Storage solutions and packing tips
A campervan is a home in miniature, so avoid packing everything bar the kitchen sink when you go away. The trick to successful packing is to take only what you need and to keep essential items in your campervan at all times. This means there’s less to pack (and less things to forget!) when you want to head off on a spur-of-themoment weekend break.
In fact, with the exception of perishable food, it’s possible to keep almost all your camping clobber in the campervan permanently. Pack wisely and it’s amazing just how much can be fitted in a small VW T6-size campervan.
Starting with the kitchen, allocate a cupboard/drawer for the kettle, pots, plates, etc. Then, allocate another space for long-life food, such as tins and packets. For smaller items such as teabags and things that can easily get lost, like the bottle opener, use plastic containers with lids, such as Tupperware. Avoid metal storage tins, as everything will rattle and jangle when you’re on the move. Note that rock ‘n’ beds in campervans often block access to cupboards so, before setting the bed up, remember to take anything out that you might need during the night or first thing in the morning, like your coffee pot!
Campervans often have some easy-access storage at eye level, so use this space for things you need frequent access to, like torches, loo roll and phone chargers. Store such items in plastic see-through containers, and you’ll probably be able to pack more in, too.
Campervans often have a cupboard fitted with a hanging rail or shelves, which is intended for use as a wardrobe. If you don’t have much camping clobber, this may work for you. However, it can often be more practical to store your clothes in a holdall and use the wardrobe for other essential camping accessories, such as towels, a washbag, a medical kit, books and maps, games, etc. To maximise use of this space, buy a selection of plastic see-though stackable boxes. This means you can organise your things logically, and can easily grab whichever box you need.
When parked up, another handy storage accessory is a fabric hanger with pockets that can be tied to a headrest so that it hangs behind a cab seat. These aren’t of much use if both your cab seats swivel, though.
The bulk of the storage space in smaller campervans is in the boot area. If you have a travel bench, use the space behind this for bedding and holdalls. The space below needs to accommodate camping furniture such as a table and chairs, as well as levelling blocks, a barbecue, and any other essential items. Before buying accessories like this, it’s a good idea to measure the space available to ensure they will fit in. If you’re also using the boot space to keep things like an electric hook-up lead and pairs of shoes, open crates that are easy to lift in and out are very practical. Similarly, if you use your campervan as a daily driver and you therefore need to empty it of its contents at the end of camping trips, see-through lidded boxes and sturdy crates are ideal for storing in a garage.
Finally, before departing a campsite, take a walk around your campervan to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything and always ensure that everything is safely stowed away and cupboards are properly closed before driving off. Flying objects can cause serious injury.
For more of our top tips on campervan essential accessories, don’t miss next month’s issue of Campervan magazine, where we’ll be looking at more items you shouldn't leave home without, like portable lighting, washroom essentials and medical kits…