This RV'ing sure is complicated. Between figuring out pipe sizes and codes for home dump stations, how to deal with out of level dump stations, what breeds of dogs will be acceptable in campgrounds, purifying lake water, tire plugs or patches, the inside poop at Tesla, and where to stick your extension cord and fridge operation on propane and its safety implications, it's more than enough to leave your head spinning. Why does anyone even do it?

A lot of people make it more complicated that it needs to be. Its camping not rocket science here.

austinjenna wrote:A lot of people make it more complicated that it needs to be. Its camping not rocket science here.You got that right. Make a list of questions, with a bit of background and folks on the forum can/will answer. You will find most of your questions have simple solutions. If you’re waiting on Tesla to announce a chassis for, a manufacturer will build RV’s on that chassis, and how to charge it on the road, you may have a long wait.

austinjenna wrote:A lot of people make it more complicated that it needs to be. Its camping not rocket science here.Camping is not rocket science,but there is certainly a learning curve. There are a lot of aspects to learn. You do need to pay attention and being handi helps.Most of it is common sense. The real question becomes? How common is common sense?

People tend to over complicate and over pack when they start out. It's like everything else - you learn as you go. I have a whole pile of stuff in the RV spot in the basement that I don't bring anymore, even on multi-month trips.My most vivid example of this was a few years ago at Normandy Farms. It's a popular campground resort near Cape Cod and very popular with newbies because the sites are numerous and easy to get into. They also have a ton of stuff for kids and adults to do. We used to go there once a year, but they have priced themselves out of our acceptable range.Anyway, this couple pulled into the site next door in a brand new class A Newmar. The gentleman half commenced to empty everything in his basement onto the campsite - table cloth, picnic bench covers, a grill, a 2 burner cooktop, 4 chairs with tables, an easy-up over the picnic table etc. You get the idea. He spent a good hour setting up the site. When everything was jusso, he brushed the dust off and went inside. I didn't see either of them sitting outside all weekend.

jplante4 wrote: The gentleman half commenced to empty everything in his basement onto the campsite - table cloth, picnic bench covers, a grill, a 2 burner cooktop, 4 chairs with tables, an easy-up over the picnic table etc. You get the idea. He spent a good hour setting up the site. When everything was jusso, he brushed the dust off and went inside. I didn't see either of them sitting outside all weekend.We have that covered but only when its longer than a one weekend trip.No EZ up but the 21' awning gets put out with poles and tie downs for the duration. Under it goes the picnic table (with tablecloth) a 3 burner Camp Chef stove with griddle, and a Weber Q grill. We don't stay inside much however, and only put out two chairs at the fire ring.Reading thru this forum, a lot of folks would have had a heart attack or stroke because we leave our awning out for weeks at a time, and connect the Weber Q and Camp Chef to the trailers propane connection using some repurposed Goodyear air hose I had laying around the shop. In the least we should have had to replace a dozen awnings, or had been killed, burnt up, arrested or sued because of not using some LPG rated hose for transmitting the 0.686418544719726 psi gas going to the WeberQ. LOL. Frankly my biggest worry when camping is how cold the beer is.

It sure is complicated. | Good Sam Community

38 Replies

JRscooby
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2019
BillyBob Jim wrote:
JRscooby wrote:
I did not spend as much time in school as I could have, and did not pay as much attention as I should of when there. But sometime in my life I learned to watch what worked, and figure out why. And spending hours every day by myself learned to figure things out.

No big deal LOL.

Just because someone spends more time in school, or pays more attention while there, does not guarantee they do not end up a total dumbass out in the real world with absolutely no common sense. I used to deal with those folks daily, still do once in awhile.

