Let’s be honest: we’ve all spotted that motorhome on the campsite — the one that screams “TOURIST!” louder than a Brit wearing socks and sandals in 32-degree heat. But good news: you don’t have to be that person.

With a few smart tweaks, upgrades and behaviour changes, you can blend in like a seasoned road-life pro.

Whether your next stop is Cornwall, the Highlands or a cheeky weekend run to the Lakes, here’s how to avoid sticking out like a confused holidaymaker who’s just discovered that awning poles have a correct order.

Stop Broadcasting ‘I’m New Here’

Master the Art of the Smooth Arrival

Nothing gives away a novice like a chaotic arrival on site. If you pull up, stall twice, and then spend ten minutes arguing with your partner about whether pitch number 42 is “definitely down this way”, everyone knows.

Before you arrive, check your mirrors, plan your turning angle and approach your pitch like a calm, collected pro. This is where having proper motorhome mirrors makes a world of difference. You look confident when you are confident — and you’re confident when you can actually see.

Don’t Arrive With Everything Strapped to the Roof

If your motorhome looks like it’s transporting the entire contents of a garden centre on top, that’s a giveaway. If it’s outside the van, the wind will find it. Travel light. And neatly. And preferably with your belongings inside the vehicle, not clinging on for dear life.

Dress Like You Belong There

Avoid the Classic ‘Just Bought This Hoodie’ Look

There’s something about a brand-new, creaseless motorhome-themed hoodie that gives away a first-timer. If your clothes still smell like the packaging they came in, maybe tone it down. Go for relaxed, comfy layers — not a walking billboard.

Footwear Matters

Flip-flops are fine for beaches. They’re not fine for reversing a 3.5-tonne motorhome into a tight pitch. Look like you know what you’re doing: wear shoes that say, “I could fix a water pump if I had to.” Even if you absolutely could not.

Upgrade Your Motorhome Like a Local

Locals Have Good Lighting — You Should Too

Tourists arrive on a pitch at night and blind everyone within 20 metres with cheap floodlights that make the place look like a police incident. Locals? They use proper, targeted lighting. Soft illumination. Practical, not panic-inducing. If your lighting is as blinding as a stadium, it’s time for an upgrade. A high-quality LED lighting setup helps you see clearly without turning the campsite into a performance of Swan Lake.

Get Serious About Blind Spots

Nothing screams “rookie” like swinging out of a junction with zero idea what’s beside you. Reliable blind-spot mirrors and safety gear don’t just protect you — they stop you doing that awkward half-lean, half-pray manoeuvre every time you pull out. Upgrading means you drive smoothly, confidently, and like someone who knows their way around a motorhome.

Professionals Always Have Decent Mirrors

If your mirrors wobble in the breeze or give you a view that’s 60% guesswork, that’s a problem. Long-time motorhome owners invest in premium mirrors built for stability, clarity and proper visibility. They’re not expensive — but they instantly level you up from “holidaymaker” to “road-life regular”.

Blend Into Campsite Culture

Don’t Be Overly Keen

Real motorhome owners don’t appear within 30 seconds of arriving to excitedly greet everyone like they’re hosting a children’s party. Give it a moment. Settle in. Put your seating out calmly — not like you’re building a celebrity glamping tent.

Avoid the ‘Lost Tourist Shuffle’

It’s a dead giveaway: wandering around the site clutching a map, looking confused and pointing at things.

It’s a campsite, not Narnia. Do a quick loop to get your bearings, then act like you meant to go exactly where you’re going.

Be Quiet About Your Tech (But Use It Well)

Don’t Announce Every Gadget You Own

We all love tech — awning lights, reversing cameras, portable WiFi, fancy coffee machines the size of a toddler. But experts don’t explain every gadget as if giving a TED Talk. Tourists say things like, “Wow, look at this cup holder that swivels!” Locals simply swivel the cup holder… silently.

But Invest in the Right Safety Tech

If there’s one upgrade that instantly makes you look like a seasoned traveller, it’s having sensible, practical safety gear. Things like:
• Clear, reliable lighting
• Decent blind-spot mirrors
• Backup LEDs or marker lights
• Mirrors that don’t shake like jelly on country roads
It’s the stuff that shows you actually know what you’re doing — not just what looks cool on Instagram.

Park Like You’ve Done This Before

No 42-Point Turns

If reversing your motorhome takes longer than cooking pasta, the entire campsite will notice. Proper mirrors and lighting give you visibility, which gives you confidence, which gives you credibility. The smoother your parking, the more you blend in.

Avoid Parking at Strange Angles

Professional motorhome owners park straight. Tourists park like they’ve just survived a minor earthquake. Straight lines = experience. Wonky lines = questions.

Act Like a Motorhome Native

Do Things at a Normal Human Pace

Tourists rush. Veteran road-lifers take their time. Want to fit in? Slow down. Move like someone who knows that kettle will still be there in 30 seconds.

Learn the Unwritten Rules

Some examples:
• Don’t walk through someone else’s pitch
• Don’t run your engine at 7am
• Don’t leave your outdoor gear scattered everywhere
• Don’t barbecue under someone’s window (unless you enjoy conflict)
Blend in by respecting the culture, not bulldozing through it.

Final Thought: You Don’t Need to Look Like a Tourist

The easiest way to avoid looking like a tourist in your motorhome is to behave like someone who actually lives the lifestyle — calm, confident, prepared, and able to reverse without creating drama.

And honestly? Good mirrors, proper motorhome blind-spot gear, and decent lighting upgrades do half the job for you. If you can see what you're doing, you’ll look like you know what you’re doing.