TIPS FOR EASY OVERNIGHTERS

Overnight camping demands efficiency to maximise time spent sitting by the fire for the night. So for that reason, here are our top tips to make overnight stays even smoother!

KEEPING DRY AT CAMP

When you setup your Adventure Kings Awning, angling the awning down on one side will direct water flow in bad weather. From there if the weather gets too extreme, you can dig a trench if needed, just be sure to fill it in when you’re done! Chucking a tarp in the back when you head out as well can pay for itself if the heavens open up!

BYO FIREWOOD

If you’re stopping at an overnight camp and arrive late, the last thing you want to do is look for wood. Carrying some firewood with you makes the job of getting a small comfort fire happening in no time.

OCCY STRAPS

Chuck a few Occy straps in the back before you go. They are so versatile – You can use one to raise the head of the swag off your face, and clip onto the awning pole. You can also use them as a makeshift clothes line or to strap things down on the roofrack.

GETTING OUT THERE

If you’re a newcomer to the 4WD scene, build up your confidence by travelling with others such as friends or join a 4WD club and head out on some day trips and overnighters. It’s a fantastic way to learn and increase your skill level with camping as well as to understand the capability of your vehicle.

BUG-OUT BOX

For that quick getaway, have a storage box sitting in your shed with everything you need ready to go in it already. That way when you get home on a Friday, you can chuck the box in the back of the 4WD, throw the fridge in and your Adventure Kings Swag and you’re good to go! It will help save space too – In your 4WD, and your shed!

HANDY BOTTLE OPENER

Screwing a bottle opener to your rear door, Titan Rear Drawers setup or even your bullbar makes opening bottles a breeze! To make it even better, chuck a little container below it to catch the lids when you pop ‘em off.

THE ESSENTIALS

When camping overnight, take only what you need. A little butane stove has made overnight camping very simple. A couple of lightweight cooking pots, frypan, plates and needed cutlery takes up little room. However, for overnight bush trips, prepare a tasty meal at home and let it cook in a Thermos Pot while on the road. It’s simply the easiest way of having a delicious meal when camping overnight.

12V OVEN

This one may seem like a bit of a luxury, but it’s one of those things that once you have it, you’ll wonder how you ever went bush without it. The best part is that you don’t have to get all your cooking gear out for dinner if you chuck it in the oven a few hours before. Just rock up to camp, get a fire going and enjoy tucker!

STRESS FREE CAMP LIGHTING

An Illuminator 12V strip light run under the awning rail can turn night into day and use next to no power. Its far better than using a head torch to find where you’re going, and means you don’t have to worry when the sun goes down.

PREP YOUR TUCKER

If you don’t want to go to a lot of trouble for cooking meals for a quick overnighter, always carry a few meals that have been cryo-vaced with an Adventure Kings Vacuum Sealer. That way when you arrive at camp, you only need to heat in boiling water for 15 minutes and you’re enjoying a cracking home cooked meal.

BONUS TIP: CAMPING IN EXTREMES

EXTREME HOT

• Ensure your sleeping quarters of choice have good ventilation. Mesh swags win over purely canvas swags, get off the ground on a stretcher, or use the rooftop tent
• Make sure you air out the swag before jumping in! Sitting on the roof all day they get very toasty. Opening it up during the evening will ensure it’s as nice as can be when it’s time to go to bed

EXTREME COLD

• It can be snowing outside, but a good quality sleeping bag with a negative degree rating like the Adventure Kings Premium Sleeping Bag will ensure you stay nice and toasty regardless of the weather!
• The design of a good sleeping bag is utilised when you sleep with as little clothing on as possible. Don’t jump into a good sleeping bag with track pants and a jumper!

“IF THERE IS ONE THING YOU NEED IN YOUR CAMP SETUP ON THE BIG LAP, IT’S A QUALITY 12V SETUP!”

10 TIPS FOR EPIC ADVENTURES – BUDGET TINTING

Grab some sun shades from the two dollar shop and use double sided tape to stick them to your rear cargo area windows to block out the sun and reduce cabin temps. It’ll also stop grubs from checking out what gear you’ve got in the back of your 4WD, and stop the sun from warming up your fridge, too.

FRESH TUCKER ACROSS THE TOP

Generally we eat what the local fishing holes offer, barramundi, sooty grunter and cherabin – a freshwater prawn. Take a pot and bait it with a tin of tuna. Just punch a couple of holes in it. It’s a great way to get an easy feed in the tropics – works on red claw crayfish also.

ALL ROUND AWNINGS

Having two or more Adventure Kings Awnings on your 4WD is one of the best camping mods you can do. You’re covered on all sides of the truck, and you can divide them into sections e.g. one side of the truck is the sleeping area, the rear is the kitchen and the other side is the sitting area.

SETTING THE TRUCK UP FOR THE BIG LAP

You can do the ‘big lap’ of Oz in a fairly standard 4WD, providing it’s reliable and got decent tyres. But the one thing that’ll totally transform your camp setup is quality 12V. Invest in a quality dual battery system like the CTEK D250SA, AGM second battery, solar panels and LED lights.