First time in a motorhome
First Time in a Motorhome
Taking the Citroën Hobby out for the first time? This page covers everything we showed you at handover, ready to check again at home — driving, heating, water, electrics, campsites and a checklist before you set off.
1. Who it's for and what you'll need
Who It's For and What You'll Need
The Citroën Hobby motorhome has a gross weight of up to 3,500 kg, so a standard driving licence is enough.
Category B driving licence (the vehicle is under 3,500 kg) — same as a car.
Minimum driver age 21 and a licence held for at least 2 years.
At handover we take our time and go through the vehicle together — allow about 30 minutes. You don't need to memorise anything; this page stays with you on the road too.
2. Driving
Driving
The Hobby is taller and longer than a car, but with a bit of respect for its dimensions it drives easily.
Height 2.70 m — watch for low bridges, barriers and petrol station canopies. If in doubt, go around rather than risk it.
Length 6.78 m with a rear overhang — take tight or narrow entrances slowly and at an angle, not head-on.
Always reverse with someone guiding you outside — the reversing camera doesn't see the vehicle's height or low branches.
Side wind on bridges and a longer braking distance than a car — drive with a margin.
When parked, always use the handbrake and leave it in gear; on a slope, use wheel chocks.
Automatic car washes are not allowed for this vehicle — use a hand wash instead.
The vehicle is front-wheel drive — don't take it off paved roads.
3. Weight and water
Weight and Water
The motorhome's payload is only about 575 kg — that's the whole margin between an empty vehicle and one fully loaded with passengers, water and gear.
Payload of only about 575 kg (calculated with 10 l of water and one full gas bottle) — four people plus a full water tank can easily overload the vehicle.
Before driving, fill the fresh water tank to about 1/3 only — you can lighten the load using the dial by the tank under the bench; we'll show you at handover.
Empty the waste water tank (96 l) only at campsite service points, never into nature.
4. Heating and hot water
Heating and Hot Water
The independent Truma Combi 6 E heater warms both the vehicle and the water, wherever you park.
Heat source: Truma Combi 6 E — gas or 230 V mains (900 / 1,800 W) — switch with a single button depending on where you're staying.
Hot water: 10-litre boiler, heats up in roughly 25 minutes, water temperature OFF / 40 °C / 60 °C / BOOST.
Controlled via the CP Plus panel: a short press turns it on, turning the dial selects and confirms, holding for 4 seconds turns it off.
5. Gas, toilet and electrics
Gas, Toilet and Electrics
Three systems worth knowing at a glance — the gas locker, the chemical toilet and the 230 V hook-up.
Gas
Two 11 kg propane-butane bottles in the pull-out locker on the side. Keep the valves closed while driving, refuelling, in tunnels, on ferries and in garages.
Toilet
Thetford cassette, roughly 17.5 l. When the red indicator lights up, empty it as soon as possible — only at a dedicated chemical toilet disposal point.
Electrics
The 230 V hook-up has a 13 A circuit breaker; the onboard network handles roughly 3,000 W max, and campsites often provide only 6–10 A — never run a kettle, heater and air conditioner at the same time. The main switch by the door turns everything off; hold it for 4 seconds.
6. Campsites and overnight stays
Campsites and Overnight Stays
At the service point, follow the order waste water → toilet → fresh water and never mix up the hoses between them. Campsites observe quiet hours from 22:00 to 7:00, and you should only stay where it's permitted.
8. Checklist before leaving a campsite
Checklist Before Leaving a Campsite
Before you drive off from a campsite to the next leg of your trip, run through these seven points from the manual.
Gas valves closed
Toilet cassette emptied, rinsed and slid back in
Waste tank drain valve closed
Fresh water topped up to about 1/3 only
Awning and roof windows/hatches closed
230 V cable disconnected and coiled up
Handbrake on and in gear before you set off
9. When and where you'll get the vehicle
When and Where You'll Get the Vehicle
Standard pickup 14:00–18:00 and return 8:00–11:00 are included in the price.
You can choose an earlier pickup (8:00–14:00) or a later return (11:00–20:00) directly in the booking for 500 CZK one-off.
Outside 8:00–20:00 we'll arrange it by phone on +420 723 707 958.
Pilsen
Plovární 478/1, 301 00 Plzeň
Prague-Stodůlky
We'll confirm the exact handover location in the pre-trip email or by phone.
At handover we take our time — allow about 30 minutes.
10. What's next
What's Next
Already booked the vehicle, or still deciding? Here's what to do next.