Newbie Camping Question

18 years ago

Hi,

My husband and I are just getting into camping and we're really excited about it. However, I have a very "newbie" type question that I'm perplexed about.

OK, so say we're camping at a state or national park and we want to go for a hike or ever take the car and go sightseeing. What do you do with your stuff? Do you leave everything there? Just the tent and put everything else in the vehicle? Do you take the tent too? Is there some sort of "campers' code of ethics" that are followed? I mean, I can't personally imagine taking anyone's tent and such but I'd love to hear some feedback as to what others do.

Thanks so much! I look forward to your replies!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

cactus_jeff
18 years ago
Hi

I had that same problem. I used to load all the valuable stuff up every time we left. Then we would leave the tent behind. That got old quick. I finally decided to get a pop up camper. I got an older 72 HILO, because I didnt want any CANVUS. HILO's crank up and down and are hard sided. Older Hilo's are cheap, sometimes under a $1000.00. They hold up for ever to. I would get one with electic brakes, so the camper will have brakes to. You would need an electic brake box on the vehicle and a hitch to tow it with ( all relitively cheap). I do miss the tent, but I like the HEAT, AC, EASE OF SET UP, GAS MILAGE IS BETTER THAN A REGULAR CAMPER (LEVEL IT,PUSH THE BUTTON AND ITS UP), AND ITS A LITTLE HARDER TO BREAK INTO, WITH OUT BEING NOTICED.

Hope it helps
Jeff
michael1
18 years ago
I`ve camped state parks most of my camping life,in a tent,and now in a pop up,canvas sides,and never had a problem with stealing,of distruction of our property.Most campers watch out for one another,and their stuff,and the park rangers are pretty observant.I would think most theft and distruction cases come from drive bys.Maybe I`m just lucky,but I don`t think so.
Related Discussions
[Newbie] Container Soil Question [Newbie]
Q
Comments (6)
Check out the earthtainer construcion guide for some mix info for a self watering planter, or just search container mix. Most will be a soil-less mix, there are a ton of great threads on here regarding container mixes, fertilization, and also water movement/retention. The poster above "Al" has some very informative and detailed explanations. It seems like gardening is such a varied and expansive topic that searches very rarely yield a simple, direct clear answer to a question. The answers I have found have been partly from searches, partly from posting a question, and partly from reading older posts ( sometimes not directly related to my original question ). There is an enormous wealth of knowledge here, take advantage of it, I did and have learned alot.
...See More
Newbie planting question(s)??
Q
Comments (1)
The orientation of your planting array should be predicated primarily on that which will allow for maximum sunlight. The size of your yard and any shading structures will play a part in this. Also, do not plant in any low areas that may lay wet or soggy. Spacing for the trees should be determined by a number of factors the most obvious being the size of the tree. If you want to maintain 6-7' height in apples you want a dwarfing rootstock. You can squeeze them together nearly as tight as you wish, but trees generally do much better when given their own space because of nutrient and water competition as well as shading by adjacent trees. If you are wishing to fit a number of trees into a small planting area consider espalier planting or search "high density fruit tree planting", you might get some ideas there. Pollen sterile means exactly that; the pollen is sterile and therefore cannot pollinate other trees. You're probably referring to apple trees. As far as planting pollen sterile trees (triploids) I'd suggest planting them downwind from the direction of the prevailing wind. This isn't really a big deal so if any other factors conflict with this let those factors be dominant in determining layout.
...See More
Newbie Question/s
Q
Comments (2)
This time of year, some of the suppliers have stopped shipping for the season, but you can shop. Horn Canna Farm has the basics, & their prices are right. Karchesky has gorgeous cannas, & a huge variety, but expensive. If you want to add cannas to your garden now, you might post on this forum's exchange page & on the Georgia or Southern Gardening Exchange pages. I don't know if "the system" will allow you to post on the Texas Exchange forum, but if it doesn't, email me, & I'll post a link to this thread: lots of us have cannas that we can send for postage. I'll be happy to send some Wyoming later in the year, it's blooming right now: green leaves with a dark edge, brilliant orange flowers on a purplish bloomstalk. I have lemon yellow (Conestoga) & coral red species type ones (Canna Indica Indian Shot) as well. If interested, just keep my email address for late October: sylviaboardwalk@aol.com
...See More
Aggressive/territorial Hummingbird? silly newbie question...
Q
Comments (50)
Hello Hummingbird Lovers, I too have had a bully hummer (Rufous? He’s got a bright ruby throat). This guy terrorizes my other birds not just by attacking them but also by loudly chirping as the birds get near any of my 2 feeders. My other birds have shared the feeders in the past especially just before sunset for their last feeding. While they obviously don’t like to feed near each other, they seem to unpleasantly coexist. Not the bully. He is not letting any of the other birds near the feeders to a point where I don’t see my regular hummers come around at all. I’m in an Apt so I don’t have too much of a choice than spreading my two feeders as far apart as possible on the balcony. Today I decided I was going to bully the bully (am I going nuts?!). I know my other birds will feed near me so I stood in between the 2 feeders right in front of the bully and every time the bully tried to zoom in to terrorize my other birds, I’d get in front of him. He finally gave up and left the hood, probably temporarily. Immediately some of my regulars came back, still a bit scared. I feel bad doing this but I miss seeing my sweet hummers who either feed together or at least wait for each other to finish feeding before taking a turn (no joke. They do it!). Even the alpha Anna’s aren’t as mean and aggressive as the ruby throated Rufous. Im going to try placing a number single feeders around the balcony and see if that helps. I do have other flowers around me but my hummers love my nectar recipe of water mixed with organic cane sugar from Trader Joe’s. I clean and refill the feeders very 3 days whether they’re empty or not so they’re nice and fresh. I happily spoil the heck out of my sweet beloved hummers!
...See More
cactus_jeff
18 years ago
Hi Again

