Motorhome tips for beginners

Motorhome tips beginners

Motorhome tips beginners

Motorhome tips beginners

In order to make booking your motorhome rental as easy as possible, we have put together this list of Frequently Asked Questions and Motorhome tips beginners.

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Motorhome tips beginners is a service to answer some of the questions our customers ask frequently.

Q. Who is Worldwide Motorhome Hire?
Q. How do I make a booking?
Q. How do I know what the total cost of renting a motorhome is going to be?

Q. Where can I get a picture and more detailed specification of the Motorhome?
Q. Are there other charges to consider?
Q. How can I make a booking after I receive an email quotation?

Q. Is my credit card charged the full rental amount when I book?
Q. Are Unlimited Mileage/Kilometers included in the price of the Motorhome Rental?
Q. Are taxes included in the price?
Q. Is insurance included in the price?
Q. Is there is a minimum hire period?

Q. Can I pick up and drop off the Motorhome on a Saturday or Sunday?

Q. Can I make a One-Way hire in a Motorhome?
Q. Can I pick up and drop off at a different location, i.e. make a one-way trip?
Q. Can I pick up in one country and drop off in another country?
Q. What is the address of the rental depot?
Q. Can I pay in a different currency?

Q. How do I get to the rental location?
Q. When can I pick up the vehicle?
Q. Is it possible to pickup or dropoff a Motorhome at an Airport?
Q. How long does it take to take delivery of the Motorhome?

Q. Can I pay the Insurance Excess / Security Deposit in Cash or Travelers Cheques?

Q. Can I pay the Insurance Excess / Security Deposit with a 3rd party / someone else’s Credit Card?
Q. What kind of instruction will I be given about the vehicles, their appliances, and how to use them?

Q. Do I need an International Drivers License to travel in a Motorhome? Do I need a special drivers license to drive a motorhome?
Q. What happens if the Motorhome breaks down during my trip?
Q. Are motorhomes difficult to drive?
Q. How many seatbelts are in each vehicle?
Q. Where does everyone sit?

Q. Is there enough storage for suitcases?
Q. Will my motorhome have air conditioning?
Q. Is it complicated to hook up the Motorhome to campsite facilities?
Q. What type of fuel does a motorhome use?
Q. What kind of power supply does a motorhome have?

Q. Where can I stay in the motorhome?
Q. Can we take our pet with us in the Motorhome?
Q. Is it possible to camp outside of campgrounds?
Q. Is there heating in the Motorhome?
Q. How long can I camp without any water or power supply?
Q. Can you hire a MotorHome in the winter? Can you go to the ski slopes?

Q. What is the minimum age to drive a Motorhome?
Q. Are refunds provided for early return of the vehicle?
Q. Are there late fees for returning the vehicle late?

Q. Who is Worldwide Motorhome Hire?     [Top]

A. Worldwide Motorhome Hire is a subsidiary of WMhire LTD. A travel and tourism company that has been in business in Europe for over 15 years, so we have the knowledge and experience to help you find exactly what you need to make your holiday an enjoyable experience.

We are partnered with trusted Motorhome RV suppliers all across Europe and the World to bring you great deals on Motorhome Rentals. We only supply you with up to date and current Motorhome models; in fact, most of our models are under 18 months old!

Our Booking Engine is the first in the rental industry that can display quotations from several rental companies on the same page. By showing you all the results at once, you can compare prices, and see what is the best deal for you. Having all the results on one page also saves you time!

You can use our Booking Engine to email a quotation directly to yourself for review later, or you can go ahead and Book straight away, online.

Q. How do I make a booking?     [Top]

A. Here’s how it works at Motorhome tips beginners :

At motorhome tips for beginners to get a Motorhome Hire quote and submit a reservation request, please go to our website at www.worldwide-motorhome-hire.com.
You will see our booking engine on the right hand side of the home page – simply choose the country you would like to collect the vehicle (we have locations in the United States, Canada, France, Spain, Germany, Greece, Holland, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and many more countries). When you choose your desired country of pick-up, our system will then offer you a variety of pick-up and drop-off locations in that country – choose from the available locations the ones that suit you best. Then enter the dates and times you wish to pick-up and drop-off the motorhome, and select the berth size you require. Then click the Search button. You can then browse through the selection of Motorhome RV types on offer at your chosen location. Select the Motorhome you are interested in, and you will then be able to add any add-ons or options that you wish to include in your rental rate. Finally, you will enter your credit card details to pre-pay for your rental, and you’re on your way as soon as we confirm your booking request is available.

