Touring the World in your Motorhome
In April 2017 and then again in April 2019 we were asked to present a seminar at the National Motorhome Show In Peterborough on Touring the World in your Motorhome.
The options
· Fly to your destination and rent a motorhome
· Buy a motorhome/RV on arrival and sell it at the end of your trip
· Ship your own motorhome to your destination and fly out to join it
The argument in favour of shipping out your own motorhome
· Much cheaper than renting if you are planning a long trip
· You can enjoy the comfort of your own motorhome rather than a rented one
· Why suffer the expense of renting a motorhome whilst leaving your own at
home
Approximate return shipping costs (including port fees,
fuel surcharge and maritime insurance) based on a 6m (19ft 8in) motorhome
North America £4500 equivalent to 4 weeks rental cost
South Africa £6800 equivalent to 6 weeks rental cost
South America £6800 equivalent to 4 weeks rental cost
Australia & New Zealand £9000 equivalent to 10 weeks rental cost
Why we chose Sea Bridge (www.seabridge-tours.de) for our motorhome shipping
· Sea Bridge specialise in motorhome shipping
· Most shipping companies insist that your motorhome is shipped empty
· Sea Bridge specifically allow you to ship your motorhome including contents
· Everyone we have met on our travels have used Sea Bridge for their motorhome shipping
Sea Bridge can also
· Help you with all documentation
· Provide motorhome insurance for USA/Canada
· Sell or rent you a transformer for use in USA/Canada
· Provide a suitable gas regulator for use in USA/Canada
Sea Bridge are based in Dusseldorf. Ships leave ports in Germany and Belgium but Sea Bridge now have agents in UK and it is possible to ship your motorhome from UK ports.
Ships run to a timetable but weather conditions may dictate otherwise. Be prepared for delays. You can track the progress of the ship on www.vesselfinder.com.
Paperwork required
· Registration documents for your motorhome
· Motorhome Insurance for countries you are visiting
· Driving Licence plus possibly International Driving Permit
· Carnet de Passage required for South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Information available on FIA website.
Carnets provided by CARS UK tel +44 1284 333 812
email [email protected]
Organising your own trip can be complicated. It is worthwhile spending time researching campsites, routes and driving conditions. A ticklist helps ensure you remember everything!
Long term travel insurance is available through a number of companies. Try oktotravel or staysure. Visit your travel clinic to get the injections/ medication required for your trip.
The options
· Fly to your destination and rent a motorhome
· Buy a motorhome/RV on arrival and sell it at the end of your trip
· Ship your own motorhome to your destination and fly out to join it
The argument in favour of shipping out your own motorhome
· Much cheaper than renting if you are planning a long trip
· You can enjoy the comfort of your own motorhome rather than a rented one
· Why suffer the expense of renting a motorhome whilst leaving your own at
home
Approximate return shipping costs (including port fees,
fuel surcharge and maritime insurance) based on a 6m (19ft 8in) motorhome
North America £4500 equivalent to 4 weeks rental cost
South Africa £6800 equivalent to 6 weeks rental cost
South America £6800 equivalent to 4 weeks rental cost
Australia & New Zealand £9000 equivalent to 10 weeks rental cost
Why we chose Sea Bridge (www.seabridge-tours.de) for our motorhome shipping
· Sea Bridge specialise in motorhome shipping
· Most shipping companies insist that your motorhome is shipped empty
· Sea Bridge specifically allow you to ship your motorhome including contents
· Everyone we have met on our travels have used Sea Bridge for their motorhome shipping
Sea Bridge can also
· Help you with all documentation
· Provide motorhome insurance for USA/Canada
· Sell or rent you a transformer for use in USA/Canada
· Provide a suitable gas regulator for use in USA/Canada
Sea Bridge are based in Dusseldorf. Ships leave ports in Germany and Belgium but Sea Bridge now have agents in UK and it is possible to ship your motorhome from UK ports.
Ships run to a timetable but weather conditions may dictate otherwise. Be prepared for delays. You can track the progress of the ship on www.vesselfinder.com.
Paperwork required
· Registration documents for your motorhome
· Motorhome Insurance for countries you are visiting
· Driving Licence plus possibly International Driving Permit
· Carnet de Passage required for South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Information available on FIA website.
Carnets provided by CARS UK tel +44 1284 333 812
email [email protected]
Organising your own trip can be complicated. It is worthwhile spending time researching campsites, routes and driving conditions. A ticklist helps ensure you remember everything!
Long term travel insurance is available through a number of companies. Try oktotravel or staysure. Visit your travel clinic to get the injections/ medication required for your trip.
