Mark's Mobile Camping Tips

 In this page I will pass on my knowledge & Tips on Camping with Tents / Vans / Trailers / Motor-homes over the last 40+ years around U.S, Europe & Asia. Maybe there will be some things that you might have not thought about before embarking on you adventures. I will be adding to this site as and when I can. I will leave out Backpacking side of Camping here as i will lean more towards the mobile side where size and space or more freely available, but must  be considered as well. This info is mainly for Malaysian/Tropical Camping.

Remember! We're in the Tropics!!!

You see all those nice Camper vans in U.S.A & Europe? Remember, they have very cold weather sometimes and need to do many things inside the vehicle like Cook, Wash & Dine.

Here in Malaysia the weather is mostly HOT! Use your Van for sleeping and Storage of your gear (Plastic Boxes work well). Take it all outside! Get a Tarp or a 10'x10' (or x15') or a fold out Canopy (Pasar Malam Type), My Bed platform converts to a Table (Banquet table legs) out doors or just get a banquet table at Tesco. Buy a Toilet Tent & a Porta Pottie. The little Butane gas Burners ( Not the tiny backpacker one, home one with cartridge.) are cheap and work fine, Poly carbonate water Jug for drinking water other jugs for wash up water. These local camper mods just clutter up the van, block windows, loose lots of space and cost allot. Cooking in the Van smells up the whole place (oil residue, maybe curry/salted fish?) and can be dangerous!

If you want to put back the seats or haul gear or anything it's still possible. I took out the back 2 rows of seats (still can properly seat 8 in total) which almost gives me 6' of cargo/sleep area.  Don't forget JPJ & Puspacom can make your life miserable with any mods. Maybe a platform for a bed that converts into a table is good as you can also hide gear underneath out of sight. Keep it simple, see how your uses turns out after a couple trips ( I use more for Picnic/Day Trips than actual camping these days.) and go from there for any mods. My van becomes my Living Room & Bedroom while the outdoors is my Kitchen, Dinning, wash up and toilet/shower. Don't expect much in the way of campground facilities around Malaysia so plan to be self-sufficient. 

 Hygiene:
This is the part we want to not think about but we must make due to enjoy our travels!
Along the Malaysian main Highways are many rest areas that have some very well kept Toilet & Showers you could probably sleep there on a long trip if required. Most have some security, talk with them.
TOILETS:
 Porta Pottie's: Be Strong now! If your travelling with Family/Girls and non-dedicated Campers you have to have some facilities. These are 2 part toilets, one side carry's the clean water and the other side keeps the waste with chemicals. You can empty these at any Petrol Station or public toilets and wash them out. NOT IN THE NATIONS WATERWAYS!!!. Come on be strong! There are also Toilet Seats with plastic bags underneath as another option on the Net. Dispose of PROPERLY!
You can buy a "Toilet Tent" for around RM100. and it can double as a changing room or Shower as well.
SHOWER:
 There are Shower Bags you can hang and get a shower or there is a 12 volt Cigarette lighter mini pump/Shower that you can place in a container of water. Make sure you don't wet up an area you will be walking through! Bring lots of Drinking Water and Wash up Water. Please consider the Environment what ever you do!
TENTS:
Today's modern Tents are more user friendly, light weight and simple to set up. Make sure you buy a Double Layer Tent! That's a 2 piece Tent. You have the main tent with more of a Fabric/net mesh overhead covered by a Rainfly over that. This makes the tent breath. A one piece Tent is like a big Plastic Bag and will have condensation on the roof making it muggy & damp. If it rains it will rain condensation inside and that is not a fun way to sleep. Of course with a sewn in Floor as well. Use another ground cloth under the tent to help with moisture. Look well where to place the Tent. Check that it's level and not in some water flow path and remove any objects that may end up in the middle of your Back.
 How many man tent?
Cut the labeled capacity in half. 2 for 1, 4 for 2, 8 for 4. Need space for Gear and don't want to have someone's Elbow in your Eye. Maybe upgrade the Tent Pegs to stronger ones in with a hammer. Don't want to get up in the middle of the night storm in a collapsed Tent! Be gentle these tents are not that strong, Careful with the Fiber Galss Poles, they can snap and would be hard to replace. Get a tent with flow-through ventilation and Mosquito netted Doors & Windows.  
Always Air-Out your tent after a trip or before you even pack if you have time. Sewing will rot if left damp and mold and mildew will form. Foam or an Air-Mattress will make things more comfortable.

