Any there new camping gadgets, toys, devices I "need"?

[JQ]

Last night I picked up our new camping trailer, which means our capacity for taking junk on our camping trips has increased significantly.

We camp with our 2 boys (7 & 9) and generally go for long weekends. So far this week we've ordered a firepit, a new kitchen unit to stick the stove on and some other bits and bobs.

Has anybody bought anything recently that they think is wonderful and don't know how they coped before they got it?

[C0ffin D0dger]

Just looking for similar before our forthcoming week in Pembrokeshire. We don't have hook up (and have never bothered with it in the past) so the one thing that is a bit of a pain is keeping devices charged especially as my BMW needs to be "on" for the sockets to work so I'm going to order a 20Ah power bank as well as a decent high current USB charger for the car. Best thing we bought ahead of the previous trip was a Coleman Xtreme cool box, really does work to keep stuff cold for 5 days plus provided you put sufficient ice packs in. If we go down the caravan route next year it will be great for beer

I could do with a new torch as well as my Chinese LED torch has been a bit flaky but bright when it works. Don't know what else, got the usual stuff - double burner stove, airbeds, cosy sleeping bags etc.

[PH5121]

I haven't got one, but last month whilst away in our caravan the chap opposite was making pizzas with an Uuni pizza oven (for more details look in the food section of the forum where there is a thread about pizza ovens).

When I have a couple of hundred pounds burning a hole in my pocket I'd like to get one as they looked great.

Edited by PH5121 on Tuesday 18th July 14:42

[Bill]

I've just got an Adventureridge garden cart from Aldi for lugging stuff to the beach. Seems pretty solid.

I'm also eyeing up these inflatable loungers you fill by wafting them back and forth, but they range in price from £10-£60 and I'm struggling to work out where the price Vs longevity point is.

[mike9009]

For those without hook-up a portable solar USB charger is handy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAVPower-Charger-Foldable...

We have a 40W version (although we do have hook-up too) but many things in our van run on 12V (radio, lighting, USB chargers etc) so we use this to top the battery up (we have not got a leisure battery - maybe I should get one?).


Mike

[JQ]

PH5121 said:

I haven't got one, but last month whilst away in our caravan the chap opposite was making pizzas with an Uuni pizza oven (for more details look in the food section of the forum where there is a thread about pizza ovens).

When I have a couple of hundred pounds burning a hole in my pocket I'd like to get one as they looked great.

Edited by PH5121 on Tuesday 18th July 14:42

I must admit I have drooled over those a few times, very tempting.

[JQ]

Bill said:

I'm also eyeing up these inflatable loungers you fill by wafting them back and forth, but they range in price from £10-£60 and I'm struggling to work out where the price Vs longevity point is.

We got one last year and they're not great in all honesty. They're certainly not as easy to inflate as the advert and they're not that great at holding their air. We used it a few times last year, I suspect this year it won't make it out of the garage. We find it's more comfortable to sit on the camp chairs when chatting and relaxing.

If you can get one cheap enough they're fun for a bit and you'll certainly entertain you're neighbours trying to inflate it.

[tenohfive]

Inflatable sofa:
https://www.therange.co.uk/camping/camp-furniture/...

Don't be put off by the inflatable elements, they're surprisingly sturdy and a flocked surface means you don't have that horrible sticky feeling that I remember from the inflatable chairs of yesteryear.

That for indoors, decent reclining chairs for outdoors.

And camping storage makes life so much easier - a couple of folding larder/cupboards are a huge help in keeping things tidy, organised and out of the way.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Kampa-Grace-xpress-quick...

[oblio]

PH5121 said:

I haven't got one, but last month whilst away in our caravan the chap opposite was making pizzas with an Uuni pizza oven (for more details look in the food section of the forum where there is a thread about pizza ovens).

Edited by PH5121 on Tuesday 18th July 14:42

I read through that thread and am seriously considering getting one of these now...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/G3-Ferrari-Electric-Pizz...

Goddammit why did I read it ...

[RammyMP]

Bill said:

I've just got an Adventureridge garden cart from Aldi for lugging stuff to the beach. Seems pretty solid.

I'm also eyeing up these inflatable loungers you fill by wafting them back and forth, but they range in price from £10-£60 and I'm struggling to work out where the price Vs longevity point is.

I took one of those on a recent camping trip, I kept falling off it but it kept 4 kids occupied for hours, £15 well spent! They would but a teddy at one end, jumped on the other, teddy went airborne!

When I could stay on it, it was quite comfy.

[Bill]

JQ said:

We got one last year and they're not great in all honesty. They're certainly not as easy to inflate as the advert and they're not that great at holding their air. We used it a few times last year, I suspect this year it won't make it out of the garage. We find it's more comfortable to sit on the camp chairs when chatting and relaxing.

If you can get one cheap enough they're fun for a bit and you'll certainly entertain you're neighbours trying to inflate it.

Ha! I was thinking of beach use and kid entertainment, the chairs we have are great but too heavy to carry far.

[Bill]

RammyMP said:

I took one of those on a recent camping trip, I kept falling off it but it kept 4 kids occupied for hours, £15 well spent! They would but a teddy at one end, jumped on the other, teddy went airborne!

When I could stay on it, it was quite comfy.

That's the sort of recommendation I need! Where did you get it from?

[dterry]

Bill said:

I've just got an Adventureridge garden cart from Aldi for lugging stuff to the beach. Seems pretty solid.

I'm also eyeing up these inflatable loungers you fill by wafting them back and forth, but they range in price from £10-£60 and I'm struggling to work out where the price Vs longevity point is.

I purchased a couple of those from the Feb motorhome show, I think they were £20 each or 2 for £35. So far they have been used a few times and are still living, that includes kids bouncing around on them. They do go down over a few hours, but you can easily add another turn on the seal end to increase the pressure (makes them shorter though).

They aren't the easiest things to inflate, but they are amazingly comfortable - last time I laid down on one of our I fell asleep for an hour+ (although I didn't look anything like the model in the photos). In addition to lying down they are also pretty comfortable to sit on sofa style.

The other good thing is that when deflated they are really small and light

[Bill]

Are they branded?

[Dog Star]

Cobb BBQ
Really really good!

[chopper602]

You can get big meaty Li-ion battery packs which are for starting cars with flat batteries, these often come with USB outputs too. One of those should keep the devices charged for quite a while and they are quite small to carry. I can also recommend a LotusGrill barbeque. Put a small quantity of lumpwood charcoal in a basket in the centre and some lighting gel, light the gel and turn on the fan. It's ready to cook on in about 5 mins and it has cool sides so you can carry it around. Might seem pricey but very good for quick alfresco cooking

[RammyMP]

Bill said:

That's the sort of recommendation I need! Where did you get it from?

Some dodgy Chinese website. Gearbest or something?

[tenohfive]

Banggood do them (GB may too.) Ordered one on there for about £8. Not tested it yet but it all seems as expected.