Staying away at shows with only a car and trailer – how do you cope?

[BYR]

We are hoping to do some overnight shows next year and just wondering how many of you stay away with only a car and trailer and how you manage?

We were thinking of buying a big tent that you can stand up inside, and an air bed (it will just be me and my mum) but how do you manage with cooking , drying things out if it rains etc ?

Also how do you secure things away? We have a tack locker in the trailer but no way of actually locking the ramp up.

Any ideas tips or inventions welcome

 

[peaceandquiet1]

Lock your tack in your car. Get a roomy tent if you can and do a bit of camoing research-people find all sorts of ways to manage with little camping stoves etc.

 

[animal]

With cooking get a trangia stove- you'd be surprised with how good they are, pasta, frankfurters etc. They pack away small, but i gess you'd need to bring seperate water for the cooking and the horses.

 

[Orangehorse]

With 2 of you will need a tent. I camp in my trailer, but it is not that comfortable or convenient! Nor would it be waterproof if the weather was bad. So far I have been lucky.

I use a small gas ring to boil a kettle of water, and take separate water from the horse! Air bed, sleeping bag + extra duvet. I take breakfast cereal, fruit and UHT milk and if stopping for more than one night a cool box for bread, marg, cheese, etc. Plates, bowl, cutlery, a small table is useful, a camping kit of stuff that you will assemble. There is nearly always somewhere to get food, although burger and chips might not be what you want to eat. You need a torch, and some sort of camping light.

I found that on my own, putting up and taking down the tent was an extra chore, as well as looking after horse and self, so I just bed down in the trailer. You need mucking out tools, plenty of hay for horse, feed, water buckets and plenty of clothes.

 

[rockysmum]

I tried a tent once but after one night moved into the trailer.

We have chairs, camping stoves, a shower that works out of the cig lighter, gas straighteners, a kettle that also works out of the cig lighter etc etc.

Larger showgrounds have toilets and showers and food.

All that said we only did it once. My recommendation is the nearest Travelodge, B&B or anywhere with a bed and a shower. As long as you leave your mobile number on the stable your horse will be fine. We take some tack into hotel (hidden) and the rest is locked in the car. Feed etc is fine left in the trailer.

 

[Sit_Up]

I have slept in my trailer on a number of occasions staying away for shows and camps. Takes a bit of organising but can be quite comfortable once you have a system.
Tried a tent but much faffing getting it up and down and finding a suitable site and transporting things backwards and forwards meant I gave up.

Main problems are getting trailer draught proof and having limited room in car for transporting everything.

I have found that hanging tarpaulins and securing them with rubber bungee cords works well for draught excluding (IME rear ramp side ramp and jockey door all need covering to not be woken shivering in the night).

I also have a heavy weight picnic blanket that I put on the floor so I have a space I can use to take off shoes etc.

I keep everything of value in the trailer and secure each door with a padlock. Saddle usually sits out of way on partition.

Hints:
Take a sleeping bag rather than a quilt as takes up less room and if it gets wet is quicker to dry. Use spare rugs to cover you.
Invest in blow up bed and electric pump (I have one that plugs into car lighter)
Supermarkets often have camping gear section which is cheaper.
Visit your local Millets or camping shop for gadgets. You can get cool boxes that plug into the car and small heating elements you can use to heat a mug of water. I also have a rechargable lamp that will last 2/3 nights. The small cooking stoves with the gas canisters are fab. I do tend to buy food at the venue to save space so only really use mine for a cupppa before canteen hours.
Take lots of layers of clothes (even in "summer") you can sleep in layers and keep warmer.
Baby wipes are essential if you are unsure of washing facilities.

Dont forget to pack your sense of adventure and sense of humour.

My first experience of "trailer camping" was at BD summer regionals a couple fo years ago. Ended up in a field full of very posh boxes with trailer rocking in high winds and hail and driving rain wondering what on earth I was doing..and reminding myself that this hobby was fun. But the next night after a couple of glasses of wine and sharing chocolate cake...and figuring out the draught proofing it was MUCH MUCH easier. >;0)