Ten things to know about the camper
How many have always dreamed of a holiday in a camper, but are panicked at the thought of driving a large vehicle, of staying alone in open spaces, of not having what is necessary for a relaxing, fun and safe holiday?
Traveling in a camper can be a new, exciting experience, but for some also mysterious and capable of instilling a little fear.
The encounter with the camper is a match between dream, necessity and possibility, which begins with relying on the advice of experts such as those of ASSOCAMP, the National Association of Recreational Vehicle and Camping Article Operators: over 200 sales professionals and maintenance affiliates have drawn up a list of 10 curiosities that answer the many doubts and perplexities of those who want to approach this type of holiday for the first time.
“The camper is synonymous with a holiday in complete freedom with all the comforts of home,” says Ester Bordino, President of ASSOCAMP. “With a camper you travel with your family, your partner or your closest friends, as well as with your pets, but many still don't know this type of holiday and don't know what to expect from a vehicle recreational.
We wanted to create this mini-guide because too many people still don't know what a camper is made of and what extraordinary holiday opportunities it can offer".
The beauty of taking a trip in a camper is that you have the freedom to go where you want, when you want: a weekend away, a few days of relaxation at the seaside or in the mountains, a week-long trip around Europe. In the camper we are protected, in a comfortable environment, while always feeling in direct contact with nature and what surrounds us. To consciously choose to travel in a camper, however, you need to eliminate all those doubts which can be many for a novice, and which range from the vehicle's equipment to the way to use it in complete safety. For this reason, and to answer the curiosities of those who have never thought about a holiday on the road before, Assocamp has selected the “10 things to know about campers”.
- GUIDE. They are large and often intimidating, but modern campers actually drive like a normal car, with just a little attention to height. Most vehicles on the market can be driven with a B driving licence. Only some "maxi" sized vehicles require a C license or C1 license.
- SELF-SUFFICIENCY. Water, electricity and gas: with the camper you travel with all the comforts and without the worry of being stuck in the dark or without the necessary energy resources, since it is designed to be an autonomous residential vehicle. On board there are service batteries that power the lights, the water pump, the refrigerator, the TV and other services, and with the solar panels they can be kept charged. There is also the gas cylinder for the stove and stove. A tank capable of holding a hundred liters is available to always have a reserve of water. And then there is the waste water collection tank.
- TOGETHER. With friends, family, as a couple or alone. The camper is the vehicle made to measure for everyone. There are vehicles that can accommodate up to seven people. And obviously there is also room for dogs, cats and pets, to really travel together. Just remember that safety comes first and therefore all passengers must always travel seated with their seat belts fastened: while traveling you cannot sleep in beds, cook or go to the bathroom.
- COOKED. Quick lunches or gourmet dinners, in a camper you can cook almost anything thanks to the kitchen equipped with gas stoves with two, three, sometimes even four burners. In some campers there is even an oven with a grill. Everyone then has a refrigerator, often generously sized, and a freezer that allows food to be preserved perfectly even when the temperature outside is very high.
- SLEEP. Comfortable mattresses and large beds, but without giving up living space, to sleep peacefully and comfortably like at home. Today the camper offers various solutions for a trip in total relaxation, from beds with slatted bases to mattresses of the most varied types, to provide maximum comfort and provide a regenerating rest. The beds can be fixed, both double and single, in a real separate room, or bunk. The solution of the foldaway bed, which comes down from the ceiling controlled by electric motors, is very popular: just press a button and you're done.
- COMFORT. Don't you love the idea of using public toilets at campsites or beaches? No problem: in campers you will find the toilet, a sink and a shower with hot water, often in a separate box that doesn't make you miss the shower at home. The waste water is then collected in special tanks which must be emptied into dedicated wells.
- BIKES, MOTORCYCLES AND… CARS. Parking your camper and discovering places on two wheels is one of the reasons that drives many to choose a camper for their holidays. The smaller vehicles, built on the basis of the van, can accommodate bicycles both inside, thanks to the rear doors, and outside, thanks to special bicycle racks. Traditional, larger campers have a cargo compartment that is often very large, so much so that it is called a "garage", to accommodate some bicycles or even a scooter. On even larger vehicles it can be large enough to even fit a car!
- STOPOVER. With a view of the sea, lake or snow-capped peaks, in the heart of cities or in reserved areas in natural parks: with the camper you can park wherever cars are allowed to park, as long as the vehicle's shape falls within that of the parking space. It is preferable to choose campsites and equipped rest areas, where you can freely use outdoor equipment such as tables or awnings and where you can stop in complete safety, but you can also stop in car parks (except for specific prohibitions and respecting the signs), as required by article 185 of the Highway Code.
- RACING. Traveling by camper does not necessarily mean taking longer to get around. Modern camper engines allow you to reach automotive speeds. Just know that a camper over seven meters in length cannot occupy the third motorway lane. That said, the beauty of a traveling holiday is also to enjoy the journey, driving carefully especially because the braking distances on a heavy vehicle are longer than those of a car.
- WINTER. The snow offers unique spectacles to campers, who do not give up the warmth of home even when traveling in winter. An efficient heating system allows you to enjoy your holiday at low temperatures without discomfort. Generally these are gas or diesel systems that spread hot air through vents positioned in the vehicle, but some higher-end campers have radiator heating very similar to that used in our homes.
Now all that remains is to choose the right vehicle - between coachbuilt, semi-integrated, motorhome, van or minivan - and the destination, decide whether to travel in good company or alone and let yourself be guided by the desire to explore.
