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Caravan awnings are exposed to the risk of getting damaged by high winds. Just take a quick look at the highway on your next caravan road trip and you should be able to see bits and pieces lying on the road. It is not uncommon to experience high winds on a trip. You just need to know the precautions that can help you to avoid damage to our caravan awning.

If left unattended when the wind comes up, the awning material will likely rip away from the track that secures it to the side of your RV. Replacing the caravan awning is the most appropriate move that you can make, but it will burn a hole in your wallet. I am sure you wouldn’t want to shell out a lot of cash when you can easily avoid the problem with a few measures.

Caravan awnings are usually not covered by insurance because they are considered to be accessories. In case your caravan awning gets damaged, you might not get any financial relief. Insurance adjusters also know that RV awnings are rated for low wind load. If you chose to ignore that fact, they may not accept responsibility for the damage.

Tips to Protect Your Caravan Awning from Flapping.

Reinforce Awnings with Clamps

When extended, manually operated caravan awnings can be reinforced with awning clamps. The clamps help to reduce the flapping or whipping action of the fabric and prevent the fabric from tearing away from the mounting rack. This does not provide a 100% guarantee of safety, but it does get the work done and minimizes risk to a good extent.

Use a Tie-Down Kit

The tie-down kit helps to secure the awning to the ground. Although this is good enough when used on its own, it works best when used in combination with awning clamps. With this, you get better stability for the caravan awning, and it will become more tolerant towards the high-speed wind.

Stow Your Caravan Awning For Travel

Secure the caravan awning carefully before hitting the road. You would not want it hanging loosely on the side of the caravan. Not only would this cause the awning to get damaged (during high-speed wind), but also cause the caravan and the towing vehicle to wobble out of control. If you think that the awning is not properly secured in place, then you can go for clamps or bungee straps to secure it in place.

With a little precaution and proper planning, you will never have to worry about awning damage due to high-speed winds. Get the best caravan awnings to make sure that they deliver long-term performance and have adequate durability as well.

How to Protect Awning in High Winds?

• You can look for a secure space surrounded by a hillside to set your campsite.
• A permanent structure or RV park can also help in reducing the direct impact of winds on the awning.
• Unless not possible, find a big tree and park your RV near it.
• If possible, try to drive near a wall and park your RV near a shade.

How Much Wind Can an RV Awning Take?

How to Stop Caravan Awning Flapping?

• De-flapper clamps to increase the awning stability and capability to withstand the winds. This will also reduce the noise of flapping – which might be scarier than the winds themselves.
• Stabilizer Kits that come with spiral anchors to peg awning strongly into the ground.

Hitching a caravan to the towing vehicle may seem like an easy task, but one small mistake could lead to a fatal accident. But you could save from any such incident happening if you follow a couple of tips well. Before hitching the caravan to the towing vehicle, make sure you do the following 3 things to ensure that the caravan attaches perfectly.

Roll Up the Caravan Awning

This is the first thing that you need to do before hitching the caravan to the towing vehicle. Remember, you should never move the caravan with the awning extended out completely. If you have a motorized awning, then the work should be done with the flick of a switch. For manual awnings, you need to roll the awning up, remove the support arms, fix the support arms in place and check whether the rolled back awning fabric is properly in place.

Lift the Support Legs

The caravan support legs will have to be lifted before the caravan is attached to the towing vehicle. For this, you need to use the crank lever and loosen the screws before lifting the caravan legs and positioning them along the bottom surface of the caravan. Do this for all the 4 caravan legs and make sure that they are intact before moving ahead. If you have used wooden blocks or levellers, then remove them and keep them in the storage compartment.

Disconnect the Hose

This is applicable when you are camping in a caravan park or other similar places having water outlets. A hose is used to connect the outlet with the caravan. Remove the hose carefully after closing the water supply at the outlet. Roll up the entire length of the hose and store in the caravan. Make sure that you have sufficient water in the storage tanks before moving out because the next water sources could be miles away.

