Last weekend was the first time we have camped a VW show (Apex)after finishing our typical setup (15mins from handbrake on to beer open) I sat down and looked around to see everyone's rigs I was blown away with the amount of stuff people had, multiple tables, blow up sofas, flags flying wood burning stoves and enough wind brakes to keep a Hurd of cows out. we go away in the van at least twice a month (starting in march! this year) and I have never seen such big setups. Is this normal? Me and the wife have camped in tents for about 10 years and finally progressed up to a camper. Is this just typical of people at shows or there normal camping setup?
Its a recent thing as busses have become more popular Im in the less is more and everything should have more than one use camp More to set up and more to pack away goes against the simplicity of bus ownership that attracted us
It's only going to get longer to set up, we were the same as you, however you get to meet some lovely people and then gather round and the next minute your buying a wind break and gazebo and if continues till ya van is full. Best advice is get a beer out 1st and drink it while setting up.
Same here, as I said we used to camp in tents the thought of a hour setup and at least 2 hours to pack up and get the tent back into its bag does not appeal at all! hence our 15min setup, also If we want to drive the van into town 20mins later we are on the road.
The only think I have to set up is wheel chocks and the side awning thats it- less is deffo more. Think of the weight carrying in the van. I used to own an MR2 Roadster for 3 years I know how to travel light but my other half and daughter dont!!!
Our 15mins is basically 1 wind out awning and peg down (me) 2 fit thermo blinds (wife) 3 pop top and sort kids bedding and bags (wife) 4 hammer in one windbreaker (me) 5 setup table and chairs (me) 6 open beer (wife)
I sometimes think that people have forgotten how to adapt to the simplicity of camping an have to take everything with them. My sister is a good example of that - she doesn't have a camper but goes in her mahoosive tend with camping microwave, george forman grill, electric this and that - I'm surprised she hasn't got a camping dishwasher. I don't condone some extras - I find an electric kettle is a must if on a proper camp site as the gas takes forever, and electric lights etc, but am content to do things the simple way and more so if I go away on my own.
My van is being built for wild camping however that doesent mean we will be slumming it We will be able to charge phones and run a laptop for a while aswell as having lighting and heating for weeks on end All without hookup If the standard charge for hookup is £3 per night we will save a fourtune over a year Im a big fan of the kiss principle
Hook up is good for a few luxuries - charge phones / kettle / lighting if late in the year and cooler box. Hardly watch TV when away but suppose on a wet night in... but you certainly can have too many luxuries. I think there are practical campers and people with no idea! lol At a show I would be really basic not even put awning up but for a week away in Cornwall a few luxuries come along. One thing I don't get though is flags. And blow up furniture isn't that practical - I've seen a few of these getting blown away with a decent gust and even more entertaining when people try to put them away!
I used to stay just in the van. 2 second set up. Wife and kids make you buy extras. Now have an awning a royal traveller 3. And am looking at getting a cadac BBQ and kitchen table and of course wind breaks. I have to adapt to life changing. But it is still a camper and the mrs likes a few luxuries. Still nice just to be outdoors and away from normal life even if it is just for a few days. I used to think these people were mad having all the extra gear but I am turning into one now and it is not so bad.
There are some people though who seem to have 'flag envy' and go for huge 'sails'. Just not for me but each to their own
Hook up is good for keeping the battery topped up which keeps the fridge cold which in turn chills the beer!! Other than that awning is good for storing stuff like beach kit and the BBQ when not in use.
I will be sporting a flag of the pagan green man above my bus once everything is in order Insignia has been part of my adult life for a long time and i will be proud to display somtehing i truely belive in It will also have a single bright flashing cree led in green so when ive got carried away around another campfire i can find my way home
There also good for drunken markers, or in a mates case he has a giant hotdog painted on his Viking roof
15 mins! Whats taking soo long! My idea of camper camping is if it's raining in the morning I wont even have to get out the van to get going........ well maybe just to secure the poptop catches
I like the idea of engine off handbrake on and beer in hand I also like the idea of if i dont feel the vibe where im camped that i can chuck it all back in the van and be on my way in under half an hour I did fall for the idea of buying a van because you just get in and go
