Campaq News

The last hour before a caravan or camping trip can become surprisingly hectic.

You’re nearly ready to leave, but the last 20 minutes are always busy. Water bottles need filling, the fridge door and cupboard latches need securing, phones and chargers need grabbing from inside the house, and someone needs to do one final walk-around to make sure every window, hatch and storage compartment is properly closed.

It is often during this final rush that small but important jobs are overlooked.

A practical caravan pre-departure checklist helps you work through everything in a sensible order. It is not only about remembering what to pack. It is also about checking your vehicle and caravan, storing gear appropriately, preparing what you will need during the drive and completing one final walk-around before pulling out.

After years of camping and travelling with a camper trailer, I have learnt that a calmer trip usually begins with a more organised departure.

This general checklist is designed to help you prepare. Always follow the instructions and requirements that apply to your particular vehicle, caravan, camper trailer and towing equipment.

1. Start with your tow vehicle

Your caravan may be packed and ready, but your tow vehicle needs attention too.

Before a longer trip, check whether your vehicle is due for a service and have any concerns inspected by a qualified professional. At home, complete the basic checks recommended for your particular vehicle.

These may include:

• Fuel level
• Engine oil and coolant
• Windscreen washer fluid
• Tyre pressure and visible tyre condition
• Spare tyre and wheel-changing equipment
• Vehicle lights and indicators
• Towing mirrors
• Battery condition
• Registration, insurance and roadside assistance details

Your caravan tyres and spare should also be checked. Tyres can deteriorate with age and exposure even when the caravan has not travelled a high number of kilometres.

Queensland Government guidance explains that towing requires additional driving skills and safety precautions. The driver is responsible for ensuring the tow vehicle, trailer and coupling meet the required standards and loaded mass limits.

2. Know your caravan and towing weights

Storage space and carrying capacity are not the same thing.

A caravan may have plenty of cupboards, an under-bed compartment and a large front tunnel, but that does not mean every available space can be filled.

Every item you add contributes to the loaded weight. This includes food, water, gas, clothing, appliances, outdoor furniture, batteries, solar equipment, tools, storage containers and bags.

Some of the common weight terms include:

Tare weight: The caravan’s unladen weight as specified by the manufacturer, although it is important to understand exactly what was included when that weight was recorded.

Aggregate Trailer Mass, or ATM: The maximum permitted weight of the fully loaded trailer when it is not connected to the tow vehicle.

Gross Trailer Mass, or GTM: The maximum loaded weight carried through the caravan’s wheels and axles while it is connected to the tow vehicle.

Tow ball load: The portion of the caravan’s weight transferred through the coupling onto the tow vehicle.

RACQ provides a helpful explanation of ATM, GTM and tare weight and notes that GTM is lower than ATM because some of the caravan’s weight is transferred to the tow vehicle when coupled.

You also need to consider the limits of your tow vehicle, towbar, coupling, tyres and axles. RACQ warns that every accessory and extra counts towards payload and that overloading can affect braking, place strain on the vehicle and suspension, and result in legal penalties.

Storage bags help organise your belongings, but they do not create extra carrying capacity. When you are uncertain about your loaded weights, obtain professional advice and have your setup weighed correctly.

3. Think about where the weight is going

How you distribute gear inside a caravan matters just as much as how much you pack.

Follow the loading instructions provided by your caravan manufacturer and seek professional advice for your specific setup. As a general principle, heavier items should not be placed in overhead cupboards or allowed to move around while you are travelling.

Consider the weight of the contents when choosing where to store each category:

• Keep lighter items such as clothing, towels and linen in overhead cupboards where appropriate.
• Store heavier pantry products, appliances and tools in suitable lower storage areas.
• Avoid placing excessive weight at the extreme front or rear of the caravan.
• Prevent bags, containers and loose objects from sliding during travel.
• Recheck your loaded weights after adding major accessories or substantially changing how you pack.

Once you find a balanced, practical packing system that works for your caravan, use a similar arrangement for each trip. This makes it easier to notice when something has been added or placed somewhere unusual.

4. Organise your caravan without overfilling it

An organised caravan is easier to check before departure.

When everything has a designated place, you are less likely to leave items on benches, forget what is stored in a cupboard or pack the same thing twice.

Clear storage can be particularly useful in caravans because you can check the contents without opening and searching through several bags.

A Caravan Under Bed Storage Bag can help organise lighter, bulky items such as:

• Linen
• Towels
• Jackets
• Spare clothing
• Shoes
• Seasonal items

A Medium Camping Bag can be used for one person’s clothing, children’s gear, pantry categories or items needed during the journey.

A Large Camping Bag is useful for shared family equipment, bedding, towels or bulky clothing. However, any large bag can become difficult to lift when it is overfilled, so divide heavier items between smaller storage areas where practical.

Your storage system should make the caravan easier to use, not encourage you to take more than the caravan can safely carry.

