What equipment to buy?

[Laurie]

Hi all you experienced campers.

We're new and have been overwhelmed by the amount of equipment on sale for camping. Airbed or self inflating mat, gas or electric cooking, different table and chairs, etc. You can see our problem, so, what is really essential? We have a tent, a Vango Tigra 400, sleeping bags and a cool box. Oh and two whippets (Not essential), that's about it.

There are great storage units with zipped fronts are these essential or just luxury items? I don't like things all over the floor or in boxes, you normally have to take everything out to find the item your after. Mmm, maybe I haven't really grasped the camping ethos yet.

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated.

Laurie and Jenny

[Boris]

You don't need much to have a good time. Everything else is just icing on the cake. I'm a minimalist sort of bloke when away (especially if I'm on my own) whereas DaveS, He apparently he has a collapsible kitchen sink (just kidding Dave)

Get a good sleeping bag and a good Therm-a-rest (or airbed with pump) to sleep on and you are most of the way there.

We do have a storage unit and its useful but not essential. Lidl or Aldi have specials on just now and the unit looks good.

Pick a site that suits the type of camping you enjoy. One near a village if wandering is your thing or one in the middle of nowhere if you would rather. The choice is yours. If you want peace and quiet go for one that is couples and families only and no groups of lads.

Don't get too caught up in the toys thing. Once you have been a couple of times you will soon see you don't need that much to have a great time.

Do go for a trial night or two somewhere near home to see what you really need and don't need. That way you will be well prepared before your holiday.

Oh and pitch the tent in the garden first to make sure it's all there and you know how it goes up.

[Laurie]

Thanks for the info Boris. We seem to by running two posts at the moment, so I'll use this one from now on.

Yes, I've heard that sleeping bag and mattress are very important, a good nights sleep really is key. I fancy the self inflating mat myself (double one), they are lighter than the big airbeds, and like you we have a small'ish car - Ford Fusion, so I don't want it full of unnecessary items. Are the Gelert ones any good? I know you get what you pay for but money's a bit tight this year.

I'll definitely look into the supermarkets you mentioned. A storage unit sounds good.

Thanks again

[DaveS]

Hi all you experienced campers.

We're new and have been overwhelmed by the amount of equipment on sale for camping. Airbed or self inflating mat, gas or electric cooking, different table and chairs, etc. You can see our problem, so, what is really essential? We have a tent, a Vango Tigra 400, sleeping bags and a cool box. Oh and two whippets (Not essential), that's about it.

There are great storage units with zipped fronts are these essential or just luxury items? I don't like things all over the floor or in boxes, you normally have to take everything out to find the item your after. Mmm, maybe I haven't really grasped the camping ethos yet.

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated.

Laurie and Jenny

Hi both. Great to have you on board.
It can be overwhelming with the choice.
I think you need firstly to work out what style of camping you're wanting to do. So are you looking for a more luxurious form of camping where you have some home comforts or do you prefer the back to basics... just pack a toothbrush style of camping.

I'm more in the former whether I'm camping on the motorbike or with the family.... but we draw the line at a tv!

I think as well you need to get out there start camping and keep a list going of what you think you need or you'd change next time.
We've changed countless things this way to the extent that we have most things how we'd want them.

However.... big warning.... be aware of how long it takes to set everything up and the space it takes to transport it!
We now have a large estate car, roof box and a trailer to go camping... mind you we do have kids and a dog.
My vision in getting the trailer was that it was easy to fill it and then we just hitch up and go off camping for the weekend, but it's not that easy now.

Oh I forgot to mention some of your dillema's are worth a post in their own right, e.g air bed or self inflating mattress, so perhaps post some more questions so that people can give you their opinions.

[Boris]

Yes, I've heard that sleeping bag and mattress are very important, a good nights sleep really is key. I fancy the self inflating mat myself (double one), they are lighter than the big airbeds, and like you we have a small'ish car - Ford Fusion, so I don't want it full of unnecessary items. Are the Gelert ones any good? I know you get what you pay for but money's a bit tight this year.

