Camping is booming. All dream
of the great freedom. Vacation under the open sky. Stay where it's nice. Move on as you please. Whether in the trailer,
Motor home or tent. Meanwhile 10 million people
in Germany confessing campers. But how to find your way
...in the wide selection? Subtitles: WDR mediagroup GmbH
on behalf of the WDR This time with couple Erbslöh. You want to buy a motorhome and lose
not only the overview, but spend a lot more money,
than they want. There's a stomachache
en masse. On their adventure tours
not everything goes according to plan. On a Lower Saxon
Farm the technology goes on strike. Ruediger,
we have no hot water. And to a campsite in Bingen
in Rhineland-Palatinate they learn: Camping is a practice thing. Until we sit like the
Gentlemen next door, it'll take a while. There are always new neighbours for that. Knock, knock. The best tips for free: That's why I always
I brought a toolbox. And a goal:
These two want to be real campers. Next month
or next year ...we'll be a little more relaxed about it. Welcome to Erbslöhs. Come with me. That's the male dog.
- Hello. And then we'll show you
our home. - This is Petra. Come on through. Petra and Rüdiger Erbslöh
have been a couple for 43 years. The house in Meerbusch
they were spared, Raised two kids. In the meantime
they're also grandparents. The Carpenter
and the administrative staff want not only
enjoy their garden, but with a motor home
drive through Germany. We're before
Two years on vacation. These are always big costs,
you have there. It was just a feeling. The time is ripe,
that's what you have to do now. Whether it will be a new spring,
that's what you get in relationships, that this happens every now and then,
that the old-established is left aside,
that you start something new. It's quite nice. We imagine that. We both hope... ...that this works, yes. 40 years ago.
they went camping once, but otherwise
no experience at all. Petra is actually
not an RV fan. Too big and maybe
also just too expensive? One thing that many people say is true, for the money, you can go out and buy
to go on holiday for many years. But you can't charge it up,
You can't charge for that. Beauty
there's more emphasis on that. He always cooks me up,
when he wants something. You can't even... It takes years and years... ...work. But the search for the
is difficult. Which motorhome should it be? The market is large
and raises questions. Which means panel van, semi-digital van
or fully integrated motor home? There are many versions
and a considerable price range from 20,000 to 200,000 euros. And it's even more expensive. One is very overwhelmed,
to choose. And then you have the floor plans and sees,
What are the measurements of the beds? That was decisive. What is the length
of the whole vehicle? And then comes disillusionment. That would apply to one,
too expensive. We should start differently. We start with the money.
What do we spend? Let me show you,
what we don't want. Look at this.
- Oh, that looks like a bus. I think it's ugly. I don't want to go,
I'm sorry. Starts at 118,000 euros.
- I can't afford 2 euros. A few criteria
has put the pair together, that your RV is supposed to fulfill. Panel van or campervan. Max. 20 feet long,
to make sure they're parked properly. Up to 3.5 tons in weight, so that
driving licence class 3 is sufficient. One has to assume that the vehicles
are built on some kind of chassis. And then the overhang
over the rear axle this long. This will swivel
always off at the back. Then you can start
take something with you, if you are not careful
or if you're a beginner. That's what the new car is supposed to have: 2 single beds, to avoid
having to climb over each other. Automatic gear shift, because Petra
has an artificial ankle. Solar system,
to be able to camp freely. And what's it going to cost? I was hoping that we could
would make do with 42,000 euros. Yeah, something like that. A budget somewhere,
let's say from 38,000 to 42,000, somewhere you can move around
in that area. Maximum 42,000 euros. That your vehicle
will eventually become much more expensive, they both expect it
not yet. Saturday morning
in Mülheim an der Ruhr. The groats
are with a wholesaler, the van on the premises
...and shows motor homes. The visit
should bring the decision. Knut Noske, salesman
and even enthusiastic camper, find out right now,
where the problem lies. We have
different opinions. I'd like a panel van
and my husband doesn't. Petra wants to look at cities. Since the parking there
is often difficult, she favours
a smaller camper. But her husband
has a problem with panel vans. For me, this is
is still a transporter. Can be used as a transporter,
Yes. Maybe
you need it like this. But this is for me
not an RV. Motorhome or panel van? This is
the crucial question of principle. The biggest difference is, that the panel van is a transporter
with a vacation opportunity. And that an RV, built,
a vehicle really is designed for holidays,
which you can also use in everyday life, but rather for the holiday trip
is intended. First of all. the sense of space
in a panel van. Here, in the width,
I can just pass through there. This is so... And down below... And this is on all the vans? So this tightness is like that?