With these 3 things taken care of, you can safely hitch the caravan to the towing vehicle. Before leaving in your caravan, check the place to see if something has been left behind. Do not litter the place with garbage and leftovers. It will take just a few minutes to clean it. If it was given to you like a clean site, then you should ensure the same.

The amateur camper, especially a first timer, usually doesn’t consider the finer details of camping. It is better to be prepared for the possible challenges that you might encounter on your camping trip. Just make sure that you keep realistic expectations and avoid making the following beginner camping mistakes.

Mistake #1: Inadequate Research

Just because exploring the wild seems adventurous, you should never leave things to chance. Read up on where you are going, conditions, weather and facilities (water, toilets, campsites). Trust me, this will save you from a lot of hassles. The research doesn’t have to take a lot of your time. Just make a few calls, check up the reviews on the internet, try to get relevant information about the place that you are visiting and you should be able to get things worked out. If you are seeking a caravan park camping location, then ring in advance and find out costs and availability. Some parks are closed due to seasonal weather activity. You wouldn’t want to arrive at a closed park, especially if you have friends or family with you.

Mistake #2: Missed Checking The Equipment Before Leaving

Practice, practice and more practice – this is the only way you can ensure that you are able to work with the equipment properly. Plus, this also helps to check if the equipment is in proper working condition. Even if you have completely new gear, you should check it thoroughly before leaving or else you would end up with an unnecessary load that will prove to be quite a burden on your trip.

Mistake #3: Relying Solely on a Campfire

The most beautiful part of a camping trip is the campfire. It is certainly one of the most memorable things that you will cherish forever. However, campfires can take a while to build up sufficiently for cooking. To put a Camp Oven in the coals, those coals need to be very hot and that takes time. If you do not have the time or the patience to manage a campfire, then bring a barbeque or a portable stove. This will come in handy in places where campfire may not be allowed at the particular time of the year. Never rely solely on campfires when you are out in the wild.

Mistake #4: Compromising Quality for Budget

Buying cheap isn’t always good. Most people do not have a big budget to buy expensive branded gear. This is why the most obvious choice is affordable gear. But you might want to keep an eye out for sales where you can get high quality equipment at a decent price. The other feasible alternative is to upgrade the gear as you get more experienced at camping. Remember, you should only consider investing in camping gear if it is not planned as a one-time adventure or an occasional undertaking.

Mistake #5: Getting the Wrong Bedding

Wrong bedding is going to make your life miserable. If the weather is cold, then you will probably shiver the entire night and get very uncomfortable. Simply getting a sleeping bag or a tent might not be sufficient. Read about bedding for camping trips and ask experienced campers. This should help you to find the best bedding for your trip. Also, keep an eye on the weather forecast. It will help you to decide the most appropriate bedding for your trip.

Mistake #6: Arriving Late at the Campsite

Never arrive late at the campsite. Unless you have already booked a spot, you could lose out on camp sites if you are late. It can get quite stressful, especially if you have kids with you. They can be hungry or might need some help getting used to the new environment. There is nothing worse than a long trip and then driving around and around a campground looking for a spare spot as the light fades (or its pitch black) to appear miraculously in a peak time. Make sure you have a backup plan in case you get late due to unforeseen circumstances.

The weather in May is pleasant enough to get anyone going on a caravan trip with their friends and family. Even if you have checked out a lot of the places on the map and have very little left to actually explore, you can always attend a caravan show for getting information on the latest offerings, new vehicles, updated accessories and the latest in camping as well as outdoor equipment.

How about taking some time out of your busy schedule and bringing your friends and family to one of these shows! Trust me, it will be well worth your time and you will get to check out some of the latest and best offerings in the market.

Gippsland Homeshow Expo

Date: 6^th – 8^th May, 2016

Venue: Kernot Hall & Garden Surrounds, Morwell, VIC

Main Highlight:

The Gippsland Home Show Expo will feature exhibitions by brands from across the globe that will showcase a wide range of products and services such as more and more caravans, campers, 4WDs, cars, kayaks, boats, camping, tents. Basically the exhibitions will be related to Household Services, Travel & Tourism industries. If you are looking for new products in these categories, then you should definitely attend this event. After all, it will be a fun weekend with tasty treats, refreshing beverages and fun activities. Don’t miss this for anything.

