Things I'll need to buy

We are Lake campers and camp every weekend at the lake where I keep a pontoon. For us the "Smart Dryer" from camping world works great for beach towels and bathing suits at the end of the day. ..it mounts to my fiver ladder.

http://www.campingworld.com/shopping/item/smart-dryer/38131

Don't go nuts buy "stuff"...pick wisely from the list and then...go camping locally to see what you really need (key word here is you). There are so many "accessories" out there that you could go nuts with gadgets and what not.

Or "camp" in your driveway in the spring...good for dry run and seeing just how comfortable those beds are!

Donna

A couple of books, boardgames and cards to pass the time if it rains and keeps you indoors...

Welcome to RVing. It is really fun, relaxing, and sometimes frustrating at the same time. Some great suggestions in everything here. I have been RVing for decades and there is only one thing I will take exception too. One suggestion is to forget about RV TP. Unless you have a really good sprayer in your black tank, the non-RV TP will build up over time, eventually ruining the sensors (which aren't very reliable to begin with) and even blocking the drain. It costs more, but in time will be worth it.

If you are going to go somewhere with hookups I recommend a good surge protector, that will also shut off and warn you of low voltage. I never fill my water tank anymore without running the water through a filter first. Even water from a 'reliable source' should be considered suspect.

I also recommend, if you have the space to do it (like parked next to your house) do a practice run the first night. Cook, hang out, and whatever some evening, while making a list of what you might need. You will be surprised what you come up with. Then after you first outing put away whatever you realized you actually don't need.

Have a great time!

Here's a couple of tips that I learned the hard way.
If there's two of you, take enough plates, silverware, glasses and coffee cups for two. There's no place to store dirty dishes. If you have company, use paper plates and cups. You're camping.
Buy gallon jugs of distilled water for coffee, cooking and tooth brushing. Its cheap. Some perfectly good water from a campground has more iron in it than others. The locals don't notice, but you will.
The oven is a perfect place to store things you don't use that often. If you insist on using it to bake, line the bottom rack with fireproof tiles and cook on the rack above. Unless you like food that's burned on the bottom and undercooked on top. And buy an oven thermometer. The numbers on the dial are estimates.
If you enjoy grilling out, consider buying a George Foreman lean, mean grillin' machine for those times when it rains. Or a really big umbrella.
Clothing. For men, it easy. Two pair of jeans and some T shirts. Add a pair of washable casual pants and a shirt with a collar. I'm single, so I can't make wardrobe selections for the ladies, and I wouldn't if I could but closet space is at a premium.
Showers. Small hot water tank. Let the wife go first and wait until the water heater recovers, or use the CG showers. Take flip flops if you do.

This fall when we got our TT, we had nothing to put in it. On our way to Walmart we swung by goodwill to see what kind of stuff they had. We walked out with 3 brand new comforters still sealed in their original bags! While they aren't the fanciest they do somewhat match the interior of the camper and if one gets ruined somehow then oh well, they were only like $10 a piece. Also my wife like the fact that we didn't have to pay a lot for bedding for the camper. The rest of the stuff we found at Wally world. We took about two hours and just walked up and down every isle looking for things. You'll get things that you didn't even think about, for example, the clips to hold a picnic table cloth down, we would have realized we needed them when it was too late lol. Other things we got at Walmart was the drinking water hose, sewer hose, stick on levels for the TT, the tank deodorizer, towels and washcloths, small broom and dustpan. Also check other stores like bass pro, we got a lot of our campfire cookware there and gander mtn!

I think equipping the RV was as much fun as spending time using all the stuff!!!!!

I bought some extra latches for my cabinets. When I broke one, I had to take everything out and tape it shut so it wouldnt swing around. I like the pad and pen idea. We did that a few years ago and it helps

Our trailer is our 2nd home / cabin so we have duplicate of things that we use in the house. Some little things: phone charger cable, eye glasses, spare contact lenses, at least a weeks worth of prescriptions, clothes, jackets, hats, gloves, binoculars, AA and AAA batteries, extension cord, fishing rods/tackle, etc.

We don't have an outdoor kitchen and we cook and eat outside a lot. I bought one of those 3 drawer plastic storage containers and loaded it with things we use while cooking/eating outside, paper plates, utensils in the top drawer, cooking spray, seasoning, tongs, flipper, lighter, small bottle tap water, tiny dawn soap, scotch brite, table cloth & clips, can koosies, etc. we even attached a plastic paper towel holder on the side.

As someone mentioned, write down things that you need while you are camping.

We have a 4' plastic folding table that fits behind the couch. It is nice to use outside especially when there is a picnic table that you cannot move next to the trailer.

We don't leave our fridge on so I keep the small condiments in our basement fridge. We also have a shelf in the freezer for "camping" food.

Happy Camping!
Marcia

You need a CLEAR elbow for dumping your tanks. It helps to know when the water is running clear to know that the tank has actually emptied. Understand the procedure for dumping your tanks, especially the black. Make sure its at least 3/4 full before dumping. I just fill it with more water if its not quite full. You do not want to develop the dreaded poop pyramid.

GOOD chocks. The first time you unhook from the tow vehicle and the trailer starts to roll some you will definitely go buy good chocks after that, but change you undies first. Chock BOTH sides.

Don't go crazy and just fill it up with anything and everything you think you need. It all has weight. You should go weigh your rig after you get it. The procedure is well documented here on the forum. I have a '14 1500 Silverado that I tow a 6500lb TT with no problems. Better your aware of just how much your pulling to know you are within limits of your TV than an accident.

You will get good honest advice here as you can see. Don't be afraid to ask anything. There are no stupid questions.

I wrote this list exactly for this question- what you need for that first trip is different than the things you should have which is different from the things you may want.

Newbie - First Trip Essentials