Your Top 10 Tips - Large Family

https://www.reserveamerica.com/outdoors/unwritten-camping-rules-to-remember.htm

A few helpful hints to make camping more enjoyable for you and for the people camped around you.

One thing I've done wrong more than once is to forget about the wheel chocks (that fit between the wheels and are out of sight) and tried to drive away. Embarrassing to say the least; especially with neighbors watching.
Early on I also forgot to remove the chocks that set on the ground and drove over them.

Everyone should have a job to do during set up and break down, this makes the job easier and quicker, carry extra water. Make a set up / breakdown list and use it so you do not forget any thing such as antenna down, chocs not removed etc.

Not ten tips but number one is check clothes that teen age girls pack. They will pack white shorts or jeans for camping and after the first day they will look filthy.
I had each days clothes packed in a zip lock bag. And of course allow them to pack a pair of white shorts if that is what they want.

If you haven't camped a lot, I very much agree that your first few trips should be close to home, especially "campground driveway" - just spend a night or two in your camper while parked in your driveway. Then do a couple trips within 30 minutes or less of your house, so you can return to get things you forgot.

We had (kids are in college now, so don't camp much with us anymore) a basic list of things for people to do when we setup and when we returned home. We didn't overburden the kids with "chores", don't want to make camping seem like work for them, but there is always something for them to help out with. Then we would send them off to the campground's playground while Mom and Dad finished the details of setting up.

Actually, one big thing we started right away and never wavered from was when we got home after a trip - no one does ANYTHING else until the camper is unloaded! Made coming home actually a pleasure, as everyone would grab stuff out of the camper and get it into the house. Really only took like 10 minutes with everyone helping.

We also basically banned electronics while camping. No cell phones, smart phones, DVD players, no TV. We played games, read books, got dirty, went swimming. My son, now 21, still refuses to use electronics when he goes camping! Having said that --- electronics while driving was a lifesaver many times. When the trip to the campground was multiple hours, DVD players or hand held electronic games in the truck were great.

Have fun, you'll figure things out, and come back here and tell us of your adventures!

Buckeyewriting wrote:
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 out that you never thought of?

Or simply, what do you enjoy the most or hate the most about camping in your TT. We are newbies and hope to take a trip out west next summer.

Thanks in advance!

since you're buying a hybrid TT, you need to go to the Hybrid Forum here to ask questions about hybrid life.

1. get a set of Popup Gizmos. if you don't know what they are, Google them. #1 Hybrid mod.
2. make sure you understand the pros and cons of hybrids, BEFORE you buy one. many newbies make the mistake of buying one before they research this. many end up selling it after one year of ownership.
3. we love our hybrid but we prefer sleeping under canvas. if you don't love the idea of sleeping under canvas, DON'T buy a hybrid.

If you plan on camping trips over the big holidays Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, make reservations.

You stated you have a large family. . . how many does than mean? Will the trailer have sleeping space for all? What is your tow vehicle?

An important item is that if you're not on a site with full hookups (water, electric, sewer) then everyone needs to know about conserving water because your holding tank will not be large.

There will have to be no letting water run when doing dishes, washing hands, brushing teeth or taking a shower. For instance, for showers you quickly wet down, turn the water off, lather up, turn water on and quickly rinse.

1) The first tip would be to camp in your driveway the first time. That way if you need something, you don't have far to go to get it.

2) Keep a notebook and pencil handy. It will help you remember all the things you want to do or gather before the next trip.

3) Keep a sense of humor. (actually that should be #1 tip)

4) Always look at each trip as an opportunity to make memories. Hopefully they will all be happy, but if not after time you will be able to laugh about them.... and have great stories to tell.

5) If things don't go as planned, don't panic. Some of the best memories have been either spur of the moment ideas or plans that didn't go as anticipated.

6) If you don't have a basic understanding of mechanics and home repair, start learning now. I promise it will save you money in the long run when it comes to fixing issues with your new hobby.

7) When you are new make checklists. A set up checklist... A break-down checklist... A pre-trip packing checklist... etc...

8) Involve the entire family. Have age appropriate tasks for everyone. Little kids can gather tinder for starting a fire. Middle children can help build the fire design, or help plan meals. Older kids can help with the set-up, preparation of meals, etc.

9) Have things for rainy days. Despite all you planning you will have bad weather during some of your camping time. Have DVDs, games, cards, etc. for the children (and yourself) to do if the weather turns nasty.

10) Most importantly.... HAVE FUN and enjoy making memories with you family.

Doug