CAMPING TIPS (that you might not have thought of, post here)

[GU Rich]

A tip to take into consideration when camping in warm/hot weather....

Make sure the kids dont leave crayons on there beds in the camper as they WILL melt to there beds......

I'll post pics when I get the camera out....

rich

[NewcastleKnight]

Now I am not sure whether I can explain this properly.  When you roll the flaps up on your annex/windows etc try to roll them up back to front then what is natural.  If it happens to rain or there is moisture around before you get to put them down the water won't pool in the canvas or vinyl awnd when you drop them you won't get water all over you.

[Gunna Do]

Whilst we are on the topic of window awnings.  If it a large cover/awning, and a bit large for one person, fold the two bottom corners up to the top and wind the awning up from the now formed triangle at the bottom.  Hope that's understandable.

[rossow]

wow, 2 posts, 2 great ideas! (3 if you count the crayons, but i dont think i'll ever be able to tell the kids not to do that AND have them listen)
Thanks guys,
i wish i had some inspiration to share, but we've only been out a dozen times in our camper.
The only thing I can share is make it a routine when packing up and leaving to double check EVERYTHING... I usualy do the final closing of the doors and things and before I start the car I ask the missus... "did you do your checks?"  It's her job to check all locks closed and cables connected AFTER i've done my checks.

will def. be looking in on this thread as time goes by.

Rossow.

[NewcastleKnight]

Rossow that is a good tip!  I have last a couple of bits and pieces by not doing final checks.

[GU Rich]

Just thought of another couple, Make sure that your car keys are'nt in the pocket of the folded up camper...... Yes it happened lucky it was at the door end and didnt need to unpack the whole tent....


Not sure if others do this, But when leaving the awning attached when folding lift the awning back over the roof of the tent with the 2 outside poles. This makes the job alot easier than trying to flip it over, Hope this makes sense

rich

[NewcastleKnight]

Just thought of another one, Make sure that your car keys are'nt in the pocket of the folded up camper...... Yes it happened lucky it was at the door end and didnt need to unpack the whole tent....


rich
[/quote

good point and after a couple of issues with keys I have a complete set in glove box of the car just to be safe!

[GGV8Cruza]

I have a piece of coloured thin rope that is always attached to the Anderson lead on the trailer. After setting up camp and when the trailer is re connedted to the Patrol I place the loop of rope wrapped around the steering wheel so when i get up the next day after a goods nights sleep i do not rip the Anderson plug out of the trailer or tow buggy when i take off for an adventure. I just replace the loop of rope onto the trailer side of the plug and repeat process if i reconnect the two.

Garrick

[greeny03]

Others may already do it, but when it's cold and you have a good fire going, place a small shovel full of coals under your seat!! Keeps ya backside and back nice and toasty!!

[V8100]

however many clothes you think the kids will need doule it and you might have close to enough.

however many beers you will need double it and you might have close to enough.

eddy

[aazjodz]

Make sure that your WALLET isn't in the pocket of the folded up camper......
not that big a deal on the day, as we were opening it again that night....but it means we always check now!
J

[Shemdaph]

Not sure this passes as a camping tip.

Dont put the dunny roll in the camper. Always leave it in the car. Nothing worst when nature calls and your camper is packed up and you have to forage some paper bark, or leaves.

[Carlisle Rogers]

Hey guys - Carlisle here from Camper Trailer Australia. I was wondering if we could use some of your tips, with full credit and pics if you have them (of you or the tip in question) in the magazine. It's good stuff, I'd love to share it with my readers.
I'll even make it worth your while and give you guys a decent prize every issue. What's a good prize, what do you guys want? An extra snatch strap? Subscription to the magazine? Let me know and thy will be done...

Thanks! - Carlisle

[giypsy]

Not checking everything while packing can lead to folding up the camper and finding the car keys are still in the pocket beside the bed. Once is enough to cure you of this malady.

[wannabee]

CHECKLISTS:

I have checklists for everything - food, packing, fishing gear, etc.  Sign of a bad memory as I get older??

I print my checklists and put them in a clear plastic folder.  I cross things off using a white-board marker on the plastic surface, and then wipe it clear for re-use.

Mike

PS - Great idea for a thread.

[DANBRI]

Couple tips:

Talcum powder is handy for giving clammy kids a quick clean. The powder will remove sand and dirt etc without water.

Talcum powder is also good if you've got issues with ants, if you put a small line across their tracks they will turn back and not cross it. If you camp for a few days or more, ants can become an issue.

Cable tie a spare key under your car when you're on a decent trek. When you live out of the vehicle for weeks on end, it is very easy to lock the keys in the car as you break your routines. Locked out of your car in the heat in Knowhereville - sucks!

Photos - Rule of Thirds - Apply the principle to your snap shots and you'll see an instant improvement in your ability to capture the moment http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rule_of_thirds rather than a lifeless image.

Baby wipes are awesome for general purposes. No requirement for water etc for a quick clean or - shower in a bag, as I call it! Work well on halting the progress of mushrooms that grow on the dash on a big trek (dust).

If you haven't done so already, get some mesh or a purpose made matting for the door way / living area of your tent. It helps the grass from wearing and also keeps your living area free from debris.

I'll think of some more later!

Cheers  

[Darcy7]

Situation - Everytime you walk into a camping store, you buy a new torch.
Reason - You can never have too many torches.
Consequence - Torches don't work because the batteries go flat in between trips.
Solution - Always buy a pack of batteries when you shop for supplies for the next trip.

While on the subject - if you have any devices that use rechargable batteries (especially internal ones) make sure you put them back on the charge when you get home as leaving them discharged for long periods of time can damage the batteries and lower their performance.

Carlisle - feel free to publish that one..!

[kranky al]

some excellent suggestions there


my contribution is as follows - when hung over try to remember - pants first,THEN shoes



saves all that hopping on one foot whilst swearing and tripping over the dog

[jk]

On the subject of dogs, NEVER feed the dog the left over lamb roast and gravy and then let him sleep in the closed up camper with the family, you get blamed all night for things that you didn't do  .

[Patr80l]

Under the heading of "Handy Items" I'd suggest welding gauntlets.   They are not expensive, a decent pair can insulate well enough for you to hold a red hot coal in your hand, and they make tending to the campfire very easy.

[toad]

 Keys can be a problem, ask me how I know. Froggy bought two hooks with suction caps. They are attached to the end of the s/s kitchen when it is extended. The car keys and the camper keys are put on these hooks for the duration of the camp. When we pack up, the suction caps are removed and placed in the kitchen drawer.
We both know exactly where the keys are at any time, and can't be folded up inside the camper with my wallet.

[BigJules]

In emergencies, a bottle of Stone's Green Ginger wine will keep you warm and happy...

No, not the sort of tip you're after...?    

A peg puller is worth its weight in gold. If they were hard to get in, they'll be harder to get out.

[Damo]

Just on the use of baby wipes,

After forgetting the toilet paper on a recent trip, I had to use the baby wipes and after being on the beers for the previous 18 hours I only needed the 2 wipes after doing my business, very quick clean up. ( A little grouse I know )

Cheers Damo.

[toad]

More gross than grouse Damo!

[wannabee]

A peg puller is worth its weight in gold. If they were hard to get in, they'll be harder to get out.

I made my own combination peg hammer/puller by buying a cheap carpenter's hammer and cutting off one of the "claws".  The tool can now be used to drive pegs and the single claw can lever out recalcitrant pegs.

Mike