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Why you should rent a campervan – plus 10 essential tips for first timers

A camapervan in Scotland - Getty
A camapervan in Scotland - Getty

If you're wondering about what kind of holiday to book, you might want to consider a campervan. These portable homes have seen a spike in bookings as domestic travel becomes more popular due to coronavirus restrictions, and many are already capitalising on the isolation and flexibility these vehicles offer.

Campervan hire company, Indie Campers, reported a 300 per cent increase in domestic UK bookings during the pandemic, and have opened a third hub in Manchester to deal with demand. The company also launched a ‘campervan marketplace’ – described as the ‘Airbnb of campervans’, where private van owners can rent out their vehicles on the new platform.

“Last summer we saw a huge boom in campervanning across Europe, especially in the UK, driven by domestic demand,” explained Indie Camper spokesperson, Pernille Hembre, “and we wanted to supplement our usual experience with more budget options from private owners, and broaden the features we have available.”

Bookings skyrocketed for the campervan company from 2020 to 2021: “Our last report showed a 300 per cent increase in domestic UK bookings. Almost all of our UK customers used to go abroad for their holidays pre-pandemic, but we’ve seen a huge spike in people who want to travel in the UK,” continued Hembre. The company is opening a third UK hub in response to the swell. “We’ve seen a big interest in the Lake District and Peak District – the midlands in general – so much so that we need a dedicated hub in Manchester.”

Indie Campers predict this interest in domestic camping is here to stay, “even if borders reopen” as holidaymakers seek out a different kind of holiday post-pandemic. “There’s now a lot of interest in authentic and unique holidays, rather than mass international tourism.

“There’s also an increasing demand to travel with people that you care about, and reconnect with them in a space where you can disconnect from your phone and the outside world. We’ve been unable to meet up for such a long time, so it’s now more about who you travel with and getting unique experiences with those people, which campervans can offer.”

Peak District - Getty
Peak District - Getty

Campervans also offer flexibility, another key factor travellers are looking for in these uncertain times. “You can choose your own space,” explained Indie Camper’s Melita Dsouza. “You can have your own kitchen and integrated bathroom if you want, so as to keep separate from others, and you can rent large vans that accommodate families, which we saw a lot more bookings from in 2020.”

“You’re also flexible in where you’re going,” added Hembre. “If a local outbreak happens, or local rules are put in place at the last minute, in a campervans you can avoid areas, or even replan your trip last minute.”

“We’ve also seen a change in those who are now booking campervan holidays,” she continued. “Previously we had a lot of young people travelling with their friends or in couples, but for the first time, families are our primary consumer group. It’s a very big shift and shows that more groups are looking to travel in a campervan for the first time.”

The sheer number of people who are deciding to try camping for the first time during the pandemic is evident from Indie Camper’s stats: two out of three of their customers are now first-timers who have never travelled in a campervan before.

Are you looking to try a campervan holiday for the first time? Here are ten things you need to know before you go:

1. Get to know your campervan before you set off

You always need to get to grips with all the functions of your van before you set off, advises Hembre. “There are a lot of appliances on the van that are very different from what you’d find in a car. You have a gas tank, a water tank, the kitchen supplies – you need to understand how all these things work, because it’s very annoying if you park up at a campsite and are ready to make food, and then realise you don’t know how to turn on the gas for the cooker.”

“Check the volumes of the gas and water you have before you go too, and know how to turn on the hot water and how long it will last. I remember on one of my first trips, we had pasta but couldn’t figure out how to work the cooker and had nothing else to eat.”

2. Do a pre-trip test drive

“Some of the vans that we have are significantly bigger than normal cars,” Hembre added, “so you do need to be aware of the vehicle's dimensions and make sure you don’t go into very small roads. The best thing is to drive around a bit in the nearby area or a car park to get to grips with your new mode of transport, before you set off.”

3. Have a packing list

For Dsouza, a packing list that keeps in mind the space of your campervan is vital. “There’s only so much you can bring with you.”

“The main thing, at least in the UK and most of Northern Europe, is to have lots of clothes for different weather. You need layers, good walking shoes, and always bring a raincoat. Even if you’re in a van, the point of camping is that you’ll spend a lot of time outdoors, so it’s important to have clothes for all kinds of weather, especially if you have children with you.”

You also need to consider your food supplies. “Go food shopping beforehand, and think about ingredients that you can use in a lot of different recipes, like chopped tomatoes, so you don’t have to fill up your kitchen storage with loads of different things.”

4. If you bring a pet with you, plan extra stops and make sure they’re well-trained

“If you bring a pet you need to have their vaccinations done and their passport, if you’re moving across borders,” explained Dsouza. “We’ve had a couple of dogs on board our vans before, and it’s best to train them beforehand, and get them accustomed to the space before you set off.” Dogs in particular need to understand when to sit, when to stay, and should have a proper commander with them.

Families should also consider the wisdom of bringing a dog: “If you have four children then a dog as well... it’s a lot of living beings in one small space.” If you do decide to bring old Fido with you, “stop as much as possible so they can walk.” You should plan a couple more stopovers than you usually would, so your dog can get out of the van to stretch its legs.

“If you have a bigger sized dog, you should take a bigger van like our Atlas model,” added Hembre. “That allows you to have a specific space for your dog in the living area. A smaller van might not allow for that, which might make the dog uncomfortable.”

