When you plan a long trip you really get left with no choice but to merely bring the necessities along with you, while in a van very little space is available when you live there, which makes it extremely difficult to pack everything you believe you will need on your trip.
So to avoid filling up the unnecessary space in your space keep in mind to carry only your essentials and If it’s not a “in case of emergency” item avoid taking it along with you.
Don’t pack anything you won’t use every week or also if it’s a long stay on roads don’t pack something you may require only for sometime there, Leave everything behind that you didn’t use at least several times on the first road trip if you’re going on a second one.
Packing for a weekend camping vacation or even a quick road trip is very different from packing for van life.
So here’s also some pointers where you start collecting the things you would need with you:
We must pack for a long-term lifestyle since van life usually happens for a longer time than a regular road trip.
Whenever possible, try to make your campervan accessories multifunctional.
You don’t need as many shoes and clothes as you think. Packing anything you just seldom use is not advisable.
A crucial part of getting ready to live in a van again is deciding what to pack. You’ll probably just have room to pack the necessities.
What kind of clothing to keep?
- Just carry enough clothes for a week or two.
- Bring no more than one or two pairs of jeans and sweatshirts during the summer.
- You can switch from summer to winter clothing as the weather turns chilly and vice versa.
- You can store your spare clothing in a self-storage unit or, if a friend is gracious enough to let you, at their home.
- Avoid bringing clothing that has only one use.
- As you will be reusing your clothes from time to time so keep the clothes that will go with outfits.
- Also Because you’ll be wearing the same clothes frequently, make sure they’re sturdy and comfy.
- Think about owning comfortable garments in winters. wool that won’t retain odour like other textiles, so you may wash your clothes without worrying about it.
Kitchen Essentials.
- One of the most significant components of living in a van is the kitchen. You may not always want to eat out at random restaurants or cafes which may not always be good for your health and if you have planned to stay longer on the roads then eating out everyday is definitely not a good option.
- If you enjoy cooking then you can install a well functioning kitchen for yourself so you won’t have to spend a lot of time travelling in your van without a fully functional kitchen and risking your health for that too.
- Having your own kitchen will let you eat more healthfully, save money when travelling, and meet other overlanders by sharing meals with them at campgrounds thanks to our built-in campervan kitchen.
Water containers.
Water will be a necessity for you on the trip so make sure you keep enough water containers (the minimal size as it will be easier to carry), store enough that it suffices for some time until you can buy it again.
Toiletries.
- Sustainable Soaps and wet wipes
- If you’re travelling in a van, you’ll probably wind up washing outside at some point, whether it’s in a lake or a camp shower. As a bonus, buy some environmentally friendly, biodegradable soap that won’t harm the environment and can also be used for many other purposes like washing dishes and clothes.
- Wet wipes are a necessity to always have on hand. You’ll be happy you have a backup plan if there isn’t access to a public shower and the weather is too chilly for bathing or a typical outdoor shower. You can then prefer using wet wipes to clean yourself in choosing the suitable wet wipes you can pick ones constructed of antibacterial essential oils, or those which are toxins-free, and biodegradable. Additionally, choose the ones which are bigger in sizes allowing you to easily clean your body.
Portable Loo
You must have a toilet of some kind in your camper van. In our van life guide’s chapter on toilets and showers, there are more “luxurious” solutions available. If you’re on a tight budget, the Luggable Loo is a fantastic choice. Be careful to stock up on compostable bags if you decide to use a bucket toilet.
Laundry things
- You will have a need to wash your clothes too so don’t forget to add detergents and cleansing soaps with you, include:
- Laundry detergent
- Clothesline
- Clothes pins.
Electronics
- Keep the necessary electronic items you would need which include:
- Laptop and laptop charger
- Phone cables
- Power banks
- Memory cards
- Camera
- Headphones, also if you like entertainment which half of us do you can also carry a music system with you if your van space allows for it.
Adventure/Outdoor Medical Kit
The last is to keep your safety in mind and It’s crucial to have an emergency medical kit on hand if you intend to spend any time off the grid. The fundamental necessities for practically any emergency are included in this kit.
