Camper Questions (Noob alert!)

[Riff]

Hi

you can check my intro. Strangely enough it's in the intro section. That way you'll get to know a bit more about me.

I'm new at this. I have a new Berlingo, I want to go camping in it with my dogs. I want to travel to interesting places in maximum mobile comfort.

I have questions:

1) what is meant by "boot jump"? I don't understand the term and it seems not to be obvious to me.

2) How do I ensure privacy when I have skylights and big windows and no obvious anchor points for curtains?

3) What are the biggest drawbacks in van camping in Berlingos? I notice many say how great they are but where are the realistic limitations?

4) Awnings seem great, especially hanging out the back but are they really a practical suggestion? What about... a TENT?

5) Energy: I see plenty of stealth camper peeps talking about batteries, solar panels, inverters and the like but (and I must confess to being very new here and I've not done an exhaustive search) I see little on that here. All info gratefully accepted.

My current goal is to be able to be completely self-sufficient for 3 or 4 days max at this stage. It's a relatively new hobby for me and I am trying to do it efficiently and cost-effectively. I'd love to know your experiences of how you succeeded.

One reason I chose this vehicle is that it does seem to be very flexible and versatile and inexpensive, not to mention a  long lasting model. I didn't want a van (such as transit etc) so this is a good option but I am wondering about the cost/benefits of turning this into a camper van or just getting a great tent and using the vehicle as the haulage device.

Hope those aren't too obviously strange questions.

Cheers and thanks in advance for your responses.

[ffrenchie]

We use a trailer tent, boot jump is just a name. Self adhesive hook and loop would hold curtains or window blinds. Biggest drawback I can see is lack of space for dressing and such, I like to stand up and stretch out occasionally. There are plenty of awning tents for campers to adapt to a van or car side or rear and if you don't want gourmet meals just warm food a Coleman stove and a lamp will cater for energy without getting too involved with power sources. It's all a matter of scale, you could use just an air bed in the back and cook on a one ring burner taking enough water to make drinks but if you are wild camping for 3 or 4 days you need planning and non perishable food, think about civilised toilet facilities and washing etc and suddenly it all gets more complicated unless you are a survivalist and don't mind digging a hole and using dock leaves (not for nettle stings). We joined the caravan and camping club years ago and they have some farm sites called CS's which are basically a field with a tap and a disposal point for your porta potty and charge as little as £4 a night. I've seen sites in local woods where "wild campers" have been and they have left a dump behind. Choose your own route and have a good time doing it but it's your choice how involved you want to get.

[cancunia]

Welcome to the forum, I'm in a similar situation although without dogs.
There's plenty of info on here about boot jumps, as will an Internet search.
If you want to make your own, here's a good starting place.

https://www.berlingoforum.com/thread-16358.html