Getting a campervan is much like moving into a new house – it takes some time to learn how to live in it. That learning process is important in a campervan because it’s ultimately quite a small space. How well you learn to live in it can be the difference between having successful campervan holidays and enduring a bit of a nightmare.
Fortunately, there are lots of simple hacks you can employ that will make living in a campervan for any length of time easier and more enjoyable. Here, we present a non-exhaustive selection of hacks that we think will be really helpful for new campervanners in particular.
Treat every holiday as a learning experience
It’s highly unlikely you’ll get it right first time – even second or third time. Whenever you go away in your campervan, you’ll learn new things about what does and doesn’t work. Take time to analyse the holiday afterwards and develop your systems and procedures for next time. Even small changes can make a big difference.
Get comfortable driving the vehicle
It’s entirely possible that your new campervan will be the biggest vehicle you’ve driven and there will be a process of learning how to drive – and park – it. The main things that can throw a large vehicle novice are its height, length and wheelbase (that’s the distance between the front and back wheels).
You need to be ultra-aware of the vehicle’s height when going under low obstacles, so watch out for them carefully. When you’re unsure if the vehicle will go under, proceed with extreme caution or just find another way round.
The vehicle’s length will generally only be a concern when parking and you’ll get used to it – a reversing camera is a massive help. The wheelbase determines how tight a turn you can make. As you turn, the vehicle’s front and rear corners, and the mid-point of its body move through different arcs – that’s five arcs you need to keep an eye on and work out where they’re going. Sounds hideously difficult but, as a former bus driver, I can tell you it isn’t if you’ve got decent spatial awareness.
If you’re at all lacking confidence, you should get some instruction before you buy the vehicle. There are lots of large vehicle driver training companies, the Caravan and Motorhome Club also offers courses. You may need to upgrade your licence for a larger camper, so you’ll need training before taking a driving test.
Minimalism is key
Campervans are relatively small, fixed spaces that have a limited amount of storage for your stuff, so it’s best to embrace a minimalist lifestyle. Think carefully about what you need to take. Do you really need two outfits for each day? Do the kids really need to bring all their toys? Can you make do with one or two device chargers rather than ten?
You’ll almost certainly try to cram too much stuff into your camper at the first attempt, so review what you actually used afterwards. That’ll help you whittle everything down until you’re left with the essentials. Focus on what you need for the experiences you’ll have, rather than stock up with stuff for time in the van you probably won’t have. Plus, the less stuff you take, the lighter and therefore more fuel efficient the vehicle will be.
Check out our page on the essential campervan kit you need to help your trips go as smoothly as possible.
Maximise storage space and be organised
Campervans have a relatively small amount of built-in storage space, and you need to maximise your use of it. When you first get your vehicle, go through it with a fine-toothed comb to find every nook and cranny that can be used. Wall space can be used by adding magnetic strips, hooks and clips, as well. Fixed beds usually have storage underneath that’s ideal for bigger stuff. Some larger campers have a ‘garage’ space at the back for storing outdoor equipment, packaged food, general overflow, etc, etc.
Finding all the storage space is one thing, maximising it is another. It helps to assign everything a dedicated place. Think about where the most convenient place for each item is, for instance keeping your torch by the door. For anything that won’t fit into built-in storage, use packing cubes and multi-compartment storage boxes. Label everything and keep an inventory of what you have and where it is.
Keep your campervan clean and tidy
It only takes a few items being out and a bit of muck on the floor for a campervan to start looking and feeling unkempt. It’s best to put things away straight after using them and clean up any dirt and spills immediately. Leave dirty shoes and clothes outside if possible, immediately put them in bags if not. Have a hand-held vacuum or stiff brush for the floors. Wipe the flat surfaces down every day. It may seem like a pain at the time, but a clean and tidy camper is much easier and more pleasant to be in.
Have an anti-rattle kit
A British country road will reveal every single rattle in your campervan and it could drive you to distraction if you don’t address them. There are all sorts of things you can do to minimise rattles. Taking plastic tableware for a start, and padding metal and porcelain with tea towels, socks – whatever you can lay your hands on. Have a tool kit handy so you can tighten anything that comes loose, and line cupboards and drawers with anti-slip matting to prevent things moving while in transit.
