Trailer Camping for Small Cars

A tent trailer is a trailer that you pull behind your vehicle. Sometimes called a “pop up” trailer, a tent trailer is ideal for someone who doesn’t want to camp in a regular tent, but doesn’t have a big enough vehicle to tow a large trailer.

How much can you tow?

The folding camping trailer that you pick will depend, to some degree, on the type of vehicle you have. To find out how big a folding camping trailer you can tow, you need to find out the towing limit for your vehicle. You can find out your towing limit from your car’s manual, or from the manufacturer.

Next, you need to find out how much the trailer weights. The trailer has a weight known as the “maximum technically permissible laden mass,” which is, essentially, the weight of the trailer while being pulled. As long as your towing limit doesn’t exceed this number, you should be able to tow the folding camping trailer.

What are Folding Camping Trailers?

These trailers are so lightweight that they can be towed by most cars and maneuvered by hand if required. A folding camping trailer may be able to accommodate up to eight people. In many cases, the length of the camping trailer can expand, as well.

Folding camping trailers may have a variety of different amenities. They might come with adequate space for a kitchen, dining, and sleeping area. Some models also offer a convenient shower, toilet, refrigerator, and stove. Most folding camping trailers have some sort of storage compartment or another, where you can store your camping gear.

Folding camping trailers vary quite a bit in price. You may be able to find a used folding camping trailer for just a few hundred dollars or so, while a new high-end folding camping trailer may run as much as $10,000 or more.

If you are looking for a trailers that is affordable, durable, and lightweight, the folding camping trailer is a good choice.

What Size of Tent Should You Buy?

Camping is one of the best ways to foster a sense of family harmony. Even the youngest of preschoolers can benefit from the camping experience.

To make your family campout a success, begin with a good tent. Picking the best one will require assessing your family’s own particular needs.

Tents are typically labeled according to how many people they will sleep. Family-style tents may range from ones that sleep three people all the way to ones that sleep eight or nine.

If you have a family of five, you’ll naturally want to consider at least a five-person tent.

However, it’s important to remember that these sizes are generalizations. A tent that is made for five typically refers to five average-sized adults.

For this reason, a four-person tent may be suitable for a family with two adults and three small children. Conversely, a family with two adults and three large teenagers may find a five-person tent a bit cramped. A six- or seven-person tent may be a better choice.

Remember, you’ll also want to take into account the amount of gear that you’ll be storing inside the tent. The more luggage you have, the more sleeping space you lose.

Fun Family Campfire Activities

One of the most enjoyable parts of camping is the campfire. There are many things you can do around the campfire, as a family, to pass the time while you’re enjoying the great outdoors. Here are a few fun family campfire activities:

S’mores

These tasty campfire treats are a camp cooking classic. To make S’mores, you need three ingredients: graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows. Simply roast the marshmallows as you normally would, until the marshmallow is golden brown. If you prefer your marshmallows burnt, feel free to roast it that way, instead. While the marshmallow is still warm, slide it off your roasting stick on to one of the graham cracker halves. Place a piece of chocolate on top of the marshmallow, and put the other half of the graham cracker on top of that.

Sing-a-long

Another great campfire tradition is the sing-a-long. Whether it’s a somber song like “Kum Bay Yah” or whether it’s something more upbeat, your children will enjoy singing with you around the campfire. If you don’t want to sing traditional campfire songs, you can make a copy of your kids’ favorite CD liner, so that you can all sing along to their favorite tunes. You can make up songs, too. Use twigs, pots and pans for musical instruments to add a little extra variety to your sing-a-long.

Storytelling

Ghost stories are yet another campfire tradition. Stories about ax murderers loose in the nearby woods, or the spirits of long-dead campers can excite and entertain your family. If you are concerned about your children becoming too scared, consider telling other sorts of stories. Retell some of Aesop’s fables, or other classic children’s stories. For more interaction, consider making up a story together where each person adds a single line to the story.

