You're Camping Checklist for your Motorhome Adventure

When you plan ahead, the trip feels easier. Book your motorhome as early as possible so you get the layout you want. Wait, and you end up paying more or in a van that doesn’t fit your plans. Do the same with campsites. Busy parks in summer sell out weeks (and sometimes months) ahead, so reserve nights as soon as you know what you’re doing.

Don’t Skip the Basics

Fly in the day before if you can and stay in a hotel near where you are picking up your campervan from. You then get to start the first drive fresh, not rushed. (In some countries, like the US or Canada, you’re not allowed to pick up your motorhome on the arrival day, anyways.) Check travel insurance, health cover, and any visa early. Keep printed and digital copies together. One missing document can cause issues when picking up your campervan. Add these steps to your camping checklist.

When you use CamperDays, you see rental conditions written clearly, and you know support is on hand from us if you need it. This is where your camping checklist starts to matter. Add these first steps to it and you’ll have the foundation of a solid plan. Some families even use a packing checklist for camping at this stage to stop things slipping through the cracks.

The last couple of days before your trip often feel busy. You might still be packing or sorting out loose ends. This is when your camping checklist comes into play. Work through it slowly and you’ll arrive at the depot prepared.

Each tick brings peace of mind. By handling these basics early, you give yourself a calm start and avoid any panicking on the day you pick up your motorhome.

Focus on these steps

• Confirm your pick-up time and the depot address.

• Add the booking to your phone calendar.

• Put your passport and licence in one folder. Add the insurance papers.

• Print spare copies. Save PDFs on your phone.

• Write emergency contacts on a card. Keep it in your wallet.

• Install your nav and camping apps. Test them at home.

• Read local traffic rules for your route.

The pick-up day always feels exciting. You see the motorhome waiting, and you know the trip is about to begin. That buzz of freedom is real, but the handover works best when you take it step by step.

The Hand-Over

Have your driving licence, passport, and a payment card with PIN ready. Hand them to the rental team and they’ll sort through the paperwork quickly. Read the agreement before you sign. Check fuel, mileage, and deposit terms. 

Overview: These are the documents you will need to pick up your campervan

To ensure that everything runs smoothly and without hiccups when you collect your campervan, you should have the following documents ready to hand:

• Your printed voucher from CamperDays, which you will have received by e-mail

• Your valid, internationally recognised credit card including PIN for depositing the deposit (a debit card may in some cases be sufficient)

• Your identity card or passport (depending on the destination country)

• Your valid Class B driving licence (an additional International Driving Licence may be required in countries outside Europe, such as South Africa and New Zealand).

Check Before You Drive

Walk around the campervan and check for scratches or dents, then photograph any marks and ask the agent to note them on the handover sheet. Inside, ask for a quick demo of the water system and the heating, then try the electrics yourself. 

Run a tap and light the hob. Set the heater and check the control panel, then connect to mains power once to see it is working. These are motorhome essentials, so learn them before you leave as you don’t want to setup on the first night and realise you can’t work the essentials. If anything still seems unclear, ask again or contact CamperDays support. Use your camping checklist at this stage to tick off the first practical tasks and know you’re ready to hit the road.

Your rental will already include the big items like beds, cooking gear, and seating. What makes the difference is the smaller things you carry yourself. These are the motorhome essentials that keep your trip running smoothly.

Important Documents

• Driving licence and insurance papers

• Booking confirmations for the campervan and campsites

• Digital and paper copies as backup

Power and Navigation

• Phone chargers and plug adapters

• Download offline maps 

Health and Safety

• First aid kit with personal medication

• Insect spray and hand sanitiser

• Small torch for evenings outside the van

Family Comfort

When you travel with children, a camping checklist for family adds more than just practicality. Games, books, and snacks take little space but make long drives much easier. A deck of cards or a colouring book can turn a restless afternoon into quiet time on the road.

Stay Organised

Use your packing checklist for camping to tick off each item before you go and start your trip calm and confident.

That sad day will happen when you have to drop off your campervan and head home. We always recommend allowing plenty of time. If you head straight to the airport or train station, plan a buffer. Traffic or problems when handing the campervan back can slow you down.

Before you hand back the keys, check the basics. Clean the inside of the campervan so it looks much like it did when you collected it. Refill the fuel tank and empty the waste tanks. Keep receipts from the fuel station and dump point. They prove you returned the vehicle as agreed.

During the handover, ask for written confirmation of the vehicle’s condition. That small step protects you if questions come up later. With CamperDays, you always know support is there. If any dispute arises, our team speaks with the rental company and helps you resolve it quickly.

You can avoid the most common mistakes with a little forward planning.

• Overpacking: It makes the motorhome feel cramped. 

• Driving too far in one day: It’s easy to think you can get somewhere in one day, but it can make you tired and it won’t be as enjoyable.

• Booking late: Prices rise and the best vehicles go fast. Secure your campervan early and save money.

• Ignoring rental terms: Hidden mileage limits or insurance gaps can ruin your budget. CamperDays shows everything clearly and matches prices so you don’t face surprises.

Ready to Hit the Road?

When it’s time to book, Camperdays makes it easy for you. We compare prices side by side and show you what’s included. Our team is also on hand before the trip, on the road, and when you return.