camping gear

Submitted: Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:21
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I currently dont have any camping gear so my question is if you had to suggest (one) piece of camping gear that i should buy,what would that be .
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Reply By: Baz (NSW) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:38

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:38
SWAG
AnswerID: 70921

Follow Up By: Member - glenno (QLD) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:40

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:40
Any experience with brands Baz.
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Follow Up By: Baz (NSW) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 19:27

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 19:27
I'm sorry i don't know the brand of my swag have to go and open the camper all i know is i got 2 on special $159 each at Tent City Parramatta Rd reduced from $249, but what i can say is they average around the $250 mark and are worth every cent would not go back to just a sleeping bag.

Baz.
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Follow Up By: Member - glenno (QLD) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 19:33

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 19:33
thanks baz
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Follow Up By: GO_OFFROAD - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 20:26

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 20:26
Having had double, and single swags for years, for the recent simpson trip I got a Coleman cobra 2 for something different aaround $159 on special at rays outdoors, and found it great, has internal pockets, room for shoes outside under the fly,a nd you can sit up and get dressed as well.

I am now converted from the swag I must say.

coleman cobra 2

The other stuff I ahve from Coleman I have found great value, mattresses, chairs, table, cooking station, dual fuel stove, shoes, sleeping bag etc.

A good hillbilly camp oven, a billy, and matches go a long way oont he camping list too.
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Follow Up By: Member - gimme (QLD) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 17:59

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 17:59
A camper trailer, always stocked and ready to go.
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Reply By: Member - Spook (SA) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:42

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:42
Would also say a swag, but once your sleeping is taken care of I'd say a camp oven.
AnswerID: 70922

Reply By: Troopy Travellers (NSW) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:44

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:44
We own a '89 FJ45 troopy with 3 roof racks identical to yours. We have an OZTent which is ideal for 2 people & it has an internal frame that allows it to be erected in 30 secs (after U get it out of the bag of course!).
We can fit the tent diagonally inside the troopy or on the roof racks. The tent we have is a Model RV-4, U can see it on the net or in 4WD Monthly magazine advert. It is very robust & I like it.

PS: the hardest thing is getting the tent back in the bag, but that can be done by one person. The bag & tent weigh about 20kg.
AnswerID: 70923

Follow Up By: Member - glenno (QLD) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:04

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:04
I have looked at the oztent and i will end up getting one of these as my large double dome tent(16person)takes too long to set up/pack up. Its ok if i was staying somewhere for a weekend but hopeless for on the move trips.
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Reply By: Brew69(SA) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:49

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:49
It would have to be a car fridge. If it is full you can always drink yourself to sleep, regardless of temperature.You don't want hot beer and a warm swag do you?????????????

Ok ok just kidding.go the swag.
AnswerID: 70925

Reply By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:55

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 17:55
errr... a tent (?).......

Seriously though, that's probably a good place to start. Have a good look around the camping shops and take your time choosing what type of tent to get. The one thing we look for is to be able to stand up at least in the middle of the tent so you can dress in some sort of comfort. Everyone will have differing opinions on tents, you will have to make up your mind what to get. We bought a dome tent, it does us for the time being although we quite like the Oztent design, seems to be quicker to set up. Good tarps are an essential accessory to any tent setup, we once spent a week at Hervey Bay without any tarps and only the dome tent, no shade during the day! Not much fun! we now have 2 quite large tarps so we have lots of shade when we're "parked".
Hope this helps, if you have any further questions, feel free to ask.
Cheers
Brian
AnswerID: 70927

Follow Up By: Member - glenno (QLD) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:06

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:06
Yeah, thanks brian. Probably will go the oztent.
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Reply By: Member - Jack - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:11

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:11
Swags are good - but you have to think about when you want to get changed. I take mine when I am travelling solo, but when my wife travels with me it is a tent.
I have a Tanami Tourere that I am more than happy with, and has an Oztent before that, which was also a good tent. A bit long for my landcruiser though.

Tarps are important as well, for the reasons outlined above. Plus they keep your tent a bit dryer in wet weather, making packing it up less of a worry as far as mould and mildew are concerned.

