The time has come - to pick up your motorhome

The time has come - you are picking up your home from the camper rental company for the near future. Maybe you already have experience with rental vehicles, but maybe the situation is completely new to you. In both cases, the recommendation is the same: Listen carefully during the handover, ask questions and questions until you understand everything and ideally carry out all the steps yourself. You'll get used to the vehicle quickly; your attention will be paid to the special camping equipment.

How does what work? Let's start with the start:

Does the car have a step? Do I drive them out manually or electrically? Make sure to move them back in before every departure. There is not always an audible signal.

Water supply and disposal

Where and with what do I fill in fresh water; is there a device with a hose or do I need a canister or a watering can for this?

Where in the car does the process water collect? This is called gray water and it is, of course, only disposed of at designated drainage points. Your camper probably has a built-in canister and a drain tap that you can reach from outside. Or a slider. It's important that you get an explanation of how it works.

Where in the vehicle can you read the levels of both fresh and gray water?

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‍sanitary unit

If your vehicle has a small cabin, you need to know how sinks and any existing shower work. This is usually not difficult because it is similar to home. Unless the sink is foldable. The toilet cassette or its emptying requires greater attention. Does cleaning agent have to be added, is this available in the vehicle? If you use it, it should be environmentally friendly. That doesn't mean that you simply empty the cassette in nature. There are also special disposal stations here. On campsites, you will find an extra spout at the sanitary building. There is special toilet paper for camper toilets, which decomposes faster than the one used at home. Perhaps your vehicle also has a separating toilet that separates solid substances from liquids. Regardless of whether you have booked your vehicle with or without final cleaning, you return the toilet cassette emptied and flushed through.

Make sure that the faucets, including those in the kitchen, are closed when not in use. There are vehicles that have an extra pump switch. Just remember to turn it on again if you want to tap water. Some campers also have a thermal spa, which is used to supply hot water. If you've rented such a motorhome, don't be surprised that it takes a while for water to run out of the tap. This is because the thermal bath is first filled with water before it is fed into the rest of the water cycle.

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‍stream

How does the electricity get into your car? Where is the outdoor socket on the vehicle, which connection cables have to go where? What actually runs on electricity in a motorhome, what on gas? Where are power outlets inside the vehicle, where can I charge my digital devices? Electricity in the car does not mean that you can use a hair dryer, kettle or coffee maker in the vehicle; the fuses are not designed for that in the vehicle or on the campsite.

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gas

The main switch is usually installed in the kitchen. I now just turn it on to boil and then seal it off again. It's just for the way I feel. Close is closed. And in our camper, we don't need gas either for heating or for the refrigerator. Let the landlord show you where the gas bottle is stored and also ask about the filling level. It should be sufficient for the duration of your rental period. So does she. Let me also explain the gas stove to you, you usually have to turn the control for a cooking area and hold down the piezo igniter at the same time. Without this igniter, you need a lighter or matches.

Cooking with gas is not much different from cooking with electricity. Gas is direct, electricity reacts with a delay. And I can't explain why a breakfast egg cooked with gas for 4 minutes has a different degree of hardness than a 4 minute cooked egg with electricity, even though the cooking time is the same. Mysterious witchcraft.

And otherwise like that?

If the car has an awning, be shown how to use it and set it up right away. You can still ask if something is unclear to you. Are there dishes on board? Are silverware, glasses, pots, pan, bowls, pasta colander included in the package? Loading wedges are also a useful tool when the surface is not level.

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You can't count on utensils such as a dish bowl, clothesline, clothespins, trash bags or hand sweeper and dustpan as standard with most rental campers. But these are important things. You'll notice that when they're missing. And then there are the things for atmosphere and mood: pretty napkins, scented candle, fairy lights...

It makes sense to write down beforehand what you need at home from the moment you get up until you go to bed. It's the same with camping holidays, only on a reduced basis. A rented camper is not as individually furnished as your own, the dishes are not on anti-slip mats. It rattles in the drawers, in the refrigerator in the compartment under the bed. You won't be able to turn that off. But minimize by placing some things pre-sorted in small boxes. But maybe you're also one of those people who can easily ignore jams. (Note: If you opt for our all-in package, you will receive a packing list that is tailored to your destination.)

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You're finally sitting in your temporary home. It starts. And now you have to look at the clock again when you bring your camper back.

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