First campervan trips can feel overwhelming and people may assume they need lots of equipment, including all the camper van essentials they can think of. But your first campervan weekend away does not need to feel like a major expedition or require much equipment at all. In reality, many first-time owners are surprised by how quickly campervan travel starts to feel easy and natural.

Quick Summary: Keep it simple for your first trip in your campervan, packing the essentials and planning a trip that isn’t too far away. Expect to feel some freedom compared to motorhome travel or hotel stays, with plenty of time to stop and enjoy sights and attractions whenever you want.

What to Pack for your First Campervan Trip

 

The main message here will be to keep it simple. You aren’t going out to survive a night in the wild without food or shelter, so keep it light and pack the essentials.

 

• Clothing: Think layers for warmth, waterproofs whether you plan to leave the campervan much or not, comfortable shoes for whatever activities you are planning, and something warm for the evening
• Bedding: Literally pillows, a duvet or sleeping bag and a nice soft blanket for the colder nights
• Food and Drink: Bring along some tea or coffee for the morning, easy to store snacks, and water bottles, and an easy first-night meal if you plan to cook along with plates and cutlery to serve it on, or locate somewhere to eat before you setup for the night
• Toiletries: Just like any night away, a toothbrush, towel, wet wipes and basic first aid kit, plus any makeup, skincare, or essentials you use every day
• Campervan Extras: A torch is handy for the nights while you get used to where your lights are in your new campervan, a phone charger of course, a power bank is very handy to keep your phone charged up throughout, and maybe some folding chairs if you want to enjoy a bit of nature

 

If you read through that list, you’ll notice many things there are no different from a night at a friend’s or going to a hotel. Many people will also pack their campervans with essentials so they don’t have to remove things from their houses and risk forgetting things. Like a bedding set for the van and some nice, light plates and cutlery to leave in the storage there. Our Nissan Elgrand is great for comfort and storage, so you’ll never be without those essentials.

 

Easy, relaxed and realistic, exactly how your first campervan weekend should go.

 

What First-Time Campervan Owners Usually Forget

 

We all forget things when we go away, however organised you might be, there’s always things to grab last minute that just don’t always jump to mind. Chargers are a common one, although luckily lots of places sell cables that can charge right from your campervan. 

 

Warm clothes for the evenings are another thing people often forget if they aren’t used to overnight travel, it does get colder in the evenings especially getting towards the winter months and these may be harder to source if you’re away from any major shops.

 

Bin bags can slip your mind easily, it’s probably better to buy a roll of these to leave in the campervan so you won’t be without them. Bin bags are handy not just for rubbish, but perhaps bagging up dirty or wet clothes until you get home too.

 

It’s amazing how often such basic needs such as water can be forgotten, we’re so used to having easy access to it! It’s definitely not the end of the world to forget water, every petrol station and corner shop will sell bottles, but it may be cheaper to plan ahead and buy some ready. It’s so easy to stop in our compact Mazda Bongo, making those little forgotten items even less of a bother when you can stop at any shop and stock up.

 

Besides possessions, first-time campers may forget how quickly the weather can change. If you leave your home on a beautiful, sunny morning and travel to another county, it could well be raining later on when you arrive. So it’s always good to pack something waterproof, or even leave it in storage in the campervan, so it’s always on hand when you need it.

 

There’s plenty to do in all weathers in a campervan too, here’s a blog post we wrote about it.

 

Planning Your First Campervan Weekend

 

As fun as it may be to plan a massive road trip around all the lochs in Scotland or tour the entire coastline of Wales, for your first weekend away you’ll probably want to keep it closer and calmer. We at Free Spirit Campervans have heard about many trips our customers have taken, so here’s a few tips for the first one:

 

• Don’t drive too far: Find somewhere pretty just outside your local area and explore! You’d be amazed at the hidden gems all around us.
• Pick one or two stops: You don’t have to stop in every single car park or visit every attraction, just plan a couple of places that you want to see this time, and make a note of anything you see for next time.
• Book a Campsite: If you’re worried about finding somewhere to stay overnight, take the pressure off, visit those spots and then stay in a campsite the first time.

 

If you are determined to stay somewhere for free the first night, our guide to overnight camping rules in the UK will be a big help there.

 

Compact campervans make spontaneous stopping so much easier, because they fit into a regular parking space. There’s always room for flexibility in a plan in a compact campervan, which will make every weekend fun, and adventurous.

 

What Is It Actually Like Sleeping in a Campervan?

Many people who haven’t slept in a campervan before worry about sleeping comfortably or peacefully at night, but modern campervan conversions are designed to stay warm overnight, and are surprisingly relaxing and practical environments.

