Choosing the right pitch

A good spot makes half the night. Before you park, walk around it once.

What to look for in a pitch

• Ground: firm and as level as possible. Wedges even out small slopes. The spirit level in the app tells you how high.
• Water: not in hollows and not right by a stream. When it rains, water collects there.
• Trees: don't park under dead branches or cracked trunks. They're the first to fall in wind.
• Wind: point the narrow side of the car into the wind, the entrance away from it.
• Sun: if you get sun in the morning, you warm up earlier. If you want to sleep in, look for a spot where trees or a slope to the east keep the morning sun off.

Arriving in the right order

1. Walk around the spot once before you park.
2. Position the car first, only then set up the roof tent or awning.
3. Put the kitchen in the lee of the car.
4. Keep your headlamp and shoes for the night within reach.