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

[Redcherokee]

Several folk have commented that they cover the camper bed with a tarp to prevent moisture/dirt getting onto the bedding.

I use a picnic rug instead.  One of those ones with plastic on the back and a bit of foam between the plastic and the fabric. Fabric side against the bedding, obviously.

In the spirit of making sure your stuff has multiple uses, this has a few advantages:
1. less likely to accidentally put the dirty side against the bedding as you can easily see which side is which
2. can leave it in place to provide some extra warmth when the night is colder than expected
3. can even be used to have a picnic on!!

I currently only bother covering the bottom 2/3s of the bed where the floor can touch when folded.  I'll probably get around to buying a second or bigger one to give full coverage.

[Pebble]

Swags, we jut brought some. Having a youngest child that still occasionally wets the bed the first thing I brought for their swags was a pvc mattress protector (actually really cheap from KMart if you're not fussed on having one of those terry towling backed ones).
Now from that I got an idea to buy 2 pvc mattress protectors so that I can put one on the bottom of the matress and then one on top, this means that the matress will be completely protected from getting wet or damp in particular considering the swags have a canvas base which would get saturated if sleeping in a pool of water. I will do the same with ours I reckon, but it will only be necessary to put a pvc mattress protector on the bottom.

I think it's  a beaut idea because you still have the benefit of the breathability of a full canvas swag but the mattress is protected for those times that make camping that much more memorable (adverse weather etc etc)

[Wargod_70]

1) When packing up the tent, leave little gaps in the windows and doors - i.e. dont zip them up fully, this way when you collapse the tent and try and re-erect it you wont have to fight suctions trying to keep it shut.

2) Dont eat yellow snow 

[GLC]

Three hints from me:)
1. with the tent peg puller grab a guy rope and a spare peg wrap the guy around the spare peg with the loop down about 6 inches, gets them out easy and if stuck tight adjust the loop till you are almost standing and use your knees to get the leverage.
2. Great use of a sam or military splint is to use it as a stubby holder, great insulator as you have a foam layer, aluminum and another foam layer:)
3. take note of any markings on the road like Kilometer markers, if your in a strange place it is difficult to describe where you are , but you can describe how long ago you left what point of interest and how far to the next town etc. Sorry I think medical 90% of the time and it really annoys Ambos when they dont know where you are when you need them.

[qlddsl]

I have used hammerlocks at the end of the safety chains, I think they are 1.3 ton rated and the 2 ton rated shackles cannot come out of them. A small cable tie secures the pins when traveling.

[welchygq]

My tip - buy 1 or 2 of those fold up buckets.  We have a small one we keep with water in with a bit of liquid soap to wash our hands during the day.  It was also used by the other half at Xmas to keep his yabbies in so I had to buy another .... it too got used for bait (but I did reclaim it to do some clothes washing!).  They fold up flat and come in a number of different sizes and are very handy & versatile!

What type of folding bucket do you use?

Welchy

[GU Rich]

What type of folding bucket do you use?

Welchy

I use one too there great, mine is a 15l bucket. I'll grab a pic tomorrow and post it up if I get a chance if you like. I picked it up from Anaconda I think it was for $20 approx.

http://camping.anaconda.com.au/search?p=Q&lbc=anaconda&uid=677126856&ts=custom&w=folding%20bucket&isort=score&method=and&view=grid&af=cat1%3aaccessories

It's not like this one. I have a steel handle and a plastic rim and base. It looks more sturdy than this one.

Cheers
Rich

[OffRoadDave]

This is the one Rich, I bought one myself after seeing yours the other week. 

http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/Water/Fishing/15-Litre-Foldable-Bucket#90025871002

[GU Rich]

This is the one Rich, I bought one myself after seeing yours the other week. 

http://www.anaconda.com.au/Product/Water/Fishing/15-Litre-Foldable-Bucket#90025871002

Yep that's it mate, It came in handy putting out that campfire we came across still going with nobody in sight...

