Camping, what do we need?

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Better option if taking the F-pace, fit a tent box with memory foam mattress for 2, onto the roof bars for sleeping, and rear of car for keeping cooking equipment, even a plug in fridge. And plenty room for wife's extra luggage.
No more having to unpack, erect in pouring rain, stake the tent to the hard ground.
Just open and place extendable ladder and climb onboard.

Thanks.
A friend has a Tentbox which they absolutely love but having seen it in action over the course of a weekend with 1 wet night it's definitely not for me.
I'm also trying to get the balance right between cost and comfort as I want her to find it relatively enjoyable but without spending too much money in case she doesn't.

 

[Gee-]

Okay, I get all that, here is another comfort option, and stick on window blinds.

Car Air Mattress for Jaguar F-PACE 2016-2023, Inflatable Car Mattress, Portable Car Sleeping Air Bed for Home, Outdoor and Travel Camping Use in Your Car Trunk,A/GRAY : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

Car Air Mattress for Jaguar F-PACE 2016-2023, Inflatable Car Mattress, Portable Car Sleeping Air Bed for Home, Outdoor and Travel Camping Use in Your Car Trunk,A/GRAY : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

www.amazon.co.uk

 

[Udders]

Roof tents are great until one of you needs a piss in the middle of the night then they’re a pain in the ass.
Unless you don’t mind going in front of each other. Which I doubt.

Cooking / boiling a kettle etc then you won’t go far wrong with one of these….

Appetizer Trio Stove

The lid provides protection against winds from one side, ideal for family camping trips or as a supplement to your charcoal BBQ setup. It securely connects to an LGP gas cylinder (hose not included) and includes anti-slip rubber feet for stability. The stove boasts auto piezo ignition, a...

www.gooutdoors.co.uk

I’ve had a similar one for at least 20+ years and it’s still going strong.
There’s a handy grill underneath to do toast / bacon / sausages etc…

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

The reason roof tents don't work for me is once they're up they're up. I want to be able to use the car while we're away.

 

[Udders]

If you’d rather stay with a mains kettle / toaster / hairdryer for the boss etc then get one of these….

Mobile Mains Kit with USB (15m)

Essentially an extension lead for outdoor use, this sturdy mobile mains kit means you can use fridges and lights, or charge up mobile devices straight from a campsite pitch electrical hook up. It features a circuit breaker and RCD which protects you and your equipment. The 15m cable with 240v...

www.gooutdoors.co.uk

You can then plug a mobile fridge in to keep the bacon and beer cold and almost as importantly a small fan heater to take the edge off a chilly evening.

I have one for my small van for the odd occasion I go to a campsite.

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Thanks.
That one rather than this one?

Mobile Mains Kit 15m

Perfect for anywhere you need power! An essential for any family camping or caravanning trip; this great value 3-socket mains kit makes it easy and safe to connect your tent to the campsite's electrical hook. It now has horizontal plug sockets for tangle-free cabling. Simple plug in and power up...

www.gooutdoors.co.uk

 

[Bobinyak]

We use a Tunnel tent, you can easy stand up (i'm 6ft) even cook inside an open porch area. plenty of room.

 

[Hann]

An airbed without a puncture is quite a good camping thing to have - i`ve just spent two nights at the Heritage Sprint in Deal sleeping on an old colliery spoil heap on a completely flat airbed!
When packing last Thursday i asked Mrs Hann if she had any single airbeds and pulled out three from under the bed, two brand new unused ones and another she thought `may have leaked last time we used it`.
`Ah, it`ll be OK it`s probably only a small leak, i might just have to top it up with air each night, save the new ones it`ll be fine`............

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Good morning Comrades. I hope you and yours are all well.

My wife has indicated a willingness to have a few days camping from time to time now that we're both retired.
I don't want to spend huge amounts of money but she does insist on a certain degree of comfort.
I'm not looking for specific products at this stage but things have moved on since I last did this sort of camping so wondered what might be available that I'm not aware of.

Here's my list so far:-

1) Tent, obviously, A carpet and footprint would help.
2) Bed.
3) Fridge.
4) Jetboil.
5) Electric lead of some sort.
6) Chairs
7) Wind break.
8) Lights of some description.

At this stage I'm not bothered about a water container or stove/cooking device.

Have I missed anything please?

Tarps
You need a tarp

 

[RedRick Esq.]

Good morning Comrades. I hope you and yours are all well.

My wife has indicated a willingness to have a few days camping from time to time now that we're both retired.
I don't want to spend huge amounts of money but she does insist on a certain degree of comfort.
I'm not looking for specific products at this stage but things have moved on since I last did this sort of camping so wondered what might be available that I'm not aware of.

Here's my list so far:-

1) Tent, obviously, A carpet and footprint would help.
2) Bed.
3) Fridge.
4) Jetboil.
5) Electric lead of some sort.
6) Chairs
7) Wind break.
8) Lights of some description.

