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What to Check Before Your
First Campervan Trip

LeoBay Journals

Heading out on your first campervan trip? 

A quick check before you go can make all the difference between a smooth, relaxed stay and a stressful start.

What to Check Before Your First Campervan Trip

There’s nothing quite like your first campervan trip.
The freedom, the flexibility, the idea that you can just park up and stay somewhere completely different.

But before you set off, there are a few things worth checking to avoid any stress once you arrive.

Whether you’re hiring or using your own van, this quick checklist will help make sure everything runs smoothly.

1. Your Leisure Battery

Your leisure battery powers everything from lights to sockets.

Before you go:

  • Make sure it’s fully charged
  • Check it’s holding charge properly
  • Bring a hook-up cable if you’re staying on a site

If you’re not sure, it’s worth getting it checked beforehand – especially if the van hasn’t been used in a while.

2. Water System

Fresh water is something you don’t want to get wrong.

Check:

  • Your water tank is clean and filled
  • The pump is working
  • You know how to turn it on and off

 

It’s also worth bringing a hose or water container, depending on your setup.

3. Electric Hook-Up

If you’re staying on a campsite, electric hook-up makes things much easier.

Make sure you have:

  • A hook-up cable
  • The right connectors if needed
  • Basic understanding of how to plug in safely

 

👉 At LeoBay, all pitches include electric hook-up—see our FAQs for details.

4. Gas Supply

Your gas powers cooking, and sometimes heating and hot water.

Before you leave:

  • Check your gas bottle level
  • Make sure it’s properly connected
  • Test your hob or heating

 

Running out mid-trip is never ideal.

5. Waste & Toilet Setup

It’s not glamorous—but it matters.

Check:

  • You know how your toilet works
  • Waste tanks are empty before you leave
  • You have the right chemicals if needed

 

Knowing where and how to empty tanks will save you a lot of hassle later.

6. Sleeping Setup

Make sure everything is comfortable and ready to go:

  • Bedding packed
  • Cushions or mattress set up
  • Enough warmth for the night

 

Even in warmer months, it can get cold overnight.

7. Where You’re Staying

Not all campsites are the same.

For your first trip, it helps to choose somewhere:

  • Easy to get to
  • Quiet and not overcrowded
  • With facilities and support if needed

 

👉 A smaller site like LeoBay is ideal for first trips, especially if you want a calmer, more relaxed experience.

8. Know the Basics (Before You Need Them)

Take a few minutes before you go to understand:

  • How to turn everything on/off
  • Where key controls are
  • What to do if something stops working

 

It’s much easier to learn this at home than on your first night away.

A Final Tip for First-Time Trips

Things don’t have to be perfect.

Everyone forgets something the first time.
The key is choosing the right place to stay—somewhere that’s easy, relaxed, and supportive if you need help.

At LeoBay, there’s also an on-site workshop, so if something’s not quite right, you’re not on your own.

Ready for Your First Trip?

If you’re planning your first campervan stay, keep it simple.

Book Your Stay