The 2024 Canlife Camping Gear Issue: Our Favorite Gear this Year!
I remember one night, years ago, when I was leading a paddling adventure with college students. We were spending the night in a SC state park during a 427 mile paddle along one waterway from the Mountains of North Carolina to the Atlantic Ocean. It was a weekend night, and our group had plans to arise well before dawn. A group of kids arrived somewhat late in the evening with their families and proceeded to scream, run around, making animal noises while doing laps in the campground, playing games well past 10 pm. I lied on my sleeping bag, fuming over the childish racket until a voice in my head vigorously screamed at me; "idiot, you rant and rave about kids these days and their disconnect from nature. Here are kids, being kids in nature! Now, shut up and go to sleep!" I rolled over with a smile and didn't stir until my alarm.
We've both been campers most of our lives. When we present seminars at RV shows, attend rallies, and stay in campgrounds, we get tons of questions from other RVers about our favorite and most useful camping gear, apps, and RV accessories. To answer this call, we've put together a list of gear we travel with all the time. While we don't have room for too much in our Hamlet, we simply couldn't thrive without these items.
We'll start off with some awesome outdoor brands who make products which are directly in-line with our values and traveling lifestyle. These companies are run by fun, innovative people who love adventure as much as we do! Most are small, family-owned and/or started by women. These brands allow us to pass along savings to our followers, so use our links and promo codes below to enjoy discounts on their great gear and services!
This blog contains our affiliate links. When you combine our links with our "CANLIFE" promo code at checkout, WE get a small commission and YOU get a 10% discount. This income helps keep us on the road and all of our solar coaching and resources free of charge. As a part of our business model, we support a variety of nonprofit organizations focused on reducing carbon emissions, environmental education, sustainability, and youth/community development. Thanks for your continued support!
Where would we be without the energy we get from the sun? Stuck in an RV park somewhere, crammed in cheek to jowl, with our extension cord snaking off to some questionable outlet, we suppose. Instead, we roam nearly reservationless -- where ever we want, completely off-grid. With a small and robust system that powers our life, we don’t have to rely on plugging into campsites with electrical outlets. This means that we can be more flexible, make fewer reservations, and boondock on public land. With solar, we have literally saved tens of thousands of dollars on camping fees over the past decade. Learn more on our YouTube channel and save 10% off all non-sale Renogy products with our link and promo code CANLIFE.
Our vintage camper didn’t come with a fridge, and the ancient ice chest wasn’t practical for more than an a short weekend. We upgraded to a ICECO VL45 Fridge Freezer which means we don’t have to interrupt our camping experience with trips to town for ice. This 12-volt fridge is perfect for any road trip, whether you are in a traditional tent, van, or rooftop tent. Also, many RV fridges are notoriously small, so these fridges can expand your fridge/freezer space significantly without draining the house batteries if you set it up via a DC to DC charger and dedicated battery in your tow vehicle. Learn more on our You Tube channel and save 12% off all ICECO products with this link, and use the promo code CANLIFE at checkout!
Ever have a love affair with a piece of camping gear? When we saw this grill advertised online, we had to give it a try. Over the past decade, we have tried at least 3 other portable grills, all with varying degrees of frustration. Designed to pack away flat in a durable carrying case, this innovative grill is perfect for those camp chefs who are big on taste but short on space! We make everything from pizza to paninis and brownies to bread with this cool little wood or charcoal fired grill. Learn more on our You Tube channel and save 10% off with this link and promo code CANLIFE.
These collapsible, air-filled tubes fill the space between the ground and the bottom of your RV to reduce air exchange and that frigid wind that makes your floor so cold in the winter months. While we try to avoid cold weather as much as possible, it's not always in the cards for us. During our test in February in northern Michigan, we were pleasantly surprised at how much longer Hamlet stayed warm with these AirSkirts in place. Also, with this additional insulation, you'll save a ton of money on energy bills in both cold and hot weather as well as prevent your RV plumbing from freezing! Learn more and save $100 off a custom-kit when you use this link and promo code CANLIFE.
Love to hike or run? Add some spring to your step with these carbon negative, recycled cork insoles for all of the adventure shoes you own -- a great way to add new life to an older pair of shoes, or make your new ones even more comfy. We've been using new foot beds and love them in everything from our muck boots to our hiking and running shoes! Learn more and get $20 off your first pair!
