Camper trailer travelling is unlike any other kind of trip. It’s exhilarating to be out in nature with nothing but your friends and family, your trailer, and your supplies. A camper trailer lets you travel pretty much anywhere the road can take you, without paying exorbitant hotel and restaurant fees. Plus, you get to experience the beauty of nature up close and personal. However, camper trailer camping for beginners can be tricky, which is why this guide will help you navigate the ups and downs of camping to make the most out of your trip. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know to camp like a pro on the first try, because that’s all you need to get hooked on camping for life.
1. Deep Duplicates Packed
The first time you forget something and you’re halfway to your destination, you’ll realize what a brilliant idea it is to keep duplicates of everything you need packed into your trailer. When it comes to camper trailer travelling, you’re never not going to forget something. Whether it’s a strainer, coffee filters, or steak knives, it’s impossible not to forget at least one thing. At least with the essentials already packed, it’s most likely to be something you can easily replace or go without. While it might seem like an unnecessary expense upfront, buying doubles of all your pots, pans, cutlery, coffee pots, etc. makes sense over the long run. You’ll never have to drive into town and buy one at double the regular cost simply for the convenience, or accidentally leave your main pot at the campsite and have to replace it anyway when you’re home. Whether it’s kitchen supplies, bedding, cleaning supplies, or even games, having what you need in your camper trailer makes packing up and unpacking a breeze.
2. Avoid Over Packing
Although you want to make sure you have everything you need when you go camper trailer travelling, it’s crucial to avoid over packing. Not only will you save money on fuel from the weight of your trailer, but you’ll also avoid the frustration of squeezing through an overly full trailer. While it might not be a big deal when you’re sleeping or sitting outside, anytime you have to move around inside the trailer, you’ll resent all the extra items you’ve packed. Give yourself a couple extra days before your trip to fully organize your camper trailer. Make sure every item has a designated spot to keep you and your family organized throughout your trip. Making a list (and checking it twice, as someone in the North Pole might say) ensures you have everything you need and nothing more so that your trip is more about enjoying the great outdoors, and less trying to find that lantern you swore you saw the other day.
3. Plan Meals
Meal prep is a pro camper trailer travelling tip, but you’ll realize that pretty quickly once you see food going to waste. Planning meals ahead of your trip or before each new week of your trip will save you from wasting ingredients, as well as making mealtimes more efficient and enjoyable (this is especially important if you have young kids!). Keeping enough food stored correctly isn’t easy, but it’s much easier when you have only as much as you need and you’re using it by the right dates. You can also make things easier on yourself by using as much non-perishable ingredients as you can, such as canned corn instead of fresh or boxed pastas and sauces. Figuring out ways to use the same ingredients for as many meals as possible will help you avoid throwing anything out and save you from any unexpected trips to the store; for example, a brick of cheese could be used for sandwiches at lunch, grated over pasta, and used as slices over burgers for three different meals.
4. Drive Carefully
Driving carefully is always a good tip, but it’s especially important if you’re a new camper trailer owner. You might not be used to the weight and sway of the trailer, especially in adverse conditions like rain or wind. Give yourself plenty of room on roads and plenty of time to get to your destination, while watching out for low hanging trees, lights, and sharp turns. Always try to pull through when parking your camper trailer, including at campgrounds when there’s plenty of trees and stumps that can be tough to back your way through.
5. Set Up Carefully
Once you’ve picked the perfect camping spot, it’s time to unload! Make sure you park your camper trailer on even ground to keep your trailer flat (and your sanity straight!), or else it can affect the refrigeration, water supply, and more. Try to get to your destination early enough to set up while it’s still light out, because figuring out your stabilizers and unhooking the vehicle can be a nightmare in the dark. Plus, you want to give your family time to unwind, relax and get excited after a long journey. After all, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of settling into a campsite for a long camper trailer camping trip!