Nowra Caravan Camping & Outdoor Living Show

Date: 6^th – 8^th May, 2016

Venue: Nowra Shoalhaven Turf Club (Archer Racecourse), Albatross Road, Nowra NSW (Bossman Events)

Timings:

• 9:30am – 4pm (Friday – Saturday)
• 9:30am - 3pm (Sunday)

Costs:

• Tickets available on the day
• Adults - $12
• Concession - $10
• Kids 17 and under FREE
• Car parking FREE
• Cash, Eftpos & Credit accepted

Main Highlight:

The latest and greatest caravans, camper trailers and camping designs will be on display at this caravan show. Compare layouts, interiors, specifications and prices from leading caravan manufacturers and dealers. This is one caravan show that you would not want to miss for anything. The best thing about the event is that kids will get free rides. So you don’t have to worry about the kids getting bored or having less things to do. Boating and fishing products will also be on display and you can check out the latest offerings in this category. Dogs are allowed on the premises upon condition that they are on a leash at all times.

Cairns Home Show & Caravan Camping & Boating Show

Date: 13^th – 15^th May, 2016

Venue: Cairns Showgrounds, Carins, QLD

Main Highlight:

This event features over 150 local and regional businesses displaying the very latest products and services for our homes, lifestyles and for getting outdoors and about on wheels and water. Check out the latest caravans, motorhomes and much more at the biggest home, lifestyle and outdoor event in North Queensland. Plus, there are various activities, demonstrations and tasty treats to keep everyone thoroughly entertained.

Agrotrend

Date: 13^th – 14^th May, 2016

Venue: 22 Targo St, Bundaberg QLD

Timings:

• Friday – 9am – 5pm
• Saturday – 9am – 3pm

Costs:

• Adults - $10
• Children, students & pensioners (with card) - Free

Main Highlight:

Enjoy two days of farming and lifestyle focussed activities for the whole family at Agrotend. Whether you are keen to check out and invest in the latest farming technologies or after a great afternoon out with the family, this event promises to deliver as per expectations. Don’t miss the strongman competition and tractor pull events. Plus, the Australasian barbeque competition will certainly get the crowd wanting for more. All in all, it is a really enjoyable event that you should definitely visit with your family.

Mackay Home Show & Caravan

Date: 20^th – 22^nd May, 2016

Venue: Camping Expo, Mackay Showgrounds, Mackay, QLD

Timings:

• Friday – 9am – 5pm
• Saturday – 9am – 5pm
• Saturday – 9am – 4pm

Costs:

• Adults $10
• Aged Senior Card $8
• Children free with an Adult.
• Free return passes available.

Main Highlight:

The 2016 Mackay Home Show and Caravan, Camping Expo is the largest event of its kind in the Mackay Region. With over 150 local and national businesses ready to talk to you at the event, you’ll be sure to find exactly what you’re looking for! There is a seemingly wide range of products such as tanks, pools and spas, kitchens, beds, air-conditioning, blinds, builders, finance and more. Caravan lovers can find the latest and greatest caravans, camper trailers, 4×4 accessories and all the gear that one would need when exploring the great outdoors.

Do you want to take your camping experience to a whole new level? Before you get too skeptical about this idea, you should know that there are certain secret “hot-spots” that are great for camping. However, not many people know about these places and this is exactly what makes them so special.

We have compiled a list of 5 secret camping hot-spots in Australia that you will surely want to visit. Just make sure you are fully stocked up with the required resources along with a caravan to make the experience even more memorable.

Mystery Bay, near Narooma NSW

Mystery Bay has plenty of drive-in camp spots where you can go with your family, friends and your pets. Yes, this is the perfect spot for enjoying quality time without leaving your pets behind. A couple of scenic beaches flank the campsite, which makes for good fishing and reasonable swimming. Just make sure that you check the spots before jumping in the water. Kids absolutely love this place because they can ride their bikes throughout the campsite. Do check this place out on your next caravan trip.

