Simple Camping Tent Setup - Tips, Tricks and Gear for camping

Camping in South Africa (Tent camping TIPS and TRICKS - Camping hacks if you will)
Glamping or Camping? what do you think?
Tips, Tricks and the gear for tenting or camping in South Africa (and a MONKEY with Blue Balls)
❤️🌟🌟🌟 Awesome Gas Bottle Stand for camping www.burtsway.co.za/shop
Sorry for the poor quality audio during the first intro clip... There was some sort of interference but it completely goes away from the second clip onwards.
Best camping bed? 👉 • Air Bed vs Foam Mattre...
How to setup a tent 👉 • BEST Tips How to Setup...
How to fold a tent 👉 • How to Fold a Tent - B...
Camping Tips and Tricks - Top 10 👉 • Top 10 Camping Tips an...
Location:
Cefani Mouth Holiday Resort
East Coast Resorts
East London
South Africa
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#Camping #BurtonBuilds #Cefani

[@jeaniereichert7745]

Very informative Like the minimalistic approach👏👏👏

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Jeanie, thanks very much... Less complicated seems to equate to more fun and less hassle when packing.

[@inavogel626]

Thank you. The biggest help to me was the vegetable racks. We have a tent and now I see exactly how I can organise our personal items. Thanks and also, the ice maker. Why not!

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Ina, nice to hear from you. Yeah, those vegetable racks work pretty well but depending on which one you get, some can be a bit flimsy. So far, ours have been holding out well. That ice maker is a definite win 😎 (so long as there is no load shedding). There are a couple other camp videos on the channel... not sure if you have seen those yet.

[@eddykoning9895]

Tip. The white cutting board once washed and if stains still remain, place it in the sun for a couple of hours. Watch the stains dissapear. .... Glad I could help. 😁

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Eddy, thanks very much for the tip. 😁

[@katyswaddle4777]

I really like that you are prepared to "repurpose" some stuff and keep costs down. Lots of "essential "must haves turn out to be space taking white elephants. I think you have got the balance right between buying right the first time e.g. good mattress and freezer, and then using reasonable plastic stuff which does the job well. Katy

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Katy, thanks for the comment. I suppose the 'essentials' vary according to the length of time one is camping. If it's not used more than three times over a four week camp, it doesn't come with next time... haha. It's also nice camping with a close group each time, where not everybody has to bring one of everything. With the cost of camping accessories, I try repurpose or fabricate / make my own stuff but of course there is some stuff that just has to be bought. Feels good making something that looks good and works well. We have also picked up a few bargains from the various charity and second hand shops.

[@johannesfrederick]

Lekker

[@lydianiemack7255]

Great set up and great advise too. Thanks.

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Lydia, thanks very much. Our setup has been updated slightly since this video so I think it's time for another updated walkthrough of our setup. I'll see if I can get something filmed over the holiday season.

[@brandonking9443]

Great video Got same tent and add on, just returned from a 9 month road trip around SA coast line fron Durban to breeda river. But had to much stuff which made things cramped. Your video is excellent for first time campers to watch and learn from. Instead of learning the hard way like I did. Keep camping Cheers Brandon

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Brandon, thanks for your comment. I’ve also made a second video specifically about how our camp bed is made. 9 month road trip sounds interesting and fully agree… on that type of trip… the less, the better.

[@nasipimbazo3234]

Thank you so much! Great view! Great setup. Like the bed!

[@GrantBurton]

Thanks for the comment. It’s a pleasure.

[@stephenreynolds6359]

Good setup.

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Stephen, thanks very much.

[@michaelhitge2443]

Nicely organised

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Michael, thanks very much. There are a number of other camping related videos on my channel... not sure if you have come across them yet?

[@bethelteshuwah9824]

It was great.👍

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Bethel, thanks very much 😊

[@daleweathers3552]

very nice

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Dale, thanks very much.

[@ismailkriel7853]

Hi your setup is perfect.

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Ismail. thanks... it seems to work for us pretty well.

