The Camping Forum

[Southern-Dave]

Having re-joined the forum I thought I'd update some previous threads in this new one (old ones under SouthernDave)...if anyone's interested at all...?!


We had on terrific trip wild camping and one bloody awful one 'civilised' camping. Through these two trips, we have found what works for us better than before and what didn't and I suppose now we have the basics better, each trip will throw up shortcomings or confirm our choices as right.

We have been trying to strike a balance between camping and being comfortable without taking a whole houseful of stuff with us.

So what worked and what didn't?

Tent: Our tent was/is brilliant. A Coleman Ridgeline Plus4. Easy to put up and down, comfortable and a nice small size (there are three and a half of us: two adults, one child and a tiny dog (shortly to be two tiny dogs!)) which suit us. Living area is big enough to sit in if its rough weather and/or getting changed. We bought a porch and although it fitted okay and gave an extension to the living area, for the hassle of erection we didn't feel it gave us much advantage and we prefer to just have the tent 'flap' up instead. It also makes our camp that bit smaller without the large extension. Our windbreak works brilliantly though and the benefits of privacy as well as protecting cooking table from wind make it worth the money.

Cooking: Our Cobb experiment failed and despite really trying hard we could not get on with it and have reverted to the excellent Camping Gaz Camping Chef. This also replaced the single gas burner as well as the Cobb. If wild camping we use a BBQ grill over the real fire. For civilised we also have the option of disposable BBQs on site that allow them and there is no cleaning....yay! Our Gelert 13l collapsible water carrier is ace. For food storage our simple cool box works brilliantly.

Light/Power: We initially set ourselves up for electric hook up and after getting to site and plugging in realised that a) we had hardly any power needs and b) this for us wasn't camping. So away went the cable and back to a more basic approach. We bought a basic CampingGaz lamp for evening light and have a simple LED tent light for, well, the tent! Aside from that it is hand-cranked torches for trips to the loo or reading.

Sleeping: Our CampingGaz inflatable beds are superb! So much so we swapped my boy's military style on for a single CG one and he loves his too. Quick to put up, don't seem to lose air overnight and doddle to deflate again. Coleman 12v inflator does a good job too.

Other: Of course we have other sundries like plates, cups, etc but too mundane to list and I am sure everyone has there own bits.

Finally before you all nod-off, I was asked in another thread about our Handi-Rack system. Well, its very good. Simple-ish to put together (ignore the instructions) and take down. holds a good deal and seems very secure. The instructions are not very well written but you can work it out after a fashion. I found that the smaller straps used for strapping the Handi-Holdall direct to roof bars, when lashed to the four corners of the bag, pull everything tight and makes the whole thing more secure on the roof. I will endeavour to puts some pics up in a minute. Feel free to comment, question or laugh!

[Southern-Dave]

Some pics....

Our first set up wild camping:



Our second camp, 'civilised' on a camp site. As you can see the porch kinda dwarfed the camp:





The Handi-Holdall on the Handi-Rack on our handy car!

[Southern-Dave]

Forgot to add our Ghilly Kettle works brilliantly and I think are worth the money if you are going wild(ish) camping rather than camp-site camping. Boils up water quick and so efficiently, a great bit of kit.

[badger]

(back!)

Very informative for plenty of members... I do solo wild camping all the time and love it... sites can be okay though; Depends on the trip i am doing at the time.

[mace]

Finally before you all nod-off, I was asked in another thread about our Handi-Rack system. Well, its very good. Simple-ish to put together (ignore the instructions) and take down. holds a good deal and seems very secure. The instructions are not very well written but you can work it out after a fashion. I found that the smaller straps used for strapping the Handi-Holdall direct to roof bars, when lashed to the four corners of the bag, pull everything tight and makes the whole thing more secure on the roof. I will endeavour to puts some pics up in a minute. Feel free to comment, question or laugh!

How do you get on with the handrack straps inside the car? I'm 6'2 and imagine they would get in the way when driving?

[Southern-Dave]

Thanks for comments.

Surprisingly, they don't. I am 5'11, and as you can see we don't drive a roller!! The straps are roughly in line with the sun visors in front and the other is behind my head, so not in the way at all. I though this maybe a problem, but what we did was used a bit of string and tied it round the car roughly before we bought this set, just to see where they would sit - worth a try as you'r a bit taller!?

[mace]

Thanks for comments.

Surprisingly, they don't. I am 5'11, and as you can see we don't drive a roller!! The straps are roughly in line with the sun visors in front and the other is behind my head, so not in the way at all. I though this maybe a problem, but what we did was used a bit of string and tied it round the car roughly before we bought this set, just to see where they would sit - worth a try as you'r a bit taller!?

Great shout, thanks

Will try later and keep my fingers crossed that I can work it out as will be loads cheaper than a roof rack and box!

Thanks again