Planning your first motorhome hire holiday with Bunk Campers

If you have never motorhomed before, your first trip may feel a little daunting. What motorhome do we choose? Where will we sleep? What is 230v hook up?

We are here to make planning your first motorhome holiday a breeze!

Choosing Your Motorhome

Which vehicle do I choose?

With a wide range of 2 – 6 berth motorhomes to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one is best for you. The best place to start is by looking at how many people are travelling. This will narrow down your options by looking at how many people each vehicle can sleep. If you are two people travelling remember a 4 or 6 berth is going to give you the extra space you may be looking for.

Once you have got a couple of vehicles that will be suitable, take a look at the vehicle layout.  We provide day and night layouts on each of the vehicle descriptions. Depending on your group, different layouts will suit you best. For example, are you travelling with young children who will be in bed before you? Are you a group of friends who want separate beds? Take some time to look at the images and watch the show through videos.

Can I travel with my young children?

All our vehicles have a minimum of 2 forward-facing seats in the rear with standard 3 point seat belts (not Isofix) that will fit child or booster seats.

Can I bring my dog?

Yes! Our motorhomes are pet friendly and for a fee, you are welcome to bring your furry friends!

Planning your trip

Should I plan my route before we go?

I know what you are thinking, ‘We’ll just make it up as we go along!’. But believe us when we say that planning your route means you’ll get the most out of your precious holiday days. It doesn’t mean you can’t sway off the route, in fact we insist you do! But by having a plan you’ll know you can cover the distance, see everything you want to see and have loads of downtime to play, eat, read and connect.

• Plan 2-3 hours driving per day (max).
• Take note of the roads (A and B roads mean you are forced to slow down and smell the hedge rows and it will add travel time)
• Plan 2-3 nights in each place so you can explore the local area, get to know your neighbours and have plenty of time to sleep in!

Where do we sleep?

We love camping in the UK and Ireland so you’ll find there are campsites all over our beautiful countries. Check out our camping guide  Campsite Guide | Bunk Campers.

Just like planning your route in advance, booking your campsites in advance means you get the most out of your holiday. The most popular campsites do get booked up in advance so get in early and bag yourself a sunset pitch.

What do I pack?

When renting a Motorhome from Bunk Campers we take the hard work out of camping. We’ll provide a lot of what you need – including the kitchen sink! Your vehicle, beds, cooker, fridge, kitchen equipment, shower, toilet, fresh water, sink, heater, gas bottles, GPS and are all ready for your arrival.

Want us to add in your bedding and camping furniture too? Add it on here!

All you need to bring is:

• Clothes: The weather on our isles can change quickly so pack plenty of layers!
• Food: Stock up your motorhome fridge with fresh local produce.
• Equipment for having fun: Body boards, wetsuits, balls, colouring books, a pack of cards, board games
• Credit cards

What should we cook?

Quick, easy to make meals without needing too many ingredients will make the process as smooth as possible. Then you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying your holiday. Prepare a meal at home that can simply be heated up for night one, so you can go straight into relaxation mode. Our favourites are spaghetti bolognese or a curry.

Using your motorhome

Do the motorhomes feel big to drive?

Most of our guests have never driven a motorhome before so know that you are not alone if you are feeling a little cautious about getting behind the wheel.  The motorhomes are surprisingly easy to drive and you’ll find within a day or two you’ll be manoeuvring it like a pro! When you first get in, familiarise yourself with the driver’s cabin (lights, wipers, handbrake etc) and adjust the seats and mirrors. Most of our vehicles have reversing cameras, but when you are parking make sure your travelling mate hops out and acts as your spotter for anything overhead or in a blind spot. It’s always worth the effort!

How does my vehicle work?

Gas cookers, chemical toilets, electric hook up…. We know this can look like a foreign language! We provide you with all the support you need to be handling this

• When you do the online check in, you will watch your vehicle show through video
• At pick up the Branch staff will take you to your vehicle where you receive an introduction and get any questions you have answered
• Check out our Rental Resources page for helpful videos and tips on using your vehicle.
• We are here for you so feel free to call through to your pick up branch if you need support.

Driving and Insurance

What do I need to drive?

You need to be between 21-75 years and have your standard car licence. Make sure you can drive a manual transmission.  

Why is my insurance so expensive?

No one wants to talk about insurance…until you need it! 

The reason why the insurance costs are higher than a car is because the motorhome you are driving is worth between £40,000 – £120,000. A lot, huh?! Whilst we trust you to look after our precious cargo, we know accidents do happen. So we want to give you the opportunity to travel with complete peace of mind that we’ve got you covered in the event of an accident.

Check out our insurance options and liability reduction options here.

Pick up and Drop off

How can I prepare for pick up?

The first thing to do is check-in online. You’ll receive an email from us with the link or click here Manage Booking (apollocamper.com).  It will take you around 20 minutes to complete the paperwork and watch the videos so grab a cup of tea, the others travelling with you and a notebook so you can write down any questions you have. Send your questions to us via email or refer to your notes when chatting to the branch staff.

Make sure you have a credit card with the right limit to pay for the security bond.

What happens at pick up?

You will receive your pick up time from the branch in the days leading up to your pick up day.  It will be between 2pm-4pm. Because you have checked in online, we will simply print your contract and talk you through any liabilities or deposits required. Our friendly staff will take you out to your vehicle where you get a chance to ask any questions you still have after watching the show through video at home. Then you will pack up, adjust the mirrors and seats, programme the navigation and tune in the radio and you’ll be on your way!

Allow 1-1.5 hours to collect your vehicle.

Can I leave my car at the branch?

We have limited spaces available in Edinburgh, Belfast and London Heathrow so give us a call and book your spot. We don’t offer on-site parking at our Dublin branch, however the Hotel Carlton, is a 3-minute walk away and they offer parking options.

How do I prepare to drop off my motorhome?

To make the return process fast and easy, here are a few things to do prior to returning: 

• Wash all dishes, cutlery, and glasses and pack them away.
• If you have hired bedding, strip all beds and fold up the bedding.
• Ensure the interior of the vehicle is clean
• Ensure your vehicle fuel tank is full
• Empty your waste tank in designated areas.
• Allow plenty of time to arrive at our branch. We ask you to arrive at least half an hour before the drop off time.

In a hurry? Let us take the hassle out of returning your vehicle by adding on Easy Return or Drop and Go.

Still have questions?

Check out our frequently asked questions – Campervan & Motorhome FAQs (bunkcampers.com)

Or contact our friendly team at [email protected].