Top 10 Camping Tips and Tricks 2023

[@mrjeff2396]

One of the far better ‘how to’ vids I’ve seen in a while! Kudos

[@GrantBurton]

Thanks very much.

[@marceld6061]

Every tip is a winner! My favourite is the window/ pole/ guy rope trick. Lekker lekker!

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Marcel, nice to hear from you and thanks for the comment.

[@saintandre9]

Great video Grant. I've been camping for years yet here I learn something new from a KZN botjie.

[@GrantBurton]

Hi, thanks very much. I've also still got lots to learn... there are so many good tips and tricks you pick up when chatting around the campfire. Not quite in KZN though... from EC.

[@TheNaidaz]

'mother in laws favourite mode of transport' 😂... Thanx for the tips! I'm soon to advance from the Nylon to canvas.

[@GrantBurton]

Haha... thanks for the comment. Nylon tents absolutely still have their place, but for long term camping trips like we do, I think canvas is better. Not sure if you came across this video? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fabGZ5J5qbStpZI It's a look at our canvas tent setup. All the best with your tent upgrade... let us know how it goes.

[@alwyntheIII]

Stretch it 3 campsite down you say... Had a good laugh now. Thanks for your vids, very informative.

[@GrantBurton]

Glad you enjoyed it... you're welcome.

[@jacfarnoor6438]

Well done! That was incredibly helpful. Much appreciated. You've officially gained a new subscriber from Cape Town👍

[@GrantBurton]

Hi, it's a pleasure and thank you. Always awesome to hear from viewers from South Africa.

[@chezrayfloors4811]

This was really helpful,I am fresh to camping so best advice thanks alot

[@GrantBurton]

It’s a pleasure and all the best. There are a couple other camp videos on the channel if you are interested 😎😁

[@chezrayfloors4811]

@@GrantBurton I was watching moet net die vrou kry om dit te kyk.planning our first trip in the summer but will start close to home and for weekends

[@GrantBurton]

Close weekend getaways are a great way to learn and perfect your setup, get everything just the way you want it and to find out what does work and what doesn't work for you... especially before travelling far and for long periods.

[@Kerry6691]

Great tips

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Kerry, thanks very much 😁

[@judithoakley8389]

Lovely videos, thank you. I have moved from SA to the UK and am not giving up on camping, however some things differ quite a bit! I am a solo camper and although pitching and striking my tent are all fine, I have always struggled with getting the damned tent back into the bag SO, next time, I will follow your advice and keep the tent pegged while folding - brilliant idea! I have shared that video in the Facebook camping groups I belong to in the UK as this is a common rant! :-)

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Judith, thanks for the comment. Thanks for sharing... it's much appreciated. There are a few camping related videos on the channel if you are interested... here is a link to the playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLb9ne7k5ibAo-nPTsJgIiFPSUpGHRx5hx

[@alexzhu2062]

Thanks for sharing the tricks

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Alex, thanks and it's a pleasure.

[@jonathanneethling]

Thanks

[@GrantBurton]

Jonathan... THANK YOU so very much 😁😁😁 This is the first Super Thanks I've received on the channel. You are awesome. Thank you. You just made my day 😎😎😎😁😁😁

[@MrHighflyingclive]

For ground as hard as that, I like the screw-type pegs that you power into the ground with a cordless drill.

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Clive, yeah... good idea... I've seen that being used a few times. Luckily the ground is mostly soft at the places where we camp so pegs normally work. Thanks for the comment.

[@poonumkhan1751]

Woww its amazing

[@GrantBurton]

Thanks very much.

[@ThompsonAndSon]

Really liking these Campmor tents, want to get one this year and get back into camping

[@GrantBurton]

They are pretty cool… we are happy with them 😊 not sure if you came across the other ‘walkthrough’ style video of our larger setup? Also contains a few tips and tricks and explores pretty much our entire setup in some detail 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fabGZ5J5qbStpZI

[@ThompsonAndSon]

I realise this is now a year later, but I did end up buying the Safari Bow and have been camping in it the last year - it's a great tent and we've used plenty of your tips :)

[@mistahbrown]

Informative video deserving of a new subscriber in me

[@GrantBurton]

Thanks very much 😁

[@westbrook7grant]

Where can I find the bent tent stakes? Those look like they would be great to use!

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Grant, we purchased ours from Outdoor Warehouse… assuming you are in SA? They have a wide selection of sizes.

