Moving from P'up to TT ?'s

PAThwacker wrote:
We state park dry or limited, FHU, boondock, resort, and amusement park camp.

I have camped state park dry, Boondocked, and Full Hook Up. But how is "Resort" and "Amusement Park" different? We did stay at Lake Rudolph at Santa Claus Indiana that had an amusement park but other than the tiny concrete pad it was the same hook ups.

Jerrybo66:That is great reverse thinking, but around here I don't think the CG's would be fond of digging up their sod. But a militay surplus folding shovel is now added to the list!

fla-gypsy: As far as the electric screw gun, I do have a "vintage" craftsman speed handle and a 3/4" socket that will be pressed into serive for the stabs. After my military experiance as a Crew Chief on F-4's I bet I can run a speed handle faster than any electric drill out there.:B Also, I have a 6x8 outdoor carpet roll-up but one of those folding mats would be nice, I was eye-balling it at wallmart this week!


rbpru: That right there is such a good list. I was an Automotive Technichiam for the first 17 years of my working life so I can deffinately relate. My TV has a full size spare. TT has a spare that has never seen the road. I carry a 2T bottle jack for the camper and have a old school 4-way lug wrench. I can tell darn close to 100 ft/lbs by feel and have a Snap-on torque wrench to back me up.

Now the portable air compressor I hadn't thought of but I do check the air pressure of the TV and TT spares... just like the tires on the ground. Amazing how many people don't.

Did I forget anybody?

You will pretty much acquire most of the things mentioned over time. They add to the convenience of RVing.

It is not a race; you do not have to have all of these things before you leave. Coming from a PUP background you probably are used to certain amount of adaptation.

High on my list, are the things that can leave you stranded; so before the creature comforts, I load the following.
• TV spare capable of towing TT. (No donut spare).
• Knowledge of how to change TV tire and tools to do it. (Sounds simple, can be complicated.)
• Spare TT tire and the tools to change them. (I carry a lug wrench, spin wrench, jack, and wooden blocks for jack, torque wrench.)
• Again the knowledge of where to place the jacks on the TT and how to torque the tires etc. (Jacking up a TT can be a bit daunting.)
• Small 120 volt air compressor.
• 5 gallon gas can that seals well. (Yes, in spite of your best planning you can run out of gas at 10 mpg.)

I do have emergency road service but having the knowledge and the materials at hand is the difference between pulling over and spending a half hour changing out a flat, or being stranded and waiting for some road side assistant to find you.

One time we were camping at friends property in NY. We emptied gray into 25 gallon portable. Positioned the tote 25 feet lower than the existing outhouse. Rigged up portable 12v power pack to poop cannon. Attached poop cannon to tote and pumped the gray 25 feet up into the pit.

I have flo jet macerator pump for home use or pit toilet/outhouse if close enough. I can even pump gray into the back of truck and not have to tow the 25 gallon tank long distances. Whatever works and is often required based on your typical usage.

We state park dry or limited, FHU, boondock, resort, and amusement park camp.

Most expensive camping toy: Yamaha 2000w inverter generator.

A good jack and lug wrench for the TT when you have a flat. A 18v cordless drill and adapter for the stabilizers if you do not have electric ones. An awning mat to keep dirt out of the TT.

I like the CW `Easy Slider Sewer Hose Support' to provide the best slope to the campground sewer when dumping. (1/4 inch per foot or 2 inches in 10 feet)

We off road desert camp only and a shovel is about my most important tool. I don't carry leveling blocks or chocks. If the trailer isn't level I dig an appropriate size hole in front of each wheel and pull the trailer wheels into them. If on the door side it makes it easier to enter the trailer. I use it to clean up cow or coyote crap, dig a fire pit, tend the coals and cover the pit back up. Also a small Paulan chain saw makes easy Mesquite firewood. A small fold-up table is handy to set up outside to set out snacks etc.. Coolers are used as "end tables" and keeps the beer handy. I went the same route as you. Tent, Pop-up, TT and toy hauler. With each upgrade I found more space for "stuff" and in time thought of more "stuff" to fill the space. I don't doubt you will go the same route. Enjoy your new conveniences..

Re the chocks....suggest you just ask Santa for BAL brand X-chocks to begin with. We saved some $ with the first set for our HTT and they did ok for a time, but when we started having problems, most everyone said BAL! More $, but worth every dime. Seems like Ebay had the best price with free shipping.

Hoosier Daddy wrote:


Usually camp at CG's with full hook-up. (30A and water) We have Boon-docked on a few occaisions.

Is that what you meant or am I missing the point of the question?

avoidcrowds: There's one I hadn't thought of...the blue totes for black and grey water in case of long duration capacity issues. I was hoping to avoid that one I guess.

Tool bag... check. Although I may need to review it's contents for the TT.

Poppy & Nana wrote:
A good surge protector!

Wow, never entered my mind... I assume you are meaning one that would fit the 30A outlet where I plug into the Shore Power at the CG?

Thanks All!