The best laid plans may often go awry, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make them, especially when you’re taking your home/bed/hotel on the road for an adventure. Avoid some common RV mistakes with these top tips, and make sure that all you need to worry about is what hike to take (or perhaps whether to opt for a lake or forest view).

Create a checklist of steps before you start your journey. This should make everything run a little smoother (in theory, anyway). As well as ticking off the steps we’ve outlined, remember to turn off the water pump and heater, and check your indicator signals and brakes before you set off. You can download entire checklists to guarantee you’ve packed everything you need, right down to the last knife and fork.

It’s obviously a good idea to set off on a trip with the peace of mind that your vehicle is in good shape. But it’s also so easy to ignore, especially with all the other planning and (probably) excitement to finally get on the road. And even easier to dismiss if your van isn’t usually unreliable. But make it a priority to get it checked over and serviced by a mechanic a week or so before setting off, allowing time for any necessary work.

Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration

Just because the tyres have been checked and pumped up before you leave home, doesn’t mean they’ll stay that way on the road, especially if you’re driving in remote areas and over dusty, gravelly or stone-strewn surfaces. Take a minute to check over the RV’s tyres before each journey, even if it’s just a half-hour drive to the beach or the next campsite. It’s worth it to avoid being stranded.

This might sound like a small task – but then, most of the freezers you find on board RVs are small too. Teeny-tiny, in many cases. So imagine trying to shoehorn a pizza, packet of sausages or bottle of wine that isn’t quite chilled enough into a tiny freezer that’s already half-full of crystallised ice. Check it before you travel and, if needed, defrost just as you would a normal freezer – empty it, turn it off and lay paper down to soak up the water as the ice melts.

This might be impossible if you already own a tiny camper van. But, if you’re considering renting an RV, choose one with a toilet, sink and (ideally) shower on board as some campgrounds have minimal facilities. If you have a larger RV with shower and toilet facilities, check they’re in full working order before leaving – to avoid any nasty surprises. 

Check out these magical motorhomes you can afford to rent

Tough, hard-shelled suitcases are great for minimising the risk of damage when travelling by train or plane. They’re not so hot when it comes to getting back to nature. Dragging a wheelie case over dirt paths and gravel is frustrating, and somehow just doesn’t feel right. A soft weekend-style bag takes up less space, is easier to shove behind a seat (and fold away when empty) and won’t look out of place even in the most rustic setting.

You’ve thrown shorts, T-shirts and a warm cardigan (just in case) in a bag. Now you need to sort out your camper van’s luggage. Think of every worst-case scenario and pack the tools you need to help you avoid – or cope with – it. This means bringing extra fuel, a spare wheel, water, windscreen wiper fluid and – depending on your route – extreme weather gear like snow chains.

Give your RV a thorough clean before hitting the road to ensure it’s fully disinfected and ready for the journey ahead. This will be even more important if you’re renting, as you can bring it up to your own standards and keep your travel companions safe. You might want to consider taking your own crockery, cutlery, pots and pans too.

Yes, there’s usually a supermarket or at least a petrol station somewhere nearby when you need to stock up on supplies. But traffic can put paid to the best-laid plans and the last thing you want after a long drive is to start scrabbling around for the nearest shop. Take the pressure off by taking at least enough for the first dinner and breakfast. It’ll be so nice to pull into that perfect camp spot, knowing you have nowhere to be for a while.

We’ve all done it: packed enough tinned tomatoes, sausages and pasta to last a dozen trips, but forgotten to keep a packet of crisps in the front of the van for on-the-road nibbles. Petrol station snacks can be limited at times, so it makes sense to prepare before you hit the road each day, boxing up some crunchy veg sticks, pieces of cheese, nuts – whatever you might want to keep you going, so long as it’s easy to eat and mess-free.

Take a look at the most unique place to camp in every state

Having a few ideas for what to cook at camp, or just for lunch at the beach, will help ensure your road trip meals are more of a joy than a chore, and also help prevent over-shopping. It doesn’t need to be anything fancy. Adapt your go-to recipes for the camping stove or BBQ, or find inspiration online.

Pack a cool box or bag and throw in a few storage containers that you can keep leftovers in. Not only will all of these things help ensure your supplies don’t spoil (or smell), they'll make it much easier to follow the ‘leave no trace’ principles of parks and campgrounds. Speaking of which, take plenty of bags you can use for rubbish as there might not always be a bin you can use while travelling or staying overnight.

If your RV is on the smaller side, don’t make the mistake of throwing in everything (plus the kitchen sink). You’ll regret it when things start to lose their place and you’re having to wade through piles of clothes, bags, pots and pans day and night. Instead, think about items that can have multiple uses and earn their place. A large cool box can work as a bench, for example, while a linen or cotton towel doubles as a blanket or tablecloth.

