8 camping gadgets that we always have with us on the road

Where are the sleeping goggles? Who hid the headlamp? And why is there wet laundry on the floor of the van again? Many questions, one answer: Hang on the magnetic hook from now on! The particularly strong neodymium magnets are available in various sizes, shapes, coatings and above all strengths. They all adhere perfectly around the tin vehicle. But be careful! Before setting off, check whether all outdoor magnets have been loosened. Professional tip: Stick felt gliders on the contact surfaces of the magnets, then there will be no marks on the paint.

What to do when little Enno or big Jonna have their birthday on a camping vacation and there is no bakery to be seen far and wide? Bake a cake yourself - on the gas flame of your camping stove. It sounds absurd, but it works perfectly. For example, with this chocolate cake recipe: Heat butter (125 g), sugar (125 g), vanilla sugar (1 pck.) and a pinch of salt in a pot and mix, then let it cool. Add 2 eggs and beat until foamy. Mix 200 g flour with ½ pck. baking powder and 80 ml cocoa, then add 125 ml milk to the whipped mixture. Finally, stir in a few broken chocolate shavings or pieces. Place the silicone insert in the Omnia cake pan grease it and pour in the batter - then put it on the flame and bake for 30 minutes. Use a wooden stick to check if the cake is done. PS, also super practical: There are also Toaster for the gas stove.

Every millimeter counts while camping. Neatly packed and nested, the washed enamel or bamboo camping utensils disappear into the cupboard, drawer or under the bench. But don't let the neighbor eat with you - or even the neighbor's family. Then the evening is long and the sink mountain is huge. Every time you turn it, you bump into it, and in the middle of the night everything falls to the floor with a crash. Then it's better to get out the folding sink - and store the dirty dishes in front of the door. It's best to put it up high or hang the sink on the clothesline so that no wild animals come to clean it. Stroll comfortably to the wash station the next day! Fun Fact: you can also easily clean dirty dishes with sand - works without any water at all.

The issue of a restroom is a tricky one when camping. Either friends and family have to leave the mobile one-room apartment during business hours and potentially stand in the rain, or you go yourself with your folding spade or portable toilet for a discreet visit to the designated area. The DIY option is called the "pool noodle toilet"! Trim a pool noodle, cut it lengthwise to the middle of the noodle, and then place it over the rim of a standard bucket. It provides a more comfortable seating experience than any toilet seat. Pro tip: Attach a trash bag under the pool noodle rim and after using the toilet, throw in a handful of sawdust or cat litter to reduce odors.

Everything is under control as long as you only have to cook for yourself or one other person. But then suddenly guests are standing in front of the sliding door and it becomes tight with the pots on the small gas stove. If you're traveling with a whole family or friends, you'll love the electric party pan! It's a bit bulky, but very lightweight and even provides storage space for food when it's not being used for cooking. Perfect one-pot skillet dishes: paella, risotto, chili sin carne or shrimp. But beware: the pan immediately attracts the eyes of other campers. If you prefer to travel under the radar and alone, continue to reach for the classic pot set.

The decision to snuggle into a sleeping bag is ideally made only once a day. Heaven forbid you've had too much to drink and have to peel yourself out of the sleeping bag in the night and cold to go to the bathroom - it's terrible! Instead, you can stick your feet and arms out and walk around with the cozy sleeping bag. That's where the Napsacks from Poler come in. With openings at the foot, arms, and head, they extend the usability of your sleeping bag from just the bed to the entire campsite. When the sun disappears behind the mountains or the sea stirs up spray and carries it over the beach, the Napsack becomes the perfect shield against the cold for long outdoor nights.

Just a quick run down to the waterfall, a quick trip to the fast-food restaurant at the motor court - or carrying the groceries up to the attic? Nothing will get away! No one will steal it, will they? A targeted punch in the side window, and your smartphone and wallet are gone, along with the papers for the ferry and the tickets for the festival. It's better to invest a few seconds and take your belongings with you - or at least hide them safely. There are wonderful dummies such as the Erasco can safe or the SunSafe. These well-disguised cases do not stand out among all the camping gadgets as a hiding place for valuables.

Fixed solar panels on motorhomes or vans have one disadvantage: they are often in the shade. After all, who likes to park in direct sunlight while camping? A portable solar panel allows you to always align it with the sun. It reliably powers your kitchen equipment or handheld devices such as smartphones or headphones. Many foldable solar modules can withstand rain and fog with their special surface and continue to generate energy. You can place it outside in the sun, attach it behind the windshield in your car, or hang it on your backpack while hiking, in pocket size.

Need more tips for your next road trip? Here are our 8 must-haves for camping with kids!