How much time do you want to spend setting up camp?
- CornellMans
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Since I have a camping trailer and my kids are still very young, we take extra kitchen kit with to make life easier so it takes longer than most.
60 - 120 minutes
60 - 120 minutes
2018 Ford Everest 3.2 4x4 XLT AT
Wilderness 310
Wilderness 310
For sure... but that is not everyone situation and Manny's statement was all inclusive as if it is impossible for anyone to do it.
I am just pointing out that it is possible (situation and acceptable comfort level dependant)
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What I can sum up from most posts before this one is that camping would be easier and possibly more fun without kids and wives? 



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- LesseW
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Life would be easier...Mike Nel wrote:What I can sum up from most posts before this one is that camping would be easier and possibly more fun without kids and wives?
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- Mad Manny
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Wooky & Hendris are confusing 'Camping' with 'Living like a rogue Neanderthal cast out the clan'...
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"
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- Mad Manny
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I do find that the more you camp the quicker set up goes, as you get more proficient & more organised.
Tanya & I used to take well over an hour to set up & even longer to pack up.
Then I had the LHS Ammo boxes replaced with an awesome drawer system & that cut pack up by 30 minutes.
Then Kurtie & I replaced the RHS Ammo boxes with a shelf system & that took a few more minutes off.
I once had a terrible day, got away much later than expected, hit heavy traffic & a road block & then got lost.
By the time I arrived at the venue I was in a mood & it was dark.
I unhitched & stabilised the trailer, popped the tent, no pegs, & unfolded the bed.
I didn't even make the bed, I slept in a sleeping bag.
That set up took less than 20 minutes & I was sitting in my chair with a beer.
Tanya & I used to take well over an hour to set up & even longer to pack up.
Then I had the LHS Ammo boxes replaced with an awesome drawer system & that cut pack up by 30 minutes.
Then Kurtie & I replaced the RHS Ammo boxes with a shelf system & that took a few more minutes off.
I once had a terrible day, got away much later than expected, hit heavy traffic & a road block & then got lost.
By the time I arrived at the venue I was in a mood & it was dark.
I unhitched & stabilised the trailer, popped the tent, no pegs, & unfolded the bed.
I didn't even make the bed, I slept in a sleeping bag.
That set up took less than 20 minutes & I was sitting in my chair with a beer.
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
Troglodyte and proud of it......

- Mad Manny
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Many years ago, before I even had my Conquest trailer, I read a Camping Thread.
Here, hidden amongst all the BS & Bluster was a long post by a guy in his 60's.
He shared his set up that didn't apply to me then, nor does it now, but he mentioned something:
They keep a note pad & on every trip they make notes of changes, or improvements they should make.
From small things like adding a hook for the washing cloth, to bigger changes like making a container to house tent poles.
He said he then tries to get all the changes done by the next trip.
So when I started camping I did the same thing - we make notes& I try implement them by the next trip.
It just makes each trip a bit better & a bit easier.
Changes I have made include:
* Removing the Ammo boxes & replacing with shelves& drawers as mentioned above.
* Moving the fridge from the rear to the side.
* Adding a 220v point near the rear.
* Adding a USB point
* Cutting down on the amount of lighting I took with.
* Changing the sheet for a duvet cover that we pull over the mattress.
* Widening the opening in the duvet cover & adding clips & buttons to make it easier to fit.
* Adding a drawer above the fridge for all the washing & cleaning stuff.
* Replacing the plastic tub for dishes with those pop up products (sink & drying rack).
* Etc.. Etc..
Here, hidden amongst all the BS & Bluster was a long post by a guy in his 60's.
He shared his set up that didn't apply to me then, nor does it now, but he mentioned something:
They keep a note pad & on every trip they make notes of changes, or improvements they should make.
From small things like adding a hook for the washing cloth, to bigger changes like making a container to house tent poles.
He said he then tries to get all the changes done by the next trip.
So when I started camping I did the same thing - we make notes& I try implement them by the next trip.
It just makes each trip a bit better & a bit easier.
Changes I have made include:
* Removing the Ammo boxes & replacing with shelves& drawers as mentioned above.
* Moving the fridge from the rear to the side.
* Adding a 220v point near the rear.
* Adding a USB point
* Cutting down on the amount of lighting I took with.
* Changing the sheet for a duvet cover that we pull over the mattress.
* Widening the opening in the duvet cover & adding clips & buttons to make it easier to fit.
* Adding a drawer above the fridge for all the washing & cleaning stuff.
* Replacing the plastic tub for dishes with those pop up products (sink & drying rack).
* Etc.. Etc..
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
- Mad Manny
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Says a guy with a 6 point checklist for hitching up the trailer.
"No one ever got stuck - in mid air!"
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
2010 Fortuner D-4D 4x4 'Fearless'
2006 Conqueror Conquest 'Gearless'
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I forgot, the other aspect of setting up camp (and which takes up a lot of time) is kakking out the wife for either giving the wrong tent pole/peg/rope at the wrong time. Many a nights camping were shared in silence... 

Ranger Mildtrak
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Don't joke about it. I once forgot to secure the rear spare wheel bracket on my trailer and nearly took out a young lady when I drove past her. I too have a checklist when hitching up.
Ranger Mildtrak
Scorpio Curry Cruiser
A tos-lookin', lunchbox, lipstick and powder puff carryin' home-built trailer
Scorpio Curry Cruiser
A tos-lookin', lunchbox, lipstick and powder puff carryin' home-built trailer
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When those were my circumstances, when I arrived at the camp site, the wife and kids were sent to find the pool or some other attraction, so that I could set up the camp without hinderance.Ricoffy wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 8:21 amThrow in a wife and two kids (3 & 5 years old) and that 15min will easily turn into 60min - regardless whether it is for one night or 15 nights.Wooky wrote: ↑Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:38 amManny that has to do with what a person is comfortable with.
Me, I am happy to spend a month camping with nothing much more than my 2 man hiking tent, a fly-sheet for rain cover and my chair along with a small table ( that's as far as housing needs go). In most instances I don't even bother with the rain fly and just pitch the tent.
For just overnighting I go with a goretex Bivvy bag under the stars or sleep in the car
But then what I am happy with would not suite most people.
So let me edit your post for you....Unless I have a fully kitted RV - I cannot comfortably camp for 3 or more nights on a 15 minute set up
Because some of us can....
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Thats funny!
Lucky us we only 2, but 2 oldies so we need to stop thinking about time it takes.
Its all part of the journey.