Camping Accesorries

If you are new to camping and want to buy the correct generator for your camper then you might want to go on reading.

We all know generators come in all different sizes and shapes and it can a bit confusing to choose the right one for your camper because there is a wide variety of options when you go looking for generators. The camping generators are specially designed for the user’s convenience and needs.

You don’t want to worry about your generator going off or damaged while you have to also worry about the noise control.

Well, we already solved the noise problems in how to quiet the generator, and to answer the former question of finding the right match for generators, we have a solution for that too.

A wrong-sized or undersized generator will cause you several problems like if it is too small to handle the load, it will place strain on the unit and will result in a shutdown or even worst, it can damage the whole unit.

I hope this piece of information has inspired much to give a thought to what size you would require for your RV/camper.

What Is A Watts Law?

Yes, you got it right it is a scientific law of physics by which we will know how much power we need for our trip and then you can decide what type of generator you want. Who said, bookish knowledge has no applications in real life?

Here is a live example. Power is a measurement of the amount of work that can be done with the circuit, such as turning on an appliance.

It’s a way to determine the wattage and helps you understand exactly the amount of power you will require. The law goes by this:

• Amp or ampere is the amount of electricity used.
• Volts measure the pressure of electricity.
• The number of watts is equal to amps multiplied by volts.

By applying the law or in simple ways keeping in mind these small details you can find the right fit for your camper.

What Types Of Generators Are Preferred?

When you are thinking about the generators to buy, you also think of the appliances you will be using during the camp trip. The generator should provide enough power to be helpful to you.

1. 2000 watt RV Generator

• It will provide only 20 amps of power.
• Useful for small appliances like charging phones, power banks, or TV.
• Not for appliances like refrigerator, microwave, air conditioner, and many other heavy appliances that require more power.
• Prefer using appliances that run on gas for the smaller generator.

If your electricity requirement for camping is a bare minimum then search for these types.

2. 3600 Watt RV Generator

• This can be used for appliances like the refrigerator and air conditioners.
• It can run a lot of devices at the same time.
• If you want your air conditioner to work then you might go with a 3600-watt generator.
• You can use appliances that run on electricity with these kinds of generators.

3. 4500 – 6500 RV Watt Generators

• 4500-6500 watt generators are both reliable and last for a long time.
• These offer more power and hence you can use as many appliances you want unless and until it is too much load for the generator.
• This will be a little costlier than the other two types.
• Investing in these kinds of generators will save you from the worry of using all the appliances and running out of power.

4. Design matters

Smaller generators provide less power, and larger generators provide more power. It’s as simple as that.

That is why recreational generators strong and perfect for camping trips. It can fulfill your basic requirements such as cell phone charging and some lights.

A portable large generator is useful for powering RVs and longer trips, as it can power more appliances and last for a long time.

How Can We Check The Appliance’s Power?

It is very important to know the power needs of your appliances as it will help you in calculating what kind of generators you would like to buy.

Here is a list of power needs of various appliances for you.

Appliances-Power required

• RV Refrigerator: 400-1000 watts
• Air Conditioner: 1400-2400 watts
• TV: 200-600 watts
• Laptop: 250 watts
• Coffee Maker: 900 watts
• Toaster: 1150 watts
• Microwave: 1000 watts
• Hair Dryer: 1000 watts

This is just a small list of very common appliances. You can analyze a lot more appliances here.

The appliances power is indicated on the following:

• On a sticker present on the side or the back of the device.
• On a tag attached to the handle or a hole in parts of the device.
• In form of an engraving on the sides or the back of the device.
• The appliance does not require more power than mentioned, it can damage the device.

Glamping?

Since we are talking about various luxuries of appliances and generators while camping, I would like to introduce a new term to you.

Glamping is a fusion of glam and camping. It means camping with all the possible luxuries of home or even more.

In these situations, you will be staying in a high-end RV park where you will have access to all the 110 Volt standard AC electricity of the traditional power grid.

