Bare minimum for mild offroading/wildland camping?

[97Mazda4000]

I am planning a long distance road trip during which I will be primarily camping in a truck camper, I am trying to decide whether or not to invest in some work lights/general exterior lights or if I should just stick to battery powered lights like lamps and headlamps. Has anyone had experience with both methods?

 

[Curious Hound]

Vehicle mounted auxilliary lights can be very useful. But, they're attached to the vehicle and that limits how and where you can use them. The auxilliary lights I have mounted on my truck are primarily for driving. I can turn tje truck and use the headlights, fog lights, light bar to light up a campsite. But rarely do I do that. I use a battery headlamp, a Milwaukee M18 flashlight and Coleman lanterns for campsite and work lighting. One thing I have seen used very effectively, is a battery powered LED light tower. @85_Ranger4x4 's brother, Jason (he's in here, but I forget his username at the moment) has brought such a tower to several TRS gatherings and it was a very effective and useful piece if equipment. Get a good quality light. It's very frustrating when batteries don't last long or the light is dim or you can't adjust and aim it easily and have it stay in place.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Vehicle mounted auxilliary lights can be very useful. But, they're attached to the vehicle and that limits how and where you can use them. The auxilliary lights I have mounted on my truck are primarily for driving. I can turn tje truck and use the headlights, fog lights, light bar to light up a campsite. But rarely do I do that. I use a battery headlamp, a Milwaukee M18 flashlight and Coleman lanterns for campsite and work lighting. One thing I have seen used very effectively, is a battery powered LED light tower. @85_Ranger4x4 's brother, Jason (he's in here, but I forget his username at the moment) has brought such a tower to several TRS gatherings and it was a very effective and useful piece if equipment. Get a good quality light. It's very frustrating when batteries don't last long or the light is dim or you can't adjust and aim it easily and have it stay in place.

*Brother in law

@TechMouse

 

[97Mazda4000]

Thanks! Much appreciated.

 

[SenorNoob]

I can vouch that thing is stupid bright. Basically a battery powered streetlight.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I can vouch that thing is stupid bright. Basically a battery powered streetlight.

But it was adjustable too, when it was turned down it was very nice to have some sort of light for what was basically a party.

For actual camping, flashlights etc and maybe a lantern are fine though. Flashlight so you don't stumble off a cliff trying to take a leak in the dark and a lantern so you can mix up your macaroni and cheese.

 

[SenorNoob]

Correction. Capable of stupid bright.