You have all been so helpful thus far, I was wondering if someone can point me to some helpful lists/tips to prepare for our first trip.I have been camping in a camper a total of 3 times. 3. Hubs bought a small camper in spring, we went out in it a few times, and decided to upgrade. it was a 26 foot no slide 1991 deal and was awesome but we wanted more room. It came fully stocked with dishes and linens etc - it was mostly ready to go. We bought a few things.. but.. not everything. Our upgrade is to a 34(nearly 35 foot) Bunkhouse Travel Trailer with 2 slides... I'm more than a bit nervous about taking our maiden trip with it in the upcoming weeks. I keep thinking of things I *THINK* we need, but then try to ground myself and not go crazy. I don't really want to get down there and realize we are really poorly prepared... a few things missing are ok.I have a LOT to learn - what food items are good to bring for a weekend trip? in a brand new camper that is not stocked with anything, what do you recommend we have as "MUST HAVES" for our first trip. Are there any on-line prep lists that are check lists of items we NEED. I know in one of the trips we made in the old one, we crimped the power cord on the hitch, and luckily the prior owner had a roll of very old black electrical tape, along with hubs' pocket knife we were able to splice it and fix it. If we didn't have the tape, not sure what we would do. That's an example - A check list if you know of one would be great. I've bought funnels, and measuring cups (we didn't have either on one of the trips and needed both).. with storage being limited, I need to be picky on what to take, but am not sure what are real NEEDS. Can you please share with a newbie some ideas/thoughts on what to bring - how to stock a new camper - and some definite MUST haves?thank you so much!!Tina

I'm looking to get chocks, levelers, and possibly x-chocks. I've ordered dishes (corelle ware with mugs) I've silverware and now measuring utensils. we will take a keurig with us.. :S

Because we are "on vacation" when camping, we use paper plates and plastic silverware. Only dishes we do are what was needed to cook- cooking utinsels, skillet, etc. No plates or silverware! LolOnly when we have a "big meal" do we have a few more dishes, like when we have deep fried a turkey, or like this w/e, the smoker goes along. This time is a pork butt being cooked Fri night for dinner Sat!Make sure you have everything for grilling or cooking- spatula, tongs, bbq fork, etc....Ladle is needed once in a while.Meat thermometer.Trying to think of what else we have! I lnow my wife has some glass pans I want to ditch for a couple basic cake pans- used for when she makes stuffing (even if we aren't having turkey!), or to put the bacon/sausage. Some plastic containers w/ lids/ zip lock bags to store the extra food in.Aluminum foilSalt/ pepper/ favorite seasoningOutside:Camp chairsEz-Up?Fire tongs and pokerAwning matSewer hose/ fresh water hose, 30 amp extension cordYou mentioned chocks, leveling blocks/ boards, x-chocks- only set x-chocks after trailer is leveled and tires chocked!!!Aluminum roll top table- we have two- pack up just like a bag chair!GrillCamp Chef 2 burner stoveLighter(s)- for inside also if neededDon't forget the dish soap, hand/ bar soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc! It happens! First basic trip in our Jayco (just wife and I- no kids) she forgot to pack the dish soap as we loaded the trailer the morning after we picked it up, and then left for a short w/e trip.Extra blankets and towels- kitchen, bath, wash cloths, bath mat, etc.Make sure you have the correct equipment to change a tire. Jack, wrench for the lug nuts, board(s) for the jack to sit on....Games and paper to keep score if needed. About all I have for now!Have fun on the maiden voyage!!!

please check the tires, if there old replace them ,even thou the tread looks new, they rot, try everything in the drive way before you leave. and don,t over load, it don,t hurt to foget some thing.

"small" camper at 26ft, whoa....ours is 17!We were newbies, and I guess probably still are, but we got our TT about 3 months ago. Already we've gone about 5,000 miles and 25-30 nights, and learned a ton! Our first trip was a short weekend, as sort of a trial. Funnel - make sure it's flexible!a 5 gallon water jug is handy too, if you dont have hookups and need to add water to fresh tank. we also use ours to refill the dogs water bowl outside.the other basics- fresh water hose, water regulator for city connection, surge protector, sewer hose (i kind of thought that came with a new TT, nope).not sure if you have a 50amp or 30amp, but a 50/30 adapter and 15/30 adapter is useful too. I was at a place once where the 30amp outlet wasn't working, so i used the 50 amp w/ adapteralso since 30 is pretty common, I've heard the outlets are often more used and get loose/worn, so the 50amp is sometimes a better more solid connection anyway.also a heavy duty extension cord, 10 or 12 gaugesmall things: extra fuses, bungees, velcro, electrical tape, duct tape, comes in handy for random stuff. we also keep a bundle of paracord in case we need to tie something down.ill let you know if i think of anything else, mostly dont forget to enjoy and have fun!

