Maiden voyage...

[bpike]

So we're taking our pup out for the first time on Memorial weekend. Trying to think of what to take can consume a person so I was wondering if any of you have a checklist of items you take.
What are the necessities?
What are the luxuries?

[TheViking]

So we're taking our pup out for the first time on Memorial weekend. Trying to think of what to take can consume a person so I was wondering if any of you have a checklist of items you take.
What are the necessities?
What are the luxuries?

Make a list of everything you want to take.  You will find that there was alot of stuff on your list you didn't need.  Take a pad of paper and a pen, when someone says "We should have brought"  Write it down.  Whe somebody says " We should buy" write it down.  That way by the second trip you have a better idea of what are necessities and what are luxuries.
 
*On a side note...Toilet paper is a necesity and a luxury.

[bpike]

*On a side note...Toilet paper is a necesity and a luxury.

Correction.
TP is a necessity. TP with Aloe Vera/lotion is a luxury.

[fallsrider]

There are several camping checklists available on different forums like this if you do some searching. Here is one... Take these checklists and create your own out of it. These checklists can give you ideas for things you haven't thought of, as well as eliminate some things you know you won't need.

The temptation is to take everything, including the kitchen sink, that you think you may need. But keep in mind that your storage spaces will fill up fast and your TV will be working harder towing around weight you probably don't need. I would start out with basic necessities and work your way up from there. Once something makes it into a storage compartment and you don't need it, it often stays there and never gets removed.

It's also a good idea every spring to go through every nook and cranny of your camper and physically put your hands on every item. Remove it or keep it, but this way you end up without as much excess "stuff" that you never use.

Hope this helps...

[curryp]

I checked out the link on fallsrider post and noticed that all the flammable stuff was stored in a firebox. Is the firebox just a separate box that contains all flammable stuff or is something that will actually prevent a fire from spreading in the event one of the flammable objects ignites?

[fallsrider]

I checked out the link on fallsrider post and noticed that all the flammable stuff was stored in a firebox. Is the firebox just a separate box that contains all flammable stuff or is something that will actually prevent a fire from spreading in the event one of the flammable objects ignites?

I'm almost certain that it is just a box that contains those items. I don't know that family, so I can't say for sure, but I've never heard of a fire-proof box. It has to just be a separate plastic bin or something similar.

[fourgonefishn]

Just don't forget the latest issue of POP UP TIMES mag!

[GrizzlyTaco]

Here's a list to get you started, just modify it to your needs....

KEEP IN TRAILER AT ALL TIMES                    
Porta-potti (between couch and hutch)    Aluminum Foil    Tools: wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers    
Beer Skins    Coffee Maker + filters    Plastic Baggies    
Big Garbage Bags    Bug Junk    Corkscrew    
Garbage Can & bags    Plastic Clothes Hangers     Large Bowl (for salads, chips, etc.)    
SOS Pads    Camper Manual    Custom Playing Cards!    
AAR, AAR carpet, AAR tarp    Cutting Board    Plastic Zip Tie Wraps    
Thermometer    Cutlery and Utensils (incl. flipper & knives)    Utility Knife    
Matches & Lighters    Biodegradable dish soap    BBQ Utensils    
Handy Dandy Marshmallow Roasting Sticks    Dish Towels    Port-A-Potti chemicals    
Mirror    Broom    J Cloths    
Paper Towels    Flashlights    Graywater jugs (2 Aquatainers)    
Plastic measuring cup    Pen & Paper    Wire brush for friction pads (trailer door storage)    
Pots and pans; frying pan    Plates and Bowls    Fly Swatter    
Spray cleaner (Fantastic)    Deep cycle battery    Crank (in trailer door storage)    
Mosquito Coils    Linens: Sheets/Pillows & Pillow Cases    Clothes Pegs    
Can Opener    Electric mattress pads (leave on beds)    Folding Chairs (4)    
Toasters (electric & stovetop)    Toilet Paper    Ceramic heater, fan    
Camping table    Comforters (2)    Extra blankets (under dinette)    
Canoe Paddles (behind couch for travel)    Freshwater funnel (dinette bench)    Rechargeable lantern    
Fishing rods (behind couch for travel)    Outside stove (dinette bench)    GMRS/FRS Radios    
Awing Poles (behind couch for travel)    Wire brush for friction pads (in trailer door)    Lifejackets (dinette bench)    
Bath Towels    Freshwater container (dinette bench)    2 Hammocks (dinette bench)    
12V emergency light    BBQ (dinette bench)    Battery operated lanterns (two kids, one big one)    
Kids board games (porta potti cabinet)    Outside Shower Stall    Weatherradio    
        