One time the guy that owned the company I was leased to but his son in a truck between his last 2 years of collage. Drivers sitting around witching about something while paving crew was moving. This "boy" said "Why doesn't President **** just $$$%%$$%?" I had to ask "Has he got a bill to sign to do that?" What do you mean? "You know he can't make a law, congress has to do it?" Well what good is it to be President?"
BillyBob_Jim
Explorer
Jun 20, 2019
JRscooby wrote:
I did not spend as much time in school as I could have, and did not pay as much attention as I should of when there. But sometime in my life I learned to watch what worked, and figure out why. And spending hours every day by myself learned to figure things out.

No big deal LOL.

Just because someone spends more time in school, or pays more attention while there, does not guarantee they do not end up a total dumbass out in the real world with absolutely no common sense. I used to deal with those folks daily, still do once in awhile.
Trekkar
Explorer II
Jun 20, 2019
DarkSkySeeker wrote:
Trekkar wrote:

I just got back from a relaxing, uncomplicated, very enjoyable camping trip. What was the question again? :)

Where did you go?

Just north of us in the Manistee National Forest. Lots of dispersed spots, NF campgrounds, State forest campgrounds, etc. It's always fun to scout out new places!
DarkSkySeeker
Explorer
Jun 19, 2019
Trekkar wrote:

I just got back from a relaxing, uncomplicated, very enjoyable camping trip. What was the question again? :)

Where did you go?
Trekkar
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2019
BillyBob Jim wrote:
This RV'ing sure is complicated. Between figuring out pipe sizes and codes for home dump stations, how to deal with out of level dump stations, what breeds of dogs will be acceptable in campgrounds, purifying lake water, tire plugs or patches, the inside poop at Tesla, and where to stick your extension cord and fridge operation on propane and its safety implications, it's more than enough to leave your head spinning. Why does anyone even do it?

I just got back from a relaxing, uncomplicated, very enjoyable camping trip. What was the question again? :)
JRscooby
Explorer II
Jun 19, 2019
harryjr wrote:
We are all ignorant. Just on different subjects.

This is true. I did not spend as much time in school as I could have, and did not pay as much attention as I should of when there. But sometime in my life I learned to watch what worked, and figure out why. And spending hours every day by myself learned to figure things out.
I say for camping, and taking care of my camper I know what I need to know. I base this statement on fact that I have camped for decades, and used the camper I bought used for nearly 15 years. Now might there be a better way to do some things? Certainly better for you, maybe better for me. Yes, I want to know, but it is not a need.
Back when I first got my pop-up, I decided to get online, and learn what I could. One of the first "facts" I learned was I needed a tank system to catch all my fresh water after it got dirty changed to grey. Instead of one big tank somebody (a member here) came up with a system to hook jugs together so when one was full, it would start to fill the next. I copied the system, tested it in the yard with fresh water, what a great idea! Went camping, hooking this up half a dozen times before the idea got between my ears; With my style of camping, before the first jug is full, we are packing up to move. The only way I need this chain is if I haul dirty water around. Now, I read a idea, and take the idea camping a few times, think about if it is a good idea for me before I act on the idea...
austinjenna
Explorer
Jun 19, 2019
It can be as simple or as complicated as YOU make it.

I think that statement sums it up perfectly
Crowe
Explorer
Jun 19, 2019
Sometimes life over complicates things.

Yes, indeedy! Totally agree on the one step forward, two steps back. But occasionally it's three steps forward and only one back!
Lantley
Nomad
Jun 18, 2019
Crowe wrote:
They over complicate things because they think their way is better not because they dont know how.

.

Sometimes life over complicates things.

When it comes to camping. IUt be nice if we didn't need WD hitches, air bags, air hitches, surge suppressors, inverters, converters, jacks straps,blocks,gensets, extensions etc.... you name it.
It can be as simple or as complicated as YOU make it.

My goal is to relax when camping, some of the above items help me to relax on the other hand some of those gadgets can cause lots of grief.

Unfortunately there is always dichotomy.
One step forward can equal two steps backwards.
harryjr
Explorer
Jun 18, 2019
We are all ignorant. Just on different subjects.