Preparing your motorhome
· Service and MOT before leaving home
· Ask your garage to repair/replace anything that might breakdown on your trip – tell them where you’re going
· Fit new tyres
· Clean your motorhome thoroughly, including underneath – especially important if you’re going to Australia
Our emergency repair kit includes
· Two warning triangles
· Jump leads
· Heavy duty tow rope, sand ladders and folding shovel
· 6volt inflator, tyre repair kit (as well as full size spare) and windscreen repair kit
· Duct tape, transparent tape, super glue and cable ties
· Spare bulb kit
We also fitted mosquito nets to driver’s and passenger’s window (as well as hooks over the bed to attach a mosquito net) and winter covers for the fridge, grill and cooker to keep out dust.
A SOG for the toilet means that we don’t need to use chemicals when we’re wilderness camping. We can safely empty toilet waste down a wc, long drop toilet or, in remote areas, bury it! Extra security locks, smoke detector, carbon monoxide and narcotic gas alarms help keep us safe.
· Service and MOT before leaving home
· Ask your garage to repair/replace anything that might breakdown on your trip – tell them where you’re going
· Fit new tyres
· Clean your motorhome thoroughly, including underneath – especially important if you’re going to Australia
Our emergency repair kit includes
· Two warning triangles
· Jump leads
· Heavy duty tow rope, sand ladders and folding shovel
· 6volt inflator, tyre repair kit (as well as full size spare) and windscreen repair kit
· Duct tape, transparent tape, super glue and cable ties
· Spare bulb kit
We also fitted mosquito nets to driver’s and passenger’s window (as well as hooks over the bed to attach a mosquito net) and winter covers for the fridge, grill and cooker to keep out dust.
A SOG for the toilet means that we don’t need to use chemicals when we’re wilderness camping. We can safely empty toilet waste down a wc, long drop toilet or, in remote areas, bury it! Extra security locks, smoke detector, carbon monoxide and narcotic gas alarms help keep us safe.
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Shipping to North America
· Ships sail every week to Halifax, Canada & Baltimore, USA from ports in North Germany or Antwerp,
Belgium
· Seabridge now have an agent in Liverpool
· You can import your motorhome free of duty to North America (USA, Canada & Mexico) for 12 months
· A Carnet de Passage is not required
· You can stay 90 days in USA and 6 months in Canada on a visa waiver
· Longer trips require a visa.
- You can now travel with your motorhome to North America.
- Accomodation is in outside cabins with shower/WC and includes all meals
- Cost is £1678 per person return to Halifax, £2194 per person return to Baltimore
- The ship takes two weeks from Liverpool to Halifax, two and a half weeks to Baltimore
- Accommodation is limited so early booking is essential
- Thum Insurance Agency can provide Motorhome insurance in USA, Canada and Mexico.
tel 001 800 968 8486, 001 616 957 2400 email [email protected]
· American Automobile Association (AAA) will provide roadside assistance if you are a member of the AA
· You can get cheaper insurance and full AAA cover if you can provide an American address
You will need
· A 110/115 transformer to convert electricity to 220/230 volts
· Gas adaptor to connect to an American or Canadian Gas cylinder.
We bought an adaptor from Hose and Fittings Canada,
81 Ilsley Avenue Unit 1, Dartmouth NS, B313 IL3, tel. 902 481 9502
Propane cylinders are widely available. We bought ours from Home Depot.
KOA Campgrounds provide facilities for filling your LPG tank.
· An American hose pipe to fill your water container.
Also purchased in Home Depot.
Big Meadows Campground on the Skyline Drive.
Campsites in the National Parks are often in idyllic locations. Some have only basic facilities but this one had showers, toilets, laundrette etc.
We used ALLSTAYS Camp & RV app on the ipad to locate campgrounds. This was particularly useful as you didn't need to be online. It also gives free camping opportunities such as truckstops and Walmart carparks.
Campsites in the National Parks are often in idyllic locations. Some have only basic facilities but this one had showers, toilets, laundrette etc.
We used ALLSTAYS Camp & RV app on the ipad to locate campgrounds. This was particularly useful as you didn't need to be online. It also gives free camping opportunities such as truckstops and Walmart carparks.
There are lots of wild camping opportunities, especially in places like Newfoundland, Alaska and the Yukon.
“Boondocking” on Walmart carparks, casinos etc. is a popular option favoured by many. (We always asked permission first.) Free wifi is often a bonus.
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North America has some incredible places to visit
· Niagara Falls
· National Parks. Buy an Annual Pass if you intend visiting lots of national parks.
· Amazing cities. On the approach to cities Park and Ride signs will direct you to a station carpark.
You can then take the train into town. In New Orleans there is a carpark with designated motorhome
parking in the French Quarter on the banks of the Mississippi.
