25 FEB 2025
10 RULES TO TRAVEL IN A MOTORHOME
TOURING IN A MOTORHOME
Ready for the off? When aboard our Ducato-based motorhome, this means the holiday has already begun, because as soon as we start the engine and set off on the road, the “holiday spirit” takes over, helping us to leave the everyday routine behind. But to travel in a motorhome, there are a few rules, partly set by road traffic laws, partly mere common sense. Make sure you remember the 10 rules below.
1 Before setting off, make sure the motorhome’s windows are shut and locked with their handles. An open window can be very dangerous for pedestrians and other vehicles. Also close the portholes on the roof, because they can be thrown around by the mass of air that hits them when the motorhome is moving at high speed.
2 Check you have closed the front door to the passenger compartment and the load compartment doors. Accidentally leaving them open can also be extremely dangerous. Also remember to check the entrance step is closed.
3 If you have loaded bicycles into the external bike rack, check they are properly fastened, both with the upper support and with the wheel fastening laces.
4 If there are children on board, it's best to provide diversions to make long journeys mor fun: games to be used in the car seats, board games to play with the help of an adult, easy-to-read books, video games, entertainment programmes to watch on various types of screens.
5 Fasten seatbelts when the motorhome is on the move. The law requires that everyone aboard is protected by a seatbelt, for both those travelling in the cab and the passengers in the back seats. Children must travel in approved child seats.
6 Never get up or walk around the motorhome when it is moving. It is dangerous to leave your seat to go to the bathroom or take something from the refrigerator.
7 It is uncomfortable – let alone illegal – to lie down on the beds when a motorhome is on the move. If an accident occurs (although an emergency stop is often sufficient), there is a risk of being thrown forward, with unpredictable consequences.
8 Ventilate the passenger compartment adequately during hot weather. Before you set off, bring the interior of the motorhome to an optimal temperature, for example by leaving the vehicle in the shade, opening windows and portholes. On the road, it will also be easier to maintain the temperature with fans and cabin air conditioning.
9 Don’t leave hazardous objects on shelves, whether nearer the floor or ceiling: they may accidentally fall on passengers.
10 Set the route in advance on the satnav, taking care to avoid narrow roads unsuitable for the dimensions of the motorhome. Travelling in our Ducato-based motorhome is a pleasure: let's do so safely and comfortably by observing these simple rules.