Good campers respect the good equipment and keep it in top condition at all times. Caring and organizing camping gear are really essential between the camping time for the good campers. A camper should always be alert for his camping accessories and know where to put them and how to care for them.
Well, this does not mean they spend all their spare time polishing brass fittings and lantern globes, or that they brush a tent or sleeping bag twice a day. It does mean that they protect gear, repair any damage promptly, store equipment carefully.
Caring & Organizing Camping Gear
In a few steps these are:
- Protection & Organization of Woven Materials
- Taking Care of the Tents
- Taking Care of the Sleeping Bags
- Organizing gear in the Breaking of Camp
- Organizing Sleeping Bag & Kits
- Camp Stoves and Lantern Care
- Organizing and Caring Tools During the Camp
Protection & Organization of Woven Materials
Tents, flies, tarpaulins, and other items from woven materials and you should protect them from sudden strains, tears, rips, and mildew. Keep them clean, never roll them up when the fabric is damp or dirty. When possible, all tents should be dry before you pack them.
Protecting and organizing camping gear is really important for longer usage and safe staying on the ground. If they are folded, be sure the creases are not too severe. Also, if they are rolled, roll loose enough so air can circulate inside. If you store a tent in the basement or attic in the off-season, check occasionally to see that mice are not nesting in folds.
Taking Care of the Tents & Sleeping Bags
Check tents, flies, and tarpaulins for rips around corners and along seams. If you find a rip, strengthen the weakened area with waxed heavy thread. Replace any split stakes, frayed guy ropes, and bent tent poles.
Although, if you are using an instant camping tent, then there will be no issues. But with normal tent, you have to follow some procedures.
When you pitch a tent or fly, distribute the strain evenly on fabric. Prevent unusual stress at any particular point, and keep the material taut so it will shed water well. Do not pitch a tent where branches will chafe material.
Sleeping bags should be given excellent care and protection. Use a waterproof ground cloth under them if you don’t have a cot. Moreover, this ground cloth can be a sheet of rubberized material, an air mattress, an old shower curtain, piece of oilcloth, or thin plastic sheeting. Keep sleeping gear clean and aired. Fluff up insulation
Packing Equipment Organized in the Breaking of Camp
Breaking camp! Experienced campers pack equipment carefully for travel. Everyone helps when it’s time to break camp. A quick check to see that all woven fabrics are clean and dry will save possible damage.
The best way to organize camping gear is to place them accordingly in the first place and also check them while packing. Take care to see that no gear can shift or chafe in its traveling place.
Organize Cover all items packed on top of the wagon or car. Empty all pack containers of food crumbs, natural debris like leaves.
Caring & Organizing Sleeping Bag & Kits
Shake out sleeping bags and let them air before you roll them. Many of us forget things while sleeping in a sleeping bag occasionally. And later we thought they are lost. The best way to care and organizing camping gear, in this case, is to check it after seeping if anything goes in it. It takes a little time and keeps things in place.
Protecting the sleeping bag requires a little checkup. After a season of use, have the bag dry-cleaned. Sleeping bags with rubberized bottoms cannot be dry-cleaned, but you can use a special cleaner to freshen the no rubber portions.
Check zippers on the sleeping gear, once in a while it’s wise to rub a special zipper lubricant over them. Keep sleeping gear rolled up and out of the way when not in use. Do not stow them where they could be damaged by sparks, soot, or pets.
Organizing and Caring Tools During the Camp
Keep all tools in top condition Edged tools respond to good care and organizing camping gear. Keep them sheathed when not in use, oiled slightly in wet weather, and protected from animal visitors such as porcupines. Never leave a tool in the rain, in a wet bottom of the boat, or in a damp car trunk.
Oil sheaths from time to time; keep wooden tool handles sanded smooth. Check to see that tool heads fit tightly. If the handle of your hunting knife becomes loose, send it back to the manufacturer or force waterproof cement down between the loosened parts.
Never throw axes or knives in the sport this is hard on the equipment and exceptionally dangerous. If nicks mar a tool edge, file or grind them out, then reshape. Never run a knife into the soil.
If you use a camp saw, keep the turnbuckles tight to hold the blade taut in the frame.
Camp Stoves and Lantern: Little Thing to Care
Camp stoves collect grease and crumbs which one need to remove. Empty gasoline from stoves or lanterns before you store. Gasoline will “sour” and may gum the tiny opening in the generator units. Also, keep reflectors of lanterns bright and shiny.
If any holes appear in the mantle of gas or gasoline lantern, replace mantle at once. Always carry an extra mantle or two.
