Packing list for campers
Even though a camping holiday is all about minimalism and the simple life, there are a few essentials you shouldn’t leave behind. These include the right clothing, a basic tool kit, a small first aid kit or, of course, the necessary travel documents.
To avoid stressful situations on your holiday, we’ve put together a packing list of all the items that should definitely be part of your luggage.
Clothing
To save on weight and space, you should limit the amount of clothing you pack to the essentials. Remember, in almost all towns and cities, and even at most campsites, you’ll find laundrettes or at least sinks for hand-washing clothes.
The basic kit, which of course should be adapted to the climate, consists of:
- Pants / knickers
- Socks
- Sleeveless tops / vests
- T-shirts
- Sweatshirts / jumpers
- Warm jacket
- Rain jacket or poncho
- Long trousers / jeans
- Multifunctional cloth or light scarf
- Flip-flops (especially for showers)
- Sandals
- Trainers / ballet flats
- Walking / running shoes
For warm destinations
- Bikini / swimming trunks
- Baseball cap or sunhat
- Shorts / dress
- Extra T-shirts / tops
For cool destinations
- Thermal underwear
- Scarf(s)
- Gloves
- Thick socks
- Beanie hat
Personal care
A certain amount of personal care is still important even when travelling in a camper. The standard hygiene kit consists of the following articles:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Dental floss
- Towels
- Soap
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Wash bag
- Razor
- Nail file and nail clippers
- Toilet paper
- Cotton buds
- Sun protection
Documents and finances
It’s particularly important not to forget your personal documents, as well as cash and other means of payment. Be sure to pack:
- National ID card / passport
- Cash
- Credit card / debit card
- Emergency ID
- Booking confirmations for campsite or hire vehicle
- EU pet passport for dogs
- Green Card as proof of insurance abroad
- Health insurance card
- Travel health insurance
- Tickets (ferry, train, plane)
- Entry documents
- Toll stickers / road toll tickets
Cooking and eating
To ensure you can eat well on the road, you should purchase a small camping kitchen kit. Among other things, you’ll need these items for your ‘mobile kitchen’:
- Camping grill or stove
- Pots / pans
- Cutlery
- Crockery
- Spatula, barbecue tongs and wooden spoon
- Sharp knives
- Ziploc bags
- Food storage containers
- Washing-up liquid
- Tea towels
- Washing-up sponge
- Bucket / washing-up bowl
- Lighter / matches
Accessories for caravan or motorhome
Your camper also needs to be well-protected and looked after when on the road. We therefore recommend the following accessories to protect against theft, rain and dirt:
- Theft protection for the caravan, such as a drawbar lock with Safety Ball and support leg locks.
- Drawbar protector cover for longer stationary periods
- Jack
In addition, a high-quality safe is very useful for keeping your personal documents and credit cards secure if you ever leave your camper unattended. In order to prevent boxes, suitcases or wheels from moving about during travel, you should also pay special attention to secure your load: robust tension belts / lashing straps to fasten boxes, e.g. in the boot
- Special tension straps for securing bicycles or motorbikes, such as Spannfix by AL-KO VT
- Lashing rails or fixing kits for transporting two-wheelers in the garage at the rear
- Further useful accessories for self-installation are available in our online shop
Other equipment
To enjoy a stress-free, comfortable and cosy holiday, we recommend being prepared for a few eventualities: unexpectedly chilly weather, minor repairs, an impromptu laundry, a power cut or even an unplanned detour through small mountain villages are all part of camper life—just like wanting to sit outside in the evening, keep in touch with your loved ones at home and capture your favourite memories in photos. That’s why you should also remember the following equipment:
- Maps / sat nav
- Mobile phone
- First aid kit and travel medicines
- Blankets / sleeping bags
- Sleeping mat
- Pillow
- Torch
- Batteries
- Clothes line
- Pegs
- Camping chairs / table
- Multitool or basic tool kit
- Camera and memory cards
- Laptop
- Chargers
- Water bottles / water canister
- Kitchen roll
- Laundry detergent
- Laundry bag
- Bin bags
- Candles / tealights
- Sunglasses
AL-KO VT wishes you a great camping season and wonderful journeys!