Johanna Beach, Great Ocean Road, Victoria

This is a basic camping spot on the Great Ocean Road drive. The most attractive thing about this place is that it is set on a ridge with panoramic ocean views. The view is absolutely amazing you need to see it experience it. Dogs on leads are allowed so you can bring your pets to this place. If you have a caravan, then it should not be difficult for you to bring them along. Considering the layout of the place, you should definitely consider arriving here in a caravan with full wall caravan awnings. It will save you the hassles and give you homely comfort.

Cave Beach, Jervis Bay New South Wales

If you like green patches and white sand, then this is probably the best “secret” spot that you can find. At Cave Beach, you get to camp on lush green grass and enjoy a closer view of kangaroos grazing on grass, and an amazing strip of white sand that anyone would love to take a stroll on. The only downside to this place is that you need to carry all of your gear and resources down a track that connects the carpark with the beach. So pack light and bring only what is required.

Wilderness Retreats, Victoria

Run by Parks Victoria, Wilderness Retreats are made up of high-end glamping tents set around a modular steel frame. This is the perfect blend of luxurious comfort and getting up close and personal with nature. In my opinion, this is one of the best secret camping spots on the list and you don’t even have to worry about accommodation. Everything is prepared in advance so that you don’t have to a lot of work here. Just come with your gear and resources and enjoy the ambiance which is second to none.

Dunk Island, Queensland

There are eight campsites on Dunk Island, just 4km off Mission Beach. At Dunk Island, you get to enjoy the best of camping and a pristine beach that is quite surreal. Don’t miss the famous butterfly pool which gets its name from the butterfly image that is painted on the bottom surface of the pool. Use the free gas barbecues, wander through the rainforest and climb Mt Kootaloo for panoramic Coral Sea views. The best way to reach the Dunk Island is by water taxi. Travel light and carry only what is required to avoid hassles.

Cheaper

Customisation

Liability and loss

“Should I rent a caravan or stay in a motel?” This is one question that most travelers ponder over while planning their next trip. Both options are great and they offer certain benefits. But staying in a caravan is often better. The best thing about renting a caravan is that you can save a lot of money.

Check out the comparative analysis of both options below.

Lodging

Motels do offer accommodation but it is fixed in nature and it can cost you significantly more than renting a caravan. Plus, you cannot personalize it and you would have to book a motel room every time you visit a new place. This isn’t a lot of conveniences, especially if you have a large family with lots of members. With accessories such as full wall caravan awnings and caravan annexes, you can carry the comfort of your home with you in the caravan wherever you go.

Meals

Dining out can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This might seem a bit far-fetched, but this is the reality. Plus, you can never get the taste of homemade meals that you are used to. It is one thing to try out new cuisines, but basing your daily requirements completely on diners and takeout can cost you a lot. On the other hand, by renting a caravan, you can cook your own meals just like you make them at home. Caravans come equipped with refrigerators so you can stock up on all the food and beverages that you would want. If you are travelling across the country, you can always pick up local produce and enjoy local delicacies made to your taste.

Freedom

When renting a caravan, you have the ability to travel to different locations on your vacation with ease. You can travel anywhere without worrying about booking motel rooms or running into last minute problems concerning no vacancies in motels. With caravans, you can drive wherever you want, whenever you want and make the trip at your own pace. Plus, you get to check out the places that are not mentioned on the map and hit the roads less travelled. There is no better way to explore new places than hitting the road in a caravan.

Bathroom

Personal hygiene is a major concern when you are on a trip. Motels do offer good bathrooms and toilets, but they are fixed and you cannot access them when you are on the road. You need to wait till you come across a public bathroom or emergency restrooms. Caravans offer the huge convenience of having a fully-equipped bathroom on board. You can even take a shower if it is equipped in the caravan.

