Blog

As you pull into a beachside freedom camping site for the evening you notice the battery on your mobile device is almost drained. Thankfully your recreational vehicle has an inverter onboard which can draw power from your motorhome’s 12 volt (V) battery storage — reviving your phone.

In this blog, we discuss what an inverter is, different types of inverters and how to match one to your motorhoming needs. We also look at how many watts (W) you’ll likely require and how to prevent battery damage when using your inverter.

For a recreational vehicle that’s specifically designed and constructed to your personal needs and preferences, a custom-built motorhome may be your best solution.

Custom-built motorhomes may be designed and built by a manufacturer who specialises in bespoke builds — or built by a capable DIYer to your specifications.

In this buyers’ guide, we discuss how custom motorhomes are built and what features they have. We also look at the different kinds of tailor-made motorhomes and how the cost of these compare to ready-made ones.

Most motorhomes leave their showrooms with absorbent glass mat (AGM) batteries. Forming the backbone of 12 volt power supplies, they help make it possible for you to enjoy electrically-enhanced camping independent of the national power grid.

But are AGM batteries your best option for freedom camping — or do lithium-ion batteries give you more power for longer?

In this blog, we talk about the advantages of both AGM and lithium-ion batteries. We also discuss why you should consider upgrading your energy storage to the latter — and your charging system to suit.

Plus, we cover how to choose the right lithium-ion battery for your motorhome and how to monitor your battery’s charge.

It’s time to sweep out the autumn leaves and get your motorhome ready for a new season of adventures. Don’t let the winter chill stop you from hitting the road.

Before you make new memories on the open road this winter, make sure your motorhome is in tip-top condition. Use our guide to check that you’ve taken care of all the important maintenance and safety tasks.

Your motorhome electrical system is your lifeline to modern civilisation, comfort and convenience. When connected to mains power, it distributes 240 volts (V) to the three-pin sockets located throughout your motorhome.

But what about when you’re not connected to the mains and have to rely on battery power to camp comfortably?

In this article, we talk about motorhome batteries, where their power comes from, and how to safely recharge them from different sources.

German motorhomes have built a global reputation for exceptional design and comfort — but also reliability, innovation and safety.

Carado, Bürstner and HYMER are three of the premium German motorhome brands available to purchase in New Zealand. In this article, we discuss the safety features and innovative technologies of these three popular German brands.

Whether you’re at home or on the road, sleep is important for our energy levels and general wellbeing. And when you’re on a campervan holiday for weeks or months, the impact of a quality bed and bed layout that’s easy to use can’t be understated.

The advent of motorhome appliances that run on LPG has greatly improved the ability to enjoy off-the-grid camping. However, LPG is a dangerous liquid that has the potential to cause significant harm if not handled correctly.

Explosive LPG can leak from a gas cylinder or gas appliance — or carbon monoxide (CO) can silently snuff out your breathing while a faulty diesel or LPG heater warms the cabin.

When a lightning bolt struck Ben Franklin’s kite in 1752, it sent a direct current of energy to the key he’d tied at the end of the kite’s string. Ever since then, we’ve been looking at ways of generating, transmitting, storing, and using that energy — and modern human existence is now totally dependent upon it.

Our motorhomes, caravans and campervans are obvious examples of this dependence. They all need a source of electricity to function.

Even our gas appliances and diesel heaters are reliant on having some form of electrical power to ignite their burners. It’s therefore important to know how much 12 volt (V) energy your motorhome has stored before settling into a long stretch of freedom camping.

After years of recreational boating, Peta Stavelli of Motorhomes, Caravans & Destinations magazine, returned to motorhoming. As a potential buyer, you might also be asking yourself — how do these two kinds of recreational investments differ?

A key differentiator between a high end motorhome and an ordinary one is the bathroom. It should be a welcoming space for you to refresh and revitalise.

Motorhome bathrooms should be both comfortable and practical. In high end, premium motorhomes,  you can expect wood veneer cabinetry, sophisticated lighting and a self-contained shower — much like your bathroom at home. Although in some models, the bathroom may feel less like an oasis and more like the inside of a bathtub.

In this buyers’ guide, we discuss everything you need to know about RV bathrooms. We’ll touch on layout, features, water storage needs, freedom camping, and different types of toilets — along with how to use and empty them.