When spring fever grips the body
It is March. The spring sun has finally started to warm through the windshield, the birds are singing a little louder, and the sound of studded tires against bare asphalt has long since been replaced by the sound of anticipation. Do you feel the same itch? The irresistible urge to just pack the car, fill the coffee thermos, and get out into nature?
Last weekend I simply couldn't wait any longer. I hooked my trusty Hero Camper onto the hitch behind my Tesla Model Y. For those of you who haven't tried it: The combination of a heavy, quiet electric car and a light, robust teardrop trailer (or camp-let for that matter) is absolutely beautiful. You glide through the landscape almost without noticing that you have your bedroom in tow.
The goal of the trip was simple: The year's first proper free camping overnight stay. Little did I know that this weekend would give me a slight technological revelation that changes how I will use the Fricamp app in the future.
The 15-inch revelation
As free campers, we all know that the hunt for the perfect spot is half the fun. You turn off the main road, wind your way onto a dirt road, and scout for that little pocket of freedom where you can set up camp for the night. Traditionally, this has meant that the map reader in the passenger seat (or me, safely parked on the roadside) has sat bent over the mobile screen to check the Fricamp app.
But while I sat there charging the car on the way out of the city, I had an impulse. The Tesla has a huge 15-inch screen with a built-in, fully-fledged web browser. What happens if I type the web address for Fricamp in there?
It was like turning on the floodlights in a dark room! The website loaded immediately. I logged in, and suddenly I had the entire Fricamp universe spread across the car's center console. The map filled the entire screen, the icons were crystal clear, and it was playfully easy to zoom in and out with my fingers. The app is obviously so well optimized that it behaved just as smoothly as on a powerful computer.
Live tracking and razor-sharp satellite images
The real magic happened as we rolled on. While I kept my eyes on the road, my co-pilot could use the car's screen to explore places along the way. Because the screen is so large, we could switch to satellite view and really study the topography, the driveways, and the distances to water and the edge of the woods. It is incredibly much easier to evaluate whether a dirt road is suitable for a campervan or a Hero Camper when you can study the terrain on a big screen.
And best of all? Fricamp in the browser let us follow our own route live on the map. We could see exactly where we were in relation to the hidden gems that other users had added.
Speaking of hidden gems and fantastic places in nature; we are all after the ultimate spot with the best view. If you need a little inspiration for what kind of gems you can actually stumble upon in this country, I recommend you take a look at this video: Best campsite in Norway 🇳🇴 #shorts by #utivillmarka. It shows exactly the feeling you get when you hit the bullseye with the campsite – a feeling that is much easier to achieve when you have a good tool to find your way!
The dream of Vestlandet from the front seat
After we had found a lovely, remote spot by a small forest lake (thanks to the big-screen search), we set up camp. The coffee was brewed, and we retreated into the car again when the evening cold came creeping in – one of the advantages of an electric car is that you can turn on "Camp Mode" and keep it comfortably warm in the cabin.
There we sat, with Fricamp still open on the screen, and began to dream away. We zoomed from Østlandet and straight across the mountains. We clicked on places along the Hardangerfjorden and up towards Stadt. There is something incredibly social and engaging about planning the summer's big road trip together on a big screen, rather than sitting on separate mobile phones.
To get us properly in the mood for the summer's adventure, we put on a lovely travel video. Whether you drive a motorhome, campervan, have a roof tent or camp-let, this is guaranteed to give you travel fever: VESTLANDET [Ep 2]. From VESTKAPP to HARDANGER with a motorhome. by ReiseTV1. Even though they travel in a motorhome, the landscape, freedom, and routes are just as relevant for us who prefer smaller rolling homes. The Fricamp app is fortunately for all of us, and there are swarms of suitable places for all types of vehicles on that route.
How to get Fricamp on your car screen
Are you lucky enough to have a Tesla, a Polestar, or another modern car (or motorhome) with a good web browser in the infotainment system? Then you just have to try this. Here is how you do it:
- Open the web browser: Find the web browser app in the car's menu system.
- Go to Fricamp: Enter the address for Fricamp and log in with your user.
- Create a bookmark: Save the page as a bookmark in the car (or as a favorite) so that you have it one tap away for the next trip.
- Allow location: If the web browser asks if it can use your location, press "yes". Then the blue dot will show where you are on the map.
An important final reminder: Even though it is incredibly cool and practical, remember that the driver's job is to drive the car. Let the passenger handle the map reading and exploration of Fricamp while you are in motion, or use the screen actively when you have stopped for a break, to charge, or to refuel.
Spring is here, my friends. Whether you navigate via a 15-inch screen or the mobile in your pocket, I hope to see you out there. Pack smartly, drive safely, and remember to share the great spots you find (and check in at them!) in the Fricamp app. Have a good trip!