This is not favorable for a majority of people, since it does not the best way to experience nature and camping, but no one here to judge you.

If that is your style and idea of travelling then you definitely want to invest in a high power generator that will last long. We have a list of good options for generator while glamping.

List Of Good Generators For Camping

Since it’s a difficult job to put all the good ones on this list, but we have tried to narrow down the list to the best ones.

• Honda EU3000i
• Honda EU2200i
• Yamaha EF2000iSv2
• Generac GP3000i
• WEN 56203i
• Predator 3500
• Honda EU3000lH1A Handi
• Westinghouse Igen 1200
• Champion power 2000
• Briggs and Stratton 30651
• Champion 3800-watt dual fuel
• Duromax XP4850EH
• Goal Zero Yeti 400 Portable Power Station Kit

FAQs

Conclusion

This article must have given you a brief idea about what all things you should keep in mind while you are out looking for a perfect generator for your camper.

I would recommend keeping the watt law in mind and also choose an efficient and portable one. Check out our article on how to keep your generator quiet while camping on our website.

If you have any suggestions or corrections, let us know in the comment section. We would love to hear it.

Until then happy camping!

Do you know what they say about portable generators? Always ground them.

What ‘they’ mean by grounding is that the connections, or the establishment of a connection, of an electric circuit or equipment to reference ground, which includes the generator’s frame.

Let me break it for you in simpler words. It refers to connecting an electric circuit to a reference ground. We need to ground every appliance in use to the ground for safety reasons.

In the case of portable generators, the frame acts as the electric circuit, and a properly installed grounding rod acts as the reference ground.

Grounding is a necessary aspect to look forward to as it allows excess electricity to be displaced and prevents you from accidental shocks or getting yourself electrocuted.

Grounding creates a neutral condition for electricity and it will protect your generator from the damage caused by abnormal electricity fluctuations.

Problems Of Not Grounding A Generator

We just looked at why do we need to ground our generators for camping. I think you should also be well aware of what are the various possible outcomes of not grounding a generator.

“ A short circuit in an undergrounded generator can cause a fire.â€

• The path of least resistance could allow electricity to flow in places it shouldn’t be.
• Which can cause electrocution, spark a fire, or cause other dangerous situations.
• Grounding provides a backup path of least resistance for electricity to flow.
• You are risking the safety of your appliances. It can damage your electrical equipment as wiring can be affected.
• Your electrical equipment can also overheat, thereby creating a risk of fire.
• Your circuit might not work, because many circuits don’t have a physical and direct connection to the earth.

How To Ground The Generator?

The first and foremost step is to check the user’s manual, if or not it is required to be grounded. Although it is a given that every portable generator should be grounded for safety reasons.

The minimum basic requirement is a main circuit i.e generator, a reference rod. Whether or not you need a reference rod depends upon your system of the generator.

What if there is no manual?

1. Check the design of the generator. Most modern portable generators are designed such as the metal frame around it acts as the least path of resistance for current.
2. If your generator is a separately derived system. In this case, you will be required to use a reference rod.
3. If you do not have a generator with the separately derived system, you do not need to ground at all.

To recognize a separately derived system, simply check the generator’s transfer switch. An unseparated derived system features a transfer switch that cannot be transferred to the neutral ground conductor, meaning it will not need a connection to a grounding rod.

Most portable generators have their fuel tank, engine, and housing bonded to the frame, meaning they will not have to be grounded.

Requirements For Grounding The Generator

Remember the ground rules for camping? Always be prepared. Therefore you need to be prepared and equipped with the right type of tools for grounding.

You can easily find them online or in any hardware or store with camping supplies.

