Car Camping

April 4, 2013 By Nick Giustina

Sealander Amphibious Camping Trailer

Here’s the fantasy: fly to Europe, rent a car (with a trailer hitch), drive to Kiel, Germany and the Sealander plant, shell-out 16,000 Euros, hook-up the Sealander Swimming Caravan, and head to the lakes around Munich or fjords of Norway.

Weighing only 550 kg, the Sealander is a multifunctional, compact travel trailer that can be towed behind a small car, and, when you get lakeside back it into the drink for a tour. You and your date (or family) can put-put around with the tiny outboard electric motor, that also ensures you will be able to return to shore at days end.

By the look of the photos, on the web site, the spacious hatch lets, even the big guy, enter the snugly cabin with ease. The hatch, fully open, also doubles as a roofed entrance cover, allowing use of the kitchen area while standing upright. At bedtime, whether bobbing on the bay or tucked into a campsite, campers can arrange the pads for double-bed sleeping.

I’m not sure about the nautical fitness in heavy wave chop but there are better fiberglass vessels for that job.

$20,850

March 26, 2013 By Chas Bruce

Alite Mantis Packable Chair

The Mantis is big brother to Alite’s Monarch chair. Yes, it’s somewhat bigger and heavier, but we found it to be more stable and more comfortable. The Monarch rests on only two legs and we had to use our legs to provide the rest of the stability, a nice rocking motion ensues, but it can get tiring.

The Mantis has four legs and feels quite stable, yet it still rocks. Light at 2 pounds and it assembles quickly, while folding into a 5 x 5 x 17″ package. The sturdy breathable fabric cradles your body and holds up to 250 pounds. Probably the most comfortable seating you would consider carrying in your backpack. It’s also, as we say in the Rockies, “Telluride legal” — or low enough for concert seating where you can sit down front with the folks on blankets.

$110

January 24, 2013 By Chas Bruce

Thule Easy-Fit CU-9 Tire Chain System

Thule Easy-Fit Tire Chain System — Thule Easy Fit Tire Chain System

Dread that chaining-up task on the way to your favorite backcountry ski haven?

Wrestling chains in roadside slush may be thing of the past. This clever system from Thule should make chain-up a snap. Simply hang the chains and system from the top of the tire and push to the bottom. Fold out the lever and press down with your foot to activate the tensioning system. The chain will automatically slip around the tire as you drive off. You’ll still need to kneel down, but the padded chain case doubles as a padded work/snow pad, printed with clear instructions.

To release, hit the red buttons on the aluminum bar and release the safety catch and pull the chain system away from your tire. Couldn’t be easier. Comes in pairs.

$450

January 21, 2013 By Chas Bruce

Klean Kanteen Wine Karafe

A perfect hike to a perfect mountain meadow. You stop for that perfect picnic with wine. What! No Corkscrew? You’ve been there–it’s time to improvise.

Now Klean Kanteen provides a stainless steel alternative with a stainless twist-off top. No corkscrew required. Totally shatterproof, in case you drop your bag down some breathtaking wall. Lightweight, too, for those long hauls.

Wine these days is usually processed in stainless steel vats. So it will right at home in this Karafe. No taste or odor transfer from wine to wine, and no plastics involved when you use the stainless top.

Karafe is colored in a tasty Merlot hue or you can get it in plain stainless, if you need to be more discreet, say at an outdoor concert. Holds 800ml, room for most 750ml bottled wine. Room for more if you’re filling from your box. Made of 18/8 stainless steel, 9 1/2 inches tall by 2 3/4 inch diameter, with a wide 1 3/4 inch pouring mouth.

$23

August 13, 2012 By Chas Bruce

Camp Chef Outdoor Oven & Range

A surprising number of car campers, and off-gridders have been looking for just this: a gas Camp Oven and with a 2-burner Range. About the size of a small microwave, and you can boil or saute up your favorite dishes, while something special bakes in the oven.

Two 7,500 BTU brass burners on the top shielded by a windscreen are combined with a 3,000 BTU oven burner with a double rack oven. A clear glass door and supplied oven thermometer allow you to keep track of the goodies. The unit’s heat-efficient, insulated oven box heats up to 400° F and has plenty of room to fit a 9 x 13 pan in it. Durable stainless steel construction helps fend off corrosion and nonstick enamel makes cleanup easy.

Easy to light with Pietzo-electric ignition. Powered by a disposable 1-pound propane can or can be adapted for a bulk tank by using the bulk tank hose adapter. Overall dimensions: 21″ wide x 18″ high x 12.5″ deep. Range top: 17″ x 9.5″ deep. Inside oven: 16″wide x 9″ high x 11″ deep. Weighs 32 lbs.

This unit is something you would see in old French Films of the 50/60s as a minimalist kitchen set, a step above a single gas burner. Have some brioche with those omelettes.

$290

August 1, 2012 By Chas Bruce

Blue Ridge Folding Table

The Blue Ridge Folding Table’s sturdy construction and compact storage size makes it the great all-purpose table for car camping duties. Goes well with the folding canvas Blue Ridge Chairs for your camp comfort.

This sturdy table weighs 12 lbs. The table top is 19″ x 21″ and stands 22″ tall. It folds flat for easy transport and storage.

$80

July 31, 2012 By Chas Bruce

Roorkhee British Campaign Safari Chair

We’re always on the lookout for better camp furniture. This campaign chair is named in honor of the headquarters of the Indian Army Corps of Engineers at Roorkhee, India and a mainstay of the Army and Navy Stores Catalogs.

The Roorkhee chair was among the most popular models of campaign chairs used by British Officers from approximately 1898 to the start of WW II. They needed a chair that was lightweight, could be folded up, carried around easily and loaded onto a packhorse. It also needed to be comfortable and able to adapt to use on uneven terrain without breaking.

This chair weighs 11 pounds and is 34” tall and 21” wide and collapses down flat for easy transport.

$599

July 18, 2012 By Chas Bruce

Roost Tent Car Top Camper

What could be more convenient than Car Camping with a pop up tent on your roof. Pull in, Pop up and catch some well deserved rest.

The Roost Tent Car Top provides comfortable sleeping for two people on dense 2″ foam pads. Handy mesh shelving stores clothing, etc. at your feet and side mesh shelves take care of the little stuff. The unit easily converts to a Car Top Cargo Carrier for skis and other long items.

Dimension: 90.5″ long, 57″ wide, 13″ thick at the tail end, and 5″ thick at the front. You need the 8-foot ladder for access from either the side or the front. Fits any standard roof rack. Expands to 57″ tall at the apex at the back. Uses 600 Denier Rip Stop Polyester water resistant fabric with mesh and zippered doors on all three sides. Pull in the ladder and feel safe from all the big cats and other predators.

$3000

July 11, 2012 By Chas Bruce

Wood & Faulk Official Camp Stool

This a classic tripod-style camp stool, made of Hardwood Ash, turned by craftsmen in Portland, Oregon.

The seat, or should I say, the Saddle, is crafted from the finest English Bridle Leather. The stool is slung from a matching leather strap. Perfect for those campfire gatherings.

$130