Camping Bits

[yeboants]

Hi,
I'm trying to compile a list of camping gear required for regular camping trips on the beach and inland..

stuff that's a must have and good to have. also brand/model recommendations would be appreciated.

tents (2-4 person)
mattress - (for 2 people) air, sponge, springs?
portable bbqs (which type recommended)
12v freezer - recommendations?
lighting - gas or battery powered..

and any bits and pieces i've missed out that you can think off.

thanks in advance.
anton

[gwebb]

By far the best thing you can buy is a second battery for the landy so you can run a compressor fridge, Engel, Waeco or Bushman (not going to get into the fridge arguement!!) camping light I have used a SEE-EEZY for years with no compaint. I have used a $20 Primus portable cooker with good effect. Cast irom camp ovens are a good buy and after all the tent thingy I have gone back to a Swag on a stretcher and have never slept better in the bush. Whatever you buy make sure you enjoy it and not store it at home for to long!!!

[scrambler]

Everyone has their preferences, I'll give mine!

Tents: I'm a fan of full head height and don;t mind spending a couple f extra minutes setting up to get stability and space. I prefer a "geodesic" dome tent with full head height. The extra bracing poles give a lot less movement in wind. Many prefer canvas quick-setup types.
Mattress: I get seasick on airbeds and spinrg is heavy to move. We have a self-inflating (foam covered with airtight vinyl/smocking) mattress which goes on a cut-down Ikea standard timber base. For short trips we don't use the base, but it does add a touch of luxury. Not quick to set up or pull down but VERY nice for longer stays.
BBQ: We have two small stoves - a generic cheapo tabletop/camping cooker with refills from Coles etc plus a petrol pressure stove, which is super hot. For BBQ we add a large rectangular frypan.
12v freezer: we use an icebox plus a supermarket cold back inside it. Freeze everything and take out what you want to thaw.
Lighting: Battery for use in the tent, petrol pressure lamp for outside use (with hook to hang off a tree).

With minor modification the double bed can be made to sit across the top of the utility back on a Land Rover (under the full-length canvas top if you have one) leaving the tray for storage.

[waynep]

After camping for over 20 years and trying a lot of gear, here's what we now have and recommend ( but you will of course get many differing opinions ). Many of the brands are expensive but I've learnt over the years that quality = comfort.

Most of this will last a long time if looked after - and that means airing, drying and cleaning everything thoroughly when you get home.

I'd recommend you first decide which energy source you want to use predominantly ( 12V or gas/dual fuel ) and try to get all your gear to go with that. We've gone totally away from gas now and use 12V and liquid fuel only. 12V stuff is very good these days and quite efficent. You will however need to invest a good secondary 12V source other than your vehicle starting battery. Those portable "Thumper" style packs are quite good.

This is for camping in Victoria's climate - depending where you are you might vary it a bit :
Tent - centre pole "bus tent" style - Freedom Camping (or Southern Cross). Get a big awning and the poles for it if possible. For one night stays just set up the tent, for longer stays set up the awning as well. If you find the center pole a bit annoying you can get an internal frame which removes it.
Mattress- Thermarest salf inflating matresses - full length touring style
Sleeping Bags - Mont minus 6 degree - down filling
Cooking - Coleman Dual Fuel Stove - we use two single burner stoves. These chuck out a lot of heat and you can use unleaded petrol or Shellite in them. These will actually fit inside the billies ( see below ) if you're short on space.
Portable BBQ - Weber "Q" - but I've never taken it camping.
Fridge - Waeco (or Engel) 12/240V compressor style. If your camping style is to stay in one place for a while, you could consider a 3-way absorption fridge on gas, but it will be no good for touring. Whatever type you use go for one around the 50 litre mark.
Lighting - 12V "Versalite" or "Piranha" flouro. These throw out a lot of light for very little current draw. We would never go back to gas mantles. Avoid the cheaper flouros.( or those that look to be Versalites but are not ). You will need a 12V power pack of some sort.

Other things :

Folding chairs - Coleman ones or equivalent with the reinforcing in the seat and a insulated high back. Out of all your gear you'll appreciate a good chair the most !
Table - you need at least one good solid folding table - a lot of people have those aluminium roll up ones but I prefer something a bit more stable.
Water Containers - plastic is Ok but get good strong ones. If you use the tap at bottom, it will always leak or break off. A better method is a caravan style hand pump fitted to the top spout with a bit of tube down in the container. When travelling just take the pump off and put the normal top back on.
Cutlery - one of those backpack "picnic packs" - they come with most everything, have compartments for all the cutlery and plates and pack into a compact size and don't rattle ! . You can add the other implements you need.
Cooking pots - two Stainless steel billies ( that your dual fuel stoves will fit in to for transport ) and a wok/frypan, plus a spun steel camp oven.

