Travelling Light: Embracing Minimalism on Your Next Camping Adventure
Another Christmas passed us, and while we took a short break from the workshop for three business days, the time for adventure arose. With so many places close by to the Rockhampton region, we didn’t have to travel far to Coowonga, where we stayed on a private property titled Ranglewood.
A gem of a spot with access to a boat ramp and off-grid camping for tents, caravans and camper trailers and accessible by any vehicle, which enabled visitors over our seven days.
Whether you’re a frequent camper or it’s been a while, it’s always an excellent opportunity to review what you’re carrying, why, how much use it has and if it is something that can be removed from the load.
While typically our family camper trailer is generally always ready to take off on an adventure, the boot of the 4WD tends to fill up and, at times, with unnecessary items.
Reflecting on the column published in August of 2022 regarding weight watching while towing, it prompted a review on how the weight in the back of the car affects not only the way or combination of trailer and vehicle behaves, but legal and safety requirements as well.
Ensuring the trailer is right is only one piece of the puzzle; however, the vehicle’s weight is just as important. Considering the load of an esky, five people, a tank of fuel and our luggage, the limit can be close to what’s allowed.
Please visit the online CQ Today copy of the August 2022 Motoring edition to read a more detailed summary of weights to consider when towing.
After seven days at Coowonga, we took the opportunity to take our own advice and decluttered our camp life. Everything from sorting out what we use compared to what is no longer required, through to removing items that don’t work adequately or are broken, having sat in the ‘we’ll get to it one-day’ box.
Lightening the load on our camper trailer allowed us to transfer weight from the tow vehicle to the trailer, where the weight limits could accommodate comfortably.
While this approach isn’t practical for everyone, it worked well for us during this particular close-to-home adventure.
Another piece of advice we’re received from experience travellers is to keep a sharpie in your caravan or camping set up and mark what is used over a three to six-month period. After six months, whatever isn’t marked, is removed from the setup. Travelling with what you need instead of everything you think you need will make adventuring and travelling easier.
Reducing your weight also reduces fuel consumption and minimises the strain on your tow vehicle. Just because it says you can tow at 3.5t doesn’t mean you need to.
