Owning a new camper trailer really can be a paradox. Often it’s just another of those added responsibilities we seem to take on, with our already over stressed lifestyles in a bid to get some free time to relax and enjoy a more simplified existence!
That’s why I suggest buying USED rather than NEW when it comes to camper trailers, campervans, caravans and motorhomes. Like most things new, you loose a large portion of the resale value the moment you take ownership. At least with a Used Camper you have less to loose and more to gain!
Don’t dispair, there will always be an ongoing supply of good quality used campers for sale, like those who purchase new then decide to sell in 12 months or find they rarely use their camper trailer, caravan or campervan, and decide to sell it when it’s couple of years older. In both cases the Camper would likely be in great condition. I know of many cases where people have purchased under these conditions.
So what has this all got to do with achieving happy camper status? Well, we are likely to feel more relaxed about our camper if it’s NOT brand spanking new. With a used camper, we tend not to worry about a bit of dirt or a few scratches or dust on the roof etc. No doubt, the first step towards stress free ownership is getting a good insurance policy. (the Camper Purchase Checklist includes an insurance reference sheet to help you get the most affective insurance policy available for your camper).
Once you have insurance, the other things you can do to avoid the stress paradox, be a Happy Camper and thoroughly enjoy the experience, are these:
- Prepare in advance a “General plan” of your trip with forward bookings if necessary.
- Using google maps you can determine the distance and stops needed to get where you are going. Look at the weather in advance and research road and camping conditions also. It helps to know how if the roads are sealed or dirt as this may require extra tyres, repair gear and modifications to the camper to handle the rough terrain.
- Have an organised approach to packing and unpacking the camper and practice the things you have difficulty with.
- It’s almost essential to use a checklist for the things you need to take on a camping trip. It helps to make a few short trips close to home so you can iron out the bugs and equip the camper with the things you take regularly. If you cant store these items in the camper, then write them down and keep the checklist handy inside the camper, on the computer or in your diary. When it comes to leave for your trip, it will take less time and stress getting ready. Same goes for packing up to come home; start pulling down the camp site early so you dont have to rush and following the most simple procedure that everyone can follow and pitch in to help. Remember SAFETY also.
- Carry only the most essential equipment to ensure you and others are properly accommodated for the duration of the trip.
- Once you have been on your own camping trip you will find there are certain items that are virtually essential so things go SMOOTHLY at the campsite. Be careful you don’t take too many NON ESSENTIAL items, (like kids toys, videos etc). You will however need things like an outside table, chairs, beer coolers, esky, 15amp power lead, spare rope, plastic laudry/wash dish, camera, camera charging items, mobile phone charger etc, just to name a few. Think about what you will do if it rains, snows, gets windy or is very hot. Consider in advance the types of meals you will have each part of the day, including snacks for the kids. You need to add these items to your own list.
- Carry the necessary communications and safety equipment for travelling, and surviving the proposed conditions of your destination.
- Every camper should include a first aid kit with Itch Eeze, Band Aids, Aeroguard, disinfectant (powder & liquid) bandages, sunscreen etc. Yes, I recommend keeping Aeroguard and sunscreen in the first aid box, then you always know where it is. It’s also cheaper to make up your own first aid box and keep it in the camper. Consider the conditions of your holiday destination, this will help you determine the sorts of things you need to survive or at least live comfortably. Always check and ensure your communications equipment works and you have sufficient batteries for lighting etc. If taking a mobile phone, remember to take the charger for both car and 240volt power outlets.
- Take sufficient money, fuel, gas, credit cards, water and power/electricity.
- Once you have a general plan for your trip, it should be easy to determine how much money (cash), gas, fuel etc you will need for the journey. It will also be necessary to determine where you can get supplies of these items if you intend travelling to areas unknown or remote locations. Naturally you need to have a safe place to store these types of supplies as they can become more valuable than gold in areas where there are limited supplies or desparate travellers. Take locks and chain your jerry cans and gas bottles to the camper and always secure water from contamination, especially at night.
- Are you off-duty or on-duty? Avoid taking your work on holidays.
- For the benefit of those you are travelling with be it kids, friends or other family members, it pays to leave your work at work when on holidays, if possible. It may take you 2-3 days to unwind, so to assist you might like to consider taking plenty of beer/wine to take the edge off. It could also be time to change the routine, for example; no coffee, healthy foods, eat less, more salads, no junk foods, no coca cola etc. I’m SERIOUS!
- Operate a system or rules for living in the camper with responsibilities alocated to each person.
- It helps things go smoothly if everyone is allocated a role when packing up camp or getting organised. It is also especially important that you understand living in a camper trailer, caravan or motorhome, is different than living at home. The smaller space means people need to be more tolerant of each other, take bad habits outside, clean feet when entering, play outside not inside (unless it’s raining) and help with camping chores so that the parents or hosts don’t feel they are being a Servent to the others. From a point of harmony and enjoyment for all, this is critical. (Fella’s should pitch in with the women’s duties too!)
- Be flexible enough to change, alter, upgrade or cancel your plans if necessary.
- There may be circumstances that require you to change your plans. These could be serious or merely a concensus vote. Being easy going is important, so avoid being the “General” and forcing everyone to do things when clearly the situation (like weather, timing or finances) change. You may even decide the trip you planned was too big once half way into it. What’s wrong with turning around and going back to a spot you found better than any other along the way? Your purpose is to have fun and enjoy the experience.
- Be certain to ensure your motor vehicle and household insurances and services are paid up to date or make arrangesments for them to be paid in your absence.
- The last thing you need when away from home is for the power or telephone to be disconnected because you forgot to pay the bills. If you have a house alarm, pets or plants that may need attention, organise for someone to do this while you are away.
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