[@jonathanneethling]

GRANT !!! I’ve been camping waaaaaaaay longer than you. Why do I not already know this? Well don legend. - dang I found this vlog so frustrating. The dome tent window pole trick ? That’s been my thorn in my side for years! 😂😂 nicely done…. Carry on -

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Jonathan, thanks for the comment... and glad you managed to find something useful. I bet you could teach me a trick or two 😎😁 I know I've still got lots to learn. There are a couple more camping related videos on my channel... not sure if you have come across them yet. Have an awesome day.

[@jonathanneethling]

If you were wondering this is my new setup…. I get her back tomorrow after having the Victron system upgraded to 2000w Multiplus ii , 4.2kw of lithium, 600w solar panels, cerbo gx, additional mppt charger, red arc bc-dc 50amp and Mopeka sonar sensors for the water and gas tank levels…. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpuye2ymZayop7s&si=EnSIkaIECMiOmarE ✌🏻👍🏻

[@GrantBurton]

Just watched the promo video... that is a serious setup for off-grid camping. Very very nice, and some proper off-grid power equipment going in. Victron is great stuff. Looks like everything has been well thought out and designed. I bet you are excited to get it back and head out on the next camping trip. What areas do you mostly camp? As a long time camper, not sure if you use skottels, potjies, hot wheels, gas lamps, etc. (or gas burners on a table)... but have you seen these? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYq4e5hsfLelY9U and kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmnOm32liKeJadk Website is www.burtsway.co.za

[@jonathanneethling]

@@GrantBurton yup…. Lol. I saw this in your vlog and immediately looked it up. It’s genius. I can’t say I’ve used my skottle in a very long time. But I remember when I did, the bottle supports back then we’re terrible. Yours has solved everything. In fact… I might just get one. And start all over again. 🫠 I mainly camp in the Cederberg. If I can get out of Cape Town and head out into a remote spot - I will. My next big trip will be Northern Cape coastal route and then along the Orange River. Just waiting for my money tree to start flowering again.😂 Where are your favourite spots ? ✌🏻

[@GrantBurton]

@@jonathanneethling Thanks, nice simple and effective design. Your next trips sounds great. We mainly camp on the East Coast (East of East London) and Baviaanskloof near Port Elizabeth.

[@warren6899]

Tip:- if you use a bog standard hammer, hollow grind the strike face, keeps the head from slipping off the peg

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Warren, thanks for the tip 😎

[@jstndrst]

What ground sheet is that and do you have a link for it?

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Jason, its an Alnet netted groundsheet. We purchased ours from Outdoor Warehouse www.outdoorwarehouse.co.za/product/alnet-netted-groundsheet-3-6-x-3m

[@lydianiemack7255]

Thanks for tip 8

[@GrantBurton]

Tying the tent poles together? Yeah... it's pretty hand when setting everything up by yourself.

[@yolandek4]

Where.did you get that mallet?

[@GrantBurton]

We bought it many years ago from a Charity shop. I'm not sure where you would get this specific one these days.

[@GrantBurton]

We bought it many years ago from a Charity shop. I'm not sure where you would get this specific one these days.

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

The problem with your bent tent pegs and the elastic band is as it gets further and further away from the side of the tent it will make a trip hazard, the closer to the side of the tent the less chance there is of a trip hazard... I loved the pun about the mother-in-law's mode of transport hahhaaaa....

[@GrantBurton]

Thankfully the bent pegs and rubber bands haven’t been a tripping hazard with all of our camping, because of all the other ropes around the immediate area. Thanks for the comment 😊

[@warren6899]

