Tips F

Telkenmale je vertrekt met de motorhome vanaf een camping of camperplaats, check je best een aantal zaken. Dit om ongelukken te voorkomen. Dit moet een routine zijn. Al vlug wordt iets over het hoofd gezien, en voor je het weet vertrek je met bvb een openstaande garagedeur!

Buitenzijde

- Schotelantenne ingeklapt
- Dakluiken dicht
- Alle zijramen dicht
- Gasflessen dicht (is je camper uitgerust met bvb een Duo- of MonoControl CS met crashsensor, dan mag je in Europa met de gasfles open rijden. Voor voertuigen van vóór bouwjaar 01-2007 bestaan er geen beperkingen voor de werking van de gasinstallatie tijdens het rijden.
Let op! In Frankrijk is de werking van de gasinstallatie tijdens het rijden alleen toegestaan in voertuigen die voor eerst ingeschreven zijn vanaf 01-01-2007. Bij oudere voertuigen is de werking van de gasinstallatie tijdens het rijden ook in combinatie met een veiligheidsafsluitinrichting in Frankrijk niet toegestaan
- Stroomkabel 230V afgekoppeld en opgeborgen
- Trapje ingeklapt of opgeborgen (vergeet je deurmat niet!)
- Wielkeggen verwijderd vanonder de wielen
- Ligt er niet meer onder de camper?
- Waterslang opgeborgen?
- Alle luiken buitenzijde dicht en/of op slot
- Toegangsdeur dicht en op slot

Binnenzijde

- TV vastgemaakt
- Staat de koelkast op automatisch of op batterij (werkt enkel op 12V batterij wanneer de motor draaiende is!)
- Tafel en aanrecht leeg
- Alle kastjes dicht
- Alles vastleggen wat kan verschuiven of vallen

It is recommended not to drink water from the fresh water tank. Water that is standing still sometimes dares to spoil. The tap water is also not drinkable in all countries.

How do you ensure that the water in your tank is safe? How do you avoid bacteria in the fresh water tank?
You can find numerous tips and products about this on the internet.

To keep the tank bacteria-free, I myself use WM aquatec® from Silvertex. It is a product based on silver ions. With this system, the drinking water is protected against bacteria and is reliable. This without adding chemical substances. Pure silver ions (Ag +) inactivate or kill bacteria, viruses and germs. It is 100% chlorine-free, and you only need to replace it once a year (or after using about 5000 liters of water). I paid 50 € for this.

Open the box and place the system directly in the fresh water tank. Just before winter, I drain the fresh water tank, remove the system from the tank and clean the tank with a disinfectant cleaning agent. Then I rinse the tank thoroughly.

The next season I put a new one in the tank.

Are there any exceptions?

Spending the night in nature is permitted and regulated in some countries such as Scotland, Sweden and Norway on the basis of the so-called “Everyman’s Right” or “Outdoor Access Code”. In other countries there is a tolerance policy, but it is still prohibited by law. As a result, it is sometimes balancing on a tightrope. Everyone must decide for himself what is possible and what is not possible. There will always be discussion. Know if it's not allowed you can get caught. Then be fair enough to accept the consequences.

Everyman’s Right: In Finland, Norway and Sweden, it is customary to enter private land to enjoy the great outdoors.

Permitted is, among other things: walking, cycling, swimming and boating, picking non-protected flowers, mushrooms and berries, and setting up a tent for one night or staying overnight in a car, a caravan or a vehicle equipped for this purpose. The condition is that no damage is done to nature or agricultural crops and that the owner is not disturbed. Hunting and fishing is not allowed.
It is prohibited to drive with motor vehicles on uncovered ground in nature and on private roads that are closed to motor traffic. Oops, that can be quite difficult if you want to be in the middle of nature with the camper. Still, this makes sense: it is not intended that vulnerable grounds are damaged by motorhomes that drive mercilessly over them. When camping freely with the camper you have to be extra careful.

