Pro Tips For Road Tripping In A Camper Van This Summer
After spending a year in lockdown, my friends and I went camping in a 1987 Vanagon through the Olympic Peninsula in Washington in the Summer of 2021. You don’t need to own a van to seek adventure – we rented ours from Peace Vans, a rental company in Seattle that has both rare vintage Vanagons and modern Mercedes Metris. Prior to our trip, they provided itinerary recommendations which helped our research and they have private campsites which is a lifesaver as many campsites sellout months in advance.
Aside from renting, many purchased vans during the pandemic including Los Angeles residents Jeff and Davina, who completely custom-designed and outfitted their camper. Since Fall 2020, they’ve been on more than 50 trips with their van so far to places such as: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and over 13 National Parks. Now part-time van-lifers, they travel with their dog Sady Lady and have been documenting their adventures across the western U.S. on Instagram.
My time on the road, away from bustling cities and technology gave me a new perspective on life filled with new normals and changing scenery. What we’ve learned from our experiences is that it’s not exactly how you see it on Instagram. There are real dangers, significant items you need to always have on-hand and things to know.
Here’s some pro tips you should know before heading out on your next (or first) camper van adventure.
A clean van is a happy van.
With a smaller space to maintain, it should be a breeze to keep it clean. “Besides keeping a collapsible broom and compostable wipes in the van, we make sure the van stays neat and tidy by ditching our shoes at the door and giving Sadie a quick towel-off before heading inside. Our outdoor shower is another great way to rinse off after a day at the beach, and keeping our shoes at the door gives us quick access to get them on and off as needed without tracking in dirt,” Davina tells me.
Leave room in your itinerary for the unexpected.
It’s important to know where you’re spending your nights and keeping on track as many campsites you need to book in advance or have a permit. But along the way, you’ll discover pockets of new places that you had no idea existed, and you’ll be glad you did.
We came across Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park, and we stayed for hours, went swimming in the crystal clear waters and played backgammon on the shore. It wasn’t in the original plan but was one of the best highlights of our trip.
Pack with duffles, not hard luggage.
As a first time Vanagon camper last Summer, I can speak from experience to leave your hard and soft shell suitcases at home. Any type of duffle bag is the move, as they are more fitting into small and hard spaces in the trunk.
Since we had regular luggage, each night as we converted the van to beds it became a real life game of Tetris, moving the bags from the trunk to the main living floor to accommodate transitioning the seat to a sleeping space.
Stay prepared and stay relaxed.
Jeff shares, “Some of the safety essentials we take on trips include: a portable jump starter in case of a dead battery, traction boards for sand, mud and other sticky situations, leveling blocks for all types of terrain, a fire extinguisher, carbon monoxide detector and first aid kit.
When it comes to van life, it's always a good idea to be prepared for anything that may come your way. “Aside from those safety essentials, we also carry a small toolbox, tow rope, and universal items like duct tape, gloves and safety goggles. While a service like AAA is great for tire changes, tows and jump starts, we can attest that having traction tracks and tow ropes are invaluable if you plan on off-roading (and let's face it, most of the best places to see are down a dirt road),” Davina adds.
Crocs were made for the great outdoors.
Crocs have indeed made a comeback, and not only for its high fashion looks. On the road, you always want to keep the inside of your van as clean as possible which means you want to take off your shoes before entering. Crocs are the most functional shoe for running in and out…especially for a late night bathroom break. Complimenting the elements of the terrain, they dry off easily and are waterproof for passing through rivers on a hike to getting caught in the rain.
Davina adds, “While there may be some debate surrounding this choice, we're a no-shoes-at-home family, and that same rule applies to our van. After a long, muddy hike, the last thing we want to do is step inside with our crusty shoes and let our dog Sadie roll around on the clean cushions.”
Plan out what groceries you need to buy.
Venturing through the road less traveled by, you probably will be cooking yourself at campsites vs. eating out at restaurants. At the first stop of your journey, map out what food you need to buy for every meal, including snacks. The last thing you want is to be in the middle of nowhere with nothing to eat.
In a small space, less is more.
Narrow down your packing list to your absolute must-haves. “Make sure the items you take are worth the precious space they take up in the van; it'll make your time all the more enjoyable if everything has a place and you're not spending your trip trying to stay organized,” Jeff says.
Davina recommends making sure that the space feels like home. “That's not to say you can't make the space for some practical decor! When we're on the road, we take a few small house plants (secured with museum putty) along for the ride to help purify the air in our tiny home on wheels, while our throw pillows double as storage for bulky sweaters that don't fit overhead,” she explains.
A playlist for every vibe.
Hours of driving just hits different when you have some of your favorite tunes to put you in the mood. It also helps the time go by. Long after your trip, you’ll hear a song that’ll instantly bring you back to your time on the road. What was unique about driving a 1987 Vanagon is that it doesn’t go above 60 mph, which really forced us to enjoy the ride and take everything in.
Stick with a routine to keep your dog comfortable.
Jeff and Davina don’t go anywhere without their 15-year-old Lhasa apso-poodle mix, Sady Lady. “Van trips are one of our favorite ways to explore new places with our dog. While she's a total champ on long drives, we always make sure to stop for regular walks and feed her on schedule to keep things consistent. She absolutely loves exploring new places and enjoys coming back to the van after a long hike to snuggle in her favorite bed and blanket from home,” Jeff shares.
Davina adds, “To keep her safe, happy and well fed while on the road, we add an AirTag to her harness and keep our info up-to-date on her collar, pack plenty of food and treats, and map out local pet stores, vets and pet-friendly activities in the area we're visiting”.
With these tips in mind, you’re ready for the best Summer road trip yet. Remember to take in all the scenery and be aware of your surroundings. If something doesn’t seem right, don’t ignore it. Take time planning out your itinerary and see as much as you can. Adventuring in a van is a whole new experience and don't forget to enjoy the ride.
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