Let's Talk Outdoor Camping Tips, Tricks, Hacks

[SUPAREE]

Hey everyone,

Why did I want to discuss this? It's been raining a lot lately in our area, and this bad weather has inevitably caused some trouble for our outdoor explorations and photography. They're really unpredictably, making it impossible to predict when the downpours will arrive or when they'll stop. I think others might be experiencing the same thing outdoors. So, I'm sharing a personal experience I had recently on a rainy day.

Just wanted to share whenever I travel, I always bring one pair of flat sandals. Nothing fancy — just simple, sturdy ones. They're double as shower shoes when I’m staying somewhere on the road (keeps things clean). Driving such a pair of shoes when I’m behind the wheel for long hours. They don’t slip off like flip-flops, and they’re super comfy. Also, camp shoes when I want to let my feet breathe after hiking or setting up camp.
Well, small things that make a big difference — saves space, saves money, and makes life on the road way easier.

So, what are your favorite “low-cost, high-impact” outdoor hacks?
Maybe a piece of gear you repurposed, or a clever trick you discovered on the trail or at the campsite?

This post won't be deleted. Let’s swap ideas — I’d love to learn some new ones before my next trip! New outdoor enthusiasts can also use them as a reference.

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[wibornz]

Well for tent camping, there are two types that I like. One is SUV Tent. It attaches to the back of the Jeep so you can open the tailgate and rear window inside of the tent. You can easily detach the tent from the Jeep and reattach it to the Jeep. It set up in about 3 minutes. We take the gear from the inside of the Jeep and stack it in the four corners of the tent. Then sleep in the back of the Jeep on a Deep sleep mattress.

The tent not attached to the Jeep.

If we are setting up a base camp and plan to wheel from the same area for a few days or a week or so. I bring an awning tent. It is a tent that connects to a pop up awning. It is a great set up because if it rains, you enter and exit the tent from under the awning.

You can hook up multiple tents to the awning.

I do not use tent stakes to stake down tents. I use landscaping strews that are 12 inches long and use a small impact to run them into the ground. They work way better than tent stakes.

These work fantastic is all types of soil.

For building fires, I always bring a fire starter. Simple quick and easy. You can buy firestarter at Walmart for under $5.

I don't use bug spray. I use cooking vanilla. Yes it will make you smell like a fresh baked cookie instead of DEET. Vanilla is not water proof so you may have to apply it more if you are sweating a lot. Maybe not use it when camping in big bear country. If you are wondering like vanilla vanilla, yes that is is.

You probably have some in your kitchen right now. Just pour some into your hands and rub iron exposed skin.

I will add more later when I have the time.

 

[ORACLElights]

Outside the obvious pick of off-road lighting and other cool lighting gear...we’ve gotta say gloves! A solid pair of flexible-but-sturdy mechanic’s gloves have saved us more times than we can count — from wrenching on the trail to handling hot gear after a night run.

Also totally with you on the shower sandals... they’re the unsung heroes of road trips and campgrounds everywhere!!

 

[SUPAREE]

Well for tent camping, there are two types that I like. One is SUV Tent. It attaches to the back of the Jeep so you can open the tailgate and rear window inside of the tent. You can easily detach the tent from the Jeep and reattach it to the Jeep. It set up in about 3 minutes. We take the gear from the inside of the Jeep and stack it in the four corners of the tent. Then sleep in the back of the Jeep on a Deep sleep mattress.

The tent not attached to the Jeep.

If we are setting up a base camp and plan to wheel from the same area for a few days or a week or so. I bring an awning tent. It is a tent that connects to a pop up awning. It is a great set up because if it rains, you enter and exit the tent from under the awning.

You can hook up multiple tents to the awning.

I do not use tent stakes to stake down tents. I use landscaping strews that are 12 inches long and use a small impact to run them into the ground. They work way better than tent stakes.

These work fantastic is all types of soil.

For building fires, I always bring a fire starter. Simple quick and easy. You can buy firestarter at Walmart for under $5.

I don't use bug spray. I use cooking vanilla. Yes it will make you smell like a fresh baked cookie instead of DEET. Vanilla is not water proof so you may have to apply it more if you are sweating a lot. Maybe not use it when camping in big bear country. If you are wondering like vanilla vanilla, yes that is is.

You probably have some in your kitchen right now. Just pour some into your hands and rub iron exposed skin.

I will add more later when I have the time.

Looks great. So, How about the tent protect against cold and moisture? The worse tents I've tried performed terribly in wet rain and fog. Of course, in the end I had to retreat to the car to have my rest.

 

[SUPAREE]

Outside the obvious pick of off-road lighting and other cool lighting gear...we’ve gotta say gloves! A solid pair of flexible-but-sturdy mechanic’s gloves have saved us more times than we can count — from wrenching on the trail to handling hot gear after a night run.

Also totally with you on the shower sandals... they’re the unsung heroes of road trips and campgrounds everywhere!!

