Let's Talk Outdoor Camping Tips, Tricks, Hacks

[HearToLearn]

I think I understand what you are saying. On my place, there are now two concepts: camping lightly & camping heavily. Camping light means keeping everything light and usually not bringing anything particularly bulky or heavy. Re-installation means that it is fully equipped, and I have even seen people install almost the entire kitchen. But I have to say that the choice depends entirely on the individual. Depends on what kind of trip you want.

Having flashbacks to my dirtbag days… tell me you did NOT cut off half of your toothbrush handle then drill holes in the remaining structure to reduce weight! Well, I knew somebody like that; check out ultralight jerk on Reddit for a few laughs!

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[Steve_In_29]

Not so much a hack or trick, although there are probably a few of those if I wanted to think back about how I've amended the camping experience over time.
"Amended" is a good choice vs. "improved" or "better".
There is a nostalgia from my childhood about basic no-frills camping under the stars from Boy Scout times. No camping LED area lights, no propane stuff, no fancy camping chairs or 12V refrigeration. No Jackeries or Starlink to connect you back to the digital world you are trying to get away from for a bit.
I think "Improvement" or "progress" does not always mean "better". It might mean easier, faster, less work. Or maybe more work?!
But I digress.
From the top of my head, my favorite camping upgrade/hack seems to be going with a Gazelle tent vs your standard Coleman variety with all of the extension poles and such.
Granted it does take up a larger footprint to store and transport. And it is a little heavier.
But set up and take down time spent is a premium thing for me.
I like to set up camp and get to relaxing and reflecting on my adventures in as little time as possible.
It really comes in handy in those situations where you arrive at camp after dark and don't want to fumble around too long. Or it's raining/snowing.

"Pop up" tents have been around for quite some time. They all suffer the same shortcoming. In high winds or snow loads they will pop back down as easily as they popped up.

 

[BroncoBrian]

Saw a couple people post about pillows- This is the best compromise I have been able to find between a household pillow and a "Camp" type pillows.

Klymit Drift camp pillow

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/kly...BDOttZx7vHH2ORbh0uo-p2JDxBTK-AchoCaywQAvD_BwE

 

[suparee]

Having flashbacks to my dirtbag days… tell me you did NOT cut off half of your toothbrush handle then drill holes in the remaining structure to reduce weight! Well, I knew somebody like that; check out ultralight jerk on Reddit for a few laughs!

I'm not that "smart". Lol

 

[Rspayde]

"Pop up" tents have been around for quite some time. They all suffer the same shortcoming. In high winds or snow loads they will pop back down as easily as they popped up.

Waking up to a collapsed wall is no fun but it sure is nice being able to stand up fully in the morning and change.

 

[Ramble_Offroad]

Everyone develops their own habits, camping is no different. Here are two easy Bronco hacks that have worked well for me.

I wanted to improve the rear cargo area lighting in my 2Door. My focus was simple & inexpensive camp lighting while cooking on a tailgate table.

I had a few of these kicking around my shop.

https://www.scosche.com/promo/previous-sales/back-to-school-full-sku/magicmount-replace-kit

Then found this LED lantern on AMZ. It has a magnet in the base.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9MNC6F..._csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw&th=1

The magic mount plates are a thin steel plate with an adhesive backer. I stuck a few of them to the rear window, bottom passenger corner. When flipped open it’s right above the tailgate table.

The other little hack is I figured out how to mount a paper towel dispenser from the rear roll bar. Again for cooking during camping trips.

This is the paper towel dispenser. It’s visible in the pics above.

https://www.amazon.com/Kelty-Spill-Ender-Compact-Overlanding-Paper-Towel/dp/B0DT232SCJ

Then I simply used two Wrap-it Velcro straps to create mounting points for the Spill-Ender. These are the straps.

https://www.amazon.com/Quick-Straps...d4f3d40b4cf3c5b229417ad&qid=1760842815&sr=8-4

 

[redone17]

Saw a couple people post about pillows- This is the best compromise I have been able to find between a household pillow and a "Camp" type pillows.

Klymit Drift camp pillow

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/klymit-drift-camp-pillow?ds_e=GOOGLE&ds_c=Cabelas|Shopping|PMax|Camping|General|NAud|Google|NMT&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19581383988&gclid=CjwKCAjwr8LHBhBKEiwAy47uUg6uZYzUNfko_s1zATJn3BBDOttZx7vHH2ORbh0uo-p2JDxBTK-AchoCaywQAvD_BwE

This is one piece of gear I have yet to obtain. Firm/thick enough but compact when packed? I keep forgetting a pillow on trips and just need to have one that stays in the truck.

 

[redone17]

@Ramble_Offroad - some great ideas here. I’ve never seen that paper towel holder. How many times has half a roll gone to waste by getting rained on or otherwise? I usually carry around a few kitchen rags but extra laundry on longer trips gets cumbersome (we have a service at our shop, so even though we have several in our personal laundry - I can always send them along in our weekly shop linens).

