MySwag.org The Off-road Camper Trailer Forum
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: KineticResults on November 26, 2015, 10:41:20 PM
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I thought I'd have a go at starting a thread that showcased some of the better camping ideas swaggers had come up with. The intention is not another "must haves" list but genuine unique ideas that aid camping and bring about "swagger style".
These ideas, tips or equipment should be in regular use and preferably not just the obvious "I packed a fishing rod for Fraser".
And so I submit to start the list the humble garden rake. Almost every camp site (ok not caravan parks) our rake gets a work out. Most fellow campers remark what a great idea it is and then promptly borrow it for 5 minutes.
I guess I'm constantly surprised more campers don't carry one and that's why it's my submission for camping ideas that make good sense.
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X2 on the rake...
I've got one from super heap a few years ago that allows you to close up the raking prongs - making it nice and transportable...
Can add to the list with a ground sheet to lay down in front of the van...
The type that sends sand through on a one way trip.... - makes it very pleasant and clean under the anex..
We spend a lot of time at the beach camping etc ....
Shake&Bake BB
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X3 for the rake.
We also take a battery operated whipper sniper as they are compact and can clean an area in 5 min. Whilst bush camping we found a lot of nice places to set up camp but the grass has been knee high so the whipper sniper takes care of that.
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I bought an off cut of artificial grass that is about 1.5m x 1m.
I keep it rolled up and in the front tool box. On our trips out west where there aint no grass in the camp, it's great for putting in front of our camp chairs around the fire so you can sit barefoot without getting covered in dirt.
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I am a smoker, but it was always a bugger having to take ash trays away camping, so I can up with an idea to avoid used smoke buts been dropped on the ground.
When I have finished my first beer , I use insulation tape and attach the empty can to an annex pole . After having had a few beers, I have beer can ashtrays attached to several poles.
great for visiting smokers as well, as most visitors stand around and there is always an ash can within arms reach.
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Long handled weed digger.
Sounds stupid eh?
But it is used to lever out the tent pegs and then you can hook the peg under the lever and pull it out the rest of the way.
Makes getting the pegs out easy, less bending over and can even get those bastard pegs out that you cant get any other way.
I'm working on a modification that I can use to push the pegs into the ground by stepping on a pad, so I don't have to bend over to put the pegs in. If I get it working Ill think of pattening it.
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One dog clip with a metre and half of rope attached.
This one gives me extra reach to the zipper slide when attaching the awning. Once I have the zipper slide started I can then climb the ladder holding the end of the rope and pull it straight up and over the highest ridge of the camper...saves heaps of time...takes about 30 seconds.
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My latest time saving idea is using 5 or 6mm shockcord (create a loop at each end using cable ties to lock loop in place) and attach to the CT awnings, doors and windows to use to peg out to the ground instead of using rope and springers.
I buy the shockcord in bulk length and as it's soft, I can tuck into the canvas when packing up. On some I add a small SS or Alum carabiner if needed to clip on and off the door or awning eyelets.
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Solar garden lights 1/2 dozen or so and a spot type one, cheap $2- $5 Jobbies lite easy to store and throw just enough light around camp to do away with the main LED's after all the meals etc are done = to a full moon sort of light but lower down ..
The spot type one gets used to highlight the dunny and throws enough light inside through the thin polycotton walls, so you dont need to carry a torch / lantern..
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Tennis balls. Once a hole has been made in the ball, it can go on top of a pole and tarps can be pulled over the top without being ripped.
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Yeah, i do that with my balls too.
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Yeah, i do that with my balls too.
Oh no. Here we go again .......
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Yeah, i do that with my balls too.
fathom can't from what I've been told
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I have a cheap ($50-00 ) ozito battery drill with an appropriate sized socket attached to screw in ( and out )150mm coach screws instead of tent pegs :cup: In very hard ground I use 100mm screws instead and a 6 year old kid can get them out, just no good in very soft ground/sand :cheers:
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I have 20 foot of venetian blind cord tied to eye on my tarp, that I put over my camper, which just gets folded in to the tarp.
