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Topic: Car camping.

Mike Logan

26/8/2013 at 7:40pm
Location: South Yorkshire
Outfit: Camp Cot Bivi Bag and Tarp.

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Hi folks, does anybody do car camping these days like in the 1960's, 70's ?. I'm going solo wild camping in the West Coast of Scotland in a small Volkswagen 4x4. My trip will be interspaced with one night stopovers on campsites and will last 2 - 3 weeks. This to me is heaven, waking up in places one can only dream about.

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keithnwend143

27/8/2013 at 6:49pm
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Not sure I'd fancy it, is prefer to stretch out and sleep on something flat!
Have fun though.

Campernic

27/8/2013 at 7:10pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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I've done car camping recently, worked well in my estate car with my sim fitting the whole length of the car with the back seats folded forward to make a flat platform. My only issue was I set off the car alarm when I stretched out in the morning.

The other thing I need to figure out is ventilation, when I stayed in my car it was raining heavily outside and I had wet clothes, wet wellies and my breath to condensate inside the car. I would consider attaching a tarp to the side of the car to have a wet wellie area next time (If I was on a campsite or in somebodies garden)

Your trip sounds heaven to me too, I plan to do something similar on the west coast of Ireland (hence the reason why I was trying it out). As a female, I am a bit concerned about safety. My plan is to go incognito so nobody even knows I'm in there. Read up on van dwelling blogs for tips about that.

Post last edited on 27/08/2013 19:16:02

Post last edited on 27/08/2013 19:16:56

Mike Logan

27/8/2013 at 7:21pm
Location: South Yorkshire
Outfit: Camp Cot Bivi Bag and Tarp.

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Hi keithnwend143, In the Volkswagen Tiguan the rear seats fold flat to form a flat load space from boot to front passenger seat which can be folded and pushed forward. Forming plenty of room for a Vango 75mm self inflating mat and a good square sleeping bag. What's better than that. The third rear seat remains in an upright position. I use a Tarp to sit under and cook under when needed. Mike.

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Frog

27/8/2013 at 8:45pm
Location: Cambs
Outfit: Kampa Daymer 8

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Campernic I don't what car you have but for a number of cars you can get wind deflectors that go around the front edge of the front windows, although not specifically designed to, but with them you can leave the windows open a crack without the rain coming in.

ficklejade

27/8/2013 at 9:21pm
Location: Isle of Mull
Outfit: 2 x Outwells Kairos 400 Caranex

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Quote: Originally posted by Frog on 27/8/2013
Campernic I don't what car you have but for a number of cars you can get wind deflectors that go around the front edge of the front windows, although not specifically designed to, but with them you can leave the windows open a crack without the rain coming in.

Agree,they're great! Got them on all four windows of the Freelander - you have them open an inch without any water coming in.

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" When I die I don`t want my life to flash before me in an instant, I want it to be a 3 hour epic !"

keithnwend143

28/8/2013 at 8:47am
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Quote: Originally posted by Mike Logan on 27/8/2013
Hi keithnwend143, In the Volkswagen Tiguan the rear seats fold flat to form a flat load space from boot to front passenger seat which can be folded and pushed forward. Forming plenty of room for a Vango 75mm self inflating mat and a good square sleeping bag. What's better than that. The third rear seat remains in an upright position. I use a Tarp to sit under and cook under when needed. Mike.

When you said small 4x4 I was thinking it was something like a jacked up polo!

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wendyisaacs

28/8/2013 at 9:52pm
Location: Bath
Outfit: Outwell Clear Lake

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Picture of us 'Carping' in Wiltshire the other weekend.

Spent the Friday night in the Five Bells at Whitchurch Canonicorum in Dorset and Saturday at Wernham Farm in Wiltshire. Both £10 a night and allow campfires.

I slept in the back of the galaxy with our 2 dogs (with all the seats out and a matress from our sofa bed in the back). Hubby slept on camp bed under the tarp.

Worked very well and a good alternative to our normal full tent glamping setup.

Mike Logan

29/8/2013 at 5:46pm
Location: South Yorkshire
Outfit: Camp Cot Bivi Bag and Tarp.

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Hi campernic, Ok I'm male. At 68, what extent of a fight am I going to put up. Ok yes it's a different type of fight but it would be a fight. Anyway, the more important thing is, the more remote your are. The more safe you are. Thats the golden rule expressed within the wild camping and tarp/hammock wild wood camping world. Parked in lay-by's, or on the side of a road. People get inquisitive. That is a no no. Park as far away from the road as possible, out of sight. If you are concerned about that. Then carry a big, high powered torch, a personal siren alarm and a can of pepper spray. With regard to ventilation. All four windows down 1/2 an inch. So what, if a drop of rain comes in. Mop it up. Wet clothes, wellis etc. Black plastic bin liners outside of your car works a treat. Next morning, a clothes line from car to tree, hedge etc can facilitate some drying. Or find a campsite for a night and use their spin dryer. Yes I do use a Tarp. With regard to your car alarm. There must be a way of locking the doors without switching the alarm on. YES, YES I'm going to do South West Ireland next year. In particular, the Ring of Kerry.

Campernic

29/8/2013 at 6:23pm
Location: Northern Ireland
Outfit: Bell Tent Vango Coleman and Quechua

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Funny about ring of Kerry, so am I! I was there earlier this summer, teenagers, big tent etc.

Thread about Kerry

Anyway, I'll take on board about the windows etc and bin liners for wet clothes. I probably have enough guy rope with my tarp to make an impromptu line and I'll make sure I have some clothes pegs too.

I'm not sure about the car alarm I'll look into that too.

I forgot to mention I'll have dogs with me so they'd probably alert me to any danger and put off any prospective weirdos!

I like the rain deflectors, on ebay I can get a pack of four but I think I'd prefer just the front two, so will look into my local car parts shop.

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