RE: Newbies - what do we need before we go?

The Robinsons · Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM

Hello! We just purchased a 2002 Coleman Santa Fe (get to pick it up on Friday! Yippee!). What do we absolutely need before our first trip? Other than the obvious food, kids, clothes, etc! We know nothing - please help! Thanks![

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bikolee · Feb 19, 2003, 03:01 PM

The RobinsonsCan you give us some background? What options are on your camper, have you camped before, etc....

whippetwrun · Feb 19, 2003, 03:02 PM

The RobinsonsCheck out Tim5055 s web site! His lists really helped us when we got our popup last summer!

Home page:

http://www.title-3.com/Index.htm

Check list:

http://www.title-3.com/Camping_Checklist.htm

Have fun! And enjoy your popup!!![

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The Robinsons · Feb 19, 2003, 03:27 PM

bikoleeWe have camped before - tent camping when I was a kid and cabin camping since moving to Texas and requiring A/C! Our camper has a small fridge, inside and outside stove, outside shower, A/C, hot water, an awning - I think that s it as far as the options go. I m mostly concerned with what items we ll need for the camper - like chocks, levels (why does it need to be level? Providing it s not leaning downhill, that is!). And, do those teepee things work well for taking outside showers? We also plan to buy a porta potti - my husband doesn t mind making like a bear in the woods (if necessary), but the kids and I would rather not! Thanks for your help!

whippetwrun · Feb 19, 2003, 03:37 PM

The Robinsonsdefinitely get the portapotty! Your DS and DD are very close to mine in age - we went one trip without one -never again!

I d answer the level part - but I d probably explain it wrong (technically) even though I know why.[&:] It has to do with not causing stress on the frame and the bars supporting the roof. Also if you re not level your door might not close well.

I know you ll get better answers than that about it - but I figured I d take a stab at it.

I do know - get the portapotty![

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Tim5055 · Feb 19, 2003, 03:50 PM

The RobinsonsWell I see whippetwrun already suggested my web site, so here let me plug two more pages:

[link=http://www.title-3.com/FAQ.htm]Frequently Asked Questions [/link]

[link=http://www.title-3.com/potti.htm]Our Porta Potti[/link]

Have fun, the Santa Fe is a great unit.

The Robinsons · Feb 19, 2003, 04:03 PM

whippetwrunJust got back from visiting tim5055 s website - WOW! What a bunch of great information! Thanks so much. I printed out his " Camping Checklist" and bookmarked his site for future reference. Am going to go to Camping World s site and Campmor s site in a few moments and get those levelers & chocks.... Thanks! I cannot wait til we get the camper home - think I ll be camping out in the back yard... [

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bikolee · Feb 19, 2003, 04:05 PM

The RobinsonsOK, here are my MUST haves.

wheel chocks - don t want it rolling away

Lynx Levelers, or some boards to back the low side wheel onto. You want it level for several reasons. One is comfort. Just remember to NOT use the stabilizers to level the camper. Bad for the frame. Once the camper is level and the door is in place, lower the stabilizers to the ground then snug them. That s it.

I would get the porta-potti also. I would get a Thetford. We got ours from Wally World.

I see that you are in Texas. As far as the outside shower goes, just remember that any gray water on the ground is prohibited and illegal. Speaking of which, you need some form of gray water collection. We have the Coleman gray water tank. It s a 15 gal. tote. I don t r3eally recommend that particular one because of the price.

Fresh water hose and pressure regulator - if not dry camping.

I know that we have more stuff, but the above items are the basic essentials.

bikolee · Feb 19, 2003, 04:08 PM

The Robinsons

QuoteAm going to go to Camping World s site and Campmor s site in a few moments and get those levelers & chocks....

Try Walmart first. I believe their prices are better. Everything I listed above can be obtained from Walmart, though I had to get my levelers elsewhere.

fivegonefishing · Feb 19, 2003, 05:47 PM

The RobinsonsWelcome to the wonderful world of pop-upping. We had the Jayco equivelant to your Santa Fe last year and found the floor plan nice. I too have a check list on my website, check it out [link=http://fivegonefishing.tripod.com/packlist.html]here[/link].

I would recommend getting to know your owners manual and following that for the set up order.

I also recommend bringing a pen and paper to write down all the things that you forgot, need, want, desire or dislike.