CAMPING CHECK LIST

COOKING ITEMS:

1.  BBQ, STARTER, CHARCOAL, TOOLS (TONGS, BRUSH. SPATCHULA, FAN),

 HOT GLOVES, LIGHTERS / MATCHES

2.  POTS, PANS, PLATES, BOWLS, GLASSES, MUGS, COOKING / EATING UTENSIELS, WHISTLING KETTLE. FISH SCALER, CUTTING BOARDS & KNIVES, TUPPERWARES, THERMOS, ALUMINIUM FOIL, SCEWERS, CAN OPENER, PLEELER, CORKSCREW

3.  STOVES, GAS, STARTER

4.  COOLER BOXES / ICE, FROOZEN WATER BOTTLES

5.  NAPKINS, PAPER TOWELS, TISSUE, BASINS, STRAINERS, FUNNELS, TOOTH PICKS, TRAYS, PLASTIC BAGS, OLD NEWSPAPERS, GARBAGE BAGS,

FOOD ITEMS:

1.  SALT, PEPPER, SUGAR / EQUAL, HONEY, SPICES, SAUCES, COOKING OILS, VINAGER,

2.  PRE-PREPARED / MARINATED / FROOZEN MEALS, CANNED FOOD, POPCORN, CHIPS, PICKLES, BREADS, CRACKERS, CHEESE, COOKIES, BAKED GOODS, FRESH VEGTABLES & FRUITS, SOUPS, RICE, MAGGIE, NOODLES, OATMEAL, CEREAL

3.  DRINKING WATER, SOFT DRINKS, MILK, BEER, SPIRITS, MILO, COFFEE, TEA, GINGER TEA

CLEAN UP:

1.  BATH / HAND / BAR TOWELS, RAGS, SPONGES, BRILLO PADS, DISH SOAP, LAUNDRY SOAP, CAR WASH SOAP, CAR WAX, BUCKETS, HOSE / CLAMPS, NOZZEL, CHAMIOS, WASH / RADIATOR WATER  W/ CONTAINER, DUST PAN / BRUSH, CAR VACUME

CAMPING / PICNICS:

1.  TENTS, CANOPIES, TENT PEGS, MATS, BLANKETS, SLEEPING BAGS, PILLOWS, MATTRESSES, BUG SPRAY, COILS, REPELLENT, ANT TRAPS, ROPE / STRINGS / BUNGIES, CLOTHES PINS / LINE, BINDING WIRE, AXE / SAW / SHOVEL, ALL TOOLS, ELEC TOOL BOX,  KNIFES, MULTI TOOLS, COMPASS, RUCK & BACKPACKS, CANTEENS, FOLDNG CHAIRS / TABLES, BILLY CLUB, TORCH LITES, RADIO,  PHONE CHARGERS, VARIOUS NEEDED SPARE BATTERIES, INVERTER, LAPTOPS, BINOCULARS, CAMERAS & CHARGERS, CD’S, THUMB DRIVES, EXT-HARDDRIVES, TV, ADAPTOR CABLES, EXTENSION CORDS, GUITAR / AMP / P.A. ETC., GENERATOR, FUEL, MOTOR OILS, FANS, LANTERNS / CAMPLITES, HATS, SUNGLASSES, SEWING KIT, GAFFER TAPE & OTHERS, WHISTLE / AIRHORN, MAGNAFYING GLASS, FISHING RODS & TACKLE, NOTEBOOK / PAPER / PENCIL / PENS /  MARKERS / ENVELOPES / STAMPS, CANDELS, HAMMOCK, PORTA POTTIE & CHEMICALS,

FIRST AID:

1.  FIRST AID KIT, ENO, TIGERBALM, YOKO YOKO, EAR / EYE / NOSE DROPS, PAIN KILLERS, SUE’S ICHY CREAM, MOPIKO, UBAT BATUK, PANADOL, ASPERIN, SPONGE CAKES, TWEEZERS, DETTOL (Big), THROAT LOZENGERS, SUDAFED, VITAMINS, ANTIBIOTICS, MALOX, ANTIBIOTIC CREAM, VARIOUS BANDAGES, HYDROGEN PEROXIDE, SMELLING SALTS, PERSONAL MEDICATIONS, HALAZONE (PURE WATER TABLETS), SUNBLOCK, SKIN LOTION, BABY OIL, NAIL CLIPPER, SCISSORS, EAR BUDS, COTTON BUDS, THERMOMITER,

VAN GEAR:

1.  MAPS, MOTOR OIL, BRAKE OIL, WD40, BATTERY WATER, COOLANT, TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE, WINDOW WASH FLUID, SPRAY GREASE, DRY GAS, CARB CLEANER, STP, SPARE BELTS / PLUGS / CONTACT POINTS / HOSES / WIPER BLADES / OIL FILTER / FUEL FILTER / AIR FILTER, EXHAUST TAPE, SILICON SPRAY, CRC, STOP LEAK, FIRE EXTINGUSHER

PERSONAL:

1. Shower shoes/flip flops, Towels/washcloth,
     Soap in plastic case/shampoo, Tooth brush/tooth paste, Mouth wash, Deodorant, Comb/brush, Razor, Feminine products, Toilet Paper!