[I Love My Landy!]

Cooking pots - two aluminium billies and a wok/frypan, plus a spun steel camp oven.

Why do you prefer the spun steel camp oven over the cast iron ones?

[waynep]

Why do you prefer the spun steel camp oven over the cast iron ones?

1. Less Weight and shape is easier to pack
2. Won't crack
3. Can use the lid as a frypan.
4. Lid goes over top of main part so easier to remove lid to check meal without getting ashes in food.

Many say they don't cook as well as cast iron, but we've had ours in a hot coal trench alongside cast iron ones - it all turns out pretty much the same. ( Great !)

I meant to say stainless steel billies too ( I changed it )

[VladTepes]

You need 7 items, as a basic kit.

1. Beer
2. method of keeping item 1 cold.
3. Food.
4. method of making item 3 hot.
5. Chair.
6. campfire
7. Mates.

[JamesH]

Look of good advice, here. To re-iterate and add some things, my favourite camping bits are:

My Engel, we won't get bogged down in the brands arguement but a good 12v fridge is a must (you can rent them, remember). I'm single but i can verify that as important as keeping the booze and meat cold they keep the other half happy. Nothing puts a chick off camping faster than rummaging around half melted stale ice for soggy matter that once was edible. And if you use cooling bricks they'll just be paranoid about whether it's cool enough. And i don't blame them one bit. A 12v fridge is a must even for weekend.

My Versa-lite - 12v flouro. I was told by those claiming to know that you do not buy a 240/12 one, they aren't as efficient as the 12v only. Versa-lite is re-assuringly more than twice as expensive as any other make.

A good chair and a sturdy table.

A larger lunch box with, some Kiwi knives, a Peugeot pepper grinder (it must be Peugeot -every other type of grinder is rubbish) some elastic bands, salt, cutlery, peeler in a bright lairy colour, corkscrew. tongs, spatular, ladel. Don't pilfer these items from the kitchen have some camping ones in the box ready to go at all times.

A Petzel headlamp.

[87County]

.....to each person his own preferences of course...

however, for those not aware of it, there is a camping cooker system called Trangia, and one (or two) of these can cook almost anything fairly quickly... I don't go on a trip without a least one :)

[87County]

.....to each person his own preferences of course...

however, for those not aware of it, there is a metho fuelled cooker system called Trangia, and one (or two) of these can cook almost anything fairly quickly... I don't go on a trip without a least one :)

[yeboants]

Thanks for all the advise.. much appreciated.

[350RRC]

Hi,

You don't say where you are, or what sort of trips you want to do, or for what duration.

I have several different tents, sleeping bags, eskies, lights, etc depending on the above.

Have been able to keep stuff frozen for over a week in an esky in 30' C which is cheap for example, need more info on what you want to do.

cheers.

[Michael2]

Hi Anton, I'll just comment on the things you listed :

tents (2-4 person)
depends how many people, for how long and where? Do you need to be able to stand in the tent? or are you isolated enough that you can change outside? See also the mattress comments about a swag.
mattress - (for 2 people) air, sponge, springs?
air matresses are a heat sink, you will feel cold through the night- DO NOT use them. A swag (or double swag) means you have a comfortable matress and all you bedding rolled into one, plus you can use it plus or minus a tent. Also a pair of sleeping bags with opposite zips, so you can join them into a double sleeping bag (goes with the bouble swag idea). Self inflating mats are good for travelling solo / light.
portable bbqs (which type recommended)
As already stated, the $20 primus ones are pretty good, I'd recommend getting / making a folding wind shield, as a breeze adds quite a bit to your cooking time. Gas Bottle ones get hotter, but they're heavier and bulkier.
12v freezer - recommendations?
I bought an Evakool, Australian made with a danfoss compressor and made off fibreglass, strong enough to sit / stand on, and a bit thicker so it doesn't require the blankets often seen on Engels & Waecos. I think 47 litre fridge / freezer is a good size, then use an esky for non critical items, or rotate frozen water bottles between the esky & freezer. Too big a fridge and you won't be able to lift it.
lighting - gas or battery powered..
I've tried fuel, and 12V, the 12V is lighter, doesn't break, lights instantly, requires no maintenance. A 12V fluro on an extendable aluminium annexe pole (or up a tree) makes a good "street light". It spreads enough light around the campsite that no one trips over anything. It's safe & robust enough to mount high up and this reduces the long shadows and the glare you get from lower gas lights, which lead to tripping over boxes and tent ropes.

