Your Top 10 Tips - Large Family
We are hoping to purchase a 2011 jay feather sport hydrid X20 E and have an appropriate tow vehicle. My question for you is... what tips do you have about camping? What did you learn your first time o...
Forum Discussion
1. Relax! Relax! Relax! Don't get behind the wheel until you are relaxed; if you get stressed on the road, pull over for a snack or walk and RELAX before continuing on. Most major issues happen when you're stressed and don't catch clues ahead of time or try to rush.
2. Plan the road trip to take longer than the calculations suggest. Better to show up a bit early than late.
3. Look at the systems of the trailer - if the water goes out, can you get water from the campground? If so, don't stress over it so much. If the fridge goes out, you can pick up some cheap coolers and ice to get through? Then don't worry about it. Hot water heater goes out? Can you heat water on the stove or fire? Then don't worry about it. Stove goes out, can you cook over the fire? Then don't worry about it.
4. Don't fill your camping experience with electronics (tvs, microwaves, hair dryers, etc.), and your power consumption will go down. Test in your driveway how longg your batteries will last without needing a recharge - remember that.
5. Involve the kids - as others say, make it a part of the experience. Even little kids can plan a meal (even if it's spaghettios and hotdogs over the fire - you'll all love that meal because the 4 year old is so proud of it.
6. You're camping. You're out in the wilderness. You're going to get dirty. Get over it. Save the clean clothes for the driving time when you might stop to eat. If the kids don't have a problem wearing muddy jeans a second day, let them. If there is a stream or lake and it's not too cold, let them go swimming instead of taking showers. Grab some biodegradable shampoo and your good.
7. Stuff to worry about: the vehicle has rolled into a lake; an unconsious family member; an injury that won't stop bleeding; convulsions; trailer is falling off the frame; things that require IMMEDIATE assistance or that prevent you from getting to help or home. Other stuff can be dealt with: teach kids not to reach hands into crevices, carry meds for allergies, etc - keep them on the person who needs them at all times (don't have mom carry the epipen for little Joe - have little Joe carry it in a belt pack that doesn't come off without an adult taking watch over it.
Everything else can be worked around if you keep positive and don't let it upset you.
2. Plan the road trip to take longer than the calculations suggest. Better to show up a bit early than late.
3. Look at the systems of the trailer - if the water goes out, can you get water from the campground? If so, don't stress over it so much. If the fridge goes out, you can pick up some cheap coolers and ice to get through? Then don't worry about it. Hot water heater goes out? Can you heat water on the stove or fire? Then don't worry about it. Stove goes out, can you cook over the fire? Then don't worry about it.
4. Don't fill your camping experience with electronics (tvs, microwaves, hair dryers, etc.), and your power consumption will go down. Test in your driveway how longg your batteries will last without needing a recharge - remember that.
5. Involve the kids - as others say, make it a part of the experience. Even little kids can plan a meal (even if it's spaghettios and hotdogs over the fire - you'll all love that meal because the 4 year old is so proud of it.
6. You're camping. You're out in the wilderness. You're going to get dirty. Get over it. Save the clean clothes for the driving time when you might stop to eat. If the kids don't have a problem wearing muddy jeans a second day, let them. If there is a stream or lake and it's not too cold, let them go swimming instead of taking showers. Grab some biodegradable shampoo and your good.
7. Stuff to worry about: the vehicle has rolled into a lake; an unconsious family member; an injury that won't stop bleeding; convulsions; trailer is falling off the frame; things that require IMMEDIATE assistance or that prevent you from getting to help or home. Other stuff can be dealt with: teach kids not to reach hands into crevices, carry meds for allergies, etc - keep them on the person who needs them at all times (don't have mom carry the epipen for little Joe - have little Joe carry it in a belt pack that doesn't come off without an adult taking watch over it.
Everything else can be worked around if you keep positive and don't let it upset you.
