So we are camping for the long weekend here. I get to the site early and setup my 21ft TT for the first trip out this season. Later in the afternoon, my neighbor pulls in. He is towing an approx. 30ft TT with an Expedition which is near bottomed out. Interesting I though, no WDH set-up. Oh well, I think - maybe he isn't far from home. Shortly after he sets up a mini-van pulling a utility trailer full of bikes shows up. It is his wife, 4 kids and their dogs. She's struggling backing into the site, so I offer my assistance. I learn that they are about 20 min from home and are also staying for the weekend. I tell her that it was nice to meet her and I am back on my site relaxing.Over the course of the next 2 hours I see them make 3 more trips back and fourth out of the campground. Each time, they are bringing more and more back in with them. Entertaining for me to watch. By the evening they have the following at their site:-Expedition truck-Mini-van-Utility trailer-Travel Trailer-6 bikes-Golf cart-Motorized wheelchair-Bar-b-q (full sized)-Inflatable kiddie pool-2 canoes-Powerwheels Jeep for the kids-Collapsible table and chairs-42" flatscreen (set up on their picnic table)-Inflatable outdoor couch-Bar fridge-Water table for the kids to play in-Screened dining tent-Clothes drying racks-2 flag polesAll of this stuffed onto a 35 foot wide site. So I think to myself, this should be an entertaining weekend. I sit back and watch as they organize themselves.Two minutes later, the husband comes over to talk to me. He asks - I can't help but notice that you only have a 21 foot trailer and small 1/2 ton on your site. Would you mind if I parked my mini-van and utility trailer on your site for the weekend?Rhhhhh - And so my weekend begins.

My answer: NO YOU MAY NOT. We need our site for our relaxation. Sorry Charlie.Reminds me of the guy that came over whining about how he left home late and wanted us to dismantle our mh set up to trade campsites with him. He received a polite and firm NO as well.

I think we camped next to that same family in southern Ohio last year. They brought along a pick-up load of firewood on top of everything else and left most of it as well as the full sized gas grill. There was enough firewood for the whole campground the night they left! The grill was left after an angry confrontation between husband and wife when he opened a side storage bay and found that "someone" had left the black water drain open without hooking up to the sewer line! It is amazing how much black water a well sealed bay will hold! And no, we didn't give up any extra parking space to this circus, either.

DRSMPS wrote:So we are camping for the long weekend here. I get to the site early and setup my 21ft TT for the first trip out this season. Rhhhhh - And so my weekend begins.Hey thanx for posting this DRSMPS!We had some friends in the past that were something like the Clampetts when camping...total chaos when they were along.Got a hoot outta yer observations.Man I got a few stories too.Regards,jim

I don't understand how you can get away from it all if you take it all with you! My needs are few, my pastimes simple and I load the RV accordingly. And, not only would I not cede them any of my space but I would probably move to another site, if possible.

It's easy to camp with my grandson. Just add water!!! If he can fish, swim, or paddle, he doesn't need anything else. Except food, of course!

How Much Stuff Do You Bring for a Weekend Trip?

Familyof4inMD
Explorer
Jun 16, 2013
This post is funny! We go to a campground near the beach that i have labeled hollywood. Everyone has a matching golf cart, a flat screen tv mounted to the camper under the awning. Recliner chairs set up around it. It goes on and on. Now granted, i am not the roughing it type of camper. But sometimesi think the extras are a bit extreme. We rent a golf cart at the campground. We pack the boys bikes, we have a bean bag toss game, bubbles, and all kinds of games we have collected from camp stores. Wehave our special drinks we all like, good food,and snacks. And i love a good book to read. That is enough, camping to us is about simple fun and relaxation.
sushidog
Explorer
Jun 15, 2013
What's a weekend trip? I've never had a weekend or holiday day off (other than Christmas day) so I only get to go camping for 2 - 1 wk vacations/yr. I take everything possible with me, except if I'm only camping in FHU CGs, then I leave the generator and extra fuel at home.

I bought my Aliner as a Hurricane bug-out vehicle after Katrina, so it's fully loaded (except for water) and stocked at all times. I just load the fridge, grab the critters and hit the road with my Aliner behind my little 4-cyl. car (enjoying 21-25 mpg towing and 30+ mpg when not - for maximum range when gas stations no longer are available - like after Katrina). It has all the amenities of home, just very little space inside to move around. Other than the standard camper amenities like: a king bed, microwave, shower/cassette toilet, 3-way freezer/fridge, ac, tv/dvd player/inverter, etc.

