Things newbie must have for PUP

[handfixer]

Hi everybody. I finally bought my first tent trailer on Sunday. Purchased 2008 Starcraft 3612.  Picking it up on Thursday. I can't wait to go camping. Anybody have any suggestions for things I must have for my trailer? Also does anyone have a Starcraft Centennial 3612 who got permanent trailer identification (PTI) from California DMV? Curious if I will be issued one automatically on new purchase. By the way, this a great forum.

[Dray]

Things you must have?  How about a better tow vehicle!  Ha!  Kidding with the newbie.  : )

[OC Campers]

Welcome to PUT and to the wonderful world of popup camping. Everyones needs are different as to what is a "must have"
1) outdoor mat
2) gray water tote
3) tire chaulks
4) leveling wood or lynx levelers
5) pot, pans, bed linens, towels etc. (it is a lot easier if you get these items
and leave them in the camper
6) if you have a pottie/shower combo--toilet chemical
 
Also, I noticed you live in So Cal. Checkout the regional forum for Southern California (SC Campers) This is a super group of people who camp together quite often. We moved up to northern California 3 years ago and still drive 400 miles to camp with these people every year. My kids are always asking when they are going to see their camping friends again.
 
I am not sure how the PTI tags work.  We bought our camper before PTI tags started so we were issued the PTI tag directly from the DMV.
 
Jacqui

[austinado16]

Welcome!  I'm sure you'll be issued a PTI plate.

Must haves?
1)BAL leveler (RV dealer in so. cal has them for $52) and some plastic wheel chocks.....Walmart, etc.
2)Popup Gizmos bunk end covers, or make your own out of the silver sided hunter/outdoorsman blankets sold by REI, Cabala's, Campmor, etc.
3)Battery powered 12" electric fan(s).....Walmart
4)Weber's gas "Go-Anywhere" portable grill makes a perfect RVQ/BBQ
5)Digital weather station with a couple of remote temp sensors.....Walmart.  Get the big tall one.  You can keep a sensor in the fridge while towing and be able to monitor the fridge temps that way.
6)Fridge cube fan that runs on 2 D-cells keeps the fridge temp even top to bottom.
7)2" Memory Foam mattress toppers! Costco/Target/Walmart
8)12v battery charger to charge the camper's battery fully a couple days before you leave, and when you get back.
9)Enough gear to pack and keep in the camper so that it's always ready to go and all you guys have to do is throw food in the fridge, clothes in the drawers, and head off.....you don't have to remember, "did we pack the silverware, plates, glasses, towels, cooking utensils, cleaners, soaps, etc."
10) Digital tire pressure gauge
11) Infrared temp gun...for fun measuring tire, bearing, transmission, and radiator temps.
12) Better brakes for your TV
13) Brake controller for your PUP
14) Huge trans cooler for your TV
15) Sway controller for your TV

[handfixer]

Things you must have?  How about a better tow vehicle!  Ha!  Kidding with the newbie.  : )

Whats wrong with my Toyota Taco V6?  It does have 6500 towing capacity. I do have a 2006 Toyota 4Runner V8 for backup.

[handfixer]

Welcome!  I'm sure you'll be issued a PTI plate.

Must haves?
1)BAL leveler (RV dealer in so. cal has them for $52) and some plastic wheel chocks.....Walmart, etc.
2)Popup Gizmos bunk end covers, or make your own out of the silver sided hunter/outdoorsman blankets sold by REI, Cabala's, Campmor, etc.
3)Battery powered 12" electric fan(s).....Walmart
4)Weber's gas "Go-Anywhere" portable grill makes a perfect RVQ/BBQ
5)Digital weather station with a couple of remote temp sensors.....Walmart.  Get the big tall one.  You can keep a sensor in the fridge while towing and be able to monitor the fridge temps that way.
6)Fridge cube fan that runs on 2 D-cells keeps the fridge temp even top to bottom.
7)2" Memory Foam mattress toppers! Costco/Target/Walmart
8)12v battery charger to charge the camper's battery fully a couple days before you leave, and when you get back.
9)Enough gear to pack and keep in the camper so that it's always ready to go and all you guys have to do is throw food in the fridge, clothes in the drawers, and head off.....you don't have to remember, "did we pack the silverware, plates, glasses, towels, cooking utensils, cleaners, soaps, etc."
10) Digital tire pressure gauge
11) Infrared temp gun...for fun measuring tire, bearing, transmission, and radiator temps.
12) Better brakes for your TV
13) Brake controller for your PUP
14) Huge trans cooler for your TV
15) Sway controller for your TV

Thanks , you gave some great ideas.  I could spend hours reading peoples threads.

[AZsix]

1.A pad of paper and a pen to write down all the things that you will think of bringing the next time you go camping.
2. Tools
3. A desire to relax and have fun!

I see that a few people have mentioned Wal Mart. I was surprised to see how much they have in the camping section. I never had a reason to look there before I got my pup.

Good luck with your pup and have fun. Now get out there and camp!

[GrizzlyTaco]

Welcome from Las Vegas!! Here's a checklist for you

http://www.paushe.com/popuppackinglist

[flyfisherman]

Fishing pole.

[JimS]

Whats wrong with my Toyota Taco V6?  It does have 6500 towing capacity. I do have a 2006 Toyota 4Runner V8 for backup.

You're fine!
Some people are just jealous of your TV's!  :p

[Dray]

Whats wrong with my Toyota Taco V6?  It does have 6500 towing capacity. I do have a 2006 Toyota 4Runner V8 for backup.

Your tv is fine.  Look at what I'm using.  

As far as your question that I never answered.  My short list for a newcomer would be:

BAL Leveler
plastic storage bins
An inverter
A good potable water container (if you're going to dry camp)

[handfixer]

Your tv is fine.  Look at what I'm using.  

As far as your question that I never answered.  My short list for a newcomer would be:

BAL Leveler
plastic storage bins
An inverter
A good potable water container (if you're going to dry camp)

Thanks!  What exactly is "an inverter" (a power converter?) and in what situations would I be using it?  Any particular type you recommend?

I am really enjoying really people's comments and advice to me.  I feel like I am making a whole new set of friends. Thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome!

[austinado16]

Yep, he's talking about the goodie that plugs into your 12v socket (cigarette lighter socket in your car)in your camper and converts 12v DC into 120v A/C.  

Forgot all about those handy little guys.  Nice for powering certain things.

Oh...has anyone mentioned a nice soft bristle broom with dust pan?  I'm not a clean freak, but I swear, I sweep the vinyl floor about every 30min because so much crud....twigs, dirt, sand, grass, leaves.....gets tracked in.

In fact, I know someone else mentioned an outdoor mat.  We tried a big one on our last outing and that was nice.  It's one of those woven plastic ones that folds up to be about 3" thick and maybe 18" square but opens up to maybe 4x6.  Nice improvement to the amount of organic material on the floor.

[MotherNature]

Everyone's had great suggestions so far.  Here's some of my own:

An indoor mat (like right inside the door) to compliment the outdoor mat and the whisk broom

Wasp/bee killer (why do they always choose MY camper & site to build on?)

A good laundry stain remover

Extra clothesline - 1001 uses, but especially useful when combined with an extra sheet for an emergency 'privacy fence'

Happy camping!

[Dray]

Thanks!  What exactly is "an inverter" (a power converter?) and in what situations would I be using it?  Any particular type you recommend? QUOTE]

I got my inverter from //www.walmart.com.  Great prices there.  I bought a smaller one to run my laptop.