Staying high and dry at camp is considered essential, particularly during these wet season storms, but do you have a setup that can stand the abuse of a storm? Our top 5 tips to staying high and dry this summer are simple but extremely effective, so read on and hit your next campsite with confidence that you won’t have to put on the waders.


Choosing your spot

Selecting a good campsite suitable for weathering a storm is important, as the wrong campsite could cause you a spot of mischief. Things you need to consider are, natural shelter, staying clear of overhanging branches and also being aware of runoff areas, low areas, and even being aware of riverbeds as flash flooding will definitely ruin your trip.

We always like to select a spot clear of overhanging branches, on a mound or raised area, making sure you aren’t in the path of flowing runoff.

if you are aware of the prevailing wind direction, camping downwind of trees or even on the lee side of a hill will give you some protection from the elements.

Site preparation

Storms are easy to see coming, most easily spotted by sudden changes to cloud cover, temperature shifts/humidity changes (the wet earthy smell of petrichor can be a telling factor), if you have a storm rolling in, it’s a great idea to head back to camp and batten down the hatches literally and figuratively.

Site prep for a big storm involves making sure anything that isn’t necessary is stashed away (so it doesn’t blow away) and also that all of your camping guy ropes are pegged out, this is especially important for your awning setup. As when the wind blows your awning will become a big sail, a helpful tip is to lower your awning legs to reduce the exposure to the oncoming wind make sure that one leg is slightly lower than the other to allow rainwater to fall off.

If you have no choice but to setup in a pathway of water runoff, then adding a trench (if allowed) along the uphill edge of your campsite might help prevent excess groundwater from running through the guts of your campsite.

Awning walls and mesh floors

Adding onto your awning will give you plenty of additional comfort at camp by offering plenty of additional shelter and more comfort when you aren’t able to get out and about.

Adventure Kings makes plenty of accessories that are compatible with our range, starting with adding a pair of awning walls to your awning setup. Awning walls increase the sheltered area, and with a wall setup on the side of your campsite you can block out the wind and horizontal rain from spoiling your camp setup.

The addition of a mesh floor to your campsite will allow water to fall through the clever mesh whilst keeping mud down and away from your living area.

Camping on top

One way to stay truly high and dry, is to take your campsite to the next level, we aren’t using literary devices, we mean literally to the next level.

Adding a roof top tent to your campsite, will ensure that your setup is always up off the ground, and with the tough waterproof nature of a roof top tent, you will stay cozy and dry through even the roughest storms.

With the range of roof top tents available at 4WD Supacentre, offer a setup for anyone and any budget, with the traditional Adventure Kings Tourer Roof Top Tent being the most budget friendly, all the way up to the Adventure Kings Grand Tourer Roof Top Tent which features a tough aluminium roof with insulation to give you a great nights sleep no matter where you setup camp.

To see the full range of camping accessories to make weathering a storm a breeze, head over to www.4WDSupacentre.com.au or drop into one of our fully equipped showrooms, to see the range in person and head out to your dream trip away sooner!