That (temporary) living in a camper van has become a popular and exciting way of life in recent years. Are you also excited by the idea of life on four wheels, but not sure how long you could spend in Van at a time? Our blog post about the pros and cons of RV life can help you with your decision making.
The advantages of living in a camper
Camper life is more than just a form of travel - it's a lifestyle that offers flexibility, freedom and an intense connection to nature. First of all, we would like to show you the specific advantages of traveling and living in a motorhome.
Flexibility and great freedom
For many campers, the great appeal of van life makes it exceptional flexibility and freedom out of. The motorhome allows you to take your home on wheels with you wherever you go. In principle, you can wake up in a new place every day, explore new travel destinations and are never tied to a fixed location. Also the spontaneous travel planning is a great advantage in this example. You can adapt your plans to current conditions at short notice at any time. Bad weather at location X? No problem - then it's off to place Y that day.
With your motorhome you are independent of hotel reservations and firm bookings. There is a small limitation here, however. Wild camping is not permitted in all holiday regions and countries. In Europe in particular, it is even more likely that wild camping is prohibited or at least subject to strict regulations. Then it is usually necessary for you to book a pitch at a campsite. Depending on the region and the time (e.g. peak travel season, holiday season), you may have to reserve your motorhome in advance.
For a quick overview, we have prepared a small overview of where wild camping is allowed in Europe and where it is not:
- Wild camping allowed: Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Scotland
- Wild camping not allowed: Germany, France, Portugal, Netherlands, Denmark, Slovenia, Croatia, Corsica, Eastern Europe
- Not clearly regulated/differences by region: Austria, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Poland, Great Britain, Ireland, Greece, Montenegro
As already mentioned, there are many regulations and exceptions to this topic. Therefore, the principle applies to all countries in general: Before the trip in detail inform about the special features on site.
The app "Park4Night“. I use the app on every camper holiday almost every day to find a place to sleep. Everyone can deposit a suitable place in this application and share their experiences with other users.
Cost savings and sustainability
Life in the camper brings financial benefits with itself and enables one sustainable lifestyle. For one thing, you can make significant savings on room and board. Instead of high accommodation costs for hotels or holiday apartments, you can either stand freely (if permitted) or choose a cheap campsite - without having to forego your own comfort. You can also save costs by cooking yourself instead of going to a restaurant and eating there for a lot of money.
Another important issue related to camper life is sustainability. Compared to conventional travel, the Significantly lower environmental impact. There are various reasons for this: If you don't exactly rely on a huge and state-of-the-art mobile home, but on a smaller vehicle, your fuel consumption will not be as high. In addition, most campers are very aware of nature and thus cultivate a sustainable approach to the environment. You can also bring your camper with you solar power equip and thus use renewable energies.
Since the space in your camper is limited, you will inevitably have to limit yourself to the bare essentials. This reduces your resource consumption and promotes a conscious use of materials.
We also have an important tip for you on how to get the most out of your camper in terms of sustainability. In order to keep the energy requirement as low as possible, you should pay attention to high-quality thermal insulation. This not only protects against heat loss, but also against moisture and damage caused by condensation. We recommend you that Insulation material from VANUE. It was specially developed for use in campers and offers optimal value for money.
community and social interaction
Life in a camper offers numerous opportunities for community and social interaction. The exchange with other campers is absolutely necessary on campsites and other pitches. You can exchange knowledge and tips with others, but also make friends and build on mutual support.
Life in a camper also offers the opportunity unique experiences with other people to share. On the one hand, there are the people you live with in the camper. On the other hand, there are also people you meet by chance on your journey. The sense of belonging and the opportunity to share experiences add to the fulfillment of camper life.
Close to nature
Camper life offers a unique opportunity to be constantly in the Nature and at the fresh air to stop. This not only has numerous health benefits, but also contributes significantly to relaxation and stress reduction. Nature has a calming effect on the body and mind. Camper life can help tremendously in promoting stress relief and recovery from the challenges of everyday life.
Life in a mobile home also invites you to take part in various outdoor activities and sporting activities. Camping fans can hike, bike, climb, swim and more in the most stunning of settings.
Definitely being close to nature and being out in the fresh air are some of the biggest perks of camper life.
Early access to popular attractions
Another advantage of living in a mobile home is the possibility ahead of other visitors at popular attractions to arrive It's relatively easy to stay near popular attractions - at least a lot easier than if you have to book a hotel. So you can explore beautiful places with more peace and intimacy and take better photos.
You experience your destinations in their original form and authentic experiences that are not spoiled by large crowds.
challenges and disadvantages
While campervan life offers many benefits, the challenges also need to be acknowledged.