(Knut) They're always the same. With 2.15 m outside and 2.05 m inside is this panel van
the widest among the models. You see,
That's a tight squeeze. The wet room: small and functional,
with shower curtain. In the rear of the vehicle:
the double bed. I can understand,
that you say, you would like
have a van like this. But it has one drawback.
back there with the bed. Then came the crawling over. From the inside, I love it,
that's great work. But here comes the "but". Here is the inside width,
and if I... I was just on the floor, that was a problem,
to get back up. Maybe it is,
because I'm such an old fart. All kidding aside,
these twin beds here, they're missing. Otherwise, I find that
already very beautiful. Yeah, compact, all there. Petra sees
the advantages, but also the disadvantages ...and he'll change his mind. The panel van doesn't fit, because there are also prices
a decisive disadvantage. The panel van is
expensive compared to the motorhome, and there's a reason for that. You must introduce yourself,
a closed cabin is coming. This one has to go through the rear doors,
that you only have at your disposal, Floor, furniture, bathroom, plumbing, tanks,
everything can be installed. For the motorhome on the other hand
the rear part is put on. Only when the interior equipment
is ready, side walls and roof are
built up. Already at the driver's cab
prices vary depending on manufacturer
between 27,000 and 67,000 euros. And also with the total price
is air up. A reasonable motorhome with us,
the brands we distribute, starts at the end of 40,000 and goes
up to the border no end, 195,000, 196,000 euros. More editions
mean above all more comfort. Also used cars
have dealers on offer. They often come from the rental business. These here are 1/2 year old
and 20% cheaper than the original price. But the couple wants a new car
according to their wishes. (Rüdiger) Here we have a
Bathroom without shower curtain. Now, wave your arms.
the guard basin to the front. And on and on and on,
and lo and behold. That's where they'll build the shower.
(Petra) Oh, but that's... More generous. So here, first of all,
everything is very generous. I'm not sitting now
on the bed like next door, but I have here
a little more room, where I just stand. 7 cm wider
is the car inside, therefore has more freedom of movement. The disillusionment: This car is only available as
Gearshift car, not automatic. The Erbslöhs must be
change to another manufacturer. (Knut) There is this vehicle
but also on Fiat. And here we are
exactly at the vehicle price, I just told you: 55.
- 55. And then there's the automatic.
to that. Something like that, huh? The automatic system costs approximately
6,000 euros extra. This is how the couple ends up
with equipment, that they have chosen for their motor home
at around 60,000 euros. This is a shock at first. It's not gonna be an easy decision. This is really not going to be an easy
Decision at the end of the day. That's gonna be tough. Which is one down,
the van is gone, right? He's done,
the van is gone. But there are variants, other variants,
where we didn't expect to be. You just have to look. This is not a decision,
that you meet overnight. No. God, no. There's...
Stomach ache en masse. Caravan Fair 2019 in Düsseldorf. Exhibition of all suppliers. For the big purse
there's pure luxury here. Dealers advise beginners,
not to buy right away, but first of all
to test an RV. If you've never been on the road,
it makes sense, to rent a vehicle once,
to get a handling on this. Because there are so many models of the small van
all the way to the big RV. You have to find the size,
where you feel comfortable. Rüdiger and Petra now know
what they want: a camper van. But the demand
is high as never before. In 2019
there were over 78,000 new registrations. In 2013 there were still around 41,000. Who wants something individual, must delivery times
of over a year. The couple is still calculating. And are you sitting down?
We're at 49,300. Yeah, I'm sitting. (Rüdiger) That was the night
from Sunday to Monday, here I am
into bed with a stomachache, I spent most of the night
didn't sleep. These two have savings. Rüdiger has 45 years as a carpenter
and is now retired. Petra is still working
in the administration of a clinic, and a life insurance
is due. Still, it's gonna be tight. We have a property, a house. And we can get
don't take it off completely, because it's an old house. And every now and then.
there are repairs to be made. Endless phone calls. Let's renegotiate. In the end, they both struggle
for a decision. Petra can't believe it yet, that her husband was going to buy her
of an RV. I never thought
that I would do something like that, because I don't want to be
so the typical camper, is still in my imagination,
sitting outside your tent, has the beer there and makes
nothing and don't go out. No, we'd like to drive around. Big day for the couple. 3 h drive to Saarland
take it upon themselves, for your motorhome
to pick up at a dealer, that they're going to present at a trade show
...you've met. His company headquarters are in St. Wendel,
a picturesque location with winding alleys
and historical places. A region for cyclists, which is the Bostal Lake and
appreciate the hilly low mountain range. For Petra and Rüdiger is today in two respects
a special day. We've been together 43 years today. And we'll get our car.
