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Monday 29 June 2009

Camping items

As a little digression from the van conversion, here's a few items to help your camping trip feel that little bit less stressful:


Click the image for a bigger version.

1. Roberts Solar-Powered DAB Digital Radio
This stylish and compact portable radio has a solar panel integrated into the top of the unit which absorbs direct sunlight in order to power the radio. There is a level indicator on the display screen that shows the power level generated by the solar panel. Under good conditions, there is sufficient power generated to charge the batteries and power the radio. For more info click here.

2. Gas hob
These can be picked up for as little as a fiver. They take easy-to-change gas cans (also really cheap) and save faffing around with Camping Gaz refills etc.

3. Cooler Box
Although this has the ability to run from 12v DC, we tend to use ice packs. It keeps milk (and, more importantly, beer) ice cold for up to 24 hours before changing ice packs/plugging in. Covering yours in stickers is optional!

4. Eurohike wind-up lanterns
Again, as with the radio, the days of being a slave to batteries are over! These lanterns are bright enough after just a few minutes winding, or top them up via 12v DC whilst on the move. Available here.

5. Gas heater
Okay, so I don't like being cold! Warm summer days often mean cold nights. What better item to take off the chill than a gas heater. Running off the same cheap gas cans as the hob mentioned earlier, this heater only needs to be on for a few minutes to warm up a decent sized tent.

6. Easycamp folding kitchen table
When living away from home it's often the little items that easily start to bug, like not having enough places to put things! A welcome addition is this fold-up kitchen unit, available here.

7. Roll-up table
Same as above really, except this version rolls-up into a tiny bag. They can be picked up for next to nothing at most outdoor suppliers.

8. Mini camping table
These little beauties are indispensable! We've got a few. Use the to put a light on, a beer, a book, sit on it, stand on it (carefully), and they fold away to nothing.

I'll try and do a few more of these posts as time goes on.

Khyam first impressions



I am pretty impressed with the Khyam Motordome awning. The Rapidex pole system means the awning is up in less than 10 minutes - in fact it took longer to put all the pegs in than it did to get the thing up!

With three square metres of living space and the double bedroom setup left as one big bedroom, the two of us had more than enough space.

The only down-side is that there are no internal poles and hence nothing to 'hang' anything on inside, just one small hooking point for a lantern.

As an extra luxury, we also treated ourselves to a Khyam tent carpet; a thermal-lined and fleecy groundsheet, much better than those old plastic groundsheets!

Multirail (part three)

So here's the Multirail in use...


To attach to the awning; position the van, slide on the double-edged beading strip, then holding the awning bead and beaded strip, feed the figure of eight strip between the two.

To detach the awning simply pull the double-edged beading strip out of the Multirail end and you're done.

No unsightly ropes slung over the van, quick and easy. If you've got a T5 and want a drive-away awning this option, although more expensive, is well worth it!

Monday 1 June 2009

Multirail (part two)


Front and rear sections are now fitted. Next camping trip will see the Multirail in action!