• A wire stripper– you will need to strip the wire when connecting to the copper rod or generator. This is the online link to the tool.
• Copper grounding wire– this is the link between the rod and the generator. Buy or carry an ample amount of it just in case. This is the link to the wires.
• 4-foot copper ground rod– the most necessary product as this will act as the reference rod. You need to see how far the rod is to be driven in the ground and then decide. This is the link to the rod.
• Hammer– you will need this to hammer the rod into the ground. Just ensure to buy a good one so that it will not damage the insulation of the rod, which can lead to a poor connection.
• Pliers– this is required to connect the wire to the pieces of equipment correctly.
• Wrench– it comes in handy when we need to loosen a bolt or something in the generator for proper connection.
• You can carry your toolbox to the campsite as you will require some other tools here and there if the ground is not favorable.

3 Step Guide To Ground Your Generator

With all the equipment mentioned above, you are good to start grounding your generator.

Grounding becomes very easy when you are on a campsite and they have provided you with a reference rod installed, now you just have to connect your generator to the rod with a conducting wire. It is as simple as it sounds.

But, what if there is no pre-installed rod? That is why we have the copper grounding rod.

Step 1- Install the copper ground rod.

Search for a soft ground where it will be easy to ground the rod into the ground. If there is no such area available, just pour some water on the ground and wait until the soil loosens a bit. Do not make it too wet and flowy.

Once the ground is ready, drive the rod into the ground, using a hammer or a mallet. Make sure to drive the rod at least 8 feet inside the ground to ensure proper installation.

If the ground is too rocky, you can drive the rod at an angle of 45 degrees maximum.

Step 2- Connect the copper wire to the rod.

After your rod is completely installed at 4 feet depth into the ground, it is time to get the wire ready by striping it at both ends. Properly strip the wire to ensure proper connections.

Wrap the stripped wire around the rod using a plier. Make it tight to ensure connections.

Step 3- Connect it to the generator.

Once all the setup is done, you can proceed to the last step of the grounding that is to connect the generator.

Take the other stripped end of the wire and connect it to the generator.
Keeping in mind the convenience of portable generators, you can easily find a grounding bolt o the generators.

Loosen the bolt enough to connect the wire properly and tight. Use a plier to connect to ensure tight connections.

Once the wire is connected, again tighten the bolt back.

Tips To Follow While Grounding A Generator

Since you will be dealing with current and wires, there are some tips to keep in mind.

• Never ground the generator while it’s in use.
• Make sure the ground and equipment are dry and away from water.
• Ensure safe distance from the wires in working conditions or the area where the generator is grounded.
• Distance will also help you to get rid of the noise from the generator. You can check our article on how to keep the generator quite while camping.
• When you are using a generator with a separate grounding system, it is better to use wires and rods with low resistance. Resistance makes it difficult for the current to flow.
• If your generator has a frame that acts as a circuit, then the manufacturers have already taken care of the low resistance.
• A resistance of 0.2 ohms is preferred.
• Ensure all the connections are tight, to ensure grounding can perform the purpose of passing the current to the ground.
• Wear safety rubber gloves while working with wires.

FAQs

Conclusion

I hope this article gave you everything you need to know about grounding a generator. I would still recommend you to read the user’s manual for a better guide, since, there are so many different types of portable generators available in the market.

If you have any more suggestions or any new idea you are welcomed to the comment section. We would love to hear them.

Check out our website for more such guides and articles.

Until then happy camping!

Wondering which camper’s fridge to buy for your RV? Or have questions about the fridge you already have? Whatever your queries about the camper’s fridge may be, we’ll put them at ease with our article on the traditional camper’s fridge.

Want to upgrade your RV, but have doubts on how to go about it? Don’t worry. In this article we will discuss everything there is to know about the RV camper’s fridge, with a special emphasis on the traditional camper’s fridge, i.e. the RV Propane Fridge.

Without further ado, let’s get started!

#1 Why Should I Buy An RV Refrigerator?

RV fridges are expensive, there is no doubting that. Purchasing an RV fridge might seem like a huge expense, but in the long term, it is actually a huge investment.

