There are 250 items that you can take camping, I know because after 20 years of camping, I carry about 235 of them. Start with the very basics, print the list that I posted earlier to mark items and have a blank page to list your own based on your experiences. I just carry pen and paper when camping. Buying or taking 150 things on your first trip will make to a long trip with storage, set up and break down, especially if its only a weekend.
Having your camper safe and level is important, sleeping and eating are also important. Everything else is nice to have.
Walmart's 6Gal Water Jug
Water Filter with pressure regulator are good to have later.
Instead of rope lights, grab a set of christmas lights before you pack them far away. The clear ones are bright enough to light up the joint, but not so bright that you are squinting to see in the dark because your night vision just got screwed up as you got closer to the camper.
Clothes pins. They close chip bags, hold towels to whereever you hang them, hold CanvasCamper flag to the end of your awning ;D, hold the curtains together so the outsiders aren't looking in when it's dark....
1st trip out needs to be camp driveway if you can. That way the store (your house) is only a few steps away. That also gives you a flush toilet and running water so you don't have to figure out your interior plumbing on the first trip.
Don't remember seeing this, but if your going to have a hose connected, when it's time to pack up, I use a 5 gl bucket with lid to pack it up. I also keep an extension cord in there. I use another one for all the other little items I use, and don't want to store in drawers inside. A couple of buckets and lids from HD or Lowe's also make a quick seat when needed, too.
And like others said, camp driveway of the closest cg for the first trip. And remember that note pad and pen/pencil to make a list of things you need/forgot. we keep ours in the truck so it doesn't get packed up in the camper when we leave.
Wheel chocks, bubble level, leveling blocks or wood, (bal leveler), white water hose, pressure regulator, sewer hose/tote.
Bedding
Cookware
Dishes, utinsels,cups, flatware
Good knives
Cutting board
Cleaning products (dish soap, etc)
Broom, mop, small vacuum and a few rags
Clothes
Basic tool kit
Dielectric grease
white lithium grease
WD-40 and duct tape
Those are the basics....
I think the most important thing that other's have listed is to start small. There are some basics that you'll need like a way to level, a way to check level, and a way to chock the wheels that you might not have from doing other camping. Other than getting these kinds of things, we transferred our camping supplies from tenting into the camper to start with. And then started writing 2 lists - really need to get & would be nice to have.
Over the winter we've been knocking items off the really need to get list. For us that's included a battery charger, a RV extension cord, and a water hose to give you examples. We've gotten a few things on the would be nice list too, but are concentrating on the really need to get list.
[quote author=thingette1 link=topic=1348.msg10311#msg10311 date=1326858243]
Clothes pins. They close chip bags, hold towels to whereever you hang them, hold CanvasCamper flag to the end of your awning ;D, hold the curtains together so the outsiders aren't looking in when it's dark....
Clothes pins are essential - 1001 uses! I personally can't live without them and I'm embarrassed that I didn't mention them :-[ (I guess I have so many stashed in the TV, PUP, purse, backpack - even during the off-season - that I take them for granted).
Thanks thingette1!
I have a bag of Clothes pins in my pup as well. I hang my flag, tacky lights, chip clip, curtains, etc. It's like a hidden secret that not many talk about.
Here is what I use to collect my gray water....just a spackle bucket. My gray water situation is a slight PIA due to the outlet coming straight out of the bottom of the pup and the pup is low. One of these days I will do a mod and send it out the side. Also I know my design could be better with the vent but hey....it works for now :hardhat:
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Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
We went to the dealer to pick up our n2u pop-up today and while we were waiting for the salesman to finish up with another customer we decided to look at the other used pop-ups and wouldn't you know it we found one we liked a lot better for only a little bit more money so now we pick this pop-up up on Fri now I have another week to wait until I can finally bring our first pop-up home hope it goes by fast
I can't believe no one suggested an Axe or First-aid kit!
Packing list (permanently to be left in the camper):
First-AID kit
Twine (cheap disposable kind)
Box cutter/Sharp Knife/Scissors
Rope/cloths line
Cloth Pins
Mutli-screwdriver
Crescent or adjustable wrench
Pliers (works good if you need to take stuff off the grill - like when the pot handle breaks ::) )
Axe/Hatchet (sharpen-cause dull does not work well or pack a metal file)
Water jug (collapsible if possible) - in case there is NO water hookup!
Tarps (a few small or med size ones are fine) - to cover things when it rains - like yourself, a table or firewood...(does not seam to burn good when WET!) OR can use as a mat out side your door or under the awning.
FLASHLIGHT - preferably shake, squeeze or windup. IE: NO BATTERIES needed (cause they run out when you least want them to).
Kitchen:
large pot (needed to make hot water for dishes and washing etc...)
small or med pot (for cooking)
Cast iron or other frying Pan
Cooking tools - Spoon, flipper, large fork, etc...(Dollar store ones work fine)
Grill (used from BBQ) to put on top of fire pit (optional)
Wash Tub (multipurpose - for washing dishes or your self or soaking your sore feet)
Metal wiener/marshmallow rods (also good for BBQ chicken legs or wings)
To check/restock each trip:
Propane/Naphtha/Kerosene (if you use it)
First-AID kit
Matches/lighter/BBQ Starter/mini torch
Fire Extinguisher (mine when missing some how last trip???)
Twine (I tend to use a lot)
Plastic/paper plates & cups
Plastic or metal utensils
Wash and Drying Towels
Beach towels
Bedding
Wood Kindling (if you want to start a campfire)
Salt/pepper/spices
Dish Soap
Scrubbing/dish pads
TOILET PAPER (campsite always run out at 3 am!)
BRING your own DRINKING water (or fill up your water tank on trailer)!
(Remember to FLUSH all water lines after winter and before you fill that water tank!)
Then there is your personal stuff:
Hand Soap/Shampoo/Conditioner
Toiletries/Toothbrush/Shaving stuff etc...
Medication
Clothes
Lastly:
FOOD and related condiments!!!!
Please note: there is a lot of other thing that can be included. Other people may not want everything listed here - but for the most part this is what I PACK UP.
(Also I pack up a awning mat (old carpet), shoe tray and take my portable roll up A/C and the Microwave Oven with me too!)
kevsowe - my recommendation would be to bring the basics and see if you can make the Spring Opener at French Creek. That way if you've forgotten something you reall need, someone in the group will most likely be able to help you out. It will also give you a great opportunity to meet the nicest bunch of folks, and to see how they pack, store, organize items in the PU.
Happy Camping !
I'd go to a thrift shop get a pot or two pan or two...grab a lantern or two flash light or two...camp stove, look on Craigslist I got a Coleman dual fuel for $15.00...a deck of cards...you can use paper plates, platice forks knives cups spoons....trash bags....if u like coffee make sure you have a mug you can just heat water in the pot and get coffee bags....take a blanket and pillow from home....get something you can put 5gals of water in for cooking washing hands cleaning dishes...axe saw matches first aid kit
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