How to Prepare for Life on the Road in the UK

 Considering Campervan Travel? Here’s What You Really Need to Know - 5 Top Tips


So, you've been bitten by the travel bug. Maybe you're dreaming of winding roads through the Lake District, cliffside camps in Cornwall, or slow, quiet mornings in the Scottish Highlands. Whether you’re planning weekend getaways or diving into full-time van life, there's a lot to think about before you hit the road.

This isn’t just a checklist; it’s the lived experience of preparing for a mobile lifestyle in the UK. In this post, we’ll walk you through the five key areas to focus on when preparing for van life, from the best apps and essential gear to power management and making community connections. These tips are rooted in real travel, and they’ll help you make smarter decisions—before you're stranded with no gas, no power or nowhere to stay overnight.


🔑 The 5 Essentials for Life on the Road

Whether you’re heading out for a weekend adventure or moving into your van full time, here’s what you need to plan for:


  1. Smart tools & apps for vanlifers

  2. Reliable power solutions

  3. Managing daily chores on the road

  4. Clothing, storage & essential kit

  5. Building connections & finding community


📱 1. The Must-Have Apps & Tools for UK Van Life

If you're going to live or travel in a campervan or motorhome, you need the right digital toolkit. These apps and resources help you find parking, fuel, Wi-Fi, and even toilets. Trust us — having these set up before you leave will save you stress down the line.


🅿️ Best Apps for Finding Overnight Parking

  • Park4Night
     The go-to app for wild camping, lay-bys, car parks and hidden spots.

  • Search for Sites
     Ideal for more established sites and pubs, with user reviews and campsite listings across the UK.

  • Brit Stops (Membership required)
     Offers stopovers at pubs, farms, and local businesses. A lovely way to discover lesser-known locations and support small UK businesses.

  • Google Maps
     Use satellite and street view to scout park-ups before arriving. We often plug in potential spots from Park4Night and double-check safety, level ground, and surrounding areas via Google.

Top Tip: When you’ve found a potential overnight spot, search it on Google Maps and look at the “Photos” tab — you can often see if it feels secure or well-frequented.


⛽ Apps & Resources for Fuel and Gas

Extra Hack: Use Google Maps to check if petrol stations stock gas — forecourt photos often show it. Or, just give them a call before heading out of your way.


🌐 Mobile Internet & Wi-Fi

  • EE Coverage Checker
     If you’re working from the road or streaming Netflix in the evenings, mobile signal matters. EE and Vodafone have the broadest coverage in the UK.

  • OpenSignal or nPerf
     See real-time mobile signal strength across locations.

Pro Tip: Always check mobile coverage before heading to a remote park-up if you’ve got Zoom calls, uploads or deadlines.


⚡ 2. Power: What You Need & What You Don’t

When we first started planning van life, we were obsessed with having fixed solar panels on our van roof. But guess what? You don't need them.


⚙️ Portable Power Stations & Solar Panels

We use a mix of:

  • EcoFlow

  • Jackery

  • Allpowers

These are powerful, portable, and fast-charging. Most charge from 0% to 100% in under an hour using mains or solar.


🧽 3. Chores on the Road: Planning for the Practical Stuff

Van life isn’t a never-ending holiday. If you’re full-time or long-term, you’ll need to manage everyday chores—and they take longer than you might think.


💧 Water, Toilets & Grey Waste

  • Fill up water whenever possible — even if your tank’s half full.

  • Never leave toilet emptying to the last minute.

  • Carry emergency solutions like a backup waste container or a collapsible jerry can.

💡 “Whenever we leave a campsite, we make sure we’re completely emptied and topped up – you never know when you’ll find another spot.”


🧺 Laundry

Revolutions (also called Revolut Wash or KISWash) machines in petrol stations are life savers. Many are 18–20kg capacity and send you a text when your load is done.


Laundry Tips:

  • Pack clothes that can be washed together — forget separating whites, colours and darks

  • Choose quick-drying materials like merino, fleece, and synthetics

  • Hang inside the van if it’s wet outside (microfibre towels help with condensation)

🚿 Showers

A 15-minute shower at home? Not quite in a van. Factoring in heating, water level checks, setting up, waste emptying, and drying out the space… you’re easily looking at an hour per person.


Alternatives:

  • Use campsite facilities when available

  • Public leisure centres and gyms

  • Public showers in Scotland (many free—check VisitScotland)


👕 4. Kit, Clothing & Van-Friendly Fashion

Pack Smart: Think Function Over Fashion

When space is tight, every item matters. Our approach? A capsule wardrobe that’s comfortable, durable and all washes together.


Van Life Clothing Essentials:


  • Waterproof coat and trousers

  • Midweight fleece or merino layers

  • Quick-drying towels

  • Foldable wellies or walking boots

  • Lightweight base layers (ideally merino or bamboo)

  • A couple of cosy extras (a woolly jumper or thick socks!)

Storage Tips:

  • Compression packing cubes

  • Vacuum-seal bags (for out-of-season gear)

  • Hooks, bungees, and over-door hangers

Internal Link Idea: [Capsule Wardrobe for Van Life – read the guide]


🤝 5. Community: Connect, Ask, and Learn

Honestly? This might be the most important section of all.


Finding Your People

Before we hit the road, we were worried—especially about how our cat Murphy would adjust. But connecting with others online gave us the confidence to go for it.

Where to Start:

  • Facebook groups: “Van Life UK”, “Van Life with Pets”, “Solo Female Vanlife UK”

  • YouTube comments: Ask your questions! Most of us are friendly.

  • Instagram & TikTok: DM others, follow creators, and share your own journey

We’ve asked all sorts—from “Is it safe to wild camp in Scotland?” to “Can you wash quick-dry towels with fleece?” (yes), people always respond with genuine advice.

“No question is too silly. This is one of the most supportive communities we’ve ever been part of.”


🧭 Bonus: Don’t Forget These!


  • Breakdown cover (we use the AA – their app is handy too)

  • Offline maps downloaded before you lose signal

  • First aid kit

  • Backup toilet solution (for emergencies in remote areas)

  • Head torch & spare batteries

  • Fire extinguisher & carbon monoxide alarm


🗂️ Useful Resources


More Blog Posts You May Find Helpful:

How to do laundry on the road

All Powers solar panel and battery review