It’s the first working week of 2026. If you’re anything like us, you’re already planning that first proper getaway. Winter trips are brilliant. Quiet campsites, crisp mornings, and the kind of cosy evenings that make a campervan feel like the best place on earth.
They are also when small issues show up fast. A tired leisure battery. A loose connection. A light that flickers just when it gets dark at 4pm.
This checklist is designed to help you catch the common problems before you leave the driveway. It focuses on the things that matter most in winter. 12V lighting, power, and a few simple safety checks that reduce the chances of a ruined weekend.
Printable PDF Version - Download HERE
Want a version you can keep in the van or save to your phone? Download the checklist and tick it off before your first trip.
Step 1: Start with a simple visual scan
Before you touch any tools, do a quick walkaround. You’re looking for anything obvious that could turn into a problem once you’re on the road.
- Signs of water ingress around windows, roof lights, vents, and cable entry points
- Damp patches and musky smells inside cupboards, especially near electrics
- Loose trim, rattles, or anything that has worked free over storage
- Corrosion on exposed metal parts and battery terminals
- Cracked lenses on exterior lights or markers
If something looks off, fix it now. Winter rain has a way of turning minor points into major headaches quickly.
Step 2: Leisure battery health
Your lighting, pump, heating controls, USB charging, and fridge electronics all depend on stable 12V supply. A battery that was fine in summer could struggle in winter.
Quick checks you can do
- State of charge: fully charge the leisure battery before the trip. Then check voltage at rest if you have a multimeter. A good healthy leisure battery should register 12.7V or above.
- Connections: confirm terminals are tight and clean. Look for corrosion and clean carefully if needed.
- Battery monitor: if you have one, sanity check that the readings look normal and do not drop rapidly with small loads.
What you’re watching for
- Big voltage drop as soon as lights go on
- Voltage bouncing around, which can indicate a poor connection
- Loads cutting out early, especially when heating fans or pumps run
If your battery is older or has been stored flat, consider replacing it.
Step 3: Fuse board and 12V distribution
A surprising number of issues come down to fuses, connectors, or a slightly loose feed.
- Locate your 12V fuse board and check for any obvious heat marks or discolouration
- Confirm fuses are seated properly
- If you carry spare fuses, check you have the right types and ratings
- Wiggle test. With power isolated, gently check that key connectors are secure, especially the main feed and grounds
If you have a history of “mystery faults,” label your fuse circuits now. Future you will thank you.
Step 4: Lighting check
In winter, lighting is not a luxury. It’s safety, comfort, and usability. Do a proper check by area, and test under realistic conditions.
Interior lighting
Work through each lighting zone:
- Kitchen or galley down lighting: does task lighting fully cover the hob, sink, and prep area? Any shadows where you chop or wash up?
- Lounge or dinette ceiling lighting: can you dim or soften the light for evenings? Is it warm and comfortable, or harsh and glaring?
- Bed area & Reading Lights: do you have a low light option for night time? Can you read without lighting up the whole van?
- Storage and garage: can you see what you’re doing when you arrive late or pack up in the rain?
What to look for:
- Flicker, especially when other loads turn on
- Intermittent switches
- Loose fittings, rattles, or lights that cut out when you close a door
- Overly bright lights positioned directly in your eyeline
Exterior lighting
Do this before you drive:
- All front lights, indicators and hazard lights
- Reverse light, tail lights and brake lights
- Number plate light
- Any added scene lights or awning lights
If you’ve added any external 12V lighting, make sure it’s properly fused, weather protected, and routed away from sharp edges.
Step 5: Switches, dimmers and controls
A lot of campervan lighting frustrations come from controls rather than the lights themselves.
- Test each switch for positive feel and consistent behaviour
- Check dimmers across their full range. No dead zones, no flicker
- Confirm touch switches are not triggering accidentally
- If you have a master switch, confirm it actually isolates what you think it isolates
If a switch feels unexpected, sort it now. Small frustrations in daylight become big ones when you’re tired and it’s cold.
Step 6: Cable routing and protection
You do not need to tear your van apart. Just check the areas you can easily access.
- Look for cables rubbing on metal edges
- Confirm grommets are in place where cables pass through panels
- Check for cable ties that have snapped, leaving wires hanging
- Watch for signs of heat near connectors or power modules
If you find exposed conductors or damaged insulation, stop and fix it properly. Do not bodge it with tape and hope.
Step 7: Water and gas safety basics
Very important to check before the first trip.
- Check smoke alarm and CO alarm. Replace batteries if needed
- If you have gas, check hoses for age and cracks. Confirm the regulator looks sound. Gas leak detection spray is helpful here.
- Test the water pump and look for leaks under sinks and around fittings
- Run the heater briefly if you have one, confirm it starts cleanly and behaves normally
If anything smells odd, sounds odd, or behaves inconsistently, investigate before you leave.
Step 8: Pack a small “12V rescue kit”
These are the things that turn a minor issue into a 10 minute fix rather than a ruined trip.
- Spare blade fuses in common ratings
- A basic multimeter
- A small screwdriver set
- Electrical tape and a few cable ties
- A head torch - even if your van lighting is great
- Spare USB cable and a 12V charger adapter
- A few crimp connectors and a compact crimp tool. Wagos are also great in a pinch.
Step 9: Final test
Once you’ve checked everything, do a realistic test for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Turn on the lights you’d actually use in the evening
- Run a few common loads at the same time, like lights, pump, heater, fan and fridge
- Check for flicker, dimming, or anything cutting out
- Walk through the van and see if any zones still feel underlit
If it feels cosy, usable, and stable now, it will feel even better when you arrive late and it’s raining sideways.
Why this is important
That first trip of the year sets the tone for everything that follows. A quick pre-trip check now means fewer surprises on the road, especially in winter when dark afternoons and cold nights put your 12V system and lighting to the test.
At BrightVans, that’s what we build for - practical 12V campervan lighting and accessories chosen for real-world van life, so you can head out with confidence and start the new year the right way.
Before you go, remember to download the one-page printable version and keep it in the glovebox for every trip.
Download our First Trip of the Year Campervan Checklist (PDF) - HERE