CLUBS & MEMBERSHIPS
The Dyrt PRO
While there are a multitude of camping and RV related apps, The Dyrt PRO is our favorite because it has so many features in one app that costs less than one cup of coffee per month. On busy travel weekends we know that finding an available campsite can be a challenge, so we use this app to find public land and awesome campgrounds in tucked away places. You can use it where there is no cell service and it can help you plan out your route and camping stops. Learn more and try it FREE for 30 days with this link.
We love campgrounds, but we also love to mix it up and spend a night on a farm, in a vineyard, brewery, or amusement park. These businesses love RVers and invite them to come and stay at their place for a night, in exchange for a small purchase at their business. We've had a blast with our annual membership which also includes partnership deals/discounts at various places around the nation. Learn more and get 15% off an annual membership with this link and promo code HHFRIENDS15.
Fellow RVers and travelers who love to meet others offer up their driveway, yard, or even curb for you to park for 1-5 nights (depending on the host). Often near cities, these friendly folks can provide you with key local information and some even offer electrical hook-ups. Learn more and get 15% off an annual membership with this link and promo code BWFRIENDS15.
New to RVing? Looking for online, mobile jobs? Seeking to establish a new domicile or how to get your mail while traveling? Or, simply want to meet like-minded travelers? Join Xscapers (for younger, working RVers - individuals and families) or Escapees (geared toward retirees) RV Club for a whole host of benefits, information, and fun! Learn More.
NEXT UP....some key RV accessories and camping gear we simply can't live without!
If you like to cook at home, make it easy on yourself, by having a set of the same quality that stays in the RV – that way you won’t have to transfer items between the two and risk leaving something behind when you dash out for a weekend getaway. In addition to sturdy plates and silverware, we use a Lodge Camp Dutch Oven and the Banks Fry Bake for making pizza, casseroles, breads, cakes, brownies, and more over a campfire. We also have a basic Coleman Camp Griddle knives, spatulas, and some other basic kitchen utensils, we can cook up some gourmet meals, both inside and outside of Hamlet. Even after a decade of traveling, the only electric kitchen appliance we own is an immersion blender to make soups, sauces, smoothies, and cocktails.
Foldable Saw & Hatchet
While most parks and camping areas have rules against collecting deadwood for fires, many boondocking areas or national forest areas allow the collection of dead wood or driftwood. So when you are many miles from a place that sells firewood, you can make your own. Never cut down live trees, though! That's just bad form on many levels. We have a Fiskars foldable saw and a basic hatchet.
See that red thing under Hamlet's tire? This easy to use method to level the camper has hands-down saved our marriage! So simple, quick, and robust, these Anderson Levelers should be standard issue with every RV ever sold. They've done the job in thousands of not-so-level camping areas over the past 8 years and look like we bought them last week.
12-Volt Vent Fan
Most RV’s come with a tiny exhaust fan in the bathroom that is not terribly effective. Adding a full-sized vent fan (Maxx Air or Fan-Tastic Fan) will help create an RV cooling mechanism that will save your air conditioner from running constantly. While they make them with all kinds of bells and whistles, thermostats, remotes, rain sensors, etc., we have the most basic model of Fan-Tastic Fan. By closing all the windows except the ones closest to the bed and turning on the exhaust fan, this creates a nice breeze which keeps you cool even on the hottest nights. We haven’t needed an air conditioner in over a decade.
We've had a couple of different stoves over the years and have finally settled on a Primus Tupike. It's built to last a lifetime rather than just a few summers. It's lightweight, relatively small and can be used with either the little green can or connected directly to a propane tank on the camper tongue.
Quality Mattress
Your RV is your home away from home, so upgrading the mattress that came with your RV can be an investment in the long term enjoyment and comfort of your rig. Along with that, quality linens, your favorite pillow(s), etc. Our all-time favorite comfy mattress that your hear us raving about is from American Mattress Company.
Hydration Packs
No matter what outdoor activity we’re doing, we never go out without them. Staying hydrated is key to enjoying the experience. We use our Camelbak hydration pack for everything outdoors -- hiking, cycling, paddling, or just an after dinner stroll.
There are so many jackets out there from the inexpensive Frogg Toggs to the super expensive, Mt. Waialeale tested hard shells. We struck a balance with the Seattle-based Outdoor Research Forey II rain jacket. It's been a great addition to the layering system without breaking the bank!
