Late Summer, Freedom, and the Magic of the Trailer Tent
August is here. The worst of the summer holiday traffic has subsided, the swimming water has finally reached a temperature that can be called acceptable even for those of us over thirty, and the evenings are starting to get that magical, deep blue color. For many of us, this is the absolute golden age for free camping. But when you pack the Camp-let for a proper long trip with the kids in the back seat, some practical challenges quickly arise. How do we keep the power on when we are far from the nearest outlet? What do we conjure up on the gas stove when ravenous hunger strikes? And how do you actually survive three weeks on the road with little ones without losing your mind?
I remember a trip a couple of years ago. We had found a fantastic, hidden cove via the Fricamp app. The sun was blazing, but we had a problem: The cooler was about to fail, and the kids' tablets (yes, let's be honest, they are worth their weight in gold on long stretches) were flashing a menacing red at three percent. The food hadn't been started either. That's when I realized that successful free camping with a Camp-let requires two things: Good off-grid power solutions and a kitchen that works optimally under the open sky. Here are my best experiences from the road, from one free camper to another.
Cracking the Code for Long Trips with Children
Let's start with the most important thing: The atmosphere in the camp. Children love free camping. They love the freedom, the forest, the water, and sleeping in a tent. But they hate long, monotonous stretches in the car. My first and most important rule for long trips with children is simple: Drive shorter distances.
- Maximum two-three hours: Find a new gem on the Fricamp map a little earlier in the day rather than pushing on to a distant destination. The journey is the destination!
- Let the kids help choose: Show them the pictures in the app. "Should we sleep by that beach, or up on this mountain?" A sense of ownership of the campsite works wonders for motivation.
- Have an emergency snack ready: When the handbrake is pulled and the Camp-let is about to be set up, patience is often wearing thin. A box of raisins, some salty crackers, or a banana in the kids' hands before you start setting up the guy lines, saves the day.
Solar Power and Off-Grid Electricity – Without Roof Space!
Motorhome owners and many campervan folks have it luxurious: They glue a couple of huge solar panels to the roof and barely think about power. For those of us with a Camp-let, rooftop tent, or smaller cars, the reality is different. We don't have a fixed roof to mount panels on, but the need to keep the compressor cooler running (for ice-cold milk and fresh butter) is just as great.
The Solution: Solar Suitcase and Power Station
After much trial and error, I have landed on what for me is the ultimate off-grid solution for a trailer tent. Forget heavy leisure batteries and messy wires in the trailer itself. Get a portable power station (like an EcoFlow, Jackery, or similar) and a foldable solar panel – often called a solar suitcase.
The advantages are enormous:
- Follow the sun: While the Camp-let is safely parked in the shade under the trees to keep the sleeping cabins cool, you can pull the solar panel out into the sun. A 120W or 160W foldable panel weighs only a few kilos.
- All-in-one power: A power station of around 500-700 Wh will keep an energy-efficient compressor cooler running all weekend on its own. With the sun in addition, you can stay off-grid almost indefinitely.
- No installation: You don't have to run cables or worry about fuses and 12V systems. Plug the cooler and chargers straight into the box.
A little August tip: The sun is lower now than in June. Adjust the angle of the portable solar panel a couple of times a day so it points directly at the sun. This can double your power production!
Camp-let Cooking: Swing Out the Kitchen and Become a Master Chef
One of the biggest highlights of a Camp-let is the fantastic kitchen that swings out from the tailgate. Standing under the sun canopy and making dinner with a view of a calm August lake, beats all the five-star restaurants in the world. But when hungry children (and adults) are waiting, it's important to have some tricks up your sleeve.
A Windscreen is Your Best Friend
Even on mild August days, a slight breeze can suck all the heat out of your gas stove. Invest in, or make, a good aluminum windscreen. It will halve the cooking time for pasta water and save you precious gas when you are far from the nearest exchange point.
Simple Magic on Two Burners
Forget instant soup! Here are two favorites that are always a hit with both young and old, and are tailor-made for the Camp-let kitchen:
One-pot sausage pasta:
Why dirty more pots than you have to? Fry pieces of sausage or chorizo and some onion directly in the pot. Pour over a can of chopped tomatoes, a little water, a splash of cream, and uncooked macaroni. Let it all simmer until the pasta is tender. The liquid is absorbed by the pasta and creates a fantastic sauce. One pot to wash = more time for cozying up by the campfire!
The Omnia oven – The Free Camper's Secret Weapon:
If you don't have an Omnia oven (that round thing with a hole in the middle that works like an oven on the gas stove), put it at the top of your wish list. Being able to serve freshly baked rolls for breakfast, or piping hot nachos in the evening while you are free camping deep in the mountains, feels like pure magic. For the kids, warm cinnamon buns in the Omnia oven are the ultimate reward after a long day of swimming and exploring.
Enjoy the August Evenings
When dinner is eaten, the dishes are done in the Camp-let sink, and the kids have finally fallen asleep in the cozy sleeping cabin, it's your turn. This is when you brew a cup of coffee on the residual heat from the gas stove, see on the indicator that the power station is fully charged for tomorrow, and just listen to the silence. This is what free camping is all about.
So pack the trailer, fill the water container, and use the Fricamp app to find the perfect, quiet spot for you and your family. August is waiting for you out there!
Do you have a super tip for power or cooking in a Camp-let? Or maybe you've found the ultimate family free-camping spot? Feel free to share your experiences in the app! Have a great trip from all of us on the Fricamp team.