Top Tips for Safe Sleeping in Your Campervan

Travelling by motorhome in New Zealand opens the door to unforgettable overnight experiences. Remote beaches, alpine valleys and peaceful forest clearings can become your backyard for the night.

At the end of your adventure-filled day, nothing is more important than having a comfortable and safe night's sleep.

Whether you're freedom camping under the stars or staying in a holiday park, knowing how to sleep safely in your campervan makes all the difference to your peace of mind and overall experience.

In this blog, we share 11 essential safe sleeping tips, from choosing a secure spot to locking up and ensuring safe ventilation to utilising technology — to help you rest easily in your motorhome.

1. Choose a safe and legal sleeping spot

Where you park overnight can affect your safety and comfort. Not all locations are suitable or legal for overnight stays — so it’s essential to choose your spot carefully.

To ensure you park up in a safe place:

• Look for designated freedom camping areas or well-reviewed camping grounds
  
  
• Avoid isolated or poorly lit places — especially if you’re travelling alone
  
  
• Choose a holiday park or commercial campground if you have any doubts — as they often offer additional security, lighting and communal facilities.
  
  

For more on choosing great overnight stops, read our guide to freedom camping in New Zealand.

2. Lock up and secure your motorhome

A secure RV is your first line of defence against theft or unwanted intrusions. Taking a few simple steps before bed can help protect your belongings — and your peace of mind.

To improve your campervan’s security as evening sets in, always:

• Lock the vehicle’s doors and windows
  
  
• Close all blinds and curtains — so your valuables aren’t visible.

3. Ventilate without feeling vulnerable

Good airflow is vital for a restful night in your campervan hire — even when using the heating system. Ventilation prevents condensation and keeps the air fresh inside. However, maintaining security is just as important when leaving any windows or vents open.

Balance ventilation and safety when you’re camping by:

• Opening roof vents — or windows with integrated insect screens
  
  
• Checking for window locks — that allow slight openings without enabling access
  
  
• Avoiding wide-open windows — overnight and unattended during the day.

4. Stay alert around carbon monoxide

When cooking on gas hobs inside your campervan, you’re burning LPG in a relatively confined space. This can be dangerous if you don’t have adequate ventilation.

Though carbon monoxide (CO) is invisible and odourless, you can significantly minimise the risk to you and your passengers by taking a few simple proactive safety steps, like:

• Never using gas stoves or heaters while sleeping — the considerable benefit of central heating is its sealed and externally vented design
  
  
• Opening vents and windows — while you’re cooking on gas hobs.

5. Keep warm or cool all night

Comfortable sleeping temperatures are vital for a healthy night’s sleep — especially when it’s extremely cold or super hot outside. Quality sleep also helps you stay alert to potential safety issues while freedom camping or parking up in isolated campgrounds.

Understanding the onboard climate control options is important for managing the campervan’s internal temperature well. Be sure to ask questions about heating and cooling the RV during your vehicle orientation on pickup.

When arriving at campsites with options on where to park, choose shaded areas if it’s hot and sunny. After parking up, utilise natural methods to regulate the initial inner temperature — like opening windows with insect screens.

Just before the sun goes down on cold evenings, close your motorhome’s curtains or blinds — to help retain the day’s warmth inside your motorhome. However, if the day’s been scorching hot, consider taking a cool shower before heading to bed.

Find out what to expect when you travel by campervan in NZ in winter.

6. Be fire safe inside your campervan

Fires can escalate quickly in compact spaces like motorhomes, especially with cooking or heating appliances. Preventing a fire is far easier than dealing with one in the middle of the night — or at any time.

To help keep your campervan safe from fire:

• Ask whether it has a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket onboard
  
  
• Don’t block any of the heating vents around the motorhome
  
  
• Keep cooking areas clean and uncluttered
  
  
• Double check the gas and oven are turned off before bed.

7. Use technology to stay safe

Digital tools are changing the way you travel — even by motorhome. They offer innovative ways to stay safe while on the road. From GPS to reversing cameras to real-time weather apps, the right tech can help you make better decisions.

Make the most of technology on the road by:

• Downloading apps like CamperMate and RankersNZ with real-time reviews and photos — to find safe freedom camping spots
  
  
• Using GPS tracking or location sharing — with your family and friends back home
  
  
• Checking weather forecasts and road alerts regularly — and before settling in for the night.

Check out our top ten free travel apps for an easy motorhome holiday.

8. Maintain awareness of your surroundings

Your best defence is to be aware of what’s happening around you. By staying alert and trusting your instincts, you’ll be better prepared to respond to anything unexpected.

To keep yourself and your travel crew safe during the evening and night:

• Park with an easy exit route — which could simply be reverse parking if there are only a few freedom camping carparks
  
  
• Quickly scan the area — before locking up your RV for the night.
  
  
• Don’t ignore your instincts or unusual noises — if someone feels unsafe, drive to another location.

9. Ask about safety netting

Look for motorhomes with safety nets when there are beds elevated above the floor level, particularly overcab and drop down beds.

Safety nets usually attach to the bed and the ceiling, to prevent restless sleepers from rolling off a drop down bed. They’re especially useful for older kids who’ll want to sleep in the novel drop down because it feels like sleeping up in a treehouse — an indoor treehouse.

Find out more about travelling in a motorhome with kids.

10. Know how to sleep alone safely — if you’re a solo traveller

Travelling solo brings a unique sense of freedom, but also calls for extra precautions at night. With some smart habits, sleeping alone can still be a safe and comfortable experience.

If you're new to solo travel, read our tips for first-time motorhome road trips. Some tips to keep in mind are to:

• Trust your instincts — if a spot feels wrong, move on
  
  
• Share your location — with a trusted friend or family member
  
  
• Sleep with your keys and phone within easy reach
  
  
• Use blackout blinds — to keep your presence less noticeable.

Your peace of mind starts with a quality motorhome that’s thoughtfully designed. It’ll have integrated security features, a built-in heating system, full insulation, warm bedding and superior mattresses for total comfort in any season.

Look for essential safety features like fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide alarms and blackout blinds.

Explore our range of premium motorhome rentals to understand how a Wilderness RV can offer you restful sleep on your NZ vacation.