The writer was hosted.
What do you get when four women fly to California, pick up a campervan in Los Angeles and drive into the desert landscape? An unforgettable good time! In our case, that good time meant spending five nights and days traveling in a Roadsurfer campervan.
Our road trip stops included four distinctive campgrounds. We began with the primitive Jumbo Rocks Campsite in Joshua Tree National Park. From there we ventured to the Palm Canyon Campground in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park where we slept beneath an international dark sky. Next up was the Stagecoach Trails RV Resort in the mountains surrounding the gold rush town of Julian, best known for fall foliage and homemade apple pies. We wrapped up our camping adventure at the edge of the Pacific Ocean at Malibu Beach RV Park.
Traveling with my always fun friends, Vanessa, Kelly, and Michele, we found plenty of adventures to keep us busy. We hiked in nature, explored miles of desert trails in an ATV, marveled at massive metal sculptures in Galleta Meadows, drank cocktails by the campfire, and learned that even city girls can embrace van life. Well, as long as we have the convenience that came with our Roadsurfer campervan!
Live Your Freedom with Roadsurfer
Roadsurfer’s motto is “Live Your Freedom” and we did exactly that as we drove across Southern California. Founded on the principles of freedom, adventure, and flexibility, Roadsurfer is the largest outdoor travel expert in Europe offering camper van rentals as an ideal form of travel for road trips.
Initially launching in Munich, Germany, Roadsurfer now has locations across 14 countries in Europe including Austria, England, France, Norway, Scotland, Spain, and Sweden to name a few. Additionally, Roadsurfer recently expanded into the USA with locations on the West Coast in Los Angeles and San Francisco. And in spring 2024, a new location will open in Las Vegas. Canada will embrace van life with new Roadsurfer rental locations opening in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Calgary, Alberta.
This German company was founded by five friends who have known each other since childhood. While planning a camping trip on the Atlantic coast, one couple already had a new campervan. The other friends wanted to rent a campervan which they discovered was not an easy task. Returning home, they decided to make the campervan rental experience easier by opening their own company. They developed a strategy, built a website, and launched an online booking system – the first of its kind at the time.
Meet the Roadsurfer Fleet
Roadsurfer offers a variety of campervans and motorhomes in its collection. In the European market, campers can choose from fun options like the Beach Hostel – a VW T6 California Beach model, the Surfer Suite – a VW T6 California ocean model, or the Family Finca – a high roof sprinter campervan. For those who want the space comparable to that which a motorhome provides, Roadsurfer offers the Camper Castle – a Class B RV.
Currently, in the USA market, campervans include the following:
- Couple Condo – a Sprinter campervan
- Horizon Hopper – a 4×4 campervan
- Family Freedeom – a Class C RV motorhome
- The Liberty Lodge (formerly known as the Road House XL) – a pop-up Sprinter camper and the campervan we drove on our road trip.
A Camping Adventure in the Roadsurfer Liberty Lodge RV
While exploring national parks, deserts, and towns in Southern California, our home away from home was the Liberty Lodge RV. An ideal campervan for big adventures and exciting road trips, this model sleeps up to four. It has a manual pop-up roof, a spacious kitchenette, and a bathroom that includes a hot water shower. An outdoor shower hose is also included – which is an ideal way to wash off sand from the beach or a dusty desert hike. The only challenge we had in configuring the sleeping arrangements for four adult middle-aged women was being certain everyone could easily access the bathroom in the middle of the night!
The Liberty Lodge RV features two front seats that swivel to join the two rear seats around the table. When not in use, the table is easy to remove and store behind the passenger seats. Speaking of storing, one of the most impressive features was the clever use of storage space. We found plenty of cabinets along with nooks and crannies that held all of our food, towels, extra jackets, and whatever else needed to be secured for our drives. Also, there was ample luggage space at the rear of the campervan for our four carry-on suitcases plus extra backpacks. We also stored the four camper chairs provided by Roadsurfer along with the bedding.
Kelly and MIchele brought small tents and sleeping bags to pitch outside for a couple of nights of sleeping under the stars. Again, there was plenty of space to store those each day. Another great feature of the Roadsurfer rental company is their commitment to charities. Any items you don’t need after your trip – including the small tents and sleeping bags – can be left with Roadsurfer and they will donate the items to the homeless community in Los Angeles.
Favorite Features of the Roadsurfer Liberty Lodge Campervan
While I’ve driven traditional motorhomes in the past, I much preferred driving the Roadsurfer campervan. Let’s face it, Los Angeles traffic is beyond ridiculous. My first couple of hours behind the wheel of the Roadsurfer Liberty Lodge were spent in bumper-to-bumper highway traffic. With the Liberty Lodge being just 21 feet long, 8.8 feet wide, and just under 9.5 feet tall, driving this model of the Roadsurfer campervan felt more like driving a minivan. It also eliminated the need for towing a small vehicle to drive into towns when we wanted to explore. The Liberty Lodge fit just fine in a normal-sized parking spot.
Other Features in the Roadsurfer Liberty Lodge
- 4 Seats
- Both front seats swivel
- 4 Sleeping areas – 2 adults downstairs in the fixed bed and 2 adults upstairs in the pop-up roof
- Blinds for all windows and a windscreen
- Cruise control
- Backup camera
- Bluetooth, USB, Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Device for children’s car seat
- RV leveling blocks
- Rental includes unlimited mileage…yay!
The Liberty Lodge contains a spacious kitchen unit with a refrigerator, two-burner gas stovetop, sink, cutlery drawer, and a cutting board that slides out from the counter space. Each rental comes with a “kitchen box” which includes camping pots, pans, espresso mugs, coffee mugs, glasses, plates, small bowls, and cutlery for 4 persons. There are also children’s plates, cooking cutlery, salad bowl, and a washing-up bowl.
The campervan also includes a 190-watt solar panel. Although the batteries won’t last for prolonged periods without being connected to a power source, it worked fine for our two nights at the Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park.
Hookups are provided for electricity connections. A generator provides a surge in power when there are no electrical hookups. And even the bathroom has a container to collect waste that can be hooked up at a dump site for easy cleanup.
Find Your Roadsurfer Spots
More than a standard RV rental company, Roadsurfer also helps adventurers find the best camping experiences through a service known as Roadsurfer Spots – a booking platform for unique and private camping locations and campsites. It’s an ideal service to utilize when looking for out-of-the-way locations like vineyards, forests, beaches or even on a farm. Check it out at www.spots.roadsurfer.com.
A Few Tips for First-Time Roadsurfers
As a rental company, Roadsurfer operates on a tech level. There is no printed user manual in the vehicle. So, before you head to an off-the-grid location, be sure to download the user manual by utilizing the QR Code in the vehicle.
Also, although there is a round-the-clock telephone assistance number since the headquarters is in Germany, I would recommend asking for a local number from the location where you pick up the vehicle – just in case.
We were novices when it came to finding water sources to fill up our water tank. Fortunately, a visit to the California Welcome Center in Yucca Valley introduced us to Nancy – who became our new best friend. She presented us with a detailed list of nearby locations offering potable water. We LOVED Nancy. Just in case you don’t find a Nancy, be sure to ask the folks at Roadsurfer for a list of possible potable water locations near where you will be camping.
With a Roadsurfer rental, you’re requested to return the vehicle with a full tank of gas and a full propane tank. Many gas stations can help with refilling the propane tank, let them help you out!
Most importantly, hit the road and have the best adventure ever!
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