Camping questions

Gloomendoom

Bev_B wrote: »

If you're wanting electric make sure you buy a branded camping hook up not just an extension with 4 sockets on the end, they are much cheaper but are not as safe.

Good advice. If it hasn't got an RCD on it, don't use it.

gingerdad

we just put a potty or bucket in the corner for night time, but to be fair its mainly the OH that uses it not the kids.

i would suggest not buying too much kit for this trip for two reasons 1, cost if you don't like it and 2. you'll get an idea of what YOU need and not waste lots on bits of nice haves.

cardboard_chewer

Bev_B wrote: »

Just buy a 5l bottle of water on your way there as they are about £1 refill when needed and recycle before you go home, saves taking it home AND the hassle of cleaning before next use.

the poundshop water bottles are collapsible so take up less space than a bottle of mineral water. every space saving is valuable when going camping in a small car but if space is not in short supply then your idea is better.

Shelldean

try pringle lids under the camp bed legs to stop the legs piercing the groundsheet.

I've found the £shop bottle taste of plastic, we always buy a 2l bottle of pop and when empty use that to save endless trips to the taps.

I also agree with the poster who said dont go out and but loads of things for your first trip. Many things from home can be used for the first trip. Then when you decide it's for you that is the time to start buying things ( be warned it's addictive)

Also agree with the poster saying if you want a mains hook up, buy a proper one.

The one thing I would say is make sure you're warm at night, there is honestly nothing worse than being cold at night... trust me I know.

For your tent, UKCS have 18 reviews HERE
Also use UKCS for reviews on campsites, and for any other questions you might have

cubegame

As a big pointer.....make sure you put your tent up before you go. It could be horribly windy or wet when you have to do it for real so it helps if you know how to do it.

And second, when you put it up, make sure you waterproof it. Many tents are sold as waterproof but the outer fabric will normally wet quite quickly in heavy rain giving extremely bad condensation inside. You can get a pouch of free waterproofing solution from Nikwax at the moment (http://www.nikwax.com/en-gb/webquiz/index.php)

thegirlintheattic

I would really try it and see if you like it before buying lots of stuff.

Camp toilets - only ever seen 1 person have one in all my years of camping. Either camp near (not next to) the toilet block or just do it au natural behind your tent. Camping toilets are expensive, unnecessary, smell and need emptying. Having a potty or bucket risks having it knocked over in the night.

You don't need a heater - especially in summer! If you have the right sleeping equipment (i.e. decent sleeping bag not one of the argos ones and a good insulating mat) you'll be warm and toasty. I've gone camping in the dead of winter as was perfectly toasty without a heater - and I'm a cold person. Just remember when buying sleeping bags that if you sleep cold you will need one with a lower min. consort tempreture.

Electricity hook ups on tent pitches are hard to come by in all but the most expensive campsites. You are also then tied into a limit choice of camps and pitches (at high prices).

Be extremely careful with fuels (gas, meths, petrol (!!! bad idea)) store them outside your tent and preferably not near any of your tent walls (car is best bet), make sure they are stored in the correct containers. A former student of mine died after petrol leaked into his tent one night - so it's best to be safe than sorry. Also NEVER use ANY gas applicence or BBQ inside your tent, right next to your tent or in the doorway of your tent. This is where a tarp that you can string between some poles or a marquee becomes useful. An unfortunate number of deaths have been caused by CO poisoning when camping, even a smoldering BBQ next to the tent can cause enough fumes to kill. ALWAYS take a portable CO alarm with you.

In a similar vein, keep a pocket knife in your sleeping pod area in case you have to cut yourself out of your tent in a hurry.

Shelldean

a brand new tent should NOT need waterproofing on it's first outing

booter

teabag29 wrote: »

Will I also need to buy camping mats to go under the camp beds so as not to pierce the tent groundsheet or is that not neccessary?

Have also looked into buying one of those tent toilets to save getting up and having to go to the shower blocks in the night, particularly for the kids. Are these worth the money?

Also any advice on how to make our camping trips more enjoyable as I havent been in over 20 years and a little out of touch :rotfl:

We always take a blanket to go under the camp beds - it stops the legs damaging the groundsheet and it also helps absorb condensation (and can be aired in the day if the weather's dry!) Although I like Shelldean's suggestion of Pringle lids aswell

I personally wouldn't bother with a toilet tent - a bucket does the job!

I always take a deckchair, even if just for 1 night. I'm too old now to be sitting on the floor! I also take earplugs, just in case I'm pitched next to the family of 12 who've no concept of how noisy they are at night!

cubegame

Shelldean wrote: »

a brand new tent should NOT need waterproofing on it's first outing

Actually I disagree.....the repellent applied in the factory is normally pretty superficial and the outer fabric will wet within minutes a light shower.

This will not cause leaking but it will cause additional condensation.

In addition it would be wise to apply a UV protector anyway (as per the freebie product I linked to)......although this might not be appropriate in the UK at the moment.

gingerdad

cubegame wrote: »

Actually I disagree.....the repellent applied in the factory is normally pretty superficial and the outer fabric will wet within minutes a light shower.

This will not cause leaking but it will cause additional condensation.

In addition it would be wise to apply a UV protector anyway (as per the freebie product I linked to)......although this might not be appropriate in the UK at the moment.

i would tend to disagree, we bought our tent in 2003 and used it 5-6 times, per yearat least, mixture of weekend and week long, longest it was up at one point was 3 weeks mixed weather and never had to put anything on it. (wild country homestead), i also have a kyham tent that i use 2-3 times a year bought in 1997 and never had to proof yet. then theres my wife 25 y/o tent that also still get used mainly in the garden and never been proofed. but thats just my tents..

wouldn't also bother with electric, as to me thats the point if i wanted - heater, tv, microwave - id book at hotel or wigwam.

most important bit of kit is sleeping bags get the best you can afford. we managed to get a couple of cracking mamot ones for my kids for only 50 quid as was last seasons colour.