Bavaria has the most campsites (421), Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania the most campers per inhabitant. The main reason for camping: being close to nature. Major no-go? The poor or non-existent sanitary facilities.
Enough counting, are you a camping beginner or do you want to become one? Here’s the quick course!
The Bergheimat Oberjoch campsite is one of the most spectacular sites for caravans in Germany: really in the middle of nature!
Caravan or mobile home?
Disadvantage: Purchase three times as expensive. And if you want to see something or go shopping, all the junk on the square has to be dismantled again.
Underestimated advantage of the caravan: It stays with all the odds and ends – the car stays for excursions, shopping trips or trips home.
Shower, bath or camping toilet?
Incidentally, 99 percent of the disposal is carried out by the men on the campsite, just thrown in as an observation, not as an evaluation.
What do you have to take with you on board?
Equipment? Simply packing everything from the closet into the camper at home is not possible. Too heavy. Campers learn: Everything that weighs a lot is thrown out. So: melamine crockery, plastic glasses, light cutlery, light pots. Brush, washing-up liquid (which also dissolves grease with cold water), dissolvable toilet paper, rags, towels, bedding for everyone, extra blanket, clothesline with clips instead of drying rack, cable drum (do not save, costs around 120 to 150 euros, but plugs for all of Europe included), multi-tool with rubber mallet, duct tape, flashlight, tension belts, light for outside.
The first fully electric campers are already available: Here the Mercedes e-Vito with a Sortimo installation, which also includes an elegant lifting roof with a bed.
Cooking area: Gas is always better than electricity, say the campers, because the network is not the same on every campsite. Chairs, table, camping kitchen (cook outside where possible). All of this quickly adds up to a thousand euros. Omit: satellite antenna, wireless network (many campsites have), television. If something important comes up, someone always has a TV with them.
How do you drive the caravan?
Think about driving while packing! A basic rule: Everything heavy close to the axles, the center of gravity must be as low as possible. And: tie it down! You don’t need suitcases, everything in the cupboards, that’s convenient.
Something for the advanced: winter camping – the vehicles can take it and in contrast to the summer season it is nice and quiet!
Driving: In the mobile home: Don’t be surprised, the wind noise takes some getting used to, driving is not dangerous except for crosswinds, more than 130 km/h not recommended.
For caravans: mirror extensions are a MUST (if the trailer is wider than the towing vehicle), driving with a trailer is noticeably more difficult, especially on tight bends and backwards. If the thing lurches, there’s only one thing to do: hit the brakes hard and then let go. Sleeping in the beds while driving is strictly forbidden for both.
Where can I stay in it?
Camping where not everyone goes
Rooftop tents are a cheap alternative to motorhomes or caravans: They can be opened in a flash and take up little space.
