A camping forum for VW bus and camper owners.

Camping Gear Reviews

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A place to discuss camping gear, homemade or bought, that you think applies to VWs and VW campers.

Members: 88
Latest Activity: Mar 15

Camping Gear

Homemade, store-bought, original from factory. Talk about all of it here. What works, what doesn't and how to make it.

Discussion Forum

Alternatives for refrigeration in off grid camping 11 Replies

We don't have a solar set up yet and our stock fridge does not run on propane at the moment (too expensive to fix). When driving, we run the stock refrigerator off our auxiliary (yellow top) battery.…Continue

Started by Mary Atleson. Last reply by Dharma Van Mar 15.

Homemade Fire Starters 5 Replies

Interesting Camping tip1. Homemade Fire StartersFor starting campfires, these burn better, and are easier to carry, thanthenews paper we traditionally bring along on camping trips to start fires.All…Continue

Started by Kathleen Hines. Last reply by Carney Strange Jan 25.

Lanterns 28 Replies

Since the "lantern thing" is going to come up, I might as well start it now.Our campouts are typically lit via older style kerosene lanterns - the silent, less bright type. There are a number of…Continue

Started by Peter. Last reply by Laura Anne Dec 6, 2012.

Bump 0uts

I'm not sure this qualifies as gear, but thought i'd share it.…Continue

Started by Doug Feb 26, 2012.

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Comment Wall

Comment by Peter on December 1, 2009 at 10:38am: Lantern Hangers

Places are located here:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=306877&highlig...

The length and notch size are totally up to you.

Comment by Michael Hewitt on January 16, 2010 at 4:55am: They never leaked while on the roof of my motor home with all the silicone sealer I put on and around the mounting base and also didn't care because you couldn't see them. I have heard about the bonding set-up. What kind of stuff is used? They have this goop called "liquid nails" at Home depot and Lowes I was thinking about. But with what panels are worth I'm a little freaky about just bonding because of the cost of loss flying off + danger if one should let go. I'm sure the spot also needs to be sanded and prepped for the bonding material.

I have seen people just set them on a stand next to their rig on the ground. But then where do you store them while underway? Plus I have heard of them growing legs and walking off while your away if you know what I mean. I like to camp in the boondocks.

I had no problem when I had them mounted flat on the roof of my motor home as far as sun reception go's. I never had an issue with my parking direction either as they were always flat and pointed up. I heard tilting them directly at the sun was pretty negligible and that was true as I always had a good amperage reading on the input gauge except early morning and late evening. But on a pop-top when the tops raised if parked the wrong way,the panels would never see the sun! Hence if I perm. mount mine on the roof I will have them so they tilt so at least when the tops up I can have them sitting flat to always have some sort of sun. I guess I should bite the bullet and drill some holes but make the panels so they tilt.

Comment by Joe on June 2, 2010 at 9:04am: I see that Go~~Costly~~ Westy has a baby crib for bus people. Might be nice, should one of us be having a baby any time soon. GoWesty Baby Crib

Comment by Joe on April 25, 2011 at 10:25am: Need yet another headlamp? OK, so here is the deal of the day. http://www.tmart.com/5-LED-White-Light-3-Modes-Plastic-Headlamp-Blu...

I just received one. OK, it is not quite as good as my expensive Petzl lamps, but it is darned close for 1/10th the price. Highly recommended.