Every road trip requires packing all your favorite things to take with you. Unfortunately, not everything can fit into the car. If you’re a camper and love spending time in your Van, then it’s important to have essential tools on hand so that you can enjoy your time away from home without having to worry about anything else.
Waterproof Mat and Bedding
If you’re camping in a tent, then you’ll need a waterproof mat underneath tools to avoid getting the bottom of the tent wet. There are several brands with different levels of water resistance, so try a few out before you choose. The same goes for the sleeping bag; make sure it can hold up to heavy rain and won’t get ruined by spilled water.
Also, make sure to bring a roll of bedding material to keep your mattress clean. This can be very helpful when you’re camping with a group of people. If you’re camping with a large family, having a mattress cover and a roll of bedding is a great way to keep everything organized and neat.
First-Aid Kit
It might sound a little extreme to put a first-aid kit in your van, but it’s something that you can’t possibly know you’ll need until you do. There are things you can do to prevent common camping injuries, but most of them can’t be prevented.
Sleeping in the wrong position, getting splinters, or falling from a tree limb can lead to a serious injury that could end your trip early. Many first-aid kits come with a few bandaids, some ibuprofen, and some sunscreen but you may want to add a few extra items. You can find a first-aid kit that’s small enough to fit in your glove box.
Fuel Canister and Camp Stove
If you’re camping near a body of water or in a state or national park where it’s banned to have a camp stove, then you should definitely bring a fuel canister. This may be a little bit extreme, but if you’re in this situation then you should definitely prepare yourself.
This may sound a little crazy, but if you’re in an area where there is no gas station nearby, then you should consider bringing a propane stove. Propane stoves are lightweight and compact when compared with traditional camp stove models.
They are also very efficient and don’t produce much noise. If you’re camping in an area where you don’t know if there is gas available, then this is an essential tool to have.
Portable Chargers and Lights
It’s essential to have portable power sources for all your devices if you’re going on a long trip. You’ll want to make sure that you have enough power to last through the entire trip. You never know when you will break one of your car chargers’ tools. You’ll also want to bring some extra lights if you’re going to be camping in the woods all night or if you’re going to be camping in a place where it’s dark.
Collapsible Hammock or Swing Set
If you love hammocking and going on overnight backcountry trips, then you’ll want to bring along a hammock or a swing set. You can find hammock kits that are small enough to fit in your car and don’t take up as much space as other hammock setups.
You can also find hammocks that can be folded up and fit into your glove box. If you don’t have room for a hammock, then you can always bring along a collapsible hammock, which is more space efficient than the traditional setup.
Tow Bar and Safety Net
If there are hills or steep trails that you want to drive on, In case of Emergency then you’ll want to bring along a tow bar. This makes driving on any uneven terrain much easier, especially if you have a larger vehicle or a camper. If you’re going to be camping in an area that has a higher risk of falling trees or branches, then you should bring a safety net. This can protect you from getting injured by falling branches while you’re camping.
Lock and Loaders/Loader Gloves
When you’re camping, it’s essential to lock all your valuables in your van. You never know who or what is out there. If it’s in a public area, then people are going to be walking around with their backpacks or belongings. You should always lock everything up so that nothing is stolen. If you’re going to be camping in an area where you can’t lock your fence, then you should bring along a lock. If you’re going to be camping in an area with a higher risk of theft, then you should pack a gun.
Trash Bag and Kitchen Utensils Set-up
If you’re going to be camping with a group, then it’s important to take along trash bags. Take some extra bags so that you can put them in the trunk of your car if you have to leave your van in a parking lot overnight. There are some camp kitchens that have trays that can be folded up and stored inside your van. If you have one of these, then you don’t have to bring in outside cooking gear.
Final Words
Your van might be a great way to travel, but it’s a dangerous place to be in if you don’t have the right tools on hand. Make sure to bring along the items listed above so that you can have a safe and fun trip while on the road.