STORAGE BOX FOR TRAILER STUFF (bottom left side of rear of van)         
Extension cord (50' 12 gauge, 15' light duty)    Rope    Lantern, Propane + extra mantles + funnel    
Two Wheel Chocks    Axe    Kryptonite cable lock    
Air compressor    Trailer tongue lock    Water Hose (50'), Pressure Regulator, Shower Hose    
Towing mirrors    30A adapters (two, one for each direction)    Clothesline    
Graywater drain    Aquatainer dumping hose    Deep cycle battery charger    
BAL Leveller    Hammer    Portable BBQ propane tanks    
Windsock    tongue jack         
Green toolbox: plastic ties, BAL wrench, GOOP, guy ropes, pegs, velcro, grommet kit, wrenches, spare bubble level    
             
STORAGE BOX FOR PLAY STUFF (bottom right side of rear of van)         
Fishing gear    Helmets, gloves, repair kit, shorts    Canoe: bailer, rope, whistle, paddles    
Hiking shoes/boots    Beach toys    Football, Ball Gloves, Ball, Skipping Ropes    
Frisbee, Soccer Ball       Misc. other kids toys    
             
OTHER              
Two Cell Phones & chargers    Four mountain bikes (on top of trailer)    PowerChill cooler    
"Extreme" cooler    Binoculars, whistle, compass     Day pack    
Batteries (AA & D Cell)    Guitar (old one or 3/4 size)    Powerchill cooler converter    
Camcorder, digital camera    Swim goggles    Blankie    
Books    DVDs    Colouring books & crayons    
Laptop incl. docking station for van    headphones, Y-connector    CD players and CDs    
First Aid Kit (one in van)    In van: duct tape, circuit tester, hitch grease, oil, spare bulbs, fuses, hitch pins, spare set of keys    
     
PERSONAL ITEMS (in Sterilite drawers in trailer)         
Brush/Comb    Shirts    Band Aids    
Hair Dryer & Curling Iron    Jackets     Sandals    
Toothbrush & toothpaste    Sweater     Watch    
Biodegradable Shower Soap    Hat    Running shoes    
Kleenex    Gloves    Shades    
Small bag to carry shower stuff    Rain coat & pants    Rubber boots    
Reading    Socks    Jeans    
Shampoo & Conditioner    Underwear    Camping pants    
Sun Screen    Bathing suit    Tylenol    
Water shoes    Shorts    Misc. medicine etc.    
             
COLD WEATHER GEAR (OPTIONAL; in Sterilite drawers and/or clothes box in van)         
Sweaters    Hats    Long Underwear    
Gloves    Fall or Ski jackets         
             
FOOD              
     Staples         
Coffee    Sugar    Vegtable Oil    
Hot Chocolate    Salt & pepper; spices    Non Dairy Creamer    
Jam (raspberry, no lumps!)    Bread    BBQ Sauce    
Ketchup    Mayonnaise    Marinating Sauce    
Syrup    Relish    Salad Dressing    
Mustard    Peanut butter    Cinnamon    
     Meat         
Luncheon meat    Hotdogs & buns    Bacon    
Hamburger & buns    Steak    Sausages    
Pork sirloin    Chicken         
     Fruits & Veggies         
Canteloupe    Potatoes    Lettuce    
Tomatoes    Peppers (red,  green)    Carrots    
Cucumbers    Corn on the Cob    Bananas (not in mosquito season!)    
Onions    Green Beans    Apples    
Oranges    Kiwi    Grapes    
Watermellon    Peaches    Pears    
Plums    Strawberries         
     Dairy         
Pudding/Yogurt    Eggs    Milk (skim & lactose free)    
OJ    Margarine/Butter    Sour Cream    
Cheese            
     Snacks         
Coolers    Marshmallows    Pretzels    
Cookies    Nacho chips    Chips    
Crackers    Salsa    Popcorn    
Trail Mix    Beer    Wine    
Drinking Boxes    Soft drinks    Doritos    
     Other         
Beans    Pancake mix    Fajita shells    
KD    Noodles    Bagels    
Spaghetti    Alphagetti    Soup    
Spaghetti sauce    After-dinner fancy drinks (liquors, etc.)

[ScouterMom]

Wow ! that is quite a thoghrough list!

AS you can see - what you take is going to need to be tailored to your family and your idea of 'fun'

however, a few suggestions that have worked for us over years of tent & camper camping.....

make a toolbox of tools you might need for the camper - sockets specific to your size bolts, a 'clutch' screwdriver if your camper uses those kind of screws, etc.   a few 'extra' pieces of hardware are a good idea - especially if your camper is older - a spare hitch pin, cotter pins, screws, nuts, etc.

We always use a what we call the 'drybox' - a box of kitchen stuff that gets replenished periodically and that we keep staples in - salt, sugar, basic spices, a few cans of soup or mac'n cheese, coffee, tea, hot cocoa, oatmeal packets, matches, paper towels, wipes, dishtowels, tablecloth clips, clothespins, hotmits, baggies, tinfoil, dish soap, SOS pads, plastic ware, measuring cups, clothesline and clothespins, bag clips for closing chip bags, just anything that you might need that relates to 'kitchen' but not to the silverware box or the nesting pots and dishes.

