Author Topic: Camping in the rain  (Read 11855 times)

0 Members and 3 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline BMPatriot

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 244
  • Thanked: 28 times
Camping in the rain
« on: February 19, 2015, 06:46:05 PM »
Ok...

So I feel like we are cursed. Every time I have been camping with the other half and the kids it has rained. Prior to having camper and every time I've had the new camper out it's rained

I was going to camp tonight but it poured again during the day while I was out with the camper and the awning out at the property I was going to setup at. Decided not to stay cos I didn't want a wet tent that I had to dry out just for the sake of one night!

So my question is, what suggestions do people have for camping in the wet?

Any special camp/tent setups?

Do you have a seperate tent just to use as a lounge type area or play area for the kids?

We are going to get the canvas walls that enclose the fox wing awning area but until I can come up with the $2500 im trying to think of other ways to setup quickly but still have some shelter!! I just picked up a new drop sheet/ground cover that will cover the entire camp site area for the camper!

Any ideas? Pics? Suggestions?

This whole scenario makes me want to sell my camper and get a caravan.

Offline Jakster1

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 450
  • Thanked: 14 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #1 on: February 19, 2015, 06:56:20 PM »
When it is going to rain ( all the time during summer in tropical QLD) I put the annex walls on the main tent and have a 3m x 4.5m gazebo which i leave the sides open for extra shelter from the rain and so we can sit "outside" of the tent. If it is raining that hard we just go inside the annex area.
In this pic I had the car awning out the front of the tent too.
GU Patrol. Lifted Locked and Boosted
 Johnnos offroad deluxe -SOLD
 Dmax dual cab 4x4
 Jayco Eagle Outback

Offline cetacean

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 396
  • Thanked: 22 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #2 on: February 19, 2015, 06:56:47 PM »
come and live in WA ;D
Seriously though we take an Oztrail Gazebo with us and about the only time we ever use it is if it's raining, We have walls as well and it just gives us a little more room under cover next to the camper trailer
We have an Adventure camper, and the 2.4 m gazebo fits perfectly next to the awning. They also make a bigger 3 m model.
They are a little heavy but easy to set up and pack away.
A lot cheaper than walls to your foxwing too !
Mazda BT50, Trakmaster Sturt X-- Country, Stacer 369 Seasprite

Offline Ratbag

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 486
  • Thanked: 13 times
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #3 on: February 19, 2015, 06:58:09 PM »
Rotten bad luck, BMP ... :(.

You're not a reincarnated rain god, by any chance?

Seriously though, it doesn't hurt canvas to get wet - quite the contrary in fact. What hurts canvas and other bits is to leave the wet gear packed away for any length of time.

I'm sure that your luck has to improve in the driest inhabited continent in the world!

Offline oldmate

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 496
  • Thanked: 1311 times
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #4 on: February 19, 2015, 07:03:52 PM »
Yep oztrail gazebo is good for some extra cover. When it gets too bad we go inside. Although we don't have kids to worry about.
Our Blog. A work in progress
https://www.facebook.com/UltimateAdventuresBlog/
The following users thanked this post: buddha

Offline BMPatriot

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 244
  • Thanked: 28 times
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #5 on: February 19, 2015, 07:10:17 PM »
Cheers guys.

I think the gazebo is a great idea I'll be looking into this ASAP.

Yea I know it's ok for canvas to get wet Its the open up and clean up process at home that doesn't seem worth it for one night away.

My wife said if there's ever a drought we would be happy to go camping there to bring the rain !!

Offline edz

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 6880
  • Thanked: 926 times
  • Gender: Male
  • " I dont like Sheeple "
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #6 on: February 19, 2015, 07:21:17 PM »
You could always make up a few sets of these poly tube joiners and just clip a couple of cheap poly tarps around the edge of your Ct awning ..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lq9svSKaB9c
irrigation / tubing section of Bumblings and a bit of time with a 4" grinder and a thin 1mm blade ..presto tarp joiners
" IMPROVISE  ADAPT   OVERCOME   and  PERSEVERE  "

Offline Garfish

  • Mini Marlin
  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 715
  • Thanked: 15 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Have fun and enjoy
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #7 on: February 19, 2015, 07:22:51 PM »
Cheers guys.

