Your Essential Guide Setting Up Camp In Your Caravan

Setting up camp properly is the difference between a relaxing evening and a stressful disaster. Whether you’re a first-timer or looking to streamline your routine, getting your campsite organised quickly and safely will make every night on the road more enjoyable.

This guide walks you through the complete process, from choosing your spot to settling in for the night. You’ll learn the essential steps that experienced Big Lappers follow every time they roll into a new campsite.

Step 1: Assess Your Site and Surroundings

Before you unhitch or start unpacking, take five minutes to properly assess your campsite. Walk the entire area and check for potential hazards that could ruin your stay.

Start by looking up. “Rule number 1 always look up before you park up! They are not called widow makers for nothing,” says Kaye Z. from the Big Lap community. Eucalyptus trees are particularly dangerous, as they can drop branches without warning during hot, humid, or windy conditions.

Check the ground conditions next. Look for:

• Soft spots that might cause your van or vehicle to sink
• Rocks or debris that could damage your tyres or chassis
• Drainage issues – avoid low spots where water might pool during rain
• Underground sprinklers or utilities you might drive over

Note the direction of prevailing winds and position yourself to take advantage of natural breezes while protecting your awning from strong gusts.

Step 2: Position Your Caravan

Your caravan’s position sets the tone for everything else. Get this wrong and you’ll struggle with levelling, awning setup, and accessing your door comfortably.

Position your van so the entry door faces away from prevailing winds and towards your main living area. If you’re in a caravan park with amenities, consider positioning the door side towards the camp kitchen or amenities block for convenience.

Leave adequate space around your van:

• 3-4 metres on the awning side for full deployment
• 2 metres on the door side for comfortable entry/exit
• 1.5 metres at the rear for accessing storage compartments
• Clear access to your gas bottles and electrical connections

If you’re in a powered site, position yourself so the electrical connection isn’t stretched tight or creating a trip hazard. Most caravan park power leads are 15-20 metres long, but you don’t want to use all of it.

Step 3: Level Your Van

A level caravan is essential for proper fridge operation, comfortable sleeping, and preventing items from rolling around inside. Most modern caravans need to be within 3 degrees of level to function properly.

Use your spirit level (mounted inside your van) or a smartphone app to check both front-to-back and side-to-side levelling. Start with side-to-side levelling first, as this is typically the most critical adjustment.

For side-to-side levelling, use levelling ramps or blocks under the wheels on the low side. Drive slowly onto the ramps, checking your progress frequently. Small adjustments make a big difference.

For front-to-back levelling, adjust your jockey wheel. Wind it up to lower the front or down to raise it. If your caravan has stabiliser legs, deploy these once you’re level to prevent rocking.

Step 4: Set Up Power and Water

Getting your utilities connected early means you can start using your van’s facilities while you complete the rest of your setup.

For powered sites, connect your 15-amp lead to the park’s power pedestal. Always turn off the power at the pedestal before connecting, then turn your van’s main switch off before plugging in. Turn on the pedestal power first, then your van’s main switch.

Check that you’re getting the right voltage (240V in Australia) and test your safety switch by pressing the test button on your van’s RCD. If it doesn’t trip, you have an electrical problem that needs addressing.

For water connection, use your drinking water hose (never your grey water hose) to connect from the tap to your van’s water inlet. Turn the tap on slowly and check for leaks. If the water pressure seems high, consider using a pressure limiting valve to protect your van’s plumbing.

If you’re free camping or in an unpowered site, this is when you’d start your generator (if allowed and needed) or switch your batteries to caravan mode to begin running your 12V systems.

Step 5: Deploy Your Awning

Your awning creates your outdoor living room, but it needs to be set up properly to handle wind and weather changes.

Check wind conditions before deploying. If it’s gusty (over 25km/h), consider leaving your awning rolled up. A damaged awning will cost thousands to replace and can be dangerous if it tears loose.

Extend your awning arms evenly, pulling the fabric out smoothly without forcing it. Most modern awnings have spring-loaded arms that make deployment easier, but always support the fabric as you extend it.

Set your awning angle with a slight slope away from the van to allow rain runoff. Use your awning legs to support the outer edge, adjusting height so water runs towards the front, not back against your van.

Peg out your awning with quality tent pegs, not the basic wire pegs that come with most vans. Drive pegs at a 45-degree angle away from the van for maximum holding power.

Step 6: Organise Your Outdoor Living Space

Your outdoor area is where you’ll spend most of your time, so set it up for comfort and functionality.

Position your outdoor furniture under your awning, but leave clear pathways to your van door and around the seating area. Set up your outdoor kitchen or camp kitchen in a spot that’s protected from wind but has good ventilation.

If you use an outdoor mat, deploy it now. A good outdoor mat defines your living space and keeps dirt from being tracked inside. Choose one large enough to cover your main activity area but not so large that it’s a hassle to pack up.

Set up any privacy screens if you’re in a crowded park or want to block prevailing winds. Portable privacy screens can transform your campsite experience, especially in busy parks.

Position your camp chairs facing your preferred view or towards your neighbours if you enjoy a chat. Many experienced caravanners set up a semi-circle of chairs that encourages conversation while maintaining clear access routes.

Step 7: Final Security and Safety Checks

Complete your setup with the security and safety measures that protect your investment and ensure a good night’s sleep.

Deploy your caravan wheel locks or hitch lock if you use them. Even in caravan parks, security deterrents are worthwhile. A visible lock often sends opportunistic thieves looking for easier targets.

Check that all your external lights work, including your caravan’s exterior lights and any portable area lighting. Good lighting deters unwanted visitors and prevents accidents when moving around camp after dark.

Ensure your steps are stable and positioned properly. Many caravan injuries happen on unstable or poorly positioned steps. If your steps wobble, use blocks or levelling feet to stabilise them.

Do a final walk around your setup, checking for trip hazards like guy ropes, electrical leads, or water hoses crossing walkways. If you must run cables across pathways, secure them down or cover them with a rubber protector.

Check your gas connections if you’ve been driving on rough roads. A quick soap and water test on all connections gives peace of mind. Look for bubbles that indicate gas leaks and tighten connections as needed.

Common Setup Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced caravanners make setup errors that can ruin their stay. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

Parking under trees: The community is unanimous on this one. “I never park under gum trees,” says Louise B., echoing the sentiment of experienced travellers everywhere. Trees, especially eucalyptus, drop branches without warning and can cause thousands of dollars in damage.

Inadequate levelling: A caravan that’s even slightly off-level will have fridge problems, drainage issues, and everything inside will slide around. Take the time to get it right the first time.

Rushing the awning setup: More awnings are damaged during setup than in storms. Take your time, check for obstacles, and don’t force anything. If something isn’t working smoothly, stop and figure out why.

Ignoring drainage: That flat spot might look perfect until it rains and you discover you’re in a water collection point. Always consider where water will go during heavy rain.

Forgetting to check utilities: Test your power, water pressure, and gas connections before you fully settle in. It’s much easier to move sites early than after you’ve deployed everything.

Poor security practices: Leaving expensive gear visible and unsecured, even in “safe” caravan parks, invites trouble. Lock up valuables and make theft inconvenient for opportunists.