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

[Oakie]

So we've bought a tent: http://www.completeoutdoors.co.nz/oz...idp128625.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 . 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
- 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_ca...list=1102,1101

This for a table if you dont got one.. http://www.kiwicamping.co.nz/kiwi_ca...age_obj_id=121

Love the showers... http://www.kiwicamping.co.nz/kiwi_ca...dlist=950,1140

LPG stoves... http://www.kiwicamping.co.nz/kiwi_ca...age_obj_id=121
Or butane cookers http://www.kiwicamping.co.nz/kiwi_ca...age_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 etc

[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

Sksyryder