I think the gazebo is a great idea I'll be looking into this ASAP.

Yea I know it's ok for canvas to get wet Its the open up and clean up process at home that doesn't seem worth it for one night away.

My wife said if there's ever a drought we would be happy to go camping there to bring the rain !!
X2. One of my friends rang us up and wanted us to go camping on his farm,
Ross
No camper or 4x4 😪

Offline speewa158

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 12092
  • Thanked: 558 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2015, 07:53:09 PM »
Get out there  & if you must get wet canvas , but get out there . Enjoy .   We do  :cheers:
You can go your own way . Treg Up & Make Dust

Offline BMPatriot

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 244
  • Thanked: 28 times
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2015, 08:06:36 PM »
Get out there  & if you must get wet canvas , but get out there . Enjoy .   We do  :cheers:

I do also realise I sound a bit soft.

Just been thinking of ideas to have more protected space I guess :)

Offline Kangaron

  • "Don't make excuses, Make it Happen."
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 1878
  • Thanked: 119 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2015, 08:14:29 PM »
Get out there  & if you must get wet canvas , but get out there . Enjoy .   We do  :cheers:

X2

Love the sound of rain on canvas, I sleep like a dead man. :cheers:

Offline Coiled

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 415
  • Thanked: 31 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2015, 08:18:42 PM »
I had that problem so I upgraded the Kimberley Kamper to a Karavan. No issues now!
2013 Nissan Patrol Y61
2015 Kimberley Karavan Eco Suite

Offline BMPatriot

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 244
  • Thanked: 28 times
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2015, 08:25:28 PM »
I had that problem so I upgraded the Kimberley Kamper to a Karavan. No issues now!

On the way home today with camper in tow the wife and I agreed the only choice of caravan would be a Kimberley karavan but unfortunately no matter what I sacrificed I wouldn't be able to afford one :( maybe one day... But in all honesty I few small things for the camper I have now and we'll be all set!

Offline Coiled

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 415
  • Thanked: 31 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2015, 10:15:05 PM »
We have wanted one for a few years and it was always going to be the post kids purchase (we are still in our mid 30s).

Things such as this along with all its other benefits pushed us to upgrade now with a genuine view to a long term ownership proposition. Are couple of bugs are still being ironed out but have spent about 40 nights in it so far and I absolutely love it. So easy to live with.
2013 Nissan Patrol Y61
2015 Kimberley Karavan Eco Suite

Offline Artie01

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 166
  • Thanked: 17 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2015, 10:45:59 PM »
Mate, its a fact of life that camping in the wet with little ones is challenging. As an intelligent man you know that this isn't the norm, particularly if you plan your trips and check forecasts.... But, as have been said, some really great trips have been had when the water comes down....

A mate of mine bought a Patriot a few months ago, we used it as a base for a heap of guys last November. Got some nice bits and has been the inspiration for much of my new build. I admit it, Im an idea thief..... 8)

Offline gclan

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 1519
  • Thanked: 25 times
  • Gender: Female
    • Misadventure 4wd
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #15 on: February 20, 2015, 08:12:40 AM »
We have several sizes of tarps (giant for longer stays down to medium for touring) that we set up over the camper extending out the back and over the kitchen which gives us a good sized dry area for table and chairs etc...
It's quicker and easier to put up than the whole annexe, but then again our annexe is ginormous and quite heavy (from back in the day of 15ounce canvas, when heavier was better).
The tarp in the picture isn't our biggest, so if you go huge, the kids will have loads of room. Maybe gazebos come in huge as well?

