Motorhomes and The Alps

 

Motorhomes and The Alps

 The Thrills vs. The Stress of Mountain Passes

Before you turn your steering wheel toward the heights, it helps to weigh up why Alpine driving is both deeply rewarding and notoriously demanding.

The Benefits: Why We Do It

• Unrivaled Scenery & Wild Views: Waking up parked near a high-altitude glacier or watching the sunset over a deep alpine valley offers views no commercial campsite can match.

• The Ultimate Driving Adventure: Navigating legendary passes turns a standard transit drive into an unforgettable core memory of your European tour.

• Access to Remote Regions: Conquering the passes unlocks hidden valleys, pristine lakes, and quieter rural communities far away from the packed tourist trails.

The Problems: What Can Go Wrong

• Extreme Mechanical Strain: Heavy vehicles place massive demands on braking systems and cooling components, creating genuine safety risks if mismanaged.

• White-Knuckle Tightness: Narrow single-track roads, sheer drops, and sharp hairpin bends can induce instant anxiety if you aren't prepared for the dimensions of your van.

• Unpredictable Weather: Alpine weather can shift from brilliant sunshine to blinding fog, sleet, or high winds in a matter of minutes, regardless of the calendar month.

1. Mastering Descents: The Art of Engine Braking

The single most dangerous hazard when driving a heavy motorhome in the mountains isn't going up, it's coming down.

• The Problem: When gravity pulls a 3.5-tonne (or heavier) motorhome down a 10% incline, resting your foot continuously on the footbrake creates massive friction. This leads to brake fade, a terrifying, total loss of braking power as your brake pads and fluid overheat.

• The Solution (Engine Braking): The golden rule of mountain descent is to let the engine hold your speed, not the brakes. Before you start heading downhill, drop your manual or automatic transmission into a low gear (2nd or 3rd gear, depending on the gradient).

• The Rule of Thumb: Use the exact same low gear to descend a section that you would need to climb it. If the engine revs high, that’s normal, it means the engine compression is actively resisting gravity, keeping your service brakes cool and safe for emergency use. If you find yourself constantly tapping the brakes, you are in too high a gear; pull over, drop down another gear, and let the engine do the heavy lifting.

2. Managing Engine Temperature on Long Ascents

While downhills test your brakes, long uphill climbs push your engine cooling system to its absolute limits.

• The Problem: Sustained high-rev climbing under heavy load generates immense heat. If your temperature gauge starts creeping toward the red zone, ignoring it can lead to blown head gaskets or a cooked engine.

• The Solution:

  • Keep it Steady: Maintain a smooth, consistent momentum rather than aggressively accelerating and braking.

  • The Cabin Heater Trick: If you notice the engine temperature rising on a sweltering summer climb, turn off your air conditioning immediately (which dumps extra load on the engine) and turn your cab heater up to maximum with the fan on full blast. It sounds counterintuitive when it's hot outside, but the cabin heater acts as a secondary radiator, pulling excess heat away from your engine block!

  • Pull Over: If the gauge continues to climb, find a safe layby, pull over, leave the engine idling for a few minutes to let coolant circulate, and give your rig a breather.

3. Reading Mountain Road Signs and Understanding Etiquette

Alpine roads feature unique signage and unwritten social contracts designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly on narrow arteries.

• Decoding Gradient Signs: Watch out for yellow diamond warning signs displaying steep percentage gradients (e.g., 12%). Know your vehicle's capabilities and payload limits before committing to extreme routes.

• The Right-of-Way Rule: On narrow single-track mountain passes, the standard European rule is that ascending traffic has the right of way, because it is far harder for a vehicle climbing uphill to stop, find a biting point, and restart safely on a steep slope. Descending vehicles are expected to back up into designated passing places (Ausweichstelle). (Note: Heavy public buses and regional postal vans always have absolute priority regardless of direction!)

• Hairpin Technique: On sharp switchbacks, brake before entering the turn, not while turning. If you are driving a large coachbuilt motorhome, signal early, swing slightly wide on the approach if safe to do so, and glide smoothly through the apex.