I’ll just use my residential refrigerator, why spend so much? You might ask.

Well, there are a few simple reasons why you should not use your residential refrigerator even if you can, in your RV. Here’s why –

1. Residential Fridge was meant to be permanently placed.

It’s a fact. The fridge at your home was made with the intention that it stay put in one place for years to come. This simply means that your residential fridge will not last long in your RV trips.

RV fridges are made to be portable. They are made in a way that they can handle everything – from the bumps in the road to the power fluctuations.

2. Residential fridges take up way too much space.

RV fridges are compact. The fridge at your house, on the other hand, may not be as compact. Why not save precious space when you can?

3. Residential fridges are made to be powered on electricity only.

Residential fridges have a single source of power – electricity. This will not be a good trait for a condition of near constant power fluctuation. You will not only damage food, but in case of a power outage, you will harm the stabilizer of your fridge too.

RV fridges on the other hand come in 2 different kinds – they have a versatile source of power. They can run on AC power, DC power and propane.

4. Residential fridges tend to have higher moving parts.

The greater the number of moving parts, the tougher will be the maintenance and repair of the equipment – it’s pretty much a general thumb rule.

#2 What Are The Types Of RV Fridges?

We mentioned above that RV fridges have a versatile source of power because they come in 2 different varieties. What are these 2 different varieties? Let’s find out –

1. Two Way RV Refrigerators

As the name suggests, these RV refrigerators run on 2 distinct power sources – A / C power source, and propane. This is the traditional camper’s fridge we’ll be focusing on in this article.

2. Three Way RV Refrigerators

Again, as can be guessed by the name, these refrigerators have 3 sources of power – A / C power, D / C power and propane.

#3 How Does A Propane Fridge Work?

Unlike an electric refrigerator, which uses a coolant to keep the interior cold, a propane fridge relies on simple chemical reactions. The process starts with a flame fed by a propane tank, which is why this appliance is called a propane fridge.

Let us look at the working of the propane fridge in a little more detail –

Fellow Campers, lab coats on!

• A propane fridge has a sealed network of tubes and chambers holding water, ammonia and hydrogen gas.
• A propane flame heats a chamber holding a solution of water and ammonia until the liquid boils.
• The ammonia gas rises to another chamber, the condenser, where it cools back into a liquid. It then flows to the evaporator, where it mixes with hydrogen gas.
• When ammonia encounters hydrogen gas, the chemical reaction between the two absorbs heat.

That’s how the propane fridge produces its cooling action — by pulling heat from the interior of the refrigerator into the ammonia-hydrogen mix.

As it absorbs heat, the ammonia becomes a gas again. The ammonia and hydrogen gases then combine with water.

The ammonia and water form a solution again, which releases the hydrogen gas to rise back to the evaporator. The process then starts all over again.

#4 Key Tips To Check The Functioning Of Your Propane Fridge

• When the RV propane refrigerator is operating properly the flame is spark ignited to heat the boil assembly and runs the absorption refrigerator. The flame should be a solid blue and should not bounce around.
• The refrigerator should generally operate on LP gas, unless it is set on automatic. If the system is set on automatic, it will switch and run off of 120 volts of electricity should it become available.
  If electricity becomes disconnected, the LP gas burner will automatically kick back on within a few minutes.
• The RV propane refrigerator needs at least 10.5 volts of battery power to open up the gas valve and spark the ignitor. Without that, the LP gas line will not operate properly and will not run the refrigerator.
  When troubleshooting, check the battery power to ensure there is enough power available to ignite the RV propane refrigerator.
• When inspecting the RV propane refrigerator unit, it is important to keep the assembly clean and free of debris. This will ensure your unit runs efficiently and without any issues.
• Keep the fridge level at all times. It’s important to remember that these fridges work using chemical reactions. For these liquids and gases to flow properly, the fridge needs to be level. All this take is a quick check using a spirit level.
  Any good fridge model will have extendable feet, so you should be able to easily adjust the level accordingly. If using in an RV, make sure to re-check the level whenever you change location.
• There is heat involved with the fridge – both via the propane flame, and the chemical reaction in the fridge. To allow this to dissipate properly (and to maximize efficiency), make sure to keep at least a 1″ gap for airflow around all sides of the fridge.

