RE: You said they are money pits, and you were right!!!

[Gamecock Camper]

 JemJen24
Jennifer, Always remember to buy quality items and you will save in the longrun.  You and your family will (hopefully) be camping for a long time.  Once you have the essentials you can add more of the fun stuff, but you will never regret buying something that you actually like and enjoy using.  
 
 ..... and I know exactly what you mean about the camper being like a boat.  We have both and yes, it doesn t seem to end.  We re having lots of fun though...

[wssfetch]

 JemJen24
Jennifer,
 
 Before buying too much stuff, take your pop-up out for a weekend and keep a notebook of what you used and what you wish you had.  For example, before investing in a system to store food and clothing, put food in the frig and galley cabinets and clothes in your luggage and see how it goes.  I prefer using the Sterilite stacking drawers to keep clothes and personal items in, but others prefer using duffle bags.  
 
 Things you absolutely need are something to level and chalk wheels with.  A first aid kit.  Flashlight and batteries.  Something to cook with and eat off of.  Bedding.  Appropriate clothing and hygiene items. Food, water, and medications.  Your family.
 
 I prefer using good quality paper plates rather than the extra weight and washing from conventional dinnerware.  Some people, on the other hand, invest in an extra set of the real thing for their camper.
 
 Some of the things I added AFTER my first trip:  battery operated radio, small gas grill, tacky lights, small microwave, stainless steel percolator and 4 cup Mister Coffee (got to have that java whether there is power or not!), bunk end covers (made them rather than bought them), Heater Buddy, Sterilite drawers (3), stacking shelves and bins for the galley, 9"  tv/VCR, travel iron, dishpan, throw pillows, scatter rugs, door mat, a separate set of real silverware (better than plastic for some things), tool kit.
 
 It is just plain easier to have stuff dedicated for use in the camper and keep it stored there between trips.  But that gets expensive and you may just need to use stuff you have in the house.  Get a big tote and load it up with those items and pack back up when you break camp.  Makes it easier to transport the items back into the house when you get home.
 
 Hope this helps give you some ideas.
 
 

[Trlrboy]

 JemJen24
You re going to Daingerfield?  Great park.  Try to get site #22.  It s deep and roomy and has really good separation from other campsites.  #17 is usually filled but is right on the water and all by itself.  Our favorite is #11.  It s on the side of the road between two campground loops.  If you can get that site, you can push your popup sideways (plenty of room to do this) on the pad and you will have the most private site in the park.  We love it because it is a huge site with plenty of room to play with the dog.  You ll have a great time there.

[sandykayak]

 JemJen24
Jennifer, before you run out and buy some king-sized chalk (see wssfetch s message) he is referring to " chocks."    
 
 Those are curvy-things to block the PU s tires.  Wally World has them, of course, and they re reasonably priced.

[sandykayak]

 JemJen24
and speaking of shopping, I went to Sam s but I was darned if I could remember what the bargain du jour was.  I know it was on the board yesterday!!
 
 Anyway, I walked around and escaped with just romaine lettuce and mesquite chicken.  I already bought the small table they have.  They didn t have one that folds in half (but I ve got my eye on in Eckerd s the one that folds)  
 
 BTW, how many tables = too many tables?

[Trlrboy]

 JemJen24
Sandy...
 
 Chocks are too cheap.  You really need to get into a nice $50 BAL leveler.

[JemJen24]

 JemJen24
Got it covered!  Thanks to the MOUNTAIN of info from everyone here, we left the dealership with a 10 pack of Lenex Levelers at almost half price and a FREE bag of Chocks.
 
 (Grin)
 
 we re leaving tomorrow morning. Trlboy....Chuck and Terry emailed us the EXACT same lots in that state park!  I ve got our map marked and the lots circled.  We plan on being there at 8:00 a.m., spending one night and leaving Sat. night (hubby has to work Sun morning..sigh).
 
 I ll be taking lotsa pics with our camcorder s digital camera feature and will post them on my website when we get back.
 
 Jennifer

[wssfetch]

 JemJen24
" Chalks"  or " chocks." ?  Yep, I meant " chocks" -- and I can t even blame it on phoenetic spelling this time.