Final Thoughts: Respect the Mountain

Driving an Alpine pass in a motorhome is an exhilarating milestone that transforms a standard holiday into a true adventure. By respecting your vehicle's limits, mastering engine braking, and keeping a cool head on the switchbacks, you'll turn what could be a stressful obstacle course into the most scenic drive of your life.

Have you ever tackled an Alpine pass in your motorhome, or do winding mountain roads make you nervous? Let us know your experiences or share your favorite mountain routes in the comments below!

All links in this blog are Amazon Affiliate Links, You will not pay any extra, but a very small commission goes to support Motorhome Touring's Social Media Groups. If you still wish to make a small donation, see the PayPal or Buy Me A Coffee links in my Linktree Bio 

Thank you so much!

If you’re looking for more tips, honest gear reviews, or just a place to share your latest trip photos, come and join the conversation! You can catch me over on my YouTube channel Johnny Burr, or join one of our active Facebook groups, Motorhome Touring Scotland and Motorhome Touring The UK andEurope. We’ve also got a buzzing community over on our Motorhome Touring Discord server, where we share real-time updates and advice. And of course, keep a listen out for my content on Caravan Radio. Let’s get out there and enjoy the journey together!

Linktree⬅️ https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr

 

The Winter Sun Chaser's Technical Masterclass

 Gas, Power, and Staying Warm Abroad

Heading south for the winter is the ultimate motorhome dream. Trading the bleak UK drizzle for the sun-baked coasts of Spain, Portugal, or Sicily offers an incredible lifestyle change—quieter roads, empty beaches, and a vibrant community of fellow long-term nomads.

However, transitioning from a two-week summer holiday to a multi-month winter escape requires a shift in technical preparation. When the Mediterranean sun goes down, temperatures drop sharply, and managing your utilities becomes a daily routine rather than an afterthought.

Here is your comprehensive technical guide to mastering gas, finding open sites, and keeping your motorhome warm and dry while chasing the winter sun.

1. Conquering the Continental Gas Maze

One of the biggest anxieties for first-time winter travelers is running out of gas. Standard UK propane and butane gas cylinders cannot be easily refilled at European petrol stations due to incompatible valve fittings and differing local regulations. Furthermore, trying to exchange a UK bottle for a foreign one is virtually impossible.

The Refillable Solution

European Adaptor kit

If you are touring for months at a time, the gold standard is installing a built-in refillable LPG system (such as Gaslow, Safefill, or Alugas). These bottles can be refilled directly at standard LPG dispensing pumps across Europe using European filler adapters.

To ensure you can hook up anywhere on the continent, make sure your kit includes the three primary European adapters:

• ACME: Widely used in Germany, Austria, Belgium, and parts of Switzerland.

• Dish: The standard fitting for France, Italy, Portugal, and parts of Eastern Europe.

• Bayonet: Commonly used in the UK, Netherlands, Norway, and Spain (though Spanish autogas stations are increasingly shifting toward a mix of ACME and Dish).

Adaptor kit

The Backup Plan: Local Exchange Bottles

If you run standard non-refillable bottles, carry a set of clip-on country-specific adapters. This allows you to rent or connect local steel cylinders (such as Repsol or Cepsa in Spain, or Butagaz in France) if you get stuck, though you will need to pay a deposit for the physical bottle.

The Physics of Propane vs. Butane

As temperatures drop toward freezing during mountain crossings or chilly nights in inland Spain, butane gas stops vaporizing efficiently around 0°C (32°F), rendering your bottles useless even if they still contain liquid. Propane, on the other hand, continues to vaporize down to a freezing -44°C (-42°F). Always ensure you are running pure propane for winter touring.

2. Sourcing Open Sites and Securing Long-Term Winter Deals

Summer campsites seem to be everywhere, but the European camping landscape shifts dramatically between November and March. While coastal commercial campsites stay open to cater to long-term winter guests, many rural or inland sites close completely.

