Discussion
Further to using my E36 for camping, we went for a try out near Henley on Thames but have returned after only one night.
Just me and three young 'uns and putting up the Vango Tigris 800 tunnel was a little tricky on my own but after a couple of hours it was hot, sweaty, full of flies but ready.
Took the kids for a pizza then went back as the sun went down. Blimey! the temperature took a dive and by half nine even I was ready to turn in as it were bloody cold.
Summer camo sleeping bags just didn't cut it, even if they look cool. To be honest there was no more room in, on or in the boot of the little 3-series, 380L roof-box included, for the duvets but I thought with the warm spell that we would be OK, D'oh!
My 2 seasons just did not warm me at all thus no sleep was had although the kids managed but were crying with cold in the morning.
I'm worried now as we are supposed to be going to Cornwall for 2 weeks in the Summer Hols but duvets, rain gear, warm clothing, wellies will be essential in our changeable climate but for this trip I just did not have any space left, including the rear parcel and space between the 2 boys in the back and the front passenger well.
Any advise greatly appreciated but the rest of the families had estates with boxes, trailers and even vans.
Not sure getting a bigger car would be the idea as I might as well take them on a real holiday.
How do you lot manage or am I asking the impossible.
Cheers.
Just me and three young 'uns and putting up the Vango Tigris 800 tunnel was a little tricky on my own but after a couple of hours it was hot, sweaty, full of flies but ready.
Took the kids for a pizza then went back as the sun went down. Blimey! the temperature took a dive and by half nine even I was ready to turn in as it were bloody cold.
Summer camo sleeping bags just didn't cut it, even if they look cool. To be honest there was no more room in, on or in the boot of the little 3-series, 380L roof-box included, for the duvets but I thought with the warm spell that we would be OK, D'oh!
My 2 seasons just did not warm me at all thus no sleep was had although the kids managed but were crying with cold in the morning.
I'm worried now as we are supposed to be going to Cornwall for 2 weeks in the Summer Hols but duvets, rain gear, warm clothing, wellies will be essential in our changeable climate but for this trip I just did not have any space left, including the rear parcel and space between the 2 boys in the back and the front passenger well.
Any advise greatly appreciated but the rest of the families had estates with boxes, trailers and even vans.
Not sure getting a bigger car would be the idea as I might as well take them on a real holiday.
How do you lot manage or am I asking the impossible.
Cheers.
Dump the sleeping bags and get 4 of these
http://www.penrithsurvival.com/penrith_survival/mi...
get some foil blankets just incase it goes lower than 2C
Dont sleep fully clothed, undress or pajamas so when you get up in a morning you feel the benefit of your clothes.
What do you use for cooking on? I prefer (for family camping) being able to have a gas stove on inside the tent for warmth in a morning.
Perhaps have a look at a cheap pop up tent.
I'll add more advice when I think of it.
http://www.penrithsurvival.com/penrith_survival/mi...
get some foil blankets just incase it goes lower than 2C
Dont sleep fully clothed, undress or pajamas so when you get up in a morning you feel the benefit of your clothes.
What do you use for cooking on? I prefer (for family camping) being able to have a gas stove on inside the tent for warmth in a morning.
Perhaps have a look at a cheap pop up tent.
I'll add more advice when I think of it.
Between me, the Mrs and the little one (2 and a half) we manage to fill the camper van (mazda bongo) to bursting point. I've invested in roof bars this year and will be getting a roof box.
Can only add to your capacity woes really - do you have sleeping mats/inflatable beds? These will insulate you from the ground. Additionally quality sleeping bags or lots of layers, there's nowt wrong with sleeping in a hat.
Our worst trip (pre-parenthood) saw us packing up before we'd even spent a night in the tent. Staying in the new forest and there was so much rain it came over the lip of the tent floor. Put a whole in the tent packing it up. That whole is still there as I've not slept in a tent since.
