Kitting up for camping. Got the tent. What else should we get?

[Oakie]

So we've bought a tent: http://www.completeoutdoors.co.nz/oztrail-breezeway-chalet-4-2-room-6-person-xidp128625.html and now we have all winter to kit ourselves out for a bit of camping next summer.

Given that we're not looking at going away for weeks at a time but rather just weekends plus perhaps the odd 4 or 5 day escape, what are your suggestions for kitting ourselves out sensibly? What is essential, what is a waste of time, do you have any general tips? (We're doing this by car so aren't limited to what we can fit on a bike). Particularly, suggestions surrounding getting a cooker would be appreciated. Two burner for preference.

There will only be the two of us. We bought a '6 person' tent just because we wanted a reasonable amount of space to move around in and 'entertain' our co-campers in.

[JimO]

get a caravan

[Headbanger]

get a caravan

I wanted to say that.

[tri boy]

If space isn't an issue.
Go luxurious.
Comfy mattress, Great pillows, and good cooking/personal gear.
Oh, and heaps of booze.
MHO

[Pixie]

A sequined dress

[SMOKEU]

Don't forget to take a towel!

[centaurus]

I've been camping on a bike so can't advise on most of the "luxury" items such as cookers :D. What I've found usefull:
- tent + sleeping bags + sleeping mats/inflatable mattres are essential (doh...)
- if you have space foldable chairs are a blessing. You can go as far as a foldable table but in most cases you can do without it.
- make sure you have one of those grill grates that you can put directly over a camp fire. If you can make a fire it saves you from using gas and it's more camp-like grilling your sosages on the fire :D
- on cooker and the ammount of kitchen utensils I leave it to others to comment. I personally can't be bothered so find other ways to deal with meals (bbq on the fire, canned foods, restaurant, takeaway, etc...)
- if you have a 4wd you might want to look into bbq/cooker and/or small table that attaches to the towbar. They are extremely handy.
- lighting - flashlights are essential but not enough. Make sure you have proper lighting equipment for the open areas (some big gas lamps seem to work really well)
- if camping in the bush, some sort of shower arrangement would be good. At the lower end there are those shower bags that you hang from a tree. At the higher end, there are the shower tents with everything in them. Also if camping in the bush think about some big containers for drinking water for multiple days or even for washing/shower water too if you're far away from any fresh water source.

That's pretty much all I can think of. If in doubt, just browse the camping shops websites and see if you've missed anything.

[Smifffy]

Depends a bit on the type of 'entertainment' you're offering. Mirror balls and smoke/bubble machines go well. Make sure you get a good quality sound system that can be heard from the other side of the camp, all of the family campers just love them. A good sturdy pole is an absolute must these dyas, but try and limit the "inverted maneuvres" on it, or at least remove heels first, nothing worse than punctures in the roof of the tent.

Oh, and towels, lots of towels.

[Spuds1234]

I would have to say get a couple of survival blankets. They take up bugger all space and really do work if you need them.

Inflatable bed rolls are great to. Foam mats work if you wanna be cheap but your hips and shoulders will hate you for it.

Also practice putting up your tent. It will really suck if you dont know how to put it up and its raining.

[davereid]

Get an electric chilly bin. They are on special this week at Super-cheap.
Really, they are great. Milk that stays fresh. Cold beer and wine. Meat that you can eat without pretending you like curry.

If you camp tooo long you will get a flat battery, drive somewhere before that happens.

Me and Mrs R are way good campers... trust me I dun it

You need, in order...
MATES wiv your favorite recreational chemical, I recommend GIN or TUATARA ARDENNES
Chairs and a table
DRY = your neat new tent.
COMFY WARM = good beds etc
COOLER makes da gin and beer and wine and food way better
BBQ - 2 burner cooker with a hot plate at least.
Gas light.. hard to avoid spilling the Gin in the dark.
She will need a big plastic round thing so she can do da dishes otherwise you will have to help.

