Life in a motorhome is very different to a caravan or any other sort of vehicle based camping for one reason. It is the sole reason some people choose a caravan over a motorhome. That is having access to the car to get around once you are at your destination. Towing or the wish not too, is also the sole reason some people choose a motorhome over a caravan. So you choose a motorhome but how do you get around once you are where ever you want to go or access areas you do not want to take your motorhome to?
Other than driving your motorhome around everywhere which is viable for a smaller campervan there are a number of viable options.
First and foremost is the one that is best for the health - walking. It's great for the heart and the waist line. Try short walks at first and make you way up to longer ones. The draw back is carrying the groceries or the case of beer a long distance.
Pushbikes - you can either have a rack on the back of your motorhome or go to the more expensive folding type that can fit into smaller spaces like motorhome bins. Friends who have a rather large motorhome have their folding bikes that fit in behind the driving seats in their truck based motorhome. Another option is the motorised pushbike which is becoming very popular. It is also available as a foldable model if you wish.
Motorbike - a purpose built rack on the back of the motorhome for a motorbike is another option. Be careful though with the weight and the amount of overhang these racks create behind the vehicle axel. If you are a couple you will need the licence and experience to carry a pillion. We have a friend with a Honda Life step-through. He says it is perfect as he can fit the porta-potti cassette on the front, case of beer between the legs and still have room for the wife on the rear. Other friends have a purpose built bin with a winch to fit two bikes. There are many options depending on the size of motorhome.
Car - a car can be carried on a trailer, on a car caddy, A-framed, or inside the motorhome itself.
Car trailer
- an option to be considered but not favoured by some due to the drawbacks
of towing. If you are the adventurous type and like to go down unexplored
tracks or side roads the trailer may become a burden when you need to
do a u-turn.
Many times we have heard a story of having to get the car off the trailer,
the trailer off the motorhome, turn the motorhome around then put it all
back together again. Don't let this put you off if this is your desired
option. Just plan carefully where you are going to go and leave the adventurous
stuff until you are in the car.
Car caddy - similar to a car trailer but only one set of wheels are on the ground. Which set depends on whether it is a front or rear wheel drive car, whether it is an auto or manual gearbox. A light bar (to hold your brake and indicator lights) can be used making it easy to use different vehicles. Therefore it is easy to get the vehicle on and off the caddy. An advantage is that some car caddy's can be small enough to fold up and put in a bin when not in use. Also if the car is very small and less than 750kg, like a Suzuki Swift, you do not need trailer brakes.
A-frame - an A-frame as the word suggests is the A shaped draw bar part of a trailer bolted directly to the front of your vehicle. All 4 wheels are then travelling on the ground and rotating as you are driving. Brakes are operational via an override brake system or a remote actuator, a variety of which are available to suit every application from air brakes to vacuum brakes (unless your vehicle is under 750 kg where braking is not required). Rear indicators and brake lights also need to be operational. Whilst this system is great for manual vehicles there are only a few automatics that can be towed this way lack of lubrication of the transmission whilst the engine is off. This type of towing has several advantages being no rego, insurance or maintenance on the trailer, no extra weight in towing a trailer, no loading and unloading the car on and off the trailer, and no need to store the trailer when you get to your campsite - the A frame can fit under your motorhome or some versions can fold up and fit in you bins etc.
Car inside the
motorhome. - this is an option only for the larger motorhomes but
a very viable one. There are a dozen or so vehicles that have been converted
to accept all sorts of small vehicle in the back. Some where the bed is
lifted to fit the vehicle (so you have to remove the vehicle to sleep)
and others where the vehicle takes up all the room. We have travelled
in our 37 foot Bedford bus around Australia with our
Mini Moke in the back stored under the bed (see the photo with this article).
The moke was chosen for its fold down roof and therefore fitted into a
very small space. It was backed in via a winch and all 4 seats also folded
down. It took up less than a metre of the length of the bus as the bulk
was stored under the queen bed. When the back was closed up you did not
know there was a vehicle inside and from the living area the only thing
different to a normal motorhome was the slightly higher queen bed at the
back. This is a great alternative option but did take some work getting
it in and out. We got good at it though and could have it out and ready
to go in less than 15 minutes. The bus is still travelling around Australia
and can be seen at hobohome.com.
Click on "The Rig" to see photos of the moke coming out of the
bus.
In an upcoming article I will give you details and photos of how we built "the car-go area" and how it went in and out.
Rental car - this is also an option for those who do not want the hassle and expense of a second vehicle. If you anticipate there are only a few occasions you will need a second vehicle weight up the costs of vehicle rego, insurance, maintenance, wear and tear and compare it to the cost of hire. In the bigger cities and towns there are always the cheaper "rent a wreck" type deals as well as the usual hiring companies. Some motorhomers do use this alternative.
Borrowing - this is dependant on how many friends and relatives you have around the country and if they are happy to lend. Some people do use this alternative coupled with hiring and public transport.
As you can see there are many options to consider in choosing which is best for you. Don't let the lack of secondary transport put you off motorhoming - go for one of the many alternatives.