The RV’s been serviced, you’ve booked the campground and got a couple of freedom camping areas in your sights. You’re ready to go…almost. Liz Dobson recommends ticking a few more boxes before hitting the road.
While the majority of Kiwis are counting down the days until Christmas Day, for RV owners, this is the time when we can finally leave everyday life behind us and head out on summer adventures. Most of us who’ve been doing this a while don’t just know the drill – we’ve got the Olympic gold medal for clever vehicle packing. Your RV is in perfect working order – time to hit the road!
But even for the most experienced camper, there are always new tricks to learn, or maybe tips that you’ve forgotten. Here are our tips for making your summer camping memorable, for all the right reasons!
1. Be prepared:
We all know that summer in New Zealand doesn’t guarantee sunny days and no rain – or wind. Spending the night in a howling gale can be very frightening if you’re in an RV or somewhere exposed, so make sure you check the upcoming weather frequently (the app AccuWeather forecasts weather to the minute, while the Windy app is very useful for wind warnings). Be ready to leave a site quickly if bad weather is predicted; don’t stay around ‘just in case’ as you don’t want to hit gridlock as other holiday makers rush to leave.
2. Rubbish bags:
We all know the rule to take away everything you bring into a campsite, but they are also handy for storing wet or dirty footwear (keeping sand out of the RV). It always pays to have extra bags, just in case fellow campers fall short, or you end up with a few more wet days than you’d planned for.
3. Fairy footsteps:
There’s something magical about surrounding your RV space with fairy lights – but these twinkling little stars are useful as well as pretty. Twist them around your guide ropes or awning poles so they are visible when the sun goes down – not only will it make your motorhome or caravan look gorgeous, but there’ll be no more stubbed toes in the dark!
4. Easy dry:
A portable clothesline is a thing of beauty! Good suppliers like RV Supplies have lightweight (under 2kg) rotary dryers that can be pegged into the ground and provide loads of drying room. They fold down neatly when you’re done.
5. Earplugs:
Ah, the joys of Christmas and New Year! If your idea of a good camping trip is an early night, pack a pair of earplugs for each of you, especially if you are camping somewhere with lots of families or couples. Try industrial-use ones from pharmacies.
6. Fly screens and fans:
These are worth their weight in gold, especially if you’re nestled in the bush. Use a high quality screen such as the Horrex Duo Plisse Blind and Flyscreen; they are very easy to install and also double up as blackout screens, perfect if the neighbours are a bit close! A portable fly repellent fan costs around $27 from such places as Countdown and Mitre 10. We use them for outdoor dining and they’re great for keeping flies off food in a safe, chemical-free way. The soft touch blades make it safe around kids as they stop when touched.
7. Emergency cash:
We might be heading towards a cash-free society, but cash on the road is still useful. Many DOC sites ask you to leave payment in a sign-posted box. A site costs between $8–13 per person per night, and they are checked regularly by DOC rangers, so it’s not worth the fine. The other reason for cash is for the best food – honesty boxes and local farmers often have beautiful fresh produce for sale for cash.
8. Pack a hottie:
Yes, it’s summer, and hopefully that means lots of long, balmy days and cool, refreshing nights. However, a comforting hot water bottle is handy on a number of occasions; I particularly love staying up outside long after the sun’s gone down, with a glass of something lovely and a hot water bottle under a blanket to keep me snug as a bug.
9. Talking of bugs…
Having an effective bug repellent makes the difference between a great camping holiday and a really itchy one where you spend half your evenings swatting off tiny biting insects. If you need to use repellent and sunscreen together, it is best to apply the sunscreen first, let it dry and then apply insect repellent over the sunscreen. Sunscreen does not affect the repellent’s effectiveness, but be aware that the repellent may decrease sunscreen effectiveness. You may need to reapply sunscreen more frequently and in larger amounts in the insect repellent you are buying, as not all have been proven to work.
Bug repellent is great if you don’t want to be bitten by mosquitos, but many of them contain ingredients that can irritate your eyes, skin and nose. A number of essential oils make excellent insect repellent; lemon eucalyptus, citronella, lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, tea tree, eucalyptus and peppermint will all repel insects. Candles are great (and very atmospheric too), however be aware that most essential oils should not be applied directly onto the skin. Either mix them with a carrier oil, or put a few drops on a tissue and tuck it up your sleeve.
10. Use Led light:
Switching to LEDs is more energy-efficient, and it will keep your RV cooler in the summer, too. Additionally, while you are paying attention to energy efficiency, be sure to switch lights off throughout the day and only use electricity when necessary.
