Motorhoming allows you to be spontaneous, set your own schedule, and travel New Zealand on your own terms. The key to success, however, is ensuring you invest in a motorhome that's best suited to your individual requirements.
In this blog, we look closely at some common mistakes to steer clear of — like insisting on a separate bathroom, planning for part-time passengers and underestimating storage needs.
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Conducting minimal research on dealers
Buy from a reputable dealer to give yourself peace of mind. Failing to research motorhome dealers can leave you stranded if problems arise. Buy from a dealer or company with a strong reputation and a proven track record of customer service and after sales support.
Check out these online reviews and ask for recommendations from other motorhome owners. -
Insisting on a separate bathroom
You may be determined to have a separate toilet and shower space in your new RV. While this is possible with many models, ask yourself whether it’s really necessary. It’s unlikely that you and your fellow traveller will need to use both the toilet and the shower simultaneously, especially if you tend to use public facilities when they're available.
Read this buyers' guide about motorhome bathrooms and toilets for more advice. -
Planning for part-time passengers
Motorhome buyers often have adult children or grandchildren. This naturally leads to considering whether you have enough space and beds for them. However, the reality is that additional guests may only travel in your motorhome once or twice a year.
Invest in a motorhome that will suit your usual travel crew to avoid paying for more than you need. -
Overcompensating for a tricky home driveway
By placing too much emphasis on how you’ll navigate and park the motorhome on your driveway, you could end up sacrificing functionality and comfort by purchasing a smaller RV than first intended. As a result, it may not be ideal for your travel group or family during longer trips on the open road. -
Going overboard with your off-grid setup
While it’s tempting to think you need to load up on accessories for every imaginable occasion, consider carefully whether extra batteries, additional gas bottles, a few solar panels and snow chains are really needed.
Everything extra you load into your motorhome adds weight and reduces your payload — so it’s important to think practically.
Experienced travellers change their accessories seasonally and pack according to the type of activities planned and the campsites they intend to stay at. For instance, if you usually camp on powered sites, you may not need solar panels.
Check out these top ten motorhome accessories that may or may not be essential. -
Overlooking the needs of your backup driver
At some point, for one reason or another, you may not be able to drive your motorhome, and your partner, spouse or friend may need to drive. This is a common situation often not considered when buying a motorhome.
The driveability of the vehicle needs to suit yourself and your backup driver. -
Worrying about getting stuck on tour
An underlying anxiety around getting stuck while travelling means you might overlook more suitable and budget-friendly motorhomes. Keep in mind that larger, more powerful RVs can be less manoeuvrable, more difficult to park and less fuel-efficient. -
Underestimating storage needs
Think carefully about how well-equipped your motorhome needs to be and dedicate some time towards estimating how much storage you require and how easy it needs to be to access.
Neglecting to do this can lead to clutter, a disorganised space and a cramped living area. Not being able to easily retrieve your onboard items can be a hassle, and if items are not stored well, they can be a hazard while driving.
See this guide to maximising storage space inside your motorhome. -
Shaking out the rattles
This refers to the practice of taking a motorhome for a test drive and assessing its condition solely based on listening for any unusual noises or rattles. While paying attention to sounds during a test drive is important, relying on this method alone can be misleading and result in overlooking more serious issues.
It’s also a subjective assessment that can give a false sense of security. -
Not planning for long term
Consider your future goals. Failing to take this into account is a common mistake. Think about your long-term travel intentions. Will your needs change in the next few years? Will you want to take longer trips or explore more remote areas? Look at motorhomes that can adapt to your evolving needs.
Download this due diligence checklist to help navigate the buying process.
This story was originally published in Motorhomes, Caravans & Destinations magazine in December 2024.
