TerrieMiller.com
Checklist for Car Camping
I don’t see anything obvious in the way of major equipment, but it makes me think that our detailed car camping checklist might be helpful to someone. Here’s a PDF version, here’s a link for it as a your own copy of a google spreadsheet, and here it is in the original Excel format).
We do love our gear! But the checklist has helped us remember critical things like coffee making equipment, and luxuries like our tent stake mallet. The list has evolved from the excellent car camping and backpacking lists that our friend Joe Dyson shared with us years ago. I usually edit the list to fit whatever’s going on in our life at the time; this was the first list created with taking a dog along, for stays in both campgrounds and homes of relatives. And I’ve also tried to create it for a couple, so there’s columns for each of us to check off our own personal items.
In terms of buying equipment, I’ve developed one rule of thumb…you don’t really have to waste a lot of time pouring over gear reviews (although that can be an enjoyable experience in itself). When you need gear, just go to REI and buy whatever middle-of-the-road version they have…they already do a good job of choosing inventory that strikes a good balance between cost and features. The exception I’d make to this is for gear you plan to use for backpacking, and then I think it’s worth it to buy the lightest version an object you can possibly afford. If I ever get into backpacking again, I think I’m going to check out something like the GoLite tarps instead of hauling around a tent.
The most important thing is to get out there and have fun. Luxuries are nice, but obsessing over gear or being squashed in your car can ruin a trip…finding a balance takes some practice.
Ha, great. This reminds me of a list my dad used to keep to make sure he didn’t forget anything on business trips. He also made a list/map of the grocery store we shopped at (in like 8pt font) so we could do the shopping for a hungry family of five in one pass.
Man, that Joe Dyson sure can create a great camping list, can’t he?
Yes he can! No joke!
this list seems good for 2 months on the road or stay at the wilderness.its tedious but complete.
Don’t foget the coffee macking gear. The most important.
I love my caravan so much i sleep in it,but a good list thanks
Wow, some of these commenters!
- “Tedious”? It’s not supposed to be high literature!
- Coffee “macking” gear is near the top of the list.
- The list is pretty obviously NOT for a caravan in particular.
Oh, I see–they’re just trying to advertise their sites.
The point and the good thing about this or any check list is to be sure to not forget anything you need. It does NOT imply that you can or should be sure to get and bring every single item on the list–which I think was made pretty clear in the article!
And of course, if you’re a stoner like several of the commenters here, you’ll want to add your bong and baggie to the list.
That list has served us well (Thanks again, Joe!) on six or seven camping trips of varying complexity over the years. I’d stand by it.
Lists are great as long as you can remember where you left it
The interesting thing about the folks trying to advertise their sites is that the links in the comments are done to include the attribute rel=’external nofollow’– which should prevent them from getting any google juice out of it. Of course, the link still shows on the page, but if I get annoyed enough by it I’ll just remove the links from showing up also.
This is a good list. I personally prefer tent camping, but could see how this list could be adapted to all types of camping. Good stuff.
Best,
Jeff Marshall
If you intend to go camping make an extensive list if item you will need at least 2 weeks before the trip. Then 2 days befroe the trip narrow it down to the absolute essentials.