Collapsible Camp Table & Folding Camp Chairs
Judging by the number of cheap camp chairs that are deposited in the campground dumpster at the end of a busy weekend, most people aren’t investing in quality. Now, you can spend a ton of money on camping chairs, but we've found that our Kijaro Dual Lock chairs are super comfortable and have lasted many, many years. As a matter of fact, after 8 years of solid use, we finally replaced them...with the exact same brand. We also bought a CampLand aluminum, foldable, adjustable camp table that has been with us for many years. We love that the legs are individually adjustable so that we can get it level on uneven ground.
Many RVers bring an additional structure that helps them enjoy the outdoors despite the weather or seasonal pests. Some pack down smaller than others, so consider your storage area before committing to the perfect thing. Consider wind as a major factor in deploying these structures, as we’ve seen hundreds of destroyed easy-up tents left in campground dumpsters. After trying a few different styles over the years, we've settled on the Sierra Designs Magnetic Door Screenhouse. It fits our storage capacity and our lifestyle.
Portable Propane Heater
While we typically head south in the winter and north in the summer, we find ourselves in some climates where we need a bit of heat every so often. We fire up our Mr. Heater Portable Buddy which we have attached to a hose that leads to a dedicated propane tank on Hamlet's tongue. This heater sips at the propane; our typical propane usage for the year comes in at around $125, for both heating and cooking. Again, there are many Mr. Heater options, but the most basic model seems to do the job just fine. Note: While we've never had a problem with carbon monoxide, we do have a CO detector in the camper, just in case.
RV sinks may look good during the first tour, but are notoriously small and inefficient for dishwashing. We use the 3 tub method for dishwashing: 1 tub of hot soapy water for washing, 1 tub of clean hot water for rinsing, and 1 tub of cold water with a small dose of bleach for sanitizing (if we are using river water). Straining out any food particles for trash, then scattering the water will help make the gray water tank last much longer. We got ours at Walmart, but any bin that fits your sink will work.
5 Gallon Buckets
5 Gallon Buckets
Helpful for all kinds of things, from collecting firewood to hauling water from a creek for washing or to filter for drinking water. These are easily acquired from any hardware store and if you need an easy off-grid toilet, they are compatible with the Luggable Loo seat cover/lid. We have a bucket dedicated to gross things -- add some bags, kitty litter, cedar mulch, whatever, and waalllah...easy, cheap, no fuss boondocking toilet!
Trailer Tongue Lock
Trailer Tongue Lock
Leaving an RV parked at a boondocking area while you go adventuring can be a little unsettling, especially if there aren’t any close by neighbors. While there are no guarantees in life, locking the tongue of your trailer with a more robust trailer tongue lock is worth the peace of mind. Our Reese Towpower Coupler Lock has been very effective and is easy to install.
Walkie Talkies
Taking the rig out for the first adventure is exciting, but it can also be stressful in ways that new RVers don’t anticipate. Driving on the highway or backing up a trailer into a tight campsite for the first time can be difficult for the driver, especially when they feel like everyone in the campsite, and maybe even their partner, is judging them. Especially after a hectic drive, this can be a sure fire way to start the weekend trip off with an argument. Having a good communication plan, an agreed upon set of hand signals, walkie talkies, and an extra dose of patience will ensure that the two of you will want to travel together again. Our Midland Walkie Talkies are also incredibly useful while caravanning, especially when there isn't cell service in the region.
RV camping is also a novel way to live, and no matter how comfy your rig is, the whole point is to spend as much time as possible outside. This means bringing along adventure gear that you enjoy. We never travel anywhere without our kayaks for the ocean and river, our mountain bikes, and our backpacks. And, even after nearly 11 years of RV travel, we still love to get out into the backcountry with our tent! We've had most of this equipment for more than a decade and much of it we bought used, rather than new, which saved thousands of dollars.
Leave No Trace Ethics
Whether camping in a busy state park, or on an open stretch of BLM land, it’s super important to minimize our impact of being there! This goes beyond simply dousing our campfires and picking up our trash; it also means keeping our noise to a minimum so that others can enjoy the natural world without a lot of blaring music or gas generator noise, as well as NOT feeding wildlife, and more. If you aren't yet familiar with LNT practices, check them out and share with them with your kids and friends. It takes a village to keep our outdoor spaces protected and safe.
Have a great and safe camping season! We'll see y'all on the road...
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