[welchygq]

I use one too there great, mine is a 15l bucket. I'll grab a pic tomorrow and post it up if I get a chance if you like. I picked it up from Anaconda I think it was for $20 approx.

http://camping.anaconda.com.au/search?p=Q&lbc=anaconda&uid=677126856&ts=custom&w=folding%20bucket&isort=score&method=and&view=grid&af=cat1%3aaccessories

It's not like this one. I have a steel handle and a plastic rim and base. It looks more sturdy than this one.

Cheers
Rich

HAHAHA - i alredy have this one.  It was more that you cant "leave a littel bit of water in it".  Kinda needs to be full to stand up.

Welchy

[grafy82]

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

Just read this first post. Don't let your kids crayons sit on your pristine dash board either. They melt everywhere and, no I don't like having a pink and green dashmat.

[Willow Girl]

We keep LED headlamps in the glove box of the 4x4 for when we get to our camping spot after dark. They are fantastic! also great for when your cooking and making a midnight dash to the dunny.

[FZJ]

Beware the electric brakes after washing the camper.I gave ours a good wash after the last muddy trip,then it sat in the shed for a couple of weeks.towed it this morning and it locked up at the first corner!!

[Dappers]

Keys are a bit of a pain especially with them being electronic and expensive to replace. We have a small safe bolted into the tray of the truck so we can lock wallets keys etc in. For those with Trucks where is what looks like a big padlock which has a combination and hooks over a wishbone or other part under car. These can be found on surf/diving websites.     

[speewa158]

Keys are a bit of a pain especially with them being electronic and expensive to replace. We have a small safe bolted into the tray of the truck so we can lock wallets keys etc in. For those with Trucks where is what looks like a big padlock which has a combination and hooks over a wishbone or other part under car. These can be found on surf/diving websites.     

I have 1 on the CT very handy & only about $50 at Locksmith 

[Chippy76]

Any links to these?

Cheers Chippy

[OffRoadDave]

Beware the electric brakes after washing the camper.I gave ours a good wash after the last muddy trip,then it sat in the shed for a couple of weeks.towed it this morning and it locked up at the first corner!!

Not sure if it's common, but mine lock up the first application out of the shed every time regardless of being washed or not, I wonder if it's the surface rust on the inside of the drum giving extra grip initially and once that's wiped off things go back to normal.

[GGV8Cruza]

Any links to these?

Cheers Chippy

Heres some from a quick search

http://keywatchsystemsqld.com.au/key-lock-boxes

GG

[NewcastleKnight]

These are great collapsible buckets.

http://www.kellyscamping.com.au/p/5119512/companion-silicone-collapsible-bucket.html

[Dappers]

No links as I have a small safe with a key which came from Bunnings $30 any locksmith or surf shop/site have seen them in use bid enough for keys and wallet will have a look see if I can find a link

Dappers

[loshde]

not sure if it has been said as yet but we use frisbies for the kids plates because they can double as well .... frisbies 


crai

Talk about double uses for plates.  My hubby recently walked the Kokoda Track and he took some frisbies (along with other bits and pieces) for the local kids.  Some of the kids were fighting over the frisbies so their mother came out, gave them a whack, took the frisbies off them, turned them over and served food on them.  Problem solved

[LJs GU]

Talk about double uses for plates.  My hubby recently walked the Kokoda Track and he took some frisbies (along with other bits and pieces) for the local kids.  Some of the kids were fighting over the frisbies so their mother came out, gave them a whack, took the frisbies off them, turned them over and served food on them.  Problem solved

What a great mental image...

In my mind she was just like the big fat black lady from Tom & Jerry...

[martyn]

Try to use devices that take the same size battery. I use a gazillion Eneloop AA rechargeable batteries, I no longer use anything in d or c size.

If you do have devices that require C's you can use http://www.dealextreme.com/p/translucent-1-aa-to-c-battery-converter-cases-2-pack-22595 to convert AA's to C. They work like a charm although sometimes you need a little allfoil to help the battery make contact.

[McAbouts]

Not sure if this is on here already as it does go for pages. If you take your favorite 4 legged friend camping and he's black put a glow stick on his collar. I keep a packet in the camper and when used once can be popped in the freezer and used again the next night. I was getting a bit sick of tripping over our pooch and this solves my problem.

Cheers
Louise

[GGV8Cruza]

Carry a set of ear plugs with you, you never know who you might have beside you when camping

GG