Affordability

You can easily park your caravan at a number of different campgrounds or other locations. Caravan parks are cheaper than most motel rooms and you can get to enjoy the natural setting by setting up your own camp. It is a memorable experience to spend the night under the stars and to gather around the campfire for spending some of the best moments of your life. When you are on the road, you can park in a nice spot and the best thing about the parking is that it is completely free. You can really save a lot of money by renting a caravan.

The Verdict

Renting a caravan is definitely a better option than booking motel rooms because of the freedom, convenience, cost saving and quality time that you get to spend with your friends and family. If you are a frequent traveler, then you should definitely consider investing in your own caravan and getting it customized to your specific needs.

Caravan awnings are great and offer a lot of convenience, especially if you are out on the road. But are you getting the most use out of your awning? Probably not. Your caravan awning is pretty versatile and you would be amazed at the things that would be made possible with the addition of a few accessories.

Check out the following accessories which can make your caravan awning better.

Screens for Dometic and Carefree Roll-Out Awnings

These screens are designed specifically for Dometic and Carefree Roll Out Awnings. The fabric is usually the same as the awning but the type of screen will depend on the particular wall. Let’s check out the three common applications of screens.

• Side Screen for Long Wall

The screens are suitable for awnings that are 10ft – 19ft long. A rope is sewn into the edge which slides onto a track on your awning. The eyelets present at the bottom allow it to be pegged to the ground easily. The walls are made of a shade cloth with 90-95% shade depending on the brand.

• Front and Rear Screens for End Walls

The walls attach to your awnings rafter with velcro straps. The shade cloth offers 90% shade and the eyelets present at the bottom allow it to be pegged easily.

• Converting the Annexe to an Awning

Interestingly, the addition of waterproof walls around the awning results in a fully enclosed annexe. These are pre-made to fit the standard length roll-out awnings. The best thing about them is that they are compatible with different awning heights and include windows with flyscreen as well as a door. Isn't that just amazing?

Screens for Fiamma F45 Awnings

These screens are designed specifically for Fiamma F45 Awnings. The overall design and build is suited specifically to the Fiamma F45 awning. Let’s check out the three common applications of screens.

• For the Long Wall

This will suit awnings that have a length of 2.5 to 4 metres. A rope is sewn into the edge which slides onto a track on your awning. The eyelets present at the bottom allow it to be pegged to the ground easily. The walls are made of a shade cloth with 90-95% shade depending on the brand.

• For the End Walls

There is just a single option for this and it comes as a kit with brackets and a rafter to attach the wall to. The wall is made of vinyl and has a rather large window which allows sufficient ventilation and lighting.

• Make an Annexe from the Fiamma F45 Awning

The addition of waterproof walls all around the awning results in a fully enclosed annexe. Fiamma prefers to call this construction a Privacy Room. A folding flap at the base helps to cover additional heights. The enclosure also has a window and a door for easy access and better ventilation.

The hot summer months are almost over and autumn is just around the corner. If you have spent a good amount of your time traveling in your caravan, then it’s about time that you checked the fabric on your caravan awning. It is quite possible that due to wear and tear, the fabric may have got torn at places or may show signs of wearing away. In such cases, you need to change the fabric.

The first thing that you need to take care of is to never compromise on the quality of the awning fabric. This is what provides shade and protection from the weather when you are on the road. Awnings are long-term investments and you would not want to lose money unnecessarily on frequent repair work that could have been avoided by timely intervention. If you are not sure of the type of awning fabric that would work out best for you, then consult with an awning manufacturer to get a good idea about the available options.

If you have a Dometic awning, then the replacement awning fabric will be made out of durable double-sided vinyl. The double-sided vinyl is 13.5 gauge, which is thicker than your standard 11.5-gauge single-sided fabric. This provides added strength and durability which is exactly what is needed for long-term usage. Plus, you can never trust the weather and the extremes to which it can go. A high-quality durable awning fabric will ensure that you enjoy homely comfort even in rough weather.