- Yeah. We're launching
into a new section. Financially worth the trip
by rental car to the Saarland. Many dealers grant on
Exhibits, previous year's models or discounts for trade fair sales. With this dealer you have a
discount of 6,330 euros negotiated. There were several other dealers
for this same model. And only this trader could
actually give us that price, which we ultimately
...you got. How that's possible,
we're about to find out. The 1. own motorhome
is a custom-made product. This extends the delivery time. They waited almost 7 months. The basic price for this camper
is 39,900 euros, but as he is now endowed
it costs 59,000 euros. You're going to get
your new RV. - Your new RV. Right. I suppose it is.
- Right. But the Erbslöhs wanted to
spend only 42,000 euros. But some special features,
like here in the sleeping area, have the price
in the air. Yeah, I had the
I don't even remember it that way. Only pictures of brochures. And that's where it's different,
like it's in front of you now. And yes, you can touch anything. The new compact class Van. An ideal car for travellers, that not only
on spacious campsites, but also
stop in small towns. But most importantly
was the couple's bed. 2 separate single beds, which with a central part to a bed
can be connected. At night, if you ever get up
and visit the localities, not above the other
I have to crawl over. That might be nice,
when you're 30 or 40, but if you have a little
is older, it's troublesome. The couple has 299 Euro extra for the possible conversion
for a double bed. (Petra) It'll be romantic. Then you can cuddle like this. Oh, cuddle.
- Yeah. But why is the new motorhome
has now become significantly more expensive? Expensive: the automatic transmission. Driving becomes more comfortable and Petra's artificial ankle
...with a little bit of care. Additional costs: 6.000 Euro. To be more independent
to be from the Landstrom, they have chosen 3 instead of 2
Standard batteries. Another 450 euros extra. You do the math,
...what we've been building here, we could theoretically
stand self-sufficient for two days, without us
to the shore power. Shore power means,
Power, 220 volts, plug it in over there. Bathroom and kitchen
look like this by default. And so that the motor home
does not wobble too much in the interior, you have 390 Euro extra
invested in 2 crank lever supports. You can tell, when the crank lift supports are down
on the floor, that you'll have a balance,
that vehicle does not move like this. Important, departure control,
that they're not downstairs. You guys take off,
you'll ruin the whole frame. And since we're in the stern: A
Door to the luggage compartment is standard. A second one costs on average
300 euros on top. This means that practically from both sides
be loaded and unloaded. Tobias Dörr we're about to be presented with a particularly fine
piece in his motor pool. Because the cars
become more and more comfortable and demand continues to rise,
have the prices for camping mobile in recent years
strongly attracted. In the first half of 2020 12% more motorhomes
than in the previous year. Who buys,
is, on average, willing, between 40.000 and 65.000 Euro
to spend. Why this
fully integrated motorhome here costs over 100,000 euros,
...you can tell at a glance. The beauty in this integrated
motorhomes is the all-round view, because I'm like
driving conservatory. When you introduce yourself,
They're on the waterfront, by the sea or an alpine pass,
this is a dream of a panorama. Driving a car makes
really fun. In the interior
high quality processed storage space, Bath and WC are separate, and the sleeping area
is a real bedroom. Then you have a
very high standard equipment inside, big fridge,
Oven, cooker hood. If you are
to look at a faucet like that, one often has such fittings
not at home. It's the details,
that characterize the whole thing. With the Erbslöhs
and her brand-new motor home there's a problem right now. (Petra) 2 times 100 watts,
is also ordered and paid for. It's free now. The couple wants to avoid campsites. To generate their own electricity,
they have for 2.000 Euro 2 and not one solar panel
on the roof. Only the following was mounted
one plate of 100 watts. With 14 solar panels à 100 Watt
...I could, for example, a dishwasher, Guard machine and coffee machines
run at the same time. The 2nd solar plate must be. After a short discussion
the car will be brought to the garage. The couple
will have to wait a few hours. Because they're gonna move their RV...
