10 Tips For Storing Your Camping Gear
If you're a serious camper, you probably have a lot of gear. Maybe you have an RV and keep it in your garage or on a piece of property. Or perhaps you're one of those people who car camp, which means that your car trunk is more camping gear locker than anything else for at least part of the year. Whichever camp(ing) category you fall into—get it?—you need to know how to store your camping gear safely and conveniently, so it's ready when you are. So here are my 10 favorite tips for ensuring that storing my camping gear never gets in the way of me enjoying the outdoors.
Clean Your Gear Before Storing It
The first step in storing your gear is to clean it. Don’t worry; this doesn't mean you have to get down on your hands and knees and scrub a tent until you see your face in its reflection. You just need to make sure that you have washed away any dirt or grime accumulated during your last trip because this can lead to mold or mildew growth if left unchecked. You should also use soap and warm water when cleaning items made of fabric like sleeping bags or tents, but be careful not to leave them wet for long periods of time as they could cause mold growth later down the road!
If there are hard-to-reach things (like the inside of a small pocket), use a soft cloth with some soapy water on it and something like an old toothbrush if necessary. Then leave all gear out in the sun for several hours before storing it away again—the sunlight will kill any remaining bacteria from being held too far away from where it belongs: outside!
Remove Batteries From Flashlights and Electronics
When you're packing up to go camping, take the time to remove all the batteries from your flashlights and electronics. If a battery leaks or corrodes, it can ruin your gear. Plus, small children and pets are likely to get into them if they're left out in the open.
Store Camping Gear In Its Original Packaging or Sealed Plastic Bags
When you wrap your gear in its original packaging or seal it in plastic bags, it protects the item. Dust and dirt can damage equipment, especially electronics. Moisture can damage equipment and cause mold to grow inside of it, which is terrible news for the health of your camping tent or sleeping bag. Bugs are another issue; if you store your tent somewhere that is dry but not sealed off from bugs (such as under a porch), they'll be able to get inside and make nests there, which will ruin your trip when they emerge during use! Lastly, smells are an important consideration: storing everything with clear plastic bags keeps any scents trapped inside instead of leaking out on your stuff and making everything smell like chicken fajitas.
Dispose Of Old Fuel
You should dispose of old fuel as soon as you are done using it to avoid any accidents and to protect the environment.
Store the fuel in a safe place, such as in a metal container or an approved plastic bag. Make sure that the container is not exposed to direct sunlight and keep it away from open flames or sparks. You may also store it in your car’s trunk or in your garage until you have time to dispose of it properly.
When disposing of fuel, make sure that you do so safely and with care: use thick gloves while handling the fuel; do not pour leftover fuel down into storm drains or sewers; do not throw away empty cans, bottles or containers until they have been emptied completely; never smoke near spilled fuels—even small amounts can ignite easily!
Store Food Wisely
Storing food can be a challenge when camping. You want to keep the food you're storing safe and away from potential contaminants, but you also don't want to waste space with bulky containers that take up too much room in your cooler or backpack.
There are many ways to store food on the trail, from using Bear Vaults and Ursack's bear-proof bags to wrapping it in foil or plastic wrap, but we recommend keeping things simple by using a reliable container like the BearVault BV500 ($80).
This bear-resistant container is easy to use and has a tight seal that prevents any smells from escaping. It's capable of holding up to 5 days worth of food rations for one person, though if you're traveling with another person it may be easier to split their meals between two separate containers (just make sure both containers are completely sealed!). This way you won't have too much weight packed into one place when hiking through thick brushy areas where bears tend hang out more often than not!
Dry Out Everything Before Storing It
Dry out everything before storing it
It's important to dry out your gear before storing it, because if you don't, mold and mildew can form inside the equipment. This makes for a gross smell that will eventually spread throughout your entire rig. If you're going to be storing your gear for more than a few days, make sure you clean it thoroughly before putting it away.
How long does it take to dry out gear?
