Will a Packraft Fit in Your Campervan? The Small Inflatable Boat for Vans, Motorhomes and RVs

You've parked up by a loch, the kettle's on, and the water is flat as glass. Then the usual question: how do you actually get out on it? A hardshell kayak means a roof rack and a two-person lift. An inflatable kayak or paddleboard is easier, but it still eats a big chunk of your storage and needs a pump. For a lot of van and motorhome owners, the answer is a packraft.

This guide covers whether a packraft really fits in a campervan, motorhome or RV, where to keep it, how quickly you can get from parked to paddling, and which boat suits van travel. If you want the bigger picture on why packrafts and vans go so well together, read our guide to packrafts for campervans and motorhomes too.

The short answer: yes, easily

• It's light. Our Paddle Ready packrafts weigh 3.2kg to 3.9kg. One person can carry it, launch it and pack it away.
• It packs small. Rolled up, a Paddle Ready fits in a rucksack, so it fits in a cupboard, under a seat or in an outside locker.
• No roof rack, no pump. You inflate it with the included inflation bag in a few minutes, so there's no electric pump or compressor to carry or charge.
• It's ready to go. Seat, backrest, tie-down points and carry handles are already fitted. There's nothing to assemble.

Packraft vs inflatable kayak vs paddleboard for a van

All three will get you on the water. The difference is what they cost you in space, weight and faff every time you use them.

If space is tight, and in a van it always is, the packraft wins on almost every count. Want a deeper comparison? See packraft vs inflatable kayak vs canoe.

Where to keep a packraft in your campervan, motorhome or RV

Because it rolls down so small, a packraft fits in spaces a kayak or board never could. Some ideas, depending on your setup:

• Compact campervans (VW Transporter style, Ford Transit Custom, Trafic and similar): under the rear seat, in the boot storage or in an overhead cupboard.
• Panel van conversions (Ducato, Sprinter, Crafter and similar): in the garage space under the bed, alongside camping chairs and the awning.
• Coachbuilt motorhomes: in an outside locker, so it never comes inside wet.
• RVs and larger campers: in the basement storage bays, with plenty of room left for everything else.

Keep the paddle with it. Our RUK Moray 4-piece paddle breaks down into four sections, so it stores in the same locker. Add it with any packraft and you get £10 off the paddle automatically.

From parked to paddling in about ten minutes

1. Unroll it on a flat bit of ground near the water. Grass or a beach is better than sharp gravel.
2. Inflate it with the bag. Scoop air into the inflation bag, roll it into the tubes, then top up firm through the small valve. It takes a few minutes and no pump.
3. Add the seat and backrest, clip in the skeg if you're using one, and strap any kit to the bow.
4. Buoyancy aid on, paddle together, and you're away.

Coming back is the same in reverse. Open the valves, roll it from the stern to push the air out, and strap it up.

Drying and storing it on the road

• Wipe it down before you roll it. A small microfibre towel kept with the raft does the job.
• Dry it properly before long storage. A damp roll is fine for a drive to the next spot, but unroll it to air out when you get the chance.
• Rinse after salt water when you next have fresh water to spare.
• Keep it out of direct heat such as a hot dashboard or next to a heater. A locker or under-seat space is ideal.

Want more on care? Read our guide to cleaning and maintaining your packraft.

Which Paddle Ready suits van life?

• Paddle Ready (3.2kg, £645): the lightest and simplest. Ideal for lakes, canals, lochs and slow rivers near where you park.
• Paddle Ready+ (3.7kg, £795): adds a removable spray deck and skeg for windier days, the coast and light whitewater.
• Paddle Ready+ TIZIP (3.9kg, £895): adds an airtight zip so you can store kit inside the tubes. Great if your van trips turn into overnight paddles.

Every model is made from tough 210D TPU coated nylon with a reinforced 840D floor, has sewn and heat welded seams, takes up to 200kg including you and your kit, and is leak tested before it leaves us.

Before you launch: access and safety

• Check you're allowed on the water. Access rules vary across the UK. Many canals and some rivers need a licence, and a Paddle UK membership covers a lot of them. Scotland has wider access rights, but you still need to act responsibly.
• Always wear a buoyancy aid, and tell someone where you're going.
• Check the weather and wind. Offshore winds are the big risk for any small inflatable boat.
• Start somewhere calm while you get used to the boat, and read our safety guidelines.

Common questions

What's the best small inflatable boat for a campervan?

For most van owners a packraft is the best fit. It's far lighter and smaller packed than an inflatable kayak or paddleboard, needs no pump, and fits in a locker or under a seat.

Can I get on the water from a motorhome without a roof rack?

Yes. A packraft travels inside the van or in an outside locker and inflates by the water's edge, so you never need a roof rack or a second person to lift it.

Do I need a pump?

No. Every Paddle Ready comes with an inflation bag, and you can inflate it in a few minutes. There's nothing to charge and nothing extra to store.

Is a packraft stable enough for a beginner?

Yes. Packrafts sit low and wide, which makes them very stable on flat water. Start somewhere calm and wear a buoyancy aid. A paddling course is a good idea before moving water.

Can I take it to Europe in my van?

Absolutely. A packraft is one of the easiest boats to bring on a long road trip. Check local access rules and any licence requirements wherever you're paddling.

Ready to add a boat to your van? See the Paddle Ready range, or email info@iron-raft.co.uk if you'd like help choosing.