Motorhome Matt

Are we becoming a nation of mixed-up holidaymakers? In this episode, Matt and Keith look at how motorhome travel trends are evolving, and why more owners are combining van life with cruises, flights, city breaks and even remote working abroad. If you’re wondering how to get more from your motorhome while still enjoying the occasional hotel stay or overseas break, this one will strike a chord.

Fresh from a recuperative cruise, Motorhome Matt himself reflects on how travel has shifted, not just personally but across the wider leisure industry. At the Manchester Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Show, where leisure vehicles sit alongside global tourist boards and cruise operators, it’s clear that touring is no longer an either-or decision. People are blending experiences.

You’ll hear from travel journalist Simon Calder, show organiser Ben Myatt, Kathy from Barefoot Caravans, Luke from the Motorhome Matt team, and industry veteran Peter Vaughan, each offering a perspective on how habits are changing and what that means for motorhome owners.

And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on:

Using an A-frame to tow a car in France

Understanding 3.5 tonne weight limits in France

Whether dogs are allowed at the 2026 Warners Shows.

If you want to make smarter decisions about how you use your motorhome and where it fits into your wider holiday plans, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Tune in and see how your next trip might look a little different.

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How do you prepare a motorhome after winter storage? In this episode, Matt and Keith share a practical motorhome spring checklist to help you travel safely and avoid breakdowns as you head on your way.

It’s very easy to assume you can just turn the key and go. But after a few cold, wet months sitting still, your motorhome needs a careful once-over. Tyres age, seals stick, pipes crack, and water systems quietly grow things you might prefer not to drink.

Matt talks you through the checks that really matter, the ones that cost very little time now but can save you a cancelled trip, a recovery callout, or a four-figure repair bill later.

And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on:

Air suspension pricing, why quotes can vary so much, and what to look for before booking

Travelling to Germany, whether UK motorhomes need the G607 gas certificate, and what’s actually required

Gas-free motorhomes, lithium batteries, diesel heating, and whether moving away from gas is a sensible long-term choice

If your first trip of the year is already in the diary, give this a listen before you set off. A couple of sensible checks now can make the difference between a relaxed getaway and a very long weekend on the hard shoulder.

Get your free downloadable guide to preparing your motorhome for spring travel:
www.thatleisureshop.com/spring

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Are motorhome shows still worth it in 2026, or are digital platforms quietly taking over?

In this episode of the Motorhome Matt podcast, Matt and Keith dig into the real value of motorhome shows, from the Manchester Show to the NEC Motorhome Shows to regional events across the UK. 

Do shows still drive motorhome sales, build brand trust and help buyers choose the right layout, or are they becoming an expensive tradition in a world of online research and targeted ads?

Matt speaks to dealers who say shows generate a third of their annual business, others who’ve stepped back and invested in digital marketing instead, and buyers who went along for a browse and ended up signing on the dotted line. We look at the buying journey, pre-purchase reassurance, and if physically stepping inside a van still matters when you’re spending serious money.

At the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC Birmingham, we exclusively reveal the launch of the new Savvy Van app, offering remote monitoring and control of key motorhome systems, with public release planned for summer 2026.

And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on:

4G connectivity challenges and whether the Pathway system can pull a signal where phones can’t

The most useful motorhome apps for beginners

The latest update on the 3.5 tonne licence limit and the expected 4th Directive changes

If you’re researching your first motorhome, planning an upgrade, or wondering if shows are still worth your time, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

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Changes to European motorhome travel are coming faster than you might realise.

This week on the Motorhome Matt podcast, Matt and Keith break down what these changes actually mean for motorhome, campervan and caravan owners, and what you’ll need to do differently before you head across the Channel. Borders are going digital, rules are tightening, and assumptions that used to work no longer do.

Recorded live at the Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Show in Manchester, Matt explains how digital border controls, biometric passport checks, the EU Entry/Exit System and ETIAS will affect UK travellers.

We also cover low-emission zones, pet travel paperwork and new trailer registration rules, focusing on what’s changing, when it applies, and where people are most likely to get caught out.

Plus, a personal update on returning to the stage after his triple heart bypass, why it took more out of him than expected, and why getting back in front of an audience still felt important.

And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on:

Whether to add your partner to your motorhome insurance after a recent car insurance claim

Why motorhome satnav systems can still route you the wrong way

Why some owners choose a 4x4 motorhome

If European touring is on your radar, this episode will help you travel better prepared, avoid expensive mistakes, and understand what’s changing before it changes on you.

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What can UK motorhome owners learn from the American RV scene? In this episode, Matt and Keith chat with YouTuber Liz Amazing about the rise of full-time RV living in the USA, the growing popularity of boondocking (off-grid camping), and how the vanlife trend is attracting younger travellers, families and remote workers. 

From high-clearance 4x4 campervans to the pros and cons of lithium batteries, it’s a deep dive into how RV life in the States compares to motorhoming in the UK and what buyers here need to watch out for.

Liz also explains why she avoids new RVs, how to buy smart in a cooling market, and why buying used often means better build quality.

Planning to visit the NEC show?

The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show runs 17–22 February. Meet Matt and the That Leisure Shop team in Hall 5, Stand 512 for expert advice and motorhome chat.

And in the Q&A, Matt answers your questions on:

How to carry a heavy motorbike on the back of a motorhome, and why the Hydra Trail might be the best solution

Which gas level checker actually works—and why Matt changed his mind about Truma’s gadget

Whether you’ll find better motorhome deals at shows like the NEC or at your local dealer, and how to protect your warranty

Subscribe for no-nonsense advice and expert insights. If you're serious about buying, owning or upgrading a motorhome, this episode is packed with useful tips.

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The Motorhome Matt podcast is brought to you by That Leisure Shop, camping and leisure vehicle accessory specialists.

10% off your first order with the code MOTORHOMEMATT.