Planning on hitting the road in an RV or sleeping with only a layer of canvas between you and the stars? Read on for handy hints and tricks that will help your trip go more smoothly so you can make the most of your time in the great outdoors.

Whether you’re camping in France or motoring your way across the US, chances are a reliable vehicle is pretty essential for a stress-free trip. It might sound obvious but it’s all too easy to take chances when you’re rushing about before a vacation. Getting your car or RV checked over by a mechanic is one thing you shouldn’t skimp on.

Even more important than deciding which cardigan will be more cozy by the campfire is remembering your car or RV’s luggage. Pack up everything your best traveling companion needs for the trip, like a spare wheel, extra fuel, water and windscreen wiper fluid. You might need other gear like snow chains, depending on your route.

If you remember one thing (apart from your tent or camper van, that is), make it biodegradable wipes. We’re talking all the wipes. Wipes for skin, wipes for hair, wipes for cleaning down cooking areas, wipes for sticky ice cream hands... you get the idea. Taking extra anti-bacterial cleaning wipes for surfaces, including the steering wheel and door handles, is also a great shout.

Before the trip, spend an evening putting together several (long) playlists. Because, no matter how much you love the Eagles, there’s a fair chance you’ll want to smash the speakers after the 17th play of Hotel California. Think about tunes that’ll match the scenery and locations you’re likely to be driving through.

Savvy RV-ers travel with physical maps in their glove compartments. Sure, it’s old-school but sat navs can go wrong and phones can lose signal, especially on remote stretches of road. It might take you a while to work out how to open the map and which way up it goes but you’ll get there eventually. You can also download routes on Google Maps and access them offline.

Picnic tables and firepits aren’t really the place for fine porcelain or anything you don't want to get grubby. If you don’t have a cooking and eating kit reserved for the road, get some old and battered bits. If you’re renting a vehicle, pick up cheap and cheerful bits from thrift stores (if you can) then donate them back (washed) afterward.

Hard-shelled wheelie suitcases don’t perform so well at rustic RV and camping sites, and they’re particularly terrible on gravel and dirt paths. Pack your personal gear in soft weekend bags and your food and drink in reusable shoppers that you can flatten once empty. They’ll be so much easier to cram into your vehicle too.

Glow-in-the-dark tape or stickers will show you the way, especially if you place them strategically on your RV’s steps. No more tripping up on your way to bed (hopefully). They’re also perfect for helping your tent stand out after dusk – just stick a couple by the door.

Here’s your chance to clear away all the loose change that seems to be everywhere around the house. Coins go from annoyance to godsend on a camping or RV trip, for toll booths, coin-operated showers, washing machines and more.

Few things are more frustrating than a bored child on a long journey. A portable DVD player or iPad loaded with films and games should be a winner. Or try a treasure hunt-style checklist of buildings, landmarks, flora and fauna, with a prize when they tick off a certain number. That should encourage them to look out of the window.

Go for items that work a bit harder to earn their place in your trunk. A large picnic hamper can store food and act as a table, for example. A fast-drying linen towel can double as a blanket or tablecloth, and a cool box makes a handy seat.

Sometimes it’s fine to live in a bubble. This nifty trick will certainly help make your RV cozier on chilly nights. All you need is bubble wrap, cut to the size of your windows, and a water spritzer. Spray the window and press on the squares for an extra layer of insulation that should stick, yet is easy to peel off. 

Don’t make the rookie error of stuffing a brand-new tent into your car. That leads to incidents including but not restricted to: hours of head-scratching over the instructions, discovering the tent pegs are missing, and finding out your three-man tent is more like a marquee. Pitch it in your yard before you set off.

As with so much in life, it’s the little things that really matter when you’re camping or RV-ing. You can find a way to cope if you forget the blow-up sofa but you’ll never get over it if you (or someone else) neglects to pack a bottle opener, torch or pack of cards.

Even your entire closet folded up can’t replace the comfort of a proper pillow or three. They can also double up as padding when you’re camping on lumpy ground and make sitting in the car or RV for long stretches a bit more bearable.

Even the most reliably sunny and mild parts of the world can be hit by extreme weather or at least have a smattering of rain. And it can get chilly at night even during the height of summer. Pack a waterproof coat, warm layers, and some rain boots. And make a wish that they remain untouched.

Buy a pop-up gazebo – it’ll be your best friend, we promise. You can cook, eat, and simply sit under it in the rain or strong sunshine, and it creates extra space outside your tent or RV for you and any traveling companions.

You don’t need epic chef skills or complicated recipes to master the art of camp cooking. Arm yourself with a skillet and a few simple, one-pot dishes. With a roll of aluminum foil, you can whip up a storm in the form of tasty fish and veg packages and campsite classic jacket potatoes, all cooked over fire. Just don't forget the marshmallows for toasting.

Mini tubs of mixed herbs and spices will be your culinary heroes. They take up virtually no room yet can transform many dishes from boring to brilliant. Use them to give everything from pasta sauces to scrambled eggs a bit of a kick. Buy empty bottles or use cleaned Tic Tac boxes so you can create your own ready-made spice mixes.

An extendable curtain rail, which can be adjusted to fit the space, is a minor miracle for RV users, especially in vans where space is at a premium. Put in your shower or across the width of your camper van for a temporary space to hang washing or damp towels. You could also use it for extra hanging space in a cupboard or closet.

Lightly beat some eggs and store them in a water bottle or flask. It saves worrying about your pack getting smashed and it’s ready to cook for breakfast or a suppertime omelet.

A dry food container, like the ones you might store cereal in, makes a compact and convenient trash can that should fit easily in your RV or car. You can empty it whenever you’re at a site with large trash cans and keep it locked in your vehicle or campsite locker at night, away from prying paws. When at camp, a collapsible laundry basket works well.

Secure a basket, bag or hooks to a wall in your RV and make that the place where you keep all your charging plugs, adaptors and spare batteries. No more scrabbling about looking for your phone cable.

This grassy, slightly citrusy essential oil is known as a natural insect repellent, which is exactly what’s needed when camping by water or in wooded areas. Take a couple of large candles, a spray or even an oil-burning lantern to help keep mosquitoes and midges at bay.

You might think you’ve used up all of your RV’s storage space but what about the walls? Hanging up kitchen items, essential kit, and bits and bobs will free up room and make things easier to find. Strong magnetic strips are useful in the kitchen while shoe organizers or pouches can be used for pretty much anything from toiletries in the shower to tea lights.

This is always a sensible move as pulling up to that campground you read about, only to be turned away, is miserable after a long drive. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail, as the old saying goes. It’s important to have a rough plan and (where possible) reservation, at least for your first night. Some places, including US national parks, require advance reservations, so be sure to do your research before you set off.

Facilities are all well and good but everyone else will be flocking to the campsite that has electric hook-ups and hot showers. Picking somewhere a little more basic will often mean having lots more space, peace and quiet – which everyone could always use a little more of. 

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Now read our guide to the best US spots to relax in your RV