Overlooked Camping Necessities

Sometimes it is the little creature comforts that can make or break a camping trip. Here are a few things that I have found extremely helpful.

#1. Utensil Organizer

Buy one pre made from ACT or Front Runner

I made my own to suit my needs and space.

The platform that the fridge mount is attached to is anchored down to the bed of the SUV! the fridge is lashed down to the fridge slide!

These can either be made or purchased but make a huge improvement for ease of accessibility when camping.

#2. Sea to Summit Toilet Paper Holder

No more fumbling and dropping the toilet paper when using this amazing sea to summit toilet paper holder. With a minor modification this is the BEST toilet paper solution when camping. Skip all those bulky DIY coffee can holders and get this. This is light weight, folds up to a dry bag keeping the toilet paper clean and dry and it has a neck strap that can be clipped inside of a potty tent or wear it around your neck and free up your hands.

I added 1/2” flex pipe, I had scraps of pex sitting around. It allows the toilet paper to roll and not bind up.

I have a DIY bum wash recipe that is perfect for travel size 2oz foam pump bottles that helps keep you feeling clean while camping.

#3. Laundry

Clips, clothes line, laundry bag, detergent, change.

PRO TIP: Unlash one side of the clothes line or hammocks overnight to prevent wildlife from becoming snared.

Water is heavy and awkward to carry when camping and often times we reserve the 5 gallons of washing water for dishes and showers. For doing laundry while camping I will find a laundromat to wash clothes and then take them back to camp to hang dry on my clothes line.

Scrub a laundry wash bag is it worth buying? I bought a scrubba wash bag which saved us on our 3+ week trip through Asia. Eric likes to take it with him to use on all of his weekend Mt bike trips to wash his laundry in the hotel bathroom but otherwise we don’t use it. Most of the hotels that we stay at have laundromats or washer and dryers in the room so we don’t end up using it during domestic traveling.

#4. Showering + Essentials

In the US Showering is prohibited in open bodies of water such as lakes and rivers. It is also typically prohibited in any situation (dispersed camping and camp ground camping) where the grey water/water run off can not be captured and disposed of, aka do not dump your water on the ground. This is due to the environmental contamination of soaps etc.. as well as in bear country it becomes an attractant for bears.

Check with the local ordinances and regulations at your camping destination when planning a camping trip!

Here is our set up!

This camp shower allows us to hang and access our towels outside of the shower tent. This is essential because most things inside will get wet!
  • Hot water heater drip pan + bath tub anti slip adhesive strips.
  • Small Teak platform
  • Light weight towels (pack towel)
  • Cleanwaste Portable Mini Poo Powder Deodorizing Waste Treatment
  • ARM HAMMER Naturals Cat Litter, Multi Cat
  • Foot operated water spigot for washing hands & dishes.

Once we added a shower to our camp gear we were able to extend our 3 day camping trips into 5+ day trips. I own a base camp Mr. Heater/Companion heated shower ($370) and I carry spare fuses and I made a bypass connector so I can use the water pump and shower head without the aqua cube in the event of any break downs or battery issues!

A newer version of this shower is the Companion lithium battery shower. It is available to US consumers under a rebranded name of Kakadu for $500 + $50 for the carrying bag. This is the only US based branded retailer.

After owning the first generation version of this shower I would not hesitate to upgrade to the newer version if the need ever arose.

An alternative simplified shower system like this one from Costco for $99.00.

WaterPORT GoSpout 2.0 Gallon Portable Pressurized Water Tank $99.00

Note to self: Replace gospout head with Orbit metal nozzle head with Thumb control

#5. Cargo Tie Down Anchors

I learned about tie down anchors from the 2019 Overland Expo lashings class. It is important to have cargo and gear secured while traveling. This is especially true for anyone over landing from their vehicle to camping with an RV and everything in between.

It is important to familiarize yourself with your vehicles lashing points. I would not be surprised if this element is no where to be found in the owners manual or on the internet. This can often times mean just walking out to the vehicle and removing the cargo mats and looking for the lashing points.