For more ideas, read Caravan Storage Ideas That Actually Work and How to Organise Storage Space in a Caravan or Camper Trailer.

5. Secure everything inside the caravan

Anything left loose inside a caravan can move, fall, spill or break while you are travelling.

Before leaving, walk through each area and check it separately.

In the kitchen

Check that:

• Cupboard doors and drawers are latched - give each cupboard door and drawer a thump to make doubly sure
• Heavy pantry products are stored in suitable lower areas
• Bottles and glass containers cannot collide
• The fridge door is secured
• Kettles, coffee machines and other appliances have been put away
• Loose items have been removed from the benchtop
• Rubbish has been emptied
• Food that may leak is sealed

In the bathroom

Check that:

• Toiletries have been packed away
• Bottles cannot fall or leak - all lids are screwed on tightly
• The shower door or screen is secured
• Wet towels are separated from clean clothing
• The toilet has been prepared for travel
• Cupboards and drawers are closed

A Clear Toiletry Bag can keep bottles and personal items together while making it easier to spot anything that has leaked or been left behind.

In the bedroom and living area

Check that:

• Under-bed storage is closed
• Wardrobe doors and drawers are latched
• Television arms are locked into their travel position
• Tables are lowered or secured where required
• Roof hatches and windows are closed
• Books, electronics and decorations are put away
• Interior doors are secured
• Loose cushions and other items cannot move into unsafe areas

Complete this check even when you are only travelling a short distance. A sudden stop or rough section of road can move items that appeared stable while the caravan was parked.

6. Check the caravan’s towing connection

The towing connection should be checked carefully every time you leave, including when departing a campground.

Follow the instructions for your specific vehicle, caravan and towing equipment. Your final check may include:

• Coupling correctly connected and locked
• Towbar and coupling compatible and in good condition
• Safety chains connected correctly
• Electrical plug connected
• Breakaway cable connected where required
• Caravan handbrake released before moving
• Jockey wheel removed or secured in its travel position
• Stabiliser legs fully raised
• Towing mirrors fitted and adjusted
• Caravan lights, brake lights and indicators tested
• Steps retracted
• Awning fully closed and secured
• External doors and hatches locked
• Number plate visible

Queensland Government information covers the requirements for towing equipment, including tow couplings, towbars and safety chains. The requirements vary according to trailer weight and equipment, so check the rules that apply to your setup rather than relying on a generic list.

When checking the lights, have one person stand safely behind the caravan while the driver tests the indicators, brake lights and tail lights.

7. Check gas, power and fire-safety equipment

Fire safety should form part of your normal caravan departure routine.

The Queensland Fire Department recommends turning off gas cylinders while a caravan is being towed. It also advises checking cylinders, pipes and fittings regularly, particularly after travelling on country roads.

Before leaving, check that:

• Gas cylinders are turned off and secured as required
• Gas appliances are switched off
• Electrical leads have been disconnected
• Leads are undamaged and packed away
• Portable solar panels and related equipment are secured
• The fire extinguisher is accessible and in serviceable condition
• The fire blanket is easy to reach
• The smoke alarm is working
• Flammable products are stored appropriately
• Nothing has been left against a cooking or heating appliance

Queensland Fire Department guidance recommends locating fire extinguishers and fire blankets near an exit where they are easy to access and escape remains possible.

Registered caravans and motorhomes in Queensland must have a photoelectric smoke alarm. Queensland’s requirements are changing, with broader compliance requirements applying by 1 January 2027, so caravan owners should check the current rules for their situation.

8. Prepare a road-trip essentials bag

Not everything should be packed inside the caravan.

Keep the things you may need during the journey safely accessible in the tow vehicle. This reduces the temptation to stop somewhere unsuitable and open the caravan to search for one small item.

Your road-trip essentials may include:

• Drinking water
• Snacks
• Medication
• Wallet and identification
• Sunglasses
• Phone chargers
• Booking details
• Tissues and wipes
• Basic first-aid supplies
• Wet-weather jackets
• A change of clothes for young children
• Children’s books or activities
• Pet leads, water bowl and waste bags

A Medium Camping Bag works well for this because its separate pockets can divide snacks, clothing, children’s gear and small essentials.

Keep the bag where it is accessible but properly restrained. Loose bags and equipment inside the tow vehicle can become dangerous during sudden braking.

9. Pack for your first night

Even with the best planning, you may arrive later than expected.

Roadworks, bad weather, traffic or a longer lunch stop can leave you setting up in the dark. Children may be tired, pets may need feeding and nobody wants to search through every cupboard for pyjamas and a toothbrush.

A separate first-night bag could include:

• Sleepwear
• Toiletries
• Medication
• Phone chargers
• Fresh underwear
• A change of clothing
• Towels
• Tea and coffee supplies
• Breakfast basics
• Pet food
• Children’s comfort items

Keep it somewhere accessible after arrival rather than at the back of an under-bed compartment.

