Planning to embark on your very first campervan adventure and want to make the most of your experience? Keep reading. Here are five tips that will help to ensure your trip is as smooth, stress-free and enjoyable as possible.

1. Comfort and convenience are key

These journeys may be all about exploration, but this doesn’t mean you have to forgo your creature comforts. By making your camper as comfortable as possible, you’ll be able to get more from your break. Simple tweaks to the interior of your vehicle can help with this. For example, if you don’t already have them, it’s well worth getting some thermal screens. Available from specialist van equipment and accessories retailers such as Van Demon, they are quick and easy to attach to windows and they help to keep vans warm in winter and cool in summer. They also offer blackout conditions for sleeping.

Consider the little extras that can make a big difference too. If you’re traveling during the chilly season, you might want to pack a hot water bottle, and unless you want to go gadget-free, it’s useful to have a tablet or laptop complete with downloads and charging wires for those rainy days or cold evenings when you simply want to snuggle up and watch a film or your favorite TV show.

2. Less can be more

When you’re packing, it’s tempting to load your camper up with everything you can think of, but this is a mistake. If you take too much, your van will be cramped. So, when it comes to everything from clothing to kitchen accessories, make sure you only take what you actually need. Paring back your packing will make it easier to keep your cabin tidy and give you more space to relax in.

3. It pays to have a packing list

It’s also useful to create a list of your packing must-haves before you leave – and to check things off against this list as you put them into your bags or directly into the van. You might think you can remember everything, but in the excitement of preparing to leave, it’s easy to forget important items. Ultimately, this could spoil your trip or mean you end up having to come back to pick things up, cutting into your holiday time.  

4. A sat nav and good maps are your best friend

Having a sat nav can really take the pressure off on long journeys and allow you to enjoy the scenery rather than having to worry about directions all the time. So, if you don’t already have one, it’s well worth considering investing in this piece of kit. It’s also important to have good maps in your van. Sat navs sometimes get confused, particularly in remote places – so it’s important to be able to navigate the traditional way if you need to.

5. It pays to do some planning

Even if you intend to go with the flow during your trip, it’s savvy to spend some time planning your route and stopovers before you set off. It’s a good idea to have at least a rough idea of where you want to stop at the end of each leg, or at least what options are available in the area. By mapping out possible stopping points on your route, you won’t find yourself panicking that you don’t have a suitable place to rest at the end of a long day’s journey.

Campervan holidays open up a whole new world of possibilities when it comes to travel, and by bearing tips like these in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy your four-wheeled adventures in style.