Ultimate Checklist and Packing List for a Caravan Holiday

If you’re new to caravan life, you recently bought a caravan or you’re hiring one to test it out, then it’s a good idea to have a checklist of what to do before you leave and what to pack for your holiday.

Take it from the pros out there, the last thing you want to do on a caravanning holiday is go to the shops all the time because you forgot something or get stuck on the road because the battery isn’t working or a tyre is flat.

Checklist for the Caravan Before You Hit the Road

Do yourself a favor and check over the caravan before you get on the road.

Here’s the caravan checklist:

Battery – good condition and charging

Tyres – good condition and pumped to correct pressure

Brakes engage and release

Jockey wheel – raised and secured or stowed away

Water tank – full

Gas bottles – turned off and secure, full

Tow bar wiring and plug/socket – working and clean

Fire alarm – check and replace the battery if needed

Fire extinguisher/fire blanket – do you have one?

Fridge – door securely closes and working

All drawers and cupboards – close properly and stay closed

Windows closed

Toilet – working

All interior gas and electrics are off

Lights – work and have spare bulbs and tubes

What to Pack for a Caravan Holiday

What’s different about a caravan holiday vs a camping holiday is that you bring along items that you wouldn’t have if you just used a tent. That might require a few extra items for the kitchen or the toilet/shower, but you won’t need a camping bed, sleeping bag and other gear like that—so it probably evens out.

So, if this is your first caravan holiday, what should you pack for the caravan itself?

Here is a list put together from research and, of course, our own experiences:

First, start with the kitchen.

Dish washing detergent, plug for sink, scrubs, tea towels, Utensils for cooking (tongs, peeler, chopping board, spatula, etc.), Pots and pans, Plates, cups, spoons, forks, knifes, Coffeemaker, Kettle (if you like tea) and Food!

Bathroom

Soap, Towels (including hand towels), Toiletries, Tissues, Toilet paper

Other

General cleaning spray, paper towels, wipes, Garbage bags, Camp chairs for sitting outside, Any sporting equipment, Umbrella, sun protection products, hats, Chargers for devices, Lights for exterior of caravan, Extension cords, Cards, board games, reading materials, Lantern and batteries (if powered that way)

It’s a good idea to develop a list that suits your group whether it’s you and a partner, you and your family or you and your mates. You’ll probably forget something or realize you don’t need other things on the first trip, but as you go again and again, you’ll start to figure out exactly what works for your crew.

Important Packing Tip: First Aid Kit

The last thing you want to do when you’re enjoying a caravan holiday is track down a doctor or a pharmacy for a simple cut or for insect bites. Instead, pack a first aid kit that can help deal with anything minor that happens while out in nature, so you can get back to enjoying your holiday faster.

By the way, if you don’t want to track down all these items yourself, you could always purchase a fully packed, ready-to-go first aid kit at Di-chem specifically for caravanning and camping. It’s one less thing to deal with preparing!

Essential items

Personal medications, Band-aids (various shapes and sizes), Roll bandages, Sterile gauze, Cotton swabs, Adhesive tape, Insect repellent and rapid itch cream, Calamine lotion, Aloe, Antihistamine cream, Antiseptic wipes, Antiseptic cream, Heat/cold pack, Eye drops, Aspirin / Panado / Neurofen, Tweezers, Scissors, Safety pins, Anti-acids (Rennies/Quick-Eze)

Optional items (dependent on where and what type of camping you are doing)

Bee sting kit, Snake bite kit, Betadine Wound dressings, Waterproof matches, Super glue

The optional items could be essentials if you’re heading to somewhere more remote, but if you’ll be at a holiday park, then you likely won’t need to worry about more drastic measure items in your first aid kit.

However, if you’re the super cautious kind, then go ahead and pack up more stuff—if nothing else, it’ll make you feel better.

Most Important thing is to make sure you enjoy your caravan trip whilst knowing you have everything you need on hand. JUST INCASE!