Ask yourself if you are capable of driving a motorhome? It looks more difficult than it is. After you have driven the first 10 minutes, it will be much easier for you and your motorhome driving will become safer. We'll give you a few tips to help you not be afraid of it and drive safely:
Get used to the new motorhome driving style
Safety first
Change tires
Attention:
Get used to the new RV driving style
You should start slowly to get used to the vehicle and familiarize yourself with everything. Do not drive too fast or too slow. For example, keep a greater distance from other vehicles, as you may be used to using your car's normal brakes. Also make sure you have enough space in front of you when overtaking the vehicle.
Safety first
All travelers must wear seat belts for their own safety while traveling in the motorhome. All motorhomes are equipped with three-point safety belts.
Most traffic rules that apply to smaller cars also apply to RVs. Pay particular attention to the length of your vehicle when turning and handle the steering wheel with care, as the vehicle's center of gravity is higher than that of a normal car. This makes the vehicle more sensitive to sudden movements than a normal car. Reduce speed in strong winds, downhill or in poor visibility.
Parking and reversing can be a challenge for beginners and experienced drivers alike. It is recommended to practice on an open area before starting a road trip so that you feel more confident on the road. Your motorhome from Indie Campers are equipped with reversing sensors, but these do not replace your own judgment. Make sure you also operate the clutch smoothly.
Change tires
Even for normal drivers, changing a tire can be something new. Although it's the same mounting process, once you've tried it before, it will help you on your journey.
First, make sure the parking brake is fully engaged. Slightly loosen the wheel bolts with the wheel wrench before lifting the camper with a jack. A jack is available on all of our rental vehicles and you should position it just below the axle, which is the ledge directly under the vehicle doors. This jacking point is used to support the weight of the vehicle during lifting. After that, you can safely remove the wheel, mount the spare and perform the process in reverse order. Once you've lowered the car back down, tighten the nuts evenly from left to right in a star pattern. A video on how to change the tire can be found here.
Attention:
Take extra care with spare tires, as they are usually not suitable for daily use like a normal tire.
Driver's License:
To drive our campervans, a valid category B driver's license is required and the driver must be over 18 years old. No international driver's license is required for short and medium term rentals. If you want to learn more about this topic you can read more in our blogpost "Which motorhome license do I need??" Read more.
Riding in extreme weather:
In hot weather, a roof vent is a big help. A ventilation fan, in conjunction with an open window, provides airflow in the motorhome. Even in bright sunlight, a fan in combination with reflective window coverings can keep an RV cooler than the outside temperature. Always try to park in the shade in summer.
Check for antifreeze in cold weather. Although winter tires maintain a good grip in extreme weather conditions, you should consider snow chains in snowy conditions.
Of course, we strongly recommend not getting too adventurous when weather conditions are clearly dangerous. Plan ahead as extreme weather conditions are usually announced in the weather forecast.
Ready to take the wheel?
We hope this brief guide helps take the fear out of trying our campervans for the first time. The habituation factor may vary depending on motorhome style and size. You can check out our different motorhome models here, ranging from 4×4 to large motorhomes. Each has its unique characteristics and qualities, ranging from the number of people they accommodate to the equipment.