What is usually a little tricky to do in a car is often much harder in a motorhome just because of how big it is. We’ve put together a few handy tips to make parking on holiday as stress-free as possible and turn you into a parking hero wherever you go. 

Practice makes perfect. We recommend getting some practice in on a large car park, especially if this is your first time behind the wheel of a motorhome, or if it’s been a while since you last drove one. This will help you get used to the size of the vehicle and how it handles.

And then with lots of practice, you’ll be able to reverse and parallel park. Drive up beside the vehicle that’s in front of the gap you want to park in so that you’re perfectly parallel. Put it in reverse gear and start to reverse slowly. Stop once you can see the back end of the vehicle next to you line up in the middle of the left side window. Turn the wheel all the way to the left and continue to reverse slowly until you’re at a 45 degree angle to the curb. Now steer completely in the other direction while continuing to reverse until you’re neatly in the gap. We recommend taking someone along with you to help direct you into the gap, no matter how big it is.

It is vital that you use your mirrors so you can see where you’re going at all times. It’s best if you turn down the radio and open the window so you can hear the instructions clearly. The reversing camera for Carado motorhomes also comes in handy for these manoeuvres. It’s like having a little electronic marshal guiding you in when you’re driving on your own. 

Although most campsites are on even ground, some parking spaces may be on a slight slope. But not to worry, you can easily balance this out with ramps. You can either place the chocks in front of the wheels on the same axle or in front of the wheels on one side of the motorhome. Once in place, you can drive slowly onto them, and then with a quick check of the spirit level, you can park your motorhome perfectly in balance. A completely level vehicle can be particularly beneficial when you’re sleeping, so when you wake up and exclaim “Good morning!”, you’ll really feel it!

There’s usually a distinction made between serviced campsite pitches and basic pitches. Basic pitches are only meant for short stays (usually one to three days) and offer relatively few amenities, while serviced campsite pitches offer everything that motorhome campers desire. Both have some unwritten camping rules that you should follow.

Basic pitches are only meant for short stop-offs (without prior reservation) so you should be particularly considerate of your neighbours. The most important thing to remember is to make sure you don’t hog space. Your neighbours won’t look too kindly on a full camping set-up, so you should keep the awning inside and even refrain from putting up outdoor camping furniture.  After all, everyone is entitled to the space, and this is the only way everyone can have their fair share. 

It’s a slightly different situation on full campsites where there’s access to showers, toilets, electricity and fresh water. And of course, there’s plenty of space to make yourself at home. Usually the individual plots are separated by hedges, but if that’s not the case, it’s best to take the lead from the other motorhomes already on the site. For example, if the other holidaymakers have all reversed into their spaces, you should too. That means everyone opens their external doors facing the same direction, creating a little privacy and making sure you’re not peering straight into one another’s homes. Follow this simple advice and you’ll make a good holiday neighbour.