Finding the Open Gems

• Lean on Apps: Keep Park4Night, Campercontact, Stellplatz-Info and mylpg.eu downloaded and updated. Use their filter functions specifically to search for open-all-year sites, municipal aires, and rural farm stops.

• The ACSI Advantage: If you are staying on commercial campsites, invest in the ACSI CampingCard scheme. During the low season (September to June), participating sites offer massive discounts, often slashing nightly fees by up to 50% and bundling electricity into a flat, predictable rate.

• Call Ahead: Never assume a campsite is open just because its website looks active. Always drop them an email or quick phone call before driving deep into a rural valley to avoid arriving at locked gates.

The Largo Plazo (Long-Term) Strategy

If you plan on parking up in one region of Spain or Portugal for a month or more, look for campsites advertising largo plazo (long-term winter rates). These packages often include a discounted monthly fee, generous electricity allowances, and a community of like-minded winter sun seekers.

3. Beating Condensation and Mastering Thermal Comfort

Even under a brilliant Spanish or Portuguese winter sun, the moment dusk settles, temperatures can plummet toward zero. Managing heat loss and moisture is critical to keeping your motorhome comfortable.

External vs. Internal Thermal Blinds

If you are using thin factory curtains or interior silver foil suction-cup screens, you will quickly notice severe condensation dripping down your cab windows.

• The Fix: Invest in external thermal windscreen covers (often called "silver screens"). Because they sit outside the vehicle, they prevent freezing air from hitting the glass in the first place, entirely stopping condensation buildup and keeping the cab significantly warmer in the mornings.

Powering Your Heating System

Modern motorhome blown-air heating systems (like Truma or Alde) are exceptionally efficient, but they require a delicate balance of gas and 12V electricity. While the gas provides the thermal energy, the internal circulation fans run entirely on your 12V battery system.

Because winter days offer shorter daylight hours and weaker solar angles, your roof panels won't harvest as much juice. Ensure your battery bank—ideally an upgraded lithium (LiFePO4) setup—is fully sized to handle running your heating fan through long winter nights without running low on voltage.

Moisture Control Tips

• Keep roof vents cracked slightly or use a low-draw ventilation fan to let cooking and sleeping moisture escape.

• Avoid drying wet towels or heavy laundry inside the living area unless you are running a compressor dehumidifier on hook-up.

• Check under your mattress and seat cushions periodically; trapped body heat meeting cold plywood baseboards is a breeding ground for hidden dampness.

Chasing the winter sun takes a little extra logistical know-how, but the reward—sipping your morning coffee in a t-shirt while looking out over a sparkling Mediterranean sea in January—makes every bit of preparation entirely worthwhile.

Have you ever chased the winter sun in your motorhome, or is an extended escape to the continent sitting at the top of your bucket list? Let us know your favorite winter spots in the comments below!

All links in this blog are Amazon Affiliate Links, You will not pay any extra, but a very small commission goes to support Motorhome Touring's Social Media Groups. If you still wish to make a small donation, see the PayPal or Buy Me A Coffee links in my Linktree Bio 

Thank you so much!

If you’re looking for more tips, honest gear reviews, or just a place to share your latest trip photos, come and join the conversation! You can catch me over on my YouTube channel Johnny Burr, or join one of our active Facebook groups, Motorhome Touring Scotland and Motorhome Touring The UK andEurope. We’ve also got a buzzing community over on our Motorhome Touring Discord server, where we share real-time updates and advice. And of course, keep a listen out for my content on Caravan Radio. Let’s get out there and enjoy the journey together!

Linktree⬅️ https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr

Mastering Your Motorhome Power Usage

 

From Novice to Off-Grid Pro

How to Calculate Your Daily Amp-Hours and Solar Needs

This is a rough guide and gives the principles of calulating power consumption and Battery and solar needs to support you van demands.

 

Pets on Tour

Safety, Etiquette, and Top Spots

Ask any road-tripper what makes life on the road truly complete, and many will point straight down to the floorboards: right beside the driver's seat, curled up on a dog bed or gazing out the window at the passing scenery, is their four-legged co-pilot.

