RV Gear - my list, any suggestions?

2manytoyz wrote:
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I stopped bringing an axe only because so many FL campgrounds either don't allow campfires, or require you to use their $ firewood.

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I have a hatchet we've carried with us since we tent camped some 30 plus years ago. Very seldom does it get used for hacking up firewood. But I keep dragging it along because the other end makes a great hammer for driving tent pegs or spikes in the ground to hold things down. The hatchet has been used as a hammer much more than as a hatchet. I'm a firm believer in having items that have multiple purposes.

We have a couple large cutting boards for the kitchen. They double up as a cutting board and a portable table when outside. I also use it on the picnic table to put utensils on since we almost never use a table cloth on the campground supplied picnic tables. In our old camper it was a cover for the stove top to make more counter space since that trailer didn't have a stove top cover. So, there's a multiple uses for the 2 cutting boards we bring along.

We never carry scissors either, since we have a butcher block set of nice quality steak knives and it came with meat scissors. We use the meat scissors for everything. They even work well for cutting thin wire. By thinking this way, we've just eliminated a par of fabric scissors and a wire cutter tool.

If you look for items that have multi-task purposes, you can eliminate a lot of things. Of course, learning to use an item for multi-tasking is usually a result of "having to", more than "planning to", mostly because you've forgotten to bring something along with you and now you have to improvise.

I carried a length of thin rope (about 50 feet) in each of my campers for years. Used it a few times to hold things down in the wind or cover things up with a tarp because of rain. Then one day I was messing around with that rope and tied a loop in the end, and started wrapping it around our cat. Turned out I figured out how to make a harness out of that rope for the cat. When the cat struggles to get away, the rope only gets tighter and tighter the more he pulls and tugs if the other end of the rope is tied or being held. So, actually, that rope because useful as a cat harness and leash now more than using a tie down for covering stuff with a tarp. It works ... multi-task. We threw out all our cat harnesses that the cat slips out of.

And there's a lot more. But we're not minimalists at all. On the other hand, some items we just don't compromise with. For example, we carry an electric skillet and 2 flat griddles. We also have a Coleman camp stove, the stove in the camper, the microwave, and an oven in the camper. But we also use them all at one time or another too. We also carry fire starter packets and a grate if we decide to fix something over a fire. We also carry an electric coffee pot and an old style camp percolator coffee pot, just in case we loose electric power, we can still make coffee on the gas stove top or over a fire. You can't compromise that, not when it comes to coffee.... right?

I made my drying rack with 1/2” pvc. Like a ladder about 2’ x 2’.

I glued the tees but not the cross pieces so it comes apart for storage and wind the rope with a caribener around it which is also to suspend it from the ladder.

They sell them for like $50 at CW.

DrewE wrote:
There seem to be broad categories of things missing, but maybe that's intentional.

Soap? Shampoo? Dishes and utensils and cups and napkins? Kleenex? LInens? First aid supplies? Windex and bathroom cleaner and multi-purpose household cleaner?

There are a few items I would definitely add in the general categories you do list: wheel chocks, a window squeegee and bucket, windshield washer fluid, insect repellant (preferably high-DEET), electric space heater, .... There are a few substitutions I would make: gorilla tape for ordinary duct/duck tape jumps out. There are some more personal choices I would have differently, too (fewer tools in general, add my small splitting axe, etc.

Some items are in general categories, only because the list would be quite a bit longer if I went into greater detail.

I added an RV CLEANING SUPPLIES item, which will include the RV brush, and RV windshield squeegee.

When I had a TT, I always brought tire chocks. Don't see much of a need with a Class A. Between the transmission in park, parking brake set, and stabilizers down, not going anywhere. Might be useful when changing a tire, but I'll use my RV insurance if needed, and let them worry about that.

I stopped bringing an axe only because so many FL campgrounds either don't allow campfires, or require you to use their $ firewood.

The electric space heater is covered by HEATER. That also gives me the option of bringing my Buddy Heater if boondocking.

I do have insect repellent listed but realized it was misspelled. The stuff I use is typically 25% DEET. I live only a few miles from the aptly named mosquito lagoon. I've tried the alternatives, including electronic pest repellers, I'll take DEET, thank you.

I have a Mosquito Magnet at home. This is from a few days during the peak of one season. The collection basket was FULL.

My wife has binders of these lists and she adds and subtracts all the time. I am more of the "throw in my other pair of clean pants and lets go" mentality.

MH or stick and brick if we don't have it we go to the store and get it. If we are in the middle of no where than we improvise until we can get back to town. This improvising is because we are not full timers. If we were full timing than we would just up and move closer to what we needed and when we got it we would go back to the middle of nowhere.

I do not want to wish my life away but being retired and able to let weather and personal interests dictate travel and my location rather than what my time off from work allows sounds amazing!!!!!

OK. That makes sense.

For me, I would have two lists. One for stuff that stays in the RV all the time (like the flashlight) and another for the stuff you have to add each trip (beach chairs).

The first list would be more of a "did I pull that from the RV" reminder. Not necessary to check each item each trip, but a reminder in case you borrowed the flashlight to work on the car and left in in the garage, etc.

The second list would be the items I have to add and remove each trip. Separating that out into "Always Take" and "Seasonal or Specific Trip" would help go through it quicker also.

And don't forget paper documents (and a flash drive with the electronic versions). Things like pets' vaccinations, your med lists, any permits or licenses, etc.

Big Katuna wrote:
Ammo.

