A big part of a successful camping adventure is making sure you have the right gear.

It’s no fun to be out on the open road and find out too late that your particular equipment isn’t quite suitable for your needs or even worse, turns out to be unsafe – it could get in the way of you and your family/friends having the best time possible on your road trip.

There’re many choices out there when deciding what the best camping equipment or recreational vehicle for you should be. Should you purchase a caravan or a camper trailer? Would a motorhome or a poptop/camper caravan suit you more? For first-time campers, the options available can sometimes prove confusing or misleading. And of course, new, improved camping gear and vehicles are being produced all the time. What’s the right choice for your particular trip?

Familiarise yourself with the components of your towing set-up and know what they do – coupling; tow bar; head (or tongue); towball; coupling body; drawbar and safety chains. Assembly and carry a tool kit and know how to use it.

Here are our recommendations:

• Jack & handle
• Wheel brace
• Wheel chocks (wood or plastic)
• Levelling blocks (wood or plastic)
• Levelling device or weight distribution bars
• hammer, spanners, screwdrivers, pliers
• Pocket knife and/or leatherman
• CRC spray or similar
• Torch & spare batteries
• Spare wheel
• Spare nuts and studs
• One set of inner/outer bearings
• Tyre gauge
• Wheel bearing grease
• Split pins to suit axle
• Globes, fuses, 12v wiring diagram (for connecting plugs)
• 12v electrical circuit tester
• Electric cable or extension cord (15 amp – 15-20m)
• Insulation tape or duct tape
• Reflective and danger triangles (3)
• Reflecting vest to wear if making repairs at night
• Key or other device to remove anti-theft wheel nuts
• Spare set of vehicle and caravan keys in a secret, yet accessible place