#5 How Safe Is An RV Propane Fridge?

Let’s get real for a moment here – we are speaking of powering an equipment meant to cool our food, with fire, using a fuel that is known to be very volatile and very flammable – that too while driving an RV.

That is a crazy concept! And it is understandable if you have your apprehensions about it – because driving with propane is no funny business. But it also isn’t as risky or scary as you might think.

Let’s discuss the risks and safety features of RV propane fridges one by one.

1. Ammonia

If you’re a civil engineer, chemist or anyone who has anything to do with ammonia – you know why this name tops the list in risks. Ammonia poisoning occurs by inhaling or ingesting ammonia in gaseous or aqueous forms.

What makes it hard to detect a potential ammonia leak is that the gas is colorless. However, there is a defining way to know if it is ammonia – its odor. It’s one of the most pungent smells in the world – there’s not much chance you’ll miss it.

If there’s a way to describe it, it’s like the smell of rotting fish. Now that’s a hard smell to miss.

However, the chance of any leaks happening is very small. Especially with newer models, or anything less than 10 years old – you’re pretty safe. Provided you look after the fridge properly (don’t chuck it around or let it bash off things) you’ll be just fine.

2. Propane

While using a combustible fuel to operate appliances sounds dangerous, propane’s actually very safe due to the strict codes and regulations manufacturers must follow.

The chance of an explosion-type catastrophe is next to nothing, but carbon monoxide is a real danger. This invisible, odorless gas is given off as part of the propane-burning process, and can be deadly if it replaces too much oxygen in the air! For that reason, the most important tips are related to good ventilation.

You can check our previous articles to know more about handling propane –

How Long Does Camping Propane Tank Last? 5 Secret Tips On How To Extend It

Camping Propane In Car: Helpful Tips For Safe & Easy Storage

These 2 are the only things you need to be a little extra cautious about. Other than that, the entire fridge in itself has ZERO moving parts. Zero moving parts means less risk, easy maintenance and easy repairs!

#6 How To Vent A Propane Refrigerator?

Venting is crucial for any propane appliance. It’s necessary to remove any carbon monoxide produced from burning propane and to bring in fresh air to keep the fire going.

There’s also the heating aspect. Since we want the fridge to keep things cool, having good airflow and ventilation can maximize the efficiency of the propane fridge by getting rid of the heat from the flame and the chemical reactions in the fridge.

When fueling your propane refrigerator via propane, you’ll either have the propane source inside or outside of your structure. Let’s look at both options.

1. Propane From Outside

This is the simplest option, and most suited for 20lb or larger propane cylinders. It’s a simple case of having the tank outside connected via a hose and regulator. Provided your hose is tightly connected at both ends, there’s not much else to it.

Just make sure you’re following the basic best practices – the tanks are in good condition, certified, and secured.

2. Propane From Inside

In a standard indoor case, the best option is sourcing an exhaust hose outside. This is mainly for larger (20lb+) tanks. For smaller tanks or ones you just use temporarily, simply opening some windows and doors may be enough. For example, a small propane source below an open window should be fine.

If you’re considering either option, make sure you use a carbon monoxide detector to keep yourself safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Words

Buying an RV refrigerator is a big decision. They’re likely to be both the largest and most expensive appliance in your RV.

Determine how much space you have for your fridge, choose a spot, and measure it. Make a list of fridges you’re interested in based on type and brand, and shorten it based on special features.

You might not buy the perfect fridge, but you’re sure to get one you’re happy with.