Touring the UK and Europe with a dog is an incredible adventure. There is nothing quite like watching your hound sprint across a remote Scottish beach or snooze by your feet in a cosy country pub after a long hike. However, motorhoming with pets also requires a bit of extra planning.

From navigating border paperwork to keeping your cool during summer heatwaves, here is your ultimate guide to dog-friendly motorhome travel.

1. Sorting the Paperwork: Navigating Pet Travel Documentation

If your motorhome adventures involve crossing the Channel into Europe, getting your pet's paperwork sorted is step number one. Post-Brexit regulations mean that standard UK-issued pet passports are no longer valid for travel from Great Britain to the EU.

• The Animal Health Certificate (AHC): For every trip to the EU, you will need a single-use Animal Health Certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV).

• The Golden Timelines: Your dog must be microchipped and have a valid, up-to-date rabies vaccination before the AHC is issued. Remember the crucial 21-day waiting period after a fresh rabies jab before you can legally cross the border. Furthermore, the AHC itself must be issued within 10 days of entering the EU.

• Bringing a dog, cat or ferret back to Great Britain (England, Scotland or Wales) from an EU country, the key timings are:

  • Rabies vaccination: The pet must be microchipped before the rabies vaccination. For a first rabies vaccination, you must wait at least 21 full days before entering Great Britain. The day of vaccination counts as day 0, so effectively you can travel on day 22.
  • Rabies booster: If the previous rabies vaccination is still valid and there has been no lapse in the vaccination schedule, you don't normally need to wait another 21 days after a booster.
  • Tapeworm, dogs only: Treatment must be administered between 24 and 120 hours (1–5 days) before your scheduled arrival in Great Britain. So, for example, if your ferry arrives at 8pm on Friday, the treatment must be given after 8pm on Sunday and no later than 8pm on Thursday.
  • Cats and ferrets: There is no UK tapeworm-treatment requirement for them.
  • Exception for dogs: Tapeworm treatment isn't required when travelling directly to Great Britain from Finland, Ireland, Malta or Norway.

  So, if you're returning from France/Spain/Portugal/etc. with a dog, think 21 days for a new rabies vaccination, then tapeworm treatment within the final 24–120 hours before arrival.

2. Keeping Cool: Beating the Heat Inside the Van

Motorhomes and campervans can quickly turn into heat traps during warm summer days. Because dogs cannot regulate their body temperature efficiently through sweating, keeping your rig cool is a massive safety priority.

• Smart Parking and Ventilation: Always park in the shade whenever possible, orienting your motorhome to catch cross-breezes. Keep roof vents cracked open with Maxxair fans running to draw hot air out, and use external silver thermal screens on your cab windows to block out solar glare before it hits the glass.

• On-Board Cooling Tech: Invest in cooling mats (which activate with pressure rather than freezing), ensure fresh drinking water is accessible at all times in heavy, non-tip bowls, and never leave your dog unattended in a parked vehicle if temperatures are rising.

• Travel Timing: On scorching summer days, adjust your driving schedule. Knock out your big driving miles early in the morning while it’s cool, and settle into a shady campsite or beach spot by midday.

3. Managing Muddy Paws in Compact Living Spaces

Let's face it: the best walks usually involve mud, sand, puddles, or wet grass. Managing a soggy dog inside a compact motorhome takes a bit of strategy to keep your living space civilised.

• Set Up an Outdoor "Mud Room": Keep a dedicated storage box in your motorhome’s garage or rear locker packed with microfibre dog towels, a portable pressure washer (like a portable dog shower or low-pressure spray bottle), and a pack of pet-friendly wet wipes. Wipe paws before your dog sets foot on your motorhome upholstery. A dog towelling bag is also a perfect way to dry your dog.

• Designated Sleeping Zones: Train your dog to have a specific spot—such as a washable crate, a designated mat by the door, or their own bed—where they go to dry off.

