So, you’ve bought an off-road camper. Where should you go adventuring first?
In our opinion, you can’t beat a bit of beach camping for some rest and relaxation. There’s nothing like going to sleep, listening to the roll of the waves crashing on the beach and then waking up to one of the most beautiful views in the world!
But what do you need to take with you when you go beach camping with an off-road camper? It’s not quite the same as staying in a caravan or holiday park. There’s a bit more preparation needed. But trust us, it’s more than worth the effort.
Let’s take a look at a checklist of things you’ll need to think about and get sorted before you hit the road.
First things first, if you’re going to be doing some beach driving to get to your campsite, you need to ensure that your vehicle is beach ready and 4WD drive capable. Additionally, there are a few recovery items that you shouldn’t leave home without.
Here’s a list of the must-haves:
If you’ve never driven on sand before, be aware that it’s not like driving on a normal road, especially if you are towing an off-road camper. It pays to do some research online and ask friends or family who have done it before to get some advice. It is also worthwhile taking a few practice drives on sand in your 4WD (sans camper) so you can get used to it before hitching up the trailer.
Before you take your vehicle and camper onto the sand, it's really important to be aware of tide times. You should also look out for potential washaways. You only have to type “Rainbow Beach car wrecks” into Google to see why!
It can also sometimes be tricky to get up off the beach once you’ve reached your campsite, especially with a camper on the back. So if you’re not travelling with friends that can snatch you up or winch you up if you get stuck, you might need to plan a different route.
One of our favourite places to camp is Main Beach on Stradbroke Island. There have been a few times when we’ve had to be winched up the last little bit getting off the beach into the campsite because the cut outs have been so badly eroded. But had we taken an earlier cut out, there are inland tracks that we could have taken instead.
PRO TIP: We like to use WikiCamps Australia when researching campsites. It’s great to be able to see reviews, tips and photos from fellow travellers before deciding if a campsite is going to be easy or difficult for you to reach with your camper.
Also, a quick note to the uninitiated: if you are travelling to a sand island where the barge delivers you straight onto the beach, such as Moreton Island, be sure to drop your tyre pressures whilst on the barge. There’s nothing more embarrassing than getting yourself bogged in front of the barge whilst a crowd of holiday-makers looks on!
Apart from taking all the normal camping necessities such as a fridge, food, drinks, camp chairs, bedding and kitchen utensils, there are a few specific extras that we recommend for a beach camping trip in an off-road camper
PRO TIP: In relation to mosquito repellent, we actually favour Thermacell butane powered mosquito repellent units. They work extremely well without the need for greasy sprays or smelly coils. Just turn the unit on, sit back and enjoy your sunset beer or wine without getting eaten alive.
PRO TIP: And the last little item to add to your checklist - pack a dustpan and brush in the car so you can brush off the sand as you get in rather than taking the whole beach home with you.
Our range of conventional campers and hybrids are engineered to withstand all the harsh conditions our beautiful Australian landscape has to offer, while giving you a comfortable, trouble-free camping experience. They are perfect for grey nomads, young families and
couples alike.
If you’d like to see the level of quality you can expect from Modcon for yourself, visit us at your nearest showroom. We’d love for you to stop by. Click here to get in touch with us today.
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