Campervan Trip: What You Should Know

Travelling in a home on wheels sounds exhilarating, isn’t it? #VanLife could finally become reachable, but you need to know some things before hitting the road.

Owning a van allows you to travel wherever your heart takes you without worrying about accommodation. If you’re an avid nature lover and wanderer, a van is no longer an option - it’s a way of living. If driving on the highway at the same pace as the sun and making your morning coffee next to a field lure you, it’s time to go on a campervan trip. And take your family or friends with you, too! This truck has enough space and all the amenities needed to live a comfortable life. Indeed, there’re miniature beds and kitchens that turn into dining tables, and you might be required to prepare your meals on small gas stoves, but that’s the magic of van life.

If the freedom of the wild outdoors has convinced you to set off, consider these valuable hints that will take the stress out of your trip:

Be Sure You Can Drive It

When it comes to campervans, the number of options can be overwhelming. That’s why we recommend sparing the time needed to make an informative decision. Some crucial factors to have in mind when looking for such a vehicle include the size of the freshwater and grey water tanks, whether it’s self-contained or suitable just for sleep, whether it has enough standing room for your height, and the number of travellers it can support.

Now that you’ve chosen a type of van, ensure you can drive it. This is, in fact, the most important consideration. Remember that vans aren’t regular cars - larger vehicles like these can be challenging to navigate if you’re not experienced enough. Therefore, before proceeding with the purchase or rent, be sure you ask about automatic versus manual transmission to ensure it suits your driving skills.

Search for Good Parking Spots

No matter how long your trip is, you will always need to park somewhere and camp. After all, that’s the essence of the van life you’re dreaming of. However, how good the parking spot you find will highly depend on factors such as the kind of vehicle you’re driving, its size and off-road capabilities, and the weight it can support. You could download a special app in this sense (there are quite many out there), which gives recommendations on parking spots based on your location and r shares locals’ and members’ reviews. Using such an app could also lead you to out-of-the-way spots you’ve never heard about, so be sure you document your options well and select the ones with photos available.

Moreover, our advice would never rock up to a spot in the dark. Thereby, you avoid the dangers associated with eerie country roads. Try as much as possible to find your way mid-afternoon and spend the rest of the day peacefully there.

Ensure Your Safety

Safe travel is the number one priority, so apart from the essential items mentioned earlier, ensure you have a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, a small headlamp, a deterrent light, and a personal alarm. Plus, check the gear in the van multiple times before hitting the road, as if there’s something out of its place, you could get into trouble. And by trouble, we mean everything from legal problems to road incidents. It might be helpful to have a DVS product when driving on the highway for days, as it ensures visibility both forwards and downwards. It’s essential to have clear visibility of the road and the approaching vehicles so as to adjust your driving speed properly and prevent crashes. The last thing you want is to transform your much-desired van trip into a nightmare.

Carry Extra Fuel

An inherent part of a van trip is represented by those twisty turns that make the roads feel interminable. This will inevitably consume more fuel, so be sure you carry some extra combustible in a sturdy jerrican. This is valid when trekking through the desert or heading up into the mountains, too.

Don’t Forget the Essentials

When travelling long-term, you might be tempted to bring the entire home. And while this would be nice, it’s impossible since a campervan disposes of limited room. So, ensure you pack indispensable items such as weather-appropriate clothing, multi-use utensils and dishes, a decent knife, baby wipes (if baby on board), toiletries, sandwich bags and containers for leftovers, a bug spray, and sunscreen. You may also need tissues, flip-flops, and aluminium foil. In order not to forget something crucial, consider doing a shopping list before departing and stick to it.

Do Some Meal Planning

It’s important to acknowledge that you will be travelling for days (maybe weeks), so three straight dinners of jelly sandwiches and peanut butter aren’t enough. That’s why we recommend doing some meal planning, too. For this, consider the number of meals you may need to eat on a daily basis, what type of diet you follow, and how much storage you have. Pre-packed food is a great idea to ensure you don’t go to bed hungry, but apart from this, add some roasted vegetables, fresh eggs, and snacks to your list. The lack of nearby stores could represent a problem, so better safe than sorry.

Be Prepared for Cold and Rain

Travelling in a van is a unique experience, but remember, it’s not all fine and dandy. It’s paramount to consider the weather when driving and camping in such a truck, as it can change on a dime, even during summer months. Of course, chilly and rainy days can be super comfortable and cosy in a campervan if you’ve got all the essentials. We advise you, thus, to always have a rain jacket and warm blankets at hand. Don’t also forget about a neck gaiter and the ubiquitous headwear - these pieces will cut the chill of the breeze and keep you healthy during those cold rainy days.

So, where are you heading to?

Cynthia Madison is a young blogger and economics and marketing graduate. She writes about home, lifestyle and family topics and is a senior contributor to popular niche publications.