Whether you’re heading to the Great Sandy, deep inside the bush or to the Nullabor, an awning should be part of your ultimate 4×4 accessories list. Why? Here are some pretty convincing reasons:

• You’ll get shade against the smoldering heat;
• You’ll have rain and wind protection in harsh weather;
• You can extend your living space;
• You’ll get more privacy to relax.

So, How Can You Find the Right Awning for Your Needs?

source: caravansa.co.za

Similar to other pieces that bring the comforts of home to the outdoors, such as solar panel kits, you should invest in a high-quality awning. It’s a purchase that will make your camping stay so much better for everyone. So, take the time to shop around.

The following factors are usually the most important in shaping the decision about which 4 x 4 awning to buy.

Ease of Installation

Let’s be real, if you spend 5 hours in your 4WD driving around the bush, you won’t be too happy having to spend another hour setting up an awning. So, if you pick something that’s complicated to install, you will probably avoid using it.

That said, you may want to look for something that comes with a straightforward construction and simple setup instructions. For instance, if you don’t need much space, a simple side model that can stand freely on two support poles is a great choice.

On the other hand, if you travel with the family and need more space, there are also larger models that feature walls. And these don’t necessarily have to be complicated to install. Anything that doesn’t require many ropes to keep up will be pretty straightforward.

Remember: The easier it is to set up and take down, the more likely will want to use it.

Canvas Quality

Just like tents, most awnings are made of canvas which is a blend of polyester and cotton. However, there’s a noticeable difference between one cotton-poly blend and another.

In comparison to other poly-cotton canvas options, ripstop canvas offers the highest durability to weight ratio. It has a thicker and stronger thread across the canvas, resulting in an relatively light but incredibly durable awning.

Weather in Australia can be unpredictable and the last thing you need is a leaky awning. That said, of course you’ll also want to make sure the fabric is waterproof.

Another quality to look for is UV resistance, which will prevent the canvas from fading and deteriorating in the sun. A 50+ UVP rating is ideal for an awning. This will keep you comfortable and covered while also protecting the awning from sun damage and making sure you are protected from the sun’s rays.

Stitching

Even a top-notch canvas fabric is useless if the final product is shoddily put together. Because of this, it’s a good idea to always inspect the stitching to make sure it’s tidy and free of significant flaws.

Make sure the seams are strengthened as well so you can be sure they will keep together even when exposed to wind and rain.

Types to Choose From

source: queenslandcamping.com.au

Side

The most affordable and simple-to-install choice would have to be side awnings. They can just as well be installed on the drivers’ side or the passenger’s side, and this just comes down to personal preference.

Side models are often installed using a rail affixed to the roof racks along the passenger side of the car. To choose which side is best for you, just consider how and when you’ll use it.

To set it up, just pull out the front rail of the awning, remove the legs, and secure the two poles along the side of the awning for support. Overall, setting up shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

Batwing

These are much bigger than the typical side models and have wings that stretch far enough to cover a considerable area. This makes them perfect for when you want to spread out as much as you want with your family.

The only thing to consider is that base of this sort of awning needs to be properly connected to your roof rack because it is much larger than the other type. The large hinge that supports the entire awning is located at the back end of the base; here is where the “wings” are joined and must be positioned towards the back corner of your car.

To Sum Up

Your 4WD camping setup will definitely benefit from the increased comfort and adaptability that a 4 x 4 awning can provide. When you find the appropriate one for you, you’ll be amazed at how often you use it because it is so convenient.

The post Comfortable Camping: Discover the Right 4×4 Awning for Your Outdoor Adventures appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Generally speaking, pop up camping showers or also known as pop up privacy tents are the perfect addition to a trip of any kind. The main reason for this is the quick setup and versatile feature set. In other words, these tents can be used as privacy shelters, offering a convenient solution for changing clothes while acting as the ideal outdoor bathroom and portable shower. According to experts and experienced campers, pop up camping showers and privacy tents are the most affordable and easily portable type of camping equipment. Whether going to the beach, camping, holding an event or having a backyard party, these pop up camping showers and privacy tents can come in handy.

Although at first all types of pop up camping shower tents seem the same, they do have a lot of differences. So when searching for the right one, one must take into account all of the important aspects that make a difference.

