20 motorhome safety and security tips

Travelling in a motorhome is a comfortable and cost-effective way to experience all that Australia has to offer. But there are certain hazards and security risks that you need to pay attention to when adventuring on the road and driving a large vehicle.

Use our list of motorhome safety and security trips to ensure that you and your passengers enjoy a trouble-free adventure. We cover everything you need to know about travelling in a motorhome, including road rules, camping, security, insurance, roadside assistance and so much more.

Camplify makes it easy to find comfortable and affordable motorhome hire in Australia.

Motorhome safety and security tips

1. Check that your motorhome meets the ADR

In Australia, the driver of the motorhome must ensure everyone in the vehicle has a designated seat. This requirement is set out in the Australian Design Rules (ADR), which state that all vehicles made from 1989 onwards must have a proportion of at least one seat per sleeping berth.

Each seat will also need a seat belt. It’s the driver’s responsibility to check all passengers are safely buckled up.

2. Only drive a roadworthy motorhome

Every vehicle on the road must be considered legally roadworthy and comply with Australian Standards and Australian Design Rules (ADR).

If you hire a motorhome through Camplify, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing that it is roadworthy.

However, if you own your motorhome or hire from another company, you may want to check that your motorhome is considered safe and roadworthy. If the police pull you over and find that your motorhome is not roadworthy, they may serve you with a defect notice.

3. Know the Australian road rules

Regardless of whether you’re driving a small campervan or a massive motorhome, there is a standard set of road rules that apply to all drivers in Australia:

• Always drive on the left-hand side of the road.

• Always stick to the speed limit that is signposted (usually 100km/h on highways and 40-60km/h through towns).

• Don’t drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.

• Give way to the right when approaching a roundabout.

• Only overtake on dotted lines or in passing lanes when it is safe to do so.

• It is illegal to use your mobile phone whilst driving.

4. Use this motorhome safety checklist when packing down

Before you leave your campsite, you will need to ensure that you have packed everything away and prepared your motorhome for road travel. Use this motorhome safety checklist for guidance:

• All loose objects have been put away and secured.

• External items are tied down (e.g. bikes and surfboards)

• Levelling chocks have been stowed away.

• Closed all the roof hatches and windows.

• Closed all the cupboards and drawers.

• Switched the refrigerator to DC power.

• The step is up.

• The TV satellite is in travelling position.

• The awning is secured away.

• The door is shut and locked.

• The gas bottles are turned off.

5. Drive your motorhome slowly

A motorhome can’t stop quickly in case of emergency, nor can it turn or swerve at speed. Always leave as much stopping space as possible between you and the vehicle ahead/red lights (several times what you’d use in a car).

6. Remember that a motorhome has large blind spots

Some motorhomes for hire on Camplify have rear view cameras. However, if your motorhome doesn’t have rear view cameras, you’ll have to rely solely on your mirrors. This means that there’ll be large blind spots where you won’t see traffic behind you.

Take great care when changing lanes or turning. Manoeuvre slowly and give plenty of indication.

7. Choose a low gear on hills

Motorhomes are large and heavy, which means that they can not quickly climb steep hills. If you try to speed up hills in your motorhome, you may cause the engine to overheat. Instead, climb the hill slowly in a lower gear. The same rule applies when coming down steep slopes. Of course, this is general advice only so please make your own decision for the distinct circumstances at hand.

8. Plan a route that is scenic and safe

When planning your motorhome road trip, try to minimise the number of hours you spend driving each day. It is unsafe to drive a motorhome when you are tired.

Use Google Maps to plan a route that is both safe and scenic. For some handy tips and tricks, see our guide on how to plan a road trip with Google Maps. You can also use the road trip itineraries on the Camplify Blog to research awesome attractions along your route.

9. Don’t drive at night, sunrise or sunset

Kangaroos and cattle are very active at night, sunrise and sunset. During these hours, they often gather around the roadside to feed. To minimise the risk of a collision in your motorhome, it’s best to avoid driving at these times.

10. Don’t swerve around animals on the road

If you do come across an animal on the road and don’t have time to slow down or stop your motorhome, do not try to swerve to avoid it. Instead, try to apply the brakes as much as possible and hit the animal head-on.

Whilst this may cause damage to the motorhome, it is better than losing control of the vehicle and having a high-speed collision with a tree or another vehicle.

