6 Mistakes to Avoid When Motorhoming With Friends

Kristof on Aug 4, 2015

Taking a road trip with a group of friends can be one of the best experiences you’ll ever have - or a hellish, claustrophobic nightmare that never seems to end. Make sure it’s the former.

The premise seems flawless. You like your friends, you love going on vacation - why not bring the two together? Surely it will be a fantastic experience with no drawbacks whatsoever! Unfortunately the reality is a little more complex. Many who’ve travelled with friends before will be able to tell you that it can get… uncomfortable, pretty quickly. Especially when everyone’s living out of one motorhome. But it doesn’t have to be like that. There are a few easy-to-make mistakes that can trip you up, but if these are avoided it really is possible to have that amazing holiday you envisioned. Make sure your next motorhome holiday with friends is a dream, not a nightmare.


holiday with friends
 
1. Don’t plan the trip by yourself

You might be a motorhome veteran and a scheduling extraordinaire, but that doesn’t mean that you should design the whole vacation on your own. Nor should you let one of your friends do it all. It’s tempting to leave all the prep work in the hands of one person but early collaboration is crucial to ensuring that everyone’s on the same page when it comes to the itinerary and the way you all travel. Planning doesn’t have to be a drag - you could get everyone together for a meal and a couple of drinks; make a night of it! If everyone has a say and knows what to expect going in, they’re much less likely to be disappointed with the final trip.

 
 
2. Privacy is important

Look, you’re all friends, right? So travelling and eating and sleeping all together for days should be a breeze… right? Wrong. Just because you like your friends (and hopefully they like you too!) that doesn’t negate the need for a little breathing space now and then. What form this takes will depend on your group, and where and how you’re travelling, but this is seriously important when it comes to maintaining harmony. One trick that can help is bringing along a tent or two so that if someone needs to take a break from the others, even if that’s just to get a solid night’s sleep, they can. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to take into account people’s need for personal space.

 
 
3. Plan separate activities

This is sort of an extension on the previous point and isn’t always necessary, depending on how large your group is. It’s a good option to keep in mind though, especially if you’re road tripping with a handful of friends or several couples. Of course you’ll want to do things together, what would be the point of travelling with friends otherwise? But it’s worth figuring out a few things that you all would like to do individually or as couples. For a start, it means that no one has to compromise on what they really want to do and it also gives everyone a little bit more time apart, which means when you all meet up at the end of the day you’ll be ready to enjoy each other’s company and share stories about your different experiences.



strange guy
 
4. Choose the right friends

Face it: there are some friends you just do not want to have with you on a motorhome holiday. You know who they are, if you think about it. They may be great fun to hang out with every now and again but they happen to be a neat freak. Or a horrendously loud snorer. Or they struggle with terrible body odour. They may be excellent people and I’m sure you think the world of them but for the love of all things holy do not bring them along. There will be plenty of opportunities to spend time with these folks but an extended journey in a motorhome is not one of them.

 
 
5. Go with the flow

Remember, this is a road trip. Plans and circumstances will change, and that’s a good thing! These kind of journeys are at their best when some shift in events sends you all plunging into places and experiences that you never expected to encounter. The key here is not to fret when everything doesn’t go according to plan but to embrace the changes as all part of the story you’ll get to tell one day. Stress travels quickly in close quarters but so does excitement - and no matter what the road throws your way, there’s always plenty to be excited about. Most of the problems you’ll come across can be surmounted with a little clear-headed thinking, and the best thing is you’ll have all your friends to help you out! 



motorhomes
 
6. Get the right motorhome

Selecting the ideal motorhome for your particular journey is something that receives far too little attention from most but it’s among the most important choices you can make when planning your trip. Most people just plump for the cheapest option available but while budget is certainly a big factor, you really want to make sure that this vehicle/accommodation that you’ll be spending so much time in is just right for your group. Skimping on size, for example, can result in cramped, cranky passengers and exacerbate cabin fever. Even taking care to select the style of motorhome that best suits you and your friends can really set the tone for your whole trip. 

 

Don’t be intimidated by other people’s horror stories - with just a little care, your motorhome holiday with friends can be a truly memorable experience for all the right reasons.

Now that you are ready to go, call your friends and start planning your next holiday with them. Maybe you'll go to the sunny Queensland state, in Australia, where cities like Cairns and Brisbane offer a good base. In case you've always dreamed of travelling to the US, you could start your journey in many cities including Las Vegas, San Francisco or Los Angeles. Finally, if you are a "Lord of the Ring" fan, head to New Zealand!


Written By: Kristof Haines

It’s funny how motorhome memories stick with you. I can still recall a motorhome vacation my family took when I was five years old and how awesome I thought I was, tucked away in a loft bed above the cab. From revealing unique destinations to providing tips and tricks, it’s my mission to help others build great motorhome memories too.