Ease of Use

Without a doubt, the first and most important thing to look for in a tent like this is ease of use. This means that the chosen pop up shower tent needs to be easy to set up and take down. Usually, a good and quality pop up tent should come in a sturdy and quality carrying bag. If the chosen pop up privacy tent is quality, it will only take a few minutes to close it and put back in the bag. According to experienced campers, the cheaper versions are almost impossible to take down and put back into the carrying bag. Moreover, since they are cheaper, they are usually made from fragile materials which are prone to break after a few uses. All in all, a quality pop up shower tent should be durable enough to withstand heavy rains.

Type of Frame

The type of frame matters and a lot. This, in fact, can determine whether the tent will be sturdy or not. Usually, frames can be made from aluminum, steel and fiberglass poles, out of which steel is the most commonly used. According to manufacturers, steel is a strong and durable yet affordable material that won’t compromise on the quality. The main downside of this type of metal is its heaviness, however, this compensates for everything else.

Although strong and lightweight, aluminum, is the least used type of material for designing pop up tent frames as it can bent easily. Last but not least, fiberglass, is also a good choice as it’s durable and lightweight, however, instead of bending, it’s prone to immediate snapping.

Note: Regarding the fabric itself, usually, it is made of polyester because it’s waterproof.

Features to Look for

Ventilation, tie-out points, removable floor, clothesline, rainfly, storage bag, wide zipped door, and meshed windows are some of the many features to look for in a tent. A thing to remember is that the more the features, the higher the price. Out of all these things, ventilation is maybe one of the most important things to have in mind as it is important for the prevention of overheating. That way, moisture can escape easily, which is paramount when the weather is cold.

On the other hand, the removable floor makes cleaning and drying a breeze and when paired with the extra ventilation at the top of the tent, there will be no smell or mould. If mainly used as a shower, it is recommended to choose one that has a separation between the walls and floor for easy drainage. There are lots of pop up camping shower tents that come with a ready-made camping shower, but there are also some which allow for the use of a separate one.

Last but not least, these privacy tents seem to be the perfect solution for the most common problem – no built-in or public bathroom. All it takes is placing the portable camping toilet inside the pop up privacy tent and that’s it.

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There are all sorts of camping styles nowadays, so even if you can’t simply part civilised life for a few days and only carry the bare necessities, you could travel with a home on wheels and have the comfort you need. Camping truly provides us with freedom and if you want to enjoy the life wilderness has to offer you could go to far, off-grid places thanks to having solar panel kits for camping with you.

What’s great about this is you have many options of panels and kits available, depending on your budget, the wattage, the accessories you require, without worrying about the weight because the panels are created lightweight and there are those that are even foldable, easy to carry and install.

Same as the importance of having all the helpful tools with you, like headlights, flashlights, multi-tools and recovery kits, solar panel kits for camping can make your camping trips safe and unforgettable, supplying you with the needed energy free of charge wherever you go without having to rely on the electric grid.

What’s also great is the fact solar energy is renewable energy that doesn’t harm the environment, so your adventures and fun aren’t at the expense of nature, on the contrary. You also have the benefit of self-reliance as a result, learning how to appreciate the simpler way of life ancestors used to lead without having a specific destination in mind.

This is the kind of freedom that allows you to create the itinerary on the go! When you have solar panels you don’t worry about only making use of the time you have while the sun is out considering batteries can be charged even at night or at cloudy weather, as long as you calculate the proper charging time prior to connecting the batteries to the panels.

Relying on solar energy allows you to have the needed energy supply for all the essential appliances, devices as well as children’s RC toys, whatever you find to be required for a fun and unforgettable camping experience. Likewise, there’s the benefit of the safety aspect since given it’s the off-grid places you could camp at, in case of an emergency you’d have the phones, tablets, GPS units or two-way radios charged and ask for help right away, no waste of time.

The post Solar Panel Kits: Discover the Benefits of Solar Energy for Camping appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

If they can afford it, a lot of them actually get caravans in order to travel and camp in style, though most prefer to use tents because they are far cheaper, and much more in the spirit of camping than a fully equipped RV is. But even if you are in a tent, there are still a plethora of different items that you can bring along with you to make it as easy on yourself as possible. However, if that is not your purpose, and you’ve gone to try and get by with as little as possible and see how well you fare with little more than your skills, then these are the perfect items for you.

