Hi, I'm looking for advice on what most campers do about leaving equipment outside of your tents please?
We don't want to cook inside the tent for safety and are planning on setting up a tarp and windbreakers outside. Do people tend to leave their camp kitchen and stove there once it's set up or bring it in and out of the tent as needed, which seems a bit of a pain.
Hate to say it or think ill of anybody but its sadly the world we live in. Just wonder if everything would still be there when we returned to camp from a day away.
I would not recommend leaving your bikes and scooters etc. outside, however, tables, chairs, camp kitchen should be fine.
I personally would not recommend leaving a tarp up unattended for significant periods of time, including overnight, unless I can be certain of good weather with light winds only, based on personal experience.
The only time I had anything nicked was in C&CC Glencoe in Scotland in 2012.
I pitched next to their backpacker's hut. By the time I got up, the backpackers had been and gone as I am not an early riser.
To my dismay, someone came and took a chunk out of my new tub of butter that I had left out in full view on a table in the kitchen area.
I am certain it would have been safe had I kept it out of view zipped up in the larder of my Kampa Sergeant camp kitchen, as getting anything out would result in some noise during the unzipping process.
DK
------------- Apple The Campervan - A Van For Work, Rest & Play!
- 2027: ? NL+DE+FR
- 2026: FR+DE
- 2025: 17/77
'24: 10/49; '23: 9/47;'22: 8/46; '21: 9/34
* Ex-tenter
* Treat life events like a dog: if you can't eat it, play with it or hump it, p1$$ on it and walk away!
Not one of us on here can truly vouch for others of course, so any risk has to be of your own consideration, but the overall general consensus when replying to similar posts over the years always seemed to be a positive one, with very few exceptions.
We've never had anything stolen/lost/borrowed in the 8 years we've been camping, and if you take a look at my photo's in This recent thread..., you'll see we were in the habit of setting up just how you describe.
We've left out pretty much everything that you see in my pics, although normally, the two larger/comfier camping chairs went inside at night/when out for the day. We've even left bottles of spirits out, and I once (accidentally!) left my iPhone in full view, and in easy reach, on an outside table for the best part of 2 hours, when we wandered off for an early evening stroll. You can imagine how relieved I was when we got back to find it untouched!
The only reason that stopped is that we now take less gear, very rarely set up a kitchen worthy of the name, and if we do, we now have enclosed awnings (as per my last photo). On site security was never a consideration during that transformation.
It goes without saying, that such items as mobiles/tablets/wallets etc should be locked out of sight in the car, and jewellery/wads of cash/uncut diamonds etc should be left at home!
EDIT:
Oh... Just remembered... we did have some washing taken from the line once whilst we were out for the day... We found it neatly folded and dry, on one of our stools under the tarp, despite some afternoon showers!
We had a good idea who had done it, but the kind lady caravanner on the next pitch 'fessed up before we even questioned her!
Quote: Originally posted by Mucker1884 on 29/7/2020
Not one of us on here can truly vouch for others of course, so any risk has to be of your own consideration, but the overall general consensus when replying to similar posts over the years always seemed to be a positive one, with very few exceptions.
We've never had anything stolen/lost/borrowed in the 8 years we've been camping, and if you take a look at my photo's in This recent thread..., you'll see we were in the habit of setting up just how you describe.
We've left out pretty much everything that you see in my pics, although normally, the two larger/comfier camping chairs went inside at night/when out for the day. We've even left bottles of spirits out, and I once (accidentally!) left my iPhone in full view, and in easy reach, on an outside table for the best part of 2 hours, when we wandered off for an early evening stroll. You can imagine how relieved I was when we got back to find it untouched!
The only reason that stopped is that we now take less gear, very rarely set up a kitchen worthy of the name, and if we do, we now have enclosed awnings (as per my last photo). On site security was never a consideration during that transformation.
It goes without saying, that such items as mobiles/tablets/wallets etc should be locked out of sight in the car, and jewellery/wads of cash/uncut diamonds etc should be left at home!
EDIT:
Oh... Just remembered... we did have some washing taken from the line once whilst we were out for the day... We found it neatly folded and dry, on one of our stools under the tarp, despite some afternoon showers!
We had a good idea who had done it, but the kind lady caravanner on the next pitch 'fessed up before we even questioned her!
Thanks Mucker that's reassured me quite a bit. I've looked at the thread you mentioned. It's great but now I'm even more confused. Leave the tarp up, take the tarp down? Safe or not safe to cook in an awning? Should I buy a tarp or an awning extension. So many questions I need to work out. We're up in the Lakes in a couple of weeks and then heading to the east coast. Think I'll be doing alot of snooping ha.
I think in general campers are a much more trustworthy bunch than the average man in the street, they have to be. We do tend to look out for other's kit too by the fact that we are a bit of a neighborhood watch as we sit outside a lot of the time.No bunch of people are more forthcoming with their time and effort than folk on a campsite in my opinion. However, there will always be the odd scumbag who steals what the want.
There isn't a lot that can be done, even if you could lock the tent up, it's no match for a razor blade down the back when nobody is around.
Thankfully it is a very rare occurrence to have any kit knicked so just be aware, be sensible and enjoy your camping.
Dave.
------------- Never argue with an idiot, they will drag you down to their level and beat you on experience.
Mark Twain.
Apart from the trust issue, there's always the weather consideration (whether? ). Whether to leave the chairs outside if you go out for a day or overnight, whether to leave the cooker under the camp kitchen so it's a little hidden: windy (bring inside), wet (depends on the durability of the items, some tables have glued parts which will be destroyed on getting soaked - I speak from experience - all-aluminium items should be fine). I have used a double bike cover in the past which covered our chairs and table excellently well, plus two layers of the cooker stand, so that's an option like the BBQ cover.
There is a risk but I think if you manage it well (a bit like the current scenario) one can mitigate it and feel less anxious. I think locking everything away all the time (bar desirable swipeables) can be counterproductive and make your activities (and thus possessions) stand out.
Have fun and relax.
------------- Camping - emotional resilience in action, a triumph of hope over adversity and antidote to virtual reality.
Never had anything nicked outside a tap connector in France - courtesy of another Brit, i am ashamed to say.
A lot depends on the sites you stay at; the larger the site, the more 'diverse' neighbours you will have, which means some may decide your gear looks better in their company. We lock the bikes together, and thats it. Everything thats usually outside stays there day and night.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Safe to leave camp kitchen etc outside???
via mobile 29/7/2020 at 8:34pm
