Car Camping Tent and gear

[onward]

Next year I am off for a quick 16 week lap of Australia. I am looking for recommendations for a suitable car camping tent, I have been looking at the Black Wolf Turbo 240 (there is just me) and I'll take a hiking tent for those late-night just chuck a tent up days (and hopefully a few overnighters during the trip.
Also wondering about a fridge (Engel?), and sleeping mats or stretchers?
I am used to the light weight hiking approach, this seems surreal!
thanks
Martin

[weeds]

What type of car??

If you have a hiking tent than maybe a swag?? I assume you are doing the trip in the dry season??

A fridge is nice......I have three engel in a touring setup.

[Moondog55]

OZ-Tent the 30 second tent if moving every day or so but otherwise it depends how much room you want
Definitely get a cot/stretcher and a really good mattress, fridge not so much but I'd go with a proper gas stove running Propane

[DanShell]

We use a 30 second tent (the imported copy) and a '4wd' self inflating mattress for car camping. I do like the black wolf pop up tents as well though. Im not sure if they are quite as fast as a 30 second tent but there wouldn't be a lot in it. I mean who cares if it takes 5 minutes or 1 minute really.

Our tent is very fast and easy to use but it is long when packed up. The mattress is also very easy to roll out and use but its a pain to roll back up again.
If I was doing a trip like you are (I have but used a roof top tent at the time) id still use my 30 second tent but id take a piece of foam thats easy to roll up and pack away.

I also use a Weaco fridge. Yes Engel has a better reputation but after about 7 years our weaco is still going well and never had issues.

[Eremophila]

I'd go for a swag, if you have room, and if it will fit in your hiking tent. That way you can just throw it on the ground and enjoy the stars some nights; no need to worry about punctures or damage. And always handy later.
If you were taking a gas bottle to run a stove, you could also look at a 3-way fridge. Easier to stay in unpowered campgrounds that way.

[neilmny]

We bought an Engel 2.5 cubic foot (yes foot) late 1977 it has not missed a beat since that day (over 38 years ago!)and is an excellent beer fridge these days.
It did 33,000km around Aus in an FJ40 Landcruiser which anyone who owns one is not exactly a smooth ride.
I guess this is a vote for Engel fridges. They are also no where near as power hungry these days either.

edited.......ooops on the year

[Cool Breeze]

My wife and I use the black wolf 240. It is an excellent tent and setting up is a breeze, with total peg out in under 5 minutes. We slept in it for a 3 week adventure through western Queensland and South Australia and found it comfortable no matter what conditions we were in.
I can also recommend an Engel highly. We use a 60L version and absolutely love it.

[photohiker]

I'd go for a swag, if you have room, and if it will fit in your hiking tent. That way you can just throw it on the ground and enjoy the stars some nights; no need to worry about punctures or damage. And always handy later.
If you were taking a gas bottle to run a stove, you could also look at a 3-way fridge. Easier to stay in unpowered campgrounds that way.

+1 for a swag. If you get hold of a swag with hoops like the Mitchell swag (there are plenty of other brands) you don't need to put it into your hiking tent.



We use these for our outback trips, very comfy and warmer than a tent on those freezing nights.

[DanShell]

I use my swag at times too but to be honest the 30 second tent or black wolf tent is just as quick if not quicker and it gives you more options in regards to shelter and ease of changing etc.

Actually I wish I was back here right now I like photos...is it obvious??

[photohiker]

30 second (!) tent maybe. We also have a Black wolf tent, and it is no way a fast tent to erect or pack away compared to your average hiking tent. It's a nice tent but you have a double setup: frame and inner tent, then the fly, poles and stakes.

No problems changing etc in the swag, and it is way faster to lay out and pack away than any tent. For starters, all you have to do is roll it out - bedding is already laid out ready to go. No blowing up mattresses and unpacking sleeping bags. Same with packing. The whole shebang is way faster than setting up a tent, even a fast one. I know because I have camped with a group and was always the fastest to setup or pack away.

