Not sure if this is where this should be, but I think it would be nice to start listing ideas and helpful hints for those who are new to PU camping or maybe just camping in general...
I won't list more than 1 thing, but just want to get the ball rolling. Other's please put in your helpful hints or basics of how to set-up a camper
This is a basic for any type of camping....
Before going out and blowing the budget on things, use things from your house/kitchen. Take a few pots, fry pans, utenstils, cleaning supplies. Put in a box that will be easy for you to move back and forth till you decide what you will exactly need. Go camping and keep a notepad available...make a list of things you have needed (ie, larger pot or smaller pot) if you want to keep dishes in the camper, how many you actually need, some people want to do dishes constantly and other will want to do dishes once a day.
Slowly start to add to you collection. Go to garage sales and auctions. Locally, we can go to (and work at) auctions and you can get boxes and boxes of dishes for a few bucks (with this, you can get very cheap and it's cheaper than paper/plastic) ... but with auctions, just remember what things are worth and what you are willing to pay for an item as you can get caught up in the moment.
Many of us here have had a full camper full of items that we never touch. So take it easy... sometimes people get overwhelmed with the lack of space due to keeping more things than needed in the camper.
Keep a few binder clips, strong spring close pins or crocodile clips handy, so if needed you can roll up your awning by yourself. Roll the awning up and then clip the awning bag closed so that the awning will stay in the bag. Then you can go to the end of the awning bag and zipper the awning, removing the clips as you get to them.
there is a very useful product we have found at Home Depot in the storage items department. It is a folding plastic crate which comes in two sizes.. We load them up with "moveable" stuff on the way to the campground and after we unpack whatever is in them, they fold flat and are out of the way. Also, we find them useful to slide under the edge of the trailer when we want to store non-perishables and non-foods outside, but protected.
Another tip for NEW Popuppers (or campers in general):
Go local for the first (or second) trip. Like within 15-20 miles from home (or Wally World, K-mart, etc.). That way, if there is something you really need, you can go get it. Even if it means going home.
Of course, a check list would be helpful.
Anybody here got a favorite list? (Just for the newbies, of course. The rest of us KNOW everything to bring.. :) )
Whether cranking Up or Down, make sure your stabilizers are OFF the ground!
Before going to the dealer to pickup your new money pit, in$ure all your $aving$ i$ in a place where you can get to it 24 hour$ a day.
And, if po$$ible, pre-arrange 2nd, 3rd & 4th mortgage$....(ju$t in ca$e)! :Oops:
Ahhh ye$, the needed checkli$t$. (You need everything duplicated...ju$t in ca$e).
Tent Camping Checkli$t (http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/Checklist.asp?Activity_id=1000&activity_title=Tent%20Camping&submittingPage='soup2nuts2.asp')
RV Camping Checkli$t (http://www.coleman.com/coleman/ColemanCom/Checklist.asp?Activity_id=800&activity_title=RV%20Camping&submittingPage='soup2nuts2.asp')
Be sure that your trailer's pig tail cant drag on the ground-Dragging it just a few miles is enough to strip and cross wires,which can lead to all sorts of problems.
My ever growing list: http://2manytoyz.com/camp/campinglist.pdf
One thing to add to the newbie list is invest in a portable weather radio with an alert feature. Being in a tent is not the place you'll want to be in a storm. Many were caught off guard in Fl when a tornado ripped through a campground. No, I'm not trying to scare anyone off! Plenty of warnings were sent out, few knew about them. Cheap investment:
(http://2manytoyz.com/camp/camp2/weatherradio.jpg)
Be safe, camp again!
Get one of those Plastic storage boxes with a handle which has 2 interior lift out trays. It looks similar to a sewing box. You can find it at K-mart. Put your large cooking utensils in the bottom, eating utensils in the divided tray and smaller items like matches, and other gadgets in the other divided tray. This way you pick up the entire box by handle to move outside when cooking and place it on your picnic table. It saves you so much time in not having to run in and out of the camper to get what you need.