Electric lanterns should be checked for signs of battery corrosion. Put in fresh batteries in place of corroded ones. It’s a good idea to carry extra bulb, extra batteries with you. Protect an electric lantern from dampness.
Store Mattresses Inflated if You Can
Air mattresses need a little care if they are to give top service. Plastic mattresses can be wiped with a damp cloth. Rubberized mattresses can be cleaned with soap and water.
Keep air mattresses away from sparks, sharp stones, branch stubs, other puncture hazards. When not in use, air mattresses should be kept partially inflated this prevents sharp folds.
At home, you can store air mattresses, partially inflated, in a basement or attic. Iceboxes should be given good treatment and used for the purpose intended only. Do not use them for tool boxes, or stepladders.
Never overcrowd with ice so that the cover strains when you shut it. Touch up chipped places in the paint, and keep inside clean and fresh.
If the box is made of a foam-bubble material, watch to see that ice picks, knives, or other sharp objects don’t puncture it. Never close the lid until you are sure there are no “high spots” inside that might damage lid.
At home, store the icebox with the lid open just a little during usages. This lets fresh air inside. Check the edges of the lid and box occasionally to be sure the insulating seal is in good shape.
Knapsack or duffel bag seams might show signs of wear, or stitching might break. ReSew scams with the heavy waxed thread if necessary.
Oil leather straps with neat’s-foot oil or use saddle soap. These treatments prevent drying.
Correct Care of Pack Baskets
Empty pack containers after each use, and clean inside and out. If you use a woven pack basket, check for signs of split or cracked cane. Adhesive tape fixes cane prevents further splitting or possible splinters. Pack baskets are susceptible to mice damage—even in the off-season when they’re stored at home. Check often.
Ground cloths, ponchos, boots, and other rubber gear lasts longer when you protect it from grease, sharp branch stubs, sparks, and pointed objects. Do not expose rubber gear to extreme heat. Long exposure to the strong sun might damage it.
Lightweight plastics are susceptible to weather damage, too. When the temperature falls, some plastics will become stiff and crack. Do not fold plastics sharply in cold weather.
Cooking Utensils: Top Organizing Camping Gear Tips
Cooking utensils need to be clean and protected from dents and bangs. When you nest the utensils, do not force them. A carrying case guard’s utensils against unnecessary bangs and dents. Never pack dirty utensils.
Plastic utensils break easier in cold weather. Be extra careful if you’re camping in high altitude or camping in late fall or winter. Also, plastic utensils might become scratched if you scour them with a heavy hand.
When you pack and organize your gear for travel, take care to see that none of it can shift or chafe. Pack old blankets or soft items between hard objects and protect all sharp corners or points with adequate packing. Cover all items packed on the top of a vehicle. A well-designed and zipper-closed car-top carrier offer the needed protection. If you use an open rack and tarp cover, inspect frequently to see that tarp is secure and tight.
Organizing Ends of Tent Poles
Ends of tent poles will be easier on a tent floor if poles are cushioned Leg cups designed for furniture or tennis-ball halves shield the end of tent poles, protect a tent floor from damage.
Other tips on the organize and care of tents: keep waterproofing in top shape with a spray: replace split tent stakes; consolidate stakes and guy ropes into one bag for storage in the off-season.
Care and Organize Expensive Equipment
Moisture or sand might damage cameras, other expensive equipment In wet weather you can protect cameras, binoculars, fishing rods, rifles, and shotguns by sealing them in the dry plastic bag. These bags are easy to store in the organised backpack.
Check for condensation in plastic bags. Try not to seal in any moisture. You need to cover precision gear, like cameras, binoculars, when you camp on sandy sites, too.
[pullquote align=”normal”]A piece of old hose, split lengthwise, effectively covers teeth of the saw! [/pullquote]
Garden hose, split lengthwise and slipped over a saw blade, makes a good guard. Hold the garden hose in place by soft wire; keep guard on the blade when the saw is not in use. Always clean the saw teeth after use, removing all bits of wood and pitch. Oil the blade when the weather is damp.
Last Few Words
Packs, flies, tarps, and tents all have seams that eventually need attention. Check for signs of pulled seams, stitching, and rivets on packs, tent flies, other gear. Re-sew any weak places with heavy waxed thread. Keep all these items clean, never roll them up when the fabric is damp or dirty. Fold or roll loosely woven fabrics benefit from adequate air circulation.
Looking at the bluest sky, I forget all my stresses. Going through the green I try to breathe, more than I do in my reality. So, that’s why I love camping.
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