This summer we packed up a HeroCamper and hit the road, the whole family, dog included, pulling with a 2024 Xpeng G9 Standard Range. The caravan combination was a HeroCamper with a number of optimizations to keep weight down and aerodynamics up. We left roof rack, ladder, and spare wheel at home, and instead mounted an extralight kitchen door. The cabin and kitchen stayed simple, functional, and adventureready. On top of the Xpeng G9 we mounted a HeroCamper Galileo rooftop tent.
We were two adults and our 10 year old Cavalier King Charles inside the HeroCamper, while our two teenagers slept in the rooftop tent on the car. It worked really well. Everyone had plenty of space, and we could pack up and move on in no time. Our plan was simple: two nights at each stop, manageable driving distances, with enough experiences for both relaxation and adventure.
First Stop: Stover Camping by the Elbe
We started close to Hamburg, at Stover Camping, a cosy site right by the river with large shaded pitches under poplar trees. The price is absolutely reasonable, the atmosphere good, and the facilities perfectly OK. I drove the rest of the family into Hamburg for a bigcity shopping day, while I stayed back in the camper and relaxed with the dog, who is too old to move around much. Here the HeroCamper showed its strength as a base, slow tempo, old dog, peaceful surroundings. We really enjoyed ourselves.
Luxury by the Baltic Sea: Kühlungsborn Camping
Our next stop was by the Baltic Sea: Campingpark Kühlungsborn, and it felt like a real upgrade. Kühlungsborn is a lovely resort town with a vibrant centre and a beautiful beach. The site offered a supermarket, high-level security, and top service. One rainy day put the camper’s flexibility to the test. We set up the kitchen tent, quick and efficient and the four of us plus the dog enjoyed being dry together. Next time we’ll bring side panels and front trims for the Thule awning. That will add comfort and extra square metres in bad weather.
Potsdam and a Day Trip to Berlin
The final stop was Campingpark Sanssouci just outside Potsdam. A site of exquisite nature and fine facilities, very close to Berlin. From here, the kids and I went into Berlin for culture and shopping. We took a free shuttle bus to Potsdam, then the Sbahn to Hauptbahnhof Berlin.
Experience with HeroCamper and the Electric Car
The Xpeng G9 Standard Range impressed. As a daily Tesla Model 3 owner, the step up to the G9 was significant. Comfort, space, driverassist systems, and perceived quality are truly top class. When you look up a Xpeng G9 Standard Range on EVdatabase.org, users report an average consumption of 19 kWh per 100 km, which is essentially the same as what I get in Danish summer driving with no HeroCamper, but with the HeroCamper Galileo rooftop tent in sunlight around 24 °C and mixed driving.
Naturally, I was curious about consumption with the HeroCamper attached! Pulling the lighterstripped HeroCamper behind the Xpeng G9 and driving at 100 km/h on Danish highways (the camper is Tempo 100approved) and around 80plus km/h on the German Autobahn, I achieved a very good consumption of about 29 kWh per 100 km, giving a realistic range just under 300 km. That was very satisfying and meant I only needed to charge twice on the way home from Potsdam to Esbjerg, Denmark.
Charging was via Clever in Denmark and Ionity in Germany. With up to 275 kW charging capacity it was lightningfast. We had to detach the camper at some chargers, but it took under a minute. It was actually quite fun to see how the chargers, especially Ionity, became a gathering point for Danes and Norwegians abroad. It’s clear that the EV trend hasn’t really taken off in Germany, strangely enough.
Stable Driving and a Gentle Surprise
The Xpeng towed the HeroCamper rocksteady. No need for extra mirrors and no instability, even at higher speeds, thanks to the wide track on the camper. The rooftop tent caused a bit of wind noise, but actually the G9 with the tent felt quieter than a Tesla without one!
A Holiday of Freedom and Presence
All in all: a fantastic holiday. HeroCamper gave us freedom, comfort, and flexibility. And in combination with a modern electric vehicle, it showed that camping doesn’t need to compromise on driving comfort or travel efficiency. We’re already looking forward to the next trip!
