For You

Holidays are fun, huh? You spend most of your time busting a gut so that you can pay the bills and save up for things that you need, so it’s only fair that you have a week or two away from it all, isn't it? When you have the opportunity to head somewhere for an extended period, you really have to make the most of it, because, sooner or later, you’re going to end up back in the thick of it, and that’s no fun! You know that preparation is key in everything you do, and that extends to the recreational side of life. Getting everything sorted before you fly to another country is pretty simple because you’re getting on a plane! You HAVE to get everything right there, or you could regret it massively! But what about when you’re heading out on a road trip in a campervan or with a caravan in tow? It’s definitely easy to get a little complacent in this instance... If you’ve always thought about doing something like this (and you really should, it’s pretty cool), but aren’t exactly sure how to go about it, then maybe you should read on. Here are some ways you can prepare like a grown-up! Make Sure You Can Drive The Thing! This may not be the first thing that springs to mind but it's worth thinking about... You’d be surprised at how many people just decide to hop in and hope for the best! If you or your group aren’t the most confident drivers (or haven't driven anything bigger than a car before), then perhaps a little practice is in order. The last thing you want to do is get far away from home and start panicking as you're struggling to drive the thing!! Plan Everything Out In Advance! If you’re going thinking of taking a wonderful camper trip like this, then hopefully you’re not just going to pick a destination then hop in the camper and drive... That might sound cool, but you need to have a plan to guide you through everything, or you might get into a bit of trouble along the way. Pick the best route (making sure you avoid narrow roads which are unsuitable for anything larger than a car) – this can easily be done online. Also, if you’re going a long way, plan where you’re going to be resting and staying overnight – rest spots are a necessity on a long journey. (Photo source: https://unsplash.com/photos/-Avc2AiE1_Q) Kit It Out! If you've bought a camper and the interior is pretty stylin’ already, then you probably won’t have to worry about it. But if it’s looking a little worse for wear, then perhaps you should get it seen to. Some companies specialise in sorting this kind of thing out. Check out Volkswagen Camper Van Conversions if you’re riding around in one of those nifty, vintage VW campers; and there are lots of different options you can go for. It’s not just a cosmetic thing; nobody wants to ride around in a beaten up and messy vehicle for hours on end! Make Sure You Have The Best Company You’re going to be sat in a confined space for a while. You’re going to want the people you’re with (if you indeed take people with you) to help keep you entertained and, more importantly, to not annoy you every five minutes! So make sure you chose your company carefully! Remember To Pack Everything You NEED Think about the necessities first, obviously! It’s nice to pack the things that you want to bring with you, but be sensible and bring along the important stuff too... and bear in mind the storage space you have available, as it is limited in most campers. First aid items, food, water, stuff to help you sleep – these kinds of things will be important when you're on the road. Have you ever done a trip in a camper - we've done a few and loved it? If you have, how did you get on? Or maybe it's on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments below... Happy Camping! Kate *This is a collaborative post which may contain affiliate links. *Kate Loves Travel does not own the copyright for any of the images used in this post.