Camping naturally includes a campfire! This is allowed, but it is of concern to many landowners. Of course it can also go wrong. Therefore, take into account dry weather, the place where you make the campfire and always extinguish the fire carefully. Never make an “open fire”, mark the edge with stones. Also clean up the traces of the campfire as soon as you leave.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code: this code regulates free access to the immense Scottish open space. In principle, access to the country is free, even if it is a private domain. So you can go, stand and spend the night wherever you want, and draw up a route only with the help of the map. It is important to take into account the desolate landscape, the erratic weather and the occasional lack of paths. It provides detailed guidance on these responsibilities. The Code provides a practical guide to help everyone make informed decisions about what to do in everyday situations.

The code is based on three main principles:

Respect the interests of other people. Acting with courtesy, attention and awareness is very important. When exercising your right of access, make sure you respect the privacy, security and livelihoods of those who live or work outdoors and the needs of other people who enjoy the outdoors. If you are a land administrator, respect people's use of the outdoors and their need for a safe and enjoyable visit.

Take care of the environment. If you exercise your right of entry, take care of the places you visit and enjoy and leave the country as you find it. Being a land manager will help preserve the natural and cultural features that make the outdoors attractive to visit and enjoy.

Take responsibility for your own actions. When exercising your right of access, remember that the outdoors is not without risk and be vigilant for your own safety and that of others at all times. If you are a land administrator, you must watch over the safety of other people at all times.

Some basic rules regarding wild camping

Don't hang around. Good camping etiquette consists of arriving at your camping spot late and leaving early. In addition, respect a minimum distance to buildings of 150 meters. In addition, you are only allowed to camp on land that has not been cultivated, that is, not on agricultural land.

Never light an open fire. One of the most important rules is never to light an open fire. Wherever you want to camp, the risk of a fire outbreak can be high. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you avoid this at all times. There is sometimes some discussion regarding fire.

Doesn't leave a trace. Make sure you don't disturb the environment more than necessary and take everything with you when you leave. The general rule is therefore, "leave the area in exactly the same condition as it was discovered." Furthermore, you are only allowed to enter a nature reserve on foot, by boat, by bicycle or on skis.

Choose the right toilet. We are all human and chances are you will have to relieve yourself at some point. Then keep at least 50 meters away from water and dig a hole. Cover it with soil when you are done. Don't bury a toilet roll, paper or wipes - these should be kept with your other trash and taken with you!

The general rule of thumb: "leave no trace!"! It is better not to camp in nature reserves and national parks unless it is explicitly permitted! Camping without permission is prohibited in Belgium, but there are plenty of alternatives provided when you are on the road with the tent and this in the form of bivouac zones. For Belgium you will find all information about the zones where you can be regulated ' wild camping ' on the site bivakzone.be. That way you don't have to worry.

Wild camping information per country

Belgium & Luxembourg

Wild camping is prohibited in Belgium and Luxembourg. It is also prohibited to spend the night along the road or in car parks along the road. In Belgium, however, there are more and more bivouac areas where you can legally pitch your tent. The information can be found on the website described above.

Wallonia and the Ardennes

Bivouacking in the forest: Article 19 of the Forest Code states: "Without prejudice to Article 27, temporary stay outside the designated areas is prohibited." The temporary stay is the “stay during a period of less than 48 hours” (art. 3, 23 ° of the Forest Code).

In principle, camping is prohibited in the forest. However, the law provides for two exceptions. On the one hand, the “participants in youth activities, organized by either youth movements or associations that provide activities for young people, and the participants in guided movements with a pedagogical or therapeutic purpose” (Article 27). On the other hand, it is allowed to camp in the “designated areas”.

The provisions for Wallonia are broadly the same as in Flanders.

The Netherlands

Wild camping and overnight stays along the road or in car parks along the road are also prohibited in the Netherlands. There is on the other hand, here too there are pole camping areas along long-distance paths where you can legally place the tent for a maximum of 72 hours on small grounds (2 to 3 tents. More information can be found on the website of the Staatsbosbeheer.

