Camping in a tent or caravan: the most important tips for beginners in 2021

2021-07-19T09:33:45.925Z

Are you planning a trip with the camper? Or do you want to explore the world with a tent? Here you can find out what to look out for in order to avoid penalties.

Are you planning a trip with the camper?

Or do you want to explore the world with a tent?

Here you can find out what to look out for in order to avoid penalties.

Go wherever you want.

Wake up in the morning with a view of the most beautiful regions in Germany.

Spontaneously to the next place: Camping is uncomplicated.

But sometimes quite overwhelming for beginners.

A few tips and tricks will help you get started.

What is currently allowed?
How do you choose your camping option?
What should you know for the first night?

Finally camping again!
Camping 2021

No wonder that the sales of mobile homes have boomed in 2020, as the Caravaning Industry Association informs: In the uncertain Corona months - without hotels and holiday apartments, but with canceled flights - the flexibility that camping trips * come with bring, simply unbeatable. For a while, not everything was possible, even for campers:

In many federal states, campsites were closed for months or only open to

long-term

campers.

Due to the low seven-day incidence, campsites are now open again

According to the BR, a corona test on arrival is sufficient according to the current regulation.

This must not be older than 24 hours, except for those who have been vaccinated twice (for whom the second vaccination was at least two weeks ago) and those who have recovered from the test.

Advantages and disadvantages of camping in a tent

That's why many beginners now want to test camping for themselves.

Absolute novices should first consider what they

want to have

over their heads

the first time they try camping

the cheapest entry and particularly flexible.
Even on campsites that are fully booked for caravans, you can usually find a place for the tent.
However, this is also the least comfortable place to sleep: When camping in a tent, the space is limited, the sleeping mats are uncomfortable for some and the private sanitary facilities are missing.
You don't have to worry about anything else than setting it up.
In family tents you can also sleep with four or more people.
You can legally
stay overnight
with the tent on campsites
.
Wild camping,
on the other hand, is banned almost everywhere in Germany.
In Bavaria, wild camping in nature is prohibited according to the Bavarian Nature Conservation Act as long as you do not have the owner's consent.
Especially since the corona-related closings began, more and more nature reserves and environmentalists have been complaining about the increase in wild camping.

Cozy and more expensive: Camping with a caravan, motorhome, etc.

The caravan and motorhome are more comfortable.

However, this form of camping also has disadvantages:

In addition to the kitchen and toilet, a shower is usually also integrated.
In addition to high costs, these variants are also less flexible: attached caravans result in equipment that is somewhat difficult to maneuver with your car.
This travel accommodation needs maintenance and attention: you are traveling here with a large machine whose tanks need to be emptied, filled and cleaned.
On the other hand, you are better protected in bad weather than in a tent, because staying out in the rain quickly becomes uncomfortable.
And since you are traveling in a large vehicle, this variant makes it easier for you to take all the items you want with you - from the camping table to the coffee machine.

Who is camping with a campervan, van and panel van suitable for?

For a number of years, vans have been very popular with campers.
These vans are mostly built by the happy campers themselves with passionate small-scale work, but are now also available for sale after being converted.
They are particularly manoeuvrable, which makes finding a parking space a little easier.
More than two people rarely fit in comfortably.
In the rarest of cases, a wet room is integrated.
And the rule is: keep your head down.
Most of the time you cannot stand upright in the van.

When camping on tires, you can spend the night on many pitches in addition to campsites

In other places, according to the road traffic regulations, overnight stays in the vehicle are only allowed for a maximum of ten hours to “restore fitness to drive” if there is no direct prohibition.

Camping at the campsite is not for you and you still want to go with the motorhome?

Here you can read what to look out for.

Camping for the first time: How beginners can have fun

Just try it out?

That makes sense before you start spending a lot of money.

You can

rent

caravans, mobile homes, VW campers and even tents

At many campsites there are even

glamping

options (short for glamor camping) for insecure beginners: You can sleep in pretty wooden barrels with normal beds and sniff the campsite air without any major risks.

In this way, you can easily check whether vacationing in a few square meters is right for you.

Speaking of testing: You can also just set up the tent in the garden.

With such a small test run, you will immediately notice whether the air mattress is running out of air or the sleeping bag should be a little warmer.

And when you go to the toilet at night, you will experience how helpful a headlamp is.

Camping tips for the first night

The tent is bought, the caravan is rented or bought.

You can start now, right?

So that your first try is not the last:

Where to:
Take it slow!
Choose a
campsite
for the first night
: If something should go wrong on the first night, there are plenty of experienced helpers at the campsites.
First choose a campsite nearby and book it before you leave.
In the
motorhome
: read the instructions!
Do you understand how to fill up with water and drain wastewater, how much water, gas and electricity you need?
Is the power disconnected before you set off?
Tested:
Do you have the negative result of a current
corona test
in your pocket?
Flip-flops
are the be-all and end-all of a happy camper.
Washing:
Take coins with you: you will need them for the showers, washing machines and electricity.
Sitting:
Pack camping chairs: the first dinner outside tastes best.
Food:
If the first outing is stressful, treat yourself to dinner in the restaurant.
All other pack
gas, cooking utensils, food, plates and cutlery
one, also
Spüli
and a
towel
for washing dishes.
Mosquito spray
saves some summer evenings, whether in the tent or on the camping chair in front of the caravan.
Do not
park in
the most beautiful
sunny spot
- at the end of the day the motorhome will otherwise be so heated that you cannot sleep.