As soon as the transaction is completed, we will issue you a voucher identifying which of our trusted supplier partners will be providing your Motorhome rental at your destination. It is very important that you print out this voucher and take it with you when going on holiday – among other things, it will contained detailed information on how to get to the depot!

If you have any questions, you can reach our Customer Service team Monday to Friday at the following numbers 0900 to 1700 Greenwich Mean Time (London, UK time), :

IRL 051 347103
International Ireland +353-51-347103

UK: +44 20 3137 2159
NZ: 0800 126 256
CN: 4001 208 715
US/CA: 800 720 9496
AU: 1300 527 361

International: +64 9 950 2128

Q. How do I know what the total cost of renting a motorhome is going to be?      [Top]

A. Just use our booking engine! After you enter the details of the rental you wish to make, you will see a list of Motorhomes along with prices. These are the Base Prices, without extras. When you click “Select” beside your chosen motorhome, you will be taken to the Optional Extras page. All extras will be listed here, along with prices. Choose the Extras you want, and click “Add these extras”. The next page will show you a detailed summary of the cost of the rental. At any stage during the process, you can choose to send yourself a Quotation via email.

Q. Where can I get a picture and more detailed specification of the Motorhome?      [Top]

Simply go to our Booking Engine, fill in the details of the rental you are interested in, and click Get Quote. The Booking Engine will give you a list of quotations, along with some basic information on the Motorhome. If you need more information, just click the picture of the Motorhome, and you will be shown more detailed information on the vehicle. This will normally include diagrams of Day and Night layouts showing sleeping arrangements, and full specifications of the motorhome.

Q. Are there other charges to consider?      [Top]

A. The main cost of the Motorhome Rental is going to be the Base Price, along with any Optional Extra’s that you choose.

In addition to this cost, before returning your RV or Motorhome it is usually required that you clean the vehicle so that it is ready for use for the next renter. If you return the Motorhome in a condition that is not clean and ready for use, you are likely to be charged with a cleaning fee.

Don’t forget the cost of Diesel/Gas! Of course, we don’t charge you for Diesel/Gas and your vehicle will come pre-filled when you pick it up. Upon returning the vehicle, as in any car rental, you will need to fill the gas tank or you will be charged by the depot. The depot will charge for Diesel/Gas at a higher rate than you would pay at a Fuel Station, so it is in your best interest to fill up before returning.

Once your RV / Motorhome is returned there is also extra per mile costs for any mileage over the free or pre-purchased amounts. Costs vary from location to location.

Q. How can I make a booking after I receive an email quotation?     [Top]

A. Included in the Quotation Email will be a URL link to the booking engine. Simply click on the link (if your email program supports this) or copy and paste the link into your web browser. This will take you to your original Motorhome Rental quotation on our web site. If you wish, you can then amend your quotation, changing dates, berth sizes or any other options you choose. As you make changes, the quotation will update to reflect the changes you make. When you are satisfied with your quotation proceed through the booking process, and make a booking by entering your credit card details.

Q. Is my credit card charged the full rental amount when I book?     [Top]

A. This depends on how far in advance of the pickup date you are booking. Our normal practice is to take a deposit on confirmation of the booking of around 40% of the total cost of the rental. The exact percentage will vary from supplier to supplier. The remainder of the rental charge is taken around 60 days before pickup of the Motorhome.

If you are booking with less than 60 days to go before the pickup date, we will need to take

the full amount of the booking on confirmation.

Please note, we only charge your credit card these amounts after we have received confirmation from the supplier that the motorhome is available.

Q. Are Unlimited Mileage/Kilometers included in the price of the Motorhome Rental?     [Top]

A. Our booking engine will display limited or unlimited kilometers / miles for each Motorhome Rental quotation where available.

If the particular Motorhome offer includes a limited kilometers or mileage package this will be displayed near the price of the vehicle. The system will also display information on the Mileage/Kilometers you get per day with the Motorhome and how much is charged for exceeding this amount. You multiply the per day kilometers/miles included in your rate by the numbers of days hire to get the total kilometers / miles free.

