There is so much to tell your traveller during a handover. It’s difficult to keep track of it all, and what’s even harder is for them to remember all that information. This is where a motorhome manual comes in handy.
A manual for your motorhome not only ensures that the traveller gets everything they need, but they can even look up information later. When setting up the pop top or hooking up to electricity, they can check to ensure they do it correctly. This saves them from having to reach out to you, and ensures there are no issues later.
Create a motorhome manual for your motorhome: Download the Goboony Motorhome Manual Template
Here’s everything to include in your motorhome manual:
1. Contact information
Ensure that your traveller can handle any situation on the road, and if not, that they have the right person to call. For this, put your contact details, and maybe an additional emergency number if you’d like.
Include the insurance number and particularly the breakdown cover. Be sure to note any details they would require when arranging breakdown cover.
2. Measurements and information
We recommend having this section close to the start and highlighting how vital these details are. In this section, include the height, width and weight of the motorhome. This ensures that they don’t try to drive into a tunnel or parking garage that’s too narrow for the vehicle. It’s also worth having this information on a laminated card near the driver’s seat, for quick checks.
Additionally, this is a good place to note down any other specifics they should keep in mind. For example, what fuel should they use? Is there anything to keep an eye on while driving? What speed do you recommend for the motorhome? Can the motorhome enter Low Emission Zones?
3. Inventory list
It’s always useful to have a complete inventory list for your motorhome. These are time-consuming to make, but you only have to do it once! We recommend typing it up and keeping the document so you can easily adjust it in the future.
Why is an inventory list useful to have? Firstly, it helps you quickly check if the motorhome is ready to go. You can simply run down the list and ensure it’s all there, especially if you’ve taken anything out for a big clean (or our 30-minute motorhome cleaning routine). Secondly, it tells the traveller everything they can find. This means they won’t need to ask you if the motorhome has something, as they can simply check the list present in the manual. Finally, it highlights if anything is missing, so you can quickly know this and contact the traveller.
What do you include on your inventory list? Everything, including cutlery, crockery, cups, pans, bedding, sheets, towels, games, flashlights, camping furniture, first-aid kits and cleaning supplies.
4. Where to find things
It’s worth noting where certain items can be found in the motorhome to ensure that the traveller doesn’t need to ask you each time. For example, you can note where the bedding is stored, the first-aid kit and other important items. If you’re feeling really organised, you can use locations in your inventory list to save space.
5. Windows and pop tops
The most important thing to remember when making a manual for your motorhome is to put yourself in their shoes. Try to remember the first time you were in a motorhome, and things that may be obvious now certainly weren’t back then.
So it’s worth noting how to deal with windows, if they need to be locked before driving and particularly how to set up the pop top if you have one. This is your chance to avoid damages before they happen by stating common mistakes people make so they can avoid them.
6. How to take out the beds
By the time the traveller is setting up the bed for the first time, they’re likely to be very tired from driving and pitching at the campsite. Do them a favour and clearly state how to set up any beds. This also avoids them from bothering you late at night.
7. How to hook up to electricity
This is one of the most common questions we see for first-time motorhome travellers. After a long drive, they reached the campsite, and now it’s time to hook up to the electricity. This can be quite a daunting task, as you don’t want to risk messing up and draining the battery of the vehicle.
So write a step-by-step guide to hook up to the campsite’s electricity, including how to switch it over from the car battery. It might be worth including some photos to show what you mean. This will ensure they always do it right.
8. Freshwater, wastewater and fuel tanks
It takes only a moment to confuse the water tanks, and then a great deal of effort to fix that mistake. We’ve covered how to get diesel out of a freshwater tank, and it’s not a pleasant experience.
It’s better to avoid the issue than deal with it after. So write up what each tank is, how to open it, and what to keep in mind. For example, maybe advise them not to fill up the freshwater right before driving, as it will increase the weight and thereby their fuel usage. Let them know how to empty the wastewater tank and how to close it properly. And finally, make sure that somewhere in the manual you’ve mentioned what fuel to use, and feel free to say it multiple times to be certain!
9. How to work the awning
Nothing beats sitting under the awning with a cup of tea on a calm morning. But first, we need to get that awning set up! Be sure to include instructions on how to work the awning. Ideally, include photos to show the step-by-step guide. Or if you find a video online that describes it well, include a QR code or link to that video!
10. Checklist
It might be instinctual for you by now, but there’s a lot to consider when arriving at or leaving a campsite. Help the traveller by writing down a complete checklist for this, to ensure they don’t miss anything. For arriving, this includes things like putting the levelling ramps, switching to the electric hookup and off the battery, and filling up the fresh water. For leaving, it’s those important tasks like locking the cupboards, closing the pop top and unhooking all cables.
11. Tips for the local area
Nothing beats tips from a local, and your traveller will certainly appreciate your advice. If you know any great campsites, walking routes, restaurants or activities, note them down. Small efforts like this usually result in a 5-star review on your listing.
12. Frequent questions
And finally, it never hurts to include your most frequently asked questions, or things that took a while to get the hang of! Those little hacks that you’ve picked up for your motorhome can be really helpful for the traveller. If you have tips on how to use the stove, how to reduce fuel usage while driving, or how to fold up the camping chairs, let them know!
Your efforts will certainly be worth it if the long run, as this manual only has to be written once and yet can be used for all your bookings on Goboony. Take the time to create a motorhome manual and receive fewer questions throughout a trip, and no damages following one!
