We're planning a long trip soon. Since anything can happen on the road, we would really appreciate some insights from those of you who have spent more time traveling.
We are interested in anything regarding maintenance and simple tips that improve the overall experience. Is there a specific piece of advice you wish you had known before you started taking longer trips?
Each to their own, however, as a solo female traveller, plan, plan and plan would be my advice.
Planning reduces uncertainties IMHO, and I am very risk adverse being a solo female traveller with just a dog for company.
I normally start the year's camping season over Easter with a short trip to a site only 45min's drive away, to check if all is well with the van.
This year, the first trip out was after a habitation check in March 2026 with two new leisure batteries and a new water pump, and there were issues with the van's electrical system which needed to be addressed before my next trip to Scotland and north of England in May 2026. Although some of the issues had been addressed, further remedial work was required when I got back from the trip, now fully resolved.
I have a detailed checklist for what I need to take with me and in the van.
Also a list of things to do before the trip, such as binning the leftover dog food, emptying the bin, and locking the front door, etc. etc...
Also a rough meal plan so that I have an ideal what needs to be bought from home and brought from a supermarket.
I like to recce the campsites for places to shop for grocery, vets, and pharmacies in case of emergencies.
I stay mainly at club sites, and only a handful of independent sites.
I make sure my van insurance and travel insurance are close to hand.
Depending where we are going, for EU, I would take my dog's vaccination record, AHC and insurance documents.
I check the campsites for internet access as I need to remain continuously contactable while I am away for work purposes.
One thing I was advised to check by my nextdoor neighbour who is a commercial vehicle mechanic who looks after my van (not for habitation check), is to make sure my van's insurance includes taking the van to a specified location of my choice, and not just to the nearest garage, as the nearest garage might not be able to look at the van let alone fixing her.
I make sure I have the documents relating to breakdown cover with me, especially the emergency contact numbers in UK and Europe.
Not sure what is meant by a long trip, however, my longest trip to date was just over 3 weeks in Scotland last year involving about 8 sites, and a similar length trip in EU coming up involving 5 sites.
Be realistic of the amount of driving involved per day, and factor in sufficient pit stops.
Since I am the only driver, I discovered staying just 4 nights after a long drive was not sufficient to enjoy my stay, as the first night and the next day were complete wash-out for me personally.
Hence I have reduced the number of main sites and increased the number of nights at the main sites to a minimum of 6 nights for my forthcoming EU trip.
I factor in at least a pit stop of 30min every 1.5h of driving, and no more than 4h's driving per day if at all possible.
That's all I can think of so far. As I have already mentioned, planning ahead is very important to me personally.
Good luck with your trip. Where are you off to out of interest?
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Many thanks for your detailed reply. I completely agree that staying organized is very important, and it's also best not to pack the schedule too tightly leaving yourself enough time to rest and enjoy the journey. I'm currently planning an approximately 14-day trip to Scotland.
Quote: Originally posted by Wolfbox on 18/5/2026
Many thanks for your detailed reply. I completely agree that staying organized is very important, and it's also best not to pack the schedule too tightly leaving yourself enough time to rest and enjoy the journey. I'm currently planning an approximately 14-day trip to Scotland.
Have fun!
Ooo, just realised I forgot about recc'ing for fuel stops - also very important; and definitely a must for Scotland, as fuel stations in the remote Highlands are far and between! Stop and refuel whenever you could would be my advice.
I avoided NC500 as much as possible for my Scottish trip last year as I do not like driving on narrow single track roads with passing places even though I only have a medium size van!
I have heard many horror stories about NC500, such as big motorhomes towing a vehicle at the back trying to give way to oncoming traffic equally as long in short passing places, etc. etc...
The route I took was very scenic and twisty without NC500 except for a very short section.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
When in the remote areas of Scotland half a tank of fuel should be considered empty. Its not only distance between fuel stations, it can also be time. It can take a long time to not go very far. You may average just 10-20mph depending on road, traffic and views!
A basic tool kit, multitester, fuses, bulbs, electrical masking and duct tape, glue, string, rope, selection of nuts bolts, jubiliee clips, o ring kit. Even if you dom't have knowledge to fix everything if you are stranded and someone turns up they may have the knowledge, but not the tools or spares.
Enjoy Scotland. Our next two week trip was planned a few weeks ago and we are counting the days.
Oops, forgot to mention a toolkit, as I carry one ever since I started to go camping nearly 20 years ago, DOH!
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Agree with Dave & the documentation & scoping out ahead of time of fuel, lpg & provisions as per dk168. I also limit driving on UK trips. Around a maximum of 60 miles a day except 1st & last day where I'm willing to push up 200 max.
We generally avoid June to September due to more folks & midges.
Just come back from 2 weeks in Scotland. Planned 1st 2 nights & a rough outline for the rest. Nothing booked except 1st ferry to Mull. Longest stay was 3 nights, a couple of 2 nighters & the rest single overnighters
Loads of single track road in our 6m van. No problem. Although we did see some poor reversing resulting in a car going into a ditch.
Not all the NC500 is a nightmare. Start in Inverness and go clockwise and you will have decent roads all the way to Ullapool (IMHO its also the most scenic stretch).
It also offers the chance to stay near the rail line and take the train to Kyle of Localsh.
Very few club sites, so it’s a long drive between; plenty of excellent independent sites at £35 pn eg Silvercraigs at Kirkcudbright, Drumroamin near Newtown Stewart (Dumfries & Galloway).
The Site Search here is very useful: I aim for sites scoring 9 or 10, and read the most recent reviews, focusing on what’s important for us.
It’s tempting to move on every day, but you’ll get more out of the area if you stay a few days & explore locally.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Any tips for my first long trip please?
via mobile 18/5/2026 at 5:18pm
