What Went Wrong in Our 4-Seater Campervan Journey

When we planned our campervan trip, my wife and I were literally buzzing with excitement. Our kids were finally old enough to handle anything that our trip throws at them. The idea of traveling in a Native Campervans small unit felt like a beautiful way to unplug from a hectic routine and make unforgettable memories that last longer.

A 4-seater campervan trip seemed like the perfect way to embrace the beauty of nature—and honestly speaking, it really was. We`ve done shorter trips before, but never living in a van for multiple days. While the campervan came with everything we needed, there was something missing—and that`s where the story starts.

Challenges We Faced Traveling in a 4-Seater Campervan

So, here`s what almost spoiled our road journey in The Squad:

1- We Packed for Comfort, Not Efficiency

We approached packing with the mindset of, “Let’s pack everything we`ve.” That means extra sweatshirts, more toys than necessary and snacks... so many snacks. The van already seemed full before we even left our home and eventually ended up being overcrowded and losing track of where things were.

What to look for: Pack only the essentials and use soft-sided bags to stay organized.

2- We Forgot to Plan for Downtime

Since the 4-seater campervan had everything, we packed everything with plans—campgrounds, captivating drives and stops. Bad for us, we forgot to consider the activities that come in between those exercises. Adults need breaks and so do kids. We didn`t have quiet-time options to keep everyone engaged without screens and we felt it.

What to look for: Building in quiet options like books or audiobooks is ideal.

3- We Didn`t Have a Solid Food Plan

We thought we`d just pick up groceries as we went and decide what to eat (but it wasn`t simple). It sounded fun at first, but rolling a family campervan at 6 PM with no dinner plan turned our fun into a stressful moment. What was even worse was that we had tools to cook, but didn`t have any specific system for cooking.

What to look for: Pre-plan meals and bring shelf-stable staples to reduce stress.

4- We Underestimated Driving Fatigue

I don`t know how, but this point literally slipped out of my mind. Driving a 4-seater campervan needs more focus than a regular road trip. We expected to reach our destinations with enough energy to spare, but within a few hours of leaving for our stop, I felt mentally drained and unfortunately skipped planned activities.

What to look for: Plan pre-schedule drive days than you think you require.

So, What Our Road Trip Taught Us

Here`s what our 4-seater campervan trip taught us:

• Less is More: Overpacking can crowd both the van and your headspace. 
• Kids Need Structure: Having a rough rhythm helps everyone stay fresh.
• Meal Planning: A little food prep before the trip can make a big difference.
• Build in Breathing Room: Leave space in your route for necessary stops.

The things that “went wrong” were all about how we planned the trip. We treated it like a vacation or daily road trip without realizing it`s a lifestyle change, even if just for less than a week. Fortunately, when you learn the lessons from your mistakes, your next trip becomes more enjoyable. Yes, we learned lessons the hard way, but that`s part of the journey. So, if you`re considering a 4-seater campervan trip, our advice is to read this blog at least once!

As the premier partner of the Native Campervans affiliate program, I would like to inform you that by tapping on the referral link, you may save big on your next booking. I may earn a small commission without extra cost to you.

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