We always have spare keys to the camper, tow vehicle, hitch locks, home, etc. somewhere in the camper. At a bare minimum, we put a spare key to the camper under the battery in the battery box... (I felt a little wierd giving away our hiding place, but anyone who reads this and owns a Coleman could unlock the door anyway.) :rolleyes:
Carry some firestarting sticks with you - they come in very handy when you have wet wood or are just lazy. :p
He he he, now I can break into your PU Rick! :D
Not really, like you said I could just use my own key. :)
I always have 2 sets of camper keys with me when we go on a trip, just in case. :Oops:
Glad I started this as I have heard a few ideas that I had never thought of...
Hope more people continue to add some helpful hints.
One of the best ideas I got from this board are those three tiered baskets. I always seem to have so many little things that I stick in them. Otherwise the stuff would be everywhere. We have one set that we took apart. We hung the smallest one at the very end of the bunk end (hung it with one of those velcro cable ties). It gives me a place to put my glasses, small pack of tissues, etc., the largest one we hung over the table, we keep lots of little things in there too, and keep them off of the table.
Quote from: camphostOne of the best ideas I got from this board are those three tiered baskets. I always seem to have so many little things that I stick in them. Otherwise the stuff would be everywhere. We have one set that we took apart. We hung the smallest one at the very end of the bunk end (hung it with one of those velcro cable ties). It gives me a place to put my glasses, small pack of tissues, etc., the largest one we hung over the table, we keep lots of little things in there too, and keep them off of the table.
I bought 2 of those and just love them... if you have not tried them, you have to get them. I found mine in the kitchen accessory area.
Husbands and wives (or a couple of people going camping) should each have a set of keys on their individual keyrings to the tow vehicle to avoid accidental lockout and having to wait for AAA to come or the locksmith. :eek: (At least one should have habit of keeping them with them at all times. :rolleyes:
Quote from: B-flatHusbands and wives (or a couple of people going camping) should each have a set of keys on their individual keyrings to the tow vehicle to avoid accidental lockout and having to wait for AAA to come or the locksmith. :eek: (At least one should have habit of keeping them with them at all times. :rolleyes:
Thankfully, we have never had that problem, although I do have an extra set with me (plus we keep a set in the house), but then again I sometimes have left my keys in the PU...OH wait,,, the NEW PU lock never worked, it was returned to the dealer several times, they'd fix it, but the next time we checked, it would be unlocked and it wouldn't lock.. it's in the shop for a few "minor" things that arose and they are replacing the whole lock assembly so here we go again with another set of keys.
QuoteWe always have spare keys to the camper, tow vehicle, hitch locks, home, etc. somewhere in the camper.
This is good advice!!! It reminds me of the last time I went tent camping...it was a few years back, and was the end of Columbus Day Weekend up at Coolidge State Park in Vermont (I live in Virginia, so it was a long way home). It was check-out day, I had everything done, the tent was taken down, and packed into the car. Matter of fact, everything was in the car except for a couple of minor items. I went to put the last of it in the trunk, and to my surprise, I had locked the keys in the car!
Well, I must of tried every little thing I could think of to get into that car (short of breaking glass that is....which BTW did cross my mind briefly). Even the park rangers who were waiting to close the campground for the season, and I was holding things up. They even brought me coat hangers to try and "pick" my way in, all to no avail. I wound up letting the Rangers call a Key company, which considering how far out in the sticks I was meant a long wait no matter who came. It wound up costing me $60 which 8 years ago was probably quite expensive.
Yes, by all means, pack some spare keys...somewhere - anywhere... just make sure you have some!
One of those wooden folding drying racks fits just great under the rear bunk end for hanging towels and wet bathing suits on to dry without having stuff strung out all over the camp site.
T
;)
A camping journal is a MUST!
We have a small hard cover diary book that we use to write about every camp trip. There are some camping journals you can buy on the web like the PUT Store...
http://www.popuptimes.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=book3&Category_Code=Camp (http://www.popuptimes.com/miva/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=P&Product_Code=book3&Category_Code=Camp)
but we devised our own to fit our trips. We number each trip and record things like the date, CG, site #, weather, camp friends, exciting events, breakdowns (like the time we popped a cable during set-up :( ), camper additions and mods & travel distance.
