Camping Gear essentials & recommendations?

[PigletsMommy]

So I've been lurking throught the board for the past few weeks. We are starting to get excited cause the grand gathering we've been planning at FW for 2 years is finally getting close (well close enough that we can book 2011 packages).

Reading thru the threads have inspired DH & I to start camping! So I turn to you, the experts, what do we absolutely NEED to start out? I know a tent, but there is just 3 of us...how big should we go? I'm thinking 6 person...DH wants to go bigger. Any brand recommendations?

We've both camped when we were younger, but its been at least 10 years...so I would consider us beginners. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[ElementCamper]

Don't scrimp on a tent, you want one that can withstand lots of rain! I've had good success with Eureka! brand. They are pricey but you get what you pay for, well built and easy to setup. I've got one that withstood 4 days of Florida rain where it rained non-stop the whole time. Tent finally started seeping a bit on day four. You need a good ground cloth to protect the bottom of the tent. Stakes, a hammer or mallet to drive them in.
You can get tents with a screen room in the front, the newer ones by Eureka are available with zip up sides in the front screen room to make an extra room.
As far as size, take the capacity given for the tent and divide it at least by half. No smaller than a 6 man for 3 people minumum.
I love tent camping but after years of doing it finally upgraded to a T@B trailer with an actual bed and air conditioning. Once you get the camping bug it's hard to stop, but you will want to eventually get more comfortable and upgrade, possibly to a popup.

 

[Judy in Texas]

Something so you aren't sleeping on the ground... blow up mattresses, cots, etc.

Outdoor extension cord and a power strip for plugging things into.

Things to plug into the power strip. A light, a fan (if needed), small tv and/or radio.

Kitchen stuff... the easier the better. Small grill, Coleman propane stove, a good cooler, paper plates, cups.

Folding chairs. The picnic tables at The Fort are nice: but, after a long day, a chair is more comfy.

Next...

 

[5stljayhawks]

camping is like riding a bike. Once you know how, you can always get back on. then you realize, there are other bikes some with engines other w/o but are better rides.

Sierra Trading Post has good deals on tents. I would recommend something you can stand up in. Having a screen room on front is a nice place to put wet clothes, stinky shoes or hang out with while others are sleeping.

Chairs are great to sit in while putting on your shoes. A good cooler is critical. This is what keep the beer and wine cold.

Plastic silverware and paper plates make for easy and fast clean up.

Bed and blankets - an inflatable mattress is nice or even cotts.


If you read right, you have a few months before you go. Test run the gear in the back yard or local park. You will start to understand what you like/don't like. What are must have and what are maybe if there is room.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

essentials :

fishing pole

beer

waterballons




not necessarily in that order.

 

[mikeymouse1]

A Mosquito Dolito! It is a must for camping! And as B2F said Beer (the other white meat)!

 

[ob1quixote]

Quality sleeping and seating items, and a good tent are the core of a good trip, at least for me. I like a double height air mattress. Chairs, I like this type, not the criss-cross bee-hind pinchers!

Tents, well, I like my conversion kit for my 12X12 pop-up canopy, but get what works for you. Dont skimp on size!

Get a string or two of white LED christmas lights, makes for great general lighting, yeah, maybe not for reading...

Power strips, a 6 outlet expander, and a few small extension cords as well as a very healthy "main' extension cord, invaluable. Dont plug a high current device such as an AC unit into a small cord, plug it into an expander at the end of the heavy cord. If you are only using fans, no big deal.

I like this for a grill, from Coleman. You can get a non-stick depressed griddle that perfectly fit the top for non-grill cooking.

Paper goods for eating, and a quality cooler or two...you are set!

 

[clkelley]

A necessity for tent camping at the Fort. Cheap painters plastic!!!

Put that down first under your "good" ground cloth, then throw it away at the end of the trip!! Keeps the coquina off your tent and less of the stuff you bring home with you!!!

 

[2goofycampers]

Here is a list to check out

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1115732