Now that you have cleaned your tent, motorhome or caravan it’s time to go. The planning and organizing can be both fun and stressful. The list of things to do is endless packing everything, making sure you’ve got all the essentials with you, knowing what to pack and what not, where to store everything, choosing the right pitch.
We have compiled a list with hacks and tips that will help you plan and enjoy your holiday without stress. As with everything, a little planning and organization is essential. Let’s prepare for the holiday season by getting everything ready.
It is important that you do not overload your bag with heavy equipment or items.
All essential items should be stored in boxes, ready to go. You only have to pack your food and clothing each time. The rest of the items can be stored in boxes. Create your own camping essentials kit and include items like a multi-tool and a first aid kit. Also, you can add things such as matches, tweezers, a torch and duck tape.
Create your own checklist
It’s an excellent idea to make your own checklist. We created our own check list. To view a complete checklist, click here. It’s handy to check off items as you pack them. Check before each trip and if something is missing or you have run out, you can pack it up before you depart.
Space saving ideas for caravans
- Sticky Hooks can be bought cheaply and you can buy another one to stick on if it breaks. You can use them to hang many different things, saving you the trouble of digging through drawers and bags. You can also use them to dry wet swimwear or towels.
- When not in use, the cloth laundry bag can be folded and stored.
- Collapsible can come in handy. Everything from storage baskets to cups and washing up bowls that collapse flat is available.
- Herbs and Spices can be stored either in tic tac containers, or tablet boxes.
- Miniature condiment sachets such as salt, sugar, tomato sauce, ketchup, and vinegar can be stored easily and will remain fresh for a long time.
- Towels and linen can be stored in cabinets by rolling them up. This saves space and makes it easier to remove the roll without having to pull out an entire stack.
- Additional storage space is hidden in motorhomes and caravans. Look at the unit carefully and see if there is any space that can be used to fit a small rail or storage box.
- Small rotating clothes hangers can be used to hang socks, underwear and other small items. These clothes hangers create extra space on your clothesline without taking up additional room.
- Hanging Shoe Rack is a great way to store all sorts of items, including cloths, towels, BBQ tools, toiletries, and more. It can also be carried easily.
- Vacuum Bags for clothing storage are very handy. When you’ve packed the bags, vacuum out all of the air. You’ll be surprised at how small the bags will be.
Now that you have your essentials tucked away in your car or caravan, it’s time to get going. You can tidy up and store everything in drawers, cupboards or storage bags. But what about when you get to your destination?
Tips for keeping your caravan or motorhome clean and tidy
These tips should help you to get things done.
- By stepping on a floor mat before entering a caravan/motorhome, tent or other structure you can prevent dirt and dust from entering. Washable mats can be washed in the machine and dried quickly.
- You can use it to wash your hands or rub sand off your feet before you enter. Use it to clean your hands and feet or to remove sand before entering.
- Pack baby wipes and hand sanitizer. You can never have enough of these camping essentials.
- Use a bag for dirty clothes that you can take from the van to your home, van or laundromat. It is not good to mix dirty or wet clothing with clean clothing.
- You can leave a box near the entrance for dirty shoes or wet clothing.
- What a nuisance it is when the cupboard door or shower door keeps banging open! Attach heavy duty magnets on the door and door frame to keep the door in place.
- Always clean out your caravan or motorhome as soon as you get home. It is a terrible feeling to decide to go on a trip at the last minute only to find that the entire contents of the motorhome or caravan are still there.
- Tent people: always ensure that your tent is completely dried before you pack it up. Mildew will cause it to smell and can damage the tent. Remember to dry your clothes at home if you cannot get them dry before leaving. Poles and pegs can rust if not dried.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of storage and cleaning, it’s time for some fun.
Tips and tricks to make your life easier.
- Practice makes perfect: Do a test run in your own garden before you leave. Making mistakes in the garden is less embarrassing than doing so in front of experienced campers.
- Packing your car/caravan/motorhome: make sure the things you will need first when you arrive on site are easily accessible. You’ll find it stressful to have to unload your car, caravan or motorhome onto the grass in order to locate something. This is especially true if you’re trying to setup everything while it’s raining.
- Setup in daylight: Always arrive at your camping site a few hours before darkness falls. You can then find your campsite and set up in plenty of time before the sun sets. It’s not fun to scramble around in the darkness trying to set up and you are more likely to make a mistake.
