Maciej Mokwiński

It is during the few winter months that many caraving enthusiasts start preparing their holiday trips. Massive gathering and replenishment of equipment, marking out possible routes and stopping places - all this keeps us awake at night for a long time. Every year, many families go on a holiday trip with their little ones, which causes an avalanche of questions regarding both the equipment and the regulations regulating this very important issue. When going on a vacation trip in a motorhome with the whole family , we must first read the regulations of the countries we plan to visit. Speed limits, official formalities, rates for traveling on toll road sections - these are, next to the paragraphs regulating the conditions of transporting children, the most important information for drivers. In the entire European Union and most other countries, the law is quite restrictive on this subject. The youngest must travel in child seats adapted to their weight and height . The child must ride in a suitable car seat until the age of twelve or up to 150 cm tall .

A child traveling in a motorhome - legal requirements

Caravanning has been extremely popular in Western Europe for several decades. Not only mature couples, but also families with small children enjoy the benefits of spending free time independently. Also in Poland, more and more typical family models of caravans are sold. By investing about PLN 100,000, we can count on four sleeping places (including bunk beds for children), plenty of practical storage spaces and cabinets, and many other extras. Undoubtedly, German manufacturers have one of the richest offers. Among them, the Knaus company with the Sudwind Exclusive model (we wrote more about this trailer here: Knaus Sudwind Exclusive - a reasonable proposition ). The trailer, costing at least EUR 18,000, was mounted on a single-axle chassis . The classically designed body is decorated only with stickers. The interior of the trailer offers sufficient space for a family of four . The living room at the beginning of the caravan can be transformed into a double bed in a few moments. Opposite the entrance door, there are bunk beds for the youngest - with ladders and curtains . To the right of the entrance there is a well-equipped kitchenette (two-burner gas stove, fridge and sink) . Right next to the seating area, there is space for a compact bathroom (hot water is provided by the Truma 5 thermal bath) , with a shower cabin and a chemical toilet .

3 perfect caravans for a family of four for about PLN 100,000

According to the majority of producers of both passenger cars and campers, the prizes awarded by users and readers of trade magazines are of great importance and value. They are created on the basis of long-term observations, the use of a given equipment - in the case of journalists, there is no such in-depth knowledge of the vehicle and its advantages. No wonder that the Italian concern Fiat has once again received a prestigious award at the recently concluded CMT tourism fair in Stuttgart. For the eighth time in a row, the readers of the Promobil magazine decided that it was Fiat Ducato that deserves the title of "The best base for motorhome development" . What's more - the Italian delivery truck was unmatched in eight out of ten categories , thanks to which it won the competition without any problems. The award was officially presented during the fair.

Fiat Ducato - the best base for building

One of the most important events in the caravanning industry is the fair, taking place, among others, in Stuttgart. The January CMT fair was visited by many leading companies offering campers, caravans and tourist equipment. Among the presented novelties, one of the models of the German brand deserves more attention. The Bavarian company Knaus at its exhibition stand showed a wider audience a new product - Boxlife Van Range. The owners of the Knaus company, in response to the huge interest of customers in compact motorhomes, expanded their model range. The new Boxlife line is designed to meet the constantly growing market expectations. The catalog will include three interior layouts to choose from: 540 MQ, 600 MQ and 630 MQ ME , which allow, despite the small available space, to find sufficient usable space for 3-4 travelers . Boxlife, like most similar constructions on the market, was built on the basis of Fiat Ducato in a built-up version. The German manufacturer only slightly changed its exterior, installing a new bumper and contrasting stickers - of course, the customer will have a choice of numerous designs and color variations . Among the elements that distinguish our motorhome from the regular Ducato, there are also numerous tinted and tilt windows, a skylight, and vents that reveal the special purpose of the vehicle.

Knaus Boxlife Van Range - German novelty

Every year, caravanning attracts an increasing number of enthusiasts of spending their free time actively - without any established patterns. Unfortunately, for a very large group, purchasing a brand new camper or trailer turns out to be an investment beyond their financial capabilities. Of course, we can freely use camping equipment rentals, but nothing can replace our own home on four wheels. Taking advantage of the secondary market, full of various offers from Poland and abroad , costs several times less . Finding a copy at a convenient price should not be a major problem. Unfortunately, not every motorist wants to buy a second-hand camper for fear of poor technical condition or numerous faults.

