The fourth camper design came in 2010: set 4859, a blue and white camper occupied by a family of four. 4859 Above the driving area are the two children’s beds and a flat screen TV is attached so the adults can watch TV while lying in bed. Holidays are great for getting away and doing something different!

The awning framework has 8 pieces. I thought adding two extra horizontal struts might make it stronger, but unfortunately these prevent the vinyl from fitting without over-stretching it. on the other hand has a green lounger, a parasol on a stand, a red barbecue with a set of tools, 5 red cups, red and blue jugs, a red ladle, 3 blue pans, 5 blue plates and a knife, spoon and spatula in blue. No car is included in set 3249x. The accessories in 3249x are very similar to those in the first camper, 3258 version 1.

Manual

Inside, there is a shower and toilet (with a lid but still no door), sink, table and superior storage for all the plates, pans, cutlery and food containers. There is a bed for everyone, in the roof. The first style is represented by three examples: a white camper in set 3258 from 1979, a blue camper in version 2 of set 3258 from 1987 and an orange and yellow version in 1990 with set 3148. 3258 version 1 The next design of camper van also came out in 2005. This was set 3647 with its yellow and orange van, larger than its predecessors with wing mirrors, roof bars, aerial, pull-out awning and rear ladder to access the top box. A rear compartment has space for a bicycle and a gas bottle (the smell of an LPG gas cooker is one of my most abiding memories of camping, along with the smell of Tupperware containers, wet canvas, grass and my brother’s feet). 3647 Here is the first group, camper vans: vehicles with their own engines, not towed. There have been nine Playmobil camper vans in four basic styles.

Finally there is one live-aboard which doesn’t go on the roads (unless there has been some serious flooding!)- the 1978 Houseboat from set 3540. The occupants are a woman and child, ready for the beach or swimming pool and a dog on a lead. The accessories include a barbecue, a toy boat and a map. The bedding/seating has a red velvet covering. There is a sink area and bathroom area, plus an access door on the left hand side of the caravan.Inside the boat are orange seats and a table, plus green shelf units. There is a strong resemblance here to the first caravans, the houseboat even has the same orange-yellow colour for its roof as 3152x. The difference between the two sets is that in 3249x, the caravan roof is white and the awning is orange.

There are three drawers on the outside of the caravan, two for extra storage and one to remove the toilet cassette for emptying. Both caravans have an attached tent awning; a white framework with a vinyl cover. (My Dad made one for the caravette, very useful as a place for doing the washing up and catching craneflies, or midges). Set 6671, this time in white and dark green and with a better set of accessories than its 2011 predecessor. The next caravan to be produced, in 1991, was 3728, the circus strongman’s home. This is a substantial dwelling, with four sturdy wheels and a towing bar. I have included it here (I could have included the clowns’ caravan 3477 as well) because it has some accessories which show it can actually be lived in. Not many accessories though; a jug and two cups, a set of grey cutlery, two chairs, a table with parasol, a radio and a TV. Inside it has a cooker, sink, table and chairs and two beds. At night, the shutters at the four windows can be closed, but only if the window-boxes are removed first. The strongman and his strong boy live here. It’s a lovely set!As far as camping goes, the accessories in set 4074 were not impressive, with just a coffee pot, 4 cups, a table, 2 chairs and three beds. The bicycle shelf is redundant (no bikes supplied). The Playmobile Camper Van set contains 135 pieces in total, including small items such as cooking accessories and clothes for the figures. Note that there is no assembly required. The van is a nice and big, measuring 39 x 28 x 13 cm, while the chunky pieces and figures are ideal for hands-on play. More from Playmobil The first two are from 1977 and are similar to one another. They were found in sets 3152x and 3249x. Both have white bodies containing orange seating, green tables and green shelving.