Packing for a camping trip is not easy; if you’re new to camping, trying to work out what to pack can be daunting, and until you’ve done that first trip you won’t know what you’ll need. And even if you’re a seasoned pro, you’re always on a quest to cut out any excess and make the best possible use of the space you have, so it’s always good to hear what other people consider ‘essentials’ in case there’s something you haven’t thought of.
One of the joys of having a tourer, folding caravan or trailer tent is the freedom to go off whenever you want, so it’s a good idea to have a ‘core’ idea of things you always need. With this in mind we’ve put together our camping essentials checklist that you can download and print.
Trailer Tent Essentials
When you’re planning what to take for your trailer tent it helps to think of the Four Ws; WHO’S going, WHAT are you planning, WHEN are you going, and WHERE are you going. Then you can plan accordingly. Essentials include:
- Sleeping bags/pillows etc.
- Camping chairs/stools/fold out tables
- Water and reusable water bottles
- Paper towels
- Portable chargers
- Earplugs – always essential on a campsite
- Toilet roll
- Tarp
- Spare ropes/string
- Duct tape
- Lantern
Cooking Essentials
- Large container for water
- Stove and fuel
- Matches/lighter
- Cool box
- Oven glove
- Kettle
- Frying pan
- Saucepan
- Plates/bowls
- Serving dishes
- Containers for leftovers
- Cups
- Cutlery
- Scissors
- Tin opener
- Utensils
- Knives
- Washing up bowl/liquid/sponges
- Tea towels
- Food (including lots of snacks, there’s something about all that fresh air that makes you more hungry)
- Ingredients for S’mores
- Condiments/sauces
- Bottle opener
Clothing Essentials
As anyone who holidays in the UK knows, you have to be prepared for all weather, whatever the season, and it’s important to remember that you won’t have much space to dry wet clothing, so always take spares. Packing cubes are a great way to organise your clothes, as well as making it much easier to find things when you’re in a small space:
- Pyjamas
- Socks
- Underwear
- Jumpers/warm layers
- Thin layers – t-shirts etc.
- Trousers
- Shorts
- Waterproof clothing
- Sun/Woolly hat – depending on the season
- Shoes – for walking, also flipflops/crocs for those shower/toilet block trips
- Swimwear
Health & Safety
- Suncream
- Insect repellant
- First aid kit
- Medication
- Antibacterial wipes/spray
Essential Personal Items
- Towels
- Brush/comb
- Shampoo etc.
- Shower gel
- Deodorant
- Sanitary items
- Razor/shaving cream
- Contact lenses/glasses
- Toothbrush/toothpaste
- Moisturiser
- Soap
- Wipes (you can buy special body wipes for camping)
Other Useful Items To Take
- Bin bags
- Small shovel
- Pegs
- Torch and spare batteries
- Entertainment – board games, playing cards, fishing equipment, bikes, balls, books etc.
- Cling film – not just for food; it’s also good for first aid and for keeping things dry
- Self-inflating camping mat
- Handheld vacuum
- Windbreak – for protection from the wind, as well as for privacy
- A mallet
- Penknife/multi-tool
- Portable toilet
- Small fire extinguisher
- Fan heater
- Electric blankets
- Fairy lights for a bit of mood lighting
- Mud mats – in case you have trouble getting out of a muddy campsite after lots of rain
- Power bank – to charge your mobile or other electronic devices
Trailer Tent Insurance
You can do all the planning in the world, but there’s always the chance that the unexpected could happen, so you might want to consider insuring your trailer tent or folding caravan. You can choose from three policy types, which can be tweaked with optional benefits, so you have the right balance between getting the benefits you need at a price you can afford. Get a free, no-strings quote today.
Everyone has a different idea about what is considered essential when camping; for some it’s the means of making an amazing cooked breakfast, for others it might be a good book, and most sites have, or are near, a shop so you can buy things while away. But there’s something very satisfying about arriving at your campsite knowing you have everything you need and that you remembered all those little home comforts. And at the end of the day, as long as you’re warm, dry and comfortable, that’s all that matters.
If this has got you itching to get away, check out our guide to the best campsites in Yorkshire, and the best campsites near the sea. Happy camping!
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