[First Experience with Car Camping] 03Camper Caddy California Camper Van: Stable Driving and Fully Equipped
I have always been curious about "car camping," but I was hesitant because I wasn't familiar with the vehicle and wasn't sure if I needed to bring my own equipment. This time, a friend invited me for a two-day trip to Yilan, so we decided to try the simplest way—renting a camper van and hitting the road to experience camping in the car.
To my surprise, the driving experience, the ease of operating the equipment, and the freedom of the itinerary completely changed my perspective. I even started planning the next car camping destination with my friends as soon as I got home.
I got the hang of driving a camper van on my first try, and even the mountain roads were no problem.
This time, I rented a Volkswagen Caddy California from 03Camper. To be honest, I was a bit worried at first that I wouldn't be able to drive it, but once I hit the road, I realized I was overthinking it.
The accelerator of this vehicle is easy to control; it doesn't surge forward suddenly, nor does it feel underpowered. It was very stable on mountain roads, and the suspension performance surprised me. Whether on the highway or winding mountain roads, there wasn't much swaying inside the car, and my friends sitting in the back also said it was very comfortable.
It drives smoothly and is fuel-efficient, which is completely stress-free for someone like me who only drives occasionally.
The interior is fully equipped, making it suitable even for car camping beginners.
I originally thought a camper van was just a vehicle you could sleep in, but this time, the entire Caddy felt like a mobile home, with almost everything you could need.
- The double folding bed is spacious enough to sleep comfortably, and setting it up and packing it away is very simple, taking less than five minutes to complete.
- The side awning provides ample space, and once opened, we set up the table and chairs right away, enjoying food and conversation. The whole trip was incredibly relaxing.
- The hidden cooking station makes it easy to prepare simple meals without needing to bring a portable stove or large cookware.
- You can rent a portable power station, which can recharge your phone, speakers, and lights, ensuring you won't run out of power in the middle of the night.
Moreover, the operation is really simple, and there will be a professional on-site to provide instruction. We hardly prepared anything; we just rented the van and hit the road. Even beginners can easily experience car camping.
The entire trip to Yilan Fei Alan Campground was incredibly relaxing.
Our destination this time was the Fei Alan Campground in Yilan, located on a mountain at an elevation of about 750 meters. The weather was cool, and the scenery was beautiful. It took about 2 hours to drive there from Beitou, and the road conditions along the way were good, with no narrow roads to make us nervous.
We even encountered cherry blossoms in full bloom along the way, making the entire mountain road feel like a hidden paradise. Once we arrived at the campsite, we found it spacious, clean, and easy to park, with a nice atmosphere. The only minor downside was that the lighting was a bit weak, but bringing your own lights easily solves that issue.
How to Prepare for Your First Car Camping Trip?
For those of you looking to try car camping, here are a few tips I've summarized:
- Don’t plan too many attractions; leave time for rest and relaxation to better enjoy the sense of freedom.
- Don’t worry about having all the gear; start by experiencing the equipment available in the camper van.
- When choosing a campsite, make sure it allows for car camping.
Additionally, there are many car camping groups on Facebook that you can refer to, such as "Che Chuang Tian Di," where you can find many shared experiences from seasoned campers. If you want to know where you can go car camping, we previously compiled a list of the top ten campgrounds across Taiwan. Find a convenient campsite near you and set off right away!
Car camping made me realize that travel can be this free.
This was my first time traveling by car camping, and I think the biggest advantages are the freedom and simplicity. There's no need to set up a tent, and you aren't tied to a schedule or worried about hotel check-in and check-out times.
Wherever the car is, that's where home is. You can stop at a beautiful spot to rest, eat, and chat.
I'm beginning to understand why some people say that car camping is a rabbit hole—once you step in, you can't get out. If you're someone who loves spontaneous trips and hates being rushed by a schedule, this style of travel is really perfect for you.
This trip made me appreciate this style of travel even more, and I look forward to finding another opportunity to try different campgrounds and vehicle models.