Attention! As a result of the covid-19 measures, the 17 bivouac zones were closed. ‘Staatsbosbeheer’ decided on 1 June 2020 to convert the temporary measure into a definitive closure and dismantling. The nuisance caused by groups that did not come there for the rest alone would have become too great in recent years. More and more fires were made, rubbish left behind and vandalism was done. Supervision and enforcement were no longer tenable.
Pole camping does not disappear completely. There are another 30 bivouac zones that are not part of the Forestry Commission and therefore remain open.
The camping law has expired since 2008. Municipalities are intended to regulate camping through their own local ordinance (APV). Not all municipalities have done this, or they have not done this properly (for the time being).

Germany

In Germany, the legal situation is complicated, but in principle wild camping and overnight stays on public roads are prohibited. Moreover, there are no national regulations. Cantons and municipalities also determine the local regulations. If you still want to spend the night in the countryside, ask permission from the land owner and avoid nature parks. An emergency bivouac is generally allowed everywhere. A planned bivouac is tolerated unless in a protected area. In these protected areas it is explicitly prohibited (ask for the administration of the protected area).

Austria

It is forbidden to camp in the forest. Above the tree line, wild bivouacking is possible under certain conditions and in some areas. Since the rules are different for each Bundesland, it is therefore advisable to always request permission from the owner.

If you want to camp in the mountains of Austria, you end up in a jungle of regulations. Nature-loving hikers often remain insecure. Are they still in a legal territory? Or will they have to hide their tent from prying eyes. The dream of the night outdoors quickly bursts when you consider the legal framework.

Depending on the Bundesland, there are serious differences - everything from tolerated stays to hefty fines are possible. The Austrian Alpenverein lists the regulations for each state for you:

Take care of the environment. If you exercise your right of entry, take care of the places you visit and enjoy and leave the country as you find it. Being a land administrator helps preserve the natural and cultural features that make the outdoors attractive to visit and enjoy.

Take responsibility for your own actions. When exercising your right of access, remember that the outdoors is not without risk and be vigilant for your own safety and that of others at all times. If you are a land administrator, you must watch over the safety of other people at all times.

Switzerland

Wild bivouac (above the tree line) is allowed in Switzerland for one night. These rules do not apply to nature parks and the rules may differ per canton.
The full explanation can be found on the website of the Swiss Alpine Club (German and French) or specifically per canton (German)

France

In France, a distinction is made between "bivouac" (bivouac, one night in the same place) and "wild camping" (camping sauvage). The latter is prohibited, but the former is allowed, but there are some conditions:
- Bivouacking is from 7 pm to 9 am
- 1 hour walking distance from the main road
- Outside national parks: 1 hour from the park
- Within national parks: only in le Mercantour, les Ecrins, les Pyrénées, Vanoise
(permit from hut warden required) and Corsica (wild camping at the hut for a fee)

Spain & Portugal

Very diverse legislation per region. That is why it is best to check with the local government. Catalonia, for example, allows wild camping, but in Castile and León it is absolutely prohibited. In Portugal you are allowed to camp in the wild, but only if you have applied for a "permit" in advance at the municipality and you receive permission from the land owner or someone from the police.

Italy

Wild camping is prohibited in Italy, but as long as you are at a high altitude (above 2000 m), a bivouac is usually tolerated. Wild camping is allowed from sunset to sunrise in the Parco Nazionale di Alpi Marittime in Piedmont. It is true that it has not been officially confirmed, but this seems to be the case for the entire Italian Alps (and not the Dolomites).

Scotland's paradise for wild camping

Setting up your tent in the wild is allowed in Scotland for one night, of course there are rules that are summarized in the Outdoor Access Code (see top of this article).
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 ensures that everyone has a legal right of access to most of Scotland, but these rights must be exercised responsibly. After all, camping is done with respect for privacy, safety and nature in Scotland. Likewise, land managers must responsibly manage their land and water in connection with access rights.

Due to the traffic on the West Highland Way, there is a restriction to the East of Loch Lomond due to wild camping. In this part of Scotland you therefore need a "permit" in some places.

In the UK you also have Bothies. A bothy is a simple hut, usually freely accessible. Bothies can be found in remote mountain regions of Scotland, Northern England and Wales.