I have an old tupperware 'celery keeper' - it's a great silverware box, because the lid is tight, it's washable, watertight, and long enough to hold spatulas & tongs, as well as regular silverware.   this box holds regular tableware (garage sale leftovers) large spoons, tongs, spatulas, corn-cob holders, paring knives, measuring spoons,potato pealer, pop can lids, (and a few extra milk jug lids and pop-bottle screw on lids - they always get lost of dirty!) a bottle/can opener, corkscrew,etc.  

I have a nesting set of camping cookware that my family has used since the 60's, to which we have added a two small round cake pans that nest inside, too (great for muffins, or a good bowl for french toast, or all kinds of things) and some additional aluminum plates & some small bowls for cereal that fit inside the coffee pot. (they are actually butter containers from years ago)   In addition to that compact cookset, I carry a flat, non-stick griddle and two dutch ovens (10" & 14") with a lid lifter.

What else you take as far as equipment depends on your family and what you will be doing.  When my son was in grade school, we went to the same campground a couple of times a month in summer.  They had a beach and a game room he loved.  We always carried a ping pong net, balls and paddles, in case the office wasn't open, so we could use the rec center table whenever we wanted. (they rented those items for $1, just to make sure they got returned - then they would give you the $1 back)   we always kept a 'bug net', and fishing stuff -games, cards, whatever would keep him and a friend busy .  since we often took out a boat there, I kept our life jackets in the camper.  By packing the camper for this specific place and use, it kept trip packing to really easy stuff - we would pack only the clothes we needed and the fresh food from the fridge in a cooler - it would literally take us less than an hour from work to leaving for a camping trip on a weekend.

I also learned to keep bedding & extra old towels in the camper, and a few pairs of flip-flops- they are pretty flexible in size, so if we had guests, they could usually use them, too.  Jon often brought a friend along - who usually wasn't as prepared as we were, but were usually fairly close to Jon in size. so I often kept 'extras' in the camper - universal size things like sweatshirts, t-shirts, socks, sweatpants, swim trunks, etc.  A cold, wet kid does NOT have fun!


It isn't always that easy, especially if you do different activities on trips.  eventually you will narrow down your list according you your family's needs.

I highly agree with the pad of paper idea though - you WILL have things you wish you had, and find you DON't need things you brought.  so a pocket sized spiral pad and pen - kept handy - are a really good idea.  

We just started camping again in a camper - took our maiden voyage in our refurbished 73 starcraft last weekend.  and of course, even with loads of experience - we forgot some stuff.  But nothing we couldn't do without or improvise something else with.

If you DO forget something - ask your neighbors!  Most campers are friendly and helpful people - we borrowed a spatula from one neighbor, and another borrowed our inflator for their air mattress! It's a great way to meet some great new friends!

Laura

[HouseInABox]

don't forget a first aid kit and medicine tylenol, antacids, instant cold and hot packs for pulled muscles from setting up or playing hard, allergy medicine, benydrl for bee stings or rashes.  

golf umbrellas in case it rains ( 2-3 people can use 1)  we also carry those cheap 99 cent rain ponchos they are easy to store.

extra roll of paper towels

lights for outside.


Most important a pad and paper as suggested above!

Don't use fantastic on you windows though use a car cleaner for same type of windows.

We carry packs of colox wipes for cleaning table and counters - I use when setting up and during our trip.  Pledge wipes are great for cleaning cupboards and easier to store than a can.  I take a swifter have used for several years each time taking apart for convenient storage - great for easy clean ups - take both wet and dry cloths.

Think about what you are going to cook and what you will need to prepare those items......clothes if you are going for and extended time period we just take about a 4-5 day supply than wash when we are going for extended periods.   We carry a small bottle of detergent and dryer sheets.

Some kitchen tools where not a neccessity can come in handy, like an ice cream scoop, kitchen shears, spork for spaghetti.

If you haven't and still have the time open your camper and go through each area and what you might need.

We take an electric skillet great for pancakes eggs, grilled cheese and so on.

We always carry and extra set of sheets in case someone gets sick in the middle of the night. ( same reason we always carry some gingerale too.

Have a great time and enjoy...

[Kelly]

Here's a list to get you started, just modify it to your needs....

Holy smokes, Ed!  I don't think I could fit everything from your list into my PU!  LOL

This is our third season in this PU and I've gotten it down to a pretty good system (now that I've said that I'm sure I'll forget something this weekend!) ... I keep the PU loaded and ready to go.  For weekend outings we load up clothes and coolers in the van and go.  Longer trips require a bit more planning.  duh  

What I have found is that over time I carry less and less stuff.  I just went through all the doors and drawers in the PU and removed some more.  For example ~ this season we aren't camping any place that has water hookups, so I pulled out the white hose and bucket that I store it in.  

I try very hard to keep to the KISS method when camping.  I don't want to have to spend much extra time setting up or taking down when I could be out riding bikes or hiking or swimming with the kids.  

I do have a list of what's in the PU someplace.  Email me if you want a copy.