[@ismailkriel7853]

I have the same and it works for me too. Just takes up lots of packing space tho

[@GrantBurton]

@@ismailkriel7853 Hi Ismail, yip... it is a little large to pack, especially for only a weekend away but for long trips it is perfect. We have been in some storms and i think if we were using one of those light duty poly tents, it wold have been long gone... but the heavy duty canvas stood strong.

[@Aalia2211]

Hi Grant! Love all your videos. Can you please tell me where you bought the small fridge?

[@Aalia2211]

Please also show us how you pack your bakkie 😅

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Aalia, thank you very much. We bought the small fridge from HiFi Corp many years ago however we have since changed to a larger 130 litre fridge. Having the extra capacity for the long camp trips makes it a little easier.

[@GrantBurton]

@@Aalia2211 We don't only use the bakkie anymore... The past two years we have been using a 6ft trailer to make things a little easier. This way we can pack everything, including the food and cold snacks. Previously when only using the blue Hilux, we would only be able to pack limited food / cold snacks and would end up driving into town the day after setting up to get all the food, etc we needed. So how did we fit it all into one vehicle? Started by packing all the large items first, like the tent, mattress, storage boxes (of course inside the storage boxes was a lot of small stuff). Once the large stuff was in, pack the medium size stuff in the gaps, thereafter shoved the remaining small items wherever they could fit. It takes a few tries to get everything in but you'll eventually find a configuration that works. We also packed stuff on the back seat. Tent, storage boxes, tent poles, chairs, mattress, bed frame, wash bay, bar fridge, large folding table, gas bottles, clothing shelves in the back. Then freezer, storage boxes, bedding, smaller table, ice maker on the back seat. Remainder of smalls wherever they fit. I'm working on an update video, similar to this one, but showing what changes have been made since this video came out... It will likely come out in a the next month or two (hopefully).

[@aswetravel195]

I loved the video 👌 currently watching your channel while living aboard in Thailand. I really enjoy the camp setups. Do you recommend your tent? Looking at traveling from Gordon's Bay to Kosi Bay once back.

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Christopher, thank for the comment. I really like our tent... do I recommend it... well that depends? Yes, definitely, for those long camping trips... we typically camp for 3 - 4 weeks in one stretch. That said, carrying around a large and heavy setup with many accessories is worth the effort. Also having a heavy duty tent that stands up to the wind and rain is comforting. If you are looking at doing overnight stops, then I don't recommend that setup... It's too much to setup and take down every one or two or three days. However, if it's a mixture of long and short stays / setups and you have the space, our tent setup also comes with a skull cap. This enables just the dome part of the tent to be setup with a 'skull cap' that is hooked over the top of the dome. This way you don't have to setup the entire kitchen and verandah area, but you have the option on hand for those longer stays. This skull cap came with the tent in this video. Better yet is to get the version of the 'skull cap' which has a short verandah permanently attached to the front of it... about 1m long, and the front of the verandah is propped up with three poles. This way you also have a small verandah available for those overnight stays. The 'skull cap with attached verandah' is also made by the same company. We also have one of these (it was part of the first dome tent we bought. We first bought a 3m x 3m stand along dome, then the following year bought the large setup we have now. If it's a lot of travelling with many overnight stays, a thinner, lighter nylon tent may be better suited. While not as rugged and robust, its super easy to throw up and folds very small. In summary, it very much depends what you want to do and the specifics around your planned trips and there are many other small factors to take into account. I don't mind sharing my experience and the knowledge I've gained, but I think its better suited to a conversation rather than a comment, or maybe better over a number of back and forth comments... haha. Hope this helps.

[@aswetravel195]

Thank you so much for you detailed feedback. I appreciate it. Please drop me a whatsapp on 0828927019. Or I could message you. Thats why I am looking at this tent because of the standalone unit aswell. To they sell the smaller verandah separate?

[@GrantBurton]

Sure, no problem. I believe they do sell the verandah separately, or at least thats what I was told when I visited their manufacturing facility in Johannesburg. They said separate items could be ordered but through retail store partners, who will in turn place an order directly with the workshop. There are a number of verandah variations so it might be worth having a look at each before you settle on the first one you see. An example of this is specifically our 1m verandah... after using it for the first time (for 4 weeks) I wished it had shade cloth mesh sides that clipped to each outer pole and to the flexible poles that hold up the dome tent (similar to how the large setups clip to the tent poles - with 'S' type spring clips). This way it would create a little more shelter from wind. I never got around to making up my own sides because the following year, we purchased the large setup in this video. That said, there is a pre-made verandah that can be purchased, which already has one solid canvass side as part of it... only one side though.