Oh, we always keeping gloves in our Jeep. But they're not really a professional. If you have any suggestion on the gloves you feel good?

 

[wibornz]

Looks great. So, How about the tent protect against cold and moisture? The worse tents I've tried performed terribly in wet rain and fog. Of course, in the end I had to retreat to the car to have my rest.

The SUV tent, we sleep in the back of the Jeep on a deep sleep mattress. I crack a window and have a bug net that keeps the bugs out. We have great sleeping bags so cold is not and issue. We have camped in temps below freezing in both tents without issues. Both tents do well in the rain.

 

[wibornz]

I keep gloves in the Jeep too. But typically only use them in recovery type scenarios.

I also carry a sawzaw with 12 in blades that cut wood and metal. It is great for cutting up firewood and clearing trails. I used to carry a chain saw, but the sawzaw does not require fuel or bar oil. Plus the sawzaw runs longer on a battery. I also say don't skimp on camp chairs. Buy something that is comfortable yet easy to pack.

I do not spend big money on camp lights. I buy cheap LED lights that are rechargeable. If I lose them, no big deal. If I break them, no big deal.

For cooking, If I only bring one thing, I bring a Skottle. You can cook for many people, and cook just about anything. You can fry with it, bake with it and grill with it or use it like a skillet.

You can cook parts of the meal, then push the food to the outside of the shuttle and finish cooking other things in the middle. The food on the outside edge will stay warm while you finish off cooking other stuff.

 

[ORACLElights]

Oh, we always keeping gloves in your Jeep. But they're not really a professional. If you have any suggestion on the gloves you feel good?

We’ve recently tried out the DUFLINE gloves and they’ve actually been solid for the price. Overall, we usually lean toward flex-grip or mechanic-style gloves with minimal padding... just enough protection without losing dexterity when you’re working on the Jeep or setting up gear.

 

[Willing&Able]

Perhaps the opposite of the question... bring less is a good tip. I camp with a variety of people, and some have totes on top of totes of stuff, 80% never gets used. To this, if you are camping with others arrange ahead of time who is bringing what so you don't triple up on the same items.

Outside of that, my jetboil (lunch), some basic fishing gear, and good food / beverages (dinner)with some friends is all I need!

 

[wibornz]

Perhaps the opposite of the question... bring less is a good tip. I camp with a variety of people, and some have totes on top of totes of stuff, 80% never gets used. To this, if you are camping with others arrange ahead of time who is bringing what so you don't triple up on the same items.

Outside of that, my jetboil (lunch), some basic fishing gear, and good food / beverages (dinner)with some friends is all I need!

Did you say Jetboil and good food in the same sentence?

 

[Vinman]

I use a Dollar store windshield sunshade to line my chair while sitting by the fire on chilly nights, reflects a lot of heat back into the body.

 

[Willing&Able]

Did you say Jetboil and good food in the same sentence?

Heck ya! I don't eat breakfast, and I don't like to have two big production meals each day. Mountain, House, Peak Refuel, Mamoo's Cajun, etc. make really good rehydrate meals in only ten minutes with zero clean up!

For dinner... much more bougie...

 

[wibornz]

Heck ya! I don't eat breakfast, and I don't like to have two big production meals each day. Mountain, House, Peak Refuel, Mamoo's Cajun, etc. make really good rehydrate meals in only ten minutes with zero clean up!

For dinner... much more bougie...

Okay, you have redeemed yourself. Just know with a skottle, you can cook a real meal in 10 minutes like this.

That is not to say that I don't pack Mountain House meals at times. It is just not the norm for camping. The skottle will set up and clean up so fast that while we are traveling, we can cook a meal as fast as waiting in line at the drive through.

What is your favorite Mountain House meal? I am a fan of the Beef Stroganoff and the Biscuits and Garvey

 

[Willing&Able]

Okay, you have redeemed yourself. Just know with a skottle, you can cook a real meal in 10 minutes like this.

That is not to say that I don't pack Mountain House meals at times. It is just not the norm for camping. The skottle will set up and clean up so fast that while we are traveling, we can cook a meal as fast as waiting in line at the drive through.

What is your favorite Mountain House meal? I am a fan of the Beef Stroganoff and the Biscuits and Garvey

Looks great my friend! Yeah, those are two of my favs as well. Although Peak Refuel might have them beat for both! If you haven't tried, give it a shot! Mamoos kitchen is pricey but amazing! It's a legit cajun restaurant in lousiana that freeze dries meals. So good!!!

 

[Only-In-A-Jeep]

Okay, you have redeemed yourself. Just know with a skottle, you can cook a real meal in 10 minutes like this.

That is not to say that I don't pack Mountain House meals at times. It is just not the norm for camping. The skottle will set up and clean up so fast that while we are traveling, we can cook a meal as fast as waiting in line at the drive through.

What is your favorite Mountain House meal? I am a fan of the Beef Stroganoff and the Biscuits and Garvey

"Garvey"...as in Steve?

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