shovel for car camping

[GrahameR]

Hi, I am after a reasonable quality small foldable shovel for car camping (for latrine, or at a pinch, bogged). There is such a range of products out there. Not fussed about an 'Amazon import' because they are very cheap BUT of unknown quality.

Any suggestions please?

TIA
Grahame

[tastrax]

Personally I prefer a fixed handle rather than foldable and have one very similar to this

https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/sca ... 92820.html

[Moondog55]

I too prefer a fixed handle, personal choice is something a bit bigger than the small one in the above link but in that general shape and in white season I also carry a cheap shovel from Bunnings
https://www.bunnings.com.au/spear-jacks ... l_p3360623

[stry]

There is a variety of short, fixed handled shovels that would work for you. My first was acquired when I had a VW beetle, in which space was at a premium. Dunno where it is now. Maybe 600/700 long with no T handle. Worked very well for latrine holes and light bog (no pun) removal. Short, fixed handled shovels are also very handy if a wheel needs to be changed.

Nowadays for those duties or as a "just in case" I carry something like this.

https://www.aussiedisposals.com.au/aust ... hovel.html Compact, functional, and nearly soldier proof. Not much help in wheel changing.

If I have room, or anticipate much need, I carry a long handled post hole shovel, which will reach well under a vehicle and is comfortable to use for other excavations. It fits inside, and across, the tail gate of the Hilux, but I think would be a pain in a conventional car.

[Son of a Beach]

I've just bought this one: https://www.anacondastores.com/camping- ... l/90032645

...but haven't tried it yet.

Being aluminium, it would not be suitable for hard ground. But for sand or soggy mud, I think it should be fine.

I actually bought this one for bushwalking, not car camping, so being light-weight was the priority here. We need to dig a toilet pit for a bunch of kids at a sandy location past the trees back behind a beach, and I reckon this will do the trick - so long as there are not too many roots to dig through.

[GrahameR]

Thanks all for the useful suggestions.

One Q for stry: how do you use a shovel for changing a wheel?
("Short, fixed handled shovels are also very handy if a wheel needs to be changed.")

cheers

[Mark F]

You need to decide what the primary purpose is. Square mouth shovels are used mainly for moving materials while spades are used for cutting into the ground. Round end shovels fall in between being ok for shifting sand etc and digging holes. I keep a small round end shovel in the car ( https://www.bunnings.com.au/saxon-fiber ... l_p0166660 ) for digging toilet holes etc, I also have a collapsible square mouth shovel for trips to the snow or the beach.

[stry]

Thanks all for the useful suggestions.

One Q for stry: how do you use a shovel for changing a wheel?
("Short, fixed handled shovels are also very handy if a wheel needs to be changed.")

cheers

I use it as a lever to take the weight of the wheel when jiggling it off and onto the studs.

Once the nuts are off, slide the blade of the shovel under the contact patch and push down on the handle with one hand to slightly lift the wheel, whilst maneuvering the wheel off the studs. Slide/drag the shovel, with the wheel still sitting on it, away from the studs, whilst steadying the wheel with your free hand. Reverse procedure to replace wheel.

A real back saver, particularly with heavy wheels.

[Moondog55]

I've changed a few wheels in my time and that is a great idea.

[GrahameR]

Yep good idea stry esp for big 4WD tyres.

[GrahameR]

Thanks, Mark F. Looking online it seems ideal. But will wait until I can actually get into the store (post lockdown) before buying.

Cheers all.

[Bill P]

Hi Graeme,

I carry a takeapart long handled shovel in the car spare wheel well. This one: https://www.supercheapauto.com.au/p/rid ... 23835.html.

Steel blade and fibre glass handle. I dont use the D handle, but the vinyl bag is handy if the shovel gets clayey.

Great for vehicle recovery and strong enough for most purposes.

[Avatar]

Aldi centre aisle this week has aluminium camping shovels for $15. Middle section of handle can be removed, makes a lighter carry and could serve as a snow shovel. Just saying.

[Moondog55]

I just got one of the ALDI ones to leave permanently in the car. Not great but good enough, although I doubt the handle would be strong enough for avalanche rescue, we don't usually need that here

[johnw]

I just got one of the ALDI ones to leave permanently in the car. Not great but good enough, although I doubt the handle would be strong enough for avalanche rescue, we don't usually need that here

I had to get more coffee beans from Aldi the other Friday. I remembered reading your post and went looking for these shovels, and found a girl restocking the shelf with them marked down to $9-99.
So I couldn't resist and bought one. Similar idea, I just wanted something compact and light to keep in the Forester for emergencies, getting sand bogged etc. Seems OK, will never be used for alpine rescue etc