Don’t forget about dirty laundry and rubbish
This is easily done. Most campers have a built-in bin, but it’ll be quite small so you may need a bigger one. It’s best to empty the rubbish on a daily basis, especially if you’re generating food waste. Have a dedicated box or bag for dirty laundry; if you’re doing a long trip, take every opportunity you can to do the washing. Similarly, if you have a folding bed, you may need somewhere to put the bedding when you’re using it as seats.
A place for everyone
Everyone needs alone time, especially when you’re grouped into a small space. Kids in particular can get fractious at the best of times, even more so when the weather means they can’t go outside. It’ll help everyone get along if they have a place in the camper where they can be undisturbed – the front seats, the pop-top, even the boot.
Pre-prepare meals
Campervans don’t have much space for cooking, especially for preparing ingredients, so it’s much easier to take things you can drop straight in the pan. Plan your meals, only take the quantity of an ingredient you’ll actually need, and chop and box vegetables before leaving. You could even batch cook and box up portions to take. A powered cool box is a good investment if you need extra chiller space.
Monitor water, gas and electricity usage
How quickly you get through your camper’s water, gas and electricity supplies depends entirely on how you use them. Over the course of a few cycles, you’ll work out when you need to replenish them and be better able to plan when and where you do so. Err on the side of caution to begin with, though. Always hook up to the mains if it’s available; a portable power station is a good back-up. Don’t forget about emptying the toilet if you have one, either.
Do a trial run
When you first get your campervan, it’s best to do a trial run of a night or two somewhere local, or even on your driveway at home. Treat it as if you’re going away for a long stay, taking everything you think you’ll need. You’ll learn how to use the vehicle’s facilities and figure out how much stuff fits in a less pressured environment.
It’ll also help you work out what modifications and additions you need to make for the vehicle to work for you. Don’t forget to practice removing and refitting the water tanks, gas bottle and toilet, and hooking up the mains electricity cable.
Check parking restrictions at home
You might think you can park whatever vehicle you like at home, but that’s not necessarily the case. There are lots of housing estates across the UK where residents are prohibited from parking large vehicles on their drive, so check your deeds to find out if restrictions apply. There are places that restrict the size of street-parked vehicles, as well.
Get specialist insurance and breakdown cover
While most generic vehicle insurance and breakdown companies will cover campervans, it’s better to take out specialist policies such as those provided by the Caravan and Motorhome Club. They’re more attuned to the needs of campervanners when it comes to replacing lost or stolen items and getting you to your destination. They also cover a higher value of personal items than car insurers.
Don’t over-plan
If you can cope with it, keep your plans a bit loose. Part of the point of a campervan is having the freedom to go wherever your fancy takes you, so you may as well take full advantage of it. Going somewhere on a whim is all part of the fun.
There are literally thousands of campsites across the UK, most of which allow you to book on the day, or even on arrival. Just make sure that, when you’re searching for a site, you check what facilities there are and whether they have any pitches available.
Scout campsites on arrival
As soon as you’ve parked on your pitch, have a wander round the campsite with your whole party to find where the facilities are. Especially the toilet and shower blocks, and the chemical toilet emptying point. It’s also wise to repeat the exercise in the dark, as you can easily get lost.
Connect with other campervanners
You can pick up all sorts of information and advice by joining a club such as the Caravan and Motorhome Club and getting on their members’ forum. There are all sorts of Facebook groups and other forums, and there are dozens of campervanning Youtubers and Instagrammers to watch. Don’t forget to talk to fellow campers at the sites you visit, as well.
This article was compiled with help from the Caravan and Motorhome Club which represents the interests of over 1.1 million caravan, motorhome, campervan, roof tent and trailer tent owners across the UK and offers great value, high-quality campsites for tourers and glampers. Membership costs just £66 per year and provides members with access to over 2,700 quality campsites across the UK and Europe.
All members can take advantage of expert advice, overseas travel services, breakdown cover, specialist insurance and other exclusive member offers and discounts. For further information, please visit www.camc.com or call 01342 318 813.
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