Moped Camper
I've been thinking about building my own "camper" for my own use in Singapore.
I would probably use a Motorised Tricycle as the base - something like this:
Hmm... okay... maybe not so funky.
Alternatively, and in line with our cultural heritage, I could used a modified Trishaw. Maybe motorised the front wheel with a hub motor or a friction motor.
What do campers have usually?
a) Bed or tent - shelter from elements
b) Kitchen - stove/sink - food preparation
c) Toilet/Washroom - ablution/hygiene
d) Storage - clothes, supplies (water), food/icebox/fridge
What will the camper be needed for in highly urbanised SG?
Shelter? Hold a Bed/Tent?
Shelter, possible. Sudden storms occur quite frequently. But a tent takes too long and is too immobile/inflexible. An Umbrella, a XL umbrella would be better. Like this:
Something big enough to shelter from sudden storms, and tropical storms can be quite strong. And quick and easy to put up.
Alternatively, if I use a modified trishaw, it would already have a canopy. Not very water-tight (from my eye-ball assessment), but there are usually extensions.
Two points to keep in mind about SG - the climate (heat and humidity) and the generally urban landscape. A tent would be too warm in Singapore. It would trap heat and humidity. A large umbrella like the one above may be more suitable.
Also, there may not be many opportunities or locations to camp outdoors in an urban environment. There may be restrictions to camping or setting up a tent.
BUT... "setting up" a BIG umbrella... hard to argue with that, eh?
The warm, humid, tropical climate also means little need for sleeping bags. And in Singapore, mosquitoes/flying-biting insects are not usually a problem (in urban areas, which is most of Singapore).
A simple lounge chair or cot may be more than sufficient to watch the scenery (no need tent or mosquito nets). Or whatever.
The largely urban landscape means that supplies are easily available. You do not have the "wilderness" and isolation from civilisation experience of true camping to require you to be fully self-reliant or to bring all your mod-cons with you.
So here are some of my thoughts about putting together a camping tricycle or trishaw and what needs to be in it.
Kitchen? For Food Preparation?
Food is readily available, with 24 hrs outlets in most parts of Singapore. Same with drinks. If needed, more as protest against commercial food/ drinks, or desire to prep own food, or to control own diet.
Or just to show off (Right =>).
Too much?
Might have trouble fitting all those in the tricycle.
This one (below) packs down to about 4 inches (10 cm) high (about 90 cm by 30 cm, but unpacks to what you see).
It is just a frame or a stand and you will need to add a something to cook with - like a simple gas burner (below).
But this is all very complicated, unless the point is to establish your "camp ground". Otherwise, I see the simplest option is to have a fold-down food-prep counter. With a burner as the main feature.
Toilet/washrooms
A "personal" and "portable" toilet could add some convenience... but waste management/disposal would be a problem. Might be easier to find a public washroom. Generally, one would be within reach with 30 minutes anywhere in Singapore.
But if you are camping, perhaps you may want a simple portable washbasin with all your toiletries for washing up. This one holds water, toothpaste and toothbrush, shavers and a mirror and light.
But you can have a portable/disposal toilet for emergencies, with a privacy cabana tent, and for showers, a PET bottle with spray holes poked in the cap.
Here's a tip for toilet waste managment: "use a zip lock bag for outer bag, a 4 gallon trash bag for inner. Put a baby disposable diaper in bottom for absorbance (remove the outer plaster side), a little baking soda and voila! You can make them up ahead. When done using, place inner bag inside ziplock and dispose properly. Can also use kitty litter to absorb liquid waste/ control smell."
There are also powders that will turn liquids (like pee) into gel or semi-solids for odour control, and toilet bags (like garbage bags but they fit portable camping toilets like this one:
Alternatively, just get a bucket/pail, put plastic bag to line it. Double bag in case of leaks, throw in some kitty litter to absorb liquid waste, and some baking soda to absorb odour, and you have a cheap but serviceable portaloo.
Storage
More importantly, you may want a storage for drinks (in hot and humid Singapore, a cool drink is one of the two most important things to have (the other is air-conditioning).
A cooler or ice-box could be essential.
Better yet, a cooler that has refrigeration! However, most of these work with 12v car chargers. Depending on how long you want to camp, an unpowered cooler could easily work. You may just need to top up the ice from a 7-11.
Tech and Connectivity
In todays' world, "wilderness" may well be defined as anywhere without internet connection. So a Mifi or a smartphone with 4G connection may be good, but you will also need power packs to charge your devices.
Alternatively, a Biolite stove can provide energy to charge your devices even as you use the stove to cook or boil water. This is not as good a solution as you might think, but it could help.
Solar Power
Found this. It's a home solar power kit.
The solar panel is 61 X 35 cm and will charge a 12v 12 AH battery to provide 5V and 12V power for various devices and equipment.
I'm thinking it could be used to run a cooler-fridge. This would provide some cool drinks although most of these coolers only lowers temperature to about 20 C below ambient or environment temperature. Still, a 10 C cool drink would be quite nice.
Product Specification (for the solar power kit):
Working Data
I would probably use a Motorised Tricycle as the base - something like this:
What do campers have usually?
a) Bed or tent - shelter from elements
b) Kitchen - stove/sink - food preparation
c) Toilet/Washroom - ablution/hygiene
d) Storage - clothes, supplies (water), food/icebox/fridge
What will the camper be needed for in highly urbanised SG?
