Thread: Camping Bits

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Michael2

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.

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

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.