Congratulations! You’re here reading this because you’re considering throwing in the towel of normal day to day life and starting life on the road full time in your camper trailer.
It’s a great lifestyle to lead and you can’t even begin to imagine how breaking away from the same normality of day to day life is going to change you and your family for the better!
This lifestyle suits everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a grey nomad who is ready to take a long, well deserved holiday exploring Australia, a couple looking to break the cycle of the rat race and escape the suburbs or a young family soaking up all the time with your young ones, life on the road is doable and manageable for everyone.
There are some steps you need to take before you make the leap and to limit the unexpected. We want to make sure that you’re as prepared as you can be as you get ready for life on the road!
Of course, you are always going to hit roadblocks (both literally and figuratively), but that’s half the fun!
Remember– while some off the things on this list may seem daunting at first, you’re more likely to find that life on the road will not only bring you a lifetime of unforgettable memories but a fresh perspective on what really matters.
We bet that when you get to have a wine watching the sunset over Cable Beach, suddenly the idea of not having the latest Thermomix will seem quite trivial.
But making the decision to pack up and possibly sell up isn’t one that should be taken lightly, so here’s all the things to tick off the list and ask yourself before you make the big decision as well as a few tips to increase your chances of sticking it out and not heading home early.
Having a dream of maybe one day later when the time is right, and things fall into place heading out on the road is one thing. Having a clear timeline of when you’re going to make this a reality and saying ‘” We’re doing this” is another. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again– failing to plan is planning to fail!
Like any goal, not setting a clear timeline for yourself can often mean that it never happens or gets pushed back when life gets in the way. Yes, it might be Susan’s 50th this month or Jakes kindy graduation that month, but here’s a little secret for you: there never is a good time to get going, you just have to GO.
If you are serious (and we know you are, you little explorers!) make it a priority and break it down into smaller achievable timeline goals.
Achieving your list of goals will come with a big old fashioned to do list. Of course, everyone’s list will be different depending on what your ‘must haves’ are and how experienced you are with camping, however here’s a few that we think are really important when it comes to specifically getting ready to live full time in your camper trailer.
This can be a scary task, as there is a huge chance you’ll end up feeling nostalgic and want to keep everything you find. Don’t worry, it happens to the best of us. Here are some tips to make it simpler to end up with more waste and less swooning over your year 11 yearbook.
Don’t try to pack everything in one go. Like packing for any holiday, doing this will most likely result in leaving with triple what you need, including those tops shoved down the back of the draws you forgot you even had because you ‘might need it’. Nope, sorry. Not happening. Instead, pick a few hours each day or on the weekend to start selecting some necessities.
Clear old things out, give them to goodwill or a friend. Not having the things, you put in the ‘no’ pile around will make it harder for them to creep back into the ‘yes’ pile.
Make a choice about everything you pick up. Setting the table? Decide if that cutlery set needs to come along. Same goes with everything you come across during your day to day tasks.
If you find yourself with an abundance of stuff to leave behind, well done! Consider renting a storage unit if you are selling your property and preparing to set off long term.
Think about what you really need to make your camper adventure fantastic. Yes, you need to simplify your belongings, but it’s ideal to keep with you some things that are going to make your trailer really feel like home.
Besides things like clothes and kitchen items, take with you thinks like photos, special nick knacks and anything you have at home that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
It goes without saying that life on the road full time is an adjustment and there are bound to be moments where you feel like throwing in the towel and heading back to the simplicity and normality of home.
When those inevitable moments come, keep plugging along and remember why you set off on this grand adventure in the first place.
Travel is scary, confronting and it challenges you. But it also makes you grow, learn and experience things that you wouldn’t if you had stayed in your comfort zone at home.
One way to keep yourself pushing forward is to encourage friends and family to join you on certain parts of your trip. Looking forward to a destination is one thing but looking forward to sharing it with your friends and family is even better! Extra points for you if you can schedule it around holiday seasons.
Do trial runs with your camper trailer. Explore local hot spots on weekends away to make sure you have everything you need and ease your mind. Packing up and setting up your Mars Camper is simple, but after doing it a few times you’ll be a pro. This also limits unexpected errors and reminds you of the housekeeping tasks like checking your tire pressure, oil and the sorts.
Expect the unexpected and when they do happen, don’t let them break your spirit. Yes, a flat tyre or ending up 200k in the wrong direction can seem like a catastrophe at the time, but by dealing calmly and reassessing the situation, you’ll not only learn a lot about not sweating the small things, you’re more likely to last the distance.
Whether you already have your Mars Camper and are looking for an upgrade or are about to make the leap, take a look at our range of campers to see which is best for you.