Are you planning your first campervan road trip and aren’t sure what you need or how to prepare? You aren’t alone! Many people find themselves unsure how to prepare for their campervan road trip, what they need to bring, or what to do before their journey begins. To ensure everything runs smoothly and that you enjoy your first campervan road trip, here are 6 things you need to do before setting off:
1. Build in time to get used to the van
If you have never driven a campervan before, we recommend hiring one a little while before your trip begins to help you get used to it. Campervans are larger and typically won’t have rear-view mirrors, which makes reversing and parking a different experience, especially if you are used to small cars. When you pick up your campervan, do so a few days before your trip so that you can get used to driving (and parking) it.
You may also need to allow some time to get accustomed to driving a manual or automatic vehicle, depending on your prior experience. Not everyone chooses to pick up the campervan early, but doing so allows you to get to grips with the size of the van and provides extra time for packing before your journey begins.
2. Plan your supermarket shop
After collecting your campervan, ensure you stock it with everything you need for your trip. You will want to check what is provided with the van, as you can often choose to pay more and have cutlery, cookware, and crockery. Some campervan rentals will even offer bedding and sheets, reducing your packing list. Check what is included before you set off and what you need to add to your shopping list.
When shopping for your trip, ensure you have food and water to get you to your next stop (if you know you can refuel there), as well as household staples such as toilet paper, bin liners, cleaning products, and sponges. Consider the space you have in your shop to prevent buying more than you need or can store.
3. Avoid overpacking
Depending on the campervan you choose, there may not be much storage space, so it is essential that you do not overpack. A packing list should be used to ensure you are only packing what you need, helping to prevent the van from feeling cramped. When you pack the van, allow plenty of time to do so, especially if you haven’t done it before. Ensure that your items are as snug as possible when placing them in drawers, as everything will shift when you start driving. The more tightly packed the items are, the less chance there is of them moving and falling out of your cupboards when you stop.
Packing cubes are an excellent way to prevent your items from moving too much. You should also close and lock all drawers before setting off and remove any loose items from tables, ensuring everything is secure before you drive.
4. Check what van-admin is needed
Campervans will require some administrative tasks to keep them running as normal. The admin needed will depend on the size of the van and its amenities. For example, if you have a campervan equipped with a shower and toilet, you will need to factor in emptying and cleaning the toilet, refilling water tanks, and disposing of the grey water.
You may also need to charge your battery or other items, which can require stopping at campsites every few days. It’s essential to understand how often these tasks need to be completed, so you know how frequently you will need to stay at campsites with charging facilities.
5. Prebook campsites
While it isn’t essential, we recommend prebooking some campsites along your route. This ensures they will have space for you and that you can charge your batteries, refill your water, or shower if your campervan does not have a shower included. Many campsites will have space available on the day, but if you are in a busy area or planning your road trip during the holidays, we recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment.
You don’t need to know every stop you will make, but pre-booking campsites in line with when you need to charge and refuel is a good idea.
6. Allow extra time
Finally, we recommend allowing extra time for every part of your journey. You will be surprised by the time it takes to set up your van for the night and pack everything away before the next leg of your journey. You will want to allow extra time for long drives, cooking, organising, and doing your van admin. Building in a little more time might mean that you see less on your road trip, but you will enjoy everything you do see more, as you won’t be rushing to the next thing!
Book your campervan in Brisbane today
Armed with our six tips, you can easily prepare and enjoy your first campervan road trip! When planning your road trip, we recommend doing some research and booking your campervan in advance. Places like Travellers Autobarn allow you to collect your campervan directly next to the airport, allowing you to start your adventure immediately. Their campervan hire provides everything you need, along with beautiful campervans, to enjoy all that Brisbane and other areas have to offer. Head to Travellers to see deals on campervan hire in Brisbane and rent yours today.
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