If you follow our Instagram feed, you know that we’ve been exploring the English countryside in a rented motorhome. Come along for a tour as we show you around our RV and tell you what it’s like to live in and drive.
While European RVs aren’t exactly like the ones we’re used to in North America, we were struck more by the similarities than the differences. Of course some systems are very different, like the way grey and black water are managed. And of course there’s the business of driving on the left side of the road (or as the Brits say, the “RIGHT” side of the road)!
We’ll be following up with more videos from England, showing you how we hook up (or not, since full-hook-ups are virtually non-existent here), how we dump the tanks, and how to fill up with propane. That’s right…. propane (or “autogas” as it’s called here) is a self-serve operation here.
Hope you enjoy the tour!
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You guys do such a good job making your videos. Thank you! Now, the big question. You live in a 43 ft. motor home and have taken vacations in smaller motor homes. What duration of time would you be comfortable traveling in a 23 ft. – 25 ft. motor home?
Thanks, Doug. Always nice to hear! As for the smaller RVs… it would depend on the floorplan. The Maui RV we rented in Australia was only about 21 ft. and didn’t have a dedicated sleeping area OR a separate shower (it was a wet bath)… and the 3 weeks we were in it began to feel very long. The JustGo RV we had in England was just a little bit longer at 23 ft, but had a dedicated sleeping space AND separate shower… and we could easily have spent several months touring around in it (and one of our dream trips is to do something just like that, touring around Europe)! And a 25 ft unit would probably feel like luxury vacation accommodations we might never move out of! LOL!
We’ve been looking into this in detail since watching this video. Thank you! Quick question: as full time RVers, we don’t have what would be called a “fixed abode”, as is required on Just Go’s website to secure insurance. Did you just use a domicile address?
Hi Diana & Jim! We’re full-timers, too (nearly 16 years on the road), and had no problem just using our mailing address with JustGo. It’s our legal address where we receive all of our bills, etc, and is the one used for all our banking, insurance, etc. It doesn’t look like a P.O. Box, so they couldn’t tell anyway. If you have any questions, you should be able to call JustGo. We found them very helpful, both before we arrive and in person.
Enjoyed your video guys. I’ve owned many British caravans over the years and now haul a fifth wheel unit imported from the US . It does go down our small roads but with a lot of forward planning and a specialised sat nav programmed to avoid low bridges! My wife and I often comment that it would be great if the British/European and US manufacturers could collude and come up with a unit that takes the best bits from both worlds. The slide outs make so much difference to the space available. Not many 5ers over here yet and it always draws attention. More campsites are becoming geared up to the larger pitches. Agree with Richard Ackroyd about Yorkshire – definitely worth a visit.
Hi Paul! We were surprised that there don’t really seem to be any slide-outs, since it’s the perfect way to get more space out of a rig that will fit down U.K. roadways. We know that weight is a big issue for licencing, but for those willing to go for a higher-level licence, it would be a nice option. We saw exactly ONE 5th wheel in England, and sure did take notice!!
The weights do cause a lot of issues for licensing here for sure and there is a of confusing information. We also have to bear in mind the difference in fuel costs. I bet you will have seen a big difference when filling up over here – I’d love one of the big US motor coaches. Looked at various ones on a recent trip to the US but the running costs would be massive here.
As you’ll see in this week’s upcoming video, the $7 US per gallon prices did indeed get our attention!
Wow, that was an interesting bit of information about your rental RV. I wish I had those roof vents and side window configurations. No full hookups is also interesting. Why? Thanks for the interesting information.
Hi Roger! Our understanding is that most RV parks have septic systems, and black water can’t go into them, but rather needs to be dumped into a separate sanitary system. So cassette toilets are the rule.
OOOOOooooooh, awesome! I adore England and have been there 8 times over the last 30 years. Can’t stay away! My husband and I were just talking about renting an RV next time we go so your series is going to be closely watched by us for sure. Are you doing a lot of boondocking or is that verboten over there? I know from bitter experience that parking in the UK can be a real challenge.
Hi Laurel! We sure do understand your love of England, because we sure do love it, too. We parked several nights at pubs, which is perfect, since we could walk right in for dinner. The can be found at britstops.com or park4night.com.
It’s funny, we’re Europeans and love the American RV’s – even been thinking about bringing one to Germany. Just imagine: at a caravan and RV exhibition last year they presented slide outs as the greatest new invention ;-) while you guys have had them in the US for ages. I also like the “black-water-handling” in American RV’s much better than the blackwater-tank in European RV’s which has to be carried to a dump-station and if one is not carefull the black water splashes back at you. But then again, there’s hardly any campgrounds that would have a sewage connection right at the site.
Btw, the lower part of little cabinet behind the passenger seat is actually for storing shoes ;-) They’re quite popular, at least in Germany, and you can also buy them for households.
Looking forward to watching your next video on your trip to the UK! I’m currently planning our third RV trip in the US :-)
Isn’t it funny how your perspective can be different depending on what you’re used to? LOL While we do like the fact that we can go a couple of weeks without dumping the black tank, it would also make life very easy to be able to remove the black tank and take it to the dump without moving the RV. Actually, a composting toilet is probably the best answer, with zero water used, no moving the RV needed to dump, and at least a week or two between emptying. We’re still considering one.
That’s a really neat camper, well-thought out. American manufacturers should pay attention. Coltswold is calling to us, absolutely beautiful. Looking forward to part 2….
HI David & Sonia! We ADORED the Cotswolds! But wait til you see the third episode where we show the narrow roads! =:-O
Very impressive. Not our Allegro Bus but would love to rent one.
Thanks John! We loved our little Fiat!
Thanks for posting this information. Any particular UK RV Company that you’d recommend? Approximate weekly cost in USD to rent a similar size RV in the UK?
Hi Cheryl! We had a good experience renting from Just Go, and we felt is was a steal at about $750 US a week.
As always a great video. Next time you visit the UK try and go north to Yorkshire, lots of history and beautiful countryside.
Richard
Thanks Richard! We’re so eager to back and see more. LOVED it in England! :)
Livin’ the dream – even harder! That’s you guys and it’s so awesome! Great video. My wife and I have young kids and I was especially struck by the shoulder belt seatbelts – something we don’t see in the US. I generally follow behind our clas C with our youngest in his booster seat in our minivan for that reason. Looking forward to more videos from the UK!
Thanks Ami. We’re tryin’! And those shoulder belts are yet another one of the many details we’d like to see North American manufacturers pay attention to.