Shelter? Hold a Bed/Tent?
Shelter, possible. Sudden storms occur quite frequently. But a tent takes too long and is too immobile/inflexible. An Umbrella, a XL umbrella would be better. Like this:
Something big enough to shelter from sudden storms, and tropical storms can be quite strong. And quick and easy to put up.
Alternatively, if I use a modified trishaw, it would already have a canopy. Not very water-tight (from my eye-ball assessment), but there are usually extensions.
Two points to keep in mind about SG - the climate (heat and humidity) and the generally urban landscape. A tent would be too warm in Singapore. It would trap heat and humidity. A large umbrella like the one above may be more suitable.
Also, there may not be many opportunities or locations to camp outdoors in an urban environment. There may be restrictions to camping or setting up a tent.
BUT... "setting up" a BIG umbrella... hard to argue with that, eh?
The warm, humid, tropical climate also means little need for sleeping bags. And in Singapore, mosquitoes/flying-biting insects are not usually a problem (in urban areas, which is most of Singapore).
A simple lounge chair or cot may be more than sufficient to watch the scenery (no need tent or mosquito nets). Or whatever.
The largely urban landscape means that supplies are easily available. You do not have the "wilderness" and isolation from civilisation experience of true camping to require you to be fully self-reliant or to bring all your mod-cons with you.
So here are some of my thoughts about putting together a camping tricycle or trishaw and what needs to be in it.
Kitchen? For Food Preparation?
Food is readily available, with 24 hrs outlets in most parts of Singapore. Same with drinks. If needed, more as protest against commercial food/ drinks, or desire to prep own food, or to control own diet.Or just to show off (Right =>).
Too much?
Might have trouble fitting all those in the tricycle.
This one (below) packs down to about 4 inches (10 cm) high (about 90 cm by 30 cm, but unpacks to what you see).
It is just a frame or a stand and you will need to add a something to cook with - like a simple gas burner (below).
But this is all very complicated, unless the point is to establish your "camp ground". Otherwise, I see the simplest option is to have a fold-down food-prep counter. With a burner as the main feature.Toilet/washrooms
A "personal" and "portable" toilet could add some convenience... but waste management/disposal would be a problem. Might be easier to find a public washroom. Generally, one would be within reach with 30 minutes anywhere in Singapore.
But if you are camping, perhaps you may want a simple portable washbasin with all your toiletries for washing up. This one holds water, toothpaste and toothbrush, shavers and a mirror and light.
But you can have a portable/disposal toilet for emergencies, with a privacy cabana tent, and for showers, a PET bottle with spray holes poked in the cap.
 |
| Privacy tent for shower/toilet/changing room. |
 |
| Handy Toilet - for emergency use. |
Here's a tip for toilet waste managment: "use a zip lock bag for outer bag, a 4 gallon trash bag for inner. Put a baby disposable diaper in bottom for absorbance (remove the outer plaster side), a little baking soda and voila! You can make them up ahead. When done using, place inner bag inside ziplock and dispose properly. Can also use kitty litter to absorb liquid waste/ control smell."
There are also powders that will turn liquids (like pee) into gel or semi-solids for odour control, and toilet bags (like garbage bags but they fit portable camping toilets like this one:
Alternatively, just get a bucket/pail, put plastic bag to line it. Double bag in case of leaks, throw in some kitty litter to absorb liquid waste, and some baking soda to absorb odour, and you have a cheap but serviceable portaloo.
Storage
More importantly, you may want a storage for drinks (in hot and humid Singapore, a cool drink is one of the two most important things to have (the other is air-conditioning).
A cooler or ice-box could be essential.
Better yet, a cooler that has refrigeration! However, most of these work with 12v car chargers. Depending on how long you want to camp, an unpowered cooler could easily work. You may just need to top up the ice from a 7-11.
Tech and Connectivity
In todays' world, "wilderness" may well be defined as anywhere without internet connection. So a Mifi or a smartphone with 4G connection may be good, but you will also need power packs to charge your devices.
Alternatively, a Biolite stove can provide energy to charge your devices even as you use the stove to cook or boil water. This is not as good a solution as you might think, but it could help.
Solar PowerFound this. It's a home solar power kit.
The solar panel is 61 X 35 cm and will charge a 12v 12 AH battery to provide 5V and 12V power for various devices and equipment.
I'm thinking it could be used to run a cooler-fridge. This would provide some cool drinks although most of these coolers only lowers temperature to about 20 C below ambient or environment temperature. Still, a 10 C cool drink would be quite nice.
Product Specification (for the solar power kit):
| Model No. | Solar Panel | Battery | Controller | Led lamp in set | Output Voltage |
| FS-S904 | 18V25W | 12V12AH | 12V3A | 3W*4pcs | 5V+12V |
Working Data
| Model No. | Fully charging time by solar(h) | Using time after fully charged | |||
| LED Lamp In Set | 5W Mini Fan | 6W Mini TV | 15W Standing Fan | ||
| FS-S904 | 6-8h | 9-10h | 22-23h | 18-19h | 7-7.5h |
posted by El Lobo Loco | 11:14 AM
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