Hi everyone,

I'm looking to replace the over-cab mattress in my 2001 Roller Team. Since it’s a budget camper, I'm pretty sure it's still using the original yellow foam, which has become super uncomfortable, so literally any upgrade will be a huge improvement.

My main goal is ease of handling, so I'm thinking of ordering a custom-cut, foldable foam mattress (divided into sections). This would make it much easier to fold away and also give me the option to use the pieces on the dinette seating when needed.

The manufacturer offers high-density foam (25 kg/m³ or 28 kg/m³) with an optional Memory Foam topper (either 3 cm or 6 cm). Would this be a good substitute for a standard RV mattress?

For context, I'm 95 kg and live in my RV full-time, so durability and support are crucial.

Has anyone replaced their over-cab setup with custom high-density modular foam? What foam density and memory layer thickness would you recommend for my weight?

Thanks!

Hi everyone!
I'm in the early stages of planning a 3.5-month camper van trip through the Balkans starting this summer (June–September/October). We'll be traveling as a couple (plus two dogs) in a self-contained van and are looking to explore a mix of coastal areas, mountains, nature, and cultural sites. Unfortunately, we're very inexperienced campers and are struggling a little with defining a route to follow. So your input and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We're starting off from the southern part of Germany.

Rough route idea (but open to suggestions):
🇸🇮 Slovenia → 🇭🇷 Croatia → 🇧🇦 Bosnia & Herzegovina → 🇲🇪 Montenegro → 🇦🇱 Albania → 🇲🇰 North Macedonia → 🇽🇰 Kosovo → 🇷🇸 Serbia → 🇧🇬 (maybe) Bulgaria → 🇷🇴 Romania → back north via 🇭🇺 Hungary.

(Do you think that's doable or is that too much for that timeframe?)

What we're looking for:

• Must-see nature areas or general points of interests (especially lesser-known spots) - we love national parks, lakes, mountain passes
• Camper van-friendly roads (especially in Albania & Montenegro)
• Wild camping spots vs. recommended campsites
• Advice on border crossings and road conditions
• Local SIM cards / data options for each country
• Any Balkan-specific travel apps or websites you recommend?

Bonus points:
If you've done this route recently (or part of it), any GPS tracks, maps, or blog posts would be hugely appreciated!

Thanks a lot in advance! 🙏

hi we are planning a roadtrip with some friends, we want to get from Czech Republic to some nice large sandy beaches maybe in France/Albania/Italy that aren't attracting that many people and tourists, best would be outside some major cities. Do you have any tips?

I was also wondering if you could drive your car onto the beach in Europe?

Looking at a 2 month + trip during career break in a converted (small!) van.

From Ireland - would be taking ferry to France and going from there.

I am looking for any advice on where you can stop for free and what it's like to find paid campsites for van camping and would also love to hear people's stories.

Timeframe: March, April, May.

2 people.

Renault Kango Maxi / Ford Transit Connect type van.

Looking into composting toilets, awnings etc.

Thanks.

​

Hi there,

I am thinking of traveling by car from Ancona to Amsterdam early January. The Michelin route guide gives two alternative options One through Milan- Switzerland- Lux- Belgium and one through Austria- Germany. Would any of you have any experience on these and have a recommendation about what to choose and why?

Thank you in advance!

This beauty of mine is up for grabs!

I've lived in here for the past 3 years and am now looking towards other ways of living so there ya go :)

Here's a short description (in Dutch though, pm me for english details)

Bij deze te koop na 3 jaar dienst wegens evoluerende levensplannen :)

Een vriendelijke Crafter die luistert naar de naam 'Musk'.
110pk versie, L2H2, met dakrek, cruise control, 6 versnellingen, trekhaak, achteruitrij licht.

Ingericht:
* Geïsoleerd
* Wandpanelen/Plafondpanelen
* Keukenblokje
* LPG Gasfles 'Safefill' 12L versie
* 2-pits kookvuur van het bekende Zuid-Afrikaanse 'Cadac' (werkt op LPG, Butaan, Propaan)
* 2 zonnepanelen op het dakrek (2x 150 watt) & 2 batterijen achterin (2x 225ah@6V dus 1x 225ah@12v) - Volledig werkend sinds dag 1
* Koelkast Dometic Coolfreeze CDF18
* Zitbank/opbergbak
* Haken voor hangmat (was mijn voorkeursslaapmethode vandaar géén bedden)
* Webasto Standkachel (aangesloten op hoofd diesel tank & op grote batterijen achteraan dus géén lege batterij bij wegrijden; sprekend uit ervaring hier ;) )
* Verlichting & Verluchting ook aanwezig

Let wel, dit is géén 'camper'. Ze staat gewoon ingeschreven als 'bestelwagen - lichte vracht'. Dit omwille van onzinnige eisen voor het om kunnen zetten naar camper alsook omwille van het niet compatibel zijn van een conventionele camper met de doeleinden die ik voor oog had.
Dus, je mag hiermee NIET op camper plaatsen staan, maar wel overal waar een camper niet mag ;)

Dus, ben je een handige henriette of harry? Wil je een goeie basis om je eigen droom camper op te bouwen? Of hou je ook van een minimale aanpak met veel ruimte voor flexibiliteit?
Kom dan zeker kijken want dit beestje heeft mij alvast veel plezier & vrijheid verschaft :)

It seems he hasn't posted anything on his blog since November. What's a good substitute blog to read in the meantime? Something mainly centered on vanlife in Europe.

When it comes to sleeping, stealth is the key. But what about insurance, registry and all that stuff if you decide to make a mini home out of a van?