A Comprehensive Guide to Packing Your Caravan Safely

Many new owners think packing their caravan is as simple as throwing everything in, shutting the door and hitting the road. However, a properly packed caravan is essential not only for easy living on your holiday but for safe towing during your journey there.

In this article, we’ll offer some caravan packing tips to help you on your way and even provide you with our ultimate caravan packing list to ensure you have everything you need before you set off.

Caravan Towing Weights – Understanding Your Limits

Part of the appeal of caravanning is that it offers a simpler way of life, but that doesn’t mean you can’t fall into the same traps as at home – including becoming burdened with things. Although you won’t have spare bedrooms, hall cupboards and garages to fill with possessions, it’s too easy for a caravan to become cluttered and, more importantly, overloaded.

Therefore, it is essential to be aware of your caravan’s weight limits to avoid exceeding them. We’ve written a guide on caravan towing weights and the different terminologies you’ll need to know, but for now, the most important weights to know are your caravan’s aggregate trailer mass (ATM) and payload.

The ATM is the maximum allowable weight of the caravan itself and everything inside it, while your payload is how much you can load into it: things like clothes, cooking utensils, tools and toys. Exceeding your ATM is illegal and means your vehicle is overweight.

The Ultimate Caravan Packing List

Now that you know how to pack your caravan safely and make the most of the available space, it’s time to start ticking things off your list.

Kitchen

  • Cookware
  • Utensils
  • Crockery
  • Cutlery
  • Kettle
  • Dishwashing detergent
  • Tea towels
  • Chopping boards
  • Spices
  • Fruit & vegetables

Bathroom

  • Soap
  • Towels
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo & conditioner
  • Toothpaste
  • Toothbrushes
  • Deodorant
  • Hairbrush

Cleaning Supplies

  • Toilet cleaner
  • Dustpan and brush
  • All-purpose cleaner
  • Laundry liquid
  • Pegs
  • Laundry basket

Clothes

  • T-shirts
  • Shorts
  • Jeans
  • Sweatshirts
  • Jacket
  • Thongs
  • Running shoes
  • Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Socks
  • Underwear

Bedding

  • Sheets
  • Pillowcases
  • Duvet
  • Duvet cover
  • Spare blanket

Miscellaneous

  • Board games
  • Torch
  • Books/e-reader
  • Sports equipment
  • Batteries
  • Extension cords
  • First aid kit
  • Insect repellent
  • Tool kit

Hopefully you now know how to pack your caravan safely and in a way that will make your trip more enjoyable. For more information on owning and operating your Regent caravan, as well as guides that make caravanning easy, head to our Tips & Advice section today.