• Easy-Clean Flooring: If you are spec'ing or modifying a van, durable vinyl flooring paired with a washable runner mat makes sweeping up trapped sand and dried mud a breeze at the end of the day.

4. Finding Dog-Welcoming Beaches, Trails, and Pubs

One of the greatest joys of motorhoming is discovering places that warmly welcome pets, but local rules vary wildly between the UK and continental Europe.

• Navigating Beach Restrictions: In the UK and parts of France and Spain, many popular tourist beaches enforce seasonal dog bans from May to September. Always look out for local signage, but don't despair, apps like The Beach Guide or crowdsourced maps often highlight wild, rugged coves where dogs are welcome year-round.

• The European Pub & Restaurant Culture: You might be surprised to learn that dogs are often more widely welcomed inside continental European cafes, restaurants, and shops than they are back home in the UK, provided they are well-behaved. In France and Italy, it is completely normal to see a sleepy hound curled up under a bistro table.

• Pub Stops with Space: When touring the UK, country pubs with large beer gardens and expansive car parks (like the ones we feature in our heritage itineraries!) are fantastic pit-stops where your dog can stretch their legs and lap up a bowl of fresh water offered by friendly staff.

💡 Top Tip for Traveling with a Canine Co-Pilot

Always mark your dog's tag with your mobile phone number (including the international +44 prefix if you are heading abroad) rather than a landline, and ensure your home address details are fully up to date. Pack a dedicated doggy first-aid kit containing tick removers, paw balm for rough terrain, and any regular medications they might need.

These rules change frequently, so always check with your own Vet before travel

Do you travel with a dog in your motorhome? What are your top tips for keeping your four-legged friend happy on the road? Let us know in the comments below or share your photos in our Motorhome Touring Facebook groups!

All links in this blog are Amazon Affiliate Links, You will not pay extra, but a very small commission goes to support Motorhome Touring's Social Media Groups. If you still wish to make a small donation, see the PayPal or Buy Me A Coffee links in my Linktree Bio 

Thank you so much!

If you’re looking for more tips, honest gear reviews, or just a place to share your latest trip photos, come and join the conversation! You can catch me over on my YouTube channel Johnny Burr, or join one of our active Facebook groups, Motorhome Touring Scotland and Motorhome Touring The UK andEurope. We’ve also got a buzzing community over on our Motorhome Touring Discord server, where we share real-time updates and advice. And of course, keep a listen out for my content on Caravan Radio. Let’s get out there and enjoy the journey together!

Linktree⬅️ https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr

 

The Rise of Sub-6-Metre Motorhomes

Why Compact Vans Are Winning in Europe

For years, the trend in motorhome touring seemed to follow a "bigger is better" philosophy. Walk around any campsite or aire, and you’ll see massive, twin-axle liners stretching well past 7 or 8 metres.

However, a massive shift is underway across the UK and continental Europe. More and more road-trippers are deliberately downsizing, trading in their cumbersome giants for nimble, sub-6-metre motorhomes and campervans. Far from being a sacrifice, today's compact rigs prove that good things genuinely do come in small packages.

Here is why sub-6-metre motorhomes are winning over European travelers, and how clever modern design is making them more comfortable than ever.

1. The Magic 6-Metre Mark: Why Size Matters on the Road

Six metres is widely considered the holy grail measurement in European touring. Drop under that threshold, and a motorhome transforms from a cumbersome commercial-sized vehicle into an agile road-trip companion.

• Conquering Alpine Passes and Narrow Lanes: If you’ve ever tried navigating a 7.5-metre coachbuilt down a winding Cornish coastal lane, through a medieval French village with protruding stone walls, or up a tight Italian mountain hairpin, you know the white-knuckle stress it causes. Sub-6-metre rigs give you the confidence to squeeze down narrow roads without constantly checking your rear overhang.

• Standard Parking Space Freedom: In many European towns and coastal tourist hotspots, longer motorhomes are barred from standard car parks or forced to buy multiple tickets. A sub-6-metre van will fit neatly into a standard supermarket or municipal parking bay lengthways, allowing you to pop into town for groceries or sightseeing without frantically hunting for oversized parking spaces.