[simonm]

Another vote for a swag for the reasons mentioned by photohiker, if you can fit it in ok as they can be quite bulky when rolled up.

Fridges there are plenty of options, and I would go for 12volt over 3 way for that type of trip. We have had a fibreglass Evakool, Made in Austalia, for quite a few years and it has never skipped a beat, and was run constantly for about 4 years.

[GPSGuided]

Without volume or weight restriction in car carriage, why would one care to sleep in a claustrophobic swag? Why not have an easy to pitch and spacious tent?

[photohiker]

Without volume or weight restriction in car carriage, why would one care to sleep in a claustrophobic swag? Why not have an easy to pitch and spacious tent?

Let me see...

As long as it's not raining, you can sleep in a swag in the open air with a vision of the whole starry night sky. In a tent, you look up at the material the tent is made of.

Swags are not claustrophobic, but if you are, then a tent or a swag would be a problem for you. Maybe a marquee would be a better option for you?

[simonm]

Without volume or weight restriction in car carriage, why would one care to sleep in a claustrophobic swag? Why not have an easy to pitch and spacious tent?

Mainly cause when I am touring around I don't spend much time in the tent unless I am sleeping so really don't need the room, family changes that though . Swags are warmer, quicker to pack up and roll out as everything is contained.

[GPSGuided]

Recognising each to their own, just trying to understand people's perspective.

If open view is relevant, netted inner tents can serve the purpose too.

[photohiker]

Yep, that would work.

The difference is that the swag is all there. It can get pretty cold late at night and it's easy to close up the swag without getting up. Same for rain. Chaos for a netting inner tent if it starts raining

You have to experience a swag to appreciate the benefits. Excellent for travelling car camping. Tents are better if you stay in the one place for a while.

[GPSGuided]

Yes, no personal experience but trying to imagine each time I walk past one in Rays... Thanks for the perspective and maybe one day will get a chance to try one.

[Eremophila]

I was talking about an original-style swag, before they went upmarket. Nothing claustrophobic about it. Undo two straps, unroll and climb in.

That combined with a tent could give you the best of both worlds.

I've slept in my swag in the rain, with just the canvas flap over my head, and stayed warm and dry. Of course it's a different story if it's still raining when you want to get up......

[onward]

Damn...you lot are all making it harder not easier
Actually it is all helpful...I had never even considered the swag option! Now I am wondering about both!
I will only have a small car...a Hyundai I-30 or Mazda 3 (I can't complain work is providing it while I am on LSL).
I guess the trip will be a mix of long drives with a quick set up just for one night and a few basecamp set ups.
Thanks for the fridge ideas...a novel idea having a fridge...I guess I can keep real food in it rather than dehydrated food!
Thanks for the great discussion!!

[DanShell]

Damn...you lot are all making it harder not easier
Actually it is all helpful...I had never even considered the swag option! Now I am wondering about both!
I will only have a small car...a Hyundai I-30 or Mazda 3 (I can't complain work is providing it while I am on LSL).
I guess the trip will be a mix of long drives with a quick set up just for one night and a few basecamp set ups.
Thanks for the fridge ideas...a novel idea having a fridge...I guess I can keep real food in it rather than dehydrated food!
Thanks for the great discussion!!

You might be hard pressed fitting any of these tents and all your gear in. So your hiking gear might be the best solution??

Mind you we went on a 3 week road trip with the 3 kids and just the car a few years ago and used a family tent.....it was epic......heres another pic

[Eremophila]

Does your work vehicle come with a roof-rack and/or Thule?

[Redtail]

I used a cheaper version of this http://www.oztent.com.au/Products/jet-tent-bunker 4WDriving the Holland Track for a week or so.
I'm about to do same with the brand and version in the link next year on the Canning Stock Route. Fast, durable, waterproof. Setup next to car awning. Dead easy.

