Let\u2019s face it \u2013 the lead up to, and getting home from camping trips can at times be a bit of a pain, even if you\u2019re one of the lucky few who have those absolute dream rigs that are setup with every camping need already in place. As good as getting away for a night, a couple of days or even longer is, there\u2019s always that that thought in the back of your mind that it\u2019s gonna take hours to get everything unpacked at the end. Forgive us if we sound lazy, but camping\u2019s supposed to be about relaxing, right?<\/p>\n
And don\u2019t even get us started on quick overnight trips. Why is it that the overnighters need just as much effort as the big trips? Why can\u2019t it all just be simple \u2013 you know, like we used to camp when we were just starting out?<\/p>\n
Nostalgia\u2019s all well and good, but once you\u2019ve discovered that there\u2019s more to camping than burnt snags and a +15\u00b0C sleeping bag in the passenger seat, it\u2019s hard to go back. There\u2019s definitely a middle-ground, though, and it\u2019s all about camping smart \u2013 learning those beaut little tricks of the trade that the pros use. The logic is sound. The simpler you make your camping experience, the more you\u2019ll go camping. And the more you go camping, the more you\u2019ll refine your camping experience, doing away with the things you never use. Then, all of a sudden, you\u2019ve got your campsite setup down to five minutes, packing away takes not much longer, and you\u2019re taking a single box of gear away each time. You\u2019re now camping like the pros, and it starts with this article!<\/p>\n
PACK SMARTER, NOT HARDER!<\/h2>\nPRACTICE<\/h3>\n
To pack more efficiently, lay everything out to determine how it will get packed and unpacked before your trip. More importantly, practice your packing technique to ensure it\u2019s right and always pack the 4WD during daylight hours.<\/p>\n
KEEP YOUR PANTRY STOCKED<\/h3>\n
By keeping your pantry permanently stocked with all the basic cooking ingredients and utensils, you\u2019ll really only need to stop for meat and beers when heading off on your trip. This one tip will save you a stack of time and money each time you head away and by having an organised pantry box you\u2019ll set up for meals much faster.<\/p>\n
PACK SMARTER<\/h3>\n
When packing the 4WD, make sure you\u2019ve packed in such a way that you\u2019ve got access to the things you\u2019ll require first when you hit camp. For example, if you\u2019re expecting to arrive late at camp and setup for dinner in the dark, then make sure all your pantry and cooking gear is at the back of the 4WD. Not only does this let you get to it all faster at night, but it\u2019s also packed away, ready for quick access for breakfast the next day.<\/p>\n
4WD TETRIS<\/h3>\n
Have a system to how you pack your 4WD. Not all of us are lucky enough to have a full-blown storage system in the back of our wagon or ute, so, the good old plastic tubs with the clip on lids are a perfect way to store the gear you will need for your adventure.<\/p>\n
INVEST IN A WATER BLADDER.<\/h3>\n
If space is at a premium inside your 4WD then a 100L poly water tank in the rear cargo area is going to be a no-go. Instead, look into a water bladder. There are tough \u2018bags\u2019 that hold large amounts of water and can be stored anywhere from nooks and crannies in the rear drawers, to under seats \u2013 basically anywhere you want.<\/p>\n
BE SPACE CONSCIOUS<\/h3>\n
\u201cA fair few people ask me how I get away with a short wheel-base vehicle when out on the long distance trips. It\u2019s simple. I make the most of the space I have and buy my gear accordingly. I don\u2019t carry enormous tents, fridges<\/a> larger than I need and spares that I\u2019ll never be able to use anyway. I also make use of \u2018dead\u2019 areas in the 4WD. Dash storage, under the seats, above my head \u2013 it\u2019s amazing how much wasted storage space there is inside your 4WD.\u201d – Graham<\/p>\n Whenever you\u2019re travelling with mates, sit down over a beer and plan your packing so that there\u2019s no doubling up on gear. You don\u2019t need two chainsaws, 4 eskys, 14 camp chairs<\/a> for 8 people or a half a dozen bottles of coolant for a weekend away. By sharing the load between everyone, you\u2019ll all come away with a heap more space and less weight over the axles.<\/p>\n The items you need to get to on a daily basis should be easily accessible, so put them in drawers<\/a> and side pockets. Use soft sided bags for packing clothing which can act as fillers when squashed to help minimise any movement of your gear. Aim to have a couple of days\u2019 meals in a small tub easily accessible, and use square containers, avoiding round or tapered shapes to minimise wasted space.<\/p>\n Every third-or-so camping trip, take note of the gear you haven\u2019t touched. If it\u2019s not emergency related then ditch it. You\u2019ll free up space, save weight and make the packing process a whole lot easier. <\/p>\n If you don\u2019t happen to have a 12V fridge<\/a> then you can actually make a bit more sense of your cooling setup. Instead of having an esky packed with party ice, freeze a dozen or so water bottles and pack them around the food and drinks in the esky. Not only does that keep everything cool for longer, but it also means you\u2019ve got ice cold water for drinking once the bottles start to melt.