From booking to packing to your first night away, your complete beginners guide starts here

From booking to packing to your first night away, your complete beginners guide starts here.

Hiring a campervan for the first time can feel like a lot of unknowns. We have put together everything we think every first time campervan adventurers should know before they booked.

Never hired a campervan before? Start here.

If you have never hired a campervan before, you probably have a few questions.

What do you actually need to bring?

Is it hard to drive?

Where do you sleep?

All completely normal, and all things we talk through with every single customer. So we thought we would put it all in writing too, from the moment you book right through to your first night away. Nothing here is complicated, and you are never figuring it out alone.

Booking and planning your trip

The hardest part of hiring a campervan is very rarely the campervan itself. It is usually knowing where to start with planning. This is exactly where we come in.

We help you plan the route

Not sure where to go or how far to travel each day? Just ask us. We have sent customers on the NC500, around Scotland's west coast, through Wales, Somerset and Dorset, and to events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We are always happy to talk through a route that suits your timeframe, your experience level and what you actually want from the trip.

We help you choose the right setup

Travelling as a couple, a family, or with a dog? We can suggest the best way to set up Enola or Fenyx for your trip, from sleeping arrangements to what extras might be worth adding, so the van works for you rather than the other way around.

Travelling with dogs

A huge number of our customers travel with a dog, and both Enola and Fenyx are well suited to it. Easy clean surfaces, plenty of room to settle, and the rock and roll bed gives your dog a familiar, comfortable spot of their own once it is set up. If you are planning a dog friendly trip, just let us know when you book and we are happy to share tips on routes, campsites and what to pack for them too.

🚐 TC Campers tip

You do not need a plan before you contact us. Tell us roughly what you are picturing, a relaxed week, an adventure, a special occasion, and we will help shape it into something realistic and brilliant.

Our S.I.M.P.L.E approach

Everything in this guide comes back to something we believe in firmly at TC Campers, our S.I.M.P.L.E system. It is the approach the whole business is built around.

Set your direction: decide what kind of trip you actually want before anything else.
Identify your route: we can help shape this with you, whether it is the NC500 or a quiet week in Dorset.
Minimise the prep: a fully equipped van, a 30 second bed, and no grey water to deal with.
Plan for confidence: knowing exactly what to pack, what is included, and what to expect
Lean on support: from route planning before you go, to 24/7 WhatsApp support while you are away.
Enjoy the experience: once everything else is sorted, all that is left to do is enjoy it.

What it is actually like to drive

Enola and Fenyx are both short wheel base campervans, measuring 4.9m long, 2.05m high and 1.9m wide. That makes them genuinely close in size to a large family car or estate, and most first time drivers feel comfortable within ten minutes.

Parking sensors: both vans show a clear halo on the dashboard as you get close to anything, making parking and manoeuvring easy even on your very first attempt.

Reversing: the part most beginners worry about most, and the part that becomes easiest fastest, thanks to the sensors and a calm approach.

⚠️ Before you set off

We always do a full walkthrough at handover covering everything you need to know, so you are never driving away with unanswered questions.

Packing and preparing for the trip

Both Enola and Fenyx come fully equipped for cooking and eating for up to four people, with a fridge freezer, two ring gas hob and everything you need in the kitchen. Here is what you will want to bring yourself.

The essentials to pack

Sleeping bags: we do not supply bedding, so a good sleeping bag each is essential. We recommend at least a 3 season bag, even in summer
Clothing for all weather: UK weather changes quickly, so pack layers, waterproofs and decent footwear no matter the season or destination.
Toiletries and towels: campsite shower blocks are common, so bring your own essentials and a quick dry towel.
Food and drink for one or two days: arriving with something easy for the first meal means you are not shopping the moment you arrive
Torch or head torch: useful for campsite walks at night and very handy by the rock and roll bed.
Phone chargers and cables: both vans have a 320w solar panel, inverter and lithium battery, plus an electric hook up point, so charging is never an issue.
Dog essentials: if your dog is joining you, bring their bed or blanket, food, water bowl, lead and plenty of poo bags. Their own familiar smells help them settle into van life quickly

Worth considering

A porta potty hire, available at £20.00 per booking, if you would prefer not to rely on campsite facilities
Check your driving licence has not expired, standard car licence is enough to drive the campervans
Travel insurance, particularly if you are heading across to Europe
A reusable water bottle, since the onboard tank holds cold water only at 12 litres

You can cook properly in here, honestly

People are always surprised by this one. The kitchen in both Enola and Fenyx is small, but it is genuinely capable. We have cooked, and our customers regularly cook, proper meals on board, not just beans on toast.

Between the fridge freezer, the two ring gas hob and the equipment for cooking and eating for up to four people, there is more you can make than you would expect. Some of our own favourites and customer favourites include:

Pasta bakes: easy to prep, cook on one ring in double sided pan which acts as mini oven.
Chilli con carne: a brilliant one pot meal that tastes even better after a day of walking, and reheats well if you make extra.
Chicken casserole: slow and comforting, perfect for a cooler evening parked up somewhere quiet.
Chinese style noodles: quick, fresh, and ideal for using up vegetables before your next supermarket stop.
Full English breakfast: yes, really. Bacon, eggs, sausages and beans all on the two ring hob before a day on the road.

🍳 TC Campers tip

One pot meals are your best friend in a campervan kitchen. When it comes to packing food, the trick is portioning exactly what you need for each meal in advance. Weigh out your rice and pasta, count your potatoes, and even count out your Weetabix for each morning. No guesswork, no waste, and no extra weight you don't actually need.

Where you actually sleep

Both vans have a rock and roll bed which converts from seating to a full bed, the same width as a small double, in under 30 seconds. Above it, the pop top roof reveals a second small double sleeping area suitable for up to two people, including adults.

Black out blinds are fitted throughout, so mornings stay dark for as long as you want
A thermal windscreen cover is provided for the front cab, for privacy and temperature control
A diesel heater with a thermostat means the heating kicks in automatically whenever temperatures drop

Support while you are away

This is the part that puts most first time hirers at ease. You are never without support during your trip.

24/7 WhatsApp support

If anything comes up while you are away, a question, a problem, or just some reassurance, you can message us directly on WhatsApp at any time, day or night. We are a family run business and we genuinely want your trip to go well, so we are always just a message away.

Real help, not a call centre

You will be speaking directly with us, Maria and Phil, the same people who handed the van over to you. No scripts, no waiting on hold, just a quick, honest answer from someone who knows the campervan and wants to help.

💬 Why this matters

Most worries about hiring a campervan for the first time come down to one thing, what happens if something goes wrong. With 24/7 WhatsApp support, the answer is simple. You message us, and we sort it.

Ready for your first campervan adventure?

From planning your route to packing your bags, we are with you every step of the way. And once you are on the road, help is always just a WhatsApp message away. Enola and Fenyx are ready when you are.