Checklist Before Collecting Your Campervan: Start Safely
The key is on the table, the route is planned and you are full of anticipation. That is exactly when a checklist before collecting your campervanpays off: if you check the vehicle, equipment and procedures calmly, you start your holiday not only more safely, but also much more relaxed. Take your time for the briefing. Ten focused extra minutes on collection day can save a lot of searching, uncertainty or hassle at the pitch later.
Before handover: clarify documents and conditions
Even before you inspect the campervan from the outside, the paperwork should be complete. Have your driving licence and ID card ready and check whether all drivers named in the rental agreement are accounted for at collection. If you want to swap drivers on the way, you should not discover just before the first stage that someone is not allowed to drive.
Do not read the rental agreement as a mere formality. Look at the collection and return times, the agreed mileage arrangement, the fuel policy, the deductible (Selbstbeteiligung) and travel protection. Especially on a longer trip, it makes sense to know what help is provided in a breakdown and which telephone number to use in an emergency.
Also ask about the condition required at return: does the fresh water tank have to be empty? How is the toilet cassette handed back? Is an interior clean included, or do you have to do it yourself? Clear agreements protect against misunderstandings and help you plan the last day of your holiday realistically.
Checklist before collecting your campervan: inspect the vehicle exterior
Walk right around the vehicle once with the staff member. It is best to document visible damage with photos before you drive off. Small scratches, stone chips or signs of wear are not unusual on a rental campervan. What matters is that they are clearly recorded in the handover report.
Pay particular attention to bumpers, wheel rims, exterior mirrors, awning, bicycle carrier, windows and roof vents. If there is a bicycle carrier, ask straight away about the permitted load and the correct securing. A carrier is not extra storage space for heavy boxes or camping furniture.
Also check the tyres and lights. You do not have to be a tyre expert, but a quick look for obvious damage, sufficient tread and correct-looking lights is part of it. Have them show you how to operate dipped beam, main beam, rear fog light and reversing camera. With unfamiliar vehicle dimensions in particular, good visibility is worth its weight in gold.
If you are travelling with a dog or children, also check the step. It must not stay extended when you drive off. Clarify whether it retracts automatically or is operated manually. That sounds trivial, but it is one of the points that easily gets forgotten on the first day of travel.
Understand the cockpit, dimensions and driving feel
A campervan drives differently from a car. It is taller, wider, heavier and has a much larger turning circle. So note down the exact vehicle height, width and length. A note in the cockpit or a photo on your phone helps with low bridges, multi-storey car parks and narrow passages. Also allow for roof fittings such as a satellite dish, air conditioning or roof window – they add to the actual height.
Have the seat, mirrors and steering wheel adjusted to suit you before you set off. Check where the hi-vis vest, warning triangle, first-aid kit and fire extinguisher are kept. Ask how to use the cruise control, reversing camera, sat nav and fuel gauge. Some vehicles have separate displays for fuel, AdBlue and fresh water.
A quick look at the maximum permissible weight is also sensible. Families with plenty of luggage, bicycles and large amounts of provisions reach the limit faster than expected. It depends on the vehicle type, number of people and equipment. If you are unsure, pack heavy items low down and as close to the axle as possible, and leave out unnecessary ballast.
Living area: operate everything yourself once
The best briefing achieves little if you only watch. Open, close and switch the important things yourself once. That way you notice straight away if a question is still open, and do not have to study a manual at the campsite in the evening.
Electricity, water and heating
Have it explained how the campervan is connected to mains hook-up, where the fuses are and which sockets only work with an external power supply. Also ask about the leisure battery: how is its charge level shown, and what should you bear in mind for an overnight stay without a hook-up?
For water, three points count: filling fresh water, draining waste water and allowing for frost protection. Check whether the fresh water tank is handed over full, partly full or empty. For the drive, a smaller amount is often enough, because water adds weight. Also have them show you how the pump, taps, shower and boiler work.
The heating deserves an explanation of its own. Whether gas or diesel heating: ask about switching it on, setting the temperature, possible error messages and what happens when the energy supply runs out. Test the heating briefly if the handover time allows. This applies especially to trips in spring, autumn or to the mountains.
Gas, kitchen and fridge
Gas is uncomplicated in a campervan once you know the basic rules. Have the gas locker, the main valve and the shut-off valves for the hob or heating shown to you. Clarify which gas cylinders are on board and what to do if a cylinder runs out on the road. When cooking: ventilate sufficiently and never leave open flames unattended.
Depending on the model, the fridge can run on electricity, gas or, while driving, on the vehicle battery. Have it explained which operating mode makes sense when. Before departure, cupboard doors, fridge and drawers must be securely closed. A fridge that is not locked can quickly cause chaos on the first bend.
Bathroom, toilet and sleeping places
The toilet cassette should not stay a mystery either. Look at how it is removed, emptied and put back. Ask about the suitable sanitary additive and whether toilet paper may be used. Not every cassette toilet copes equally well with large amounts of paper.
Test the windows, blinds, insect screens and roof vents. They matter more for a pleasant indoor climate than many beginners expect. With the beds, a trial set-up is worthwhile: does the seating area need to be converted? Where are the additional cushions and slatted bases? When you are tired after a long drive, you do not want to find out first how the bed works.
Inventory and accessories: do not just tick them off
An inventory list is more than a counting exercise. Check whether crockery, cutlery, pans, cable reel, levelling ramps, water hose and camping adapter are there, where they were agreed. Open cupboards and outside hatches so that you know where everything is stowed.
Depending on your destination, additional accessories can make sense. For a simple pitch, a power cable and levelling ramps are often enough. On a family-friendly campsite, an awning rug, chairs or a larger table are more pleasant. Plan freely, but do not blindly pack everything. More comfort is nice, as long as the storage space stays manageable and the weight stays within limits.
At Friedas Camper, a clear handover is part of the service. Feel free to make full use of this opportunity – no question is too small if it gives you confidence on the road.
The first kilometres: do not rush onto the motorway
After the handover, first drive deliberately for a few minutes. Brake carefully, keep an eye on the mirrors and reversing camera and get used to the width of the vehicle. After a short distance, check that all cupboard doors are closed, the step is retracted and nothing in the living area is rattling or sliding.
Do not plan too long a stage for the first driving day. If you are only just getting to know the vehicle, you benefit from breaks and a pitch you reach in daylight. When manoeuvring in particular: it is better to get out and look once than to take a tight turn on a hunch. With two of you, one person guides from outside – with clear hand signals and without frantic shouting.
What applies in case of doubts or damage
If you notice anything before departure, raise it straight away and have it recorded. That includes things that seem small at first: a stiff drawer, a missing cable or a warning light. After the handover, causes and responsibilities are often harder to establish.
The same principle applies on the road: do not improvise if you are unsure about gas, electrics or a technical warning message. Stop, look in the vehicle documents and, if necessary, contact the rental company or the agreed breakdown service. A campervan is your home on wheels – but also a vehicle with technology that should be handled properly.
Take the time you need on collection day. Once you have understood the briefing and the first steps come naturally, your trip can become exactly what it should be: free time, new views and a good feeling from the very first kilometre.