- Setting your tent: Always zip closed doors up before you set up your tent. When you pitch your tent, the tension will cause the zippers to be damaged if you don’t zip the doors.
- Do not push pegs in using your feet: This is the easiest way to bend them. You might be able to get away with this if the ground is very soft. However, in normal conditions you are more likely bend the pegs, rendering them useless. Use a mallet to break the pegs.
- Wet Shoes: As you go to bed, remove the insoles from your wet footwear and stuff them with newspaper. By the morning, they should be dry.
- Sealable Sandwich Bags: Great for storing small electronics in the rain
- You’re getting hot: Hanging a damp, cold towel over the fan will cool it down before it circulates. This tip is useful for any time, not just when camping.
- Toiletries: Some people recommend buying travel size toiletries because they take less space. These can be expensive and require regular replenishment. Take the ones that you use at your home. Cover the lids with clingfilm to prevent spillages, and store them in a Ziplock bag.
- Take a look before you pitch: Pitches within a particular site can differ greatly. Take a look at the site to ensure it’s suitable for your needs, especially if you are bringing small children. You may also want to stay in a quieter area away from other families, or be near facilities. When booking, always talk to the owner if you have any specific needs.
- Give your children jobs to do: While you’re busy pitching or setting up the tent, kids can be a distraction. They will feel more involved and less underfoot if you give them a job to do. You can delegate simple jobs to your children, such as setting up camp furniture and blowing up an air bed. This will keep them busy and involved.
- Trees: A tree’s shade can be attractive, but it can also cause problems. The grass can suffer from poor growth because of the protection provided by the tree, and the sap can leak out of the trees. Birds will often roost in the branches and leave little gifts on the unit below. Even after a storm, rain will drip from the trees.
- Fuel to cook: Take extra fuel. You may need more fuel than you expect, and not all campsites have a camp store. It is a terrible feeling to run out of fuel while cooking dinner.
- Gas cylinder: Pour warm water along the side to find out how much fuel is left. The water becomes colder where the gas begins
- Cool box: Freeze what you can, but if it’s not possible, make sure that it is at room temperature or colder before placing it in your cooler. The more full your cool box, the better it will work to keep its contents cold.
- Keep things cold longer: Freeze bottles of water rather than filling up your cooler/bag. The bottles can be frozen for a long period of time and will keep your food cool. Once they thaw out, you will have plenty of drinking water.
- Water carrie: A collapsible carrier that can also dispense water is very useful, especially one that can be folded up when not in use.
- How to sleep warmly: This is a challenge, add an extra blanket, or a picnic mat under air mattresses to protect them from the cold. Invest in quality air mattresses and sleeping bags. Bring pillows, extra blankets and duvets for a super-cosy trip.
- Zips: The zips in your tent and sleeping bag can be stiff and hard to open. Rub a candle that is not lit over the zip. Attach a large keyring if your little fingers have trouble grasping the zip.
- Sleep Aids: Earplugs are also useful in the event of nearby snorers or noisy wildlife. Eye masks can also reduce the glare from the morning sun
- Hang them outside the unit to make it easy to find your pitch in the dark.
- I the dreaded insect: Inevitably, there will be flying insects. Many people will be able to escape, but the Irish blood of these insects is very delicious. Keep a citronella lamp burning outside or spray the area with diluted drops of citronella.
- Mealtimes: We have to eat and camping allows us to cook outside. Plan ahead and prepare as much at home as you can. If possible, pre-cook some things to save time on your holiday.
Here are some handy tips for feeding your family during holidays
- Do not rely solely on a BBQ. The weather conditions might not always be conducive to outdoor cooking. You should have a backup method to cook food. For example, a camping stove.
- Spray oil in a small bottle is a great tool for cooking. Avoid the messy mess that can occur when a large bottle of cooking oils spills while traveling.
- What do you prefer to eat for breakfast? Instead of bringing a whole box of eggs, you can crack them and place them in a water bottle before leaving home. A water bottle will hold about 8 cracked eggs.
- Keep your pan clean by sprinkling a little dishwashing liquid on the bottom of the pan before you put it on the grill. You’ll find it much easier to clean ash and grease.
- Pool noodles are not only useful as a swimming aid. You can cut them into smaller sections and place them over guy ropes so that they stand out on the grass. This will prevent people from tripping. Place a pool noodle at the corners of the pop-up canopy or tent to prevent rainwater from collecting around the supports.
- Always keep a repair kit fully stocked. At the very least, it should contain duct tape and cable ties.