As each peak season winds down, many proactive travellers start searching for motorhomes for next year's adventures. As they say, the early bird catches the worm! Early bookings are a sign that your advert is in high demand, and this presents an excellent opportunity for you to fill your calendar well in advance.
To make sure these bookings go smoothly for both you and your travellers, a little bit of preparation goes a long way. Find essential tips to help you receive, stay on top of and best accommodate for early bookings.
1. Update your availability on a regular basis
One of the key aspects of managing early bookings is ensuring that your availability is always up-to-date. It can be frustrating for potential travellers to come across your advert and get excited, only to discover that the dates they want are unavailable.
Keep your calendar updated: Block out any dates when your motorhome is unavailable, such as for personal use, maintenance days or holidays.
Declining too many bookings will negatively impact your advert’s visibility and your future booking volume. If you are still sorting your plans for next year, consider temporarily closing your calendar until you're ready to start accepting bookings again. It’s good to know that bookings really tend to pick up from January onwards, so it’s a good idea to have your availability open by then at the latest.
Plan ahead for peak times: Anticipate peak booking periods like bank holidays and popular cultural and sports events.
Glastonbury: 25 - 29 June 2025
F1 British Grand Prix: 4 - 6 July 2025
Camp Bestival: 31 July - 3 August 2025
Learn how to manage your calendar from a Goboony expert in this video.
2. Stay on top of your MOT, services and any vehicle maintenance
Making sure your vehicle is always roadworthy and compliant provides peace of mind and ensures early bookings run smoothly for you and potential travellers. Review the renewal dates for the following items and schedule any necessary appointments in advance.
Insurance: Renew your personal or self-drive hire insurance on time to avoid last-minute rushes. If you use Goboony Day Insurance and your vehicle will be twenty or more years old next year, contact our team for alternative suggestions.
MOT: Ensure your motorhome's MOT is up to date and passes all safety checks. If your MOT is due, book it in advance to avoid delays.
Road tax: Similarly, check when your road tax is due and set a reminder to avoid potential penalties.
Routine maintenance: Take advantage of the quiet months to carry out regular motorhome checks, including oil changes, tyre checks and cleaning.
3. Review your rates and booking conditions
Adjust your rates to reflect seasonal demand, peak periods or special events that might affect pricing. Consider offering discounts for early or long-term bookings.
At the same time, review your booking conditions to ensure they still align with your preferences. This includes updating your house rules, setting minimum stay requirements per season, and adjusting the minimum time you require between a booking request and the start date.
4. Spruce up your advert and prepare useful guides for travellers
Early bookers have more choices, so make sure you stand out from the crowd with high-quality photos and a detailed description. Keeping your advert fresh, relevant and informative is crucial.
Check our full list of tips for creating a high-quality and profitable listing.
New photos: Take new and high-quality images of your motorhome. Good lighting, angles and attention to detail like clean interiors or beautiful surroundings can make all the difference.
Description: Update your advert description periodically to reflect any changes or improvements made to your motorhome.
Prepare handover instructions: Create simple handover tutorials or guides. Videos or detailed written instructions can help your guests feel confident using different features, such as setting up the awning and converting sleeping places.
Learn more about creating a handover video or a motorhome manual or check out tips to help travellers care for your motorhome.