Anyway, I thought the first few years of camping always had to be spent in the rain so that Mother Nature weeds out those not suited to the camping lifestyle, leaving more campsites for those of us who passed the test  >:D ;D

Good luck and happy camping :cup:
Django - 2009 Land Rover Defender 110 SVX
Marvin - Land Rover Discovery 4
Black Betty - 2007 Range Rover Sport
Bamm Bamm - 2009 Mountain Trail Extended Expedition

Misadventure 4WD http://www.youtube.com/user/JamieOGilmore
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Misadventure-4WD-TV/243025632464631

Offline Bird

  • Once Was Lost, now am found
  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: I am a geek!!
  • Thanked: 1874 times
  • Gender: Male
  • Life is far too long....
    • My Place.
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #16 on: February 20, 2015, 08:14:18 AM »
Camping in the rain for days with kids is THE WORST.... no doubt..

Gazebo's etc are all fine but its more and more and more Shit to take. Many trailers and cars are way overweight before you pack for 4 types of weather. :(
-
Click to enlarge

Gone to a new home

Offline BrindiCruiser

  • Soft Floor Camper User
  • ****
  • Posts: 603
  • Thanked: 16 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #17 on: February 20, 2015, 11:17:07 AM »
For us with 8,6 and 4 yo. It helps to have

- uno
- sleeping queens card game
- some crafting supplies
- chess
- books
- audio books
- rain coats and wetsuits to go to beach even through wet.

And if it looks like days of rain, then walls go up on awning,


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
2010 Kia Sorrento, 2013 Outback Swan

Offline BMPatriot

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 244
  • Thanked: 28 times
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #18 on: February 20, 2015, 11:26:08 AM »
All really great feedback cheers everyone.

I'm gojng to start looking into all of these options. At the same time as said above you end up just carrying more and more and can easily get to the overload point. It's harder now as well as my current fridge does not fit in the camper and my little one needs the bassinet in the pram so space is taken up very quickly.

Offline tk421

  • Hard Floor Camper User
  • *****
  • Posts: 1050
  • Thanked: 108 times
  • Gender: Male
    • Out of the Office... Road trips round Australia
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #19 on: February 20, 2015, 12:40:33 PM »
Ok...

So I feel like we are cursed. Every time I have been camping with the other half and the kids it has rained. Prior to having camper and every time I've had the new camper out it's rained



You're not camping in QLD at the moment are you?
“It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”  - Ernest Hemingway

Offline Footy Shorts Shane

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 1955
  • Thanked: 102 times
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #20 on: February 20, 2015, 01:00:39 PM »
Big tarp is definitely the go, but sometimes it's just not enough.

Small | Large


With enough horse power, sheer ignorance and a total lack of respect for your vehicle, you'll get through....

Offline edz

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 6880
  • Thanked: 926 times
  • Gender: Male
  • " I dont like Sheeple "
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #21 on: February 20, 2015, 01:14:07 PM »
Million dollar unbeatable  piece of real estate there Shane !! Absolute water front veiws  ;D
Fraser trip July 2012 started like this .
« Last Edit: February 20, 2015, 01:16:13 PM by edz »
" IMPROVISE  ADAPT   OVERCOME   and  PERSEVERE  "

Offline Footy Shorts Shane

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 1955
  • Thanked: 102 times
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #22 on: February 20, 2015, 01:15:36 PM »
Million dollar unbeatable  piece of real estate there Shane !! Absolute water front veiws  ;D

It was great, loved every minute of it...........
With enough horse power, sheer ignorance and a total lack of respect for your vehicle, you'll get through....

Offline Artie01

  • Tent User
  • ***
  • Posts: 166
  • Thanked: 17 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #23 on: February 20, 2015, 04:59:34 PM »
Holy ****e Shane!!! That looks like 'wet' rain to me.....

Many years ago when eldest daughter lived in Townsville, at an open air restaurant watching HUGE rain drops hitting the road and bouncing back up a couple of inches.... was an eye opener for a 'southern' boy....  :-\

Offline Foo

  • Hard Top Camper User
  • ******
  • Posts: 2304
  • Thanked: 189 times
  • Gender: Male
Re: Camping in the rain
« Reply #24 on: February 20, 2015, 05:14:51 PM »
Big big tarp and make sure you dig trenches around the perimeter and then sit back and get smashed. (drunk that is)  :angel:

Foo
So long as you have tried your best, you should have no regrets.