[Opie431]

 JemJen24
Electric frying pan-$2, electric blanket $3, good pots and pans 10-50 cents each. dish pans-10 cents, Melmac dishes $1 for more then I can use. They all came from garage sales and church rummage sales.
 Electric heater was about $10 at Walmart at the end of the season last year and we bought a new microwave.
 Do not forget that you will need a heavy extension cord. You might also need a table lamp if you read a lot depending on how your ceiling lights are placed, some Rubbermaid or similar type boxes to store things in are also great  and carpet for your AAR and for the floor of the PU.  We bought a rechargable vac that we use in the house but also take camping.
 I felt real bad at the end of garage sale season last year when I realized that there is nothing more I need to buy.
 Hardware stores might carry the heaters.
 
 

[sandykayak]

 Trlrboy
trlrlboy, OF COURSE I have the BAL (this list tells me to buy something and I buy it - shoppers anonymous needed!!!
 
 ...I had the Lynx levelers from the 95 VW EuroVan camper days...also they are great to level out a minivan when you want to sleep on the level - i have a coleman camping cot in the minivan.
 
 BTW, I remembered what I was supposed to look for in Sam s: it was the SuperShade for $25 instead of the web prices of $149!!!  wssfetch said it was the same thing!

[Camping Coxes]

 JemJen24
Jen --
 
 Okay, you are officially crowned the newbie queen.
 
 One thing to keep in mind is that stores like Big Lots can save you money on those cooking utensils and plastic bowls.  I always check the clearance section of stores like Target and have picked up some great things for the trailer at reasonable prices.  At the end of summer last year, I got a set of summery-print utensils for about $5.  I used plasticware until I found a good deal.  If it s not a good deal, it don t go in the trailer!  And you don t have to buy every little thing at once.  My mom s standard line in about October is, " What do you want or need for the trailer for Christmas?"   This year she got us a coffee pot that doesn t take electricity (thanks, Jeanne, for the info).  If we want a more expensive thing, I suggest to her she talk to the family about a group gift.  I also put in my order to her if I m looking for something I m sure can be found at a thift store.  I hate thrift stores, but she loves the treasure hunt, so it works for me.  
 
 Something you didn t list that you may want to get is some inexpensive grass carpet, especially with the dogs.  It will keep the dust down around the trailer, keep more dirt out of your trailer, and give the dogs somewhere to lie other than the dirt.  If you stay with the inexpensive stuff, if it gets too worn, you throw it out!  The edges will fray, so you just duct tape them.   Oh, yeah, that s another thing.  Don t leave home without the duct tape!  From a broke arm to a broken latch, duct tape to the rescue!
 
 Happy camping!

[topcat7736]

 Trlrboy
Buying things on sale is awful! [] The Money Pit wants the most expensive items available and expects you to pay top dollar! Now, get back out there & BUY MORE STUFF! [][][]

[The Robinsons]

 topcat7736
I took care of my first round of " stuff buying"  yesterday, too.  I will not mention how much I spent (in case DH decides to read this!), but it did warrant opening a Target charge account to save 10%!  Now, if the dang ice would melt, I could at least pop it up and pretend I m going somewhere!

[JemJen24]

 Trlrboy
ha!  I know what you mean about not wanting to wait!  
 
 Newby QUEEN, I like the ring of that! Thanks for the idea of the fake grass!  That s EXACTLY what we needed this weekend.
 
 Well, needless to say, we re back.  I m posting pictures on my website and will post a new thread with our " Story"  of the last 2 days for questions, comments, and a general GOOD LAUGH. ha!
 
 Stay tuned!
 
 Jen

[wynot]

 JemJen24

The down side of all the buying of stuff is that stuff has weight. Most people who get their rigs weighed (and far too few do get their rigs weighed) find out they weigh a lot more than they expected. Some have found their trailers a quarter of a ton over the rated maximum!
 
 Austin
 
 8" , 12" , & 14"  Dutch Ovens

 
 Austin-
 
 Who s talking about weight???  THREE Dutch Ovens?
 
 I ll keep my microwave!!