Some technical aspects of a dog-leg / angle peg. It's purpose is to convert shock force into dynamic force. The horizontal section above the ground is the leaver The part that goes into the ground is the anchor The semi-circle that connects them (what you hit when setting the anchor) is the actual spring that does all the force conversion And, of course the hook is what connects to the guy-rope. It is important to drive the peg into the ground so that the leaver is parallel with the ground--- more or less, this is camping not a science experiment Too much nose down and if you don't bend the peg open the anchor is weak and in winds it will just back out its hole and say by-by Too much up, so that the leaver follows the same line as the guy rope (a common mistake) and you no longer have a force converter, and you might just as well use a straight peg. As shock force is around 4 times more severe than dynamic force, in strong winds your pegs gonna open the hole its in and, again say by-de-by How to successfully peg for high winds... use 2 pegs at each pegging point peg them at approximately 45 Deg spare so that both peg loops meet up at the same point. To do that use you technique of identifying the start points. Another method is one peg behind the main peg tied to the main peg In high winds add additional length to the guy, but peg a chord vertically down the pole Guy's should be at 45 deg to the pole. This distributes the tension 50 % down the pole and 50 % stretching the material In the land of happy tents, keeping the pole in contact with the ground, is really, really important When pegs get stretched open they loose their elasticity, reverting back to actually functioning like a straight peg... take heart, give the missus a coffee voucher at the bistro, when she is safely gone, warm the spring of the peg (use her flamboyer gas torch thingie het it up, bend it back (use a new peg as a template then chuck the pegs in her beloved oven for an hour at around 180 deg So finally I come to the nub of my post.... choose you dog-legs carefully too long a leaver and the peg will only convert some of the shock force.... too short a leaver and it won't convert any shock force Too thick a peg and well no conversion and a lot spent ( these buggers are pretty pricey) for boggall as no force conversion will happen..... Sigh.... I've just destroyed your camping adventure having panic pegging attacks 😅

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Warren... Wow... Thanks for taking the time to write a detailed explanation, much appreciated. Thank you.

[@warren6899]

@@GrantBurton you are most welcome young man, it's been my go-to thing for something like 50 ? Years, just happy to pass tricks / tips and stuff on to others who care to take it...RGDS Warren

[@GrantBurton]

Please feel free to share as much as you want anytime as I'm sure as people come across these videos and browse the comments, they might pick up a few gems of information. Thanks again.

[@warren6899]

@@GrantBurton oh, I gots a heap, just don't have a right-context place to post them

[@pierreolivier3275]

We use poodle noodles on the ropes of the tent

[@GrantBurton]

I’ve seen a few people do that… seems to work well… a short piece at the bottom. Thanks for the comment.

[@katemccarty1420]

Get a tarp!ground sheet??

[@GrantBurton]

I think it depends where a person is camping. Some camp grounds have rules about using solid tarps / ground sheets vs using netted ground sheets.

[@marelizekeyter6824]

Challenge: "How many times did Grant say 'The ground is hard' in this video?" 🤣🤣

[@GrantBurton]

Haha… I should actually watch it again and count 😂😂 but the ground was really hard 😂😂

[@fayiznalu8411]

It looks to me it's two Man's job 👏

[@GrantBurton]

Sometimes it is easier with two people... haha.

[@amishlalla]

watch out for water pipes 🙂

[@GrantBurton]

Maybe that’s a tip for the next ‘tips and tricks’ video.

[@warren6899]

Them poles... like a bowl of spaghetti 🍝

[@GrantBurton]

Sometimes they get a little squirmy... haha. They are easier to handle with two people though.

[@nicolereadstarot]

That ground cover is gonna collect water under the he tent like that if it rains

[@GrantBurton]

Hi Nicole, thanks for the comment. We haven't experienced any water problems using that ground sheet under our tent. Have been using it for years and been subject to many days of rain without issue. The gaps in the ground sheet are large enough for the water to escape easily. I guess it also depends on the ground conditions where you are setup... many of the places we go are grassy areas with sandy type soil, so water drains pretty quickly. Thats just our experience though... maybe others have had different experiences.

[@pbnjtamwich]

It would if it was a tarp but i think that ground cover has big enough holes for water to go through it

[@GrantBurton]

@@pbnjtamwich It definitely would… a friend of ours once tried using a tarp as a ground sheet and after the first nights rain, the floor had pockets of water under (sort of like a water bed 😂) which didn’t drain. It was later pulled from under the tent to fix the problem.

[@duaneegan1230]

If using a tarp for ground cover, you simply need to fold it so that it is a little shorter on all sides. Don’t let it stick out beyond the edges of the tent. This way it wont collect water but still protects the bottom of the tent.

[@davekoser3938]

Better yet, if you use a tarp, put it inside your tent. I learned that trick a few years ago and I’m sold on that technique

[@katemccarty1420]

I spend 90 days in a tent every summer.omg 😅

[@GrantBurton]

Thats a long time in a tent... you must really love camping. Do you stay at one spot for 90 days?

[@fjb4932]

There Is a difference between a Ground Sheet and a Tarp . . ☆

[@GrantBurton]

Yeah, I guess so... and used under different circumstance.