The most important thing to know when replacing awning fabrics is to get the measurements right. You do not have to measure the fabric itself. Instead, you need to measure from the center of one awing arm to the other. This is the measurement that is required to get the perfect awning fabric length for your caravan. Make sure that you take the measurements very carefully because the presence of errors will cause the awning fabric to be of incorrect length.

Whether your caravan awning has been subjected to a lot of wear and tear or it has been lying in the garage/storage, you need to check the condition of the awning’s fabric and get it replaced if the damage is extensive. Do not take the risk of going on a road trip with the damaged or worn out awning fabric. It will cause more problems than you could ever expect.

Caravan scams are not unheard of. Several people fall into the traps laid out by scammers who try to rob people of their caravan and / or money.  The only way to escape from such potholes is to spread awareness about such issues and take necessary precautions which would keep you away from such scandalous affairs. Remember, the problem will only intensify if the dealing or communication is done over the internet or the phone. Do not take such a risk even if the offer seems too tempting to avoid.

SCAM #1: Getting Credit Card Details

This scam is usually carried out with those who have put up their caravans for sale. The first step involves communicating with the seller either through phone call or email. The call will probably be from an individual claiming to be from a finance / loan agency who will tell you that they have details of people who are potentially interested in the caravan you have for sale. They will go on to say that the buyer has been cleared for credit on the caravan that you are selling.

For providing this service, you would be required to pay a sum through credit card by sharing the relevant details over the phone. This is where most people fall into a vicious trap. Do not pay or share credit card details with the person at all. If the buyer has been cleared for credit, then he or she will contact you directly.

SCAM #2: The Transaction

This scam is also associated with caravan sales. The scam begins with the fraudster contacting you by email seeming interested in the caravan you have or sale. In order to appear genuine, they will ask you all the right questions and even request photos of the caravan before moving ahead. Now that they have you convinced, they will ask for your home address so that they may send the cheque. The buyers will claim that they are getting the caravan shipped overseas and that they have recruited a middleman to handle the process on their behalf.

After you receive the cheque, the buyer will “inform” you that the cheque has been sent for a bigger amount that is more than the value of the caravan. You will be told that the extra cost was for the shipping agent. In this case, you will be asked to transfer the additional amount to them and get reimbursed when the cheque clears. As is pretty evident, the cheque will never clear and the scammers will have already made away with your money. Never release funds or transfer the ownership of your caravan to anyone without receiving funds that have been completely cleared by your bank.

SCAM #3: Buying a Caravan That Doesn’t Exist

This scam is targeted at those who are planning on buying a caravan. You will be offered a deal that is hard to resist and seems too good to be true. Well, it is definitely a honey trap that you need to stay away from. Remember, this deal will come your way on the internet. Apparently, the website will invoice you said amount and hold onto the money until you have the chance to view the caravan upon the seller’s return. The invoice that you get will be pretty convincing but do not make any payment. No online caravan seller or website makes such an offer. This is just an attempt to rob you. Be careful. Remember, the caravan does not exist and the banking details or the funds that you transferred will be used to extract funds from you and you will never be able to trace the person responsible for the scam.

The best way to stay away from such problems is to be vigilant and keep away from offers that are extraordinarily appealing. If it’s too good to be true, then trust your instincts and stay away or risk losing a good amount of your hard earned wealth or your caravan.

Have you ever been on a caravan holiday? If yes, then you obviously know how enjoyable these trips can be. For those of you who have yet to experience this, you are missing out on a lot of things. Caravan trips are fun because you get to enjoy quality time with your family and friends. The best thing about it is that you can do it at your own pace. By travelling on the road, you can experience the small pleasures of life, meet strangers, explore places that are not necessarily marked on the map, and get surprised at every turn.

Caravanning has become quite popular and even celebrities are indulging in caravan trips to escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Let’s find out what makes caravanning so popular.

Caravan Trips Can Be Cost Effective

You don’t have to pay more for a holiday package when you can get your own caravan and take as many trips as you want. Even if you don’t want to invest in a caravan, you can always hire one and hit the road. Trust me, this is a really cost effective option and you have all the time in the world to enjoy the trip at your own pace. Plus, if you have the budget, then you can invest in a luxury caravan with high-quality full wall awnings for the best comfort that money can buy.