We look back at the book all the time when we start saying "remember when?" It can end arguments on what happened when, etc.
We started a journal when we got our first PU and we look back with fond memories at all 72 trips that we took in her. (We are up to #18 in our present camper) :D
Level the popup front to back and side to side before putting the stabilizers down. Never use the stabilizers to level the camper or you could bend the frame. An unlevel camper could cause a frige not to work properly (on some models.)
Read your manual...then read it again after you have gone camping. You'll be amazed how much easier it is to read a second time.
gsm x2
When rolling the awning up, roll it to the underside. This will keep rain water from being trapped inside the rolls and causing mildew. Simple, cheap (free), effective!
I like my sterilite drawers to store my groceries. It has four drawers and I pack it in the house and put it in the TV. Then after popping up just carry into camper and sit on cabinet. Done.
For me it is easier than carrying bags or boxes and then unloading them once we get to the camp site.
We are plastic container (rubbermaid) people. Each person gets one, depending on one long we will be out, determines the size. Usually one for all shoes (shoes get smelly and muddy and wet), and food in another (cans/containers seperated from crushables). If they want to bring it, (clothes), it must fit in the container. If it is only a weekend then the kids share one and DH and I do the same. Toiletries/shaving kits go in another. Yeah, I know, lots of boxes, but it works for us.
We each have a small hanging toiletry bag for the shower stuff and a small duffel bag that a change of clothes and a towel fit in. Makes one thing to grab for the shower.
We also bought a roll of the rubbermaid Non-slip stuff and cut it in half. Gives each of us a rectangular piece to take to the shower to stand on. No more standing on the slippery tile. It's easy to just shake almost dry when done.
One of my favorite tips of all I believe I saw on one of Traci's pictures (thldoc) was using the cast iron torch stands for holding the awning poles. No more guy lines and pegs getting in the way. This has been one of our favorites!
I keep some of games (board games, cards,checkers, puzzles, etc) in the camper for play at night or during bad weather. They do not take up much room under the seat & have saved many a rough trip.
Make a tool box just for the camper. I keep it simple (and small) but complete to deal with any problems.
Buy a set of towels for the camper all the same color. Pick a color that is unique so when you wash them at home, you know what goes back in the camper. Do the same with your cooking utensils when you can.
Buy some cheap flashlights & "glow sticks" at the dollar store. I give them to my kids for both fun & safety.
Make a tooth brush box. Buy several tooth brushes at the dollar store (run about 2 for a dollar) and kid friendlytooth paste. Keep them in a small plastic container in the camper. We each get a new brush each trip. This way I do not have to pack brushes.
Take at least 1 of the "fire logs" with your wood supply for the campfire. These things burn great, & it is safer for starting a good fire than lighter fluid.
Use a carbon monoxide sensor (mount on the roof) if you plan on using a propane heater or cooking indoors. They are inexpensive & can save your life.
We like the FRS walkie-talkies. I used ours when my older nephews camped with us. I felt safe as they & my son explored the campground.
Make a good drain vent. Several have been posted here & it is important for both dry camping & full hook-up. I have solved all of my leaks just by doing this.
Buy a bag of latex gloves (they sell them at Lowes in the paint department) & keep them with the porti-potti. When it is time to visit the dump station, wear the gloves. You can remove them at the end without contaiminating your hands. Since we usually do this on our way out, I don't have to worry about dirty hands while driving.
Last, take the time to enjoy your trip, even if everything does not go right. I have learned to not take every gadget or item every time. I try to plan before what is necessary, & leave the rest behind. Especially when camping with children, they are happy to be with YOU, so take the time to play & relax. Expect that some things will go wrong. Do your best improvise. I believe pop-up camping people are better at this than those big-rig folks!
To make the power cord slide in and out of the little "mouse hole" easier, spray some silicone spray on a rag or paper towel and wipe the cord. It makes the cord slide on itself easier and the cord doesn't get kinked as easily. :)