Campervan Must-haves/Must-dos for 2 adults and 2 kids

[ipsofatto999]

We've just booked a camper van for a fortnight to tour part of the Atlantic Way in Ireland. We are familiar with the area and will bring the usual wellies/raincoats/jumpers but this is our first time holidaying in a camper van! Half of me thinks we are mad/it's going to be challenging with 4 of us in a van and the other half of me hopes it might be the best holiday ever! Would love any advice from any van life pros about what we should bring (or not!) to make life on the road fun and bearable! Kids are 12 and 9 if that helps with suggestions

[Munchyseeds2]

Hi op
Did you have a good time?

[ipsofatto999]

Thanks so much for these - brilliant tips! Excellent advice re the mattress topper

[PicpoulDeMeNay]

Campervanner here
Having bought everything in Go Outdoors (not quite literally) when kitting out the van (then realising I only needed about 20% of it), the best recommendations I can make are:

• packing cubes for clothes
• microfibre towels that dry super quick (I have Dock and Bay ones, I like them as they don't feel like microfibre!)
• toilet - I have one that is like a bucket with a lid, and put a bin bag inside it and cat litter at the bottom of the bag. Only used at night
• assuming you are taking your own bedding, you will likely need mattress toppers - the beds are usually quite hard as they are designed to be for safe seating when travelling. I have Dunelm Rebound in small double size, put in a single duvet cover. Caveat - I don't know the layout / size of a Grand California, I have a VW Transporter!
• head torch
• outdoor mat
• folding camping chairs
• I have a large wheeled plastic trunk that we keep games, non perishable food, wine (!), shoes, bbq etc. in - lives outside when we are parked up, and doubles as a table for putting drinks on, cooking on etc.
• outdoor cooking stuff - saves smelling out the van and more fun cooking outside - I have a Camping Gaz party grill 400 bbq, folds down small, and a Camping Gaz single burner (currently £10 in Go Outdoors!)
• if the van doesn't have a wind out awning, consider a quick put up shelter that can go right outside the side door
• folding table to eat at outside

For camp sites - try Search for Sites app; it's what I use the most.

I'm sure there's loads more, but I'm actually about to head off in mine for the night, so must disappear!

[ipsofatto999]

Excellent shout on the app - many thanks!

[Funf]

Tray to put muddy footwear and wet coats on, hot water bottle.
Have a look at the staying for free apps, may pubs etc let you use the carpark overnight for free, big savings.
Plan easy meals, think no microwave and limited cooking stuff , Hot dogs are good, eat out occasionally

[ipsofatto999]

@FadedRed

You might find some tips on this recent thread:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/camping/4491472-Bought-a-campervan-Best-purchases-and-things-you-cant-live-without://www.mumsnet.com/talk/camping/4491472-Bought-a-campervan-Best-purchases-and-things-you-cant-live-without

A mat's a great tip! As is the light towels - nothing worse than soggy towels draped everywhere for days. The link above just goes to a "we seem to have lost this page" holding page unfortunately...

[FadedRed]

You might find some tips on this recent thread:
www.mumsnet.com/talk/camping/4491472-Bought-a-campervan-Best-purchases-and-things-you-cant-live-without://www.mumsnet.com/talk/camping/4491472-Bought-a-campervan-Best-purchases-and-things-you-cant-live-without

[Bunce1]

A mat for outside the camper to step onto before getting into the van for wet shoes. Shoes can be stored under the van when parked up.

fold away table and benches to eat outside on, the van gets cramped quickly so it’s nice to have the option.

fairy lights

head torches

porta potty, or bucket with a lid for night wees

blankets

think about how you will cook/eat? One pot melas are easiest. Preparation is key!

[hesbeen2021]

Take light weight hand towels rather than huge things that never quite dry.

[ipsofatto999]

Thanks for these excellent suggestions - clothes line is definitely going to be needed! We've hired a VW Grand California - we've talked about getting a camper van for ages so thought this would be a good way to test the water and see if it's really something we'd enjoy. We've never been camping but the kids have (with school/scouts etc) and they've loved it so I'm hoping it'll be a great adventure and not a huge disappointment!

[nearlyspringyay]

I'm jealous! What do you mean by camper - like a VW tourer / converted vans or a bigger motorhome type thing?

[Fivemoreminutes1]

Camping chairs
Card games like UNO and Monopoly Deal and small games like Pass the Pigs, OK Play, Bananagrams and Dobble.
Earplugs and headphones because no doubt you’re going to want to go to sleep and wake up at slightly different times.
Stuff for washing clothes (and a clothes line), which undoubtedly you’ll need to do as you’re going for a fortnight.

A couple of disposable BBQs