It doesn’t matter if you are a chef, a pot maker or an arsonist, fire is one of the most important tools that you have at your disposal, and the same is true when camping as well, which is why you’re going to need a flint and steel firestarter set. While bringing a flint and steel firestarter set may be a bit more difficult than just bringing a lighter along with you, there are certain conditions in which this is the genuinely more optimal way of making a camp fire. Additionally, no lighter or matches will feel as satisfying as striking the flint on the steel and having the kindling catch fire from the sparks.

Another great tool for those that like to go for the simpler, but more effective ways of doing things is the multi-tool. This is a great item for two main reasons. One, it is a hand tool which holds a number of different incredibly useful smaller tools like knives, scissors, clippers and so on in one remarkably compact package. Two, it is one of the most basic tools that you can get despite its utility, meaning that you will still be able to do things the old-fashioned way without relying on any appliances or battery powered devices.

And finally, seeing as how we started this list with a basic element of nature, it seems only fitting that we end it with another, or more precisely a way of holding and transporting said fundamental element of nature. The previous sentence was basically a convoluted way of saying – get a canteen. While this may not seem like some sort of mind-blowing revelation, you will need water while you are out in nature and it is unsure if you will or will not come across a clean source of it where you can refill your supply. Therefore, getting yourself a large quantity canteen can allow you to take as much drinking water as you can carry and keep it in a clean and well sealed container.

The post Discovering Old But Incredibly Useful Tools For Any Hardcore Camper appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

It’s oftentimes said that a tactical flashlight is something you don’t know you need until it’s far too late. If you keep one around, you’ll be surprised at how often you’ll turn to it for help. From self-defense to looking for your keys, it can be invaluable when in predicament. There are various different types of flashlights available on the market nowadays. I personally use the LED Lenser T7M, but there are many models of the Nitecore, SunFire, First Light, and others that make quality tactical flashlights.

Tactical flashlights, like the LED Lenser T7M, are especially designed to give the carrier an advantage in a combat situation. They’re usually made of durable materials like hard anodised aluminium, which permits the carrier to use it as a striking tool. Moreover, the high amount of lumens tactical flashlights are capable of producing can temporarily blind an attacker, thus giving you time to escape or take advantage of the situation.

Hunters, campers and hikers use tactical flashlights to identify things in the dark, whether that’s an animal, an obstacle or anything in between. High-end flashlights can illuminate as much area as an entire football field. Moreover, it’s easy to lose something in the dark while on a hike, or even at home. You can easily locate the lost item with a tactical flashlight and go on with your life.

Buying a tactical flashlight is pretty straightforward. There are a couple of things you need to look out for in order to ensure you’re getting a quality product. First and foremost, you need to consider your budget. You generally get what you pay for, but most decent flashlights start around $30. Next, you need to consider the size. The size impacts the convenience of carrying the flashlight around, and the amount of space it takes up in a backpack. The power source also matters, you can choose between disposable and rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion and standard batteries. Lastly, the amount of lumens is something you should consider. About 100 lumens are enough to cause temporary blindness, but there are flashlights that have much more than that.

The post No Discovery Has Topped the Usefulness of Flashlights So Far appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

MAXTRAX Recovery Tracks

Perhaps one of the most popular pieces of recovery equipment are the MAXTRAX recovery tracks. These tracks are easy-to-use, lightweight extraction and recovery devices. You can easily find max tracks for sale online at an affordable price. The reason why they’re so popular is because they’re very good at what they do – they provide traction and firm ground to your vehicle, helping it gain momentum out of a sticky situation and back on the track. The max tracks for sale you’ll find are made of flexible, UV-stabilised, engineering-grade reinforced nylon, and they feature large cleats with teeth that sink into your tyres, thus preventing your vehicle from slipping back into the sand, snow or mub.

Bubba Rope Recovery Rope

Bubba Rope is a military spec recovery rope that’s made especially for pulling off-road vehicles out of a sticky situation. It’s probably the only rope on the market with polymer coating. The double braid has amazing abrasion, sunlight and chemical-resistant properties. Typically, nylon ropes lose 10% of their strength when in the water, but the polymer coating featured on the Bubba Rope ensures that doesn’t happen.

Hi-Lift Jack

The only all-cast jack manufactured world-wide today is from the Hi-Lift Jack company. The jack is manufactured from tensile strength and high yield iron castings and its formula hasn’t changed in the past century. The hi-lift jack has over 3T lifting capacity, is available in multiple heights and is incredibly durable.

