As many of you already know, I got my first camper a couple weeks ago. I've still never slept in any camper. It's very basic, and it's seen it's better days. Besides a super awesome cool-aid man pitcher and matching cups, nothing really came with it besides what was nailed down. so here's my question,
[glow=red,2,300][size=14pt]What didn't come with your camper, but is essential to your camping?[/size][/glow]
I've figured out I need
(1)wheel chocks,
(2)and a 30 and 20 amp extension cord.
(3)Also I need electric heaters since my the heat in my camper is propane, and I guess a power cord with more outlets since it's been suggested that I run the heaters straight from the pole outside instead of from the camper since they use a lot of electricity.
(4) first aid kit
I'm sure there are other esential things I need, please don't assume I know anything, wheel chocks were a surprise for me! (PS. I'm not dumb, I'm just very green, so don't be afraid if you find out you're camping next to me!)
Thank you so much to those people that have helped me this far! I I feel like there is so much I should know that is coming as a surprise to me. You've all been super helpful!
You are going to have to keep the cups and pitcher, that is essential......Hey, you could bring Hi-C to the Rally 😛
Everyone has different priorities and thoughts on what is essential. My thoughts have always been that your essentials are what you need to survive the weekend. You can go broke buying all kinds of expensive camping toys.
It is essential that you level the camper. This can be done by putting some scrap wood under the low tire. It is real nice to have a BAL leveler but the wood is about $50 cheaper. You will need a level of some sort. Either borrow your Dads traditional level or buy an RV level or cheap one from a hardware store. (cheap = less than $5)
It is essential that you have a way to cook your food. If you don't have dedicated camping pots, I would think your meals through and take what you need from home. It is real nice and a space saver to have a nexting pot set. Most pups have stoves inside. Typically most people cook outside the pup. This is one item where I would suggest getting and outside stove. Even if you never go camping again, you can always use the stove if you loose power at home.
It is essential that you have a way to eat your food. I would just take some paper plates and plastic utensils. Some campers always use paper and plastic utensils so they don't have to clean. Personally I have plates and utensils that I picked up at a yard sale.
It is essential that you have a way to clean pots and pans and stuff. Bring a sponge and some dish soap. There are sinks at French Creek that you can clean your dishes in.
It is essential that you have Duct Tape. You can fix anything with it.
It is essential that you have bedding of some type. I use sleeping bags....another thing I believe in spending money on, you can always use it again. However, you can use just sheets and blankets from home.
The list can go on, but I gotta go eat my sandwich. Besides, others will join in. I think Phil has a premade checklist he'll post.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
You mentioned extension cords twice. Does your camper have a converter and electrical system? If so, you won't have to run extension cords to the pole. You would connect the pup's cord to the electric hook up. This would supply 110V to the receptacles in the pup. Then you would just plug the heaters into them.
We are the "real plate" type of campers. We do have paper and plastic in the pup, but we rarely use them.
Our camp kitchen started out with a set of those nesting camping pots. We have expanded the kitchen to have more "real" pots and pans in the camper.
I think that between you and Lone Lock, you have the "must haves" covered. Everything else is a nice to have.
I'm more or less good on the camping part, as I've done tent camping a few times. But Great list Matt! Plus I usually google a couple packing lists before going camping. My biggest worry is the camper part. The wheel chocks (can I use bricks or rocks?), leveling and an extension cord are the only/most important parts?
I need to pickup some sort of leveling jack for one corner of my camper. I think a BAL leveler is for something with more than two tires? I just have two tires. The previous owner said that the feet were "a pain in the @ss" so he cut one off. Thanks dude, really. I found a place in media that will order the shorter feet for me, but I feel like there should be something better.
I donm't think I'll be using the water system, I don't know if I'll have time to check everything and sanitize the tanks even if there are no leaks, so throw away dishes will be a must!
LOL, How was your Sandwich Matt?
Fritz, someone, I think LoneLock mentioned that it's a good idea to use a separate power cord to the electrical box since the heaters draw a lot of power. That was my thinking on the electrical cords.
What's the average length you guys have on your extension cords, 25 feet, 50 feet? Better to buy the right one now rather than have to get a longer one down the road.
Norm, I do have some tacky 'Easter island head' lights I've been dying to use but never had the guts. Maybe this will be the trip when they finally make their debut!
Thanks all, Cindy
[quote author=MariskaHargitay link=topic=1389.msg10852#msg10852 date=1329332961]
I need to pickup some sort of leveling jack for one corner of my camper. I think a BAL leveler is for something with more than two tires?
These are stabalizer jacks and not to be used for leveling. I don't understand why someone would cut one off, that doesn't make sense unless he was using them wrong.
The BAL leveler is for single axles like you have. You put it under the lower side tire and raise it to level your unit. The same thing could be done with pieces of wood or these, . You can buy wheel chocks at Wal-Mart for cheap, http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_query=wheel+chocks&ic=16_0&Find=Find&search_constraint=0
Best Regards,
Norm
Oh dear, watch out Matt, Norm is nudging his way into my favorite helper! Links to the items, and even better, links to places that sell stuff cheap! I think I might be in love 😉
Now I understand, My Dad told me the legs were for leveling, so I just wasn't getting what you were saying. I didn't so much agree (it seemed like leveling on 4 points would be difficult and cause frame warping issues) but was hoping what he was telling me wasn't wrong. I'll just add this to the list of a million reasons I need to go to the season opener rally at French Creek!
How about pics of a DIY leveler? Will that put me back to your favorite helper?? This is how I leveled my pup before I bought a BAL.
