ROME – The camper is preparing to experience another summer as an undisputed protagonist, as confirmed by the data collected in these first months of 2021. After the success of last year, campers and vans will still have a role as a sure protagonist in the preferences of Italians in holiday with our streets populated by these vehicles (rented and owned), in search of large spaces between nature and culture, in full autonomy and safety. It will be a strong presence which, however, it should be remembered, involves the observance of the unwritten rules of the “perfect motorhome owner”, which is why Assocamp, which today represents almost all the motorhome dealers in Italy with its more than two hundred affiliates, has drafted an etiqette useful for those who will try the camper this year, especially for those who will do it for the first time. Thanks to these useful tips, even the neophyte who will rent a holiday vehicle will be able to feel part of the large community of motorhomers, without disfiguring it on the one hand and without damaging it on the other with incorrect behavior.
“As an association, we are working with local authorities throughout Italy so that camper tourism is facilitated in the area – explains Ester Bordino, president of Assocamp – in fact today more than yesterday it represents an important economic engine, especially in small towns, on the other hand, with this van-etiquette we want to further raise awareness and encourage the rental and conscious use of the camper among those who are trying it for the first time and want to be prepared before departure. Of course, for the safety of the crew, but also of third parties, the hired camper must be fully functional both as regards the mechanical part and for the gas and electrical system. Professional hirers naturally offer all these guarantees ”.
Here are the five simple tips of Assocamp present in the van-etiquette that every perfect camper should always keep in mind:
1) The camper is a guest and must be discreet. This is a milestone for those who want to travel peacefully by camper: every place that welcomes us has its rules to respect, first of all, and always valid, those of common sense: traveling free and independently means first of all knowing where it begins and ends. your own “maneuvering” space. So during the stops and overnight stays, especially if close to the inhabited center, no shouting, loud music, unnecessarily running engines. To leave a good memory of the “perfect camper” these attentions are the basis of a peaceful stay. And this also applies to dog owners, who will have to take particular care of their four-legged friend by keeping him on a leash and avoiding leaving traces of his passage.
2) The parking-stops. When you stop for free in an inhabited center, you must be careful not to park, creating discomfort or hindering road or even pedestrian traffic. Then park in an orderly and strictly in the spaces marked out for parking. In free parking it is forbidden to expose table and chairs, open the awning, leave any object outside the camper. In reality, according to the Highway Code “The parking of motorhomes, where permitted, on the roadway does not constitute camping, tenting and the like if the vehicle does not rest on the ground except with wheels, it does not emit its own outflows, except for those of the mechanical engine , and in any case does not occupy the roadway to an extent exceeding the size of the vehicle itself “. Therefore, in free parking you should not even open the windows, leave the entrance step open or use the leveling wedges to put the camper “level”. For this reason, for overnight stops, it is better to choose authorized parking areas. An excellent solution is always the campsite in which to stay for several days, enjoying services while exploring the surroundings.
3) Discharges and waste. The camper holiday is par excellence the one in contact with nature, therefore, respect for places starting from waste is essential. Well organized and stored inside the passenger compartment and thrown in the appropriate bins. Never leave anything where you stop, much less in the condominium bins or, worse, in the urban bins for small waste. As well as the discharge of gray and black water tanks. It doesn’t matter if it’s just a little salted water in which you cooked the pasta. The waste water must always and only be discharged into the special wells called “camper service” and present almost everywhere in the area and of course in the equipped parking areas and campsites. This is one of the worst and most severely condemned behaviors by the community of motorhomers, as well as by ordinary citizens and also punishable. And, before setting off again, make sure that the valves are always perfectly closed.
4) Loads. The camper has very spacious compartments and lockers that allow you to load provisions, luggage and even bicycles and scooters. The important thing is that heavy loads are always positioned low: this guarantees better stability when traveling and when overtaking because it lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity. Of course, it is good to pay attention when moving that all doors are well closed and there are no loose or incorrectly fitted objects in the stowage compartments. The advice is not to overload yourself with useless products.
5) Traveling. The camper, although it is getting closer and closer to cars due to its ease of driving and engine power, has larger dimensions and a less lively driving behavior. It is good practice and education to let yourself be overtaken by the fastest vehicles, especially on mountain roads, by turning to the right. If you are traveling with friends and with several campers, you will need to keep a sufficient distance between the vehicles to facilitate the return of overtaking vehicles.
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