Tips for Comfortable Travel for Silver Campers
From sophisticated technology and app controls to theft protection: the market offers a range of convenient solutions that make life on the road in a motorhome or caravan even more comfortable.
We present a selection of accessories to help make your journey more relaxing, and, if necessary, provide physical relief in cases such as back problems or circulatory issues – no matter if you’re travelling alone or with company.
Why technical assistance and safety-related extras are worthwhile
- Relieves the entire musculoskeletal system
- Protects the back, intervertebral discs and more
- Less physical effort required
- Reduces strain on the heart and circulation
- Greater safety for more relaxation
- Enhanced comfort and homeliness for overall wellbeing
Technical assistance for more comfort
AL-KO VT offers you a wide range of technical accessories – including manoeuvring and support systems as well as jacks and bicycle carriers.
Jack for the caravan
If you need to change a wheel on the road, it’s certainly inconvenient. But: most of the time, you can manage – provided you have the proper kit. The AL-KO VT jack is precisely matched to AL-KO VT chassis. Thanks to the adapted jack mount, the forces acting on the chassis are optimally distributed. The clever locking system also prevents the jack from slipping during work. The mechanical jacks are suitable for trailers with a permissible gross weight of up to two tonnes. The hydraulic version can bear up to three tonnes.
Fully automatic support systems
Support systems for caravans
You are probably familiar with this situation: parking the caravan, kneeling down, and getting started with winding the supports. It works, but it's more convenient with an automatic support system, such as the electronic UP4 or the hydraulic LevelC. With these you can easily extend four supports (UP4) or six (LevelC) at the touch of a button. With LevelC you can also level your caravan.
Another feature to consider: the Big Foot steady foot. With an extra large contact area of 200 x 180 millimetres, it ensures especially secure support – even on soft surfaces such as sand or snow, and can statically support up to 1,250 kilograms. The Big Foot steady foot is retrofittable for caravans with AL-KO VT chassis and Stabilform/Premium supports. You can find detailed information about support systems for caravans here.
Support systems for motorhomes
Support systems are not just a topic for caravans; such systems also offer more convenience and a secure stand for motorhomes. Mechanical steady legs have to be wound manually, while hydraulic models work almost on their own – meaning you do not need to use any force or effort to bring your motorhome to a safe, level position.
We offer the fully automatic HY4 hydraulic levelling system: it supports the panel van or motorhome and compensates for uneven ground and slopes. The control is electronic, operating four hydraulic units. The cylinders extend to the ground at the push of a button and lift the vehicle into level position over the axles. Levelling is precise to the millimetre and takes just a few minutes. For smaller panel vans, two supports might suffice – in that case the HY2 system is suitable. Other alternatives are the LevelM and LevelM Pro systems, which also consist of four supports.
Manoeuvring systems for caravans (manoeuvring system)
If you’re travelling with your caravan, you will almost certainly encounter a tricky parking situation sooner or later. To avoid having to rely on the help of friendly neighbours, the installation of a so-called manoeuvring system is recommended – for example, the AL-KO VT MAMMUT.
Thanks to small motors mounted on the caravan wheels, you can manoeuvre and park your caravan precisely to the millimetre without effort, just using a remote control. Even obstacles up to four centimetres high or gradients up to 28 percent can be managed with ease. This means you can park your caravan easily as a Silver Camper, even with age-related or physical limitations.
Bicycle carrier systems
E-bikes provide the opportunity for (longer) cycling tours for all ages. However, you need the right bicycle carrier – after all, e-bikes are considerably heavier than standard bikes. For easy handling and loading with minimal effort, the following bicycle carriers are particularly suitable:
TRIGO-VAN for panel vans
For panel vans, swivel-mounted models are recommended, allowing constant access to the rear doors. For transporting e-bikes, the TRIGO-VAN is the ideal option: the interior remains accessible and you can transport up to three e-bikes.
VARIO and VELO III for motorhomes
The VARIO rear carrier is mainly made of aluminium and impresses with its high payload of up to 150 kilograms. It also features a variable loading depth between 620 and 800 millimetres. The VELO III is suitable for two e-bikes or up to three regular bicycles, with the added bonus of low weight: VELO III weighs just 16 kilograms yet offers a payload of up to 80 kilograms. The bicycle carriers are mounted directly onto the motorhome frame, have a low loading height and give your e-bikes a stable hold in their rails.
Both carrier systems are foldable so they can be folded up when not in use, giving you unobstructed vision when reversing or parking. For even easier loading, we also offer a bicycle ramp, which can safely attach to the bicycle rail on the carrier with a mechanism.
Low-frame chassis VARIO SPACE
Lower entry height, more storage space and improved road holding: you benefit from these advantages and more with the VARIO SPACE low-frame chassis from AL-KO VT. The low frame height also makes loading and unloading efficient and comfortable.
