Author: David Mitchell

David Mitchell Quick Answer: To set up a car camping tent, choose a flat, clear spot, lay a footprint, assemble the poles, stake the corners, then add the rainfly and guy lines. Point the door away from the wind and park your vehicle as a windbreak. Practice once at home first. Ever pulled into a campground at dusk, unrolled a tent, and wondered which pole goes where? Most of us have. Think of this guide as a coach on the tailgate. I ask the questions first-timers usually ask, then give a straight answer to each. By the end, you will…

By David Mitchell Quick Answer: Ratchet straps are tie-down straps made from woven polyester webbing and a hand-cranked ratchet buckle. You thread the strap, crank it snug, and lock the handle. They hold cargo on trucks, trailers, roof racks, and hitch carriers. Always follow the working load limit printed on the strap’s tag. Pull up a stool, because this is the first thing I toss in the bin before any trip. On long weekends in a Class C and a few dusty runs in a Tacoma, I learned that a loose load is never a small problem. Ratchet straps are…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: To choose the right cooler for road trips, match the size to your trip length and group, pick insulation and latches that suit your weather and roads, and confirm it fits your rig. Hard-sided coolers suit multi-day trips. Soft coolers suit day use. A 12V fridge suits long boondocking. Reader question: “Do I really need a fancy cooler, or will the one in my garage work?” Fair question. Sometimes the garage cooler is fine. Other times it quietly ruins a food budget by day two. This guide answers the questions travelers ask most, one at a…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: Use an approved, red, child-resistant gas can. Fill it on the ground, outside your vehicle, and leave room for expansion. Pour with the engine off and no flames nearby, wipe up drips, and ventilate the boat. Haul cans upright and secured outside the cabin, and store them cool and shaded. “Isn’t it just a jug of gas?” That is the question I hear most from new boat-and-camper folks, and it is a fair one. Gasoline is easy to take for granted. Once you tow a boat to a lake with a truck, a travel trailer, or…

By David Mitchell Quick Answer: Clean and degrease the hull, sand it to bare, dull metal, and wipe it with solvent. Apply a self-etching or epoxy primer made for aluminum, then two or more thin coats of marine paint. Avoid copper-based paints, which can corrode aluminum. Let everything cure fully before launching or towing. Pull up a stool. Every fall, I see the same scene at campgrounds and boat ramps. Someone has a small aluminum fishing boat riding behind a truck or a travel trailer. It looks tired: chalky gray patches, flaking old paint, and a few dings. They want…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: To choose a portable power station for camping, add up the watt-hours your gear uses each day, then add about 25% extra. Make sure the inverter’s watt rating covers your biggest device. Many campers favor LiFePO4 batteries for long life. Check ports, solar input, weight, and safety labels before you buy. “Which power station should I buy?” It’s the first question new campers ask me, and my coach-style answer never changes: start with your gear, not the brand. Once you know what you will run and for how long, how to choose a portable power station…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: To choose a portable power station for camping, add up your daily watt-hours, then add 25–30% extra. Confirm its output watts cover your biggest appliance. Favor LiFePO4 batteries for long life, check solar input and ports, and match weight to how you travel. Shopping for a battery box can feel like decoding a secret language. Wh, W, surge, MPPT, pass-through. This guide works like a coach at the campsite: one reader question, one plain answer, and a clear rule you can use right away. Whether you tent camp, haul a travel trailer, or sleep in a…

By David Mitchell Quick Answer: Here is how to choose a portable camping fan. Match the power source to your setup (USB rechargeable, 12V DC, or 120V AC), then check airflow, noise, runtime, and mounting style. Pick guarded blades and a quiet low speed. A fan moves air, but it never replaces a carbon monoxide alarm. It is 2 a.m. in a Class C on a desert pull-off. The vents are open, the air is still, and everyone is wide awake. A small fan can fix that night, if it matches your power setup and does not buzz like a…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: To choose a cooler for your car, match the size to your trip (about 25-35 quarts for a day, 45-60 for a weekend), pick insulation that fits your trip length, and measure your cargo space first. Choose a 12V fridge if you need reliable cold for several days. Reader question: “Do I really need a fancy cooler for a road trip?” Short answer: not always. Knowing how to choose a cooler for car travel comes down to four things: how long you’ll be out, how much you’ll carry, how much space your vehicle has, and whether…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: Start with how you’ll travel. For most road trippers, a 12V compressor fridge sized to your group is the strongest all-round pick. Match capacity to trip length, check the power draw against your battery, confirm the unit fits your vehicle, and pick features like battery protection and a secure lid. Every spring, readers ask me the same thing: which fridge should ride along? Here is how to choose a car refrigerator, one real question at a time. Each section opens with the question and a direct answer, drawn from years of packing food into everything from…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: To choose a camping stove, match the fuel to your trips, pick burner power for your meals, and favor a wind-protected, stable design. Most RV and van campers like a propane two-burner. Backcountry overlanders often prefer a compact canister or single-burner stove they can pack anywhere. Picture a cold pan, a hungry crew, and a stove that will not light. The right stove matters more than the fanciest recipe. Whether you drive a Class C, a camper van, or a 4Runner with a drawer kitchen, this guide answers the questions I hear most, one plain answer…

David Mitchell Quick Answer: To choose a camping chair, start with your trip style and storage space. Then check the weight rating, seat height, frame material, packed size, and fabric. Sit in it before you buy. The best chair is stable, supportive, and fits your rig. On a long weekend in a Class C, I watched a neighbor’s bargain chair fold flat under him mid-sip. He laughed it off, then spent the evening on an upturned cooler. That moment is why choosing a camping chair deserves a few minutes of thought. This guide walks you through chair types, features, weight…