This is a sensible move – pulling up to that awesome campground you read about, only to be turned away, is miserable after a long drive. It’s important to have a firm plan and (where possible) a reservation, at least for your first night. Check online to see whether you can book before you go. Some places, including US national parks, now require advance reservations, even at grounds that have been first come, first served.

This is the best weekend road trip in every US state

So you’ve arrived at the perfect private RV resort or the most picturesque park and there are several campsites available. So, which one? It’s easy to rush this decision, especially when you’re excited or tired after a long journey. Try to consider the practical as well as the pretty. Yes, the lake view is spectacular. But, if the ground is a little uneven, you might wake up with a squashed face and a dizzy head. Drive around until you’re sure. Better still, see if the campground has any pitch pictures you can check out before you go.

If you remember one thing (apart from your camper van, that is), make it biodegradable wipes. Not just one packet. Take wipes for skin, wipes for hair, wipes for cleaning down cooking areas, wipes for sticky ice cream hands... all the wipes you can get your (non-sticky) hands on. Apart from comfort and cleanliness, it means you’ll be less restricted by a lack of campground facilities.

Make sure each person in your party has a bottle of hand gel that they can use before and after going into shops, topping up the petrol, opening gates and so on. And, as well as the usual cleaning wipes, pack anti-bacterial cleaning wipes for surfaces including the steering wheel and door handles.

Load your phone or tablet with maps before you head off, or pack the old-fashioned paper kind. Or simply scribble out some (reliable) directions. Basically, don’t rely on using GPS on the go. It’s likely you’ll lose service during your trip, especially if you’re seeking out solitary serenity in nature. You can download offline maps, which will be handy if you’re following a set route. Having a backup that isn’t on your phone is a good idea too, though, to allow for drained batteries and spontaneous detours.

It’s a common mistake even for seasoned RV-ers: you’re so excited to hit the road, see everything and do everything that you overestimate how tiring travelling can be and forget to allow time to actually enjoy it. Even if you need to book campgrounds in advance, try to include some stays that are two nights or more – and don’t choose consecutive spots that are a 12-hour drive apart.

Discover the world's most beautiful natural wonders

Take a box or bag (or several bags) where you can dump your ‘dirty’ stuff, like muddy hiking boots, wet waterproofs, dusty clothes and so on. Or designate a space where you can keep grubby gear away from everything else, especially your cooking and sleeping areas. Being organised will help keep your RV clean, tidy and a lot more pleasant to be in.

Planning a playlist might be the last thing on your mind before a big trip, but you won’t regret it. You may, however, regret having a five-hour drive stretching ahead of you with no option to bellow along to your favourite tunes – especially if all you can find on the radio is a faint crackle. Save some offline playlists via a streaming service, like Spotify or Apple Music, so you’ll always have some uplifting tunes on the road and by the campfire (if campground regulations allow).

That is, sweat the small stuff before you leave – so you don’t have to sweat about not having the small stuff while on your trip. How many times have you been stranded without a corkscrew, or only realised how important a flashlight is when you wake up in a pitch-dark campground, desperate for the bathroom? Not to mention a pack of playing cards and a spare pillow... 

Of all the things worth making a little extra room for, we reckon this comes pretty high on the list. A gazebo will be your best friend if it rains or is too hot. And it gives you that extra bit of space in which to cook or simply relax. You can get pop-up ones that are lightweight and attach to the side of an RV, so there’s no need to heft heavy weights around. An awning works too.

Depending on the location and time of year, bugs can creep up on you and become your biggest bugbear. They can even ruin an otherwise perfect trip. Pack an insect repellent spray, and also think about stuff you can set up around your campsite. Large citronella candles or oil-burning lanterns will work hard to deter insects like mosquitos and midges while also providing soft, pretty light. 

These are the most spectacular campsites in US National Parks

Even experienced RV drivers may struggle at times without an interior mirror, especially when reversing in tight spaces at campgrounds and petrol stations. Nervous and newbie RV drivers will be especially glad they invested in a back-up or reverse camera. They’re pretty easy to install, not particularly costly – and priceless if they can help to prevent an accident.

However distracting the scenery and however focused you are on trying not to take a wrong turn, don’t forget to check the petrol gauge regularly. Breaking down in the middle of nowhere is no fun and neither is paying over the odds for gas at a station that knows it’s your only option for hundreds of miles. Both are easily avoidable – look up stops on your route, if you can, and top up well before the red light kicks in.

You might be pretty sure you tucked away the awning properly, tightly secured the pop-up roof and closed every latch and drawer inside the van. But it only takes one thing to spring open while on the road to – at best – distract you and cause a mess. In a worst-case scenario, it could cause an accident. Make it a habit to have a walk around inside and out every time you’re about to get back on the road. 

You don’t always have to travel far to find adventure – a healthy dose of curiosity is all you need. If you’re tight on time, park up at a local campsite and spend a couple of nights discovering a new side to your hometown. This can also be a good idea if you want to get to grips with your RV before the open road beckons for a longer adventure. 

Now take a look at the best place to stay with your RV in every state