[Gadgetgeek]

That's a tiny car, so you might want a smaller fridge, and an esky for veggies and stuff. a swag, and a blue tarp with a couple of poles, and you'll be set.

[Mickl]

Any chance you can get roof racks on the car?

If you could you could I would add a small roof cage to carry the swag and add an awning and you'd be set. Swag in nice weather without awning and if its likely to rain you pull out the awning and your covered as well. I do most trips with this set up and it gives you plenty of room for sitting under, changing and sleeping in bad weather. You could easily sell the roof racks and awning when you're trips done if you had no further use for them and would probably get half or more of your cash back....

As far as swags go I have several travellender swags and they are huge inside when set up. Very well made and great people to deal with. I have a Evakool travel mate 60L fridge as do several of my mates and all have been great so would recommend one of them. Main problem with the fridge is you will need a battery to run it when the car's not on and to do that properly you really need to wire up the car etc so it does start to get harder/more costly to carry a fridge....

[onward]

I don't have roof racks, but I am now thinking I will need to get some! The awning idea is a great one.
I think a 30 litre fridge will be big enough just for me. And they seem to use about 0.7-0.9 AH so a small deep cycle battery mounted somewhere in the car should work ok.
I am beginning to think lightweight hiking is much easier!

[lorrainey100]

Sleeping mats. I bought the Black Wolf Mega Deluxe Self-Inflating Mat and have never looked back. Read all the 4WD and car mattress reviews at Snowys https://www.snowys.com.au/Sleepgear/Self-Inflating-Sleeping-Mats/Camping-4WD-Mats.aspx?c=3&sc=19&ssc=31. R rating of 9.0 which is good on snow and easy to inflate. Other mats are the exped megamat 10 which also had good reviews from people who actually bought and used the mat in real conditions.

[stry]

No one seems to have mentioned the canvas pyramid tents.

Standard equipment used by touring companies for easy use by newbies.

Four pegs and a pole and you have shelter. Add extra pegs as you wish. Guy ropes very seldom needed. A very little bit slower perhaps than "30 second" tents, but much better in a wind.

[McGinnis]

My experience with Oz tent RVs is that they're great... Until the weather isn't. Cheap, crappy "canvas" and an incredibly awkward packed size ruins them despite their ease of use. YMMV.

I also have a couple of swags (semi-traditional and traditional), and they're super comfy but frustrating for long trips.

My current favourite tent is my EPE Speedy Sahara. Instant-up, light canvas. Great in hot weather, good in cold with appropriate sleeping gear. The shape might be awkward for a small car, but it sits in a cargo net on the ceiling of my troopy well out of the way.

Has anyone used the EPE Speedy Earth? It looks like a better Oztent.

Edit: just saw your vehicle is a hatch. Maybe an Oztent Bunker? Or suck up the setup time and get a Hilleberg?

No one seems to have mentioned the canvas pyramid tents.

Standard equipment used by touring companies for easy use by newbies.

Four pegs and a pole and you have shelter. Add extra pegs as you wish. Guy ropes very seldom needed. A very little bit slower perhaps than "30 second" tents, but much better in a wind.

Another vote. They're awesome. Freedom Canvas and Southern Cross canvas make exceptional centre-pole tents.

Also check out the Serengeti/Campmor tents (e.g. Safari Rambler) if you want the one tent that'll outdo a centrepole in extreme weather.

[weeds]

No one seems to have mentioned the canvas pyramid tents.

Standard equipment used by touring companies for easy use by newbies.

Four pegs and a pole and you have shelter. Add extra pegs as you wish. Guy ropes very seldom needed. A very little bit slower perhaps than "30 second" tents, but much better in a wind.

We have one these, hasn't been used for years........four legs one like and plenty of room.

[weeds]

We also have an Oz Tent RV4.......has been used in all weather conditions and has stood the test.......not a drop of water inside.

These will not be an option due to packing size.....

Bunker could be a good option........