As a caravan camping enthusiast, I am proud to say that today marks the 26th anniversary of my first caravanning trip, one that I can still remember it like it was yesterday.
I was in my mid-20s and had been lent a beautiful Coast to Coast RV from my aunt and uncle. I loved everything about the machine, including its shiny exterior paint and large, powerful tires, and was extremely excited to get it out on the road.
My friends from college and I had planned the ultimate summer trip, hoping to explore everything the Australian landscape had to offer. As young adults, however, although we had exhaustively prepared and stocked our menu of alcoholic beverages for the extent of the trip, we had done very little else to actually prepare ourselves.
It ended up being an interesting week, to say the least.
In honor of the 26th anniversary of this trip- my very first caravanning adventure- I’d like to share the top three pieces of camping advice that I have picked up along the way.
Simply continue reading for a few easy things that you can do to make sure your first caravanning adventure is an absolute success.
1. Plan Your Route
Although caravan camping is rife with nomadic associations, it’s never a wise idea to set out on a caravanning trip without at least a vague route in mind.
During my first trip, my friends and I thought it would be a blast to go wherever our little hearts desired. Unfortunately, this ultimately led to us getting lost, wasting gas, and getting cranky with each other before finally deciding to settle in and find our way in the morning.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that you can’t partake in a little bit of fun and exploration; however, not planning your route can lead to needlessly burning gas, traveling in illogical location patterns, and ultimately wasting your precious, vacationing time.
2. Test Your Equipment
Testing equipment before leaving on a trip is always important.
I had borrowed a generator from my aunt and uncle for the camping trip with my friends. However, when we got there, the damn thing just would not turn on no matter how hard we tried. We later learned that the battery had failed prior to us leaving but had gone unnoticed by my relatives. Had we tested our equipment prior to setting out, we could have avoided the unfortunate situation entirely.
Don’t forget that even new products may still exhibit manufacturer defects. For this reason, it is important to test all of your equipment, whether new or second-hand.
3. Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment
People will eventually get bored during caravan camping trips.
It’s a fact of life. Once our supply of alcohol ran out, my friends and I quickly learned that we did not pack much to entertain ourselves with. Because we also hadn’t properly researched our locations, we had no idea what kind of activities the local community even had to offer until we managed to befriend a kind local.
Whether its games and books or fun attractions and activities, be sure to have enough entertainment planned for the duration of your stay.
DISCLAIMER* Please note, this advice is general in nature and we strongly recommend consulting the product manual and where relevant, a professional installer.
