AD – guest post. The campervan craze is currently a common phenomenon around the globe. While scanning through your social media accounts, you are most definitely bound to land on someone’s trip through the Pacific Northwest, New Zealand, or Iceland in one of these vehicles we are calling campervans. This popularity and rampant use make sense for the increase in campervans for sale. The vans are known to feature miniature kitchens and beds that are able to transform into dining tables. Travellers have the luxury to enjoy both the comfort of modern fixtures and facilities, as well as the freedom of the wild outdoors. If you are yet to take a campervan trip, you should definitely add it to your bucket list. The following are tips that will guide you on how to plan your first campervan trip.
Energy is a key requirement in campervans. A lithium leisure battery has a longer operation time due to its larger capacity compared to Lead-Acid batteries. The majority of campervans use the lithium leisure battery for their interior lighting, operation of the refrigerator, and running the campervans furnace.
Be Sure You Can Drive the Campervan
Your camper will not give you a nice experience if you are unable to get it off the lot. A van is trickier to drive compared to a car especially if you are not used to driving large-sized vehicles. This is because of their turning radius. Make sure you are well conversant and are well knowledgeable on how to drive the campervan you rent. Also, make sure you enquire about manual versus automatic transmission before hitting checkout. If you have not driven a manual car before, do not learn how to drive using the campervan!
Take Advantage of Flexibility
Do not forget about the van part of your campervan. It is important to make the space that you will be spending a few nights in as comfortable as you can. Through this campervan comfort experience, you are transient, flexible, and free. If you feel like you want to visit someplace new in the morning, it is as easy as getting into the driver’s seat and driving off since you already have everything you need. Always keep an open mind when you are driving and hiking. If you see something interesting, then you are free to stop at any moment. Allow yourself to enjoy the freedom and all the experiences that the campervan provides.
Always Plan Ahead
It is quite easy to get carried away and think that you can just camp anywhere. The wisest decision would be to plan out the campsites you want to visit beforehand. Going with the flow is not necessarily a new thing while you are on a road trip, but planning ahead enables you to eliminate plenty of stress by having a clear idea of where you will be parking on each leg. If you are unable to manage an exact plan, you can map out possible stopping points along your route. Once that information is planned out, you can take all the time you need on the road and choose the spot that is most suitable depending on the time.
Bring Someone You Really Get Along With
When you make this decision to go camping, then you are sure to be in tight quarters. If you are going on this trip with a partner, family members, or friends, you have to like them- a lot. If you are not with the kind of people that you are comfortable getting cosy with, then you better hope you do not run into a rainy day on the road.
Choose the Best Campsite
The location and campsite of your choice both have a direct impact on your camping experience. Choosing very far locations does not necessarily mean that you will have the best experience. It is therefore upon you to determine what works for you in terms of the location and campsite. Your van setup is also an important aspect to consider. Sometimes local campsites are the best fit for your first campervan trip. Google Maps can provide you with multiple campsites that are available to you both near and far. Some of the things you should consider when choosing a campsite are such as:
- Facilities: it is common for larger campsites to have more and better facilities while the smaller ones have fewer.
- Location: you might have a preference for locations that are near water bodies such as a lake or the beach. Another option would be to camp within the walking distance of a small town.
- Campsite Rules: it is very important to also be conversant with the rules that pertain to the campsite of your choice. Have information on whether or not campfires are allowed and if there is a noise curfew in the evenings. Information on noise curfew is important especially if you are camping with small children who need to sleep early.
- Duration: another important aspect to consider is whether or not you are allowed to book single night stays or multiple nights. Since this experience is new to you, it is recommended that you begin by booking only one night.
- Timing: it is good to be able to identify the season or the time of the year when you decide to have your first camping experience. Most camping sites are open around March to October. However, there are campsites that are open all year round.
Side Note: Before booking your pitch, it is important that you decide on whether you want a pitch that has an electric hook-up. You will need to test your leisure battery or solar panels prior to the camping experience whether or not you have a hook-up especially if you choose to book a single night stay. Electric pitches are usually more expensive per night but they are a good option since they are usually much closer in proximity to central facilities.
Campsite Meals
It is recommended that you pre-cook some evening meals before embarking on your first trip unless you have budgeted to eat out. This will save you a lot of time, and stress as it gives you more time to relax and have extra adventures. Camping meals can either be stored in large lunch boxes that can easily be stacked in the fridge, or in foil trays that are reusable and can be recycled. Stasher Bags are also recommended since they are suitable for storing leftovers in a hygienic and sustainable way.
Stock Extra Snacks
Being in a campervan simply means that you will be venturing into remote destinations. This means that there will not be many pit stops available. It is therefore wise to take advantage when you can. So, before you leave civilization, make sure to buy some extra fuel, such as sandwich fixings and trail mix. This is to take with you on your hiking or biking. Also, do not forget treats for the inevitable late-night campfire sessions.
Stay Organized
A mess will make you stressed. Ensuring the campervan is well organized by finding a place for everything at the start of your trip and putting it all away in its place when you are done. Ensure that you have accounted for the driving you will be doing and place anything fragile in a secure spot.
Keep a Flashlight Nearby
Being in a van does not change the fact that you are still camping. It is important to keep a flashlight close by for nighttime bathroom trips or when you detect unwelcome wildlife.
Other things to keep in mind while you are away:
- Other people are having their holiday and enjoying it as well. Children will obviously be noisy but you can avoid them making excessive noise especially when you are camping near others. Most campsites have rules against noise that you are advised to read thoroughly and understand before you arrive. Some of those campsite rules are very particular about the use of stereos, and campfires. Those that contain play parks have the recommended and acceptable opening hours too. Follow and obey those rules strictly!
- Leave your pitch just as you found it. Dispose of all your waste and rubbish and recycle those that need to be recycled before you leave the campsite.
Have fun in your first campervan trip experience!
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