England, Wales and Ireland

Prohibited in principle, but there is a tolerance policy. That is why asking permission is always the best option where possible.

Flexible rules for free camping in Scandinavia

Just like in Scotland, wild camping is also allowed here for one night. As in Scotland, there is a code here. The "Allemansrätt" or " Everyman’s Right " (see top). It is also allowed in Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Iceland

Iceland has enacted the "The Nature Conservation Act" since 1999. The purpose of this law is to direct man's interaction with his environment so that it neither damages the biosphere nor the geosphere, nor pollutes the air, sea or water. Therefore, this law is intended to ensure, as far as possible, that Icelandic nature can develop according to its own laws and ensure the preservation of its exceptional or historical aspects. The regulations regarding wild camping were therefore made stricter in 2015 and 2017. In a residential area, you may only camp one night on undeveloped land if there is no campsite nearby. "Outdoor" you have permission except local regulations eg . in Skatafell NP where you need a "permit". More information and places where camping is prohibited can be found on ust.is.

Other countries

United States and Canada

The land here is administered by various national, state and local governments, in addition, there are also Indian reserves and private land. You need to do your research to find out who owns the land and if you are trespassing (in some cases trespassing has serious consequences).

Wild camping in Forest Service or BLM (Bureau of Land Management) areas is fairly common in North America.
The same goes for Canadian Crown Land. In national parks and national monuments, camping in the wild is common, but permits are often required.

Australia and New Zealand

Camping is a national pastime in both Australia and New Zealand, but pitching your tent in the wrong place can result in a hefty fine. Camping sites are usually regulated by local regulations, so keep an eye out for signs prohibiting overnight stays.

It's a little more confusing in Australia as there are six states, all with different rules. It's getting harder to find places that have no restrictions - even national parks require a wild camping permit.

Morocco, Albania, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

In these countries it is generally allowed to camp wild. In Morocco, for example, it does not always go smoothly. If they have spotted you, there is always someone who sees an economic opportunity in it. A donkey driver suddenly becomes a park ranger and a construction worker suddenly becomes the owner of the terrain you are on. The higher in the mountains, the easier it is. I have not really been able to find legislation and things are often arranged in the African way… with a little goodwill a lot can be done, but you don't have to be fooled of course.

Are there alternatives other than campsites and paying camper pitches?

In addition to wild camping with the camper where you can stand "anywhere" under certain conditions, there are also free camper pitches. These are specially equipped places or places that have been designated to legally stay overnight with the camper. Usually you are allowed to stay here for a maximum of a few hours / few days consecutively and sometimes it is a requirement to be in possession of a self-sufficient camper (with toilet and waste water tank). In New Zealand, this rule applies, for example, to prevent people from doing their things outside and throwing away residues of shampoo, washing-up liquid etc.

Are there places where you might be able to spend the night when you are passing through?
Along the road you will regularly find rest areas and petrol stations with large parking spaces where truck drivers can spend the night. Sometimes you can also stay here with the camper for a night, but not all countries allow this (and this is sometimes strictly checked). So check carefully whether it is allowed and pay close attention to the signs upon arrival to check whether campers are also allowed. In any case, it shouldn't look too much like camping. It is therefore better to leave tables and chairs indoors.

Finally, you also have the recuperative overnight stay! Which means that driving on is not responsible or permitted. You may then sleep / spend the night, think of exhaustion. However, the delay should not last longer than necessary. Remember, if you want to use this argument, it will be very difficult to prove it to a judge.

General rules free camping with the camper

It is therefore good to find out before your trip what exactly is and what is not allowed when you go free (wild) camping with the camper. Nevertheless, there are a number of general rules that it is good for everyone to adhere to. After all, wild camping is allowed less and less, precisely because we do not comply with the rules and therefore cause nuisance. The most important rule is not to harm nature and not be a burden to local residents (people and animals). Do not leave any other waste behind and be careful when making a fire. In many countries it is forbidden or only allowed between a certain period or in certain places that are less risky, such as on the coast.