The Most Important Thing

Always keep in mind, when you’re having fun with your family at a campfire, that safety comes first. Avoid horseplay, and watch the fire to make sure that it stays in the fire pit. Keep an eye on children of all ages, and make sure you’ve got a first aid kit with you in case of an emergency.

Trailer Camping for Motorcycles

For years, our family had spend two weeks each summer camping. We started out tent camping, in the early years. We moved up to a pop-up trailer camper after a few years. Eventually, we invested in a full-blown RV for our camping adventures. In all of that time, I never saw a motorcycle pulling a tent trailer until just a couple of years ago.

I have to say, I was surprised the first time I saw one of these things. These are a tent trailer, much like a pop-up trailer for a car, only they are much smaller, shorter, and designed to be pulled behind a motorcycle. I’m aware of two different models, the CampMaster 2 and the CampMaster 4, although it won’t surprise me if these things become more and more popular.

What to look for

Here are the things to look for in a tent trailer for your motorcycle:

• Make sure that that the trailer can carry heavy items.
• It should have a solid frame and hand-laid fiberglass for the strongest possible body.
• The trailer should not be too wide.
• The height of the trailer should not exceed the bottom of the tour trunk, and its front should not be very flat.
• Check to make sure that the bearings are reliable and easily available.
• Finally, the trailer should be designed to utilize the available space efficiently.

Added stability and functionality

One of the most interesting things, to me, about these motorcycle tent trailers was something I learned from a fellow camper. He’d been using one of these for a couple of years, and he explained to me that he tows the trailer with him wherever he goes. He uses it to transport groceries, and get just about anything he needs from one place to another. In addition, the weight of the trailer adds stability to the driving of the bike.

Not just for motorcycles

Once I saw my first CampMaster, I suddenly started to notice that they were popping up, more and more. This past summer, I saw no less than a dozen motorcycles towing one of these things.

They are becoming so popular, in fact, that people who have compact cars are also starting to use them. This is perfect, because these small tent trailers have adjustable hitches that allow them to be pulled behind either a motorcycle or a small vehicle.

How to Select Camping Tents

For as long as people have been living indoors, we’ve been escaping to the great outdoors for a break from regular life and a new perspective on the universe. The fresh air and physical exertion that accompany a camping trip are among the best ways to relax and enjoy your free time.

Along with camping goes a whole host of special equipment and supplies. The sporting goods store can seem like a foreign country when you’re new to outdoor activities.

It’s not easy to break through all of the lingo and myriad options to get the camping equipment that you need.

Tents are an especially tricky area for beginners. There are weird numbers and letters designating different features, and there are so many different shapes and sizes that it can make you want to take up gardening instead.

The sizes listed on camping tents are typically listed as 1-man, 2-man and so forth. This refers to the number of campers that can be squeezed tightly into the tent, not necessarily the number of campers who can fit comfortably into the tent along with all of their gear, muddy boots and wet dogs.

Some larger tents have a public area along with separate sleeping chambers. These public areas are a great place to spend time when the weather outside isn’t nice enough for sitting around a fire and gazing at stars.

If you are going to be using your tent in inclement weather, such as snow or high winds, you’ll need a specialty camping tent that is designed to withstand these conditions. Camping tents that will be used in harsh weather should usually be double-walled and constructed of reinforced fabrics.

One of the most important qualities to look for in a tent is water resistance. The water resistance is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). This number refers to the amount of pressure that the water can exert on the material. Higher numbers are more water resistant and will keep you dryer on wet and stormy nights.

Public or Private Campgrounds: Which Should You Choose?

When it comes to camping, you’ve got plenty of options in terms of what campground you’d like to stay at. The two main types of campgrounds are public and private. Public campgrounds are owned and operated by government agencies. Examples of public campgrounds include state park campgrounds, national park campgrounds, municipal campgrounds, state forest campgrounds, national forest campgrounds, projects form the Army Corps of Engineers, and other types as well.