And as long as you follow the safety precautions well, you can chill out with a chilly can of beer with your friends – or prepare fresh salads with your kids, without any risks!

Happy Camping!

The water tank in RV is the main source of water for you while camping. Even when you are boondocking, you cannot rely on natural water sources. Not all water sources are consumable, it is very necessary to filter and purify your water before drinking.

Especially, when we are experiencing climate change, we cannot rely on freshwater bodies in nature. The tanks in your RV does the task for you and you can enjoy your trip without any worries and without getting dehydrated.

There are 3 tanks present in your RV- a black water tank, a Gray water tank, and a freshwater tank. Two of them are used for wastewater, but the freshwater tank stores and pumps the potable water.

Of course, tanks have a limited capacity of water in them, and a refill is necessary. However, cleaning your tanks now and then is equally necessary.

REMEMBER- water stored in a properly cleaned tank should be consumed within two weeks.

Scarcity of water is also a very well known concept to us. Planning your expenditure of water and avoiding wasting it will help you from refilling it frequently.

We have some basic but important and right ways to refill your freshwater tank.

Let’s get started, shall we?

5 Easy Ways To Refill Your RV Freshwater Tank

1. Use A Faucet/Tap

Refilling your tank with this method is the easiest of all as it requires only a hose and water supply.

This can only work when you go camping in the city or to a campsite with water supply facilities.

Carry the right type of hose is very important, not every hose is made for transferring drinking water. You need to look for the drinking water hose.

These are made for the function of transferring drinkable water. It does change the taste of water no matter what is the conditions of water or what is the condition outside.

• Connect the hose to the tap/faucet from the rubber end side and enter the other end to inside the “portable water only†sign or the refill spot.
  
• Make sure to fix the hose to the tap properly and don’t wastewater.
  
• Then start the water supply and keep a check on the pressure of the water.
  
• Make sure to maintain the right pressure of the water. Otherwise, too much pressure will damage your RV pipes inside the camp.
  
• Various hoses come with a pressure regulator on them. That will tell you if the pressure is too high.
  
• Keep monitoring the level of water in your tank to avoid overflow and wastage.

2. Use A Pump

This method comes in handy when you are boondocking when there is no water or basic supplies. If you want to know more about boondocking, then you can check out our complete guide on our website.

You will require water jugs to carry extra water with you. Fill these jugs with fresh water and carry them along with you for extra water resources to refill later.

• Set up the pump with the drinking water hose linking it to the refill spot.
  
• The pump requires 12 volts to function, which can be fulfilled by connecting it to the car’s battery.
  
• You will also require alligator clips to accomplish this.

You can power up the water pump if a refill is required again.

3. Do It Manually

This method can never go wrong as it does not require a pump, as pumps can be damaged sometimes.

• You are required to have a mobile water jug that could hold up to six or more gallons of water in it, and a big funnel from any hardware store.
  
• Insert the Funnel in the refill spot and hold the water jug above it and tilt. Gravity will do its work.
  
• If the refill spot is too high you can climb up the ladder and follow the same steps.
  
• If the mouth of the water jug is too big you can use a host as well.
  
• Take extra precautions while transferring water since it’s a manual method and the chances of contamination are relatively higher.

4. Use A Drill Pump

This technique is both easy and effective at is uses mechanisms like drills and pumps. The equipment required in this is also small in size and occupies less storage space.

The drill is powered by attaching the main pumping mechanism to an electric or not electric drill. Investing in a good drill pump will save you from the pain of refilling your freshwater tank manually.

5. Use Water Vent (If Available)

This technique is a bit conditional. Many trailers come with an advanced refilling system.

It contains a small vent called a water vent, it is used to signify to us that the water tank is full and it starts sprinkling out water from the vent. The vent looks like a small hole with a mesh lid on it.

If the water can come out of the vent the water can enter too. Just remove the mesh lead from the vent; attach a plastic funnel and empty the water jug into the tank.