[Hopeful Bastard]

Well you would want some of these if you gonna do some walking about... http://www.kiwicamping.co.nz/kiwi_camping.cfm?product_id=1101&page_obj_id=121&prod_cat_id=168&prodlist=1102,1101

This for a table if you dont got one.. http://www.kiwicamping.co.nz/kiwi_camping.cfm?prod_cat_id=186&product_id=891&page_obj_id=121

Love the showers... http://www.kiwicamping.co.nz/kiwi_camping.cfm?product_id=1140&page_obj_id=121&prod_cat_id=129&prodlist=950,1140

LPG stoves... http://www.kiwicamping.co.nz/kiwi_camping.cfm?prod_cat_id=145&page_obj_id=121
Or butane cookers http://www.kiwicamping.co.nz/kiwi_camping.cfm?prod_cat_id=147&page_obj_id=121

Dont forget a Clothes line and Waterproof matches!

Also.. Plastic (or paper if you are environmental friendly) bags for your rubbish. If you go to doc sites its pack in, pack out..

[Oakie]

get a caravan

I can just see our wee shopping-basket car towing a caravan.

[JimO]

I can just see our wee shopping-basket car towing a caravan.

we started with a tent now its a caravan with gas hot water, gas oven, double bed and the squids all have their own tents.....we freedom camp for a few weeks over xmas and at easter etchttp://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x67/jim157/DSCF3235-1.jpg

[Usarka]

If you're not going for an elecy chilly bin make sure you take ice. Load's a ice.

+1 for the solar showers.

And don't forget the lube.

[Skyryder]

There will only be the two of us. We bought a '6 person' tent just because we wanted a reasonable amount of space to move around in and 'entertain' our co-campers in.

Sounds like you need BBQ..............a chillie bin..................and gas light.
Have fun:mellow:

Sksyryder

[JATZ]

Air bed is a must and don't forget to take a pump, trust me blowing up a double air bed by lung power sucks (yeah I know, it's an oxymoron (?))
Also, gas lamp and spare mantles, I have one that goes on the same size gas cylinders as the small cooker.
I could go on but you get bored, Happy shopping :D

[Mom]

Camping is the shizz! How basic do you want to go? I am of the caravan camper variety now, but can tell you how to keep milk cold with a bucket of water and a teatowel if pushed. Will you be travelling to set up on a bike or in a car? Kids? Adults only?

Best times of your life.

[Oakie]

Camping is the shizz! How basic do you want to go? I am of the caravan camper variety now, but can tell you how to keep milk cold with a bucket of water and a teatowel if pushed. Will you be travelling to set up on a bike or in a car? Kids? Adults only?

Fairly happy being basic in what we have. Only caveat is that Mrs Oakie says there must be showers and toilets on site. I'm quite happy about that too. No bike and no kids. Some gin, vodka, beer and perhaps a little food. :)

[Mom]

Fairly happy being basic in what we have. Only caveat is that Mrs Oakie says there must be showers and toilets on site. I'm quite happy about that too. No bike and no kids. Some gin, vodka, beer and perhaps a little food. :)

Ohhhhhhhhh, where to begin? Food is important :yes: Red wine is also good, you drink that at room temperature, it does not have to be cold.

[peasea]

Condoms.
A miner's hat with a functional lamp.
A theodolite.
A box of rivets.
2 3/8 UNC cap screws.
1 muttonbird.
PS2
Mexican jumping beans.
A game of Cluedo, but not the new one with the Maori character coz you'll know immediately whodunnit.
Some 78rpm records.
A ballpoint pen.
A tube of Lamosil.
Slippers.
The cat.
A bag of Port Royal tobacco and a pipe.
Deck chair.

[JimO]

ok why the muttonbird

[gilly]

Airbed
Electric pump that works off cigarette lighter for blowing up bed
Airbed patches
Sheets and duvet better than sleeping bags, cos you always end up sleeping on the zip.
Big plastic bags - for wet stuff, rain coats, tent patches, floor mats, water carriers etc.
Can opener
Pocket tool thingie
Bottle opener
Ducktape
Itchy bite cream, sunburn cream
Wetwipes
Safety Pins
A small two burner bbq much better than camp stove if space is not a problem
Pack of cards

[Mom]

Wetwipes

Wetwipes :yes:

[BMWST?]

why the theodolite?

[Oakie]

Wetwipes :yes:

Wetwipes. I carry a small pack under my bike seat.

[Mom]

Wetwipes. I carry a small pack under my bike seat.

