Starting a van journey brings that familiar flutter of excitement mixed with the age-old question: what should we actually pack? After years of hosting rallies and events across the UK with the van club, we’ve learnt that successful van adventures depend less on how much you bring and more on bringing the right things.
The truth is, your van isn’t just transport – it’s your home, kitchen, bedroom, and storage unit all rolled into one compact space. Every item you choose to pack either adds value to your journey or takes up precious room you’ll wish you had later.
Joining the van club enhances your experience, offering a community that shares tips and tricks for efficient packing.
Understanding Your Van’s Storage Reality and the Van Club
Most van conversions and motorhomes feel spacious until you start filling them. We’ve watched countless members arrive at our rallies with overstuffed vans, struggling to find essentials buried beneath items they never used. Your van’s storage capacity is finite, and working within those limits makes every journey more enjoyable.
Smart packing starts with honest assessment. Walk through your van and identify your actual storage spaces – not just the obvious cupboards, but those clever nooks under seating, overhead compartments, and external storage areas. Each space has a purpose, and matching items to their ideal locations makes daily life on the road infinitely easier.
Weight distribution matters too. Heavy items stored too high affect your van’s handling, whilst placing frequently used items in hard-to-reach spots creates daily frustration. We always recommend keeping heavy items low and towards the centre of your van, with everyday essentials easily accessible.
Kitchen Essentials That Actually Matter
Your van kitchen needs to work harder than your home kitchen whilst taking up far less space. We’ve learnt that versatile items beat specialised gadgets every time. A good quality chef’s knife handles more tasks than a drawer full of specific tools, and stackable cookware saves precious cupboard space.
Focus on items that serve multiple purposes. That large mixing bowl doubles as a serving dish and washing-up bowl. Your chopping board becomes a laptop table or extra workspace. Cast iron pans work on hobs, in ovens, and over campfires, giving you cooking flexibility wherever you park up.
Water management often catches new van lifers off guard. Your fresh water tank might seem generous, but it disappears quickly when you’re washing dishes, cooking, and staying hydrated. Pack collapsible water containers for extending your capacity at sites with taps, and always carry water purification tablets as backup.
Clothing Strategy for Life on the Road
Van life clothing needs differ dramatically from holiday packing. You’re not just dressing for your destination’s weather – you’re preparing for mechanical issues, unexpected weather changes, and varying social situations from casual beach days to rally gatherings.
Layering systems work brilliantly in vans. Instead of bulky coats, pack base layers, mid-layers, and waterproof outer shells that combine for any weather conditions. Merino wool base layers regulate temperature naturally, dry quickly, and resist odours – perfect for extended periods between washing opportunities.
Limit yourself to one pair of shoes per activity. Walking boots, casual trainers, and flip-flops cover most situations without cramming your van. Choose items that transition between activities – shorts that work for hiking and lounging, or dresses suitable for both beach walks and evening meals.
Technology and Power Management
Modern van life revolves around managing power consumption whilst staying connected. We see members at our events who’ve mastered this balance, and their approach centres on efficiency rather than endless battery capacity.
Prioritise low-power devices and multi-purpose technology. Tablets often handle tasks that traditionally required laptops, phones, and e-readers separately. LED lighting consumes minimal power whilst providing excellent illumination, and efficient 12V appliances reduce strain on your electrical system.
Backup charging solutions prove invaluable during extended wild camping or overcast periods that limit solar generation. Power banks keep essential devices running, whilst 12V chargers work directly from your leisure battery without inverter losses.
Personal Care and Health Essentials
Van life personal care requires rethinking your routine around limited water, storage, and facilities. Biodegradable soaps work for body, hair, and washing up, reducing the number of bottles you carry whilst being environmentally responsible.
Quick-dry towels take up less space and prove more practical than traditional towels. Microfibre versions pack small and work effectively, though some members prefer the feel of bamboo alternatives that dry rapidly whilst maintaining softness.
A well-stocked first aid kit addresses common van life situations – cuts from outdoor activities, headaches from driving, stomach upsets from trying new foods, and minor burns from compact cooking spaces. Include any prescription medications with extras, as finding specific medicines whilst travelling can prove challenging.
What to Leave Behind
Successful packing involves tough decisions about what stays at home. Duplicate items rarely justify their space – one good quality version usually suffices. Specialist equipment for activities you might do occasionally takes up room that everyday essentials need.
Just-in-case items multiply quickly and fill vans with unused clutter. Instead of packing for every possible scenario, focus on items you’ll definitely use and develop skills for adapting what you have to different situations.
Books, whilst wonderful, become impractical in large numbers. E-readers or audiobook subscriptions provide endless entertainment without weight or storage concerns. Similarly, extensive wardrobes rarely get worn – most van lifers settle into favourite outfits and leave fashion experiments at home.
Making Your Van Journey Memorable
The real magic of van travel happens when you’re prepared enough to be spontaneous. Having the right essentials packed efficiently means spending less time searching for things and more time enjoying incredible locations and meeting fellow adventurers.
We’ve built The Van Club around creating those memorable moments – rallies where preparation meets adventure, and events where well-packed vans become bases for exploration and connection. Our members consistently tell us that learning to pack smart was their gateway to more ambitious journeys and greater enjoyment on the road.
Your perfectly packed van becomes the foundation for incredible adventures, comfortable nights, and the freedom to explore wherever the road leads. Start with these essentials, adapt to your travel style, and watch as your van becomes not just transport, but your ticket to extraordinary experiences across the beautiful landscapes we’re lucky to call home.