I'll definitely look into the supermarkets you mentioned. A storage unit sounds good.

Thanks again

OK

When away with Mrs Boris we use a double airbed which packs down surprisingly well. I would say without digging it out about 18x10x5 inches. When on my own I use a self inflating mat.

Don't go for the Aldi double mat. Reports are they are not great and the pack size is huge.

I've never tried the double self inflating mats but I have tried loads of single ones in the shops and the difference between the good and bad ones is vast. I've recently bought a Therm-A-Rest and they really are the best I've tried (but they also cost a packet). Some of the cheaper ones were useless as bits touched down and defeated the purpose. I think the Gelert was one of the poorer ones but try one and decide.

My son has the Outdoor Megastore Outwell Self Inflating Camping Mat (183x51x3.0cm) and its surprisingly good for under £20. The valve isn't as easy to use if you want to add some air but it will fold in half before rolling in order to save some space. Worth it if funds are tight or you can't justify the Therm-A-Rest

I would be concerned with the double ones that you may touch down if your partner gets up so two singles pushed together may be a better bet.

Go into a camping store and try a few out. Usually they need one or two (no more) puffs of air after they have inflated to get the best out of them. On the better ones nothing should touch down even if you lie on your sides. If there is one near you Go Outdoors is a good place to try things out.

[Laurie]

Good advice, thanks DaveS.

Just a quick reply to yours and Boris last posts. I just been talking to Jenny and she wants an electric cooking stove (sigh). She is worried that the dogs may knock over a gas one. (fire risk)

I'll put up a post: Airbed or Slef inflating mat. It will be interesting to see the replies.

[Mabels Old Man]

If you're going in the car a double airbed will do to start, they're cheaper. Get a small electric pump from halfrauds. Talking of which, pop into your local store. They've got an offer for complete camping outfits. it will give you an idea of what you need.
Stick with a gas stove you're not restricted to sites with electric hookups then. don't forget a freezer box to keep the beer cool.

[DaveS]

Re cooking stoves.
We have a double burner with grill stove... where I think similar are on sale in Aldi's quite cheap and it's done brilliantly for us.
We have a camping kitchen that it sits on top of and a couple of campinggaz 907 bottles and we're away.
I also have a small gas BBQ that we BBQ on most nights that also uses the 907 bottles.
The whole system works really well.
You can see a picture of our set-up below.

[Laurie]

This is obviously a novice question but can you cook inside the tent?

We have bought a SunnCamp Kitchen Unit, which I presume goes inside the tent.

Also what stove would you suggest. I've looked at Campingaz Camping Chef (Camping gas) and the SunnGas Little Chef (Calor Gas) both have two burners, but which is cheaper to run Camping Gas or Calor Gas? I'd have to get a different regulator (which one) for the Campingaz model if Calor Gas is cheaper or easier to get hold of.

Laurie

[DaveS]

This is obviously a novice question but can you cook inside the tent?

We have bought a SunnCamp Kitchen Unit, which I presume goes inside the tent.

Also what stove would you suggest. I've looked at Campingaz Camping Chef (Camping gas) and the SunnGas Little Chef (Calor Gas) both have two burners, but which is cheaper to run Camping Gas or Calor Gas? I'd have to get a different regulator (which one) for the Campingaz model if Calor Gas is cheaper or easier to get hold of.

Laurie

Great question.

The safest answer is No don't do it, but practicality comes in to play and if you have to then the larger the tent the better, and one with that is fire retardant. Sometimes you have little option if it's raining, but just be very careful. I've never myself seen a tent on fire but I have heard horror stories, and it doesn't sound pretty!

As to the stove well that depends on how many you're dpoing for I guess and what your style of camping is like.
I have a small Coleman Petrol stove and it's brilliant for just me and one other, but when you're catering for the family it's not up to the job and you need something bigger. Well I say not up to the job, of course it is but people then have to wait their turn. It's all about convenience I guess verses portability.

Hope that helps.