Our first big truck camper trip was a 7 day trip to West Virginia.
We had already done a few longer camper van trips (we rented from Moterra Campervans — highly recommend), so we kind of knew what to expect… but I still managed to calm my nerves by creating what felt like a 27-page list of everything we needed to plan the trip perfectly.
(It wasn’t actually 27 pages… but it might as well have been.)
And honestly? It made the whole thing feel overwhelming before we even left the driveway.
Now, we’ve simplified everything into a planning system that actually works — whether we’re heading out for a quick weekend or a longer road trip.
We Start With One Simple Question
Before we plan anything, we ask:
What kind of trip do we want?
- Relaxing and low-key
- Hiking and adventure-heavy
- Scouting for new campsites
This one question drives everything else — where we go, what we pack, and how much we actually plan.
We Don’t Pick the “Perfect” Campsite
This one took me a while to learn.
We try to avoid planning around one exact campsite — especially when we’re boondocking.
Because the reality is…someone might already be there.
And if your entire trip depends on that one spot, it can throw everything off.
Instead, we:
- Pick a general area
- Keep a few options in mind
- Stay flexible
(If you’re booking campgrounds, this is less of an issue — but for dispersed camping, it matters.)
Why You Always Need a Backup Plan
We’ve had trips go sideways before — and fast.
One time, we picked a brand new area to explore… and it just wasn’t great.
- The forest had recently been part of a controlled burn
- The sites were unlevel
- And worst of all… they were trashed
There was glass and debris everywhere, and we weren’t comfortable staying.
So we turned around and drove an hour back to an area we knew.
And honestly? That decision saved the trip.
Now our rule is simple:
If we’re going somewhere new, we always have a backup plan. And if either of us feels uncomfortable, we leave. No questions.
What We Look For in a Campsite
We’re not picky… but we are a little picky
Our must-haves:
- Far enough off the road to comfortably let the dogs roam
- Private enough that Jingle barking at a pinecone doesn’t wake the entire forest
- Some kind of view — river, mountains, trees… we’re not picky as long as it’s pretty
How We Choose Locations Based on the Trip
Once we know the type of trip, everything gets easier:
- Relaxing weekend:
→ We go somewhere familiar that we already love - Adventure-heavy trip:
→ We plan around hikes or activities - Scouting trip:
→ We pick a new area and explore (with a backup plan 👀)
We Plan Meals Ahead (For Our Sanity)
Planning meals ahead of time makes grocery shopping easier and avoids the classic:
“What do you want for dinner?”
“I don’t care.”
“No, what do you want?”
I am determined that Chris should decide.
He is equally convinced it should be me.
Are we the only ones?
One thing that’s helped us a lot is keeping a running note in my phone of easy camp meals we know we love.
Nothing fancy — just go-to meals that are:
- quick to make
- low effort
- require minimal ingredients
It makes decision-making so much easier when we don’t feel like thinking.
And trust me when I say… if I can make them, anyone can.
I have the kitchen skills of a toddler.
I recently found a blog called Camp.Grill.Eat – that has some really delicious looking recipes that Chris and I are excited to try on future trips.
I’ll report back on how they turn out.
We Always Check the Weather
We’re not overly dramatic about it.
- A few showers? Totally fine
- A full-on monsoon? Hard pass
We usually check our local weather app or WeatherBug before heading out, just to avoid any surprises.
Our Actual Planning Routine (This Is It)
Over time, we’ve simplified everything into a really straightforward process:
- Pick an area
- Check the weather
- Decide what kind of trip it is
- Plan a few activities (if needed)
- Pack accordingly
That’s it.
👉 If you want to steal the exact checklist we use before every trip, you can grab it here:
Free Departure Checklist
👉 And if you want a more structured version of how we plan everything start to finish, this is the exact system we use:
Dirt Road Camper Planning System
We Pack Based on the Trip Type
This is where things actually change.
Hiking-heavy trips:
- Daypacks
- Jingle’s backpack (of course)
- Hiking boots
- Sun hoodies
- Water bladders
Relaxing trips:
- Minimal effort
- You’re lucky if I bring anything other than my Birkenstocks
Scouting trips:
- Pack light
- We’re rarely sitting at camp anyway
If you want a full breakdown of what we always bring, check out our Truck Camper Essentials post.
How We Plan for the Dogs
The dogs go everywhere with us — unless we’re flying (and even then, Jingle has made a few appearances ✈️).
So we always think about:
- Temperature:
→ If it’s hot, we try to camp near water - Safety & space:
→ Enough room for them to roam - Ticks… unfortunately
Jingle has an uncanny ability to find entire tick communities in the woods.
There have been multiple trips this year where I’ve spent hours inspecting him like I’m on a full FBI investigation.
He is over it.
I am not.
If you want to see exactly how we manage camping with dogs, read our full routine here.
The Biggest Thing We’ve Learned About Planning
This was the hardest lesson for me:
The more we try to control every detail, the less fun the trip becomes.
Now we:
- Prepare for what we can
- Let go of what we can’t
- Stay flexible
The best part about a truck camper?
You can just leave.
Don’t like the site?
Not feeling the area?
Pack up and go.
We’ve done it a lot, and every time we end up having a better trip because of it.
If You’re New to Truck Camping
If you’re stressing about planning your first trip — don’t.
You don’t need to have everything figured out.
We definitely didn’t.
On one of our first trips, we thought we were running out of water…
because we didn’t realize the water heater would pull 6 gallons.
You can read more about that here: What No One Tells You About Owning a Truck Camper
You learn by doing.
And every trip gets easier.
Final Thoughts
Planning a truck camping trip doesn’t have to be perfect — it just has to get you out there.
Have a backup plan.
Stay flexible.
And remember — even the “bad” trips usually turn into the best stories.
What About You?
Are you someone who plans everything…
or do you just pick a direction and go?