At this stage I'm not bothered about a water container or stove/cooking device.

Have I missed anything please?

4) get the MSR version of the jet boil

 

[Udders]

Thanks.
That one rather than this one?

Mobile Mains Kit 15m

Perfect for anywhere you need power! An essential for any family camping or caravanning trip; this great value 3-socket mains kit makes it easy and safe to connect your tent to the campsite's electrical hook. It now has horizontal plug sockets for tangle-free cabling. Simple plug in and power up...

www.gooutdoors.co.uk

Yeah, that one is good too.
As long as it has the trip switch thing you’ll be ok. I wouldn’t go any less than 15 metres on the lead though.

Oh, hang on, that one is only 10amps! That’s not a lot to be honest.
The one I highlighted is 16amps. You’ll not have a problem powering a heater with that.
Defininately get the 16amp lead otherwise it’ll be forever tripping out.

 

[Udders]

An airbed without a puncture is quite a good camping thing to have - i`ve just spent two nights at the Heritage Sprint in Deal sleeping on an old colliery spoil heap on a completely flat airbed!
When packing last Thursday i asked Mrs Hann if she had any single airbeds and pulled out three from under the bed, two brand new unused ones and another she thought `may have leaked last time we used it`.
`Ah, it`ll be OK it`s probably only a small leak, i might just have to top it up with air each night, save the new ones it`ll be fine`............

That’ll teach you!

 

[Udders]

Tarps
You need a tarp

Fucking hell!
That’s why I suggested an air beam tent!
Even Chimp can’t get that wrong.

 

[Santa-2512]

A good Tarp is mandatory,

There a doddle to erect

Any issues, ask Evski he can give you a masterclass ,
xx

 

[Wapping]

I have one for my small van….

I have one, which I use with a Y splitter from a campsite hook-up.

 

[Wapping]

The possible downsides with pump-up, air tube tents?

They can be heavy.

They can be a bitch to put back into their carry bags.

 

[snelly]

An airbed without a puncture is quite a good camping thing to have - i`ve just spent two nights at the Heritage Sprint in Deal sleeping on an old colliery spoil heap on a completely flat airbed!
When packing last Thursday i asked Mrs Hann if she had any single airbeds and pulled out three from under the bed, two brand new unused ones and another she thought `may have leaked last time we used it`.
`Ah, it`ll be OK it`s probably only a small leak, i might just have to top it up with air each night, save the new ones it`ll be fine`............

Made my day that has Hann; i thought there was only me that scrapped thas portion out of old stuff when new was readily to hand;

 

[leadfarmer]

6) Chairs

I recently bought a pair of these, cost peanuts and they’re comfy, better than the ones with arm rests where the supports dig into your legs

as a general rule Decathlon kit is decent quality and hard to beat on value for money

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/folding-camping-chair-blue/13366/c309c328m8944748

 

[Ex-Call Centre Chimp]

Thank you.

 

[Larry Langford]

On this side of the pond, I like to use thermarest air mattresses. If I hadn't been able to get these I would have had to have back surgery likely. I even use one on my regular bed at home, for the support, very firm they are if you put a little more air in them after it self inflates. Quick to set up and take down ....
For the tent I have a cabela's guide tent. It is an expedition grade tent, that was tested in the arctic. It rides the wind very well and is very quiet, not even moving when other tents next to it are nearly blowing away, flapping around making huge noise all night. It is large, 10x10 and you can walk around in it up right. and it is pretty heavy even for a pickup tent (20 some pounds). You can get smaller versions too. I've wanted to get a two man version for the MC but haven't got around to it. I do have one of those Jack Wolfskin tents that I bought in the medium size. It turned out to be a little small for the cot I like. It is very easy to set up compared to the guide tent. I do have to sleep on the ground with it though, but it is much easier to use if moving around a lot.
Then a cot is pretty good for comfort, especially when a little older. I have a browning branded cot that is about 30 inches wide just right for the larger size of thermarest mattress. And I have a very old thermarest mattress that is pretty narrow, and I put it under the wider one to get rid of the hammock effect from side to side not long ways so much. This set up is very comfortable especially for the back, and not to bad for camping for the sake of camping as opposed to just bivouacking .....
I still have one of those backpacking stoves, a primus made in europe, that is fairly handy but does take liquid white gas. It will do tea and heat a giant pot of chilli with the pot supported by rocks. very versatile and capable.
And one of those fold up awnings can really makes things more tolerable for sure ....
And, being a collector, I always have plenty of different knives. And if you can afford it, a big Yeti cooler will pay for it self in ice savings, likely.
With this general setup I able to work a 7/12s job in Wyoming for over two months, and another up in the colorado mountains for several months. And somehow keep my back in decent condition ....
I also bring a couple of genuine swiss army blankets and a couple of tarps too. Sometimes I'll put a tarp under the tent, and inside it to protect the floors. and so on ...........