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Hello I'm new on here but wanted to share my heavenly day with equally camping bonkers folk.

Nearly fainted this morning when my husband suggested we have an outing to Go Outdoors in Bristol and then to Ikea, I think he might be having a midlife crisis as this prospect would normally have him running for the hills but hey I wasn't going to turn him down!

We managed to tick several items off the list of 'must haves' and are now the proud owners of a small camping table, 8 pole windbreak, headtorch and a remote control lantern to add to our ever growing hoard of equipment, all that's left is a Vango large sun canopy and the footprint for our Tigris 400, an electric coolbox and another decent sleeping to replace our old cheapies. Also considering a gas heater, wardrobe/larder, new chairs.........well I could go on forever but anyway had a great time and now can't wait for Spring when we can get out and use it all, planning Burnbake in Dorset first May bank holiday bring it on!

By the way had a look at camping wardrobes today anf they seemed enormous which is fine in our big Outwell tent but in the little Vango I think it might take up a bit too much floorspace. These were Hi Gear I think, has anyone got one or any advice? are they really necessary or am I taking things a bit too far?

Hi and welcome.

Been thinking about a wardrobe myself. The best ones I've seen were in The Range and were about £40.  By the time I'd decided I wanted one this year they'd sold out so I'm waiting til about Feb/March next year which is when their new camping stock starts appearing on the shelves

welcome

Cheers guys, I'm really enjoying being on this forum thanks for your replies.

I think I'm going to write a list for Father Christmas with all of the must haves and see what happens, the birthday fairy has already brought us a fantastic Outwell Toronto M table so you never know, crikey I sound like my 4 yr old!!!

Hmm interesting point Former Scout, we do have an estate and borrow a roof box but still manage to fill every available space! I would still be taking clothes in a bag or box to transfer to a wardrobe so actually does seem a bit silly and this has really made me think.

Don't want to be a classic 'all the gear no idea'!!!!

Hi Owlbird & welcome to the forum

We bought a wardrobe, but only used it for one trip. It took a lot of time setting it up, plus (although we have fairly straight walls in our frame tent) it had to stand out into the tent too far due to the slope of the tent wall.

After that we bought a basic clothes rail which has a double pole base, with a single central pole for the rail, so it sits closer to the tent wall. It's far quicker to set up too. I use one of those canvas shelf units on it, which is great to store undies, t-shirts, jumpers etc. and takes hardly any space up in the car.

Quote: Originally posted by Owlbird on 24/10/2009

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Cheers guys, I'm really enjoying being on this forum thanks for your replies.

I think I'm going to write a list for Father Christmas with all of the must haves and see what happens, the birthday fairy has already brought us a fantastic Outwell Toronto M table so you never know, crikey I sound like my 4 yr old!!!

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A little off topic but does anyone know why Outwell always put an M at the end of their equipment? What does it stand for?

Hi Owlbird and welcome to ukcs

Think you will find that you never really answer the "Essentials" question nor fufil the campers eternal quest for space!!!!Wardrobe might be a good idea for longer holidays...But Im happy living out of a bag in the back of the car for a weekend...Takes up less floor space in the tent...and is one less fiddly item that has to be put up...

Dont know about anyone else but Ive found that when you get up on some mornings your clothes are...Not exactly damp but have a certain "Chill" to them..even when they are over the back of a chair etc...Would imagine clothes stored in a camp wardrobe would be the same?? I find I tend to get up have breakfast or head for the showers(taking a change of clothes from the car with me) and change in the shower block...old clothes in the bag in the car on my return...But then again bags for clothes take up room in the car when travelling....Back to the old question of SPACE!!!

Jelboy.

we have 3 wardrobes and find them great.  I guess it all depends how much you can live in a bombsite while on holiday!  We have used blackbags before wardrobes, but find wardrobes better for clothes management.  We also have outwell L collapsable baskets - great for storing dirty clothes and toys in!

oh by the way welcome!

Quote: Originally posted by floggitt on 25/10/2009

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Wardrobes? go naturist! you only need the clothes you travel to the site in. 2 weeks holiday and no pile of laundry when you get home. Don't recommend for winter camping though as it get a bit draughty round your b.......s

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Now that sounds like a plan!