We also take with us: a screen room, an awning, a large Astro-turf door mat, BBQ grills, utensils, extra propane, tools, defensive measures, toiletries, a suitcase of clothes, a 6 day Coleman ultimate extreme ice chest full of water, soda, beer, extra food, etc.

I plan on getting a high-mpg pick-up truck soon to use as a dedicated TV. We will then be able to take more stuff with us, like our 2 little 125cc street-legal minibikes, extra fuel, riding gear, more food, water, etc.

Chip
eabc5454
Explorer
Jun 14, 2013
We just traded in a truck and TT for a MH. We took delivery on a Saturday. The day before we took everything out of the TT and put the stuff in bins in the shed. We only took what we "needed" to get through one night and planned to move the rest to the new rig when we got home.

We showed up at the dealer, and transferred what we brought with us. It took about 15 minutes of hauling stuff in 94 humid heat, and we promptly re-thought what we actually need. We were like many newbies, and bought way too much stuff that we never used (egg holders, anyone?). The only thing we didn't have on our first trip in our first camper was a fly swatter.

We've pared down now, and setting up and breaking camp is far easier. I always make out menus and pack only what's necessary. Clothes and linens get washed and go right back out to the camper. We fuel up before we get home, and check tire pressure the night before we leave. I do a thorough walk-around and "pre-flight" check (old pilots never die). We turn on the reefer then, too. We carry toiletries on board. The only things we pack are the food for the menu and DW's cpap machine. Then we go on down the road...

Happy camping!
MarshaNichols
Explorer
Jun 13, 2013
I have a class B Roadtrek 170...small...so I have to really think out what I need to bring. I think about the meals and what I'll need (crockpot, griddle, etc.) I have two chairs, a light-weight carpet, book, and my dog. Easy set-up so I can enjoy where I camp. My idea is to get away and enjoy the peace and quiet!
tomdinwv
Explorer
Jun 13, 2013
We keep most everything we need in the TT. If we want to, we can each pack a small bag of clothes and some food and be on our way. I do usually throw a couple of bikes in the bed of my truck and a cooler. If we are staying in WV, I'll grab some firewood and put in the truck also. With all that being said, we do carry corn hole boards, fishing gear, 2 collapsible awnings, a foldable hammock (hey I deserve to be comfortable, right? LOL) a tabletop grill and some other stuff we could probably do without. We don't usually put it all out unless we are going to be somewhere for several days and only if the campsite is roomy enough.
WrongWayRandall
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013
In addition to the screen enclosure and a couple of camp chairs, we bring hiking gear, Sibley's guides (birds and trees), a few outdoor games like bocce, some books, and deck of playing cards and typically spend most of our time outside the camper, except at night of course, even on longer trips. When we hit the road we are looking to get away from all the technology that is so pervasive in today's world and slow down, but everyone is different in that regard and what one person enjoys another may hate. I figure that if you are enjoying yourself when you head out (and you don't intrude overly on others) then you must be doing it right.

- R
dennislanier
Explorer
Jun 11, 2013
Wouldn't it be easier to just jack up the house and put a dolly under it and tow it to the campground? It continues to amaze me all the stuff that people bring with them while "camping". Guess I'm just too lazy to haul everything I own around.
pnichols
Explorer II
Jun 10, 2013
We bring everything on every trip just in case. We leave the RV packed with everything all the time (excepting for food and certain clothing items) to minimize planning/preparation and the loading for each trip.

For instance:

1) We have cold weather window insulation with us even on summer trips.

2) We have fishing gear with us even when desert camping.

3) We have Internet access built into our RV so we can research the trip while on the trip.

It makes living so much easier and spontaneous the less there is to have to constantly plan for.
WandaLust2
Explorer
Jun 09, 2013
If it was up to my husband all he'd do is toss down the the plastic outdoor rugs and set up a few folding chairs outside. Maybe the BBQ grill if he was really ambitious. The longer we go camping the more time he spends inside the RV with the TV, the PC and a few good books.
rambotheshark
Explorer
Jun 03, 2013
As someone that now has lived full time for a couple of years I have seen all sorts of neighbors and the ones that bring everything they own plus whatever they bought on a recent Camping World shopping binge always make me laugh.

I routinely see people break out and set up way more stuff for a weekend than I have set up for my full-timer life.

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