TIPS & TRICKS FOR NEW PU CAMPERS.....

[B-flat]

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:

[angelsmom10]

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:

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.

[Gone-Camping]

We 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!

[wiininkwe]

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

[Starryart]

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
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)

[B-flat]

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.)

[gsm x2]

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

[SkipP]

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!

[NCSunshine]

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.

[jstaddwtr]

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.

[vjm1639]

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!

[JonesFamilyJayco]

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!

[tlhdoc]

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.