The sweet scent of sawdust and spring
It is finally April, folks! That means the birds are singing, the snow is (mostly) melting, and in driveways all over the country, it smells of sawdust, contact adhesive, and big dreams. Easter is just around the corner, and whether you are in the middle of the process of converting an old van into your ultimate dream campervan, or you are putting the finishing touches and upgrading the camp-let before the season starts, the stress level and the joy are exactly as high.
I remember all too well my own first real "spring final sprint". The car was an empty, ice-cold shell in February, and I had set an inflexible goal: By Maundy Thursday it WOULD be ready for free-camping. There were many late nights with a headlamp, stiff fingers, and a considerable amount of swearing over screws that inexplicably disappeared down into the insulation. But that feeling when I could finally turn the key, throw in the sleeping bag, and set course for freedom? It was absolutely indescribable. That is exactly the feeling we are working towards now in April.
The bed: The heart of any campervan (and the source of much headache)
When building a campervan, there is one question that always forces itself to the forefront, and which can give even the most experienced DIY enthusiast grey hair: How on earth do we solve the bed? The bed is, after all, the heart of the car, but it is also the module that consumes by far the most space.
In my first van, I chose to build a fixed bed at the back. It was incredibly nice not to have to make the bed every night, but my god, how much valuable floor space disappeared permanently! For a campervan – especially if you are building in a slightly shorter model – multifunctional solutions are quite simply alpha and omega to maintain the feeling of space. A sofa by day that transforms into a spacious and comfortable bed at night is for many the holy grail within vanbuilds.
Are you in the middle of construction chaos right now, scratching your head over the bed construction before Easter? Then you have to check out this ingenious solution. Take a look at the YouTube video Couch ➡️ Bed - For your camper van! 😮 Meet the Frontier Futon DIY kit from Camp N Car 🙌🏻. Here they showcase an incredibly smart "accordion" design (Frontier Futon) that allows you to lightning-fast pull the sofa out into a solid double bed. Such a solution saves an enormous amount of space, gives you a proper place to sit with your morning coffee when the April weather is blustering outside, and it is surprisingly manageable to build something similar yourself if you are a bit handy with a circular saw. Truly a pro-tip for you who want to maximize every single square centimeter!
Camp-let and roof tent: The small upgrades that matter
But it is not just the van folks who are gearing up these days. April is also the month where the camp-let and the roof tent are brought out into the daylight. After a long winter stored in the garage, it is time for airing out and upgrading.
If the Easter trip is the goal, there is one thing you should absolutely prioritize upgrading this year: Insulation against cold from below. April nights in this country can still offer double-digit minus degrees. One of the best tips I can give to camp-let and roof tent users is to invest in a thick condensation net (anti-condensation mat) to have under the mattress. It ensures ventilation so you avoid a damp mattress, and it provides a tiny, but important, layer of insulation. Combine this with tossing in a 12V heating blanket (which draws little power from your power station) or a couple of good, old-fashioned hot water bottles. Then you transform the cold canvas cave into a snug nest for the Easter night.
The Easter trip: Skip the crowded mountains, think fjords!
When the campervan is finally finished being built, or the roof tent is bolted to the roof and everything is packed – where should this year's Easter trip actually go? Many Norwegians have a built-in autopilot that steers directly towards the "Easter mountain". And sure, Kvikk Lunsj, cabin walls, and the ski track are fantastic culture, indeed.
But if you are free-camping, the mountains in April can offer tough challenges. It often involves icy small roads, snowed-in free-camp spots, and merciless temperatures that really put your insulation to the test. My suggestion for Easter? Turn your snout towards the west. The Norwegian fjords in April are quite simply some of the most magical things you can experience on four wheels. Spring takes hold much earlier along the coast. The contrast between the white-clad, jagged mountain peaks and the lush green hillsides that plunge down towards the crystal-clear, deep water is striking.
In addition, it is a huge plus that the large tourist buses and motorhome caravans from the continent have not arrived yet. That means the very best free-camp spots down by the water's edge lie there open and waiting for exactly you.
Do you need a little convincing, or just want to dream yourself away with a cup of coffee in front of the screen while the glue dries in the van? Check out this fantastic travelogue: Exploring The Fjords Of Norway In A Camper van from the channel Lost In Europe. It is completely impossible not to feel the wanderlust tearing at your body when you see how they navigate the narrow, winding roads of Vestlandet, take small charming ferries, and find the most incredible places to camp right on the edge of magnificent Norwegian nature. Here there is guaranteed plenty of inspiration to gather for your own route planning for Easter!
3 quick tips for free-camping in April
Before you release the handbrake and set off on this year's maiden voyage, I want to throw in three small, but important, rules of thumb for spring camping:
- Check the gas (and the gas alarm): After a long winter in hibernation, seals may have become dry and stiff, and perhaps the gas bottle is almost empty after last year's final autumn trip. Check the system for leaks with soapy water, change the battery in the gas alarm, and make sure you have enough propane. Running out of gas on an ice-cold April night is a mistake you only make once.
- Keep the winter tires on: Even if the asphalt is dry and bare down in the lowlands and the sun is blazing, it changes incredibly fast here in Norway. If you are going to cross a mountain pass to get to the fjord, you can encounter a snowstorm and ice in no time at all. Studless winter tires should stay on until after Easter for free-campers who seek out onto the small roads.
- Use the Fricamp app for fresh updates: Spring is the time when the terrain changes the fastest. A gravel road that was fine last year may now be closed by deep snow or transformed into mud due to frost heave. Use the map in the Fricamp app to find smart spots, and – very importantly – read the latest comments from other users. Maybe someone was at the spot last week and can confirm that the road is bare? And do not forget to leave an update yourself when you find a beautiful spot! We free-campers help each other.
Then all that remains is to get out into the driveway again. Take the final turns with the drill, shake the dust off the sleeping bag, roll out the awning, and start looking forward to it. Easter on four wheels is the start of a completely new chapter of experiences and campfire coffee. See you out there along the fjords – drive safely, and remember to greet oncoming free-campers!