at a trade show, the dealer granted them
a knife discount. But for the discount
of over 6,000 Euro he gives another reason. For most brands
it's just like real life. The more you take risks as a trader, the more you pre-order
before the season, the higher the margins you get. And that can quickly
to be up to double, of the trade margin,
that a smaller dealer has. This is very attractive
for the family. After 3.5 h waiting time
the big moment has arrived. (Petra) Straight, straight. Even. This thing is long. Very good. That really ends there. Test drive with the new camper. As far as Meerbusch
it's almost 200 miles. The interior work is to begin there. In the motorhome there is
Equal rights at the steering wheel. It's 7 to 6. Toilet in the motorhome is used,
...in on it. And fast as she is,
she's about to pass a truck. Off you go. For a week.
the couple has their motor home. And before we can finally get started,
comes the final internal grinding. Petra likes to tailor
and wants to make upholstery fabric a back wall
for the camping bedroom. A challenge for Rüdiger? (Rüdiger) The back wall is made,
because Petra finds it beautiful. Me too. But because then
maybe a little warmer. And it looks better, I think. The two
...will make the first travel test. It's going to Lower Saxony
to the cities of Celle and Lüneburg. What it feels like to be a camper, they want to go to a farm
from friends. If nothing goes wrong, will be placed on a pitch
further tested in Bingen on the Rhine. And we are allowed
the first camping experiences up close and personal. Even this motorhome for
59.000 Euro is quite raw inside. For example, shelf compartments are missing. Without accessories the harness would be damaged during the journey.
flying around in the closets. Ruediger
has creative and cost-effective worked with foam. Let me open this one. And there we have
a floor in it. And there we have
...and made fans like this. That's where the cups go. For original equipment
of a motor home you can use for dishes, camping furniture,
Hoses, canisters and gas cylinders quickly do it again
1,000 euros. Petra and Rüdiger would rather have
Purchased used and go through her basement. I still have
from my late mother Dishes with gold rim. I have to wash it by hand,
ideal for camping. She's in. Not everybody is.
Looks fine to me. Camping Fever
grabbed them both. Holiday in a motor home,
that's pretty unusual. I think,
my husband is more excited. He wasn't asleep. Maybe the night on the
Farm of friends better. If necessary, they can
the bed in the camper with the guest room. During their tour through the Lüneburg
Heath become the camping beginners also has the same driving characteristics,
Comfort, travel and sleep quality of her car. I was weighed last night,
We're still allowed to load, yes. It's going, it's going,
anything is possible. Before each journey the permissible
total weight can be checked. Anyone who has a vehicle up to 7.5 t
overloads 30%, must a fine of EUR 235; and
a point in Flensburg. Ready to go. Daughter Julia with family
didn't think you would, that their parents, when they retire.
change to the RV. They're crazy. It's such a fixation,
I thought. (Matthias) It's already
a great piece. You can do an incredible amount
is totally flexible. I think that's where
one time or another, if we may,
...we'd better get going. For the youth, the new
The attitude to life of the elderly is contagious. 200 miles to first target:
Celle. Average speed:
100. The Erbslöhs wanted
a motor home, not a lawnmobile. A parking lot near the city. But to manoeuvre with the vehicle,
is another problem. Can walkie-talkies help? Yeah, I got sound. I think,
Parking's a bitch. I know. Put it back. (Rüdiger) Okay,
I'll just stand here. The trip was very relaxing. We have travelled really well. I'm not tired,
I was sitting pretty. You've seen a lot, beautiful. It rattles inside during the ride. Petra does the same
the sink as the cause. And then I just
seen and heard on Facebook, that there's something you can do about it. You put a towel between them,
that's what I'm going to do. That's where the next few miles
hopefully show you, it's quieter. Improvise,
that's part of being a camper. Petra surprises with more
inexpensive kitchen help. Here I would have
in the drawer there wasn't much room left. I sewed a utensil there. I did.
fastened with Velcro. There was before
but a trash can. I didn't want it anymore,
it takes up too much space. Instead of the trash can
we now have a garbage bag. I sewed those. Inside is oilcloth,
Put the garbage bags in. And then it hangs here. 590,000 motorhomes were built in the beginning
2020 in Germany. Appreciate campers
the flexibility of travel. Visit places of interest, drive on,
depending on your mood. Celle has 70,000 inhabitants
and over 400 half-timbered houses. The Residence Palace
can be viewed and next to state rooms
an extensive park. When I relax deeply
...then I snore. The Ruediger
can lay down and sleep like this. For 10 minutes. Great, not me. Don't worry. How will the first night
in her RV? This is one of the most important questions,
that keeps them busy. In the afternoon arrival in Weste. On the farm of friends
will test the camping beginners, if you'd rather stay in the car tonight
or sleep in the guest room. Are we supposed to stand here?
