10 tips for camping beginners: How to go on holiday with a motorhome, caravan or tent
Mirijam Pelikan
· 09.06.2024
1. being on the road: The journey is the destination
Novice campers often make the mistake of driving too long and choosing a poorly planned route. As if that wasn't enough, after driving for hours they also end up in front of a fully booked campsite. These typical mistakes can be avoided. Especially for the first camping trip, it is advisable not to drive too far away. It is therefore not surprising that more than half of German campers choose their home country as their holiday destination. When planning the perfect camping trip, it's important to remember that the journey is the reward. By choosing alternative routes, you can enjoy the beautiful view while travelling and avoid possible traffic jams. If children are travelling with you, you should take a break every three hours and daily stages should not exceed 200 kilometres, recommends experienced camper Daniel Schmidt.
2 Other countries, other customs
If you are travelling further afield, it is important to find out about road traffic regulations and toll laws abroad. For example, new drivers in Italy are only allowed to drive at 90 km/h on country roads and 100 km/h on motorways for the first three years after obtaining their driving licence. In contrast, adults should not exceed 130 km/h on the Italian motorway in motorhomes weighing less than 3.5 tonnes. You should also keep an eye on the toll regulations. Almost all motorways, some passes and tunnels are subject to tolls. These are just some of the special features in Italy. It is important to be well informed, as high fines can tear a hole in your travelling budget.
3. this is important when picking up the campervan
To familiarise yourself with life in a motorhome, it is advisable to rent a vehicle for your first trip. According to a recent ADAC survey, most Germans opt for a motorhome, followed by a camper van. However, experts recommend analysing your own needs when choosing accommodation. How many people will be travelling with you? How much comfort is important and what budget is available?
It is important to take enough time for the handover of the camper by the hire company. It is advisable to attend this event without children or company, as a thorough briefing is crucial. Daniel Schmidt gives the following advice: "On site, the vehicle should definitely be checked for any damage, preferably by two people. These should then be recorded in a handover report." Videos can also be helpful. Many manufacturers now offer online tutorials to help you learn how to use the toilet cassette, power supply and gas cylinder correctly.
4. the correct loading of the motorhome
It is advisable to secure the load in the camper properly before setting off and to stow it as low as possible between the axles to avoid major damage. A helpful measure is to draw up a packing list with the most important items, as newcomers often tend to pack too much. However, it is important to keep an eye on the maximum total weight of the camper. This information can be found in part 1 of the registration certificate. To calculate the payload, you should use the total weight minus the unladen weight. If the permitted weight is exceeded, high costs may be incurred - especially abroad. It should also be borne in mind that bicycles or e-bikes must be included in this calculation. Daniel Schmidt, Marketing Manager at LMC, recommends making a small donation to the coffee fund and advises going to a waste disposal company or agricultural dealer around the corner to have the weight weighed.
5 Stowing the bikes correctly
More and more people travelling with a motorhome no longer want to be without their bike. Depending on the type of motorhome, there are various options for storing two-wheelers. Some vehicles have a rear garage, which offers two advantages: The bikes are safely protected from theft and remain clean and ready to go after the journey. If you want to transport motorised two-wheelers or several bikes, it is advisable to use bike racks that can be mounted on the chassis or on the rear wall. If the bike needs to be transported inside the vehicle, there are also portable floor mounts. However, it is important to always attach these securely to the side walls with drawstrings. If you are hiring a motorhome, you should clarify in advance what options are available for transporting your bike.
6 Let's go: The first journey with the motorhome
A few important points should be checked before travelling with the camper for the first time. These include securing the load, closing all windows and the roof hatch, disconnecting the shore power and switching off the interior lighting to avoid unnecessary energy consumption. To save fuel, it is advisable to keep up with the traffic and not constantly drive in the fast lane. It is also important not to underestimate the size of the rented campervan in order to avoid damage to side mirrors or other vehicle parts. A short test drive before the first long journey can help you to get a better feel for the vehicle.
7. finally arrived!
Once you have reached the desired campsite and registered at reception, it is time to drive to the end and supply area. The fresh water tank can be topped up there. Then it's time to park the camper on the pitch. It is advisable to orientate yourself on the other campers. Once the perfect location has been found, the camper can be levelled using wedges. Wooden or plastic wedges under the wheels ensure that the vehicle is levelled. Finally, the alignment inside the camper should be checked with a spirit level.
8. camping etiquette: etiquette on the campsite
There are a few unwritten rules that must be observed on the campsite. These include, for example, that you should always drive slowly in order to show consideration for other campers. It is also important to keep dogs on a lead and to respect the privacy of other guests. This also means that you should not walk across other people's pitches and make sure that all campers are facing in the same direction. Waste water from your own campervan should only be disposed of in the designated stations and rubbish must be disposed of properly. Another golden rule is: Never use the fresh water hose to flush out the toilet canister!
9. anti-theft device for the camper
All holidaymakers want a carefree time when camping. If you keep a few things in mind, safety is guaranteed when camping. It is advisable to leave jewellery and valuables at home and always have emergency numbers to hand. It is best to carry money on your person. You should always lock your caravan and only stay overnight at designated campsites. We strongly advise against spending the night in a caravan at motorway service areas. As a beginner, it is advisable not to go wild camping. In Germany, however, camping is one of the safest types of holiday and the crime rate on campsites is very low, as Daniel Schmidt has confirmed. If you still want additional security, you can use steering wheel claws, additional locks or an alarm system.
10. the end of the holiday is approaching
It is advisable to allow enough time for the return journey to avoid arriving home at the last minute and having to unpack the rented vehicle at night because it has to be returned the next morning. It is therefore advisable to plan an extra day for the return journey. As soon as you are ready to drive home or continue your journey, it is important to get the campervan back into driving condition. This includes putting the seats back in the driving position, emptying the waste water and toilet and disposing of the rubbish. If you are standing on muddy ground, it may sometimes be necessary to call in external help to pull the vehicle off the pitch. It is therefore advisable to inform the groundsman of this the day before.
This article is part of the Camping Special 2024 by Surf, Bike and MyBike