You are natural camper then. Honestly you need very little to camp and have fun. The more you have the more you need is how I experience it. A decent lamp is important. I dont care about the purists that say go lay down with the sun, rise with the sun. I have a really cool 100 candle power lantern I have had for 20 years. I have replaced the mantle a few times but honestly it is such a cool light. I dont usually have it burning hard out, it is too bright! It makes a lovely light to sit and chat by of an evening, turned down low :yes: Glasses to drink out of make camping bearable. Pack them carefully, plastic drinking vessels have no place in a grubby/romantic camping weekend away.

Chilly bins x 2 are always the go, one hard out drinks one does not matter if the ice melts, and one with the food in it, transfer the ice.

[peasea]

ok why the muttonbird

They keep well.

[peasea]

why the theodolite?

For finding the perfectly flat tent site, sheesh!

[CookMySock]

The little cassette butane cookers are perfectly ok for two, and they're cheeep too. Don't go anywhere without a spare cartridge though.
LED headlamps.
Fold out plastic table with seats.
Unbreakable plates.
Folding beach chairs.
Big chillybin.
Bottled drinking water by the carton.


Steve

[Bikemad]

A game of Cluedo, but not the new one with the Maori character coz you'll know immediately whodunnit.


hahahah...........fuckin comedy magic dude

and dont forget ya ziggies n a lighter mate..............purely for medicinal purposes of course

[peasea]

hahahah...........fuckin comedy magic dude

and dont forget ya ziggies n a lighter mate..............purely for medicinal purposes of course

It was Rangi, in the car-park, with the tyre iron.
Game over.

[neels]

This for a table if you dont got one.. http://www.kiwicamping.co.nz/kiwi_camping.cfm?prod_cat_id=186&product_id=891&page_obj_id=121
Them tables is awesome, pack down to the size of a deck chair. We take 2 of them, one for inside, one for outside. And deck chairs to sit beside them with.

Our camping list.....(for the adults, multiplies a bit when adding children)

Tent
Airbed + pump + survival blanket for underneath to keep the cold out.
Table + chairs
Large plastic box for food
Chilly bin
Wheely tray trolley thing to keep kitchen stuff in that packs down to nothing in the car.
As many torches as you can find, they always get lost in the tent.
Clothesline + pegs
2 burner gas cooker.
Round gas barbecue
Kettle
Pots
Frypan
Stuff to eat with
Container + stuff for washing dishes
A couple of decent proper glasses for drinking
Mountain bikes
Trail bike (at this point you need to add a trailer)

I've probably forgotten something, just like I always do when I go camping :lol:

[kevfromcoro]

Iam just about to a run from Sydney to Brisy..
Tent.. airbed. pump.. gascooker.. dunny rolls.. dont forget the dunny rolls....
Got most of the the gear... might stick a GPS on the scoot , so i dont get lost..
Oh, and a 44 gal drum of snake repelant.....................

[sinfull]

Sommit to sit on !
sommit to lay on !
sommit to eat !
sommit to drink !

the way ya said 6 man tent, i take it ya wont be doin it on the bike ! so you'll have a lighter in the car, have a look at super cheap at one of them led wands, bout a foot or so long with a doz led's going on ! Plug it in and it lights up camp for hours and when ya unplug it the rechargable batt keep for a hours so if Mum needs to get up for a wiz in the middle of the night.... ! An air bed pump that plugs in ya lighter socket is easier than a foot or hand pump and they suck the air out as well for ease of folding the airbed !

Ya can get them picnic backpacks at the whorehouse that have all the essensials re plates knives forks etc !

stretchers are good for keeping your arse off the cold ground but not much chop for nooki !

One of them fold out picnic tables are good if ya aint on the heavy side ! Or just a couple of deck chairs and erect a table out of sommit !

Sounds like your shoppin basket won't have a hell of a lot of space but a gas bottle and all the eccessories is the go lol two burner and hot plate, gas light, gas calafont shower, heater, it's endless !

[NighthawkNZ]

we started with a tent now its a caravan with gas hot water, gas oven, double bed and the squids all have their own tents.....we freedom camp for a few weeks over xmas and at easter etc

Might as well not go camping and just stay at home... its not really camping is it...

