Camp - stupid questions 😑

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Ceifer

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I’m thinking of entering a dressage camp in a couple of weeks. I’ve done a residential camp before but it was at the yard where my horse was so nothing logistical to worry about.

I have a 3.5T lorry and as it’s 2 days one night I was thinking of camping in the back as no accommodation on site.
My lorry is pretty basic - it has a day living area and a tiny Luton that I wouldn’t fit in to sleep.
Any advice / tips would be welcomed please.

Probably also a bit of a dim question but tack storage? I currently have a rather expensive saddle on loan as mine is away being repaired. I have a lockable external tack locker but if someone was determined they could jimmy the lock off. The camp is at quite a busy show centre and there are other events running so it is causing me stress 🤦‍♀️.
Am I overthinking it? Would it be stupid to call the venue and ask some questions?
 
I've slept in the back of one before. It's pretty cold at this time of year, so take plenty of sleeping bags and blankets. Sweep out, tarpaulin down, air mattress, pillow, bedding, lantern and you're done. Make sure to go to the loo before you get ready for bed, and have lots of food, including breakfast items. And a power bank for your phone.
 
From a seasoned trailer camper of multiple weekends from March to October.... if you can beg or borrow a folding camp bed (one where the legs lift the sleeping part off the floor), you will be significantly warmer! Otherwise, decent pyjamas, sleeping bags, duvets etc and a warm hat will all help.

A camping stove and the necessary to make hot drinks of a morning are always good.

Quite a few times this season I have woken up to frosty grass outside!
 
Can you borrow a tent from anyone? Putting the tent up in the box is much warmer.

Maybe buy a contact alarm for your tack locker? You can get them with a remote to turn it off before you open. They're pretty cheap from Amazon and make a hell of a noise.
 
Take out the partition or move it over to the side.
Put a pop up tent inside the lorry, then either an airbed or camp bed inside, with all the usual bedding. You'll be much warmer that way.

Keep the saddle in the back with you.
 
Jambarissa said:
Can you borrow a tent from anyone? Putting the tent up in the box is much warmer.

Maybe buy a contact alarm for your tack locker? You can get them with a remote to turn it off before you open. They're pretty cheap from Amazon and make a hell of a noise.
Click to expand...

Britestar said:
Take out the partition or move it over to the side.
Put a pop up tent inside the lorry, then either an airbed or camp bed inside, with all the usual bedding. You'll be much warmer that way.

Keep the saddle in the back with you.
Click to expand...
I've slept in a one person pop up tent in a 3.5 horsebox. Tarpaulin on the floor, partition moved to the side at an angle ( it's too big for me to move alone, mind your head when in the tent) and tent with mattress or camp bed plus sleeping bag. I suggest you practice folding the tent before you go.
I managed with care to fit my clothes, portaloo, tack, muck out kit and wheelbarrow, feed, hay for 2 days and tent etc all in the back 'living'.
The hay, feed, muck out tools and wheelbarrow all went in the storage barn. There was just enough room to get changed. I did take a couple of bin bags to put wet or dirty clothes in.
 
I’ve slept in my Equitrek trailer, cardboard and an old rug on the floor, camper with memory foam mattress and two duvets. It’s actually very cosy.

I do live in a 300 year old cottage so I’m used to only being warm three times a year 😂

Lock tack in the car if you’re worried.
 
Something substantial between you and the floor as no.matter how much you think you've washed it out all your camping gear will smell of horse wee otherwise 😉
 
I've done it few times but I find the condensation drips on your head and face its not nice and its bloody freezing 😔I would find a place near to the event that take horses in and have accommodation it's so much nicer and you wake up feeling like a human being with a good breakfast in your belly 😊
 
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Don't use the external tack locker - the locks are as much use as a chocolate fire guard. Thefts from lockers on show grounds do happen.

As others have said, lock anything valuable in the cab, and hide /disguise under old coats etc .
 
outinthefens88 said:
From a seasoned trailer camper of multiple weekends from March to October.... if you can beg or borrow a folding camp bed (one where the legs lift the sleeping part off the floor), you will be significantly warmer! Otherwise, decent pyjamas, sleeping bags, duvets etc and a warm hat will all help.

A camping stove and the necessary to make hot drinks of a morning are always good.

Quite a few times this season I have woken up to frosty grass outside!
Click to expand...
All of the above and a supply of water to make coffee etc, just put food in a picnic basket, also a torch. I also have a camping toilet which is great and very portable. Have woken up to frost but still here to tell the tale!
 
Tent inside the lorry (keeps your sleeping area clean as well as being much warmer. Get as much insulation underneath you as well as over you. Put some bubble wrap or cardboard underneath the tent. Air mattress, fleecy blanket /duvet over the mattress then your sleeping bag then extra layers. I've slept in the back of a trailer like this in March and it was fine - not my favourite night ever but fine.

Make sure you have everything you need for the night within easy reach so you don't have to get up, trust me you really won't want to get out of that cocoon once you're in it!
 
Good advice above. It will be cold! Much colder than you would expect. I would put carpet on the floor and get/ borrow one of those pop up tents to sleep in. Sleeping bag, duvets. Sleep fully clothed - or at least have fleecy pyjamas with tee shirt underneath and socks.

Have a practice putting up the tent and how to store everything - it will all fit in! Agree about the saddle in the cab, hide it well underneath coats, etc.

I used to sleep in a trailer and took a small camping gas stove, for hot water for a drink in the morning and at night. I also liked to take a radio to listen to and have a torch. Don't bother too much with food, just take some snacks and fresh fruit and maybe something for breakfast, you are only there one night.
 
I camped at sunshine tour this year. It got down to 1c. We stayed in a tent, not in a trailer or box. It was chilly but I slept in fleecy pjs with a vest top underneath, 2 pairs of socks and a bobble hat. I was lovely and warm with hot water bottle. My sleeping bag was a winter rated bag on top of a blow up mattress.
 
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