Or what did you think? You need to find a place to sit down.
because of... - Let's see. This is also a new experience. I'm going to work,
before it gets cozy. The camping furniture,
used from the Internet. Good, but not cheap either. Petra, this is premiere,
that we're building that. All right, these go in there. No, there's another one of those,
they come like this. All together, the chairs and what
still comes out of it for 650 euros. It wasn't cheap. The crank lever supports
are well tested. It wobbles less inside. Somewhat more complicated: the awning. Rüdiger must have
extend with caution, so it won't crash down. I think it's mean,
that we're watching. You've seen,
how it comes out. You can put it back in.
- No problem, we can handle it. I've been camping before
from my childhood. When we were little, we were
went camping with my parents. At that time the trailer was in. That was in the '70s,
the tents were taken down. That's when the first trailers arrived. This is such a
Feelings of freedom. But there must always be
...two people who want it. Otherwise there could be stress. A little stress
there is, because with a motorhome it takes
...longer than those two thought. Even dinner. Cooking in a small space,
is new to Petra. There is, quite simply,
Noodle salad. There's just everything here
from a pot or a pan. And then you have to look. So this now, until that stands
and you can start eating, that's a lot of work. Half an hour to three-quarters of an hour, yes, after,
what you want and what you have, you're already busy. Did we meet
the beer deserves afterwards. For lovers
of the special camp site have court owners Silvia
and Erhard Brandes a gem
standing by her barn. An old circus wagon, that the couple just
into a trailer. A wet room.
(Petra) It's bigger than ours. Definitely that. Custom-made furniture
on almost 19 square meters. This is a real kitchen.
- There's a way out. Dentist Sylvia and her husband also collect
historical tractors ...and at 20 kilometers an hour...
on special routes with her circus wagon
to drive across the country. Yeah. It's not exactly cheap. For that money, we could have spent a long time in 4- or 5-star hotels
can take a vacation. That's for me, as I say, it is also flat away
of this standard story... I just think it's, yeah, nicer. We have to get going. Maybe I like it
in the end, not at all. Let's see.
- It's very individual. - Yeah. An exciting day
as camping novices comes to an end. The first night in a motorhome
begins. There were 5 degrees of hardness
for the mattresses to choose from. Did they
...for the right one? Were there any unexpected problems? That was already
a little exhausting, I must say,
that this is gonna work. Take a break, we're
I used to get up in the night, to the bathroom,
but then fell asleep well. At least I did. Was it with you? The Feet
are bumping into the kitchen down there. The width is not so, I think,
we'll have to get a bigger one. I got my knee here in the window,
when I turn around, clack. In time of need I can
knock out the back garage and sleep underneath,
anything goes. We can enlarge the second bed. Then we have 2 x 2 m. Then we don't have these problems. With freshly brewed coffee
the next problem: no hot water from the tap. For such purposes
it's very good, you have these
Instructions for use included. Yes, it's strange.
It's easier at home. You press a button there,
then it's fine. The rotary switch 206, outer ring,
to zero. What is it now? Now the orange indicator light
off. Try to get some water,
Hot water. It works, the heater. She's working now. Well, if that's it,
then it's fine. The heating was on summer operation
is set. Learned something again. The dismantling goes with 15 min
significantly faster than the assembly. In the evening they want
be back, but now their motor home
on a tour to Lüneburg. Is it really true that through the
land and stops more often, explored the area more attentively? In fact, the trip was
to Medingen Monastery in Bad Bevensen was not planned. That's where we're going. It's 700 km down now. We rode the 450 yesterday,
in one piece like this, with short interruptions,
...was a good ride. I was at a party once.