Things To Take Care Of While Refilling

Bonus: How to Refill RV Tank Without A Pump

Using the manual trick or gravity is always easy but holding a very heavy water jug for even a minute is very painful.

Who doesn’t like a good hack when the hack uses no electricity and minimum efforts?

These are the steps to follow on how to refill your RV tank without a pump.

• You will require a water jug with a tiny hole drilled on the opposite side of the water dispensing end. The hole should be of course on the top otherwise it will be leaking.
  
• Secure the hole temporarily with a screw.
  
• Fill the jug with water and bring it to your RV.
  
• Now you need a drinking hose that perfectly fits with the water spout on the jug and to the refill point. If not then you might need some attachments for both ends.
  
• Attach the hose with the water jug and enter it into the tank refill spot.
  
• Make sure to keep your jug on a level higher than the spot.
  
• Maybe on the top of your car or you can hold it while you are on a ladder.
  
• Tilt the jug and remove the screw.
  
• This will create pressure in the jug which will push out all the water from it to the hose and the tank. Because the hole started to suck in air and air pushed the water out.

This technique is perfect pressure wise and convenience wise. As it does not take a long time to empty the jug due to the pressure generated in it. You don’t have to worry about carrying an extra pump for the refill process.

FAQs

Conclusion

All these methods are easy and also tried and tested. Now that you know these methods, you don’t want to worry about the mammoth task of refilling the tank anymore.

Although it is crucial to conserve and use water wisely while camping, lets also not forget about the two finishing the water in the tank before two weeks.

Let us know in the comment section about your experiences of water refilling and if you have any more suggestions. We would love to hear those.

Check out our other articles on dry camping, hammock camping, yurt camping and much more.

Until then happy camping!

We all know you are not going to survive in the modern-day without the internet. It is easy to think that you are going to go the whole camping period with nature and disconnect from technology, but do you feel like at the end of the day you need internet access to either browse through social media or go through the news before going to bed?

Why Need The Internet While Camping?

The Internet has developed from being a luxury to being a necessity in the last 30 years. 20 years ago, mobile phones were just a part of luxury for people who could afford it but in today’s world, even kids need a mobile phone to operate.

It has taken over all the industry in no time at all and now we can’t even imagine our lives without the use of the internet.

From listening to music to paying for stuff, everything we can imagine is digital and need the internet to operate.

Further, with the world currently facing the effects of Coronavirus, the world has come to a standstill and is only operating through the digital medium.

So, in a time like this, the internet is an absolute necessity and it will be a handy friend to you in camping.

What Can You Do With The Internet While Camping?

Not having internet for even a day means that you stay behind the world these days. Suppose you are in the middle of a camp and a sudden storm is approaching your camping area.

With the internet, this is a situation you can avoid. You get news from every corner of the world at your palms with the internet.

You can catch up with others about how they are doing while you are at camp through the internet. What if you come across a beautiful flower but you don’t know its name, won’t the internet come in handy then?

The Internet has so much influence, it can fill both your boredom and curiosity, which is why you have got to think of accessing the internet during a camp.

Get Internet Access While Camping: 5 Easy Ways

1. Mobile Data And Tethering

The easiest and most obvious way of accessing the internet while on a camping trip is through mobile data. You can just turn on your data services on your smartphone and get connected to the world.

You will need to have an active data plan for accessing the internet though. Make sure to check on the best offers provided by your telecom operator and keep your plan active for enjoying a good camping trip.

This will come in handy in every step of your camp. If you get lost in your campsite, you can use the map service on your phone to navigate your way through it. That is why it is highly advised to have the internet at least on your mobile phone.

The plan you have will determine how much internet you have available with you and beyond that will cost you money.

You may want to binge-watch a lot of movies and TV shows in your peacetime at camp and for that, you will need more internet.

