How do I buy gear that uses less space for car camping?

MthrNature

In the past I've done a lot of car camping. However, even in a full size 4 door sedan, I am using up all kinds of space with clothing, gear, ice chests, etc...so much so that with 2 people, the trunk and back seats are fully occupied.

I'm in a position right now to order a new set of camping gear. How should I go about it so that the gear all fits into the large trunk of my full size car? I envision being able to provide for 4 people in my trunk with food and gear, and still have the seats to transport them.

I'm not a poet or an English major, so if I need to add details, please let me know.

Thanks!

Answer
The first thing is to try to reduce the amount of gear and clothing you bring with you. While you need fresh socks and underwear every day, pants and shirts can usually go two days between changes. Exchange bulky clothing such as denim and flannel for more compact chinos or synthetics. Trim out unnecessary items from your toiletries kit. If you have a properly-rated sleeping bag you won't need to bring blankets. Leave your pillows at home and stuff your pillowcase with your extra clothing. Minimize your cooking gear down to the bare essentials.

After you eliminate or swap all you can to save weight, then you can look at replacing items with gear that's more compact.

The first easy swap is to get rid of those cotton bath and dish towels and switch to synthetic pack towels.

Things like lanterns and bug lamps can take up a lot of room. If you have huge gas or oil lanterns, consider replacing them with more compact (and longer running) LED lanterns. Instead of bug lamps or citronella candles bring mosquito coils. Replacing folding tables and chairs with roll-up tables and bag chairs will save space.

Also look at the size of your coolers and how you pack them into the trunk. Sometimes going with a different cooler design will allow you to pack your car more efficiently without sacrificing cooler capacity. And if you're bringing more than two coolers, (one for beverages, which gets used most often, and one for food), you've got too many.

Do you bring both a stove and a grill? Maybe you can consolidate by using a Coleman Grill/Stove unit (just don't use the grill side for pots and pans, it _CAN_ melt; don't ask how I know). You can also get a griddle accessory for this unit, which might replace your frying pan entirely.

Next look at your sleeping bag. Although they can be a bit expensive, you can find sleeping bags that compress down to 1/4 the size of a cheap unit. 9" x 15" pack size is easily obtainable without spending over $100 per bag. Then look at what's going under your sleeping bag. Is it a huge cot or mattress? You might be able to save a bunch of space by switching to a more compact-folding cot or self-inflating mattress.

Then look at your shelter(s). How much room could you save if you went with a smaller tent design? Is it worth the trade-off in space? Maybe you could find a tent with similar floor space that packs into a smaller footprint. Do you also bring along an easy-up, screen room or gazebo to shelter your kitchen/dining/sitting area?

Finally, if the above doesn't solve your packing problems, or the cost exceeds your budget, you can always add additional storage space by using a removable roof-top basket and/or waterproof cargo bag to handle additional gear. Just be careful to adequately secure everything before heading out on your trip.
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What are the major accessories I will need for camping besides a tent and Air Mattress?

xylem

I am a first time camper, yea I know it is sad but I have just purchased my coleman tent and air mattress and I was just wondering what other esential camping accessories I will need? Also, any camping tips would be most helpful! Thanks

Answer
My hubby and I just started tent camping with friends two years ago, and it took us a while to figure out everything we needed (btw, good start getting an air mattress!). Oh, and don't forget to waterproof your tent BEFORE the trip with waterproofing spray sold at sporting goods stores!

Here's my abbreviated packing list. You have some items already (obviously), but I've highlighted items you might still need to purchase:

SHELTER:

-Tent
-Tarp to Go Under Tent (should be the same size as tent base, not much bigger or you'll have to fold it under. This keeps the tent bottom dry, and you don't want rain collecting on the tarp and rolling under!)
-Air mattress
-Air mattress pump
-Sleeping Bags / Pillows
-Extra Blankets (1 per person in case of chilly weather)
-Beach Towel (for when you track mud all over your tent)
-Lantern (battery-operated) to hang in tent
-Foldable Chairs / Lawn Chairs (to sit around fire)
-Rope or Line to hang items to dry on - like wet towels


FOOD:

-Hand Axe (to chop fire wood)
-Long-reach lighters
-Fire-starting kindling twigs (buy them from camping supply stores - they're wood chips soaked in some fire-starting chemical)
-Pie Irons (to cook food in over the fire - these are ESSENTIAL!)
-Campfire Fork (to roast weiners, marshmallows on)
-Food (should include basics like eggs, bread, peanut butter, deli meats, cheese, butter, hot dogs, s'mores makings, pop, juice, tea, coffee, ketchup, mustard, brownie mix, pizza sauce, pepperoni, potatoes, oatmeal, beef stew, trail snacks, chips, popcorn, etc.)
-Campfire Cooking Pot
-LARGE Cooler with ice
-Egg Holder Storage Case (designed for camping trips)
-Plastic Utensils, Cups, Paper Plates
-Garbage Bags
-Giant Ziploc Bags (to place singed pie irons in when packing to come home)
-Sharp Knife
-Rubbermaid Tote to wash dishes in
-Dish Soap
-5-6 Dish Towels
-Campfire Glove (heatproof gloves that allow you to pick up hot logs off the fire, or hot pans)
-Mugs (for coffee & tea)
-Kettle to boil water (should be campfire safe)
-Bottled water - large quantities
-Picnic Table Cloth (campsite picnic tables are dirrrrrty!)
-Can Opener
-Travel Cutting Board
-Aluminum Foil & Ziploc Bags
-Non-Stick Cooking Spray

CLOTHING / HYGIENE / SAFETY:

-Standard clothes
-Extra socks, 1 pair extra walking shoes
-Rain coat, poncho, or garbage bags
-Bug Spray
-Sunscreen
-Usual Hygiene Products (forget shampoo if it's a short trip - you're allowed to be dirty when tent camping!)
-First Aid items (bandaids, benadryl, calamine lotion, antiseptic cream, aspirin, immodium AD, etc.)
-Hand Soap
-Towels (in case you get soaked in rain)
-Hand Sanitizer

FUN / OTHER:

-Deck of Cards / Travel Boardgame
-Camera / Extra Batteries
-Flashlights / Extra Batteries
-Fishing Pole / Tackle Box
-Lots of Cash to buy firewood near campsite - it's expensive!
-Wallet, ID, Cell Phone

Phew! It seems like a lot, but skip here and there and you'll be wishing you had these items when you're at the campsite. It's worth filling up the car with Rubbermaid Bins filled with this stuff. Oh - don't forget Rubbermaid Bins to put all this stuff in! You'll need to keep your possession and food waterproof if it rains!

Have fun!

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