For shorter trips, a Weekend Escape Camping Bag Bundle can help keep personal clothing and toiletries together without taking several different bags.

10. Check the destination and travelling conditions

Conditions can change between the time you book and the day you leave.

Before departure, confirm:

• Your campground booking
• Check-in and gate-access instructions
• Your planned route
• Road closures and roadworks
• Weather forecasts and warnings
• Fire bans and campground fire rules
• Pet restrictions
• Generator rules
• Drinking-water availability
• Fuel stops
• Mobile coverage
• Nearby medical services
• Dump-point locations

The Bureau of Meteorology publishes current forecasts, weather warnings and alerts across Australia. Check the forecast for every area you will travel through before leaving, and continue monitoring conditions during longer trips.

Check the official traffic and road conditions service for each state or territory on your route. These services provide current information about road closures, flooding, bushfires, hazards, incidents and roadworks. Check again immediately before departure, as conditions can change quickly.

If you are staying in a national park or conservation area, check the current conditions and alerts for your particular campground. Fire rules, access restrictions and campground closures vary between locations, and additional bans may be introduced during dangerous conditions.

For remote or regional journeys, tell a trusted person where you are going, the route you expect to take and when you intend to arrive.

11. Complete a final walk-around

Before getting into the vehicle, have one person complete an uninterrupted final walk-around.

Following the same direction and sequence each time can make the check easier to remember.

Outside the caravan

Look at:

• Coupling
• Safety chains
• Electrical plug
• Breakaway cable
• Jockey wheel
• Stabiliser legs
• Tyres
• Steps
• Awning
• Roof-mounted equipment
• Windows
• External doors and hatches
• Gas bottle compartment
• Water and electrical connections
• Number plate
• Lights and indicators
• Anything left underneath or beside the caravan

Look above the caravan as well as around it. Roof hatches, television aerials and other equipment can be easily missed when checking only at eye level.

Inside the caravan

Recheck:

• Cupboards and drawers
• Fridge door
• Shower screen
• Toilet
• Roof hatches
• Windows
• Television
• Benchtops
• Under-bed storage
• Interior doors
• Loose items

Inside the tow vehicle

Confirm that you have:

• Keys
• Phones
• Wallet
• Medication
• Drinking water
• Navigation ready
• Mirrors adjusted
• Seatbelts fastened
• Children and pets safely secured

Once you begin moving, stop again somewhere safe after a short distance if recommended for your setup. Recheck anything that may settle or loosen, particularly after significant changes to how the caravan has been packed or connected.

A calmer trip begins before you leave

A caravan pre-departure checklist cannot replace professional mechanical, towing, electrical, gas or weight advice. What it can do is help you slow down, work through the preparation in a consistent order and reduce the chance of overlooking an everyday task.

Check the vehicle. Know your weights. Store your gear appropriately. Secure everything inside. Prepare the items you will need during the drive and complete one final walk-around.

An organised caravan is not about making every cupboard look perfect. It is about knowing what you have packed, where it is stored and whether everything is ready for the road.

Pack It. See It. Find It.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I check before towing a caravan?

Check the tow vehicle, caravan tyres, towing connection, coupling, safety chains, electrical plug, breakaway cable where required, lights, mirrors, jockey wheel, stabiliser legs, steps, awning and external hatches. Inside the caravan, secure cupboards, drawers, appliances, windows, roof hatches and all loose items. You should also confirm that your vehicle and loaded caravan remain within all applicable weight limits.

Where should heavy items be packed in a caravan?

Follow the loading instructions provided by your caravan manufacturer and obtain professional advice for your particular setup. Heavy items should not be stored in unsuitable overhead areas or allowed to move during travel. Weight should be distributed carefully without creating excessive loading at the front, rear or on one side of the caravan.

Should I travel with loose items inside my caravan?

No. Loose items can fall, spill, break or move into other areas while the caravan is being towed. Put away benchtop appliances, secure cupboard contents and ensure bags and containers cannot slide during travel.

What should I put in a first-night caravan bag?

Pack sleepwear, toiletries, medication, phone chargers, towels, fresh clothing and simple food or drink supplies. Include anything children or pets may need shortly after arriving. Keep the bag accessible so you do not have to search through the entire caravan when you are tired or setting up in poor weather.

Can storage bags help organise a caravan?

Storage bags can help divide clothing, linen, toiletries, shoes, pantry supplies and other gear into clear categories. Flexible bags are particularly useful in awkward cupboards and under-bed areas. However, every bag and its contents contribute to the caravan’s loaded weight and must be stored in an appropriate location.

Do gas bottles need to be turned off when towing a caravan?

The Queensland Fire Department advises turning off all gas cylinders while a caravan is being towed. Always follow the current regulations and the instructions provided for your caravan, gas installation and appliances.

Written by Therese Barrett, Founder of CamPaq. Therese designed CamPaq clear camping and travel bags after years of experiencing the frustration of searching through traditional bags on family camping trips.