The biggest issue with travelling solo is there is NO ONE to blame but yourself when you do something stupid. It's very inconvenient!

Sadly, no matter how experienced a motorhomer you might be, you still occassionally do something downright silly.

Generally when an entire campsite of people are staring at you in disbelief. 🫣

A while ago, I arrived at a campsite and (for reasons which aren't clear to anyone, including me) I decided to drive my motorhome onto a grass field... just after a heavy rainstorm.

Even better, I drove all the way to the bottom of the field, which was also at the bottom of a hill.

Where, predictably, I got stuck in the very wet, very soft mud.

Very, VERY stuck.

The sort of stuck which involves revving engines, multiple swear words and much shaking of heads from my campsite neighbours (who I'm sure were all secretly delighted that they weren't the ones in trouble.)

It also involved a barrage of 'what the hell were you thinking' from the campsite owner, as she surveyed her churned-up field in dismay. (Once again Lorraine, I'm very very sorry!)

The obvious moral to this story is don't drive a motorhome onto a grass field after heavy rain.

But, if you do find yourself stuck in the mud, (possibly on a day when you're not thinking clearly), here's what to try:

1- Take two seconds to panic, swear and feel slightly terrified that you’ll be stuck here forever and ever.

Then take your foot off the accelerator. Spinning the wheels will only dig you in deeper.

2- Try pulling away gently.

Use very light pressure on the accelerator. In a manual vehicle, second gear can help reduce wheelspin; with an automatic, follow your vehicle handbook’s guidance.

If you get moving, keep a gentle, steady momentum until you reach properly firm ground. Resist the urge to stop and celebrate halfway across the field.

3- If forwards isn’t working, try reversing gently towards firmer ground.

Sometimes you can back out before you get properly stuck. But if the wheels spin or you feel the motorhome sinking further, stop. More revs won’t improve the situation. Sadly, neither will more swearing.

4- Get out the mud mats.

Honestly, I'd do this sooner rather than later — preferably BEFORE you’ve dug holes big enough to plant trees in.

Secure the motorhome, then position suitable traction mats like these snugly against the drive tyres, in the direction you want to travel. For most motorhomes, those are the front wheels.

Clear everyone away from the wheels and mats, then try pulling away gently again. Avoid revving and wheelspin.

5- Know when to admit defeat.

If you’re still stuck, call the campsite owner, apologise profusely and ask for help arranging a recovery. You probably won’t be the first person this has happened to, but that doesn’t stop it being embarrassing as hell.

Know where your towing eye is stored and check your handbook for how it can be used. Also, check your breakdown policy: getting pulled out of mud may cost extra.

Once you’re free, remember that mud packed into the tyre tread can reduce grip. Clean off accumulated mud once you’re parked on hardstanding, drive slowly while it clears and leave extra braking distance.

Then apologise to the campsite owner again. Possibly with wine.

For me, I needed to get a tow out- the ground was that wet. Yes, it was embarrassing, yes I felt awful but I hope this helps show that even the most experienced of us can make absolutely ridiculously foolish mistakes.

I hope this email helps you from doing the same!

Drive safe- and stay out of the mud this winter,

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