Good luck and have fun!

Tammy[

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bikolee · Feb 19, 2003, 06:14 PM

The Robinsons

Quotethink I ll be camping out in the back yard...

Actually not a bad thing to do. That way if you find you need or want something, you can go in and get it. And Tammy s suggestion of pen and paper is always good to have.

RamblingWreck · Feb 19, 2003, 06:26 PM

The RobinsonsCheck the Popup Times store for a copy of the video, " Popup 101" . We recently purchased a copy and found it to be very informative. You may also want to get a copy of " Winterizing Your RV."

If the store is out of stock, the manufacturer has a hot link to their website on the Popup Times home page under the Sponsor s List.

If you do no not have a lot of experience backing a trailer there are two things you may want to consider:

1) BAL C Leveler
2) A weight distribution hitch with dual cam sway control (I believe your popup needs to have electric brakes and you will need an electric brake controller installed in your tow vehicle, most on this board recommend the Prodigy brake controller).

Make sure you have a lug wrench that will fit your trailers wheels. Most likely, the lug nuts on the trailer are going to be a different size than those on your tow vehicle.

We are still shopping for our first popup. We have about 3 feet of snow on the ground at present. Shopping is in a holding pattern for the moment (too much snow on the trailers for dealers to open them on the lot, etc).

Hope you enjoy your steup. Years ago, I used to live in Lewisville, TX.

Rambling Wreck

springer02 · Feb 19, 2003, 06:46 PM

The RobinsonsCongrats on your new pop up. I know you ll love it!!!

We got ours a year ago and we used Tim s lists to outfit it. I had never camped before getting it and had no idea what a lot of the stuff even was let alone how to use it. His lists were a lifesaver.

Some of the things we forgot at first: a hammer to pound in awning stakes, a shovel for re-arranging the fire, a notebook for a camp log, bowls for the pooch.

What I found I over packed was clothes!!! Don t know what I was thinking when I lugged several pairs of jeans and at least two sweat shirts per person to Florida last April!!:) Better safe than sorry??

Happy camping!

Tena

tlhdoc · Feb 19, 2003, 07:40 PM

The RobinsonsTake a pad and pen/pencil to write down all of the things you find that you need.[

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To make leveling easier many people get the small stick on levels and attach them to the side and front or back of their PU so they don t have to bring along a carpenters level every time they camp. If you use a carpenters level to level the PU the first time, you can attach the little bubble levels and then just use them after that. First you want to level the PU side to side with wood, Lynx levelers, etc. Then you use the tongue jack to level it front to back. A good location for placing the carpenters level is on the metal rail of the PU. Crank the top up a few inches so you can place the carpenters level on the rail.

4 wheel chocks so the PU doesn t roll away on you. Always chock the wheels before you unhitch the trailer.

Fresh water hose and grey (dirty) water hose. Make sure you can tell them apart.[: (] Many people use smaller containers (5-7 gallons) to drain their grey water into. 2 smaller containers are easier to carry and store than 1 larger container.

If you will be using electricity make sure you have the proper plug/adapter/30 amp extension cord for the campground power box. Your trailer comes with a 30 amp plug and you should get an adapter so you can plug into a regular 20 amp outlet (if using air conditioner you will want to be plugged into a 30 amp outlet). If you will be camping where the electric supply is 50 amp you can get an adapter to convert the 50 amp plug into a 30 amp plug.

Depending on your tow vehicle you may need tow mirrors so that you can see around the PU. I have and really like the Mckesh mirrors. They are a little more expensive but they will work on just about any vehicle. Here is the link to their web site.

http://www.hensleymfg.com/mckeshmirrors.html

Have a sense of humor, be able to laugh at yourself and have fun.

Gatsmommy · Feb 20, 2003, 09:28 PM

The RobinsonsI really can t add any info except just wanted to say I m jelous!!! Dh and I went to the RV show last weekend and are drooling over the sedona (The Destiny series version of the Santa Fe)

I do agree, get a porta potti, DH was disgusted at the idea, so I told him not to use it and I d empty it. Guess who used it first LOL!.

Also if you re looking to camp with people there is a group out of the Dallas/Ft. Worth area that seems like alot of fun. NTPUCA We are joining them next month for their campout. We ve already camped with a few people from the PUT board and had a great time.

Have fun!

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