Okay, one more thing, get some baby wipes, they're good for washing yourself, or at least your sticky feet when not much water is available. You can get the grime off you before crawling into bed.

[JamesH]

Okay, one more thing, get some baby wipes, they're good for washing yourself, or at least your sticky feet when not much water is available. You can get the grime off you before crawling into bed.

Yeah, that's a good one. Introduced that on my last trip. Lotys of kitchen towel as well.

Another good one for having handy while driving is a box of Le Snacks; cheese and a couple of biscuit in individual packets. Yes I thought these were really lame too until a co-driver brought them along (she who introduced me to baby-wipes btw). Anyway sometimes you are pushing on just a bit to get to known campsite, lunch spot, town for fuel and you go past your eating window a bit. You have one of these and they're quite tasty and you get on with the transport stage a lot happier. They might stop you from buying or eating something really bad like a Mars Bar too often as well.

[Mudnut]

As with the recently mentioned items, I also have some waterless hand soap in the back of the Defender. It is much easier to get the 7 year old to wash his hands when there is no water involved. I keep it in the bag with the toilet paper.
Cheers,
Ken

[Ace]

It depends on where, how long for, and who with.

If we are going as a group we organise to share the equipment as it saves space and weight in the vehicles.

If i am going on my own I take a portable BBQ if its a longer trip, but if its a smaller trip the $20 gas stoves are good with a frying pan. There are different sizes of camp ovens, the small ones are great for making a quick maggi potato back and they taste great on a winters night in front of the fire. The some cutlery, plates, food etc.

Then depending on whether or not the family come i take my swag if im on my own, along with my dome tent if the weather is looking nasty so i can just sleep on the swag in the tent.

If the family comes i am like scrambler and like the space. We have a 10 person canvas tent, takes about 20mins to set up but its good, has an awning to sit under and heaps of room inside.

It will take you some time to work out what you need, but pack basic, there is no point filling the car with crap cause you might need it, if you dont need it dont take it. But as you go on more and more trips you will think of other things that you need and then can also work out what you dont need and leave it at home.

**** air beds off, they are useless, they go down on you over night, they are hopeless in winter as the air doesnt get warm in them and you get cold. Swags are great, even if you use them in a tent, they arent heavy so go on a roof rack with ease and they are so comfy to sleep on. Failing that get a roll up foam mattress from Clark Rubber and Foam, or one of the foam self inflating ones, they are good, but stand along air matresses are crap, just my opinion. Their only advantage is they fold up to take up bugger all space. Matt

[yeboants]

Hi,
sorry should have noted more info earlier...
mainly for me and the GF. will do camping trips with friends but sometimes might be just the 2 of us. We live in brisbane and prob looking to do beach camping most of the time. bribie, north of noosa, frasiers etc.
thusfar i have had a lot of input. thanks again. also the little things like baby-wipes and water free washing liquid = great ideas.

[JamesH]

Hi,
sorry should have noted more info earlier...
mainly for me and the GF. will do camping trips with friends but sometimes might be just the 2 of us. We live in brisbane and prob looking to do beach camping most of the time. bribie, north of noosa, frasiers etc.
thusfar i have had a lot of input. thanks again. also the little things like baby-wipes and water free washing liquid = great ideas.

I'm sensing you have not cottoned to the fact that enjoyment of camping trips centres around having the right pepper grinder. Ignore this advice at your peril.

[Michael2]

Basic Personal Stuff

- Swiss Army Knife or Multi Tool (you'll be amazed how many times during a day you'll use it if you have it on you - not just for camping)

- LED Torch, the small aluminium ones cost only $10 at servo's, inc batteries.

- Spare cheapo Sunglasses

- For beach camping you may want to get a chamois towel to dry off, so your regular towels aren't scrunched up damp in the car.

- Hikers Fly, it's a light weight compact awning. You can just clip it to the side of the Land Rover with straps or string, or sew a seam in it, thread a cord through and run it through an annexe rail on the side of your roof rack. They're only about $30, don't make noise in the wind like a tarp would, and can be used as an awning for shade or rain shelter. You can get aluminium extrusion annexe rail, but Rays sell lengths of plastic extrusion you can screw / rivet or cable tie to your roof rack.