Holiday Gifts - Three Camping Products I Really Love

Today is Thanksgiving...Time for me to start thinking about shopping!

Traditionally, I always did most of my gift shopping on Christmas Eve. I always said I'd start earlier next year, but never did. However, now that I do it mostly online, Black Friday has become my motivation to try and get it done early. So, the time is here!

Since moving to Tennessee two years ago, we got busy working on our home and our camper hasn't gotten used much. We finally got out a few times this fall, got excited again, and are looking forward to working camping back in to our lives next year.

Now that camping is on my mind more once again, I know I'll get sidetracked looking at stuff for camping when I do my shopping. If you've been following me for a long time, you'll likely recognize the three products in this article. In fact, I wrote this original article a few years ago, but decided it was still worthwhile, especially for any camping "newbies". Honestly though, after many years of using them, these are still a few of my favorite camping accessories and things I think can make great holiday gifts for someone who enjoys camping.

A few ideas for Holiday Gifts for someone that camps?

Yes, it's that time of year. The time many people still fight the crowds and find the sales. But if you're like me, you probably consider that the old way, and might just do most of your shopping online. In other words, you may just spend too much time browsing Amazon!

So here are a few of my favorite holiday gift ideas for you. These are three items I really love that you may have not thought about. Fay likes the first and second items too. (But in all honesty, she doesn't understand my why I like the third one so much)!

Single Burner Camp Stove

The first of my holiday gift ideas is one of my all time favorite products to use when we are out camping. This is a single burner propane stove. Not only does it get really hot, it also doesn't take up much room to store. Things heat up much quicker than with our main camp stove. In addition, it's quick and easy to setup. You simply twist it on the top of a propane bottle. To use it, you turn the nob, light it, and you're ready to cook.

I start each day with our single burner stove. Along with the coffee maker that follows, it's what gets me going each morning. Besides using it to make my coffee, it's also handy as an extra burner when cooking a meal.

Stove Top Coffee Percolator

I just love to percolate coffee first thing in the morning when we are camping. I think it's because there's just something about smelling the aroma in the air while it brews. In addition, I really like watching the bubbles in the glass bulb on top. When they start coming up brown, I know it's about ready. This stove top coffee percolator looks just like an old-fashioned one. In other words, it reminds of the one my mom had when I was little. Watching it while out camping takes me back to simpler times. To use it, I simply put water in the bottom, coffee in the basket that sits above the water, close the top, and set it on the single burner stove above.

Digital Laser Infrared Thermometer

When you pull a travel trailer, you need to keep an eye on your wheel bearing temperatures. If you don't, you could be in for trouble. A hot one is a sign there's a problem and it's close to failing. (See more details in the Towing section of my free Beginner's Guide to Small Travel Trailers.)

While this is a rare problem if you service your bearings regularly, it's not something to ignore. Unfortunately, it can leave you stranded if it happens.

The most common way to check the bearings is to put your hand on each wheel hub to see if it's real hot. While this works fine, it will get your hand dirty. Not to mention that you may also burn you hand if you have a problem!

This digital laser thermometer is a much better solution. Simply aim the laser gun at your wheel hub and pull the trigger. The red laser beam will show up wherever you aim it. The digital readout gives you an immediate indication of the temperature. Best of all, you will have no dirty hands. I use ours at every stop to make sure we don't have any problems.

As a bonus, this is also just a cool gadget. I find all kinds of things to point it at...just because I can!

Denny Johnson

After having spent most of our adult life in Orlando, my wife Fay and I moved to Knoxville, TN in 2020. We are loving the change of seasons and being near the mountains. Plus, this part of the country is loaded with great places to camp.

We camped years ago with a pop-up camper, but got serious about it when we purchased our Casita in 2014. There was a lot to learn as we started traveling with it, and a lot of conflicting opinions on line. That's when I decided that creating a website would be a good retirement project. I started tinyTowable.com to share things we've learned along the way that have worked well for us in hopes that the information would be of help to others.

This article has been revamped and updated since it was originally posted.

11 thoughts on “Holiday Gifts – Three Camping Products I Really Love”

Becky says:

November 29, 2019 at 2:24 pm

Great ideas and article. Thank you Denny!

Sam says:

December 2, 2019 at 3:09 am

Might be a silly question but how hot is too hot for a temperature using the Digital Laser Thermometer?

1. Denny Johnson says:
  
  December 2, 2019 at 3:43 am
  
  The hub temperature is going to vary, depending upon outside temperature, whether the sun is beating on the hub, speed, and the particular trailer. The thermometer helps a lot because it helps you monitor the temperature and get a feel for what’s normal. Should it start to take off at any point, you should be able to easily recognize it.
  
  In our case, we travel in the summer and ours rare gets much over 100 degrees. I know that if I see it 130 sometime, I’ll get concerned and try to stop to figure out what’s wrong before it’s too late.
  
Carol from Kansas says:

December 2, 2020 at 9:25 am

Glad you’re back!

1. Denny Johnson says:
  
  December 2, 2020 at 2:47 pm
  
  Thanks so much Carol. I’m still quite busy working on our “new to us” old home, but certainly hope to start putting time into tinyTowable again!
  
Pam says:

December 5, 2020 at 2:17 pm

Welcome to the area. We are in the Cumberland Gap area. When you get settled try Cumberland Gap National Historical park campground. It is in the VA part of the park. Loop C (electric) and loop D are open this winter. We camp there and drive through to see if any Casitas are there quite often.

1. Denny Johnson says:
  
  December 7, 2020 at 6:59 pm
  
  Thanks for the welcome and the recommendation Pam!
  – Denny
  
Paulie says:

November 23, 2021 at 4:07 pm

I wonder if the infrared thermometer can be used for checking doneness on the grill?!

1. Denny Johnson says:
  
  November 23, 2021 at 4:37 pm
  
  Interesting idea, but I’m not sure it would be that helpful since it could only check the surface temperature. I think something that can probe into meat is better.
  
Carolyn Bedford says:

December 5, 2022 at 6:32 am

I have tiny towable. That had small camper solar panel. For some reasons it has come up missing.
The wiring is male and female attached to my battery. Thankfully was under lock.
Where do I go to get another panel. Knowing I can take a photo of the wiring.

1. Denny Johnson says:
  
  December 5, 2022 at 5:53 pm
  
  Sorry, but I can’t help you on this one Carolyn. I have no experience with Solar panels. You should try posting in one of the Facebook Groups on small travel trailers. You’re real likely to find someone there that could help. -Denny