If you are heading out soon on your first motorhome trip of the summer, there is an essential task every motorhome owner should do before hitting the road.

Whether your motorhome has been in storage, in your garage or on your driveway, checking and charging its starter battery is one job not to be overlooked.

For many motorhome owners, summer starts with a familiar routine:

• Open all the doors and windows
• Refill supplies for cooking, cleaning and washing up
• Wash the vehicle and clean the inside
• Check fluid levels for coolant, oil, brakes and any other mechanical system

But one thing is often overlooked until it's too late – the battery.

After weeks or months in storage or otherwise not used, batteries can lose charge naturally. Even when switched off, modern motorhomes still consume small amounts of power. This is especially true when alarms, trackers and onboard systems continue drawing power in the background.

Over time this can lead to:

• Reduced battery performance
• Difficulty starting
• Shortened battery life
• Permanent battery damage if deeply discharged

Hot weather can also accelerate battery ageing, making summer preparation even more important.

Signs your battery may need attention

Before heading off on your first summer trip, look out for:

• Slow engine cranking
• Dim interior lighting
• Warning messages
• Reduced appliance performance
• Batteries losing charge quickly

These can all indicate a battery that needs charging, maintenance or recovery.

Preparing properly for the season ahead

Using a smart charger before your first journey can help safely restore and maintain battery condition.

The CTEK NXT 15 battery charger includes intelligent charging and maintenance programmes designed to optimise battery performance for both lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries.

Features such as reconditioning and temperature compensation help support batteries that may have been inactive during storage periods.

A few hours of preparation before travelling can help avoid much bigger problems once the holiday begins.

Why every motorhome should carry a booster

Even with preparation, unexpected issues can still happen – especially during busy travel periods when vehicles are loaded with extra equipment and electrical demand is higher.

Keeping a compact booster pack onboard adds an extra layer of confidence. The CTEK RB 3000 and CTEK RB 4000 are both designed to provide reliable emergency starting support without taking up valuable storage space.

Because when you're ready to enjoy your summer adventure, the last thing you want is a flat battery stopping you – whether that is on the driveway or the campsite.