Technical Guides

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of packing up the motorhome and heading off the beaten track. But before you ditch the map and get lost in the moment, there’s one important number you need to know: your maximum payload.

Simply put, this is the total weight your motorhome can legally and safely carry. It covers everything from your passengers and pantry staples to your water, clothes, and that extra gear for the road.

Here’s the thing, though, sometimes the payload figure in a brochure doesn’t quite match reality. It might be based on a similar model from overseas with different chassis or suspension components. Or the motorhome may be NZ-new, but the initial payload doesn’t account for those handy accessories added after the initial payload calculation. 

That’s why we reckon the best way to start your journey is with certainty. Buying a motorhome that has had its unladen (tare) weight verified recently at a New Zealand weighbridge means you know exactly where you stand. Subtract that tare weight from the Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM), and you’ve got your magic number for safe loading.

This weighbridge certification is the only way to be 100% confident in your payload limit. Let’s explore why this matters and how to make sure you’re ready to roll.

There are surprising benefits to carrying a modest amount of water in a motorhome. We all know the story of Goldilocks and how she was first attracted to the biggest bowl of porridge in the house of the three bears. After sampling the two largest bowls, she eventually found that the smallest bowl suited her best. You can apply this same analogy to motorhomes and water tank sizes. 

It’s tempting to choose the motorhome with the largest tank capacity without realising how the increased weight of the larger water reservoir negatively affects other aspects of the motorhome. We need to consider the bigger picture before automatically adopting the motorhome with the largest water tank size. So, what is the optimal size for water tank storage? 

The motorhome manufacturers with the most thorough research and development and design expertise are those based in Germany. They generally opt for water tanks of 100L–120L as their experience has shown that tanks of this size range represent ‘the Goldilocks zone’. 

However, with new motorhomes on the market fitted with 200L tanks, we ask the question: Is this extra capacity handy to have, or an oversupply that has detrimental effects on other aspects of the motorhome? 

In this blog, Joe Barton, retail sales consultant at our Auckland sales centre, shares his expert insights to help you make an informed decision on the size of your water tank. We’ll delve into the smart design philosophy behind German brands' preference for smaller water tanks and explore how it enhances performance, safety, and efficiency.

Do you find yourself starting at a map of Aotearoa and imagining yourself in the driver's seat of a motorhome? But are put off by the price tags of brand-new models that make your eyes water, and are wary of private online listings that can feel like a bit of a gamble? If this sounds familiar, a refurbished premium used motorhome from Wilderness might be for you.

But what does ‘refurbished’ really mean? For some companies, it’s a quick clean and a patch-up job. For Wilderness, it’s a meticulous, top-to-bottom process that ensures a motorhome meets a high standard of quality, backed by our comprehensive warranty for your peace of mind.

"The level of quality we're aiming for is the top end,” says our Christchurch Workshop Leader, Dale McLeish. “Some operators patch the problem, hide it, and do what they can to make the problem look good, while we properly repair and refurbish our motorhomes."

In this article, we'll talk more to Dale about our refurbishing process. Plus, we’ll explore why purchasing a premium ex-rental motorhome from Wilderness might be the ticket to freedom you've been dreaming of.

Motorhome dealerships aim to impress from your first visit — with inviting showrooms and rows of sparkling new recreational vehicles visible from the entrance.

However, what you find out back of the dealership has the biggest impact on your long term satisfaction when buying an RV. That’s where you’ll locate the motorhome maintenance services and parts departments.

These areas determine what customer support you'll receive. They oversee your motorhome's warranty, influence parts availability and guide you to a reliable RV repair network.

In this blog, we discuss why a dealer's after sales service makes a big difference to your long term ownership satisfaction and trouble-free travel.

We also cover why technical motorhome expertise truly matters, and what to look for in comprehensive after sales service and parts. Plus, we highlight the main questions to ask your RV dealer and what warning signs to watch out for.

Are you dreaming of swapping a traditional home for full time motorhome living? It's a big step, but it’s also a reality for many New Zealanders who embrace the freedom and unique rewards that come with it.

This blog explores the advantages and disadvantages of living full time in a motorhome in New Zealand — without being tied to one spot.

We cover campervan living costs in NZ, freedom camping rules, self-containment certification and the demands of off-grid living in a motorhome. We also look at working remotely from an RV, the growing community of full time motorhomers in New Zealand, and the joys and challenges of life on the road.

Natural renewable energy sources like wind, water flow, geothermal steam and tidal surges can all be harnessed and extracted efficiently — with the right technology.

However, the sun is the most suitable renewable for keeping the habitation battery in your motorhome charged because the infrastructure is affordable enough. Even fitting the most basic solar panel system to your motorhome will help lower your overall cost of ownership — so you can freedom camp for longer and reduce your overall camping spend.

In this blog, we examine how solar systems work, the types of solar panels available and the many benefits of owning a motorhome with a solar system. We also discuss the affordability of solar panels, the risks of installation and whether solar power is right for you.

As the point of contact between the road surface and your motorhome driving along it, tyres are the very foundation of vehicle safety. Although highly durable, they’ll need replacing at regular intervals during the lifetime of your RV.

But which tyres should you choose for your motorhome when the original factory ones wear out?

In this blog, we discuss when to replace your motorhome tyres and what to consider when choosing new ones. We also highlight some essential tips about tyre codes, load indices, tyre load capacity and speed ratings — to help you select the appropriate tyres for your motorhome.

Motorhome water damage can lead to costly repairs, disrupt your travel plans and decrease the value of your investment. It’s perhaps the most preventable wear and tear on a recreational vehicle. All it takes is scheduling regular checks and maintenance.

The more you understand your motorhome tyres and how to maintain them, the safer your RV adventures will be — and the longer your tyres will last.

As a motorhome owner, it’s important to routinely check the air pressure in your vehicle’s tyres for safety, fuel efficiency and prolonging their lifespan.

In this blog, we discuss how motorhome tyres differ from car tyres, why having the correct tyre pressure is important and how to calculate the right tyre pressure. We also cover inflating your motorhome tyres and fitting a tyre pressure monitoring system.

If you suffer from sleep apnea, you’ll know how important it is to use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine every night. But what about when you’re away from home — on the road or in the backcountry on motorhome adventures?

In this blog, we explain how a CPAP machine can help you sleep in your motorhome when you’re hooked up to mains power and while you’re off the grid. We look at what you need to run a CPAP machine and how much power it may use.

We also review some commonly held beliefs about the extra equipment you need, like an inverter, solar panel and portable backup battery — and determine whether they stack up.

Finally, we outline how to set up a CPAP machine in your motorhome and offer some top tips for using one during your RV travels.

Preparing for a motorhome road trip involves maintenance and cleaning jobs, to ensure your RV is in the best and safest condition. But the work doesn’t end once you hit the open road. Certain parts of your motorhome need monitoring for your own personal safety and health — and for your motorhome’s wellbeing.