[@stevenphogojane233]

Good afternoon Grant which campsite is that where you camp I love that lovely grass

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Steven, it's Cefani Mouth Holiday Resort.

[@keaganhoyle5746]

Are you going to Cafani in 2020 and 2021

[@andrebos4453]

Good oak

[@GrantBurton]

Thanks.

[@tauriqharoun9805]

Hi Grant, great video. Which tent brand and style are you using?

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Tauriq, thanks 😊 Currently we are using Campmor tents. Our large setup is a Campmor Combo Senior Extension… basically a 3x3m dome tent with an enclosed kitchen section and open veranda. Check out this video for a full walkthrough of our setup 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fabGZ5J5qbStpZI The setup also comes with a separate scull cap so for short camping trips, we only use the Dome tent with a the scull cap over. What brand and setup do you use?

[@tauriqharoun9805]

@@GrantBurton thanks so much for your response. I'm actually doing research on which brand to get. I was very much invested in getting the tentco brand until I saw your videos. I was just concerned about the airvent and if there's any condensation if the windows were to be closed up at night for example. The senior extension is what I would like to get (whichever of the brands)

[@GrantBurton]

@@tauriqharoun9805 we have experienced condensation on certain occasions but I think under the right conditions, you’ll get that in any tent. That said, you don’t have to zip the windows all the way closed, even during rain, so this still provides a bit of ventilation. I stand to be corrected but from memory, the Tentco tents use a slightly thinner canvass (260 gms) and Campmor use a heavier canvas (400 gms). Not sure about the other brands.

[@ScatterlingsOfAfrica.]

Awesome mate !!! Ultimate camp set up !!! How can i contact your privately ? Just need to know how modified that bed !! Hope you can share some contact. Thanks

[@GrantBurton]

Hi, welcome to send an email to [e-mail] or Whats App (number is at the bottom of our website www.burtsway.co.za) We have actually just upgraded our mattress… trying it out for the first time tonight.

[@chasingtailsa]

Hi, I’m looking at getting the same setup as you and I was wondering how long does it take to set up the tent and gazebo section only?

[@GrantBurton]

Hi, depending on how fast you work, how many times you have done it before, how many people you have helping and if you don't waste time trying to find which poles go where... It takes two of us around 35 - 40 minutes. That doesn't include setting out the groundsheet or setting up the silver reflective sheets on top, but thats also fairly fast. I should have a video out pretty soon (time-lapse) showing two of us setting up the groundsheets, tent and reflective sheets as a bit of a reference. Also hoping to have an updated video (basically like this one) showing the changes we have made since this video was posted.

[@neethlinghome8991]

Good day Grant thanks for sharing all your videos on Camping Setup etc , We have a Campmor Senior Combo and the problem we are having is how to pack the 'Gazebo"' part not the tent we watched your video so we have mastered that part, we would like to see how to fold the Gazebo part etc to fit snug into the bag would be much appreciated Thank you and we would not change our Campmor set for any other set up Thanx Geraldine Neethling

[@GrantBurton]

Hi, guess I'll have to make a video on folding that 'gazebo' part then. We always get ours folded back up with everything fitting back into the original bag. The key thing is to fold all the panels flat over each other. We also leave all the zips unzipped (although the first time we managed to get it folded with the zips all done up so I guess thats also possible). Glad to hear people are enjoying the camping videos. Also very happy with our Campmor setup.

[@neethlinghome8991]

@@GrantBurton thank you much appreciated. 👌

[@GrantBurton]

@@neethlinghome8991 Not exactly sure when I’ll get around to making the video though.