Folding PVC laundry rack for ladder.

Sewer hose support. I used to scoff at those but we stayed at a place for a month with clay dirt and the hose was mired in sticky clay. Total PITA to clean.

Step for uneven sites.

Out door dog beds.

LED miners light.

I'll have to look into the rack idea.

We do have a hose support that I bring. Not needed it yet, but your example is a good reason. I'll add it to my list.

For steps, I have that covered under DUNNAGE, and LEVELING BLOCKS.

Our dog is only outside when we are. He's either on his momma's lap, or hanging out on the patio mat. Sissy dog.

Really like the headlamp idea. I have several at home. I'll add it to my list.

Thanks for the input!

There seem to be broad categories of things missing, but maybe that's intentional.

Soap? Shampoo? Dishes and utensils and cups and napkins? Kleenex? LInens? First aid supplies? Windex and bathroom cleaner and multi-purpose household cleaner?

There are a few items I would definitely add in the general categories you do list: wheel chocks, a window squeegee and bucket, windshield washer fluid, insect repellant (preferably high-DEET), electric space heater, .... There are a few substitutions I would make: gorilla tape for ordinary duct/duck tape jumps out. There are some more personal choices I would have differently, too (fewer tools in general, add my small splitting axe, etc.

Executive wrote:
Why anyone needs a list is beyond me. My 'list' has changed so much over the past 10 years it's a non issue. For instance, why would you take a gallon of distilled water? Water is 8#/gallon and distilled water costs less than $1/gallon. You won't need a gallon to fill your batteries anyway so if they're low, stop by a Wally World and fill em up. I do carry tools, adjusted as I traveled. I like to tinker also so I also carry a set of drill bits, some sandpaper etc. Necessary items like a decent fire extinguisher, a small battery charger, a small inverter and some road flares/reflectors. Three pack of the small orange cones also. Biggest mistake full timers make is with the clothes. Especially when it comes to weight. As we full time, we don't stay long, if at all in colder climates. ONE jacket is sufficient! ONE sweatshirt and you'll survive. I laugh when I visit people who have a closet full of these items. Think of the weight savings without carrying all these heavy unnecessary items. Also, go through your coach every two years and throw out/donate anything you haven't used. I carried an extra water pump for three years before giving it to a fellow camper. Still haven't needed it. IMO, your list is great if you're filling up the coach for the first time. After that, adjust for your way of traveling. Of course, don't forget the VISA card. Many things just aren't worth lugging around....Dennis

Some people have an excellent memory, and never forget anything. I've never met one, but I'm sure they exist. Or maybe I did, I can't remember! I suffer from CRS. If it's not on a list, I'll find a need for it at the wrong time.

FWIW, I'm the guy at campgrounds that usually is the one with the resources to help fellow campers. Overly prepared, perhaps. But I've never been the one with the panicked look on my face trying to come up with a solution, despite the many gremlins I've dealt with.

If you camp near cities, running to Walmart is an option. The places I sometimes go, are a LONG way from Wallyworld. They are also sometimes well away from cell phone coverage.

Between my coach, and the TOAD, I have 6 batteries to maintain. On long trips, I'll take a gallon of DI water. 8.3 lbs. of weight to keep $1K worth of batteries healthy is a good trade off for me. On shorter trips, I'll simply cross that item off the list.

Most places we are visiting for now, are the same climate. But we will be making future trips up North during Winter months. 80 degrees at home, below freezing where we are headed. We'll pack clothes accordingly.

Please understand, I'm not trying to get YOU to change what you carry. That's not the intent of my post. I'm working on my list, not yours. If you find anything useful on mine, great, if not, okeedokie. :W

Ammo.

Folding PVC laundry rack for ladder.

Sewer hose support. I used to scoff at those but we stayed at a place for a month with clay dirt and the hose was mired in sticky clay. Total PITA to clean.

Step for uneven sites.

Out door dog beds.

LED miners light.

toedtoes wrote:
The list is good, but you appear to have some duplication:

beach chairs and folding chairs
lantern, portable cfl light, and flashlights
garage towels and shop rags.

I would reorg your list according to item type (all stoves/grills, etc) and look to see what you can eliminate. Every little space helps.

If either of you have sensitive skin, make sure you bring your preffered laundry detergent - you may not find that brand when you head to the laundromat. :)

With the limited spacing I'm using for each line item, these can appear to the be the same thing, and might be for some. I'll try to explain the differences and reasoning for including them.

Keep in mind not all things on the list go every trip. I simply scratch them off if not taking an item.

The beach chairs we have are short and lightweight. Great for their intended use, but too short for the campsite. 'tis the reason we carry both types when beach camping.

If we are boondocking, I'll take the propane lantern. If not, it stays at home as it is bulky. Since I bring Dewalt 18V cordless tools and batteries, the Dewalt 18V CFL light is quite useful. Runs for about 3.5 hours per battery.

The flashlight is quite small, and I just designed a holder for it. I keep one storage bays unlocked, and the holder is just inside the door. Better for troubleshooting due to its size, but not effective for illuminating the entire campsite.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3241135



Shop rags are small, good for motor work. I consider them disposable. Garage towels (old house towels) are large, great for drying the dog after a bath, putting on the floor by the door to minimize dirt in the coach, and for putting on the ground if working under a vehicle.

Depending on the size coach someone has, any sort of overlap or duplication would be an issue. For now, we have plenty of storage room, and weight capacity left.