Private campgrounds are campgrounds owned and operated by people or companies in the private sector. Often, these private campgrounds are especially geared toward RVs, although that isn’t always the case.

Public campgrounds are often more common than private campgrounds. Public campgrounds are very often scenic areas, located in an area set aside to preserve the natural environment. Public campgrounds tend to be less expensive than private campgrounds. However, public campgrounds typically don’t have as many amenities available as private campgrounds. In addition, public campgrounds can vary greatly in amenities and quality from one location to the other.

Private campgrounds tend to be more on the expensive end of things. Private campgrounds may be operated by a national chain, or they may be operated by local companies or individuals. Campgrounds that are part of a national chain may offer discounts to people who stay at more than one of their locations. In most cases, you can count on similar amenities and service from one campground in a national chain that you can expect from another campground in the same national chain.

Locating private campgrounds can be something of a challenge, as well. While most state park campgrounds have some sort of Internet presence or another, private campgrounds can be harder to locate. You have to rely on camping directory web sites or on brochures to find many private campgrounds.

If possible, shop around a bit. Check out website reviews of campgrounds. Ask friends or family as to their experiences with a certain campground. The fact of the matter is that some public campgrounds are much nicer than some private campgrounds, and some private campgrounds may be less expensive than some public campgrounds.

Family Camping Play Tent Solution

Camping can be a wonderful experience for a family. It can be a time to relax and just enjoy one another’s company. If your children are like mine, though, that relaxation lasts for about ten minutes. Once the children are bored, they get into all kinds of mischief. You need something for them to do when there’s nothing else scheduled.

One of the downsides to camping is the potential for bad weather. A campfire is great, but you can’t very well sit around a campfire roasting marshmallows when you’re in the middle of a torrential downpour. You’re stuck, inside your tent, until the rain lets up.

What do these two problems have in common? They can be solved using a children’s play tent.

All about children’s play tents

Children’s play tents come in a wide variety of designs and styles for both outdoor and indoor purposes. They are portable, easy to assemble and dismantle, and are made of water-resistant fabric like nylon or plastic. Some favorite shapes are domed, tunnel, castle, school bus, fire engine, bulldozer, and playhouse. Camouflage, wigwam, and fictional-character theme-based tents are very popular, too.

There are several models and brands of children’s play tents to choose from, including:

Pacific Play Tent: These play tents are made from flame-retardant, 70-Denier nylon with shock-corded poles for easy assembly. The two most popular models are the “Me Too” and “T” styles. They average approximately $25 to $30 apiece.

Lucy and Michael Play Tents: Both of these tents are high-end, intricately designed, colorful play tents. They are made from fun fabrics and have sturdy pine supports. These tents are significantly more expensive at $300 to $350.

Playhut Play Tents: These are light, portable tents covered with cartoon-character graphics. They have a flap door and tunnel port with a twist-n-fold patent technology for easy folding. The price is about $30.

The SpongeBob Squarepants Play ‘N Fun tent costs around $40 and is a combination of play tent with a slumber hideaway, bean-bag toss game, roll-out play mat, cabana with roll-up flap door, and crawl-through tunnel port.

Dora the Explorer Hideaway Tent: Made from non-woven nylon binding for spot cleaning, this tent has an EZ-Twist technology for easy set up. It also has a tunnel port and costs about $20.

Spinmaster’s Create: This tent is Spiderman-shaped with an inflatable bed. The poles are joined with common elastic for easy assembly and durability. It costs approximately $30.

Hiking? Try a Hiking Tent

If you plan to hike to your destination, a hiking tent is ideal. Hiking tents are lightweight and waterproof, making them excellent shelters for most camping situations.

Many hiking tents are also low-profile. This makes them a great choice for camping in inclement weather since they won’t be greatly affected by high winds. They are among the most expensive choices in camping tents, but hiking tents are usually of very high quality.

When you are taking your family or friends along with you, a multi-room tent is your best bet. Multi-room tents feature ample space for your entire party along with separate sleeping chambers.