[@neethlinghome8991]

@@GrantBurton Evening I understand we are going to set it up at home before we leave for the Easter hols and will take it from there .i am sure we will figure it out especially the panels that must be flat , will keep you posted thanks again for assisting all the""CAMPERS out there much appreciated Geraldine Neethlig

[@GrantBurton]

Folding the centre section of the Campmor Senior Combo 👉 This is one way that works... - Lay tent flat on ground with the outside of the tend to the ground (inside of tent facing the sky) and unzip all zips. - Pull centre of 'kitchen' flat - Fold in back quarters (where kitchen joins to dome) - Fold in both sides of kitchen (shade cloth and canvass) - Fold 'dome legs' in - Fold 'the part of tent that goes over dome' over roof of tent (where the rest of the sides have already been folded) - Fold each kitchen door in separately (shade cloth and canvass), pulling it over the roof section at an angle so that it folds flat, then fold any overlapping pieces over the roof section to form a square shape, then do same with other kitchen door. - Fold legs of veranda into roof of veranda, then fold roof of veranda over the centre (where everything else is folded). Now you should be left with a square. - Fold each side to the centre line of the tent, then fold one half completely over the other half. - Start with a small fold at one end and 'roll or fold' until done. I think there is a better way to fold it smaller, I just can't picture it now... would have to take the tent out and play around a bit but we used the method outlined above and it all fits back into the original bag.

[@stephenglover8304]

Hi Grant. We're about to pull the trigger on the Safari Combo, and I would like to ask your opinion on which Reflecto cover and what dimensions make sense? Two 3 x 4 covers make more financial sense at R 750 each than the longer 6 x 4. What do u recommend?

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Stephen, we use the Natural Instincts Reflector Cover from Outdoor Warehouse. Two 4m x 2.9m covers. 2.9m Spans across the width of the tent and the 4m starts at the front edge of the verandah and goes towards the rear. Then the second reflector cover overlaps the first cover by about 200mm and ends up going about half way down the back of the dome tent (hope that makes sense). The 4 x 2.9m covers are around R765 each. Two of these cost a little more than buying one 4 x 5.8m which costs around R1360. We thought better to buy two smaller covers because they are easier to handle and fold away. If a section of one gets damaged, then its only one that needs to be replaced (as apposed to replacing one large expensive cover). Also, if you want to use just the dome tent with the scull cap for a weekend or a few days away, the small reflector will still work for a small setup. One large reflector won't be convenient for this. These Natural Instinct reflectors are not as strong as some of the silver 'canvas' style sheets that a person can buy but we have found they do a much better job of reflecting heat, so just look after them a little, tie them down on all the ropes if there is lots of wind, don't tie them over sharp corners / points, don't pull it as tight as a guitar string and they last just fine. I wouldn't expect it to last if you drive over it with the car, or try use it as a 'tent', etc. (use it for its intended purpose... as a reflector only). After each use, we make sure it's dry, lay it on dry grass and give it a light brush off with a soft broom, fold it up and stick it into the bag it comes in. Ours are three years old now and still working well.

[@stephenglover8304]

@@GrantBurton Thank you. Your proposal is exactly where I landed and for the same reasons. We are gearing up for our 3 weeks at Yellow Sands in December, being our first long tent session. It's gonna be great. Let's hope my Disco 3 gets us there.

[@GrantBurton]

@@stephenglover8304 I'm sure it will get you there and it's going to be a great trip. Just down the road from us at Cefani (maybe we bump into you at Crossways Spar... haha). Not sure if you are interested but these gas bottle stands are a very handy accessory to have for camping. www.burtsway.co.za or here is a short video on how it works. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYq4e5hsfLelY9U or a quick overview here kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHTJip14oNube8U I would obviously recommend Stainless Steel because it lasts longer. Also, to be transparent, it is a product that I manufacture and sell. Let us know what you think?

[@francoismalan7153]

Hi Grant, Where did you buy that mattress and if you are able, kindly share better pics of your bed regarding the plywood you fitted please

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Francois, We had the mattress custom made at The Foam Factory in East London many years ago. Just gave them the size, thickness, number of folds and type of sponge, type of covering and they made it within a few days. They have a standard selection of camping mattresses for sale though (some of our other friends have bought these and are happy). The plywood top is made of 12mm thick plywood, purchased from Builders Warehouse, which i cut into three sections. The centre panel is slightly bigger than the outer panels so that it is fully supported by the bed frames legs. The two outer panels (smaller ones) are supported at the outer ends by the bed frames feet and supported at the centre section by four wooden beams / rails that are bolted to the underside of the centre panel. The beams are 22x44mm pine also from Builders. Any specific pics you would like... I'll see if I can add them to a post in the community section of the channel.

