Modern motorhomes combine practicality, cosiness and even style in equal measure. Whether you spend £15,000 on a used bargain, or £100,000 on the latest luxury motorhome, you can be certain you’ll have a warm and cosy home on wheels – the perfect environment for unlimited adventures.
But only the most expensive ’vans come with a full range of useful appliances and gadgets, so many of our leisure vehicles are ripe for an upgrade or two that’ll make touring life more comfortable.
We’ve four tempting motorhome upgrades for you – read on for more info.
Air conditioning
This is literally a very cool leisure vehicle modification.
Air con is the ideal mod, particularly if you’re a fan of campervanning in Europe, and can even face four heatwaves in a single English summer!
I once toured during the summer in Nantes, France, with the family, when the mercury lurched up to over 40°C. It was a sweaty and uncomfortable weekend with whiny kids who couldn’t sleep. Air-con would have been perfect!
Habitation air-con systems have become a popular choice for motorhome owners who demand cool comfort on hot days and warmth on chilly nights.
As an example, Truma units are engineered in Germany and deliver quiet, efficient climate control at the touch of a button. Whether you’re parked up by the coast or pitched high in the hills, they keep the interior temperature just right – making every trip comfortable, and sleeping that bit more easy.
Modern air-conditioning systems are cleverly designed for simple installation, fitting neatly into a roof aperture or under a seat, depending on the model. Their sleek controls and automatic climate management mean owners can set their preferred temperature and let the system do the rest. The result is hotel-like comfort wherever your journey leads.
Of course, as with any upgrade, weight must be taken into account – especially for those running close to their motorhome’s payload limit.
Quiet, reliable and effective, such air-conditioning units turn a ’van into a year-round retreat – using climate-control to increase your comfort and relaxation.
Brands to consider:
Auto-levelling
Motorhome auto-levelling systems bring a touch of effortless sophistication to touring life. Gone are the days of spirit levels, levelling ramps and guesswork – with the press of a button, these clever systems quickly help to level a motorhome, so you can start holidaying even sooner.
Whether on grass, gravel or uneven hardstanding, the ’van develops perfect posture in two-minutes. So have the kettle or corkscrew close at hand!
Using hydraulic rams, the system lifts and adjusts the ’van to achieve a perfect level. Levelling accuracy is pinpoint, and once set, the vehicle stays rock solid – ideal for a peaceful
night’s sleep and perfectly functioning appliances.
Installation is usually handled by specialist fitters, with systems neatly integrated into the chassis, and operated via a control panel or smartphone app.
Of course, the equipment adds weight and cost, so careful payload management is essential – but the benefits are undeniable.
For many owners, an auto-levelling system feels like moving from manual to automatic luxury. It saves time, effort and strain – turning every arrival into a calm, composed and thoroughly modern experience. Oh, and marital harmony comes as standard!
Brands to consider:
Motorhome mobile internet/Wi-Fi
It wasn’t that long ago that in order to get a decent TV picture on the road, you needed a huge, heavy and expensive satellite dish perched on the roof of your motorhome.
These days, thanks to miniaturisation and ingenious 3, 4 or 5G internet signals, you can access all the latest TV shows from your domestic streaming service for a fraction of the cost and hassle (and loss of payload!).
Motorhome Wi-Fi and mobile internet booster systems have quickly become essential for modern touring, keeping you connected wherever your adventures take you.
Whether it’s streaming films, posting on social media, catching up on work or video calling the family back home, a reliable signal transforms the motorhome into a true home from home.
These systems work by amplifying weak mobile or campsite Wi-Fi signals. They use an external aerial to gather data, then a router to distribute it securely throughout the ’van.
The result is faster, more stable internet – even in areas where a phone antenna might struggle.
Installation is straight-forward for most models, with roof-, sidewall- or pole-mounted antennas linking neatly to a compact router inside.
Power draw is minimal, and set-up can be completed in a minute via a smartphone app.
It’s worth remembering that users will need a mobile data plan for full connectivity on the move. But for those who want to stay online without frustration, the benefits outweigh the cost.
Reliable, convenient, and brilliantly effective, a Wi-Fi or mobile internet booster system lets every motorhomer work, play and stream wherever the road takes them.
Brands to consider:
Nano ceramic paint protectants
Ceramic paint protectants seem to be fast becoming the go-to solution for motorhome owners who want their pride and joy to look pristine for longer.
These clever coatings form a super-hard, glass-like layer over your paintwork, creating an almost impenetrable barrier against UV rays, road grime, bird muck and other nasties that can dull or damage the ’van’s finish. The result is a deep, glossy shine that seems to last forever – the kind of looks-like-new gleam that makes your vehicle stand out on any site.
One of the biggest plus points is ease of cleaning a motorhome. Because the coating repels dirt and water, most muck simply slides off with a quick rinse. You can forget hours spent scrubbing away stubborn streaks or bug splatter.
Ceramic protection also helps maintain your van’s value if you’re selling a motorhome down the line, since the paintwork stays newer-looking for longer, even under the rigours of regular touring and British weather.
Of course, there are a few caveats. The initial outlay isn’t cheap, especially if you have it applied professionally – but get it done properly and the manufacturers say it can last several years, far outstripping traditional waxes, especially if you ‘top-it up’ each year.
The prep work is also critical: the surface must be immaculate before coating, or you risk sealing in blemishes. DIY kits exist, but achieving that flawless, even finish takes patience and practice.
Even so, for anyone serious about protecting and preserving their motorhome’s finish, ceramic coatings are, literally, hard to beat.
Brands to consider:
Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Motorhome, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. Double check any warranty is not affected before proceeding.
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