Camper holidays continue to be among the most requested even after the summers of COVID-19 and Coronavirus containment measures. After all, a holiday in a camper can perfectly satisfy the desire for life in the open air and the needs of different types of people, from families with children to young couples or groups of friends. We have already done it, for example in Carinthia, and going in a camper is different from camping in a tent: obviously there is more comforteven just to sleep or prepare food, of course it costs a little more (either for camper rental, or because pitches for campers in campsites generally cost more than those for tents), in many respects it is also more practical (dismantling a family tent takes more time, with the camper you unplug the power socket, close the awning, throw everything in the locker and leave), and in some situations instead imposes some limitations (with a camper you can’t go exactly everywhere, as is possible by taking a tent by car, train or bicycle).
Camper holiday: what to bring and what you don’t need
Certainly for those who love the outdoors, and for children, a camper holiday always has the flavor of freedom and it is undoubtedly fun, but if you are organizing your first summer camping it is not easy decide what to bring for a camper holiday. This is why we need a checklist of what is indispensable, what could be useful and what, although superfluous, can still be loaded on board. To bring some order you need to think about:
– What you need to sleep
– What you need to prepare meals
– What you need to relax and be outdoors
– Lamps and lights for illumination
– Clothing
– Sports equipment
What do you need to sleep in a camper
The good news is that in campers there are real beds. Then it depends on the configuration of the vehicle you choose: in attic campers there is a double bed above the cabin, a queen-size or double bed that is formed by lowering the table and two bunk beds or a double bed above the locker; in the so-called “semi-integrated” ones the double bed is located on a tilting structure that lowers above the living area; or in camper vans you often find either 4 bunk beds or a double bed and two bunk beds.
In fact, these are real beds, also suitable for tall people, which can be prepared like a bed at home. You certainly need a sheet to put over the mattress, and then it depends on your preferences whether bring another sheet or duvet cover or sleep in your own sleeping bag (if so, here is our sleeping bag buying guide). The important thing to know is that campers are equipped with heating, which is why many also use them in winter to go skiing, and some also have air conditioning: however, it is always a good idea to ask when renting. Together with sheets, duvet or sleeping bag, it is best not to forget the pillows, if you use them, because they are not available in rental campers.
What you need to cook in a camper
If you are camping you have to make do with the CampinGaz stove for cooking in the camper there is a real kitchen. Normally it is a gas cooker, with a cylinder housed in some compartment separate from the cell and the passenger compartment, and it is a good idea to check at the time of rental that it is sufficiently charged. But having said that, you can easily cook like at home: a saucepan with high sides and a pan may be enough and advance for a vacation of a week or two. Obviously, together with the pots you need ladles and cutlery for cooking, lids and everything else you use at home too, and the good news is that there is enough space to bring with you everything you need to cook real meals.
For the coffee lovers there is good news: obviously the moka is perfect, but if you can’t give up espresso, on the worktop of a camper’s kitchen there is always a power socket to connect the espresso machine to. And the galley? When shopping, you need to take 2 things into account: there is a refrigerator with a small freezersufficient for what you need on a daily basis, and in the rear locker there is always enough space for various supplies, in case you decide to do many days independently away from population centers.
Where to eat in a camper
In camper you can safely eat inside, in the living area, which normally has a table with at least 4 seats. And this is a nice solution in the case of days with bad weather. But the best thing is always to eat outside: on the side where the entrance door is located there is always an awning that opens to protect from the sun and you just need to bring a camping table with chairs to have breakfast, lunch or relax at dinner outdoors. Useful to know: campers always have on the door and awning side at least one external light that illuminates the space in front. If in doubt, if you have a portable work lamp, such as that used by mechanics, it can always be useful.
And for washing dishes and dishes? Well, inside the camper there is a kitchen sink, and you just need to remember to fill the water in the appropriate tank to have it available for these uses. Or in the campsites there is always a designated area for washing dishes, with separate sinks than those found in the bathrooms. Of course, considering that you are not at home it might make sense to equip yourself with a set of metal camping plates and crockery: it’s not like eating from ceramic plates but they certainly won’t break if they fall (inside or outside the camper).
How to wash yourself in a camper
In campers there is a real bathroom, with toilet, sink and shower. Also in this case it is good to always have a sufficient supply of water in the tank, but if you want – and in these times of Coronavirus it is a great advantage – you can be absolutely autonomous and avoid using common facilities such as those of campsites. Obviously you also have to remember to drain the water, both white and black, and obviously you have to do it in the designated areas, which are found both in campsites and in some camper areas, including motorway ones. If you then think about a beach holiday, with heat and sun, it can be fun to take a camp shower, or solar shower: they are bags to hang on the camper or on a tree, with a shower head to freshen up on the fly. Children always like them a lot.
Il relax in camper
Having said that about the table and chairs, there is then the whole question of relaxation. And here the good news is that the rear locker always has enough space to load some real deckchairs or camping chairs. Maybe it might make sense to bring an umbrella or a hammock, as there’s certainly plenty of space.
How to transport bicycles in a camper
To carry Bicycles in a camper is very easy and very useful. Very useful because, once the camper is stowed, the bike allows you to go on excursions or even just go shopping or take a trip around the area to get an ice cream. The good news is that all campers have a rear bike rack, which however is normally limited to 3 bicycles (just like cars, as explained in this in-depth analysis). But that’s not a problem: there’s enough space in the rear locker to fit one or two bikes. Then it is good to take some precautions to put the bikes on the camper. On the rear bike rack it is fine put the largest or heaviest one on the first track near the rear wall of the camper, and keep the smaller or lighter ones outside.
The bikes are secured with arms and clamps, but when in doubt It’s also a good idea to tie them together with padlocks to avoid theft. Since this is an external load, according to the highway code it is also necessary to hang the appropriate sign, which is normally provided by the camper rental company. And if you fear the rain it may be useful to cover the bicycles with a plastic sheet to hold in place with elastic bands. If instead you have some electric bikes, which weigh much more than a normal bikeit is a good idea to ask the renter for the specifications of the bicycle rack, to avoid breakages due to excessive loads.
What else do you need during a camper holiday
Then there are some objects that can always be useful during a camper holiday. A rope with clothespins, for hanging out the laundry, is perfect in every situation, from the sea to the mountains. A mat to place in front of the camper door equally, to avoid dirtying the interior with sand or earth. AND some torches, or head lamps, it can be useful in the dark hours, to avoid turning on all the internal lights waking everyone up or to leave the camper at night. And although there is always electricity in the camper, and in campsites you connect to the electricity grid, perhaps a solar camping battery charger like these can also be useful. Last tip: in a camper there is a lot of space available for storing clothes, but space is not infinite: just like on a sailing boat, rather than a suitcase, a soft duffel-type bag is better, which is indestructible and can also be thrown into the rear locker if necessary.
For all other doubts about your camper holiday, or to discover the most beautiful itineraries, read all these articles of ours.
Photo by Vassilis Sfakianopoulos from Pexels
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2024-06-25 13:40:05
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