If you carry a laptop with you and want to access the internet through it, you can just connect your phone to it via the USB cable and turn on the tethering feature available in the Settings of your mobile phone.

Turn on the tethering and enjoy the internet on your laptop.

2. USB Dongle

Camping is all about dealing with problems and you want things to go wrong in camping. So, in the case of the internet, there can be quite a few such problems as well.

If you are a binge-watcher and like to finish shows in one go, you will exhaust your mobile internet pretty quickly. In such a case you have no internet but your desire for watching remains.

Similarly, your mobile just got damaged and is sent for repairing (because that is the only scenario in which you can be without a phone) and you are going camping with just your laptop.

In both cases, the tethering of the mobile data option is out of the question. What do you do then? Well, there is the USB Dongle that you can use.

You can just put your SIM card inside the dongle and plug it through either the USB 3.0 port or the USB 2.0 port. You will have to recharge with a data plan on that network for the internet to work.

The speed of the internet is dongle is faster than the mobile data and you can watch it for streaming videos, be it on YouTube, Netflix, or Facebook.

Another benefit of a USB dongle is that it is very small similar in size to a pen drive and can be carried easily. But laptops on which dongles work are quite large in themselves and you need a bag to carry it.

3. Campground WiFi

Wireless Fidelity or WiFi has been one of the games changing inventions of the modern world. They provide you with large bandwidth and the ability of multiple users of the internet from a common point.

WiFi has been made available in malls, metros, and even in restaurants. So, why should the campground be different?

Across many of the camping grounds here in the US, WiFi is made available to the public and can be accessed through your phone or laptop.

But as you know, for connecting to a Wifi you need its password, right. So, for that, you can ask for the charge of the campground from whom you booked the slot. It is usually given when you register for a spot in the campground.

4. Modern Modems

Campground WiFi is good and all considering it is complementary with the campground but like all other public WiFi, it is quite slow and sometimes it takes too much time to load a web page or too much buffering if you are streaming a video. For that, it is better to carry your WiFi wherever you are going to the camp.

And for that, you will need a modem. The modern ones are wireless and it enables you to carry them anywhere. You will need to have access to the internet by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for connecting to the web.

If you are going camping as a family or a friend’s group, Modems are the best option because they will provide you with high-speed internet and for a bigger size of data. They are also easy to carry around and set up. But they will require electricity access for transmission.

Also, keep in mind that modems are expensive and slight damage is enough for it to stop working completely.

5. Satellite Internet

So, there are so many ways of accessing the internet that we have discussed, but in every case, you will need your area to have good network signals.

For mobile internet and USB dongle, you will need the signal of your telecom operator. For WiFi, you the source itself need a signal. For the modems, you need a signal of your Internet Service Provider.

But what if you are going camping in someplace secluded. Some far-off places where there is no signal of a telecom operator or internet provider. What then? Well then, you will need to use the Satellite Internet for connecting to the web.

Satellite Internet can reach you at any place at any time and it is also very easy to setup. You can just set up a wireless router that you can purchase, connect it to a power source, configure the network by the details provided by the service provider, log in to the network and enjoy high-speed internet.

Satellite Internet is very fast because there is usually no barrier in transmission and it can reach you almost anywhere. You can carry a wireless router for getting the internet and watch videos at good quality without buffering.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Say

So, there are so many ways of getting internet in camps, from obvious and simple ones like mobile data & tethering, and USB Dongles to a little bit complex one like Modems and satellite Internet.

The simple ones are also cheaper but the speed is low, while for the complex ones you need to spend more but you get high-speed internet. But one thing is for sure, we all will need one or the other because we can’t imagine our lives without the internet.

You can use the ones to your liking and though we advise you to go camping and disconnect from the technologies for a short while, you will get the most satisfaction from Satellite Internet regardless of its cost.

Do enjoy your camping and tell us your stories and how the internet helped you in the camp through the comment section below.

And as per usual, Happy Camping Everyone!