Road overtook a truck. That's a very nice automatic,
I like, like, the car part, not like the old automatic. The Erbslöhs have their vehicle
on the first trip. The medieval Lüneburg remained
undamaged in World War II. Many houses are crooked, because for centuries
salt was mined underground. 2 million tourists
came to the region last year. Camper deceleration, this is for
the couple a new sense of well-being. After 43 years together.
it's time to go to the Schlösschenbrücke over the Ilmenau
to make the first love selfie. You did everything right.
- It was a good call. And then pack up and move on. The next challenge is waiting. This time they want
the real camper life on a pitch
on the Rhine. Self-sufficiency,
experience a camping pitch, associate with strange neighbours
arrange. Do you think that's the right thing to do? Just Petra is
a little annoyed by being a camper. It sucks to pack these days. First you admit it.
with your clothes on. How will the weather be,
you check. Then you stow that. Then you take
the fresh food, they go into the cooler. You've had it all before,
that you didn't need, ...in the first place. I find it annoying. But that's part of it, unfortunately,
that's a lot of dilly-dallying. The square
is directly on the Rhine in Bingen. The symbol of the city:
the Mouse Tower. 13 castles, palaces and ruins
are here in the region. On the world cultural heritage
belongs to Klopp Castle, the seat of the Lord Mayor. Rüdiger and Petra have
...he got himself another parking space. Many popular places
are fully booked. Corona causes many
German tourists in their own country. I wonder what's going on here.
waiting for the new campers? I go like this.
- Hi. Seat 30.
- Right. Christine and Jens Schnieder are
since this year the operators and, with the strong demand
improvise daily. We got a couple of guys over there...
pushed an RV forward, ...so another one could get behind him. On these weekends.
it's madness. Some Tetris for adults. This is the biggest problem. There are so many motor homes
and so few parking spaces, they call in a tour. We have between
50 and 150 requests per day, who are searching
for parking spaces. Different from a campsite
are available on pure pitches no sanitary facilities,
only electricity, water and disposal possibilities
for faeces and sewage. Such a pitch
is more for short-term use, so for guests who come,
take a look at Bingen and its surroundings, a day or two, and then travel on. Campsite
is rather for a long time. That's where you settle down, that's where you build
a tent on or an awning, or whatever,
and is on vacation there. Cheaper here too. The groats pay for 3 nights
and 2 persons 30 Euro. A campsite costs
three times as much in the high season, for motorhomes
between 20 and 40 euros a day. Tents and camper vans
are prohibited here. This is camping
for advanced students. Everyone has to make a precision landing
on his parcel of land. I have to go back to the front. Do I have to go to the front again?
- Whack more, yeah. You still have... Counter-steer, the other way around. This is so bad again.
Wrong idea. (Petra) Shall I go forward?
Yes. (Petra) Can you
please be nicer? Go on, go on. (Petra) Now it has to be good.
- Stop. This has gotta be good. Okay. After the stress test
the next hurdle. Let's have a look first,
if we have satellite coverage. (Petra) And if not?
Then you don't want the place, do you? Then I won't take it. (Petra) In any case.
...in children's programming. We have children's programming. Who doesn't care about TV reception, for which Jens Schnieder
good news. If someone comes in spontaneously and says,
I'll take a seat too ...over here by the trees,
where you don't have satellite reception, it can also come spontaneously. He'll find a place there,
or we find one. And when we get him
in the parking lot. New-Camper Erbslöh
learns on every trip. This time the carpenter
ordered extra new ramp wedges, for 25 euros, because standing on end
is a camper nuisance. In the pan runs e.g.
the fat in one direction. Or the drain
doesn't quite work that way. The drain's not working properly.
- Or you're wrong in bed. You may not be able to sleep. (Rüdiger) That's why
I did two drains in the shower. Because once he's standing like this...
and once like this. Even experienced campers say:
After each journey, there is a rethink. For the drinking water on the course
has tinkerer Ruediger built a new connection,
with water meter. Only now can he see comfortably, when the 116 l filling quantity
are achieved. The bummer is,
the display without this water meter is on the other side
opposite the door. So I need to be here, turning off
and over there at the same time. No can do. But you find something like this
for die-hard motor home drivers on YouTube. Such n joint for 10 Euro,
the water meter 6 Euro. These are small sums. It's natural, the more you
...the more you gain. Until we sit like the
Gentlemen next door, it'll take a while. 220,000 parking spaces
are in Germany. There's room for 40 motor homes. The Erbslöhs start now
to the neighborhood check. For Rüdiger, this too belongs
to the camper lifestyle. Here you can see people
to the respective vehicle, that's the exciting part. The people
all have stories, of course. I love that. Stories. The older they are,
the more beautiful the stories are. Cause they've still got something to tell you. Like old houses,
they have a story to tell, even when they're not talking. Knock, knock.