WELCOME! Where to go lah???

            
CAMPER VAN / MOTOR HOME / CARAVAN CAMPSITES IN MALAYSIA  

 Malaysia is in its infancy (Stalled?) for motorised and towed camping and the accommodations that are required for it. There is a ready market but, how can there be Caravans, Motor Homes or Camper Vans without a place to stay and camp? But, in turn, how can there be campgrounds without Caravans, Motor homes or Camper vans? The “Chicken & Egg Syndrome” continues!

 Across Europe, U.S.A, Canada, South America and even Thailand there have been such places available for many years. In Malaysia we have to start. There are so many beautiful rivers, lakes, highlands and beaches all around this country with a great road system already up and running. No one is just going to make a purpose built campground at this early stage of course.

 Tents and kids on school holidays are another kind of camping and should not be included in this concept unless a large scale campground is to be set up. This is about “Motorised Camping”, a more “Up market” form of camping which contributes to the tourism industry economy in a big way in some countries.

 Adults (with families as well) driving with their accommodation towed or in their vehicle, with most of their necessities along with them, are one step away from booking into a hotel and able to afford more than just a patch of dirt for free. Certain facilities are a must for the motorised campers to truly enjoy their holidays. 

 At this stage in Malaysia, let’s use what might already be available or what can be set up with a minimal amount of expense and commitment. Actually, there are already many places one could camp/park, but there is no information available to guide us.

There are Motor Homes, Camper Vans and Caravans in Malaysia already, with many people showing interest in owning, renting and even building their own form of “Motorised Camper”. Now is the time to take the next step! Let’s Get Organized! Let’s find out where we can go camping!

                  CAMPERVAN CAMPSITIES MALAYSIA
 A GUIDE FOR: MOTOR HOMES / CAMPERVANS AND CARAVANS

 There are a growing number of adults who are trying to get back to nature with their friends and families. There are many new nature reserves and national parks and resorts that are popping up all around the country as well. There is a large increase in 4X4, SUV and MPV sales. Our road system in most of Malaysia is almost excellent.  Look on the internet for vehicle Campsites in Malaysia and you will see almost nothing, bits and pieces only. Let us work with what might be already available, and set up a proper guide for these adventurers. It’s a new and growing form of tourism!
 There is one man who is already well into camping with his Campervan around Malaysia, Mr. TJ Chang, We salute you for leading the way! His Blog contains much needed info on his Camping experiences and additional information on Motorised Camper vehicles in Malaysia and around the world. Check it out!
http://malaysia-campervan.blogspot.com

 * If you think you might have an area that could accommodate 3-4 or more Campervans, Motor Homes or Caravans, maybe you could consider adding this sideline to your establishment as an added source of income. If you are interested, please read on and register with our website by my email below. If you cant fill it out and email it, just use the numbers on each box and type it in an email. Become part of a nationwide network of campsites for the “motorized” campers. Setting up does not have to be a big investment and you might have what it takes already. Plus, this website is free! Here' some information/ideas on what is needed for a caravan/Motor Home/Camper Van campsite:

Facilities for:

Motor Home/Campervan /Caravan Campsites

Basic facilities may include:

• AC power connection. (Usually rated by capacity such as 15, 20, 30 or 50 amperes.)
• Drinking water connection
• Public Toilet & Shower, Possible Sewer connection or place to dump chemical toilet tanks.
• Hotspot (Wi-Fi) *A place to throw garbage! Bins!

Park facilities Ideas may include:

• Barbecue area  / Bathhouses / Convenience store / Dump station   / Exercise equipment

• Gift shop / Golf Courses / Hot tubs / Laundry / Picnic tables / Restrooms
• Recreation Hall / Showers / Swimming pool / Lake or Pond
• Bar / Restaurant
• *Not all the above is required, Electric, Water and Toilets/Showers would be a very good start. Ease of entry and exit of campground, smooth road for long and large vehicles with plenty of space to turn around is a must. A level, hard ground (Gravel), area for camping.  A sign at the road indicating camp ground location.

* For those of you who have traveled around Malaysia and know some useable campsites or areas you have camped already, please inform me with as much information as possible and some photos if possible. Use this form as a guideline. If you cant fill it out and email it, just use the numbers on each box and type it in an email. I will add to the list and catagorize it by states. Penninsular Malaysia only for now.
My Email is: rocknroll_mark@hotmail.com
Please address subject as : "Campervan Campsite + State"


LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD AND STOP WAITING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO DO IT!
Mark B. Ruffin Rock & Roll Blues Cafe Melaka