If you are hiring a motorhome for the first time this September, the freedom of the open road awaits, but it pays to be prepared. Here is exactly what you need to know about the paperwork, the pitches, and the pantry before you pick up your keys from our Priory Rentals depot.
The Financials: Deposits Explained
Booking a motorhome is straightforward, but it involves two different types of deposits:
-
The Booking Deposit: To secure your dates, we take a £250 non-refundable booking deposit. The remaining balance of your hire is then due six weeks before you set off.
-
The Security Deposit (Insurance Excess): On the day you collect your motorhome, we require a refundable security deposit. This acts as your insurance excess while you are on the road. Depending on the model you hire, this can range from £500 to a higher bracket, but it is fully refunded when you return the vehicle clean and undamaged. We also offer “Relax 50” and “Relax 25” options if you wish to reduce your excess payment.
The Paperwork: What You Need to Bring
When you arrive at our Lancashire or Cheshire depot, you will need to present a few key documents. Missing paperwork can delay your trip, so ensure you have:
-
Your Full Driving Licence: You must have held a full license for at least two years.
-
A DVLA Check Code: Since paper counterparts are obsolete, you must generate a code via the GOV.UK website using your National Insurance number. This allows us to verify your driving record. The code is valid for 21 days.
-
Two Proofs of Address: We require two official documents (like a utility bill, bank statement, or credit card bill) dated within the last three months.
Campsites & Where to Park
Wild camping is illegal in most of England and Wales, so planning your overnight stops is essential.
-
Use Your Privilege Card: Every Priory hire includes a free Privilege Card for the Camping and Caravanning Club, giving you heavily discounted member rates at over 120 award-winning UK sites.
-
Book Electric Hook-ups: For your first trip, always book a pitch with an “electric hook-up” (EHU). This allows you to plug the motorhome directly into the campsite’s power supply, meaning you can use the 3-pin plug sockets for hair dryers, laptops, and the microwave without draining the leisure battery.
-
Free Pub Stopovers: Your hire also includes a free Britstops membership! This brilliant guide allows you to park overnight for free in the car parks of hundreds of welcoming country pubs, vineyards, and highland farms across the UK.
Food & Drink: Cooking on the Road
You do not need to bring your kitchen with you, we supply all the crockery, cutlery, pots, pans, and a kettle however a few people have been known to pack an air fryer.
-
Prep Before You Park: Your motorhome comes with a fantastic fridge/freezer and a gas oven/hob. Chop your vegetables and marinate your meats at home, storing them in stackable containers in the onboard fridge.
-
One-Pot Wonders: Keep washing up to a minimum by planning one-pot meals like chilli, curries, or hearty stews.
-
Pack Soft Bags: Space is cleverly utilised in a motorhome, but hard suitcases are a nightmare to store. Pack your food and clothes in soft, foldable bags that can be tucked away once you’ve loaded up the cupboards.
What Priory Rentals Provides (Leave these at home!)
We want you to focus on having an amazing time, which is why our motorhomes come fully kitted out. You do not need to worry about bringing your kitchen with you. We provide a full range of crockery, cutlery, and utensils. We also supply all the necessary safety equipment, gas bottles, and a comprehensive, easy step-by-step guide booklet to using the onboard equipment. We won’t let you drive away until you are entirely happy with how everything works.
What You Should Pack for a September Trip:
- Layers, Layers, Layers: September weather in the UK can give you a t-shirt tan in the afternoon and a slight chill by 7 PM. Pack plenty of light layers, waterproof jackets, and a cosy jumper for the evenings.
- A Torch: While your motorhome has fantastic internal and external lighting, a headtorch is always handy for late-night walks to the campsite facilities or stargazing.
- Levelling Ramps (Just Kidding, We Provide Those!): Just remember, when planning your route, parking overnight at the side of the road is not permitted in England, so always book a proper campsite or use your included Britstops guide.
- Toilet Roll: This is very important as we do not provide toilet roll and you don’t want to be caught short!
Not keen on driving it yourself?
If you are attending an event this September and don’t fancy the drive, we offer a “drop it > set it > collect it” service! We can deliver the motorhome directly to your campsite and set everything up for you.
Ready to start packing? Contact the Priory Rentals team to secure your late summer motorhome adventure!
Motorhome Enquiry Form
The main enquiry form for motorhomes.
"*" indicates required fields
