If you’re tired of package holidays and all-inclusive trips to places packed with tourists, such as Turkey and Tenerife, and looking for something more intimate, cultural and slow, then van life is the answer to all of your quarrels. Unlike your stereotypical holiday, van holidays give you flexibility as well as privacy to explore a country, or many countries and all that they have to offer to their fullest. However, many tend to shy away from holidays such as these for fear of the planning stress and the unknown, but this doesn’t have to be the case.
Van holidays can be simple and inexpensive if you know what to take and how to properly plan to have a successful trip. So whether you’re a seasoned van trailer who needs a bit of a refresh or someone who wants to move outside of the stereotypical holiday and experience using their hgv adr training something more personal and flexible, then we’re here to help you to prepare, so you can start your van travelling journey this summer.
Pre-trip vehicles checks
Before leaving and once you have acquired your vehicle, the first step is to make sure that it is physically able to get you to, around and back from your destination safely and without breaking down. As well as ensuring that you have the correct transport training, you should also think about these things:
Tire and fluids: Ensure that you check tyre pressure and ensure that engine oil and coolant levels are topped up to avoid any breakdowns or damage to the vehicle.
Gas and appliances: Test your hob, fridge, and heater to ensure that all appliances are working, no matter if you think you may not use them, as some countries get very cold at night and need heating. In addition to this, make sure that all alarms, particularly carbon monoxide alarms, are installed and fully working, as this is a crucial safety precaution.
Water systems: Sanitise and flush your fresh water tank to ensure that there are no harmful chemicals or bacteria that can cause serious illness. In addition, check for leaks to avoid floods, which can be a catastrophe.
Route planning and pitching
Ensuring that you plan your route thoroughly so you know how many supplies you need and where you can fuel up is essential.
Wild camping vs campsites: Wild camping in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is mostly illegal. This is why you should check the rules for the area in the world that you are visiting before planning to wild camp. Many countries have dedicated areas for wild camping as well as apps that show you where free wild camping spots are.
Book ahead: If travelling to popular campaign sports around the world, it’s smart to book ahead, especially in the summer season. There’s nothing worse than arriving at a camping spot after travelling for hours and not being able to set up camp for the night.