The best tips for newcomers to travelling with a camper or motorhome

The new camping season is just around the corner – and the boom continues unabated. Many people are now bringing their motorhomes out of winter storage. To ensure a successful start to the new travel year, however, you should invest a little time to get your “rolling holiday home” back into shape. maut1.de reveals what you need to pay attention to before the first trip when “de-winterizing” your motorhome.

Cleaning

Even if the motorhome spent the winter “hibernating” under a solid roof or in a barn: dust and dirt cannot be avoided over several months. If the vehicle had to stand outside in wind, rain and snow, this applies all the more.

That is why we begin de-winterizing the motorhome with a thorough exterior cleaning: This can be done in a wash bay that is also suitable for trucks. There you can use the platform to tackle dirt on the roof with brushes and foam. Be careful with pressure washers: do not spray into the refrigerator vents to avoid damage!

And in general: proceed carefully and allow yourself enough time for the start of the season. Washing the motorhome at home is not a good idea and is even prohibited, because the dirty water seeps untreated into the ground. You may even face a fine. The interior should also be thoroughly wiped down to remove any remaining residue from the previous season and to ensure clean air and a fresh scent.

Technical check

Long periods of standing still are harmful to any vehicle. That is why, when de-winterizing your motorhome, it is important to check all technical systems: this applies to the engine, battery, electrics as well as the fresh water and wastewater systems. Close the valves again, refill fresh water and flush the lines!

A key point is tightness – in two respects: On the one hand, the gas lines should be inspected every two years by an authorized dealer or certified inspection body. As with the general inspection, which is also due every two years (three years for new registrations), a sticker is issued and affixed to the rear of the vehicle.

On the other hand, in order not to lose the warranty, newer vehicles must also undergo an annual leak test. Certified companies and workshops spray the vehicle with water and measure whether moisture is entering unnoticed anywhere. An undetected water damage is one of the worst things that can happen to a camper at the start of the season. Repairs are expensive and the vehicle’s value is permanently reduced.

Tyres and brakes

After a long period of standing, the tyres must be brought back to the correct air pressure. You can find this in the owner’s manual or at the driver’s door entry. In addition, even though the legally required minimum tread depth is 1.6 millimeters, summer or all-season tyres should have at least 3 millimeters for good grip. If the tyres are older than eight years, they must be replaced regardless of the mileage, as the rubber becomes too hard and brittle.

The brakes should definitely be checked before the first drive after de-winterizing the motorhome: slight surface rust is normal and quickly wears off. However, if the braking performance does not feel as usual or if unusual noises occur, there is only one solution: head to the workshop and have everything professionally checked before the season begins!

Preparing the interior

Before setting off, please check all furniture, cupboards and appliances inside the motorhome. Is everything properly and securely stowed? It is also convenient to put the most essential items back into the motorhome before the season starts: laundry, bedding, shower gel, toothpaste and non-perishable foods such as pasta or canned goods. This way, nothing stands in the way of a spontaneous weekend trip without prior packing.

Ventilation

Please ensure that the motorhome is sufficiently ventilated to prevent mold growth. It is also worthwhile placing dehumidifiers in the vehicle, for example under the bed, to remove moisture from the air. Because: a person sweats out around one liter of water per night.

Important: If, after de-winterizing the motorhome, water condenses on the windows in the morning during your trip, absorb it with kitchen paper. Otherwise, the rule is: when the air conditioning is running, keep windows and doors closed for effective cooling performance.

Heating and air conditioning

To be prepared for any weather, the heating and air conditioning must function properly. Please do not attempt to carry out repairs yourself; in case of problems, consult a professional at the start of the season. With gas heaters, always check the fill level of the cylinders to ensure you have sufficient supply. If you do not have a fill level indicator, simply place the cylinder on a bathroom scale: an empty 11 kg gas cylinder weighs 10.1 kg – when completely filled, it therefore weighs 21.1 kg.

Tip for those who want to save space and weight: especially in summer, the smaller 5 kg cylinder is often sufficient.

Test drive before the first trip

To conclude the de-winterizing work, one important tip: please take a short test drive before your first trip to ensure that the motorhome is functioning perfectly. It will also help you get used again to the size of the vehicle and its steering and braking characteristics, which differ significantly from those of a car.

In addition, washer fluid and coolant, AdBlue and oil should be topped up and checked.

The camper service from maut1

With the toll box for vehicles up to 3.5 t and 3 m in height, the barriers in Italy, Croatia, France, Spain and Portugal open in the preferred T lanes, saving time and stress on the way to your holiday:

The toll box for vehicles up to 3.5 t and 3 m in height

There are also solutions from maut1.de for large motorhomes over 3.5 t and 3 m in height for contactless and electronic travel on motorways in Austria, Italy, France, Spain and Portugal:

The toll box for motorhomes over 3.5 t and 3 m in height

We wish all campers a great start to the new season!