Can only add to your capacity woes really - do you have sleeping mats/inflatable beds? These will insulate you from the ground. Additionally quality sleeping bags or lots of layers, there's nowt wrong with sleeping in a hat.
Our worst trip (pre-parenthood) saw us packing up before we'd even spent a night in the tent. Staying in the new forest and there was so much rain it came over the lip of the tent floor. Put a whole in the tent packing it up. That whole is still there as I've not slept in a tent since.
I'd pop down to your nearest Decathalon or Blacks store and get some 3-4 season sleeping bags if I were you.
If you want 'cool' bags for your kids, get them military artic sleeping bags, they do what they say on the tin.
You also must have roll mats or airbeds to sleep on. And never sleep in your clothes.
If you want 'cool' bags for your kids, get them military artic sleeping bags, they do what they say on the tin.
You also must have roll mats or airbeds to sleep on. And never sleep in your clothes.
Go for folding up camp beds. They keep of off the cold floor and also are far more comfortable.
Also, we go for electric hook up in the tent. Allows you to have a blow heater, kettle, TV and phone charger or even a microwave. The best thing about hook up is the ability to have electric light all evening.
Also, we go for electric hook up in the tent. Allows you to have a blow heater, kettle, TV and phone charger or even a microwave. The best thing about hook up is the ability to have electric light all evening.
Cheers all. We have inflatable beds, thus more space in car used yet I was surprised that my season2 was so bad. I suppose it was around 7 degrees.
Maybe it's being nearly 50 and all the heart meds that I am on.
Camping gaz chef for cooking. Only ten mins per bacon sarnie
Oh and a little wind up lantern, of the many torches and LED lights that we had, a couple mins of winding equaled a whole night of light in the living area.
Maybe it's being nearly 50 and all the heart meds that I am on.
Camping gaz chef for cooking. Only ten mins per bacon sarnie
Oh and a little wind up lantern, of the many torches and LED lights that we had, a couple mins of winding equaled a whole night of light in the living area.
Edited by croyde on Tuesday 19th April 16:49
If you're already sleeping off the floor then better bags is the answer. Don't need to be down or extra special / expensive, but do need to be 3/4 season. It does get chilly at night in the UK, the past few nights have been literally freezing despite lovely warm days.
As others said, don't sleep in loads of clothes - although kids may find room in the bottom of their bags to store their day clothes ready to climb into the next morning (and they'll be nice and warm!).
Beds are lovely but they do take up a bit of space (which you say is running out), and I've never been too sure about them on uneven surfaces - too far to fall off for me!!
Camping with miserable kids = miserable family....and camping with miserable wife = suicide alert!!!!
As others said, don't sleep in loads of clothes - although kids may find room in the bottom of their bags to store their day clothes ready to climb into the next morning (and they'll be nice and warm!).
Beds are lovely but they do take up a bit of space (which you say is running out), and I've never been too sure about them on uneven surfaces - too far to fall off for me!!
Camping with miserable kids = miserable family....and camping with miserable wife = suicide alert!!!!
What are you wearing to sleep in? Sleeping outdoors at this time of year I'd probably want to be wearing base layer top & bottoms like Helly Hansen Lifa.
To add a bit of warmth to your sleeping bag without replacing it you can add a silk liner or even a fleece one if you're really feeling the cold. You lose most heat to the ground not the air so slipping a foil blanket (the kind they give runners after a marathon for example) under your airbed should help as well.
To add a bit of warmth to your sleeping bag without replacing it you can add a silk liner or even a fleece one if you're really feeling the cold. You lose most heat to the ground not the air so slipping a foil blanket (the kind they give runners after a marathon for example) under your airbed should help as well.
neilski said:
What are you wearing to sleep in? Sleeping outdoors at this time of year I'd probably want to be wearing base layer top & bottoms like Helly Hansen Lifa.
To add a bit of warmth to your sleeping bag without replacing it you can add a silk liner or even a fleece one if you're really feeling the cold. You lose most heat to the ground not the air so slipping a foil blanket (the kind they give runners after a marathon for example) under your airbed should help as well.