I need to figure out a new light situation. My new hardtop doesn’t have a headliner and I was using Velcro on rechargeable LED panels. Which came in handy. I might just look into stronger magnets. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[redone17]

I sleep in back often enough - sometimes it’s not worth the effort to mount our GFC Superlite - but, the Alps Mountaineering Outback sleeping pad is top notch and works in both scenarios. Along with the Deepsleep leveling pad - I’ve had countless solid nights of sleep inside the truck.

Having the top panels off with the Jtops sunshade is such a nice sleeping experience. I’ve been meaning to build some sort of screen for the rear windows when I can’t have the top panels off.

 

[Deadpool392]

I sleep in back often enough - sometimes it’s not worth the effort to mount our GFC Superlite - but, the Alps Mountaineering Outback sleeping pad is top notch and works in both scenarios. Along with the Deepsleep leveling pad - I’ve had countless solid nights of sleep inside the truck.

Having the top panels off with the Jtops sunshade is such a nice sleeping experience. I’ve been meaning to build some sort of screen for the rear windows when I can’t have the top panels off.

Another member posted about this hack, so not my idea, but it works well and is very cheap!

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Spectra-6IN-x-3FT-ARMOUR-GUARD-SCREEN-WHT/5015749931

Just get two and then cut them down to size, helps keep bugs out.

 

[Canyon Coolers]

I mounted two KC Fex Era 1's as chase lights on Bad Ass mounts: one can rotate horizontally the other perpendicular. So I can light up some part of the campsite as needed.

Ice Chest: I run tie down straps through the child restraint mounts in the back seat so I can mount the cooler and have easier access for longer road trips. We make a 'Clean Ice Bag' for keeping drink ice clean but it makes a nice airbag for high speed offroading when even cans can sometimes break.

I re purpose my whitewater rafting gear for camping.
None of it is light but its all robust and has no issues with water.

Paco Pads are awesome: (Deep Sleep makes great stuff too)
https://jpwinc.com/product-category/paco-pads/

Stove: (easy to rebuild - 100% aluminum)
https://www.utahwhitewatergear.com/camp/kitchen/stoves/?max=950

Using a 3 # propane tank to save space.

 

[Ramble_Offroad]

I mounted two KC Fex Era 1's as chase lights on Bad Ass mounts: one can rotate horizontally the other perpendicular. So I can light up some part of the campsite as needed.

Ice Chest: I run tie down straps through the child restraint mounts in the back seat so I can mount the cooler and have easier access for longer road trips. We make a 'Clean Ice Bag' for keeping drink ice clean but it makes a nice airbag for high speed offroading when even cans can sometimes break.

I re purpose my whitewater rafting gear for camping.
None of it is light but its all robust and has no issues with water.

Paco Pads are awesome: (Deep Sleep makes great stuff too)
https://jpwinc.com/product-category/paco-pads/

Stove: (easy to rebuild - 100% aluminum)
https://www.utahwhitewatergear.com/camp/kitchen/stoves/?max=950

Using a 3 # propane tank to save space.

I’ve been using two of your Clean Ice bags, one I freeze solid and the other filled with block ice. Great product. Using it as an air bladder to eat up space in the cooler is an interesting adaptation.

Also, I must say I have a Canyon Pro 45 quart cooler and it’s awesome. I use two straps & cooler tie down brackets to secure it to my drawer system.

 

[Steve_In_29]

I mounted two KC Fex Era 1's as chase lights on Bad Ass mounts: one can rotate horizontally the other perpendicular. So I can light up some part of the campsite as needed.

Ice Chest: I run tie down straps through the child restraint mounts in the back seat so I can mount the cooler and have easier access for longer road trips. We make a 'Clean Ice Bag' for keeping drink ice clean but it makes a nice airbag for high speed offroading when even cans can sometimes break.

I re purpose my whitewater rafting gear for camping.
None of it is light but its all robust and has no issues with water.

Paco Pads are awesome: (Deep Sleep makes great stuff too)
https://jpwinc.com/product-category/paco-pads/

Stove: (easy to rebuild - 100% aluminum)
https://www.utahwhitewatergear.com/camp/kitchen/stoves/?max=950

Using a 3 # propane tank to save space.

I hadn't thought about those stoves since I was over on Expedition Portal back in the day ...$500 - $1000 for a camp stove is simply insane.

 

[Gassyjack]

Some good ideas. I’ll add zip ties, you can never have too many. Come in handy for a variety of things, emergency repairs etc.

 

[Canyon Coolers]

Some good ideas. I’ll add zip ties, you can never have too many. Come in handy for a variety of things, emergency repairs etc.

I used to own a music festival. You can run an entire music festival on zip ties. LOL.
The metal ones are nice too.

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