Lets talk Camping

[ST2UP]

So before the first ST came in our world we considered camping with the family as one of our primary past times......now we will consider combining the old love with the new in the bike.

The plan that seams to be winning at the moment put subject to change is to go with a utility style trailer with quality and comfy hiking bedding and use a Oztent RV1, icebox, butane stove, Therma-rest mats, and our (L) & (R) -10 comfort rated bags.

Weight will be the obvious concern.......


So what do you do either on or of the bike ???



 

[saaz]

On the bike camping..I raised the issue of camping using the car but got a rather negative response from the wife.....

On the bike..tent, sleeping bag, gear for cooking etc etc.  If moving day to day keep it simple and light, not too much in the way of mattresses etc.  If travelling with others with trailers etc, let them carry the gear I would not 

I did many years two up with camping gear for bike rallies on the old Suzuki, and seemed to survive quite well    The more space you have, the more junk you take.

[alans1100]

The car is easier, Ford Territory, just lay the rear seat down and make up the bed in the back and then we have the luxuries like CD player/radio or watch a DVD on the laptop.

Bike and trailer means setting up the tent etc but cheaper than the car. We have two tents, smaller three man for me and a larger stand up tent if we both go (more privacy for Heather). Air bed, two sleeping bags, butane stove, eski and a couple chairs. Not to forget lights, clothing and food for a few days.

Everything in the trailer and the top case for at hand items we might need during the day (camera, phones, shower gear etc) and depending on the trip and time away I might add a 10 litre fuel container in each side case.

[Sicman]

we are set up to camp either with gear on the bike or towing an Elite camper trailer. Our first test ride / tow with the camper trailer was to the Ulysses AGM 2 years ago at Mildura. We towed the trailer across the Hay plains and camped at Balranald. The trailer towed great behind the 1300. You didnt know it was there as we sat on a nice cruising speed.
The trailer is set p with 35l Waeco fridge and deep cycle battery which can last for 4 days. I also have a 5 watt solar panel I can plug in or hook it up to the mains power at powered sites. It will also charge off the bike as we move to the next spot.





It takes 2 mins to pull up for say overnight. Add 20mins if you want to throw out the front awning and set up the guy ropes for a longer stay. At $5k it was a great buy and really comfy ( Which helps get the pillion into it). We pack real lightly and have a system for keeping the trailer nicely balanced.
We also have self inflating mats, sleeping bags, 3 man tent if we camp off the bike without using the trailer.
We are keen to get out more with some other like minded campers 

Cheers
 
( P.S mods we need a trailer emoticon  )

[ST2UP]

We have come full circle with our camping set up....we started out with basic swags, progressed to a family tent, then on to a full Off-Road Camper with all the trimmings, Fridges, Toilets, Shower, Solar etc, when the bikes came back in our lives as the kids grew our camping needs changed somewhat.....we converted back to the "Less is More" style of camping.....still very warm,dry and comfy although.

So gone back to quality swags from Burke & Wills with therm-a-rest mats,  Oztent that only comes of the roof of the 4x4 if the weather is really poor and an awning of the vehicle, still fridges and solar but no set up time as all on board the vehicle.

But to truly be back to basics I need to convince Pockey that the same shovel you use for your constitutional hole can be used as a BBQ plate for a steak......we used too as teenagers traipsing about the country side. 


 



Cheers

[ST2UP]

One of our Favourite campsites and only 2 hours from home, no phones.....well we had a our sat phone, fresh Aust Bass for dinner any night you wanted.....tarp over the camper in 42 degree heat with 90% humidity, kept camper at about 28 degrees 


The ST won't make it in to this camp spot !!



 

[StinkyPete]

Camping out while 4WDing is quite new for us, and we have set ourselves up with the following:

Home made storage setup in the back of the ute
Home made awning that easily erects in a few minutes (The most expensive bit was the pipe on the roof to store it in)
Removable 55lt caravan water tank, adapted to fit in the back of the ute
Tailgate for kitchen table
LED floodlight under the awning that plugs into the trailer wiring socket
Quick to erect Black Wolf "Turbo" tent, 80mm self inflating sleeping mats and quality down sleeping bags

We've had some great trips and anticipate many more.   