[Usarka]

Cards. A book. A stereo (if you don't have neighbours). Booze. Chiller. Backgammon. Light. Insect repellant. Cheap plastic rack to put dishes etc. Plastic bowl to wash dishes. Twine (twist and tie between trees for a pegless clothes line). Duct tape. One or more hamsters.

[EJK]

Laptop with an extra battery
MP3 player, iPod preferrable.
Cellphone
Portable DVD player
oh and a PSP

:P

[duckonin]

Do not forget the most important, ' A real good scence of humour' never, never lose that you will need it...At times..Enjoy !!

[Swoop]

So we've bought a tent and now we have all winter to kit ourselves out...
Whatever you do, wait for the Kathmandu winter sale and pick up most stuff at half price.



Don't forget the rubber chicken. You never know when you will need one of them!

[peasea]

Whatever you do, wait for the Kathmandu winter sale and pick up most stuff at half price.



Don't forget the rubber chicken. You never know when you will need one of them!

Mate! They are so handy, aren't they? I never knew what they were about until I got myself one and now I wouldn't go anywhere without it. All my friends have them and they are just so impressed with their versatility. You really hit the nail on the head with that one; rubber chicken? Oh yeah!

[JimO]

Might as well not go camping and just stay at home... its not really camping is it...

we have been camping for every xmas for the last 30 years for around 3 weeks at a time, you might enjoy living in a pup tent i dont

[Swoop]

Mate! They are so handy, aren't they? I never knew what they were about until I got myself one and now I wouldn't go anywhere without it. All my friends have them and they are just so impressed with their versatility. You really hit the nail on the head with that one; rubber chicken? Oh yeah!
I suggested the same thing some time back (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/54686-Pointless-drivel-posts?p=1293664#post1293664)... and was infracted for it:rofl:
Ahh, the bad-old-days of KB moderation where one mod would move a thread and another would infract you for posting in the wrong thread.

[peasea]

I suggested the same thing some time back (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/54686-Pointless-drivel-posts?p=1293664#post1293664)... and was infracted for it:rofl:
Ahh, the bad-old-days of KB moderation where one mod would move a thread and another would infract you for posting in the wrong thread.

Or saying Patrick could suck my dick! Ahh, those were the days.

[NighthawkNZ]

Whatever you do, wait for the Kathmandu winter sale and pick up most stuff at half price.


Even then it is over priced

[Oakie]

So what are the pros and cons of the differing types of cooking fuel ... lpg, propane etc?

[AllanB]

Put it this way - we take so much stuff camping I tow a trailer with sides and it is full to the top. In fact after the last trip in January I'm going to upgrade the 2 litre car for a bigger one as it was close to being overloaded!

That is tenting for a family of 4 for 2 weeks. And it is a huge canvas tent.

[AllanB]

So what are the pros and cons of the differing types of cooking fuel ... lpg, propane etc?

I take a nice two burner hooded BBQ I got from Bunnings - hook it up to a 4.5kg LPG cylinder. One must eat well when camping - all that hanging around the beach, swimming etc need fueling!

And then there is the fridge to store food in and keep the beer cool ..........

If you are just looking at weekends get one of those portable single burner stoves that take a 300mm or so frypan and run off the cartridges. you can cook up a good feed in these. Cook chicken or diced steak, add some stir fry vege and a nice spicy sauce then throw in a packet or two of Wok Rice and heat.

[scumdog]

Condoms.
A miner's hat with a functional lamp.
A theodolite.
A box of rivets.
2 3/8 UNC cap screws.
1 muttonbird.
PS2
Mexican jumping beans.
A game of Cluedo, but not the new one with the Maori character coz you'll know immediately whodunnit.
Some 78rpm records.
A ballpoint pen.
A tube of Lamosil.
Slippers.
The cat.
A bag of Port Royal tobacco and a pipe.
Deck chair.

Ya forgot the beef jerky, two flash-light batteries and a bottle of Old Harper, amongst other things....:D

[peasea]

Ya forgot the beef jerky, two flash-light batteries and a bottle of Old Harper, amongst other things....:D

Old Harper? Ya have to get a comb with Old Harper, not something I have any use for.

PS: Get a new DVD, Am Graf is so last week.