4. A Volkswagen VW California is beautiful but not necessarily the best choice

Tempted by the classic 60’s campervan? Hembre owns a Volkswagen VW, and “it’s definitely not as comfy as it seems.” Despite being undoubtedly charming, “the drawback is that they’re usually very old, and even if they’re renovated there are still risks travelling in such an old van. It lacks all the features you might expect from a newer campervan, and it’s can be harder to drive – it’s very manual in the way it works.On the positive side, it’s a smaller car, so you can maneuver much more easily.”

“The space is also much smaller, and the beds are usually convertible, so if you have dinner you have to pack everything away before you can sleep. But it’s great for the ‘gram.”

5. If you’re travelling in a group, decide how much personal space you need

Travelling with friends all in one campervan can seem like fun, but should be thought about carefully to avoid any friendship fallouts. “Have a conversation before your road trip about your different needs, expectations and standards,” advised Dsouza. “You can get a single van with a lot of space, if you want more privacy,” but if personal space is a big issue, or there are a few of you in the group just “take two campervans”.

The interior of a roomy Atlas campervan
The interior of a roomy Atlas campervan

A two-bed campervan can “feel like separate bedrooms” however, depending on the model. “You don’t necessarily have the bunk bed layout where you’re sleeping on top of each other. Our Atlas model, for instance, has the beds at opposite ends of the van and the living area in the middle.”

You can also bring a tent with you, if you’re worried about sharing one van. “If I was in a group of four sharing a campervan, I’d just bring my own tent to sleep in – you can get an airbed mattress and camp out for the night.”

6. Pick up after yourself

A campervan is not a hotel, and you’ll need to pick up after yourself. “With campers one of the major concerns is the litter that people leave behind, which is not cool,” said Dsouza. “Bring as many bin bags as you can and pick up after yourself, even at campsites.”

“Whenever you reach somewhere where you want to spend the night make sure it looks better when you leave than when you arrived. That includes rubbish, but also try not to make any impact on the nature that is there. For instance, if you’re trying to put your dining table in the middle of a forest, and you see that it impacts the area around it.”

7. Bring analogue fun

Part of the fun of a campervan is switching off from technology – you won’t necessarily have a TV on the van, and should try “not to spend all your time on your phone,” said Hembre. “Try to bring a deck of cards, or some analogue games. When you do that, the experience becomes completely different.”

Along with board games, cards and books, you can get creative with the tech you do use: “Star gazing apps are super cool to download before you get on your road trip,” said Dsouza. “After downloading, you don’t have to use the internet for them.”

8. Strike the right balance with planning

Both Dsouza and Hembre advise against over-planning a campervan holiday, but say some level of organisation is still essential. So what’s the right amount of planning to have? “I would at least have the campsites I’m going to set out,” answered Dsouza. “That’s fundamental for me, knowing where I’ll be stationed. For everything else I’ll just go with the flow, and not overplan restaurants or food.”

“I would say the same,” agreed Hembre. “Or plan a rough route, which destinations you want to go to, but along the way be flexible. If you drive by a beautiful beach, don’t be afraid to stop and check it out, as that’s usually where you get the most unique moments. Have a roadmap but be OK drifting away from it a bit.”

9. Wild camp carefully

Some places forbid wild camping (staying overnight outside a campsite), but it is generally OK in the UK: “it’s important to know the local rules and restrictions though,” emphasised Dsouza. “Is it allowed? Is it owned land? In Scotland it’s allowed to wild camp, but in England and Wales there are different rules, so make sure you are on top of the local legislation and follow the signage there if you’re in doubt – or ask someone local for help.”

“The general rule is that you should never wild camp in a place more than one night at a time, just so you don’t make too much impact on the environment, or annoy the local people,” added Hembre. “You also have a set supply of gas, heating and water, so you cannot really stay more than two days anyway without going to a campsite. I’ve had instances where I’ve parked in one place and discovered at my next stop that I don’t have water or gas. If that happens you have to go somewhere to get things filled and it breaks your whole plan.”

10. If you’re not a natural camper, rules will help

Many new campers trying it out this year might be wary of the experience. If you are, it’s best to stick to campsites on your first trip, advises Dsouza. “For me, taking a shower everyday is super important, so being in a campsite as opposed to wild camping is so much better. I’d like to think of myself as an adventurous person, but I’m not so adventurous that I like being in the middle of nowhere with no light.”

Ocean Pitch campsite - Cool Camping
Ocean Pitch campsite - Cool Camping

“You’ll feel more secure in a campsite,” agreed Hembre. “They have facilities and people working there who you can ask questions.”

House rules are also important. “If you’re not organised in the van it becomes really messy, but setting rules really helps,” she continued. “For instance, while driving or sitting up front, people might have their shoes on, like you usually would in a car. But you should set a rule where you’re not allowed to have your shoes on if you’re walking through the living space; if you do, it’ll get super dirty.” You should also organise the van: “decide where shoes and jackets go, have an allocated storage space for each traveller, and put important items in an accessible place so you don’t have to be searching for them all the time.”

“I always have an essentials kit with my keys, wallet, passport, and all of that in one spot,” added Dsouza. “I’ve been in situations where I’ve had to turn things upside down looking for them.”