Solar panels for reliable power supply
Solar panels offer you increased independence when travelling, together with being affordable, easy to handle and environmentally friendly. AL-KO Vehicle Technology offers you a complete range of photovoltaic modules – including classic models in anodised aluminium grey as well as ‘Full Black’ versions. The photovoltaic modules are equipped with PERC solar cells (Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell) to ensure a higher level of efficiency. They also feature a special anti-reflective coating and high transmittance glass that is resistant to knocks and the weather.
Heating in motorhomes and caravans
Now for the comfortable part: especially in colder seasons, or depending on your travel destination even during the summer, an effective heating system can ensure a great degree of comfort and cosiness. There are many solutions on the camper market – from small fan heaters to permanently installed heating systems and retrofit heating with towel warmers and fan convectors in wardrobes and more.
Tip: Load increase for caravans
Whether it's a manoeuvring system, support system or bicycle carrier: All these convenient extras add more weight to your caravan or motorhome. Unfortunately, there is no way around it: the payload is always limited, although the range can be quite extensive depending on the weight class of the caravan or motorhome. If you approach the limit of your payload, we recommend that you find out about a potential increase in permissible gross weight. On our information page about permissible gross weight increase, we answer all questions about how an increase is carried out at AL-KO VT.
Important note: Additional equipment such as awnings, satellite systems and more can already increase the total weight!
App controls
The AL-KO VT apps make motorhomes smart. They are intuitive to use, require no specialist knowledge, and offer convenient control and monitoring for a wide range of functions.
App: ONDA for a Smart Home feeling
Smart Home for motorhomers means: checking the fill level of gas bottles, the water tank or battery charge status, switching on devices like auxiliary heating or air conditioning remotely, or extending and retracting levelling supports. In short: controlling as many components as possible via one app – and that’s exactly what ONDA can do. Whether via Bluetooth, WiFi or voice command: control can be completely wireless. Cloud connection for your vehicle is also available, naturally in compliance with European data protection regulations.
App: Remote Control BDS-180 for battery monitoring
With this battery duo system you can manage two service batteries and monitor them during charging and discharging as well as check their status. Connecting two batteries of different age and capacity is possible, provided they are the same battery technology. If a battery is damaged, the device isolates it and issues a notification. The accompanying app allows you to control all functions conveniently via your smartphone or tablet.
Safety while driving
Anti-snake system for caravans and trailers
On narrow roads and winding passes, it’s reassuring to be able to rely on safe technology as well as your own driving skills – such as the anti-snake system ATC (AL-KO Trailer Control) for caravans and trailers. The ATC constantly monitors the driving behaviour and movements of your caravan throughout the journey. It's similar to ESP (Electronic Stability Program) for cars, but intervenes much earlier – at the first gentle swaying motions. The system is fitted to the axle and connected to the wheel brakes.
Semi-active suspension COMFORT DRIVE
Higher driving comfort and greater safety: The ultra-modern, semi-active COMFORT DRIVE suspension for motorhomes reacts automatically to manoeuvres like braking, accelerating, or cornering. By automatically adjusting the shock absorbers, it compensates for uneven roads – for a relaxed drive, no matter where you are.
The advantages at a glance:
- Compensation for bumps, vibrations, rattling and more on uneven surfaces
- Reduction of vibrations and accelerations by up to 20%
- Increased vehicle stability by reducing rolling motion and tilting
- Support in emergency braking by changing shock absorber characteristics
- Reduced driving noise by minimising vibrations
- Choice between Normal and Comfort driving modes
- Adjusts to different loading states for balanced handling
Reversing cameras
The benefits of a reversing camera for motorhomes and caravans are obvious: a clear view behind! Especially when parking or manoeuvring, this extra eye at the rear can help you monitor what's happening behind your vehicle and better judge distances. There are many wired and wireless solutions on the market with different camera types such as single cameras, twin cameras or bird’s-eye view. However, please note: a camera can never fully replace a direct look behind or a second pair of eyes!
Comfortable seats
Seating from AGUTI offers plenty of space and flexible configurations for drivers and passengers, regardless of size or seating preference – so long drives are made quick and comfortable thanks to a wide range of adjustment options. Besides the side offset of the gang seat, including the headrest on our comfort Slide-Out bench, every individual seat can also be moved forwards. The backrest takes on a pleasant reclined position at the same time. Perfect for long journeys!
Tips for safe travelling
How can I best protect myself against burglary and theft when camping? What are the advantages of camping with a dog? And what must not be left out of your camping gear? We have the answers!
Burglary and theft protection
Whether you are travelling alone, with your partner or your family: it is always advisable to take some precautions against burglary and theft. The market offers plenty of technical solutions for this. We recommend you consider individually which measures best suit your travel situation. In general, alarm systems, additional door locks, or wheel clamps contribute to theft protection for motorhomes and caravans. Specifically for caravans, there are drawbar and safety locks for support legs.
Travelling with a dog is also everyday life for many campers, and can add another layer of security: four-legged travel companions are often much more alert to noises than people and often have a protective instinct by nature.
Technical basics for emergencies
A well-stocked toolbox, user manuals, and ‘Camper Basics 101’: if you have all this with you, you can usually help yourself with small repairs or temporary fixes – for peace of mind on the move for (solo) Silver Birds.
