Camper Trailer Action — Issue 104 2017

6. CAMP LIGHTING

FEATURE

Best Value Upgrades

A well lit campsite can really enhance your
entire camping experience. No more blind
taste testing or cooking in the dark after
this upgrade! As for improving camp safety,
consider your money well spent! Lighting is
more affordable than ever before making it
one of the easiest methods to improve your
campsite. But with so many options available
nowadays, what products offer you the most
bang for your buck?

HARD-WIRED

LED LIGHTING

When you’re in the market for a permanently
fi xed lighting upgrade, it’s hard to go past LED
fl ood lights. They’re more compact and draw
less current than any other method of lighting
and their low current draw means you don’t
need expensive high capacity batteries or
generators to run them. The only drawback is
the initial purchase price which can be higher
than halogen lights, but the price is rapidly
dropping, while LED strip lighting is a very
cheap and easy lighting solution. Plus, their
simple design makes them very reliable with
virtually no maintenance costs during their
lengthy lifespan, so they’re actually great
value in the long run. Just be sure to factor in
the cost of any wiring and switches into the
purchase price.

Average Price Range: $100+

Portable lamps allow you to take the

light with you instead of installing

several lights around the camper

Lighting around your camper

means you can have fun

camping even when it’s dark

BRIGHT IDEAS

When it comes to camping in the dark,

there are a few ways to make life easier:

• Cheap solar garden lamps can be used
  to indicate the location of your guy
  ropes and pegs so you don’t trip over
  them at night.


• Glow in the dark zipper tags are a
  great idea to help take the guesswork
  out of late night zipper searches.


• Nobody likes being blinded by their
  camp lights. By installing a dimmer
  switch to your main camp light you can
  actually adjust the light’s intensity to
  suit your requirements.

12V RECHARGEABLE

LIGHTING

The most common 12V rechargeable camp

lighting designs are lanterns and personal

torches. Although they’re not as powerful

or as bright as some other methods of

lighting, their ability to be recharged via

any 240V or 12V outlet makes them a

particularly valuable investment. Their

portability means they can actually cover

more ground than fixed lighting methods.

Plus, there are no ongoing costs for

replacement batteries, no maintenance

and the initial purchase price is minimal,

making them easy on the hip pocket right

from the beginning.

Average Price Range: $50 - $200