What you really need for your road trip
4.10.2016
Translation: machine translated
A month ago, I was on a road trip through the south-west of Europe. I was on the road for around 5,000 kilometres. Here you can find out what is essential basic equipment for a trip like this and how you can use a hammock for a different purpose.
The most important thing for your road trip is, of course, a vehicle. Whether it's a car, motorbike, bicycle or whatever you have in the garage. But there are also smaller things that are almost as important as your means of transport. Things that make your journey easier and much more enjoyable.
What I never miss in the morning is a good, strong coffee. In my opinion, there's nothing better than looking out at the horizon somewhere in the middle of nowhere and feeling the first rays of sunshine on your skin with a cup of coffee in your hand. Any day that starts like this is a good day.
The Bialetti is extremely practical. It is very robust, almost never breaks and takes up very little storage space. With the right beans, this machine makes wonderful coffee. You can use it to make your coffee directly over the fire. But if, like me, you're not in the mood to light a fire in the morning (before your coffee), you can also use it over your gas cooker. This belongs in the car on every road trip anyway.
When using the gas cooker, make sure you always have enough gas with you. So always take an extra gas cartridge with you on your journey to be on the safe side. There's nothing more annoying than running out of gas while cooking. I know what I'm talking about. :(
The product you will probably need the most is a pocket knife. True to the motto: "En richtige Schwizer het immer es Sackmesser bi sich!" Whether you need to prepare food for cooking, open a bottle of wine or carry out small repairs to your vehicle à la MacGyver, your pocket knife will help you in every conceivable situation. Best of all, they cost practically nothing and last forever.
If you decide to camp in the wild, I recommend taking a torch with you. Most of the time, the night camp is in a poorly lit or unlit place. (You don't want to be seen.) If you then have to pitch your tent in the dark or want to go to the "toilet", an external light source will make your plans much easier. It doesn't matter what kind of torch you have with you, as long as you have one. I always use the LED Lenser and am extremely satisfied with this product.
In my opinion, a loudspeaker is also an essential piece of equipment. Music was my constant companion when I was travelling. Whether in the car or on the beach. When choosing a speaker, you need to make sure that they have a long battery life. They should also be robust and, if possible, splash-proof. I rely on the UE Boom here. Although this speaker is rather expensive, it's definitely worth the money. I've had them for years and they still work perfectly. They are now available in an even better version. They have a greater range and are waterproof down to 1 metre.
The right sound for long car journeys: Canned Heat - On The Road Again
If there is enough space
Space in the vehicle is limited. It is therefore worth taking as little as possible with you on a road trip. However, if you are travelling in a bus or similarly large vehicle and have enough storage space available, I recommend the following additional products:
Having a hammock with you is always handy. There are trees everywhere and in an emergency it can also be attached to the roof rack of the car. A hammock is an all-round product that can be used for many other purposes. I also use it as an insulating layer under my sleeping bag or as a picnic blanket on the ground. It is therefore an ideal addition to your packing list.
Camping furniture is for those of you who prefer a little more "luxury" when travelling. Personally, I like to do without it and prefer to sit on the floor on a blanket (or hammock) because, despite their practical design, they take up a huge amount of space in the vehicle. However, if you prefer to eat your meals at a table like at home, camping furniture is a good investment.
If you want to stay in one place for longer, it is an advantage if you are mobile in addition to your car. You can then safely park your car somewhere and don't have to go to the beach with bag and baggage all the time. Bikes can be hired in most places, but if you prefer to bring your own, I recommend buying a simple bike rack for your car.
In my opinion, this is the essential basic equipment for any road trip. I would never go travelling without it. What do you think? Have you ever been on a road trip? What do you think is essential on such a trip? Let us know in the comments.
What else might interest you
Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.
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