2. Clever Engineering: How Space-Saving Layouts Punch Above Their Weight

The primary hesitation people have about downsizing is the fear of feeling cramped. Fortunately, modern manufacturers have completely revolutionized what a sub-6-metre floor plan can achieve.

• The Power of Drop-Down Beds: Gone are the days when a small motorhome meant sacrificing comfortable sleeping arrangements. Many modern low-profile sub-6-metre models feature electric drop-down beds that tuck flush into the ceiling during the day and lower effortlessly at night over a spacious front dinette. This leaves the daytime living area open, airy, and entirely uncompromised.

• Multi-Functional and Open-Plan Lounges: Innovative designs, such as sliding furniture, rotating cab seats, and multi-position tables, allow manufacturers to pack full four-berth travel capability, well-equipped kitchens, and surprisingly generous lounge spaces into a sub-6-metre footprint.

• Clever Washrooms: Space-efficient wet rooms with swing-walls or folding basins mean you don’t have to compromise on personal hygiene facilities just because you're driving a smaller vehicle.

3. Real-World Savings: Ferries, Fuel, and Tolls

Choosing a compact van isn't just about driving ease; it’s also remarkably kind to your travel kitty:

• Cheaper Cross-Channel Tariffs: Ferry operators and the Eurotunnel price their tickets heavily based on vehicle length. Crossing that 6-metre line often bumps you up into a significantly more expensive pricing tier. Keeping under 6 metres keeps your channel-crossing costs as low as possible.

• Better Fuel Economy: Lighter, shorter vehicles naturally drag less weight and experience less wind resistance. Over a multi-month European tour, the savings on diesel add up considerably.

• Lower Weight Penalties: Many sub-6-metre vans easily stay under the standard 3,500kg Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) limit while still retaining a healthy payload, meaning standard driving licences (including UK post-1997 ones) face zero restrictions.

Is It Time to Downsize Your Touring Style?

If you find yourself constantly stressing over narrow approach roads, bypassing charming villages because you won't fit, or paying a premium for every ferry crossing, a sub-6-metre motorhome might just be the ultimate upgrade in disguise.

Have you ever toured in a compact camper or motorhome, or are you tempted to downsize your rig for your next European adventure? Let us know in the comments below or over in our Motorhome Touring Facebook groups!

All links in this blog are Amazon Affiliate Links, You will not pay extra, but a very small commission goes to support Motorhome Touring's Social Media Groups. If you still wish to make a small donation, see the PayPal or Buy Me A Coffee links in my Linktree Bio 

Thank you so much!

If you’re looking for more tips, honest gear reviews, or just a place to share your latest trip photos, come and join the conversation! You can catch me over on my YouTube channel Johnny Burr, or join one of our active Facebook groups, Motorhome Touring Scotland and Motorhome Touring The UK andEurope. We’ve also got a buzzing community over on our Motorhome Touring Discord server, where we share real-time updates and advice. And of course, keep an eye and an ear out for my content on Caravan Radio. Let’s get out there and enjoy the journey together!

Linktree⬅️ https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr

 

The Spare Tyre Debate: To Carry, or Not to Carry?

Whilst chatting to folk about touring Europe and the UK the subject of spare tyres came up, specifically, whether we should actually be carrying them, especially when travelling outside of the UK.

If your motorhome doesn’t have a spare wheel, don’t panic. It is not unusual. In fact, many modern motorhomes don’t come with a spare wheel at all when they leave the factory. Manufacturers often omit them to save weight (which helps with your all-important payload allowance), keep costs down, and reclaim space that would otherwise be taken up by the mounting mechanism. Instead, you usually get a tyre repair kit, a bottle of sealant (the infamous “gunk”) and a small compressor.

Which is all very well… but is that really what you want to be relying on if you get a puncture halfway up a mountain in France?

