find out the height, width and long the vehicle is – you don’t want to be stuck in low bridges or the canopies of petrol stations. Learn the weight of it, in addition, since it can impact the speed you travel at (see below for more details).
Modern motorhomes are built to be simple to drive and have power for everything. However, there’s plenty of vans behind the wheel and you must be able to pull wide when making abrupt turns, such as at traffic lights , for instance in order not to harm the vehicle or pedestrians who are passing.
The brakes are highly efficient , however campervans weigh a great deal, so take your time to slowing down the right time to avoid junctions, bends and other road traffic.
The size can also limit the roads you are able to use at times. Don’t rely solely on sat-navs to get safe to where you want to go. Instead, get an accurate map and learn how to interpret it. There are many reports of people relying on satellite navigation and ending up stuck, or driving into the loch!
The Scottish Highlands and West Coast particularly has some amazing twisting single track roads in the event that you encounter any traffic, make sure to make use of the frequently used crossing points
Your Motorhome on the road
Before you leave take the time to ensure that the driver’s seat is at the correct height for you to reach the pedals with ease and that the side mirrors are installed to be able to see what’s happening in front of you. It could require a few miles before you’re comfortable making use of them instead of an omni-directional rear-view mirror however, you’ll soon get habit of it.
Find out the blind spots in your car and keep in mind that, even though the vans have rear-view cameras in color It’s a good idea to have someone on the vehicle the first instances you reverse it until you’re confident that you’re secure. It’s a good idea practice in a parking space at the supermarket!
Take it slow when you first begin the motorhome. It’s a vacation, so it’s okay to relax. Your journey is a part of the adventure rather than a chaotic rush across the country from one point to another.
The speed limit that is legal for campervans that weigh up at 3.5 tons is exactly the same that for cars (60 speed on one carriageway, and 70 mph for motorways and dual carriageways) However, there’s no obligation to travel that fast in the event that you don’t intend to. If your vehicle is more than 3.5 tonnes, you’re limited to 50 mph on single carriageways, 60 on dual carriageways, and 70 when driving on motorways.
On certain narrow, winding Scottish roads, the speed limit could be dangerously high Be ready to reduce your speed. There are some single track roads that are still in certain locations. They’re not suitable for big vehicles, but when you do happen to be on one, make use of the places to pass the cars. They’re not suitable for parking in the open to take in the views!
If you notice a line of cars begin to gather behind you, you need to find an appropriate spot to pull into and let them go It’s legally required and can keep you from an accident caused by drivers trying to merge into an unsafe spot.
Motorhomes and campsites
Motorhomes that are used for wild camping is technically prohibited throughout Britain. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which permits limited wild camping does not cover vehicles with wheels. It is legal to park in the 15-foot range of road, however some places that appear to be ideal overnight spots will have warning signs that read “No overnight camping”.
When you’re late to arrive and depart early, you’ll likely enjoy free camping But ensure that you don’t disturb the locals or damage the very nature you’re here to experience. Remove all the trash along with you, and be cautious of what you drive over Some ecosystems, like the machair in The Outer Hebrides, is surprisingly fragile and is now threatened.
Registered campsites offer a variety of advantages in addition to being legally permitted: electric hook-ups for toilets, toilets along with piped water supply are just three of them. Additionally, if you utilize the facilities on the site, you don’t need clean out your vehicle’s water waste tanks as often.
Official sites typically feature hard-standing pitches too which means you won’t be stuck (with Scotland’s weather sometimes being somewhat damp, boggy patches aren’t uncommon elsewhere, particularly on the edges of the asphalt).
No matter if you’re staying in the campsite or on the roadside to take an hour or so it’s a great sensation take your bag and move on with your journey
Daily Living in the Motorhome
No matter how big the motorhome is still a small space. Carrying heavy suitcases isn’t advised: bags that can be put away far more useful. In reality, it’s better to store everything away. Everything that’s left lying around after you go off will skid across the floor, and it could cause injury if you need to stop in a hurry.
It is suggested to pack light. Don’t wear the fancy outfits and high-heeled shoes at home. We suggest buying fresh foods from local stores while you travel. You’ll experience the real taste of the wonderful food Scotland offers and also help small-scale business owners at the same time.
Since there aren’t separate bedrooms in a motorhome, and the beds are used as seats, getting children to sleep on time can be a hassle. If you’re living in Scotland in the middle of summer the long daylight hours can be a problem for children who have to get up early! A suggestion, based upon many years of experience that is to allow children to remain up late and wake up later. The majority of campsites offer “quiet times” at 10 pm. This ends camping at night and provides the perfect time to go to bed.
In a small space, it is much more enjoyable if everyone sleeps wakes up and eats around every hour. Making beds at night and then tidying them up in the morning helps make life in a motorhome less stressful and also less stressful. It might sound unflexible, but it will make it easier for families to come back from vacation and still talking to one another!
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What should you do if the Scottish Weather is bad
We’re hoping it doesn’t occur however, Scotland’s weather unfortunately, isn’t entirely reliable. It’s not always and hot, but it is sunny and hot. Therefore, it’s worthwhile planning for the worst days of summer and making sure you have the right clothes. Include waterproofs, sweaters and wellies, as well as enough books, games, and DVDs to keep everyone entertained.
If the weather is really bad and you’re feeling miserable, just curl in a comfy chair and watch a movie or play some board games or even read a great book. But if spending the entire day spent in a small space will cause you to be unhappy with your companions the best option is to endure the weather long enough to travel with a shaded area that you can relax and enjoy the moment – like a museum for instance – and make sure to have a great guide book for the region.
If the weather is just a little bad, don your waterproofs and take an outing even if it’s just to the nearest bar and return. You’ll be feeling good and enjoy fresh air and exercise. This is an excellent excuse to have drinking a glass of wine. In addition benefit, it offers the chance to see a different scenery and something to discuss. Also, Scotland can be stunning even in the rain.
In actual fact, Scotland is beautiful whatever the weather, and the most effective method to experience it is through a motorhome which allows you to experience the freedom to travel while staying in the comforts of your the comfort of your home. These tips for renting a motorhome will encourage you to take a trip and we are looking for the pleasure of seeing you in Scotland in the near future.