Hello. Yes, this is your home,
all good. (dog barks)
All good. (Petra) Campers long?
About five years now. We've been looking for two years
and are totally happy. It gives us freedom. My husband makes software,
and we always had the hotline on this
and never got to go on vacation. And here we have WLAN
and can work self-sufficiently here. It's our mobile office. Almost 9 m long and 11 years old
is the premium camper, that the couple bought used. A noble piece, which today is new with special equipment
costs around 180,000 euros. May I take a look inside? (man) We got nothing to hide. * (music playing) Rüdiger, well done. There is a difference
like day and night. Up there, the elevating bed,
super. You can sleep in the stern too.
Separate shower and WC. Yes, this is
A different number. With air conditioning.
It's incredible. About 60,000 euros
the couple paid for it. I really like the RV. But there is also a but. Since the motorhome is already a
is a little out of date, it's 11 years old now, you have
again and again technical problems at one point,
in the other place. And... I think it's on a new
Motorhome less problematic. My toolbox is my property.
actually to the fixed equipment. Rüdiger and Petra are happy, that they're going to use the toolbox
don't need it. They're enjoying their brand-new
Motorhome with 2 years warranty and fully comprehensive insurance. The latest discovery: Camper friendships
are closed quickly. You sit with strangers
suddenly under the awning and has a beautiful one,
nice evening. You exchange addresses, even though you never make it,
to meet. No matter what you are,
what you do, you're one. Waiting for them in the middle of
from Rheinromantik the 1st night among 39 other campers,
and she's restless. I wasn't used to it again,
because the soundscape is different. This is on every pitch
or camping site differently. Up there we have the railroad. And then the Rhine
in the immediate vicinity. These marine diesels,
they're rattling by here. We got used to it around 5. Then we'll be deep and solid once again
fell asleep until after 8. Yes. But then it got cold, so I...
turned the heating on fast. And then it was good. 695 km the Rhine flows
through Germany, flanked almost everywhere
of camping sites and pitches. Bingen is almost 30 km away
from the Loreley. On the other side of the Rhine
greets Rüdesheim. Not a restaurant, but for breakfast a
Bread roll service has the parking space. Something new again:
Insert for the folding wheels. The motorhome
just stops today. (Rüdiger) Actually, that's nice,
that there are places like this outside. It always depends,
how far out. This one is... I've only got...
thought it was very far, the campground looked wide. Here we have here on the map
Look, it's not that far. I guess,
...riding your bike for a mile or so, you're in the middle of life,
and that's okay. Between Koblenz and Wiesbaden is over 90 km long
no bridge over the Rhine. Therefore the ferry connection
between Bingen and Rüdesheim for hundreds of years
an important means of transport. (Rüdiger) ♪ Now we drive over
n Rhine, over n Rhine, Now we're gonna run over n... Rhine. ♪ The crossing
will only take a few minutes. First port of call: the famous Drosselgasse with many
Garden taverns and inns. It is currently full
in the German holiday destinations. And also at this sight
it's jammed. I'm saying this the way
in the Lower Rhine would say that. "Im Levve nit",
so "not in life". I would never get in line. The cable car
will still be here next week. And it brings tourists every day
to the 38 m high statue of Germania, the Niederwald Monument. In memory of the foundation
of the German Empire in 1871. In the evening they want to go back to
be at their camper and visit the neighbours. Since 8 weeks Petra and Rüdiger
now campers. Balance sheet: In the middle of the drive home, she says:
That was a good idea. I say: What? Yes, that we
bought the RV. Gotta be honest for once. That would have
can go to hell. We never borrowed anything before,
not rented. And then you have this
...expensive thing on the cheek. Anything like this can
also go in the pants. It's not, but please. Yeah, I guess so,
will continue to function. The next tours
are definitely already planned. It's to be delivered to them on the Weser,
to the Moselle, to Holland and at some point
to go to France. Copyright WDR 2020 So, I hope this trip has given you some tips, now comes the most important one: subscribe to our WDR travel channel, but don't forget to activate the bell! Because then you will not miss any of our videos! Here are already the next two for you, Thanks for watching!
