Camper Van – Do you love nature, are open to new things and want a change from the stress of everyday life?
Then you should definitely go camping.
Camping is becoming increasingly popular with young and old alike, but you no longer just set off with a classic tent, air mattress and old sleeping bag.
Instead, you should equip yourself with useful outdoor equipment such as camping furniture, a roof tent and a camping kitchen to make the most of your time in nature and enjoy a carefree and carefree vacation.
A camper van is recommended for your vacation so that you don’t have any problems transporting all your equipment.
Don’t have the money to buy your own van?
Not if you build it yourself!
Camping Ratgeber:
Freedom & closeness to nature in a camper van
Whether it’s an exciting road trip, a short weekend getaway or a trip lasting several weeks – with a camper van, you are flexible on the road, always have all your camping equipment with you and can plan your route and breaks individually.
For spontaneous stops, you can simply drive to the nearest pitch or campsite and, in the best case, you even have an integrated bed with you so that you no longer have to worry about setting up a tent, including mattress and co.
A bed like this also offers you more comfort, especially on longer trips, so you can start the day feeling refreshed without too much effort.
Of course, it’s also practical if you have a built-in kitchen in your camper.
This makes it easy and uncomplicated to cater for yourself on the road and, with a basic supply of long-life food, you no longer have to worry about where to get something to eat next.
A vacation in a camper van is guaranteed:
- A sense of freedom and closeness to nature
- Exciting adventures
- Affordable vacation option
- Travel flexibly and independently
Are you a camping beginner? Read all about the basics of packing lists, routes, costs, tips etc. here: Camping beginners.
Vanlife: equipment, space and order
You can set up your camper van the way you want it in advance and take a piece of home with you on your trip.
You are therefore offered a relaxed vacation with a feel-good guarantee and enough space to spend quality time with your loved ones.
There is also enough space for all your equipment in the cupboards.
If you want to bring even more order to your van life, you should also purchase additional camping boxes.
You are therefore completely free to plan your route and your vacation and can enjoy the feeling of complete freedom and closeness to nature.
Another advantage over a motorhome is that the van is usually not as big and is therefore easier to drive and can be easily parked in a parking lot along the way.
Advantages of a camper van
- Flexible vacation planning
- Spontaneous route planning
- Complete equipment is always included
- Built-in kitchen, if applicable
- Integrated bed
- Sufficient space for all your equipment
- At home and comfortable
You need to be aware of this: Driver’s license, parking space & co.
To drive a camper van, you first need a valid driver’s license.
If you also want to buy a trailer, it’s best to get a trailer coupling, suitable wheel chocks and possibly even a maneuvering aid to start with . As soon as you have the appropriate driving license, have coupled your trailer to the van and stowed your outdoor luggage, nothing stands in the way of your camping vacation.
Driving license class B trailer
Can I drive a camper van with my driver’s license?
To drive a camper van, you definitely need a class B driving license. If you also want to hitch up a trailer, you will need a trailer driver’s license depending on the size and weight of the trailer.
This means that if the trailer exceeds 3.5 t and 750 kg, you must have a category BE driving license to be able to attach it to your camper van.
Even if some people think that you can drive a trailer without a driving license, it is still extremely important to find out in advance and to have the appropriate driving license or to obtain one before your vacation.
This is important to note: Up to 3.5 t and 750 kg = Class B driving license From 3.5 t and 750 kg = Class BE driving license
Convert your camper van yourself: Purchase, conversion & costs
A camping vacation with your own van is all well and good, but too expensive to buy?
Not if you convert it yourself and take care of all the furnishings yourself.
Especially if you are planning a longer trip, want to use the van a lot, or maybe even want to move into a completely converted van, the conversion is definitely worth it.
But how much does an independent conversion cost?
What is the best way to save time, work and money?
And what else do I need to consider before I fulfill a lifelong dream and embark on the adventure of a lifetime?
First of all, you need a van or an old VW bus, for example.
You can drive any vehicle with your class B driver’s license.
From here on, you take the rest into your own hands!
Watch this video here for a testimonial from passionate vanlifers who have fulfilled their dream of owning their own camper and have built it completely on their own: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL3O-HO-70o
Advantages of your own extension
If you have decided to start your camping vacation with your own converted van, you will not only save a lot of money, but you will also gain experience in craftsmanship, have complete freedom in equipping and furnishing your van and later travel in your own converted camper!
This feeling alone makes it worthwhile to do it yourself.
These are the advantages of converting your van yourself:
- You save a lot of costs
- You gain manual experience
- Fun with the conversion and furnishing
- You can live out your creativity
- Unique experience: rebuild it yourself
- You travel in an independently equipped van
Checklist: What you need to consider when converting
You’ll have a lot of fun and experience with the conversion, but there are also a few things you need to consider and take into account.
Starting with the insulation and cladding of the van, through the electrics to the built-in kitchen and a bed, everything has to be planned precisely in advance so that you can implement it later without any problems and have an optimally equipped camper with which you can set off on a great adventure.
This is one of the things you should bear in mind when converting:
- Insulation
- Cladding
- Parking heater
- Electrics
- Base plate
- Rotary console
- Bed base
- Bed
- Kitchen
- Side cabinet
Tips!
How to save the most on the extension
If you have watched the video, you have already gained a detailed insight into camper life with your own converted van.
Of course, you can decide whether you want to dig a little deeper into your pockets for the conversion to end up with a perfectly converted van that will last forever in the best case, or whether you want to keep it as cheap as possible.
For example, you can save money by buying used parts on eBay, opt for cheaper materials or leave out the insulation completely.
Here are some helpful tips on how you can save the most when converting:
- Buy used parts on Ebay
- Do without storage space
- Leave out superfluous decorations
- Omitting subtleties and details
- Doing without insulation
- Fiberboard instead of real wood
Further articles: Roof tent, motorhome & caravan
If you are interested in camping and are not yet sure which type of camping suits you best, you can read more interesting articles here.
Buy a roof tent: Model, roof load & price
As a passionate camper, you often spend several weeks on the road in different regions and on different campsites and know that sleeping in a classic tent is a good solution for a short trip or in between, but not the most optimal option in the long term.
A roof tent is therefore the perfect solution for sleeping even more comfortably and easily without having to drive an entire motorhome.
You are guaranteed to always find a parking space, even in smaller parking spaces.
To enjoy your time on the road even more, you can read all about the comfortable roof tent here:
Motorhome: costs, basic equipment & parking space
In the motorhome, you have enough space and storage space to take everything you need with you and always have it together.
You are completely flexible and can plan your itinerary and your day individually.
You can make stops and spend the night at the next campsite as you wish and set off again the next day when you feel like it.
You always have all your camping equipment with you and, in the best case, even have your bed set up right away.
So if you prefer to camp without a trailer, read more about motorhomes here:
Caravans: advantages, equipment, costs & tips
If you prefer to travel with your car, but at the same time want to have enough space and storage room for all your outdoor equipment, then you should consider a caravan.
You can simply drive off in your car and attach it to the back.
This means you can take everything you need for camping with you and plan your trip individually and flexibly.
Find out more here:
