Freedom on four wheels - with camper vans from Dethleffs

Camper van or motorhome - what's the difference? Both offer you a home on wheels, but they differ significantly in size, structure and equipment. 

A camper van (also known as van or urban camper) is based on the original body of a van - such as the Fiat Ducato. It is more compact, more manoeuvrable and often suitable for everyday use. The interior design varies depending on the model: from minimalist to fully equipped - with kitchen, bed, storage space and even bathroom. Many Dethleffs camper vans can also be extended with a pop-up roof or pull-down bed.

A classic motorhome, on the other hand, usually has a separate body on a chassis. It is larger, offers more space and comfort - e.g. a spacious bathroom, better insulation or a generous seating lounge. Motorhomes are particularly suitable for families or longer periods of standing in one place, but also require more space when driving and parking. 

Yes - many Dethleffs camper vans are suitable for winter, especially if they have a winter package, a powerful heating system and additional insulation. This keeps you nice and warm even in sub-zero temperatures - whether you're winter camping in the Alps or travelling in Scandinavia. 

For winter holidays, we recommend a larger model such as the Globetrail Performance, as you will mainly be inside during the cold season. A spacious layout offers more storage space for winter clothing and equipment as well as a separate bathroom. The Performance also comes with an additional winter package. 

Pay attention when choosing your camper van: 

• Heating: e.g. Truma Combi with diesel or gas
• Insulation
• Tightly closing windows & doors
• Ventilation options against condensation

In addition to clothing and food, you need: Camping furniture, cable reel & power adapter, fresh water hose, access ramps, safety equipment, cooking equipment, bedding and bicycles if necessary.

Here is a list of the most important utensils: 

Documents and finances

• Driving licence and vehicle documents
• Insurance documents
• International health insurance and international health cover
• Credit card and cash, as not all campsites accept card payment
• Copies of all important documents 

Technical equipment

• Cable reel with CEE plug adapter for electricity at campsites
• Extension cable
• USB charger and multiple socket strip

Cuisine and catering

• Cookware (pots, pans) and kitchen utensils (knives, scissors, tin opener, spatula)
• Coffee mugs, glasses, plates, bowls and cutlery
• Food storage containers
• Dishwashing liquid, sponge and tea towel
• Foldable washing bowl
• Trash bags
• Kitchen roll
• Basic foodstuffs, spices, oil, possibly also coffee machine or kettle

Hygiene and health

• Personal medication
• First-aid kit with bandages, disinfectant spray and painkillers
• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• Mosquito repellent
• Hygiene articles such as toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo etc. 
• Toilet paper  
• Dustpan or broom

Clothing and shoes

• Comfortable clothing for everyday wear (jogging trousers, T-shirts, jumpers)
• Clothing for different weather conditions (rain jacket, fleece, warm jacket)
• Comfortable shoes, hiking boots, sandals or flip-flops
• Swimsuit   

Outdoor and camping accessories
Camping chairs and camping table, parasol or sun sail, awning (optional), barbecue and accessories, pegs and rubber mallet.  

The height varies depending on the model: 

• Compact models without pop-up roof (e.g. all Globetrail or Globetrail Active models) are approx. 2.65 metres high. The Globetrail Performance has a height of 267 cm.  
• With the pop-up roof, the height is approx. 2.78 m. With the roof open it is just under 360 cm. 

It depends on your travelling style, space requirements and budget. Compact models are suitable for couples and city travellers, while families need more sleeping space and storage space.

Use our camper van configurator to find the right model. 

Camper vans are the perfect choice for anyone who wants to travel flexibly, compactly and independently. Compared to larger motorhomes, they are more manoeuvrable, cheaper and often even suitable for everyday use - ideal for spontaneous road trips, weekend getaways or trips for two. 

With Dethleffs in particular, you benefit from a cleverly designed interior that offers an amazing amount of comfort despite its compact exterior dimensions: Sleeping area, kitchen, bathroom and storage space - all on board. 

Advantages of a camper van at a glance: 

• More compact & manoeuvrable:  Ideal for narrow streets, cities and normal car parks
• Suitable for everyday use:  Many models can be driven and used like a car
• Economical in consumption: Less weight, lower fuel consumption
• Flexible & spontaneous: Drive off at any time - without lengthy preparation
• More favourable: Usually cheaper to buy and maintain than large motorhomes
• Suitable for underground car parks: Often no problems with height restrictions due to the low height
• Modular & well thought out: Clever layouts, functional equipment - made by Dethleffs

If you want to be independent when travelling, value agility and suitability for everyday use and still don't want to do without comfort, a Dethleffs camper van is exactly the right choice. 

Yes, a camper van is suitable for everyday use in many cases, especially due to its compact dimensions compared to conventional motorhomes. It fits into many multi-storey car parks, is more manoeuvrable in city traffic and often consumes less fuel and has lower toll charges than larger and heavier vehicles. However, suitability for everyday use depends on individual needs and requires compromises in terms of seating or parking height restrictions. 

The compact camper vans in particular, such as the Globetrail 540 DR, can be driven like a car. They fit into most parking spaces and are suitable for commuters or active couples who simply want to set off at the weekend. Their variable use makes them perfect everyday companions with a holiday option. 

That depends entirely on the model and the equipment. Depending on the layout, Dethleffs camper vans offer space for two to seven people - thanks to well thought-out sleeping solutions such as a pull-down bed, pop-up roof or a convertible seating lounge. 
Sleeping berths at a glance:

• 2 persons: Standard transverse bed or longtitudinal beds in the rear - ideal for couples
• Up to 5 persons: Combination of rear bed, pull-down bed or pop-up roof + convertible seating lounge
• Up to 7 people: e.g. in the Globetrail 640 HR or Globetrail Active 600 KS - with pull-down bed, pop-up roof and additional bed in the dinette 

This means that larger families or groups of friends are also well taken care of in the camper van - provided you choose the right configuration. 

The Dethleffs camper vans are based on tried and tested vans such as the Fiat Ducato and VW Crafter. These vehicles offer modern assistance systems, efficient engines and solid reliability - ideal for long journeys and daily use. 

From simple & functional to high-quality & stylish: Dethleffs offers various equipment variants with a choice of furniture decors, upholstery and technical extras. 

The Dethleffs camper vans are divided into several clearly differentiated lines - from the solid base vehicle to the stylish premium class: 

• Globetrail: Entry-level and standard line with solid basic equipment
• Globetrail Active: Many extras already integrated as standard, good price-performance ratio, modern swivel bathroom solutions, flush-fitted windows and 10-year water ingress warranty
• Globetrail 75K Iconic Edition: Design-oriented special edition with exclusive colours, bronze-look Borbet rims, Scandinavian interior, handleless overhead locker doors and soft-close mechanism drawers
• Globetrail Performance: High-quality premium version based on the VW Crafter, with floor-level centre bathroom, 8-speed automatic transmission, extensive comfort features and also 10-year water ingress warranty

Configure your camper van now

A pop-up roof is a flexible roof construction that can be folded upwards when required. When closed, the camper van remains compact and low; when opened, it creates additional space and often a full sleeping area for two people. 

Dethleffs offers a pop-up roof as an option for all camper van models. It is ideal for: 

• Families who need additional sleeping space
• Couples who want to sleep upstairs and use the interior space freely
• Anyone looking for a compact camper van with headroom and more flexibility

The pop-up roof usually consists of a sturdy frame with canvas and an integrated mattress. It can be easily opened using a gas spring mechanism and ensures a pleasant indoor climate thanks to windows and ventilation. 

The terms camper van, van and urban camper are often used interchangeably - they usually mean the same thing: a converted van that is suitable for travelling and sleeping.

Nevertheless, there are subtle differences in use: 

• Camper van is the most modern and internationally used term. It describes a compact camper based on a van - e.g. the Dethleffs Globetrail. 
• Van is the technical term and describes the vehicle in its basic form - i.e. the body without special superstructures. Camper vans from Dethleffs are usually based on a van such as the Fiat Ducato or VW Crafter. 
• Urban Camper is more commonly used for smaller vehicles - e.g. urban mini campers with pop-up roofs. 

A camper van is therefore a converted van - cleverly planned by Dethleffs, with a high-quality finish and perfect for a mobile lifestyle. The term urban camper is mainly used for very compact models.

The weight of a camper van depends on the model, the equipment and the base vehicle. Most Dethleffs camper vans are under 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight - that means: You can drive them with a normal driving licence. 

Typical data: 

• Unladen mass (vehicle ready to drive without vehicle load capacity): approx. 2,800-3,100 kg
• Permissible total weight: generally 3,500 kg
• Vehicle load capacity: between 300 and 700 kg depending on model and equipment 

Important: The actual weight may vary depending on the equipment selected (e.g. awning, pop-up roof, additional batteries). Therefore, pay attention to the payload capacity, especially if you are travelling with several people or have a lot of luggage with you.