[@francoismalan7153]

Thank you for the reply. Possible to take pics of the underside of the wooden sections of the bed top you have built ? I am a heavy bugger, and cannot be troubled with a OEM beds as that simply does not work and then detracts from the camping experience. I like what you have done. I have a double stretcher built to carry 250Kgs (natural instincts heavy duty) and it seems that the frame would collapse if the canvas is not holding it together. Although I have not had a very close look yet as I bought it second hand and it arrived two days ago. but the "foundation" seems good. Now to build the top, and cut the canvas off, or leave the canvas and build the top to fit over it, or something like that.

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Francois, instead of taking photos of the bed, I've made a dedicated video explaining it's construction in more detail. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gau7lIKiit6VjJo Hope this helps. Keep us updated on how your build is going.

[@fikilemkhize5776]

What is that green thing. And why do you have a cover over your tent?

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Culer, Which green thing is it that you are referring to? The silver 'cover' over the tent is a sun reflector... it reflects heat and makes the tent inside a lot cooler... It's a must have for hot sunny camping.

[@nolanhempel]

Hi, where can you buy those camping chairs?

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Nolan, which ones? Spider chairs from pretty much any camp store. Green lounger chairs came from Outdoor Warehouse and White stools came from Game.

[@nolanhempel]

@@GrantBurton hi, the green lounger ones, will try Outdoor Warehouse, tried them last time but they didn’t have.

[@GrantBurton]

@@nolanhempel Cool, let us know if you come right. It looks like Outdoor Warehouse online store is showing stock at R449 and at Sportsmans Warehouse R549.

[@warren6899]

TIP:- Throw a layer of sand into the bottom of the braai.... cleaning's a breeze,and it preserves your beloved braai

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Warren, thanks... another good tip to protect the bottom of a braai drum, thanks... could also be a bit heavy for a person(s) that normally carry and empty the drum away from where it's being used, especially for those big braais when we tend to full a half drum almost level with coals... you know how us South Africans like to braai... enough coals to cook breakfast two days later... haha 😂 😆

[@warren6899]

@@GrantBurton thanks ! I mean any braai, particularly portable ones Alco braai's are pretty flimsy so it works well... OH and on the subject, don't throw cold water on a metal braai... that's another early death sentence for them RGDS Warren

[@GrantBurton]

Definitely... Those thin portable ones damage and warp pretty easily. We don't use our small one often, mostly because we normally do the communal braai thing when many people are around.

[@CasperLabuschagne]

At least one other person thinks about camping the way I do. Why tow a 4x4 trailer that weighs a 1,000kg when a 3mx3m dome tent weighs 50kg, fits in the bakkie and where the entire camp setup is a tenth of the price of a trailer. Eventually those trailer guys will have to pitch up a tent alongside their trailer or rooftop camper in any case. I am going to steal that idea for a proper and solid bed, it surely cannot be so difficult for a camping manufacturer to build a decent collapsible bed for camping instead of a flimsy stretcher or a blow-up matress?

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Casper, at the moment, we definitely happy with our current tent setup (no 4x4 trailers or caravans on the cards just yet… haha). I made another video explaining how that bed was made if you are interested… here it is kzbin.info/www/bejne/gau7lIKiit6VjJo Hope this helps and thanks for the comment.

[@EnricoduPlessis]

Here's another very important camping trip. NEVER, EVER chase monkeys away like this lady did. In some places they will physically attack you, and apart from the nastiness of a monkey bite, rabies is a real danger. ALWAYS have some sort of weapon in your hand, like a long sturdy stick. They are clever enough to realise they are no match for a person with a weapon. From a monkey-wise Natalian who has lived with these little scoundrels for most of his life. 😉

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Enrico, thanks... that's a handy tip... or should a say, a 'sticky' tip 😂 haha