How To Prepare for a Memorable Family Camping Trip

There’s something very special about sleeping under the stars and getting some fresh air with your loved ones. Getting away from the city and hitting the outdoors is a wonderful way for your family to bond and create lasting memories. Despite this, we’ve all heard a few horror stories about camping trips gone wrong, and this can sometimes turn people off camping entirely. But all that is required to have an enjoyable trip is a modest amount of preparation and knowledge. Family camping trips are meant to be fun and memorable and allow the entire family to restore their energy levels.

Regardless of whether you’re camping for a few days or an entire week, there are specific things that you must understand and be prepared for to make sure that everyone has a good time. Being stuck in the bush isn’t the ideal picture of a holiday, so it’s integral that you arrive at your campsite anticipating the best but being prepared for the worst. To give you some information into the sort of preparation and knowledge that’s required for a memorable trip, we’ve put together a list of essential camping tips before you even leave home.

Purchase high-quality camping equipment

There’s no doubt that buying camping gear can be quite expensive, but it’s important to remember that buying high-quality camping gear is always a better investment. Cheap equipment is likely to break easily and doesn’t provide much comfort and security, so ensure you purchase high-quality camping equipment that will last longer and make your trip more enjoyable.

Test your camping gear

You want to make sure that all your camping gear is in good working condition by testing it at home before hitting the road. Additionally, if you haven’t been camping in a while, then you can practice how to set everything up and pack it away. Setting up your tent at home is a fantastic way to ensure you’re not missing any critical poles and pegs which can definitely ruin an otherwise enjoyable camping trip!

Bring loads of lighting

One necessary item that is required for all memorable camping trips is plenty of lighting. It’s extremely difficult to cook in the dark let alone find the toilet, so ensure you bring loads of head-lamps and torches, and don’t forget spare batteries! As you may have experienced before, accidents can happen when you can’t see what you’re doing, plus your kids will feel much safer in the evening.

Research the campsite

It is crucial that you have an indication of what the campsite offers before you leave. Are there flushing toilets and showers? Barbeques? Power? Researching the campgrounds gives you a good indication of what you need to pack, and what can be left at home. You’ll also want to research whether there’s any dangerous plants or insects at the park so you can pack your first aid kit as required. Always bring lots of mosquito repellent!

Bring rope and duct tape

Rope and duct tape are amazing inventions, and you’ll be amazed at just how much these items will help you when you least expect. Rope can be used as a washing line or to support your tent, while duct tape can be used for pretty much everything – from mending broken tent poles to repairing a rip in your tent fabric. Always bring plenty of rope and duct tape.

Check the weather forecast

Having an idea of the temperature is very important when camping, as generally it can get hot during the day but chilly at night. You also want to be aware if there are any fire bans in place where you’re headed. Packing the proper clothing including rain jackets and thermals will ensure that you’ll stay comfortable regardless of the weather.

Don’t forget the small stuff

There’s loads of small items that are needed to ensure you and your family have an enjoyable camping trip. Items like matches, a hammer, brush, shovel, and corkscrew are all small things which can be easily forgotten. It’s best to construct a camping checklist, or you can read our article on what to bring for a 4×4 trip which supplies a basic checklist for you.

Prepare for the worst

Although we all wish to have the best camping experience possible, it’s necessary that you also prepare for the worst just in case something does go south. Tell friends or family where you’re camping and for how long and make sure you bring cash and a phone with you in the event that you need to contact someone for help.

Moreover, if you need to purchase any high-quality camping gear or equipment, TJM Australia have you covered. Simply visit our dedicated camping webpage or pop in to your local TJM store for some friendly advice.

4×4 Buying Guide – Picking The Right Roof Racks

Roof Racks are an extremely useful 4×4 product that allows drivers to markedly increase the level of cargo space their 4WD can move. Fitting all the items, equipment, and gear you need to get home safely is always a perplexing task when making arrangements for an extended 4×4 trip. Hence, roof racks provide an optimal resolution to the experienced 4×4 off-roader.

Roof racks have progressed over time to satisfy modern vehicle requirements, so naturally there are many products to select from. The reality is, there is no one-size-fits-all when it involves roof racks as there are a number of factors that have to be taken into consideration, for example the vehicles model and manufacturer and the style of your roof contours. Before going out and buying the best looking roof racks, it is vital to understand various elements about the types of materials available and how they are positioned on your vehicle. Another crucial factor is weight, so to give you a better idea into what you should be searching for when purchasing roof racks, here’s a quick guide to help you make the correct decision.

Types of Materials

The materials used to manufacture roof racks is essential for each vehicle’s durability, functionality, and obviously to fulfil each driver’s preferences. Like bull bars, there are three main types of materials used in roof racks: steel, alloy, and plastic. The most significant difference between each material is the weight, so it’s integral that you take into account your roof’s load capacity.

• Steel – The heaviest and most durable material, steel roof racks substantially lower the amount of additional cargo due to its weight. The roof load capacity must be taken into account so you don’t tarnish the vehicle and create safety problems for yourself and other drivers
• Alloy – Features the best balance between durability and weight, aluminium roof racks are both strong and lightweight, allowing drivers to transport more load without exceeding the roof load capacity. Consequently, aluminium roof racks are more costly than steel roof racks, but aren’t subjected to the same degree of corrosion
• Plastic – Plastic roof racks are the cheapest and lightest of all the roof rack materials, however they are mainly designed for urban use and are not suitable for off-roading

Types of Roof Racks

With so many 4WD manufacturers on the market, there are also many different shapes and sizes of roof racks available for purchase. The following presents a list of the most common types of roof racks.

• Rain Gutter – The most traditional type of roof racks that is affixed to the vehicles rain gutters, Rain Gutter roof racks have differing heights to fit different clearance requirements
• Bare Roof – Among the most popular kinds of roof racks for modern 4×4’s, the Bare Roof roof racks are developed in accordance with the style of your vehicle’s roof. This roof rack can be temporarily removed and put away when not in use, however may not be appropriate for all types of off-roading
• Raised Rail – This type of roof rack is commonly factory installed and runs from the front to back of the vehicle’s roof. Very easy to install and versatile
• Tracks – Similar to the Raised Rail, this kind of roof rack runs from the front to back of the outer edges of the vehicle’s roof and is also usually factory installed.

There are other types of factory installed roof racks that resemble the two discussed above, however they are generally custom-made and according to the manufacturer of your vehicle.

Other issues to consider

Height and clearance is one issue that must be taken into account, even without a load on top of your vehicle. If you discover that your roof racks may be too high for local road bridges, consider installing roof racks that can be temporarily removed. Additionally, keep an eye out for additional features, for example high sides that protect your cargo from catching when off-roading.

Commonly, your vehicle’s make and model will drastically assist you with best kind of roof racks for your 4×4, however one hidden cost that a lot of people generally forget is installation costs. Making certain that your roof racks are installed correctly is a very important safety issue, specifically when a permanent system is installed. Remember to add the installation costs or additional mounting accessories to your overall costs.

Summary

There’s no question that roof racks are a cost-effective 4×4 product that will greatly assist you when organising a 4×4 trip, however bear in mind there are factors that need to be considered such as installation costs, safety concerns, and height and clearance issues. If you need any advice about roof racks for your 4WD, or you simply have any questions, reach out to the professionals at TJM Australia. Alternatively, use our handy store locator to find the TJM closest to you.