Camping info/Advice & camping essentials

[Foxy]

SO fitted our dual battery system and never had a moments trouble. They are situated under the passenger seat - just where I sit

[BunnyHugger]

MM, that is pretty much the bed I have.

Made by Camp Master, I found it cheaper at Makro than anywhere else.

The only issue have with it is that you wake up in the morning on pretty much a wet mattress. (Perspiration)

I have a cover that goes over the mattress, a blanket over the cover and then a fitted sheet. Use a comforter(duvet) over the top.

It's a very comfy bed and have had no issues with leaks and stuff like that.

[BunnyHugger]

TW.

Hope I'm not too late to come in here on this topic. BEfore you buy and camping gear, first evaluate the use that you intend it for. Canvas tents tend to last longer than Nylon but they are heavier and bigger. Canvas also tends to be warmer than Nylon. If space is a problem, nylon is the way to go.

I for one am not sorry I went for canvas and even though it is more difficult to set up and lug around, it works well for me.

Tent size is also a big factor. For most of my KNP trips, I have tended to spend short periods at multiple camps and then canvas becomes tedious.

I suggest that you will prob'ly need a trailer as well.

Gas bottles, skottles, shade marquis and all the other stuff you need is something you need to think about.

Chairs are another issue and I have used both a normal fold-up "deck-chair" and those other "new fangled" chairs. The deck chairs have outlasted any other and they are the most comfortable.

Be careful not to buy cheap. Look for value. The cheap stuff breaks down and the expensive stuffis not always the best quality.

It is all about application and having the right toy to play the game.

[wingman]

Hi TW
I would suggest you go to one of the caravan outlets before making choices at supermarket type stores. Most caravan outlets are manned by seasoned camper caravaners who have experience in all aspects so can advise you on most equiptment, outdoor warehouse the staff tend to know their thing as well, the first question to ask is if the person helping you camps and them find out how often and where then you will be able to judge the level of help you are getting. on batteries I fitted a battery box wired in to plug points by 4x4 safari centre it is very flexible as I can remove it from the vehicle and only need to put it in if I cant recharge from the mains, it has various built in safety factors ie: low battery cut off etc.
enjoy and have fun

[Senyetse]

Get as little gear as possible. It is so easy to get carried away and buy all sorts of things - and boy are there fancy camping things available - most of which you don't need. If you've got lots of gear to pack and unpack then it can become quite tedious if touring. Just get the essentials and no more. I've seen campers spend an hour or more packing and unpacking - that is just crazy!

[Tumble Weed]

Thanks for all your comments.

BH, I must admit the biggest question I've been pondering is whether to go nylon or canvas. I am still unsure.

Both seem to have their merits, and I'm swaying more towards the canvas. I have spent too many nights getting wet in nylon tents when it starts raining, and if the wind picks up you can't sleep due to the nylon being blown all over the place.

The only thing that concerns me is that I haven't come across a canvas tent that has a decent fly sheet like the nylon tents have. The frame tents do tend to have it, but I'm not after something quite as big.

I'm also concerned that canvas is going to be too hot.

[Timepilot]

A tip for any campers - buy a tin of anti-spatter (used for welding) and spray this on the seams. Found this a much cheaper and better options than most of the commercial products that they sell for this. Works on canvas and nylon.

I use both canvas and nylon and have found that if it is raining enough for the nylon to drip then the canvas will invariably drip as well.

[Tumble Weed]

Munchkin,

Have a look at here:

http://www.howlingmoon.co.za/DomeSafari.html

This is the one that has grabbed my attention, as it is suitable for short, as well as long stays.

Bit pricey though.

[Tony Park]

Just a suggestion... whether you go nylon or canvas think about how you're going to set up.

Mrs P and I are firm fans of our huge nylon dome tent. It has a fully enclosed second "room" which, if you think of an igloo, woudl be the slightly lower "extension" section. Even though it's lower I can still stand up in it and I am 6'6" (198cm) tall.

For two years (living in this thing for six months at a time) we used the extension room probably as the makers intended, as an area for me to work in during hte day, and for us to eat in if it was raining. We slept in the bigger dome.

Last year we reversed this process and found it a much better use of space. That is, we set our bed up in the "living" room, and used the main part of the tent as our living area.

We worked out that since we only slept in the bedroom section we may as well use the smaller part of the tent for this. I know all this sounds incredibly obvious but I've since noticed that people with igloo style dome tents usually do what we used to do (ie sleep in the big bit and live in the small bit).

I think after spending many years in the army I have a phobia of green canvas, so I'm sticking with the nylon

(and, btw, our nylon tent is 100 per cent waterproof). In my experience, tents leak most when they're not put up correctly. All those milliosn of pegs and guy ropes are there for a reason, to keep your tent taut, so the water runs off.

TW, we must have a long conversation about tents over a beer or 10 sometime when I get over your way.

tp

[BunnyHugger]

The chice between nylon and canvas is not an easy one to make.

I think you need to spend as little as possible first and make sure that you are going to be a "willing" camper. (It is not something that everone can get their teeth into.)

Get the bare essentials first and then build up your eqiupment over time.

[wingman]

Hi Guys
the difference in the nylon and canvas at the end of the day is probably the amount of lifespan each has as long as they are both of the right water column rate a min. of 1500mm. The canvas will far outlast the nylon. I use the howling moon dome as listed and it is a heavy unit to lug around but has stood up to some massive storms and wind storms it easly sleeps 4 adults with a very good roof height i stand upright at just over 1,82m with head clearance, the combination with the addon Ive seen being used by many campers and caravaners it works well but it is an expensive unit. Go to one of the caravan shops they normally have the howling moon ranges erected for inspection.
happy camping.

[Tumble Weed]

Thanks guys.

BH, yep , agree with you about starting off slowly. I've done a lot of camping over the years(although haven't been camping since we had the kids). The reason I'm looking at getting back into it is pure economics. We now live in Perth and when we return, we always meet the family in Kruger. Last trip we stayed in a unit and it set us back a few bob. As we'll more than likely be doing a few more trips over the years, it makes sense to get the gear(R130 a night as opposed to R970). It should pay for itself fairly quickly.


PaulE, thanks for the feedback. Nice to hear you're happy with your tent. Is it fairly easy to put up?

[wingman]

Hi very easy to put up my daughter of 14 and her friends have taken it camping and erected it themselves
happy camping

[BunnyHugger]

TW, you're welcome.

I have a 3 X 3 M Born free canvas dome. Easy to put up all by my lonesome.

Only issue I have is that the flysheet is a little small for my liking.

Had it well over ten years and it's still in really good nick.

[painter]

Hi all
We have been advised to drop the caravan's pop-top when we go out on a drive. We have'nt done this for some time (just zipped up the canvas under the top) and no problems so far. I'll be caravaning solo at Lower Sabie for 3 weeks and was wondering if I should drop the top when I go out. The top is heavy and on my own I might struggle to get it back up again. But I know LS has baboons in the camp and don't want any nasty surprises when I get back from a drive.