Obviously some sort of cooking gear. Camp ovens are great, but you may not always want to cook up a feast, nor start a fire. You have to weigh that up. Mind you, a roast done in a camp overn is absolutely marvellous. Lots of light and portable cooking devices around.

Something comfortable to sleep on - camp stretcher, blow up mattress, whatever. Gotta keep warm and comfy.

Bottomless pit of money???? As soon as you are set up the way you think you should be - something else comes up that "can't do without" ..

Cheers
jack
The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

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AnswerID: 70930

Follow Up By: Member - Brian (Gold Coast) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:16

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:16
"Bottomless pit of money???? As soon as you are set up the way you think you should be - something else comes up that "can't do without" ..

Oh yeah...., ain't THAT the truth!!!!!! We have described our truck/camp setup as a "work-in-progress"!!! Theres always something you can do with!!!!!
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Follow Up By: Member - glenno (QLD) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:17

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:17
How did you find the oztent jack ? My wifes name is portable cooking device . How did you know that ? I hope SWMBO doesnt see this post .
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Follow Up By: Member - Jack - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:30

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 18:30
Glenno:

I thought the Oztent was a good tent. But at 2.4m long (I had the Ranger model) it was a bit tricky for me in my Landcruiser to carry it. I understand they fit pretty well inside a Troopy though.

Oztent was easy to put and and pull down, and once I got the hang of it not too difficult to slip into the carry bag. but there was a "trick" I developed for that part of it.

But I then saw the Tanami Tourer, which gave me more space inside, good headroom, and not difficult to put up. It also packs up pinto a smaller package. I think it takes about as long as the Oztent, because the Oztent is up in 30 seconds, but still has to be pegged down in most situations. That takes a bit more time. I bought a "factory second" Tanami, which I still have, and it is great, but as it is not guaranteed waterproof I always threw a tarp over it. I have since bought the Australian made model (guaranteed waterproof) and it is excellent, although a bit heavier due to the higher grade canvas and flooring they have used.

The latest models in Oztent have some good improvements over the earlier models, covering zippers to attach side panels etc.

Hope this is of some use to you.

Cheers
jack

PS: I have a similar portable cooking device, but I "rule" for breakfast and camp oven cooking. At times one has to flex a bit of muscle ... (I hope she does not read this either ....).
The hurrieder I go, the behinder I get. (Lewis Carroll-Alice In Wonderland)

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Reply By: pjd - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 19:51

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 19:51
your've got sleeping covered sleep in the troopy so the only other thing to do is by a fridge simple as that
AnswerID: 70956

Follow Up By: Members - Greg & Gail - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 09:54

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 09:54
Sleep in the back of the troopy. Build a false floor the same height as the fridge and sleep on top
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Follow Up By: Member - glenno (QLD) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 16:28

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 16:28
I forgot to mention (2 adults & 2 kids)
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Follow Up By: pjd - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 18:50

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 18:50
2 adults & 2 kids is a different story.go for the tent or depending on destination's & dollars get a camper trailer once its decked out it 's ready travel when ever you are
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FollowupID: 331344

Reply By: Willem - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 21:30

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 21:30
Click on my pic and take your pick :-)

I'd buy a billy as the first thing and something to carry the water in of course!
AnswerID: 70973

Follow Up By: Member - glenno (QLD) - Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 07:27

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 07:27
Thanks willem , the water issue will probably be solved with a stainless steel water tank (75 ltrs) and SWMBO can take care of the cooking .
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Reply By: Member - Jiarna (SA) - Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 22:08

Monday, Aug 02, 2004 at 22:08
Oztent has already been mentioned, so my second-best camping buy is a Coleman petrol stove. I'll never carry gas cylinders again, or have to worry about filling them. Have used mine on two trips now, and it's one of the best purchases I have made in the camping gear department.
Good luck in your purchases - there's too much to choose from!
Cheers
John
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AnswerID: 70983

Reply By: rolande- Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 18:44

Tuesday, Aug 03, 2004 at 18:44
Glenno,
Used to do the tent thing, set-up, take-down etc. Now we wouldn't be without the camper trailer, all done in 15 mins.Must be getting soft in my old age
Rolande
AnswerID: 71122

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