<\/p>\n Use an Adventure Kings Car Seat Organiser<\/a>, map pockets and dash storage helps to make the most of otherwise useless space. You\u2019ll find it\u2019s usually the smaller items that tend to end up causing most of the mess inside the 4WD. If you\u2019ve got a place to keep all these bits and pieces then you\u2019ll end up with a tidier, more efficient setup.<\/p>\n We all know the importance of drinking water on a trip away. A tip here is to stuff a whole bunch of smaller water bottles in to all the gaps, nooks and crannies around your 4WD. They\u2019ll only take up otherwise useless space and you\u2019ll always have a backup of water bottles stashed around the 4WD.<\/p>\n Everyone\u2019s got that one mate who\u2019s still there at 9pm trying to setup camp. Avoid being that camper, with our expert tips!<\/p>\n A guaranteed time saver is to precook your meals a few days earlier, then use your Adventure Kings Vacuum sealer<\/a> and freeze them. Then it\u2019s as simple as popping the vacuum sealed bags in some hot water and you\u2019re ready to go \u2013 how\u2019s that for a quick campsite dinner!<\/p>\n If you\u2019re the kind of family that regularly does quick overnighters or couple weekends then it might be worth investing in a rapid setup tent. They do cost a few quid to buy, but save you a heap of time in the long run and ultimately make each getaway quicker, easier and more pleasurable for all.<\/p>\n \u201cYOU\u2019LL BE AMAZED HOW MUCH TIME YOU SAVE\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Keep three or four extra guy ropes and a bag of pegs somewhere easily accessible for your Adventure Kings Awning<\/a>, like under the driver\u2019s seat. When the weather turns bad, you don\u2019t want to be pulling your vehicle apart searching for extra ropes or pegs. <\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been driving all day and hanging for a coldie, you\u2019ll want to get set up in no time. Speed up the process by taking a stepped approach and before you know it, it\u2019s routine. Get yourself some velcro and strategically place it on poles, tent walls, and parts of the car that allow for things to be attached. Use a permanent pen to mark poles so you know exactly what height they need to be the next time you set up, and leave guy ropes at the correct length when packing away. You\u2019ll be amazed how much time you save.<\/p>\n Now this one might seem obvious, but the amount of campers out there trying to set up camp with little more than a head torch in the dark is astounding. Get yourself some Illuminator LED Strip Lighting<\/a> next time you\u2019re able and fit out your 4WD with some quality LED camp lights<\/a>. It\u2019ll make setting up at night an absolute breeze and save a stack of time.<\/p>\n \u201cIf funds, space or setup times don\u2019t allow you to have a fully plumbed camp shower, then fear not; there\u2019s no need to suffer the effects of the \u2018five-days-in-the-bush cologne\u2019. Add an Adventure Kings Portable Shower Kit<\/a> to your setup as it takes up bugger all space and can be stored almost anywhere.\u201d<\/p>\n Have your insect repellent or wet weather gear in easy reach so that you can use either if required, meaning you can get on with the setup if you are getting eaten alive or a downpour is in progress. There\u2019s nothing worse than pulling up at camp in the rain and having to pull half the 4WD apart to get to your wet weather clothing \u2013 keep it accessible. <\/p>\n There\u2019s a surprising amount of space in your Adventure Kings Rooftop Tent<\/a> that people rarely take advantage of, and why wouldn\u2019t you? It\u2019s waterproof, padded and can store all your bedding in the tent itself. Depending on their size, you can even squeeze a few camp chairs under the PVC cover too.<\/p>\n \u201cTHIS ONE TIP WILL SAVE YOU STACK OF TIME AND MONEY!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Sometimes having a little extra gear at home is what you need to be able to adapt to different camping situations. If you\u2019re heading off with a mate for a really quick overnighter, then ditch the rooftop tent in favour of a Big Daddy Deluxe Swag<\/a>. Likewise if you\u2019re off for a long weekend with the better half, then the Adventure Kings \u2018Weekender\u2019 Roof Top Tent<\/a> is the way to go. Having the right gear for the right occasion inevitably makes setting up much quicker. Don\u2019t pack a tent that requires an engineering degree to assemble if you\u2019re on your own.<\/p>\nSHARE THE LOAD<\/h3>\n
SMARTER PACKING<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.4wdsupacentre.com.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/170621-SupaCentreBlowering-154.jpg\")
<\/p>\nCULL YOUR LOAD<\/h3>\n
MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR ESKY<\/h3>\n
ORGANISERS<\/h3>\n
BONUS TIP<\/h2>\n
WATER STORAGE<\/h3>\n
QUICKER CAMP SETUPS!<\/h3>\n
FAST FOOD<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.4wdsupacentre.com.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/171023-Vac-Seal-kitchen-4-of-6.jpg\")
<\/p>\nQUICK TENT<\/h3>\n
PEGS AND ROPES<\/h3>\n
GET IT DOWN TO AN ART<\/h3>\n
QUALITY LIGHTING<\/h3>\n
A SOLAR<\/a> SHOWER<\/h3>\n
KEEP SOME GEAR HANDY<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.4wdsupacentre.com.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/170510-Sofala-28-of-44.jpg\")
<\/p>\nROOF TOP TENT<\/a> TIP<\/h3>\n
BE FLEXIBLE<\/h3>\n
QUICK CAMP TABLE<\/h3>\n