An example of this would be:

If there are 150 kms per day included in your rate and you are paying for 7 full days rental it would be:

150 kms x 7 days hire = 1050 kms free for the rental

Q. Are taxes included in the price?     [Top]

A. All local taxes, such as VAT, state and provincial taxes, are included in our prices.

Q. Is insurance included in the price?     [Top]

A. Yes, insurance is included in all our quotations. Please note, however, that in most cases there is an Excess Amount clause in the insurance. This means that you would be liable for a set amount of the cost of any damage you cause to the Motorhome. For example, you may be liable for the first Euro 1000 of damage. This is usually handled by the depot taking a deposit from your credit card when you pick up the motorhome. If the motorhome is returned undamaged, this deposit will be refunded to your credit card. The return of the deposit can take up to 2 weeks, depending on the supplier.

The amount of the Excess / Damage deposit will vary from supplier to supplier. In some cases, you will be able to take advantage of an excess reduction package. If this option is available, it will be listed as an Optional Extra for your Motorhome.

Q. Is there is a minimum hire period?     [Top]

A. Minimum Hire periods vary from one supplier to the next, and they also vary depending on the season. In general, they range between 3-7 days in low season to 14 days in high season.

You can, of course, take a Motorhome for a shorter duration than the minimum rental period but you must pay for the minimum rental period. Please contact us if you require assistance. Please note that, depending on season and availability, it may not be possible to rent a motorhome for less than the minimum hire period, even if you are willing to pay for the minimum rental period.

Q. Can I pick up and drop off the Motorhome on a Saturday or Sunday?     [Top]

A. Saturdays may be possible, depending on the Supplier, but in general there is no service available on a Sunday. Our Booking Engine is intelligent and where Saturday and Sunday service is available the software will allow you book. If it is not possible, then you will get a “NO Quotation” message. In this case you should try changing your pickup and dropoff dates to not include Saturday or Sunday.

Q. Can I make a One-Way hire in a Motorhome?     [Top]

A. Domestic One ways within country/region:

Simply choose your pick up location on our booking engine and our system will show all the possible return locations underneath. These are the only one way options possible within a country or region. Please note, however, that a one way charge may apply to the booking. You will be advised of the full one way fees in advance of us confirming your rental.

Cross Border / International One ways:

There are a few suppliers in certain countries that will allow an international one-way rental. When you select your pick up location on our booking engine our system will show all the available return locations underneath. These are the only one way options possible.
We have full details of One-Way Campervan Hire trips available in a special article, you can read it here.

Q. Can I pick up and drop off at a different location, i.e. make a one-way trip?     [Top]

A. When you use our intelligent Booking Engine, when you choose your pickup location, you will be shown the available dropoff locations. You can choose to drop off at any of these available locations. Please note, however, that a one way charge may apply to the booking. You will be advised of the full one way fees in advance of us confirming your rental. We have full details of One-Way Campervan Hire trips available in a special article, you can read it here.

Q. Can I pick up in one country and drop off in another country?     [Top]

A. This service is available from Spain to some of the EU countries (Germany, Holland, France, Italy, Portugal), from Holland to most EU capital cities and between Norway, Sweden and Finland. In all other countries, it is not available with any supplier. We have been in business many years and we do not know of any other company that will offer this service. When you select your pick up location on our booking engine our system will show all the possible international return locations underneath. These are the only one way options possible. We have full details of One-Way Campervan Hire trips available in a special article, you can read it here.

Q. What is the address of the rental depot?     [Top]

A. We send you the address of the rental company with your confirmation as we may have several Motorhome suppliers in the location you have chosen.

Q. Can I pay in a different currency?     [Top]

A. All Motorhomes are quoted in the local currency of the local supplier. For example, in the USA it will be US Dollars, in the UK, Sterling, in Europe, it will be Euro. You can use the engine to ask for conversions into several other currencies, but please be aware that these are approximate, and are only provided as a rough guide.

Q. How do I get to the rental location?     [Top]

A. Usually our depots can be reached by public transports or more easily by taxi. It is possible to choose Airport pickup and dropoffs in certain countries. Please note that these are transfer locations – you would be taken from the Airport to the depot to pickup your motorhome, and vice versa for a dropoff. The cost of this transfer is generally included in the quoted price. Where city locations are listed you will have to make your own arrangements to get to the pick up depot.

Q. When can I pick up the vehicle?     [Top]

A. Vehicle pick up and drop off times are shown on our booking engine. If you choose times that are outside working hours, you will be prompted to pick new pick up and drop off times from a list of valid options.