Limited space and comfort
A camper or mobile home offers, of course not that much space like a house. In order to use the available space optimally, a creative and thoughtful room management necessary. The limited space can be used efficiently with clever storage solutions such as foldable furniture, hanging cabinets or under-bed drawers. A sensible purchase is, for example, multifunctional furniture. Folding beds, extendable tables, collapsible chairs, and convertible seating allow the space to be adjusted as needed and to accommodate different activities.
In addition, you usually have sufficient opportunities to do a lot outdoors to stop. That's why I don't see the limited space as a major disadvantage. Use nature as an extension of your living space and you can be sure that the space will not feel too small even on very long journeys.
It is also best to limit yourself to the essentials. A minimalist lifestyle is not only sustainable, but can also contribute to your own happiness and well-being. This allows you to focus on experiences and the beauty of your surroundings.
Adaptation to limited resources such as water, electricity and heating
In the mobile home you have resources such as water, electricity and heating not available to the same extent as in a house. Water tanks only have limited capacities. So you have to make sure that you can empty your tanks and refill them with fresh water on a regular basis when you're on the road.
It is best to be economical with the water that is available to you. After all, it doesn't have to be a long shower every day. Even if you've been active, a quick shower is enough. Conscious behavior, for example when washing dishes, helps you to keep your Reduce water consumption to the bare minimum.
When it comes to electricity, you are dependent on power sources such as batteries or solar panels. The motto here is again: use resources as sparingly as possible. Closely related to this are heating and air conditioning. The good news, however, is that if your camper or motorhome is equipped with a professional insulation equipped, this is already sufficient as a natural air conditioning system in most cases. In summer, your motorhome does not warm up as quickly and in winter it does not cool down as quickly.
Compromises on comfort compared to traditional apartments
Compared to a regular apartment or house, an RV or campervan obviously offers something less comfort. You have less space available, which limits your range of motion and requires efficient use of the available space.
Of course you have in and around your motorhome too less privacy. This not only applies to the room directly in the camper, but also to staying overnight on campsites or other pitches. If you value your privacy very much, you can of course always try to find places with a good distance to other people. This should not be a problem, especially in countries where wild camping is allowed.
Add to that limited amenities like full kitchens, smaller cooking surfaces, and use of public amenities for specific needs. Extreme heat or cold, rain or strong winds can also limit comfort. But in the end it is always a little adventure when you can travel with your motorhome. In return, the camping lover is happy to accept minor restrictions in terms of comfort.
Lack of security
In your house on four wheels you are not as good compared to a normal apartment burglary and theft protected. It is therefore important to follow a few tips to keep the risk as low as possible:
- Choose safe parking spaces and inquire about the parking space beforehand. Prefer well-lit areas. A safer option are campsites with security guards or surveillance cameras.
- Do not leave any valuables visible in the camper.
- Installing quality security systems such as alarm systems, motion detectors and anti-theft devices can act as a deterrent to potential burglars.
- Create a shared awareness with other campers. Keep an eye on each other's RVs.
Necessary repairs en route
Traveling in a motorhome is a great way to explore new places and have adventures. However, it can also happen that repairs to your vehicle become necessary. If you pay attention to a few aspects, you can keep the risk as low as possible. Regular maintenance can help identify potential problems at an early stage. Then you can fix it (or have it fixed) before you are on the road for a longer period of time. You should also always have one when travelling toolbox with the most important equipment for small repairs.
Especially when there is a breakdown on the way, it can be useful to exchange ideas with other members of the camper community. They may know a simple solution to your problem or can give you valuable tips on recommended workshops or repair options.
Financial reserves for unforeseen expenses
Closely related to repairs to your vehicle are the challenges of unforeseen expenses that you should be prepared for at all times. In addition to damage to the car, you may also have to pay for the treatment out of your own pocket on the way to the doctor.
Solid budget planning will help you keep track of expenses and build reserves for unforeseen expenses. In addition, good insurance coverage can help reduce the financial burden of unexpected events. Therefore, choose health insurance, vehicle insurance and other relevant insurance carefully in advance.
Conclusion
Life in the camper offers a unique way of living, which brings numerous advantages. You can save on expenses, maximize the sustainability of your life, make friends with other travelers and reap the positive effects of constantly living in nature and the fresh air. Living on four wheels offers you the chance to discover unknown places and experience the beauty of nature directly.
Of course, there are also some challenges such as the limited space and certain compromises in terms of comfort. With a optimized setup of your vehicle and good preparation for your travels, however, you can prepare yourself as well as possible for all eventualities and, despite minor limitations, enjoy and enjoy the time in the mobile home.
In total outweigh the benefits of camper living clearly. It enables a unique and enriching living experience that broadens horizons and creates unforgettable memories. So let's start the living adventure in the camper and enjoy the feeling of freedom and home on wheels! In our online shop you will find many products to prepare you as best as possible for life in a camper.
