It’s not all fluttering curtains and sun-tanned legs you know. There’s a fine art to van life. And if you make these 13 mistakes, you’ll have a lap to forget, not remember.

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A ranger knocking on your window at 5am. The police fining you $1,923 for towing too much weight. Heading to Tassie in the middle of winter…
See also: I tried TikTok’s viral ‘car camping’ trend. It was kind of disgusting
Whether you’re in a fancy-pant Sprinter, a trusty old Hiace or a full on caravan, there are a lot of mistakes that can ruin your lap around Australia.
Here’s 13 of them, to help you avoid them.

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1. Towing too much weight
Not only is this a major safety risk (that can void insurance pay outs) but it’s a fineable offence (up to $1923 in Victoria). It’s also more common than you’d think: A recent Queensland Police crackdown on caravan and camper towing weights found 9-out-of-10 were overweight.

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2. Not reading the instructions for your vehicle
As I found out when I toured Tasmania, not being familiar with the basic elements of your vehicle can lead to frustration.
Before you rock up at a campsite needing to cook dinner in the rain, it’s helpful to know how to set up your awning, where your stove is, and where the heck those gas canisters have got to…

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3. Spending all your time at expensive caravan parks
One of the big advantages of travelling in a van is saving money on accommodation. So make sure to keep an eye out for free camps and make the most of them.

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4. Not buying a vehicle made out of the right material
“Just like a house, it’s crucial you know what’s behind the walls, in the roof and under the floor [of your caravan],” Serge Valentino, founder and CEO of Crusader Caravans tells Escape.
“The core construct of a caravan is typically either timber frame, aluminium frame, or full composite. It’s important to research the differences between each method.”
“Many of the leaders in the Australian caravan industry are now using composite based panels because it’s lighter and stronger.”
Caravans made out of these materials also have better resale value, he says.

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5. Risking your suspension for a dodgy Wikicamp
That epic-sounding free-camp with a plethora of backpackers drinking wine and shuffling shopping bags around their beat-up station wagons might sound fun, but is it worth hammering your van down a sketchy dirt road for?

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6. Remembering the bathroom code to a caravan park and using the facilities beyond the date you paid to stay there
Not only is this unethical, but you’re also ruining the goodwill the rest of the world has for van lifers for the rest of us.

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7. Thinking you can cook a pizza on a BBQ without burning the base to smithereens
Sad reacts only. This was easily the saddest moment of my van life experience.

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8. Packing too much
Another van life issue I have experienced is bringing too much with you. For me, this led to not being able to use my van’s elaborate kitchen, as my surfboards were always in the way.

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9. Not having a good cooking set up
You’re going to be using it every day, so having a convenient cooking system is a must.

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10. Not getting good insurance for your vehicle
Travel insurance is important at the best of times, but when you’re relying on your vehicle as a form of accommodation as well as transport, it’s essential to have proper insurance for it, should you need towing or mechanical assistance.

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11. Thinking you will get a modicum of privacy
If you like your privacy, van life is not for you. Your entire life is on show to the public, from munching your avocado toast in the morning to your arguments about how much water you’re allowed to use to wash up at night.
See also: Life on the road: Is vanlife really all it’s cracked up to be?

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12. Travelling to places at the wrong time of year
You want to be in the outback and up north in winter (dry season), and down in Tassie in summer.
Picture: Explore Australia

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13. Parking illegally
This is silly. Doubly so if you sleep somewhere where you are not allowed to park overnight, as you will risk waking up to a $300 fine.
Article(s):
Courier Mail: https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/13-dumb-mistakes-aussie-caravanners-make/image-gallery/f4e86eecea11f3b431a38cd716b1a220?btr=57d828ac56ffcb4032e414852e25dae5
Escape: https://www.escape.com.au/experiences/caravan-and-camping/13-dumb-mistakes-aussie-caravanners-make/image-gallery/f4e86eecea11f3b431a38cd716b1a220
The Herald Sun: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/13-dumb-mistakes-aussie-caravanners-make/image-gallery/f4e86eecea11f3b431a38cd716b1a220?btr=57d828ac56ffcb4032e414852e25dae5&page=1
The Daily Telegraph: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/lifestyle/13-dumb-mistakes-aussie-caravanners-make/image-gallery/f4e86eecea11f3b431a38cd716b1a220?btr=57d828ac56ffcb4032e414852e25dae5&page=1
The Adelaide Advertiser: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/lifestyle/13-dumb-mistakes-aussie-caravanners-make/image-gallery/f4e86eecea11f3b431a38cd716b1a220?btr=57d828ac56ffcb4032e414852e25dae5&page=1