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North America is the quintessential destination for the ultimate Road Trip
· Route 66. An amazing time-warp. 1950's America. Diners, gas stations and motels.
. Alaska Highway. Very easy, tarmac all the way now, but amazing scenery and wildlife.
. If you are feeling brave, maybe even the Dempster Highway
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Shipping to South Africa
· Ships sail 2 to 3 times a month to Port Elizabeth, South Africa from Zeebrugge, Belgium and
Bremerhaven, Germany
. Sea Bridge now have an agent in Southampton.
. We flew to Capetown, spent a few days exploring the city and then rented a car to drive the
Garden Route to Port Elizabeth.
· A Carnet de Passage is required for your motorhome
· You can stay 90 days in South Africa without a visa
· This 90 days period may be extended by a District or Regional Office of the Department of
Home Affairs
· For longer trips you may be able to apply for a Retired Person’s Visa
· We arranged insurance through Assurantiekantoor Alessie
Mrs Maria M Alessie, Assurantiekantoor Alessie,Eliotplaats 174, 3068 VL Rotterdam,
The Netherlands, tel. +31-10-4555946 email [email protected].
. Sea Bridge can provide several other insurance contacts for South Africa.
· Automobile Association of South Africa will provide roadside assistance in South Africa if you are a member of the AA
. Otherwise, you’re on your own!
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Sand roads in Namibia can be tricky . Roads in South Africa are excellent.
(They even have zebra crossing!)
· In other South African countries you have to plan your route carefully
. With care it is possible to reach the equator
(They even have zebra crossing!)
· In other South African countries you have to plan your route carefully
. With care it is possible to reach the equator
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· Campsites provide 220/230 volt hook-ups
· Many use blue three-pin plugs or can provide an adaptor · Round pin (old UK style) are also widely used – I made our own adaptor · Camping shops sell Cadac Gas cylinders |
Campsites throughout Southern Africa are comparable to those in Europe. However, you need to watch out for uninvited visitors!
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Prepare yourself for some wonderful sights
. Table Mountain
. Victoria Falls
. Great Zimbabwe Ruins
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There are many opportunities for wildlife sightings. You can drive your own vehicle through the safari parks but stay inside the vehicle! If wildlife is about, keep your windows shut.
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Shipping to South America
. Ships sail 2 to 3 times a month to Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uraguay from Hamburg,
Germany or Antwerp, Belgium
. Sea Bridge now have an agent in Tilbury
· You can travel as a passenger on the ship
· You can also ship to or from Cartagena, Colombia or Panama
· Shipment between South and North America is possible
· You can now travel with your motorhome to South America
Accommodation is in double cabins with shower/WC and includes all meals Cost is £3537 per person but freight charges for your motorhome are reduced by £1967
Accommodation is limited so early booking is essential
- You can import your motorhome free of duty to South America for 12 months
- A Carnet de Passage is not required
- You do not need a visa for any South American country
Shipping to Australia and New Zealand
. Ships sail 2 to 3 times a month to Australia and New Zealand from Bremerhaven, Germany
or Zeebrugge, Belgium
. Sea Bridge now have an agent in Southampton
. Ship docks at Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane in Australia
. It also docks in Auckland, New Zealand
- You can import your motorhome free of duty.
- A Carnet de Passage is required
- You need a visa to visit Australia
- You can stay 6 months in New Zealand without a visa
- Quarantine regulations are very strict in Australia and New Zealand
- Your motorhome must be thoroughly cleaned inside and out
- If you fail quarantine, cleaning costs are very expensive
- On arrival in Fremantle your motorhome has to be inspected at a Vehicle Licensing Centre and you must purchase Third Party Insurance
- Comprehensive Insurance and Breakdown Insurance is available through Ken Tame Associates (agents for Allianz Australia) www.kentame.com.au email: [email protected]
- You are required to join the Campervan & Motorhome Club of Australia
- A valuation is required for your motorhome from Motorhome Valuations (www.motorhomevaluations.com.au)
- Campsites provide 220/230 volt hook-ups
- Electric plugs are standard domestic plugs Use an adaptor or buy a plug in Bunnings
- Gas cylinders and connector are also available from Bunnings
- Gas cylinders can be exchanged at filling stations
- Campsites throughout Australia are comparable to those in Europe
- 24 hour rest areas are widely available, many provide toilet emptying points, some provide drinking water. A few provide showers.
- Most towns have toilet emptying points (RV dumps) and offer drinking water
- Many towns are designated RV friendly and provide free or low cost overnight parking
- Public toilets often have showers
- Distances are huge but roads are good
- Road houses are frequent and provide camping as well as fuel and meals
- We used Camps 9 and Hema Australia Road & 4WD Atlas
- Australia has wonderful scenery and amazing sights
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