The Complete Guide to Owning a Motorhome

Buying your motorhome is the beginning of a whole new way to travel. From weekends exploring Scotland to longer trips further afield, having your own motorhome gives you the flexibility to get away and travel at your own pace.

But what happens after you’ve chosen the right model and collected the keys? From insurance and storage to servicing, everyday maintenance and planning for trips, there are a few practical considerations that come with motorhome ownership.

This motorhome ownership guide covers what to expect, how to prepare for the practical side of ownership and how to make the transition from motorhome buyer to confident owner.

What Do You Need to Know About Owning a Motorhome?

Owning a motorhome involves more than the initial purchase. You’ll also need to think about insurance, servicing, maintenance, storage and the practical arrangements that help make each trip easier.

The good news is that many of these things quickly become part of your normal ownership routine. Getting organised from the beginning can help you spend less time worrying about the practicalities and more time planning where to take your motorhome next.

If you’re still deciding which motorhome is right for you, start with our Ultimate Motorhome Buying Guide (2027 Edition). It covers the key decisions to make before buying, including new versus used models, layouts, budgets, finance, manufacturers and licence requirements.

What Should You Plan for When Owning a Motorhome?

The practical side of motorhome ownership will vary considerably depending on the vehicle and how you use it.

Someone who regularly travels long distances will naturally have different needs from an owner who takes a handful of shorter trips each year. Rather than focusing on a single annual figure, it is more useful to understand the main areas to plan for. These can include:

• Fuel: Your mileage, driving style, vehicle and the journeys you take will affect fuel use.
• Insurance: You’ll need appropriate insurance for your motorhome and how you intend to use it.
• Servicing: Plan for the appropriate mechanical servicing and habitation care for your motorhome.
• Maintenance and repairs: Allow for routine upkeep alongside unexpected repairs as your motorhome gets older.
• Storage: If keeping the motorhome at home isn’t practical, you may need dedicated storage.
• Touring: Campsite choices and other travel arrangements will depend on how often and where you tour.
• Breakdown cover: Depending on your circumstances, you may also want suitable breakdown cover.

Thinking through these areas before you buy can help you choose a motorhome that fits comfortably with the way you want to travel.

Motorhome Insurance

Insurance is an important part of preparing for motorhome ownership.

The cover that’s right for you will depend on your circumstances, your motorhome and how you intend to use it, so make sure you understand what a policy does and doesn’t cover before choosing one.

Price matters, but it shouldn’t necessarily be your only consideration. Think about the journeys you’re expecting to take, where the motorhome will be kept between trips and any particular requirements you have as an owner.

If your travel habits change, for example if you begin touring differently or planning more ambitious journeys, it is worth making sure your arrangements continue to suit how you use the motorhome.

Motorhome Servicing and Habitation Checks

Regular servicing is part of looking after a motorhome for the longer term.

Remember that a motorhome combines a road vehicle with living accommodation. It therefore needs appropriate ongoing care rather than only receiving attention when something goes wrong. Following the relevant service schedules and manufacturer guidance will help you understand what your particular motorhome requires and when.

Where Should You Store Your Motorhome?

Where your motorhome will stay while it isn’t being used should ideally be considered before you purchase it. If you have suitable space at home, this may be an option. Think about whether you can comfortably access the vehicle and manoeuvre it on and off your property, as well as any restrictions that may apply to you.

If keeping a motorhome at home isn’t suitable, you may want to consider a specialist storage facility instead. Whichever option you choose, security, convenience and accessibility are useful things to weigh up. A cheaper storage option may not necessarily be the most practical if it makes preparing for every trip difficult.

You should also think about periods when your motorhome won’t be used regularly. Follow the guidance for your particular vehicle when preparing it for longer periods off the road rather than assuming every motorhome has the same requirements. Having your storage arrangements organised early makes one of the practical aspects of motorhome ownership much easier.

Looking After Your Motorhome

A little regular care goes a long way when you own a motorhome. Instead of only thinking about maintenance immediately before a holiday, try to make basic checks part of your ownership routine. Becoming familiar with your motorhome makes it easier to notice if something has changed or needs attention.

Before and after journeys, take note of the condition of the vehicle and deal with problems promptly rather than leaving them until your next holiday. It is equally important to know when something requires professional attention. Your motorhome’s handbook and manufacturer guidance should be the starting point for its specific maintenance requirements.

From Buying a Motorhome to Owning One

Choosing your motorhome can feel like the biggest decision, particularly if it’s your first. But finding the right model is really just the first stage of the journey. There are several factors to consider, including motorhome types, new versus used vehicles, layouts, budgets, finance, manufacturers and licence requirements. Once you’ve made that decision, your priorities naturally change.

1. Start by choosing the right motorhome

Good ownership begins with buying a motorhome that suits the way you’ll actually travel. Think realistically about how many people will regularly be travelling, how long your trips are likely to be and the type of places you want to visit.

Layout is especially important because it affects how the living space works every day. Our dedicated motorhome layout guide recommends considering factors such as the number of travellers, length of trips, sleeping arrangements, storage and washroom requirements.

2. Plan for ownership, not simply the purchase

Work out what you’re comfortable spending on the motorhome, but don’t stop there. Think about the bigger picture and how insurance, fuel, servicing, storage, maintenance and touring will fit into your plans once you’re an owner.

The same applies when deciding between a new and used motorhome. There isn’t a universally better choice. Areas such as initial cost, warranty, depreciation, specification and condition can influence which option provides the right value for an individual buyer.

3. Get familiar with your motorhome

You don’t need to become an expert on day one. Spend time getting to know your motorhome and refer to the appropriate manuals and manufacturer information when you’re unsure about something. Your first few shorter trips can also help you understand how the layout and equipment work for you in practice.

You may discover that you packed things you didn’t need or forgot things that would have made life easier. That’s all part of becoming a motorhome owner. The important thing is building confidence with your vehicle rather than expecting yourself to know everything immediately.

4. Establish an ownership routine

As you use your motorhome more often, preparing for a trip should gradually become more familiar. It can help to develop your own pre-trip and post-trip routine so essential jobs aren’t forgotten. Keep relevant servicing and maintenance paperwork together and address problems when you notice them rather than just before your next holiday.

It is also worth keeping payload in mind when packing. Motorhome payload has to account for passengers, luggage, water, gas bottles, food, accessories and other items carried or fitted to the vehicle.

5. Make your motorhome work for the way you travel

One of the advantages of motorhome ownership is discovering what sort of touring you actually enjoy. You might have bought your motorhome imagining long touring holidays, only to discover that spontaneous weekends away are what you enjoy most. Alternatively, shorter initial trips may eventually give you the confidence to travel for longer.

At Dicksons of Perth, we also offer motorhome hire, giving you an opportunity to experience leisure vehicle life before you buy.

6. Know where to turn when you need help

Finally, remember that motorhome ownership doesn’t mean dealing with everything yourself. Knowing who to contact when you need servicing, maintenance or advice is valuable, especially while you’re getting used to ownership. This is also why aftersales support is worth considering during the buying stage rather than only thinking about it when something goes wrong.

Owning a motorhome gives you the freedom to make your travel plans your own, and getting the most from ownership starts with being prepared. Arranging suitable insurance and storage, getting to know your vehicle, planning for trips and staying on top of servicing and maintenance can make the experience much simpler.

You can explore our new and used motorhomes available online and compare vehicles and manufacturers to find the right fit for the way you want to travel.