I thought of another idea, if you have a truck. You could put your valuables in a truck bed tool box. They are water proof and come in plastic or diamond plate alumminum. I would bolt it down. Or a car carrier for on top your car, even if you dont have a luggage rack, you can buy ones that clamp onto almost any vehicle.

Jeff
rustyj14
18 years ago
WE camped for many years with a tent! Never had anything stolen! But, as time went on, and some folks believed the child raising Drs. about damaging their kids Psyche if they spanked their bottoms, or corrected them in any way, then things started disappearing. Not much at first, because campers looked out for other folks stuff, but then, if somebody hollered at somebody elses kid for being in the wrong camp area, or for stealing, that person soon found out just what i told above! And thats why we went to a hard side trailer!
tplife
18 years ago
I got the same feeling you did, but I've noticed that every campsite pretty much has the same gear. They don't know a Sierra Designs tent from an Ozark Trail, and unless you peek inside and see our Marmot down bags, every campsite has the same lantern, cooler, stove, folding chairs, food bag/box, etc., etc. I used to put a couple of small padlocks on my tent zippers, but I quit doing that. Remember, the thieves are out for easy pickings are are likely back where you left from, not where you are. Minutemen flags, NRA, GOA, and AR15.com stickers around the campsite and on your car don't hurt either. : )
jiji
18 years ago
Dear Newbie,
We started out as pop-up trailer campers, now 5th wheelers and my husband devised a lock system for the propane tank and barbecue. He bought stainless steel, aircraft cables and made his own security line with their own locks. We always stayed in provincial, state or national parks and the idea of stealing was never an issue because campers usually watch out for one another. Of course, a determined thief will venture anywhere if you leave things in plain sight. Good luck and have fun!
fubarlinks
18 years ago
I also had the same questions until I purchased a tent that fit into the back of my pick up truck bed. That was great, everything was up into my bed and I didn't have to worry about people stealing anything. I bought mine from this website http://www.bigmountainsportinggoods.com
anyway I hope this helps.
haroldpe
18 years ago
never had a problem leaving it there. will lock up our bikes and canoe, though.
jen_
18 years ago
I have camped my whole life with very little trouble. If there is something very valuable like my camera or purse I would not leave it unattended. The same as I would not leave it in my unlocked car at a store. I have had a cooler full of food stolen once. It had a complete meal for about 25 people-- mostly kids. I had gas stolen from my boat once but I'm pretty sure I know who did that! Overall, I don't worry about people stealing at campgrounds. I worry more about putting things away in case of rain or wind when I'm away! I can tell you from years of experience working in a campground that people throw their gear out when they leave! People throw out tarps, tents, lanterns, stoves, you name it! We joke about dumpster diving at the campground because so many good chairs are left there! I would say that more people throw away their gear than steal it!
jbcamps
18 years ago
I have also camped for years and never had a problem. I would lock up wallets, cash and cell phones, but most campers are not out to steal someone's gear. I have added a link to website with more camping tips and advice for beginners.

Here is a link that might be useful: YouCanCamp

Newbie Camping Question

Comments (10)

cactus_jeff

michael1

Related Discussions

cactus_jeff

rustyj14

tplife

jiji

fubarlinks

haroldpe

jen_

jbcamps

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US