Recovery Winch

A standard recovery winch, combined with a shackle mount is the most sophisticated method to recover a vehicle. Typically, the winch has several factors that you need to consider: the type of motor, pull ratings and line length. There are two basic motor types that recovery winches use – permanent magnet and series wound. Series wound motors are ideal because they work consistently in all environments and weather conditions. The pull rating indicates how much weight the winch can pull with the first line of cable and it also accounts for the tensile strength of the cable.

The post The Different Types of Recovery Equipment appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

Established in 1891, Morakniv is a renown knife manufacturer that creates fixed-blade knives that are of extremely high quality, durable, affordable and can be used for pretty much anything. Nowadays, a Morakniv knife is the trusty companion of many outdoor enthusiasts, whether hunters or campers. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular Morakniv knife types.

Bushcraft Carbon Steel Morakniv Knife – Where Reliability and Simplicity Meet

The Bushcraft Carbon Steel is the top selling knife from Morakniv. It’s an excellent outdoor tool that can be used in many different ways. First and foremost, it has safety features like the rear and front hand protection that prevents your hand from slipping off the grip. The carbon steel blade it features is 109mm long and 3.2mm thick, making it the ideal camping tool for cutting through branches and carving wood. Furthermore, it’s covered in black coating which prevents corrosion and makes it great for wet and humid areas like lakes, forests and swamps. As a means of added protection, the Bushwalker comes with a hard plastic sheath that ensures the knife is secured and prevents the risk of injury when rummaging through the backpack.

Morakiv Kamnsbol Knife – Multi-purpose-ness at its Finest

When you’re out in the ruthless Australian wilderness, you’ll want to be fully prepared for everything that may come your way. Thus, a multipurpose knife such as the Kamnsbol can come in handy, regardless whether you’re trying to make your way through some bushes, prepare food or cut some wood splints for a fire. This knife offers the best of both worlds – it’s extremely lightweight and flexible while having the durability and robustness of a stainless steel model. What the Kamnsbol excels at over other knives is it’s multi-mount fastening system, ensuring you can take it everywhere without fearing you’ll lose it.

Bushcraft Carbon Steel Survival Knife – Bear Grylls Mode: On

While the basic Bushcraft knife and the Kamnsbol can easily handle most outdoor tasks, the Bushcraft Survival knife is especially designed to deal with even the most extreme situations. It’s considered a heavy-duty survival knife, and it sports a 3.2mm thick and sharp blade that’s capable of slicing through anything short of metal and rock. It’s DLC coated, ensuring it won’t rust and it features an integrated fire starter that’s capable of producing sparks so bright they can be used as emergency signals. All these features make the Bushcraft Survival knife a must-have tool for any extreme outdoor enthusiast.

The post Discover the Most Popular Morakniv Knives appeared first on Sherlocks.com.au Blog.

However, before you get stuck in the first place, consider backing up onto your tracks and getting into a different line, as the ground behind you will be packed from the weight your vehicle put into it. Momentum is your friend in dire situations, so keep your foot on the gas if you think you can make it through. If that doesn’t work and your tyres are spinning in the mud without moving, shovel the mud, sand or snow out from underneath your tyres, then stuff the area with recovery tracks 4WD, or items like branches and rocks that provide traction.

As an off-road enthusiast myself, I find recovery tracks 4WD to be essential pieces of equipment whenever I go cruising off the beaten trail. They’re easily portable, affordable and can get you out of any situation with relative ease. Recovery tracks provide friction for your tyres, allowing you to gain some much needed momentum out of a sticky situation.

Since we live in Australia, a country with some of the harshest weather conditions and terrain, make sure you buy recovery tracks that are suitable for use here. Most high-end models have an inbuilt shovel that will help you remove sand, mud or snow around your tyres, making it much easier to get out. The nesting design of the recovery tracks saves you space in the trunk, while the ergonomic handles let you carry them around effortlessly.

If you have more money to spend, you can consider investing in a winch as well. The value of a quality winch is immense. In fact, you’ll never have to worry about getting stuck in a mud hole again with a winch by your side. These strong and durable pieces of equipment come in very handy when things get sticky. The only thing you have to worry about is having something to pull you out, like a tree or another vehicle. Winches feature series-wound motors, which are prone to overheating and are efficient at high speeds. Their power can range from 4-5 horsepower to 7-8 or even more, but the truth is, you don’t need more than that.

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