The best thing to do is take everyones advise and decide for yourself what you should do.....But if I were you I would do...... :idiot2:
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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.
Concerning extension cords:
I use a HEAVY DUTY cord for either AC or heater. I run that through and out to the power pole. The only draw for that plug is the high wattage/amps item. Anything else I use with my Apache's electrical system. If you do use an extension cord, use the smallest you get can get away with 10-25' should suffice. Also use the heaviest gauge you can get. The lower the gauge number, the more durable (and expensive) it is. A 10 gauge should suffice. Higher gauge cords can have a heat transfer problem.
As far as what I feel's appropriate for all else:
Safety items,
comfort items.
I've got a couple 2 ton bottle jacks that I use if/when I need the extra "umpf" of leveling.
Matt, A DIY that my Dad can do with extra wood definitely is getting you back into top position! (not that I can't, but apartment living is really limited) But what if the camper only needs to go up a few inches? It doesn't look like you have enough room to rest the wheel on anything but the last or possibly first level. And, aren't most campground areas mostly level?
Steve A, I'm thinking about digging out a really thick, heavy, and heavy duty extension cord that was left behind by an ex. He used to be a professional painter, so I assume it was used for big painting lights. I'd expect that should be good for a while. Thank you for the specified length. I will keep my eyes out for something relatively short, I think the one I have is super long.
I learned the hard way about putting a window air conditioner on a somewhat cheap orange extension cord. The whole thing got really hot. scary!
What kind of safety items? A first aid kit? I was thinking about taking out the one that came with my hyundai and adding some matches and a couple space blankets. After all, I'm not going to be really roughing it, so something basic should do.
With my design if you only need to go a few inches, then you only put one board in. The time I took the pic of the camper on it I had to use all the boards. If you give your dad the pics to make a leveler, note that my original design (in white) had short side triangle pieces. The one in use (gray) had longer triangles....design change after trial and error :banghead:
"Aren't most campgrounds level" :lmao: Thats a good one :rofl:
Actually, they should all have a slight angle to them so that the water rolls off.
Wheel chocks, you can use bricks or rocks. If your dad has scrap wood, he can just cut some wood on an angle Or just buy them like Norm said. Just remember, you should have 4, 2 for each tire.
How big is your camper? My first camper had an 8 foot box and only had 2 rear stabs and the front tongue jack to stabalize it. You can weld a new stab on if you want or you can purchase what I call RV jack stands. It looks like a jackstand for a car only smaller and you can screw it up or done to catch the frame of the pup and stabalize it that way. I had some for my 8 foot camper that I put on the front. Coleman said I didn't need it but it was nicer to have stabalization on the 4 corners.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
And the sandwich was good. I was going to have soup and a sandwich but DW put some Chicken Soup in the crock pot for dinner. So I dreamed of dinner soup as I ate my salami sandwich.
Matt O 2006 Skyline Nomad 27' travel trailer. Previously owned 1986 Coleman Columbia / 1992 Coleman Senecca / 1989 Born Free Class C RV.
My safety kit includes:
First aid items, including splints, slings, gauze, knee braces/supports (yeah, all from "real life),
Spare eyeglasses,
Candles,
Metal coffee can with lid,
Matches/other fire starting devices,
Freeze dried food,
Blankets,
Flares,
Compass,
Whistle
The extension cord sounds about right, Cindy. I think that should do you. As I recall, a 10 gauge or maybe an 8 was a gray cord. The orange cords you get at Home Despot, sLowe's, etc., are fine for lighting, but that's about it.
My Apache only has a 15amp system. Using the power pole is the best way for me not to keep popping the breaker. Even a rice cooker will trigger the system.
Ciao,
Essentials.
A way to cook and eat food. We have a small microwave (garage sale find) and sometimes I'll precook an evening meal or two at home and just heat em up quick. Serving, cooking utensils are most easily forgotten too. Oh, and hot mits.
Shower goodies: soap toothpaste brush towel flip flops.
Fly swatter and dryer sheets to repel and kill bugs.
A tarp. Long enough to completely cover the pup when it is set up. SHould you find you have a leak, at least you could stop the problem till you can get it fixed. Or you could tie it to trees or camper on sunny side to provide a little relief from sun.
Small broom to keep floor clean. THis makes it easier to keep bed areas clean.
Extra batteries for your flashlights.
Firestarting method. Keep in mind the wood at campground host is usually green and takes a bit of heat to get it going. Dad's fav way was to bring small propane torch (he was handy man and always had one in truck). We have used newspaper, sawdust and baby oil with much success.
Clothes pins. Good for so very many things. A length of rope. Can be used as clothesline, or to tie down awning on breezy (not gusty) day. Or by kids to tie up each other, or to rope off an area you don't want perople to walk in, for all sorts of reasons.
First aid kit. Bandaids, gauze pads and tape, needle(for removing splinters), tweezers, rubbing alcohol, first aid cream, bug bite itch stopper cream, safety pins, headache, allergy, cold and nausea remedies. Sun burn relief and spf sunscreen.
extra socks, pair of old shoes for messing around in or near water, pj's, baseball hat and stocking cap, gloves,
Extension cord: be sure you get one that works with the cord on your pup. Most of these are not "normal plugs" like you have in your house, pull it out and look at it. and an adapter that goes from pup cord to house outlet. THey don't cost alot, and take up very little room, and you'll be so glad you have it. Ask the campground reservation person how far it is to the electric hook up from the parking pad. When we were at Ive;s RUn it was VERY far to the hook up and we were so glad to have 100 ft of cord.
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