Camping gear varies in how long it takes to dry out—from as little as 24 hours (for items such as sleeping bags) up to two weeks (for things like inflatable boats). You'll need enough time on hand so that when the weather clears up and you're ready for another adventure with all of your equipment, there won't be any surprises waiting for you at camp!
Keep Sleeping Bags Compressed
Your sleeping bag will last longer if you keep it compressed and protected. The best way to do this is to keep the bag in its original packaging, and then compress it with a vacuum cleaner that has a hose attachment. If you don’t have one of these, there are other options: simply fold up the bag as small as possible (it helps if you remove items like pillows or pillowcases) and stuff it into an empty suitcase or backpack. Just make sure that whatever you use is clean!
Once compressed, store your sleeping bag in a dry place away from heat or direct sunlight — just like clothing, moisture can damage your sleeping bag over time. You can also store it in airtight containers designed specifically for storing delicate items like wool socks; these containers come at reasonable prices at most camping supply stores.
Store Lanterns and Propane Tanks Upright And Away From Heat
Store Your Lanterns and Propane Tanks Upright and Away From Heat
Lanterns and propane tanks are made of metal, which will rust over time if not stored properly. To prevent this, make sure that you store your lanterns and propane tanks upright in a cool, dry place. The best way to do this is by hanging them on hooks or nails so they don’t touch the ground or any other surface that can be damaged by moisture (mossy trunks). Also make sure that they are away from heat sources like fires, fire pits, stoves or furnaces because these can cause the glass inside your lanterns to crack due to increased temperature changes over time.
Store Your Tent Poles Away From Pets & Children
Tent poles are made from aluminum tubing which can easily break if bent incorrectly during assembly or disassembly of your tent trailer/tent frame structure! Make sure not only do you store these safely but also keep them away from children who might play with them as well as pets like dogs or cats who may chew on them for fun; Last thing anyone wants is an expensive trip up north ruined by having no tenting supplies due to damage caused by improper storage techniques!
Keep Everything Out of Reach of Kids and Pets
Keep your gear out of reach of children and pets.
To prevent theft, do not leave your gear in the garage or in the back of a car on display. Don’t let kids or pets play with it either, especially if there are sharp knives or other tools involved. It only takes one incident for someone to get hurt, and then you have to deal with the medical bills as well as replacing what was damaged by said incident!
Also keep in mind that this tip applies even if you plan on camping close to home—if there's any chance that someone could find what you're keeping safe while they're out hiking or walking their dog, then bring it inside!
Keep Your Camping Gear Fresh With Regular Use
If you want to maintain the high quality and performance of your camping gear, regular use is key. It’s easy to get out into nature once or twice a year for a weekend trip, but if you want your camping equipment to stay in tip-top shape, it's important that you get out there as often as possible.
Use Your Gear at Least Once a Year
The best way to keep your gear fresh is by using it regularly! Use it at least once a year—more if possible—and take advantage of all the different conditions, weather patterns and locations that nature has to offer. And don't forget about traveling with different groups of people; sharing experiences with friends will help keep things interesting while improving those relationships along the way.
These tips will ensure your gear stays in like-new condition for many camping seasons to come.
If you’re a camping enthusiast, then you know that having high quality gear is essential to the experience. You want your tent to be able to withstand gusty winds and rainstorms without leaking, for example. But what about when it’s time to store your gear? How do you make sure it stays in like-new condition for many camping seasons to come?
There are several important things that every camper should know before storing their camping items. Read on to learn 10 tips for how to store your camping equipment!
Conclusion
Now that you have all the storage tips, it is time to pack your camping gear and plan the next trip. It is crucial to leave no trace when packed away. Thus, keeping your camping gear clean has its importance. However, you have to choose the best containers for all of them to protect from harsh weather conditions. Many people don’t know this, but pests can ruin your trip if there are any leftovers in your food storage containers. If you are equipped with a few things in advance, then you can avoid this hassle as much as possible!
