Whether it’s down to spring showers or torrential winter downpours, you may find yourself traversing soft, waterlogged ground while out with your motorhome or campervan.

When you’re camping on anything other than hardstanding ground, the risk of getting stuck is always there. But, with the right preparation and know-how, you can avoid turning your get-away into a sticky situation.

Why You Get Stuck

Motorhomes are heavy vehicles, and most are front-wheel drive, making them prone to wheel spin in mud, particularly because most of the vehicle’s weight is at the rear. If the ground can’t support the weight of your motorhome, the wheels will lose traction when you try to move, especially if you accelerate too quickly or try to drive through land that has already been churned-up.

Preventing Getting Stuck

There are several steps you can take to minimise your chances of getting stuck on a muddy campsite:

  1. Evenly load your motorhome - An unbalanced load can make it harder to gain traction, especially in wet conditions. Spread the weight evenly to improve stability.
  2. Choose your campsite carefully - Read reviews and ask for recommendations. Some campsites may struggle with drainage and become muddy quickly in bad weather.
  3. Opt for a hardstanding pitch - When booking your campsite, select a hardstanding pitch rather than grass. Hardstanding areas offer better support for heavy vehicles like motorhomes.
  4. Be mindful of entry and exit points - Check out the campsite’s access points before you settle in. Mud can be particularly bad near entrances and exits, where traffic is heaviest.
  5. Use mud mats or levelling ramps - These handy items can provide a solid surface for your tyres, helping you avoid sinking into the mud on grass pitches. Park up on mats or ramps on arrival
  6. Pay attention to your exit strategy - Since most motorhomes are front-wheel drive, reverse into your pitch so that you can drive out forwards, ideally toward a hard surface like gravel or tarmac.

Essential equipment

Nobody wants to be that person whose motorhome needs to be towed out of mud. Being prepared for muddy conditions is all about having the right tools to hand to help you avoid getting stuck or to assist in freeing your motorhome, if the worst happens. Here are a few items you can pack in preparation:

  • Mud mats - Place under your tyres to help gain traction.
  • Tow rope and towing eye - In case you need a helping hand from another vehicle.
  • Folding shovel or trowel - Useful for digging out stuck tyres or clearing debris.
  • Interior car mats - You can use these as a last resort, to give your tyres some grip, although it’s not a fool proof solution.

What to do if you get stuck

If you do find yourself stuck in mud, try not to panic. With the right approach, it may be possible to free your motorhome without too much trouble. By following a few straightforward steps, you can regain traction and get back on solid ground.

  1. Let some air out of your tyres: Reducing tyre pressure can increase the surface area in contact with the ground, giving you better traction.
  2. Rock the vehicle: Gently try moving the vehicle forward and back in small increments to create enough momentum to free your vehicle. This will allow mats, or something flat and solid like a plank, to be placed in front of your your wheels, if not already being used.
  3. Don’t over-accelerate: If your wheels spin too fast, your vehicle will sink deeper into the mud. Keep your revs low.
  4. Maintain momentum: Once you start moving, don’t stop until you’re on solid ground. Stopping in mud can make it difficult to get going again, so before you attempt to move make sure you aim for a hard surface to drive towards.

How to drive in mud

When driving through mud, smoothness is key. To cross muddy land and prevent your motorhome from becoming stuck, try the following:

  • Use a low gear: If you’re driving a motorhome with a manual transmission, stick to second or third gear to keep a slow, steady pace.
  • Avoid sudden braking or acceleration: Sudden movements can cause you to lose traction. Keep your passage smooth and steady.
  • Steer clear of muddy tracks: Following the ruts made by other vehicles might seem like a good idea, but it can lead to getting stuck even quicker.

What to do at a muddy festival

Festivals are notorious for muddy fields and car parks, where vehicles often get stuck. Here’s how to handle it:

  • Be prepared for delays: Leaving a muddy car park can take several hours, especially if the ground is saturated.
  • Turn off your engine: If the car park is gridlocked, save fuel by turning off your engine when you’re stationary.
  • Help others: Helping others who are stuck can create goodwill and sometimes even lead to them helping you in return.
  • Keep a towing eye accessible: Make sure it’s easy to reach, as you might need a tow. Tow points on a motorhome are typically located in specific areas designed for towing or recovery.

Front tow point - Often located beneath the front bumper, hidden behind a removable cover. This point is designed for attaching a tow hook or recovery strap.

Rear tow point - Located under the rear bumper or chassis. Like the front, it might be hidden behind a removable cover and is designed for towing the motorhome from the back.

    Chassis or frame - Some motorhomes have dedicated towing or recovery points integrated into the chassis or frame. These are usually heavy-duty and specifically reinforced for recovery purposes.

    Always refer to the owner's manual to ensure the correct use of these points, as improper towing could cause damage to your motorhome.

    Final resort

    If none of the above methods work, you may need to call your breakdown provider. Be aware that some services may charge extra if special equipment is needed to retrieve your motorhome from a muddy field.

    We’ve partnered with one of Britain’s most experienced breakdown provider, the RAC, to offer motorhome breakdown insurance for additional comfort while you’re out on your motorhome adventures.

    As a Lifesure motorhome insurance customer, you can add this optional extra to your policy*, and benefit from:

    • Roadside recovery and at home assistance
    • 24/7/365 support at the end of a phone
    • Onward travel options to continue your journey
    • Drain, flush, clean out fuel system & dispose of contaminated fuel
    • Unlimited call outs

    For full terms and conditions please see RAC Motorhome Breakdown cover policy wording on our Motorhome Insurance breakdown cover page.

    Our award-winning team of agents are at the end of the phone to assist with quotes and enquiries – just call 01480 402 460 and we’ll be pleased to help.

    *RAC motorhome breakdown insurance policy enhancement can be added to your main motorhome insurance policy for an additional fee. Mid-term policy adjustments are also subject to additional administration charges.

    Disclaimer: The sole purpose of this article is to provide guidance on the issues covered. This article is not intended to give legal advice, and, accordingly, it should not be relied upon. It should not be regarded as a comprehensive statement of the law and/or market practice in this area. We make no claims as to the completeness or accuracy of the information contained herein or in the links which were live at the date of publication. You should not act upon (or should refrain from acting upon) information in this publication without first seeking specific legal and/or specialist advice. Lifesure Group Limited trading as Lifesure and Lifesure Insurance Broker accepts no liability for any inaccuracy accepts no liability for any inaccuracy, omission or mistake in this publication, nor will we be responsible for any loss which may be suffered as a result of any person relying on the information contained herein.

    Useful articles

    Take a look at our latest news and guides.

    Read articles