Last weekend, I was chatting with a long-time family friend who’d just returned from a road trip along the New South Wales-Victoria border.

What started as a casual catch-up became a surprisingly strong reminder of how good branding can influence buying decisions, even when you are on holiday. With their permission, I’m sharing their story here. I think you’ll find it as relevant and relatable as I did.

Murray River, Open Roads, and Big Ideas

This family of five hit the road in a hired motorhome for two weeks, including the Easter and ANZAC weekends, loosely tracing the Murray River and exploring towns and national parks along the NSW-Victoria border. It was their first proper motorhome holiday - an experiment to see if close quarters would bring them together or drive them quietly mad.

Happily, it turned out to be a winner. The kids loved the sense of adventure, the parents loved the slower pace, and the whole family was already dreaming of making this a regular thing by week two.

That’s when the holiday turned into something more - a research mission.

A Holiday Turned Research Trip

With every caravan park they rolled into, they started paying closer attention. What kind of setups did other families have? What looked comfortable, convenient, and used the space well? Camper trailers, full-size caravans, rooftop tents, swags - they saw it all.

As they were talking, I noticed one thing. They continued to mention the brands of innovative products they had admired.

The 4WDs towing most of these setups were easy to identify - clear, consistent badging everywhere. It was a similar story with most caravans and trailers: logos, names, taglines and model numbers. Some even had extra decals or badges showing they were locally made or celebrating a milestone year.

So, they pulled out their phones and took notes, as once the holiday ended, they knew they wouldn’t have this kind of access to real-world examples easily to hand.

Missed Branding = Missed Opportunity

However, not everything was labelled. A few products had no visible branding at all. No badge, no sticker, not even a subtle logo. It's just a product of a mysterious origin.

With those examples, they said, “We liked the setup, but we had no idea who made it - so we moved on.”

That’s the opportunity cost of poor or missing branding. You never know who’s looking - or when. In this case, a genuinely interested family couldn’t even follow up on a product they were ready to consider.

Decision time - made easy

Once home, they researched the next caravan and camping show. Armed with photos and notes from the trip, they keenly looked for the products they wanted. It made the whole decision process fast, focused, and genuinely exciting.

Now? They’ve locked in the caravan model they want, and they’ve shortlisted the 4WD. The finance is in motion. Holiday #2 is already being planned.

Why branding matters

This family’s journey didn’t begin on the showroom floor. It began at a holiday park, with casual observations and a growing sense of “we could do this.” Branding played a crucial role in what they noticed, what they remembered, and what they will eventually choose.

The best branding did more than just name the product. It told a story: "Australian made," "Anniversary edition," "Family favourite since 1975." These things build trust and desire before a sales rep enters the picture.

Your product might already be on show

If your trailer, caravan, or camping accessory is out on the road, it’s being seen - even when you’re not there to sell it.

LNI helps manufacturers and brands make the most of those moments with smart, durable, high-quality badges, nameplates and labels. They’re built to last, just like your product - and they help create word-of-mouth marketing in the real world.

Want help finding the right branding solution for your product? We’ve been doing this for over 50 years, and we’d love to help.

Talk with a product branding specialist at LNI today

Luna Nameplate Industries continues to lead the charge, pioneering product branding designs that ensure your product makes a statement.

Contact the specialists at LNI to discuss what the best solution is for your product. All our products are Australian-made, designed, and manufactured. Request a quote from LNI today.