 

Our bespoke-built beds get every inch of room out of the campervan they can, and those precious inches can make all the difference when you share a bed and aren’t used to it. Our Mercedes Viano is a great mix of comfort and space for the bed and all the storage you need too.

 

Compact campervans are cosy, and when you relax in your warm bedding, listening to the rain on the roof in a nice, quiet spot, you’ll sleep better than you could have imagined.

 

What to Expect on Your First Campervan Trip

 

You’ll probably experience how freeing it feels very quickly into your trip, with the ability to stop where and whenever you want and how much easier a compact campervan is to drive than a large motorhome on the roads, as well as navigating the average car park.

 

Things may take slightly longer as you travel, but the small moments of sight seeing, admiring the landscape and planning as you go become the most memorable bits of the adventure.

 

Weather changes, and this can change plans, but it doesn’t stop them. If you were heading for a day trip to the beach in a car and it started to rain, you may well turn around. In a campervan, a rainy beach day means it’s quieter, and you have the place to wait it out or simply enjoy your day and have the comfort waiting for you to change clothes, have a coffee, stay the night or drive on.

 

Campervan travel feels less rushed than traditional holidays, giving you the chance to enjoy every little moment along the way.

Why Compact Campervans Make First Trips Easier

 

Our compact campervan conversions are ideal for taking a first trip, and every trip after that once you experience the ease over motorhomes, or hotels.

It’s much less intimidating to drive for a start, and much easier to park, meaning you can stop for your food on the way without having to preplan and pack all your meals for the entire trip. Being able to fit into a parking spot means the world when you have the freedom during the holiday to do what you want, including those important shopping trips or general daytripping while you’re staying somewhere else.

 

A compact campervan helps first-time travellers feel confident and comfortable much faster, and if you want to explore areas with narrow roads and small lay-bys, they’re the perfect adventure companion. 

Ready to Start your First Campervan Adventure?

 

Enjoy the scenic routes around you in comfort on your first weekend away, with flexibility and compact practicality with a compact campervan. Talk to us to learn more about the three campervans we offer, and how each could be a great fit for your adventures.

 

Call us

Tel: (01243) 649087

Email us

info@fscltd.co.uk

Opening Times

Monday – Friday: 09:00 – 17:00

Saturday: 10:00 – 16:00 

Sunday: CLOSED

If you enjoyed this blog, you might enjoy this one too: Spontaneous Campervan Travel: How to Turn Any Free Weekend Into an Adventure

 

1. What are the essential things to pack for a campervan trip?

For a first campervan trip, it is best to keep things simple. Essentials include warm clothing, waterproofs, bedding, toiletries, food and drink, phone chargers, water, a torch and a few practical extras such as bin bags and folding chairs.

2. Do you need lots of equipment for your first campervan weekend away?

No, most first-time campervan owners are surprised by how little equipment they actually need. Many camper van essentials are the same things you would pack for a hotel stay or short break away.

3. What do first-time campervan owners usually forget to pack?

Commonly forgotten items include phone chargers, warm evening clothes, bin bags, waterproof clothing and bottled water. Many owners choose to permanently keep some essentials stored inside their campervan to make travelling easier.

4. Is sleeping in a campervan comfortable?

Modern campervan conversions are designed to feel warm, cosy and comfortable overnight. With proper bedding and a practical layout, many people find campervan sleeping arrangements far more relaxing than they expected.

5. How far should you travel on your first campervan trip?

It is usually best to keep your first campervan weekend fairly local and relaxed. Choosing one or two nearby destinations allows you to enjoy the experience without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

6. Should you book a campsite for your first campervan weekend?

If you are nervous about overnight parking or finding somewhere to stay, booking a campsite can help remove pressure from your first trip while still allowing you to enjoy the freedom of campervan travel.

7. Why are compact campervans easier for first-time travellers?

Compact campervans are easier to drive, park and manoeuvre than larger motorhomes. They also fit standard parking spaces more comfortably, making spontaneous stops and day trips much simpler.

8. What should you expect on your first campervan trip?

First campervan trips often feel more relaxed and flexible than traditional holidays. Weather and plans may change as you travel, but having your own comfortable space makes it easier to adapt and enjoy the journey.

9. Is campervan travel difficult for beginners?

Campervan travel is often much easier than first-time travellers expect. Once you settle into the slower pace and flexible style of travelling, it quickly starts to feel natural and enjoyable.

10. Why do people enjoy travelling in campervans so much?

Many people enjoy campervan travel because it feels flexible, comfortable and less rushed than traditional holidays. The ability to stop, explore and travel at your own pace often becomes one of the most memorable parts of the experience.