[Sicman]

I fitted the Patrol with dual battery and 6mm feed to the rear plugs. I got the 35l Waeco fridge freezer as i can use it in the bike trailer or in the Patrol.
I reckon an OzSToc camping trip might be on the cards 

[ST2UP]

Like we discussed at Hill End and a OzSTOC 4x4 camping trip.......

Select a location so the camp could be accessed by 2WD cars and ST's even towing (and you and I know where they will go  )


On a creek, river or ?dam.....basic toilet facilities, fires allowed in season, 4x4 stuff near by or part of the journey........food for thought ?? From a NSW camping destination and based loosely on the members map pins, northwest of Sydney by a couple hours. Central(ish) for Sydney, Canberra, Mid-North coast, Central West and New England members.....might even drag a few diehards out of SEQ and Northern Vic ?? Maybe Goulbourn river NP area ??

Make it a a Friday and Saturday night for those who can......Abe can cook the BBQ, you can do the washing up and I will throw out the drunks.......so their goes the cook and the cleaner.   


My camping spot knowledge on this area and more in a more civilised location is beyond me.


Anyone got any ideas for such a location???


Lets here your thoughts so we can do some research......

[STill dreaming]

Thinking of getting one of these.  https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1187073_670555462956218_410963178_n.jpg

[Abe]

This is our setup for us 3:-

6 weeks exploring the "Cape"
Homemade camp kitchen
60 litre Waeco
1000W inverter
Oztent RV4 on roof with sleeping gear
120W solar system
Fishing rods
What more do you want, yeah toilet paper and shovel.

We had the offroad camper trailer and all that "stuff" (sold it), and we are very happy with the setup we have now.

I use the Hilux as a support vehicle for friends on their (registered) dirt bikes for trips into the scrub, and boy some of the places I've seen.

[saaz]

Newnes is one of my favourire places, but may not be North enough for the BB criteria...  Newnes is BYO everything, but water is in the creek. The morning and evening views in the box valley are just spectacular.  I have not suggested it for an Ozstoc ride as the road in can be terrible, at times perhaps on the dangerous side as the gravel hides deep potholes.  I will probably just go for an overnighter sometime when I feel like it, most likely mid week.

I have only camped out once using the car..when I think camping it is bike centric.

[ST2UP]

Newnes has a very good name in the 4WD community......

[saaz]

I have only ridden in on the normal road. If someone had a 4WD it would be good to go on the roads to Sofala..just a hint...

Newens has a very good name in the 4WD community......

[Down Under]

I have only ridden in on the normal road. If someone had a 4WD it would be good to go on the roads to Sofala..just a hint...

Newens has a very good name in the 4WD community......

I thought you might like to know that the road into Newnes (Wolgan Valley Rd) is being sealed.  The first 14 km's will be completed shortly and I'm not sure about the remaining 8 km's or so into the camping area.  It should be easier to get to on a road bike but I remember a creek barring the way into the main camp ground.  That might be fixed with the road upgrade?

Cheers,

Tony

[saaz]

The road last time I went on it was probably worst where it was sealed!  But I believe that part of the deal with the resort was that the road would be upgraded.  The road into the camping area goes through a creek crossing, so I don't know what the plan is for that.  But it was easy on a road bike, far better than the gravel road before.

Newnes is just a magically place to camp at.  You should aim be be there for sunrise and sunset, and for a whole day just to see the rock formations and how they appear.  To best experience it two days camping would be the best.

I have only ridden in on the normal road. If someone had a 4WD it would be good to go on the roads to Sofala..just a hint...

Newens has a very good name in the 4WD community......

I thought you might like to know that the road into Newnes (Wolgan Valley Rd) is being sealed.  The first 14 km's will be completed shortly and I'm not sure about the remaining 8 km's or so into the camping area.  It should be easier to get to on a road bike but I remember a creek barring the way into the main camp ground.  That might be fixed with the road upgrade?

Cheers,

Tony