I can unroll the tarp, lay it beside the camper and toss the venetian blind cord over the top of the camper so I can go and pull the tarp up and over the camper.
Makes putting the cover tarp over the camper a breeze! Particularly when on your own.
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Replace the srings on your campers guy ropes with rubber " O " ring seals from cement storm water type pipes or get a car inner tube and cut it across the width of the tube in 50mm strips to make your own " O " rings ... reason being that in heavy winds it allows more give than the springs that can pull up solid and cause damage etc + plus not noisy like springs ...
Inner tube strips last for years in full sun ..been using them since the early seventies .. Check the annex ropes out in the pic with the scrawny kid .. Ahh those were the days . ;D
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I used a bike drink bottle holder ($5) to hold a bottle of hand wash next to the tap, great for the kids!!
(http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/bb318/nabstud/jaycowater4_zpsb7332629.jpg) (http://s204.photobucket.com/user/nabstud/media/jaycowater4_zpsb7332629.jpg.html)
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A small hand brush (the dust pan type) lives in my draws. Great for brushing off sand & dirt off things when packing things back into the vehicle or camper.
A tip for annexes: Have 4 or 5 velcro tabs sewn on the pole sides of fabric. Then you can use any panel as a windbreak or sun block without having to put the whole annexe up.
1/2 a brick in a bucket that catches grey water out off the camper sink. Stops bucket being blown away if on the light side when the wind picks up.
A small zip up bag. Then kind Oztrail provide for pegs. Use this bag as a long drop survival kit for the girls. Fits 1 roll toilet paper, small pack of bio baby wipes and a small can of glen 20.
When swaging, use a very small hockey strap to secure a 20L solar shower to bull bar, shorten the shower tube/hose to make a great hand wash, place hand towel and pump soap on bull bar as well.
Use fishing glow lights on tent ropes, swag ropes, annexe ropes etc at night. Saves you tripping over them in the dark.
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I have a cheap ($50-00 ) ozito battery drill with an appropriate sized socket attached to screw in ( and out )150mm coach screws instead of tent pegs :cup: In very hard ground I use 100mm screws instead and a 6 year old kid can get them out, just no good in very soft ground/sand :cheers:
Get yorself some Peggy Pegs (http://www.peggypeg.com.au/). Good in all types of ground and actually cheaper then coach screws :cup:
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The old Blue screws work well in softer ground / sand too comes in two sizes about 300mm / 500mm .
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Get yorself some Peggy Pegs (http://www.peggypeg.com.au/). Good in all types of ground and actually cheaper then coach screws :cup:
Peggy pegs - pack of 2 (300mm) at $44 + $8.95 postage
Coach screw - 200mm $4.40 each.
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Webbing strap/loop riveted to the bed base to enable you to pull it down with ease against the struts. Saves you having to find somewhere to grab on the top of cover.
(http://blkmav.com/customline/straps5.jpg)
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A small hand brush (the dust pan type) lives in my draws.
Geez it must get itchy in there! :angel:
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Peggy pegs - pack of 2 (300mm) at $44 + $8.95 postage
Coach screw - 200mm $4.40 each.
Pack of 12 200mm Peggy pegs $41 Unit price $3.41. Apples v apples...
Can you even get 300mm coach screws??
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Pack of 12 200mm Peggy pegs $41 Unit price $3.41. Apples v apples...
Can you even get 300mm coach screws??
Was not aware of the smaller ones. Checked on them and was impressed but not with the price of the large ones.
Are the smaller ones suitable for normal use or do you need the long ones?
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Probably standard equipment for some (most) swaggers, but on our last extended (5 1/2 weeks) across Oz when we were driving every day, I chucked a bottle of windex in the front box of the camper. Seemed to be using it every second morning before heading off, especially good when you're driving east into the morning sun and the day before was a bug splattering day.
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Was not aware of the smaller ones. Checked on them and was impressed but not with the price of the large ones.
Are the smaller ones suitable for normal use or do you need the long ones?
The 200mm ones are the general purpose peg. The long ones are better in sand.