11. Let traffic overtake you

Look in your mirrors when travelling down highways and motorways and keep an eye out for frustrated motorists queuing behind your motorhomes. Where possible, keep left and pull your motorhome over to let traffic pass.

12. Carry a satellite phone in remote regions

If you plan on driving your motorhome into the remote Australian Outback, it may be wise to hire or buy a satellite phone or EPIRB (a personal locator beacon). In an emergency, this may save your life when camping far from civilization.

Be sure to also check out our other Outback camping trip ideas and tips.

13. Only tow what your motorhome is capable of

If you plan on towing a small car or trailer behind your motorhome, you will need to check what weight your motorhome is capable of safely towing. You will also need to understand the applicable laws in each Australian State and Territory.

For full details, see this guide to towing behind a motorhome in Australia.

You can learn more about how to tow safely with our beginner's guide to towing a caravan.

14. Watch the tail swing on your motorhome

It takes time to get used to the bigger tail swing in a motorhome (as opposed to a car). For example, when you turn right, the rear of the motorhome will swing left.

On narrow streets, you need to be careful that the tail doesn’t swing and collide with signposts or parked cars. Generally, it is best to turn wide, turn slowly and watch the rear mirror as you round the corner.

15. Choose your campsite carefully

As much as possible, make sure you know where you’ll stay each night and research it before you arrive. You don’t want to be arriving in a poorly lit area at night with no idea of how safe it is. Similarly, if you’re out for the day, draw your curtains and don’t leave expensive items on show.

16. Secure your motorhome by immobilising the vehicle

An immobiliser prevents the engine from being started in your motorhome Similarly, a steering lock prevents the use of the steering wheel.

You could also turn the driving and passenger seats around if you have swivel seats, and padlock them together. Further, you could use a locking cab bar that locks the two cab doors together.

Finally, consider a clutch claw to attach to the pedals.

17. Install a tracker on your motorhome

Many Camplify motorhome rentals have GPS trackers installed. If the worst happens, a tracker can alert you to your motorhome’s location and help police track down the vehicle.

This is an easy and effective motorhome security tip for Australians in particular, as it’s very unlikely a stolen motorhome will be driven to a port and out of the country before the owner notices it’s gone.

18. Secure your motorhome with various locks

As well as door and window locks, there are other measures you can take to prevent theft of your motorhome. Wheel clamps and locks are an easy way to show a visible deterrent to thieves, while an alarm will deter thieves who get too close to your motorhome.

19. Hire a motorhome that is both safe and comfortable

You will be spending a lot of time driving, living and sleeping in your motorhome. Make sure you hire a comfortable motorhome, as this will help you relax and sleep well (both important factors in ensuring that you drive safely).

Camplify is a platform that makes it easy to find affordable and comfortable motorhome hire in Australia.

20. Get comprehensive insurance and roadside assistance included in your motorhome hire

You don’t want to be driving around in a motorhome without a comprehensive insurance policy and roadside assistance. If you have a collision or break down in the middle of nowhere and can’t get help, it’s going to be costly and add a lot of stress to your trip.

Hire a motorhome through Camplify and get comprehensive hire insurance included at no additional cost. Plus, you’ll also receive Nationwide NRMA Roadside Assistance - simply call our 24/7 support team and we’ll have someone come out to help you!

Enjoy total peace of mind knowing that you’re covered if anything goes wrong on your adventure.

Even more motorhome safety and security tips

Whilst you’ve got a heap of motorhome safety and security tips here to get you started, you can find even more on our Camplify Blog.

For example, see our top 30 Australian road trip tips or our pointers on how to drive safely with family!

Hire a motorhome for your road trip

Now that you’ve picked up a heap of motorhome safety and security tips, you’re almost ready to set off on your adventure. But first, you’ll have to arrange your wheels (and accommodation)!

Need to arrange motorhome hire in Australia?

Camplify makes it easy for holidaymakers to find the ideal rental van for their road trip.

Simply enter your pickup location, adjust the optional filters and within seconds, you will find your perfect motorhome, caravan or campervan!

All the rental vans on Camplify are privately-owned and offer a unique experience. Plus, every booking comes with a range of extra benefits…

Why Camplify?

We are proud to be Australia’s fastest-growing private caravan, campervan and motorhome sharing community. When you hire a van through our platform, it comes with lots of advantages:

• Comprehensive hire insurance

• Nationwide NRMA roadside assistance

• 24/7 customer support

• All members are verified

By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across Australia in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.

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