any thing you cant live without while camping

[ddlrsad]

Just wondering if there is anything that you can't camp without ! What are some of the things that just make your camping trip a little easier ?Also any help on some storage ideas.

[AZsix]

Well for me it's coffee and a camera.

[spicetrader]

comfy chairs and shoes and my dogs

[spicetrader]

Just wondering if there is anything that you can't camp without ! What are some of the things that just make your camping trip a little easier ?Also any help on some storage ideas.

Storage...for what, where?

[ddlrsad]

Storage...for what, where?

Storage inside.... clothing, supplies etc

[waygard33]

At the end of the day, I like to...

-cozy up to a warm fire
-in a comfy chair
-with family and friends
-a cold beer
-and a good cigar

...If I can't have that, then I'm not goin'... :p

[GeneF]

My Lafuma chair and my wife.

Hey, who else is going to bring me my glass of wine?

[OC Campers]

That is sort of a tough question.  The only real thing I can't live without is my  husband, kids and my dogs.  The things that make camping a little more easy/enjoyable would be
1)  Popup gizmos-bunkend covers
2)  popup trash can
3) nylon outdoor mat
4)  stainless stell coffee percolator
5)  if we are dry camping--our Honda EU1000 generator
 
As far as extra storage we use 2 sets of Sterilite drawers setup on the small counter areas.
 
Jacqui

[Dee4j]

Beer & Firewood :!  :sombraro:

[MotherNature]

Being together as a happy & healthy family comes first - here are the second-place essentials:

Children's List:

MP3 players
Books (their suggestion, not mine! Need to mention that they don't read recreationally at all during the school year - I am SO glad they consider it a fun vacation activity (maybe the accompanying snack bowls of junk food are an incentive? ))
Bikes
Cards
Beach chairs
Campfire

Parent's List:

Shower facilities
Coffee
Beer
Binoculars (birdwatching fanatics)
Beach chairs
Pleasant surroundings
Campfire

[Bowfin]

kayak, fishing gear, firewood, bikes, coffee...

[garym053]

Campfire
Peace & Quiet!

[ScouterMom]

my golden retriever, Fizzy, and some good human company to visit with around the campfire!!

Storage, though -

I made some cloth 'pockets' to hang from the  bunk-end poles - not large, because we don't want to load them up with weight - but just big enough to hold a paperback book, etc.  Originally meant for my glasses, so I can find them by feel anytime I have to get up, and I can be sure they're not knocked off a counter or squashed in my sleep.

I also have a loop of cord that I can clip a carabiner thru - the carabiner is attached to a small, but bright flashlight.  Again, so I can find it quickly in the dark by feel, unhook it and use it for potty trips or spotting the critter that just knocked over the dishes outside......

I have a 30+ yr old camper.  So while it HAS storage under the dinette seats and elsewhere, it's not 'tight' and dust free like a new camper's.  So I search for rubbermaid-type storage boxes that fit inside the bins as close as possible - preferably see-through ones - so that we can see what's inside, and stack these inside the dinette seats.  the trick is to measure your spaces and look for boxes that will store your stuff without shifting while the camper is moving.  I have a couple of large tubs with snap lids that fit perfectly UNDER the folded dinette table.  these hold bedding and towels, and when we get to the campsite, the bedding is pulled out to make the beds, the empty bedding tub gets nested with the towels - and I can set the two  out under the awning and use this large bin as a small table on the 'porch'.  Then the towels are easy to grab for everyone. Or I can leave the tubs under the dinette and pull them out like large drawers - as most of the time we keep the dinette table down as a bed - Fizzy likes to sleep right next to Mom! (me).

One thing that has worked really well for me for over 20 YEARS - I have an old Tupperware brand 'celery keeper' that I have kept all my camp cooking utensils in for all camping.  It's longer length allows for tongs, spatulas, even a longer meat fork and stew spoons and regular silverware. It's tight 'Tupperware' lid has never been opened by nosy raccoons, doesn't come off it the box is dropped, and is watertight if the box is dropped in the river or sand on a canoe trip, or left out in the rain on a oicnic table.  It's indestructable, and dishwasher safe (when I get it home, I wash it out once or twice a season, esp after a river trip)

I don't know if they even make them anymore - I think it was my mom's or grandmas - but if you can find one at a garage sale, BUY IT.  (If you don't want it, I'll take it!)

Our Boy scout troop has tried any number of things for their patrol boxes to hold utensils and silver, and NOTHING has ever come close to my Tupperware Celery keeper.  Cheaper plastic stuff breaks and cracks, the lids aren't tight, they aren't moisture-proof or bug proof, and is usually too short for long-handled utensils.  they've even tried small tackle/tool boxes, canvas tool bags and cloth roll ups. The cloth rolls with pockets work well for backpacking and fewer utensils, but don't hold enough for a large patrol or family.  a plastic tool box is about the closest - if you can get one long and small, so you don't have to fiddle with fitting in the longer utensils.

The only other storage suggestion I have is to pack things you use most where you can get them

for example, tools & lights you might need where you can get to them WITHOUT having to pop up the camper first (REALLY important when your TV has a flat on a dark highway at night!

and don't put food and dishes under the dinette - you'l be making everybody move to get the napkins, AFTER they've sat down in the tight space to eat!

laura

[eldasilma]

a good book and a fire is all i realy need for camping

[PattieAM]

Coffee is my #1 must have!  Digital camera is second.