The Argument FOR Carrying a Spare

The obvious advantage is that a proper spare can get you moving again after damage that a repair kit simply can’t fix. Tyre sealant is great for small tread punctures, but it can’t magically repair a shredded tyre, a damaged sidewall, or a blowout. If you are somewhere remote, or somewhere your exact size or specification of tyre isn’t readily available, having a spare with you could save a lot of time and hassle.

The Realities (The "But...")

A spare wheel isn’t always the perfect solution it’s cracked up to be:

• The Weight Penalty: Motorhomes are often right at their maximum weight limit. A spare wheel and tyre can easily take a noticeable chunk out of your remaining payload.

• Storage Struggles: You have to find somewhere to put it. Many modern motorhomes don't have an under-chassis mount, meaning it takes up valuable space in your garage or storage lockers.

• The "Can You Change It?" Question: For most of us, the honest answer is "no." Changing a wheel on a heavy, fully laden motorhome on the side of a busy road is not only physically difficult, it can be downright dangerous. For many, a spare wheel is there for the breakdown recovery team to use, but even then, if you’re stuck on a narrow, dangerous verge, they may have to tow you to a safer location anyway.

Important Note: If you do carry a spare, make sure it’s checked and maintained regularly. It’s not just the tyre pressure that matters; you need to check the cage, the mechanism, and the tools (jack and wheel brace) to ensure they aren’t rusted solid. There’s nothing worse than having a spare you can’t get down!

What If You Don't Carry a Spare?

If you’re in the boat with the rest of us and don’t have a spare, your first step is simple: go and look at what you’ve got. Discovering that your bottle of tyre sealant expired three years ago while you’re standing beside a flat tyre is probably not going to improve your day.

I had this entire conversation with myself before I went to Sweden. Travelling so far alone made me anxious about not being prepared, and I wanted to be as ready as possible. Here is my setup to combat the risk:

1. Fit Decent Tyres I’ve used Michelin CrossClimates for years and I refuse to fit anything else. They’ve served me well in snow, muddy fields, leaves, ice, and horrendous rain. Good tyres are your first line of defence against punctures.

2. Carry a Decent 12v Tyre Inflator These aren’t just for punctures. Motorhome tyres run at relatively high pressures, so being able to check and inflate them when on a long trip is really helpful—it saves you from having to hunt down a garage that can actually accommodate a large vehicle. I recommend looking for a heavy-duty, cordless, rechargeable model so you aren't tied to the vehicle's battery or limited by cable length.

3. An In-Date Puncture Repair/Sealant Kit If your motorhome came with sealant, check the expiry date. Remember, this is a temporary fix. Make sure you know how to use it before you actually need to use it.

4. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) This is a gadget I highly recommend. A slow puncture can be almost impossible to detect in a big, heavy vehicle until it’s too late. An aftermarket TPMS has sensors that fit onto each valve and a display in the cab showing the pressure and temperature of each tyre. If one starts dropping, you can pull over and investigate before it becomes a blowout.

The Bottom Line

Even if you carry a spare, good breakdown cover is non-negotiable. Whether you have a spare wheel or a repair kit, the reality is that for most of us, the safest option when things go wrong is to call in the professionals.

Do you carry a spare? Let me know in the comments below, I’d love to hear how you handle this in your own setup. Stay safe and happy travels!

All links in this blog are Amazon Affiliate Links, You will not pay extra, but a very small commission goes to support Motorhome Touring's Social Media Groups. If you still wish to make a small donation, see the PayPal or Buy Me A Coffee links in my Linktree Bio 

Thank you so much!

If you’re looking for more tips, honest gear reviews, or just a place to share your latest trip photos, come and join the conversation! You can catch me over on my YouTube channel Johnny Burr, or join one of our active Facebook groups, Motorhome Touring Scotland and Motorhome Touring The UK andEurope. We’ve also got a buzzing community over on our Motorhome Touring Discord server, where we share real-time updates and advice. And of course, keep an eye and an ear out for my content on Caravan Radio. Let’s get out there and enjoy the journey together!

Linktree⬅️ https://linktr.ee/johnnyburr