Is it profitable to convert a bus into a campervan on your own?

One of the best methods to find and learn about current trends and the offer of tourist accessories on the market is a visit to trade fairs. Of course, rich descriptions with detailed photos of new products can also be found in the press or on internet portals dealing with leisure topics. However, nothing can match the atmosphere of the fair, where we can admire competitive products at the same time. Every year, the CMT tourist fair in Stuttgart attracts hundreds of exhibitors, not only manufacturers of motorhomes and caravans . This year, visitors could also admire a huge range of tourist equipment .

Tourist equipment at the CMT fair

Probably everyone is aware of the considerable costs that are associated with the implementation of certain passions and hobbies. Caravanning, as you know, needs considerable funds - the purchase, operation and possible repairs of campers and caravans consume significant amounts each year. No wonder that many owners of mobile homes on wheels often look for savings where they need to be. By buying cheaper, inferior quality spare parts, we can only do harm. A noticeable reduction in expenses will be brought about by minor repairs carried out by yourself.

What can we repair ourselves in a caravan or motorhome?

According to both marketing and PR specialists, as well as the clients themselves, there is no better place and form for presenting new products than trade fairs. The several-day exhibition of competing producers is a great opportunity to compare and form an opinion. Many major manufacturers of caravans and campers came to the CMT tourist equipment fair in Stuttgart in January. The presentation of modernized models or completely new lines attracted crowds of viewers. The several-day event was dominated by the stands of European producers, especially from their native Germany, but Polish producers such as Balcamp or Neo-Traveler could not be missing as well.

The most interesting news at CMT

The vast majority of caravanning enthusiasts treat the autumn and winter months as an inter-season break, which is the perfect time to make all kinds of repairs, improvements and servicing of caravans and motorhomes. Winter is also a perfect time to start preparations for the upcoming trips. However, creating trip plans, stopping places and routes is not everything. If you have a lot of free time, it is also worth taking care of useful tourist equipment and accessories. By buying them before the season, we can save a lot.

Caravanning accessories that are worth buying before the season

Winter is the perfect time to carry out all kinds of renovations, repairs and improvements to caravans and motorhomes. We will deal with all technical problems without any problems within a few months. Nevertheless, winter is also the perfect time to start planning and organizing your holiday travels. Many drivers wonder how to do this. Of course - first of all, we should set the goal of this year's escapade. Paradoxically, this can be more difficult than the rest of the preparations. Only with a clearly chosen direction and distance , we should learn about the conditions prevailing on the campsite of our choice - access to water, bathroom, electricity . Thanks to this knowledge, we will be able to better match the equipment of the camper or caravan .

How to plan a trip with a motorhome or caravan?

The European motorhome market has been invariably dominated by German and Italian companies for several decades, offering a wide selection of mobile homes - practically for every budget. The company Rimor, which has been operating for 30 years and specializes in building relatively light structures, stands out among Italian manufacturers. Up to 20% lighter than comparable competitor models. Not every caravanning enthusiast expects from his camper a living space for four people, with a well-equipped interior with a separate dining room and numerous cabinets and lockers. The basic model of the producer from sunny Italy is the Horus 30, which meets the basic requirements of every tourist.

Rimor Horus 30 - the perfect motorhome for the beginning

There are constant changes on the European caravanning market, especially in the catalogs of leading manufacturers (from Italy and Germany) fighting for a wealthy customer. Polish enthusiasts of camping relaxation know the German company Hobby - the manufacturer of many trailers available on the secondary market. The constructions, mostly from the 1980s, are suitable only for a museum of technology, at least in terms of design and equipment. We believe that the flagship model of the manufacturer across the Oder - Landhaus - has a completely different purpose. Already at the first contact with a trailer mounted on a two-axle chassis , many questions arise regarding dimensions, equipment, construction and price. Like an unlimited body, it seems to be in isolation from generally accepted aerodynamic principles . Almost vertical walls, together with the roof protruding on each side, generate huge air resistance while driving - which only increases the effort of the towing car (the Landhaus weighs nearly 2 tons ). On the other hand, regular shapes herald a huge space inside.