Q. Is it possible to pickup or dropoff a Motorhome at an Airport?     [Top]

A. For security reasons, in general our suppliers are not allowed to deliver or recover Motorhomes at an airport location.

Some suppliers in Italy can offer this service. In other cases, when you choose an airport pickup you would be transferred by Car, Taxi or Minibus to the depot. This can take some time, depending on locations. When arranging your drop off, please allow enough time for the drop off formalities. The procedure can take up to an hour, so if you have early morning flights, you would be best to arrange dropping off the motorhome the night before, and stay in a Hotel close to your departure airport for the last night of your holiday.

Q. How long does it take to take delivery of the Motorhome?     [Top]

A. Please be aware that the process of taking delivery of a Motorhome is very different to picking up a Rental Car, so please allow 1-2 hours for collection. Paperwork and contracts must be completed, your credit card may have to be charged for the insurance excess and any Extras that have been ordered have to be checked. You also have to be shown how to use all the Motorhome systems (heating, waste treatment, cooking etc.), and the Motorhome has to be inspected to note any pre-existing damage. After this check you will be asked to sign a document saying you agree that the inspection was correct. All of this takes time, and cannot be rushed.

Q. Can I pay the Insurance Excess / Security Deposit in Cash or Travelers Cheques?     [Top]

A. In most cases the answer is no. For security reasons almost all depots require that the deposit be paid via a charge to a Credit Card. This is to try to guard against the scenario of someone coming along to rent the motorhome, paying a cash deposit, and then driving off with the motorhome and never returning.

There are a few depots, in Italy and Portugal, where there are no Credit Card processing facilities, and the deposit has to be paid in Cash. You will be informed if this is the case when you book.

Q. Can I pay the Insurance Excess / Security Deposit with a 3rd party / someone else’s Credit Card?     [Top]

A. No, where the Insurance Excess / Security Deposit is being taken by Credit Card, the Credit Card needs to be used at the depot by the owner of the card. You cannot pay with someone else’s Credit Card, even if they have given it to you with their permission. This would be against the terms and conditions of any Credit Card.

Q. What kind of instruction will I be given about the vehicles, their appliances, and how to use them?     [Top]

A. You will receive a full orientation tour of the motorhome, including maintenance operations and your responsibilities when using the Motorhome. Please be aware that in some locations in Italy there may only limited or no instruction in English. The Motorhome should be inspected to note any pre-existing damage. After this check you will be asked to sign a document saying you agree that the inspection was correct.

Q. Do I need an International Drivers License to travel in a Motorhome? Do I need a special drivers license to drive a motorhome?     [Top]

A. Generally your full national license is enough. You do not need any special drivers license to drive a motorhome in most cases.

The exception to this rule is in Germany where you can rent larger vehicles that weigh more than 3500 KGS. For these Motorhomes you need an appropriate licence. Generally this is a Class C licence – 3500kgs or larger. Full details are in the terms and conditions on your booking or quotation.

Q. What happens if the Motorhome breaks down during my trip?     [Top]

A. Rental companies have nationwide 24-hour roadside assistance or 24-hour vehicle operation assistance. As most vehicles are under 2 years of age they are still under warranty by the manufacturer. If the Motorhome does break down, simply call the depot where you picked it up – the telephone details will be on your confirmation document. Failing that, look at the Motorhome – they generally have a contact number printed on the side!

Q. Are motorhomes difficult to drive?     [Top]

A. No! In fact, they handle much the same as a car. You just need to be aware, especially with the larger motorhomes, that you have to take extra care parking in cities as they are longer and will be more difficult to park.

Q. How many seatbelts are in each vehicle?     [Top]

A. Seat belts are mandatory in most countries in Europe and the USA.

The number of seat belts depends on the vehicle. The berth size of the vehicle indicates the number of seat belts and the number of passengers the vehicle is designed for.

Q. Where does everyone sit?     [Top]

A. Depending on the model of vehicle, normally 2 people can sit in the front. The other seatbelts are located around the dining tables.

Q. Is there enough storage for suitcases?     [Top]

A. Yes, however, we strongly recommend that you use soft bags instead of suitcases for your luggage. Soft bags take up less room and fit easier into the storage cupboards and lockers in the vehicle. There is plenty of storage under the beds, and some motorhomes in Europe come with a large compartment (garage) in the rear where you can also store bicycles.

