Camping - how to do it better next year (DIBNY)

[Crinklycut]

Before we even set off this year, DH and I were discussing how we could do it better next year, and it occurs to me that this is one of the great (and many) pleasures of camping.

So what will you do better? What’s your DIBNY?

Our first thought was that we would get a load of boxes that exactly fit the boot of the car and pack into those. And bring a bottle opener.

I plan to remember to put the handbrake so that the car doesn't roll down a slope and get written off. 😬

Put the handbrake on!

Our "big purchase" this year has been solar panels and a battery so we can go to smaller sites without EHU in an effort to avoid people who like blasting noisy music late at night etc and other twits. (NB we don't think all people are twits, its just we always end up near them!)

Keep a bottle opener on your keyring is my top tip (for life)

Haha we do this every year before setting off!

A few things we've "upgraded to" over the years:

• sheets and duvets instead of sleeping bags - just comfier!
• SIM for us - it's Vango but the Decathlon own-brands one look cheaper and better tbh.
• if we have EHU then a kettle is the ultimate luxury for us 😄 more often than not we don't, though, so we use a Jet Boiler for speedy brews in the morning.
• a takeaway on our first night in camp! Not always possible/practical but it's nice not to have to think about the first night's meal.

Other than the above we are pretty minimalist campers really (it's all relative...) so although we take camping chairs/folding table, we don't have much else on the way of equipment. I'm in the market for some sort of kitchen cabinet set-up though, both for storing food and for cooking on top of.

Another thing I tell myself I'll sort every year but never get round to is reliable hanging camping lamps that I don't then lose in between trips 🙄 we all have headtorches anyway but it'd be good to have something that stays in the tent for after dark.

Ooh I also subscribe to this! It's crazy how many people, especially keen drinkers, don't have one - I have an ancient Carlsberg free one, plus a tiny Opinel knife on my keyring. They've both been useful time and time again.

@Crinklycut I recommend looking on ebay/Facebook marketplace for the plastic boxes used in supermarkets and shops with the lids. Usually about £6 but really strong.

I'm going to try and find better food storage rather than living off pot noodle type stuff (no electric)

Big pans! We're a family of 5 and I always forget too late that we've only brought the stupid tiny camping pans. This year when I went to IKEA I bought a cheap frying pan and big saucepan to keep in the camping box.

Also multiple power banks so all the kids can be on devices in the morning and let me have a lie in.

Ah @wejammin I have a poem here that you may enjoy (although it probably predates IKEA).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tpd6fNenl4Y

Camping barbecue was a game changer for me. Now my husband does most of the cooking.

These

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/inflatable-camping-bed-base-camp-bed-air-70-cm-1-person/_/R-p-309887

are excellent, with a decent SIM. With a sheet, duvet and pillow they're like a proper bed. Two can clip together to make a double.

Why have I never thought of this?! What size battery have you bought, please?

Best power bank ever. Can be charged via mains, but if the sun is shining will charge directly into device. Awesome

Deal: Pxwaxpy Solar Power Bank 26800mAh, Solar Charger 【Type C & Micro USB Input】 High Capacity Portable Charger Fast Charge External Battery Pack with 2 Outputs Compatible for Smartphones, Tablets and More https://amzn.eu/d/gdM8NNg

@Belmondo the technical equipment is DHs role and unfortunately he has at work with him this week so I can't check right now... Ill update at the weekend when we arrive on campsite!

We have successfully powered our camping fridge from the set up for a weekend, and used it to pump up the paddleboard and tent.

I've just come back from a youth group camping trip and thinking of the things that I'd adopt for my own family trip. In some ways it's not comparable, and all their stuff is vintage AF but a hot water urn is pretty cool, and a separate kitchen tent set up with solar lights. That said, when you pack up about as much stuff as you would moving house you do start to think Airbnb might be a plan. Even a youth hostel has electricity and washing up facilities. I. Fact a campsite with access to the facilities of a youth hostel might be good.

If you want to start off your trip with a delicious homemade meal I highly recommend a wonderbag or similar, before leaving home you fry off your meat and/or veg, add stock/sauce, bring to boil then put whole pan inside the wonderbag, put in car ... delicious meal. You can use it once there too to slow cook to save gas

I have a full list of everything to take which I add to every year when I find I’ve forgotten something but then update it by removing things I didn’t need or use. Saves me doing a new one every year and means I’m less likely to forget something

Oh - and I’ve just got an air tent. Up in 15 minutes even when I do it myself

@gogomoto
I'd love to hear more
Have one in cupboard I bought for exactly that purpose years ago but never been brave enough to try it 🤣
Any good meal suggestions?

A mini fridge for sites with EHU is very handy. We have a plastic box with the essentials in that can all be checked after each trip so when it is time to pack the car we grab the box and know we have tin opener, matches, torches etc. Definitely duvets rather than sleeping bags. Extra blankets as it gets cold. Enough food for a few basic meals to avoid immediate shopping. Toilet roll. We have a camp toilet so if anyone needs a wee after dark we don't have to go out.

Don't bother with lots of plastic boxes as they clutter up your boot or tent when you empty them on arrival. Get the collapsible crates if you really want boxes but I use big supermarket reusable bags as they hold loads and you can squish them to fit weird spaces.
Pack your boot in the order you want things to come out and don't forget that kids can have their pillows etc in the back with them. Once mine were out of car seats they all sat on their blankets to save room in the boot.
Get your kitchen/food area set up as soon as you can. Nothing's worse than scrabbling about for something in the scattered debris of a hastily unpacked kitchen, especially if it was hastily packed up in the first place. I have a cupboard unit from Decathlon that folds down and is a godsend.
Lights, lights and more lights and batteries to go in them. I don't use EHU so I go for battery fairy lights in the tent and one small LED lantern each.
And don't forget a washing up bowl like I did last year. You don't need the fold-flat ones, just a normal one is fine as you can fill it with stuff in the boot anyway.

I have loads of these camping lights - they are small and hold charge pretty well, and they are light enough to clip onto things. I pre charge about 5-6 of them, use a few at a time, and take a charger pack to reboot them with. Loads of similar types on Amazon.

MOSTOP 2 Pack Camping Light Lantern LED USB Rechargeable Lamp Waterproof 3 Modes Power Bank Tent Lights for Outdoor Camping Hiking Emergency https://amzn.eu/d/4OFbGa2

We tried the perfect organised clear boxes one year and we couldn’t scrunch them into the boot tight enough so back to the squashy cardboard and bags for life it was!

We have a caravan (ancient, seriously) so it's slightly different but I make lists on Google Keep and refer to them for packing year upon year. They can be adjusted as your needs change, but it takes a lot of the hard work out of preparations. I have lists for "caravan kitchen", "bathroom", "entertainment", "pharmacy" etc

I also have an aspirational list called "Camp Great" where I add genius ideas, usually after a few glasses of wine.

We have a bloody good set up now but it's taken years.

Don't forget the bedding, as we did once

Or the actual tent (yes, I we also did this)

Our trangier is 10 + years old and still going perfectly

If you get boxes for the car then but a while set it camping stuff so you can prepack them with camping stuff. I have everything I need from plates to wash stuff and tooth brushes all ready to go. I have a separate bedding bag too so there is nothing to sort or remember other than clothes and games. I have the room to store them and can fit them in my vehicle but any version of this helps.