Any campers out there?

delmar39

Hi all

I've just bought a tent recommended by a poster via these forums. I was originally looking at a camper van, but this proved too expensive. I've bought the tent for the odd night away walking in North Norfolk and when the better weather returns for the odd last minute night away with the missus and little un.

If you're a camper, what do you recommend I buy next, as I literally just have the tent! I don't like sleeping bags and would much prefer to take my own quilt and pillows. In the colder weather what do you sleep in? What do you put on the floor blow up bed or just a foam base?

Just looking to tap into other peoples knowledge and experience. Comments welcome!

lynnexxxo

I wouldn't go camping without at the very least an airbed. Otherwise its cold and uncomfortable and no amount of wine will help.

delmar39

lynnexxxo wrote: »

I wouldn't go camping without at the very least an airbed. Otherwise its cold and uncomfortable and no amount of wine will help.

OK, thanks for the tip. I just hate the things, however, if I put a nice quilt of something on it then it will be fine. We need a space for our little un, perhaps get three singles to stop each other wobbling over when one or the other turns over!

Gloomendoom

We just use quilts... both underneath and on top. Hot water bottles help too.

The air bed is sound advice. Get a good pump though.

coffeebean

Self-inflating mats like Fat Airic are better than airbeds, if you are camping in the winter you will need to put something underneath the mat as well as on top to stop the cold from the ground making your mat cold. Or Coleman Comfort Airbeds are good, get a 12v pump that you can use from your car cig lighter. You'll need a four-season sleeping bag, or a good high-tog quilt if you don't like sleeping bags., lantern, something to cook on, Camping Gaz suitcase-type cookers are good, hot water bottles, thermos flask, cooking pots etc. If your going non-electric you might consider some sort of heater, like a BlackCat parabolic heater. Oh, and a bucket with a lid to save night-time trips to the loo, or something like a Luggable Loo. I have used all this equipment in the past so can recommend.
Oh, and always go to bed warm!

delmar39

Gloomendoom wrote: »

We just use quilts... both underneath and on top. Hot water bottles help too.

The air bed is sound advice. Get a good pump though.

coffeebean wrote: »

Self-inflating mats like Fat Airic are better than airbeds, if you are camping in the winter you will need to put something underneath the mat as well as on top to stop the cold from the ground making your mat cold. Or Coleman Comfort Airbeds are good, get a 12v pump that you can use from your car cig lighter. You'll need a four-season sleeping bag, or a good high-tog quilt if you don't like sleeping bags., lantern, something to cook on, Camping Gaz suitcase-type cookers are good, hot water bottles, thermos flask, cooking pots etc. If your going non-electric you might consider some sort of heater, like a BlackCat parabolic heater. Oh, and a bucket with a lid to save night-time trips to the loo, or something like a Luggable Loo. I have used all this equipment in the past so can recommend.
Oh, and always go to bed warm!

Thanks each for the advice. Some useful tips here. I really do love quilts so I'll probably go down this route. I'm planning on testing my tent out before Christmas so watch this space! I like the Luggable Loo idea, it looks great (just googled it). Again, thanks for passing on your knowledge and experiences.

lucyq

I can only reiterate what coffeebean has said, make sure you have something insulated underneath you (even under an airbed)as you will lose an awful amount of warmth through the ground, we have lidl self inflating mats then a fleece blanket over the top then a sleeping bag THEN duvets lol (i moan far too much if i'm cold so its in my husbands best interests to fill the car with duvets!)

delmar39

lucyq wrote: »

I can only reiterate what coffeebean has said, make sure you have something insulated underneath you (even under an airbed)as you will lose an awful amount of warmth through the ground, we have lidl self inflating mats then a fleece blanket over the top then a sleeping bag THEN duvets lol (i moan far too much if i'm cold so its in my husbands best interests to fill the car with duvets!)

Thanks for reiterating the point. I wouldn't have thought about this before, so I'm pleased you did. Thanks for taking the time to reply - appreciated. I just want to get out there....:D

diable

quilts can get damp, I'd go for a self inflating mat as you then don't a pump and a decent sleeping bag oh and a torch

mattress

eezer

Tent electrics - then you can leave the fan heater on all night and take a kettle, light, mini fridge etc. Even take the TV. It's a couple of quid extra on the average campsite, but if that means you're warm and comfortable then it's a small price to pay. I wouldn't leave home without it!!

delmar39

diable wrote: »

quilts can get damp, I'd go for a self inflating mat as you then don't a pump and a decent sleeping bag oh and a torch

mattress

Thanks for the post re camping diable. Quick question. I’m presuming the mat on the link you posted would go on the ground, then on top of this I’d have inflatable mats? Is this comfy?