Was in shorts and t-shirt, in fact we all were but around 3am I did pop a fleece on myself but it made no difference.To add a bit of warmth to your sleeping bag without replacing it you can add a silk liner or even a fleece one if you're really feeling the cold. You lose most heat to the ground not the air so slipping a foil blanket (the kind they give runners after a marathon for example) under your airbed should help as well.
Just looked at the weather for the area and although the high is 23 it drops to 7 at night, so pretty nippy.
I've not tried them out yet, but I've got a pair of these for me and the missus to go camping in - my theory is simply to buy the warmest I could get away with - it's easy enough to unzip the bag if too warm. First impressions are good, they're certainly comfortable:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Freedom-Sleeping-Bl...
Reviews for the 300DL were good and this is apparently warmer. Shall be using it next month so if it's not too late by that point I'll let you know how I get on with it. Also worth thinking about sleeping bag liners - silk or fleece seem to be popular. I've got this pair:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GELERT-COMFORT-MICRO-FLEEC...
And I don't know how practical it is with the kids etc, but when camping with a mate years ago I found a couple of empty coffee jars with tea lights lit inside warmed up the tent nicely on a chilly night on top of a hill somewhere.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gelert-Freedom-Sleeping-Bl...
Reviews for the 300DL were good and this is apparently warmer. Shall be using it next month so if it's not too late by that point I'll let you know how I get on with it. Also worth thinking about sleeping bag liners - silk or fleece seem to be popular. I've got this pair:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/GELERT-COMFORT-MICRO-FLEEC...
And I don't know how practical it is with the kids etc, but when camping with a mate years ago I found a couple of empty coffee jars with tea lights lit inside warmed up the tent nicely on a chilly night on top of a hill somewhere.
I have spoken to hundreds of campers regarding kit and I think the main difference is attitude,some are prepared to suffer more than others.
Buy sleeping bag liners rather than new bags.
Buy Thermarest sleeping mats(they are very good)
Sleep with nowt on so you heat the air in your bag not your clothes/pj's.
Eat a hot meal.
Only camp in the South of France.
Only camp in the height of summer.
Buy sleeping bag liners rather than new bags.
Buy Thermarest sleeping mats(they are very good)
Sleep with nowt on so you heat the air in your bag not your clothes/pj's.
Eat a hot meal.
Only camp in the South of France.
Only camp in the height of summer.
Brings back the memories of camping with 2 teenagers in the passat saloon with a roofbox, 400 litres of boot space 400 litres of roof box space. I'm sure i must have managed to find another 400 litres in and around the car.
Every gap in the car was filled, under the seats, spare wheel well, glove box, door pockets, first aid kit cubby hole all, full to the brim.
As far as the warmth goes, electric hookup and a small fan heater is the key. Or you could always admit defeat as I now have and buy a caravan
bonus is the teenagers (now a bit older in fact ones no longer even teenage) refuse to been seen dead in a caravan 
Every gap in the car was filled, under the seats, spare wheel well, glove box, door pockets, first aid kit cubby hole all, full to the brim.
As far as the warmth goes, electric hookup and a small fan heater is the key. Or you could always admit defeat as I now have and buy a caravan
bonus is the teenagers (now a bit older in fact ones no longer even teenage) refuse to been seen dead in a caravan If you can put foam on top of the airbeds it will make a huge difference. I camped one night on an inflatable bed and absolutely froze - spent the whole night awake with my teeth chattering. Invested in a camping foam mat thing, put it on top of the airbed, and snug as a bug.
You can also get solid fuel heaters which don't produce noxious gases and so are safe in tents (and are small) - remember that awful story of the guy who nearly died after putting a smouldering bbq in the van to keep warm
You can also get solid fuel heaters which don't produce noxious gases and so are safe in tents (and are small) - remember that awful story of the guy who nearly died after putting a smouldering bbq in the van to keep warm
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