Motorhomes in the movies

From the busiest city to the most secluded beach, once you own a motorhome you’ll soon get into the habit of seeing them everywhere. But it’s not just in real-life you’ll spot them, how about on the silver screen? While there isn’t a motorhome star on the level of Herbie or Lightning McQueen there are plenty of times when these wonderfully versatile vehicles have played a pivotal role in a film. Read on to find out some of our favourites!

While you won’t be involved in a Hollywood car chase anytime soon, it’s still important to arrange motorhome insurance to cover your vehicle against damage while on the road.

RV – Runaway Vacation (2006)

While this isn’t one of Robin Williams’ best-known films, it’s still good value comedy. Williams plays Bob Murano, a frustrated executive going through hard times at work and at home, who takes his dysfunctional family on an RV road trip to the Colorado Rocky Mountains. Who hasn’t wanted to get away from the trials and tribulations of normal life and head out on a motorhome adventure?

Best motorhome moment: The obligatory toilet-emptying mishap scene is explosive. Ewww!

Paul (2011)

This British science fiction comedy tells the story of two comic-books nerds, Graeme and Clive (the brilliant Simon Pegg and Nick Frost), who travel across the US in a rented Winnebago Chieftain. During their trip, they pick up an extraterrestrial named Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen) just outside Area 51. Full of laughs and pop culture references the motorhome is featured quite prominently throughout.

Best motorhome moment: During one of the many driving sequences, Graeme and Clive discuss potential ‘probing’ from their alien guest!

About Schmidt (2002)

Jack Nicholson plays the eponymous Schmidt, a retired insurance salesman whose wife has recently died. Searching for meaning in his now empty life, he takes off on a cross-country road trip in their new 35ft Winnebago Adventurer and discovers more about himself and life than he expected. A poignantly funny film with memorable performances and a genuine affection for motorhome life on the road.

Best motorhome moment: Sitting in his pyjamas on the roof of his Winnebago on a starry night, Schmidt apologises to his wife for his failings as a husband. Tissues at the ready!

Sightseers (2012)

Like many great films Sightseers takes a completely normal situation – a couple on a caravan holiday – and sends it somewhere completely different: they embark on a killing spree. The film will definitely appeal to lovers of dark comedy and maybe even caravanners. Indeed, a reviewer for Caravan Magazine said it was spot on in its portrayal of caravan life, mass murder aside!

Best motorhome moment: Yes, we know they’re in a caravan but all the finely observed detail of caravan-life is a wonder to behold.

Meet the Fockers (2004)

With a cast list boasting Dustin Hoffman, Robert De Niro, Barbara Streisand and Ben Stiller, this is an all-star comedy. A follow-up to the brilliant Meet the Parents, De Niro plays troublesome father-in-law and ex-CIA agent Jack Byrnes who has made some interesting modifications to his 2004 Pace Arrow motorhome. These include CCTV cameras, a kevlar-reinforced hull, and a horn that plays Puff the Magic Dragon!

Best motorhome moment: When Jinxy the cat flushes dog Moses down the RV’s toilet!

We’re The Millers (2013)

Crime comedy caper We’re The Millers follows the exploits of veteran pot dealer David Clark who’s forced by his boss to travel to Mexico and back to collect a large shipment of marijuana. To make it across the border, David hires a Coachman Encounter RV and also recruits a couple of teens and a stripper as a fake family. The fool-proof plan goes very wrong as you can imagine.

Best motorhome moment: A near-miss at the border crossing!

5 ways to watch a movie in your motorhome

If you fancy watching one of these movies or your favourite TV show in your motorhome then it’s not quite as simple pouring the popcorn and hitting the remote. Here are just five ways you can watch your favourite flicks while you’re out and about.

1. Aerial – The most widely available way of watching TV in your motorhome is via terrestrial digital television. If your vehicle doesn’t already have one then buy and mount an aerial on the exterior of your van. Most modern televisions will already have inbuilt Freeview functionality, but if yours doesn’t you’ll also need a set-top box.
2. Satellite – The most reliable way to receive a TV signal is to install a satellite dish on your motorhome or bring along a portable one. The great thing is that not only will you get a better signal but, if you want to motorhome abroad, you’ll still be able to watch your favourite shows.
3. Smart TV – If you’ve got a good Wi-Fi connection then watching via a Smart TV is a popular alternative.
4. Stream via Smartphone, laptop or tablet – You can of course watch movies and shows via your phone, laptop or tablet. However, for prolonged family viewing you might prefer to stream to your motorhome TV. While all providers give you the opportunity to download or stream to your TV they all differ in how you do that and how much it will cost.
5. Media box or stick - A media box or stick will effectively turn your motorhome TV into a Smart TV, with access to apps for Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer and so on. However, which apps you can access will depend on which box or stick you choose. Not all makes have all apps and there is a bewildering array to choose from.

If you do plan on taking your motorhome abroad for a movie-style road trip then make sure you contact your motorhome insurance provider to check you’re fully covered. Motorhome Protect offers unlimited cover across all the EU countries.

Motorhome insurance worthy of a legendary road trip

Owning a motorhome is a great way to get out and experience the world in all its glory, but it does have its pitfalls. Our understanding team knows this and will make arranging a motorhome insurance policy as easy and straightforward as can be.

Our policies can include a range of benefits such as unlimited mileage cover.

Get a quick quote today.

Policy benefits and features offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.