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

[angelsmom10]

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.

[tlhdoc]

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.

[NightOwl]

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.

[chip]

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..  )

[garym053]

Whether cranking Up or Down, make sure your stabilizers are OFF the ground!

[topcat7736]

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:

[topcat7736]

Ahhh ye$, the needed checkli$t$. (You need everything duplicated...ju$t in ca$e).

Tent Camping Checkli$t

RV Camping Checkli$t

[forestwalker]

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.

[2manytoyz]

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:




Be safe, camp again!

[B-flat]

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.

[copcarguy]

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

[tlhdoc]

He he he, now I can break into your PU Rick!

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:

[angelsmom10]

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.

[camphost]

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.

[angelsmom10]

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.

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.