You Are Free To Explore The World

Unlike regular holiday packages, caravanning allows you to explore the world freely. You don’t have to follow a map. If you want to go down a particular path, then you can do it. There are no fixed schedules, no commitments, no check-out times and definitely no extra charges for spending more time at a place.

Get The Comfort of Home Wherever You Go

The best thing about caravanning is that you can take your home’s comfort with you on your trips. Yes, you can actually do it. Caravans are really comfortable and you can modify the décor as per your preferences. By adding a compatible high-quality caravan awning or annexe, you can ensure homely comfort wherever you go. Check out a great collection of high-quality caravan awnings and annexes here.

Enjoy the Rustic Life

Whether you are camping out in the wild or cooking food over a camp fire, life in a caravan is definitely rustic (despite the availability of a few luxuries of modern life). For most people, this is a new experience and it is quite enjoyable. These are precious moments that will be with you forever. Plus, you will get to learn new skills and get accustomed to road trips where resources may not always be available at a hand’s reach.

Get Up Close and Personal With Nature

When people go caravanning, they get up close and personal with nature. In our busy lives in the city, we have forgotten the pleasures of spending time amidst nature. From the subtle sounds to the magnificent flora and fauna, everything about nature is absolutely beautiful. It is almost mesmerizing, especially to those who have never undertaken such a trip before. You should definitely give caravanning a try at least once in your life.

Well, when you move out for trekking or camping, accommodation may not be an easy-to-find option. Camping is usually the last resort (and the most preferred option) when there is absolutely no accommodation available, especially when venturing into the deep wilderness. Setting up camp is easy and only requires a few minutes to set the tent and layout the required stuff.

Most campers knows that camping on flat surfaces is much easier than camping on a slope. Hills, sloped grounds and mountainous terrains are not the friendliest areas for camping. Things can seem a lot more daunting if you do not have adequate experience in camping outdoors.

Go through the following tips for camping on a slope to avoid hassles on your trip. These can come in handy when you are out of options in the wild.

Choose the Right Location

Location should always be selected according to weather conditions or the current season. Set up your camp on the south side of the hill in the cold months. The north side is best during warm months because the north side of the hill is cooler in comparison to the south side. You should camp as close to the top of the hill as you can get if it is less windy. Camp close to the bottom of the hill if the area is dry and windy. Keep yourself updated about weather changes by listening to the weather forecasts.

Pitching the Tent at the Right Spot

It is important that you pitch the tent at the right spot to avoid running into troubles later. Position your tent perpendicular to the slope such that the opening of the tent is perpendicular to the slope or hill. This way, you can prevent yourself from falling out the door if you accidentally slip in the tent.

You can even dig a small trench around your tent for stopping the water that rolls down the slope. This is really useful during rains as it will keep your tent dry.

As you are camping on a slope, you might slide down while sleeping. The best way to prevent this is by positioning your head toward the top of the hill and keeping the feet towards the bottom. You can add pillows and cushions under your feet to keep you from slipping away.

Your camping equipment is probably not perfect for camping on a slope and propping them can be real challenging. Pieces of woods or sticks can come in handy for keeping the equipment at one place. Bring camping equipment with adjustable legs as they are usually better at adapting to the slope.

Adapting to the Slope

You should always make it a point to search for flat area to pitch your tent. If you are not able to find a flat area, then the best option that you have is to adapt to the slope. While camping at high altitudes, carry food that have rich carbs and high water content. It is important to stay hydrated at all times. Also, as you are camping on a slope, it is tough to carry equipment up a hill. Just bring your necessities. There is absolutely no need to carry extra items or equipment.

Camping on a slope doesn’t always have to end up being a bad experience. With a little preparation and proper planning, you can have a great time camping out in the wild. Just follow the above mentioned tips and you should be able to stay out of trouble.