Although the thin walls don’t allow for complete privacy, they do provide some personal space. You can fit anywhere from two to eight people in standard multi-room tents, and some specialty tents can sleep even more campers.

Hiking tents also come in several different materials. Lightweight nylon or polyester can make wonderful weatherproof tents, but they do tend to degrade as they age.

Another thing to consider when shopping for hiking tents is the ground cover or groundsheet. The groundsheet is built-in on most camping tents. This configuration protects the tent from water seeping in between the walls and floor.

Some hiking tents utilize separate groundsheets so that the weight of the two pieces can be shared between two hikers. This feature is handy, but may not provide much protection from precipitation and insects.

How To Break Camp

On your final day of camp, there is plenty to do. In fact, breaking camp can be just as much work as setting up camp, if not more work.

The most important thing to remember about breaking camp is that you don’t want to leave anything behind. This includes your camping equipment, obviously, but it also includes trash. You should try to leave your campsite cleaner than when you arrived.

Here are some basic things to do on your last day of camping:

• Clean your camping equipment. Sweep out your tent. Check your equipment for food spills, tree sap or other dirt and debris. Wipe your equipment down with a wet rag if it is dirty.
• Pack your cooler. Get rid of any leftover food you might have been storing inside the cooler, and get some more ice so that your food will keep on the trip home.
• Try to pack things in the same places you packed them when you arrived. This helps to insure that everything will fit back into their containers, and that it will all fit just fine back into your vehicle.
• Separate dirty clothes from clean clothes. The best way to do this is to keep a separate bag for dirty clothes throughout the entire time you’re camping. That way, you can just wash the contents when you get home.
• Make sure your campfire is out. Douse it with water. If there are especially hot coals, wait for a while after pouring water on the campfire to make sure that it’s really out.
• Pick up your trash. Look around for small trash items, such as wrappers, cigarette butts or animal waste. Again, your objective should be to leave no trace that you were even there.
• Make one last look around the campsite to see if you’ve missed anything.
• Once everything is loaded up, make one last stop by the bathrooms. This saves you the trouble of having to stop on the way home.
• Don’t forget to check out. Some campsites may charge you for an extra day if you don’t check out with the office.

The Downside To Camping

Camping can be one of the most enjoyable experiences in your life. It can also be one of the most miserable experiences, if you don’t know what to expect. Knowing the downside to camping ahead of time helps prepare you for what could otherwise be a surprisingly bad experience. Here are some of the hard facts about camping:

1. Camping is hard work. Setting up camp can be an ordeal that lasts several hours. You’ve got to assemble tents, set up gazebos, and unpack your vehicle. The same is true for tearing down camp. Fortunately, those days in between don’t have quite as much work.
2. Cooking when camping can be a challenge. The fact of the matter is that cooking over an open flame can lead to very unevenly cooked foods if you’re not careful. Even if you use a gas grill, you’re going to be limited as to the cooking equipment you have with you. Planning out your meals ahead of time will help to alleviate some of the cooking stress, however.
3. You are going to have plenty of bugs when you’re camping. From ants to mosquitoes, expect these tiny visitors. Keep covered in mosquito spray, keep your lights away from where you’re sitting, and avoid using scented fragrances such as cologne or deodorant. Use unscented versions of these products instead.
4. In the morning, everything is wet. Dew settles in on your campsite most mornings. You can’t avoid the dew, but you can make sure to put everything away at night and to put a tarp over things like your firewood that shouldn’t become wet.
5. Camping can be uncomfortable. It can be difficult to fall asleep on the hard ground, even with a nice fluffy sleeping bag. You might consider a sleeping mat or an air mattress, if you’re concerned about comfort.
6. Camping can be boring. If you don’t have some activities planned, or at least a list of activities for when you do get bored, camping can seem to drag on forever. Board games, card games, and sports equipment like volleyballs or Frisbees can be useful, as well.

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