Q. Will my motorhome have air conditioning?     [Top]

A. In Europe, in general, the Motorhome will only have air conditioning in the drivers cab area as there have been too many accidents with external roof mounted units been damaged going under low bridges or being hit by tree branches. In the USA, Canada and Australia, air conditioning units are available for Motorhomes in the main living area.

Q. Is it complicated to hook up the Motorhome to campsite facilities?     [Top]

A. Connecting the motorhome to campsite facilities requires no technical expertise. You will receive instruction on these connections at the time of pick up. You simply plug into the mains power supply, fill your water tank and you can empty your toilet cartridge in the toilet facility.

Q. What type of fuel does a motorhome use?     [Top]

A. Generally in Europe all Motorhomes have a turbo diesel engine which are very efficient. In the USA and Canada the majority are Gas/Petrol engines.

Q. What kind of power supply does a motorhome have?     [Top]

A. The refrigerator, heater, water heater, stove and range operate on propane gas. The dash air conditioner is powered by the engine while driving and other items by an outside 230V power supply. Vehicles have a dual battery system. This means that the engine battery is separate from the battery system used for internal appliances, such as the fridge, lights and water pump.

The appliance battery system will last approximately 12 hours when fully charged. Please note that the batteries only recharge when you drive the vehicle. Since the engine battery is separate, if you flatten the appliance batteries, you will still be able to start the engine and drive. All vehicles have the facility to plug into an external electricity supply.

When you plug into electricity in a caravan park all accessories automatically switch over to run off 240V electricity rather than the batteries. You can then use appliances such as the television, microwave and rear air conditioning that only run off electricity.

Q. Where can I stay in the motorhome?     [Top]

A. You can park anywhere in Europe like a car unless it otherwise states that you cannot park in that location. Generally speaking it is much safer to park overnight in a campground; there are hundreds of these available see:


https://www.alanrogers.com

Most large cities in Europe have serviced Motorhome parking facilities near the city centre; for details see https://www.eurocampingcar.com/

Q. Can we take our pet with us in the motorhome?     [Top]

We hire motorhomes in over 20 countries using over 60 suppliers.
Each supplier has different terms and conditions related to pets.
In most cases suppliers will allow pets to travel.
Strict guidelines exists where pet owners are fully responsible for making sure
pets do not spoil or damage hire vehicles. Clients traveling with pets will be charged
for any necessary cleaning costs as a result of pet damage. This includes pet hair having to be removed.
Please ask our travel consultants at the time of booking.

Q. Is it possible to camp outside of campgrounds?     [Top]

A. Yes. However we do not recommend it for security reasons; please use your common sense! It is strongly recommended not to stay overnight on Motorway or Autobahn rest places as they may not be safe.

Q. Is there heating in the Motorhome?     [Top]

A. Yes, there is a gas heater using a balanced flue arrangement. This takes it’s air from outside and expels the gas fumes externally, thus it is safe to leave on low overnight if required. There is also a gas boiler for hot water which will supply both the sink and the shower.

Q. How long can I camp without any water or power supply?     [Top]

A. This entirely depends on how much water you use! This is your real limitation, as you can recharge your batteries to work the interior lighting by running the engine and your cooker and refrigerator can be operated by gas. Normally you can go 3-7 days without refilling your water supply.

Q. Can you hire a MotorHome in the winter? Can you go to the ski slopes?     [Top]

A. You can enjoy hiring a MotorHome in the winter or to visit ski slopes – they can be heated and the driving should be manageable. Having said that if the road conditions are very poor than driving a motorhome is not advisable.

Q. What is the minimum age to drive a Motorhome?     [Top]

A. This will be shown in the terms and conditions for the supplier; you will see the link for Terms and Conditions when you get a quotation. The terms and conditions are also sent to you by email when you send a quotation to yourself. Generally the age varies between 21- 25 years of age.

Q. Are refunds provided for early return of the vehicle?     [Top]

A. Unfortunately not.

Q. Are there late fees for returning the vehicle late?      [Top]

A. Yes. There are hefty hourly fines – please understand if you are late delivering back the Motorhome you are holding up the next rental customer.

We have attempted to answer some of your questions at Motorhome tips beginners we know from talking to our customers over the years that Motorhome tips beginners can b every helpful.

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