Pending Maiden Voyage - Need helpful tips and advice

toedtoes
Explorer III
Sep 04, 2015
I don't think i've been camping at a campground that was within 1 hour of a Walmart or other store where I could get what I forgot. If i'm lucky, there will be a gas station and ice within 45 minutes.
dwayneb236
Explorer
Sep 04, 2015
We have never been on an trip where we didn't end up at a Wal-mart one of the days. Sometimes multiple days. No stress. Go with the flow.
rbpru
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2015
Lantley wrote:
The first rule is that camping is an adventure and there will always be unknowns.
Don't stress over it. You will learn something new each trip.
Don't fret over forgetting a jar of mayonnaise. You will figure that stuff out in time. Be sure you have safety equipment,spare tire,flares. Do you know how to change a flat if you need to? Where is the jack etc. What is the pressure in your tires?
There are lots of electrical adapters,chocks and gizmos that you may accrue and need. But most can be found at Wal mart if you need it in a pinch.
Eating a sandwich with mustard because you forgot the mayo will be fun..
Being stranded on the roadside will be miserable.
Once you've addressed the safety concerns let the fun begin. Remember it's always an adventure be prepared to adjust and go have fun.

X2 It is an adventure. It is best to keep it that way.

Have fun.:)
GoldWingRyder
Explorer
Sep 04, 2015
Here's a great checklist!

http://rvcampingchecklist.com/
RVcircus
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2015
On top of all the important items listed above, don't forget marshmallows, skewers & fire starters. You may want to bring along your beverage of choice for when you're relaxing by that fire after your first awesome day of camping in the new RV.

In all seriousness, don't stress out too much. Make sure all of the safety stuff is ready to go and you can find a Walmart for anything you find that you forgot. No matter how much you prepare your guaranteed to overlook something.
Major_Dad
Explorer
Sep 04, 2015
Be sure to test out all the systems while you are out. If it is a new trailer, try out the propane furnace during the day with all the windows open, or else you'll end up setting off your smoke alarms and terrifying the kids and dogs in the middle of the night. Don't ask me how I know this. :S

Hey, we don't use heaters very often in South Texas!
OhioRVMom
Explorer
Sep 04, 2015
Thank you all so much!! A lot of great information and suggestions!! We did camp one night, but it was the night after we brought the camper home and more of a test to see if things worked and not a run to see if we had everything. We need to stock her up yet. We had unloaded much of the stuff from our old camper and it was sitting in my living and dining room for nearly 2 months (UGH!) but we didn't take everything as we left some stuff with the old camper when we sold it. those were the things I was and am worried about along with stuff we hadn't thought of yet. I couldn't recall what all we left with the old camper that we needed to replace. These ideas are awesome..

thank you so much!!

Tina
Tvov
Explorer II
Sep 04, 2015
Where are you going for your maiden trip? Preferably, near home (within 30 minutes)? Or at least near a Walmart? Or... a large "resort" style campground with a good "camp store"? An earlier post mentioned bringing a Visa card with you - that comes from experience!

If you still have a couple weeks, can you spend a weekend at "Camp Driveway"? Basically "camp out" at your house?

We've been to a few campgrounds where you can tell the camp store was setup by fellow RV'ers... odd little things you wouldn't find normally, but campers need.

Wherever you go, don't worry. You'll be fine. You will have fun!

And.... a few years from now, you'll be cleaning out all the excess stuff you bought!
Lantley
Nomad
Sep 04, 2015
The first rule is that camping is an adventure and there will always be unknowns.
Don't stress over it. You will learn something new each trip.
Don't fret over forgetting a jar of mayonnaise. You will figure that stuff out in time. Be sure you have safety equipment,spare tire,flares. Do you know how to change a flat if you need to? Where is the jack etc. What is the pressure in your tires?
There are lots of electrical adapters,chocks and gizmos that you may accrue and need. But most can be found at Wal mart if you need it in a pinch.
Eating a sandwich with mustard because you forgot the mayo will be fun..
Being stranded on the roadside will be miserable.
Once you've addressed the safety concerns let the fun begin. Remember it's always an adventure be prepared to adjust and go have fun.
Drbolasky
Explorer
Sep 04, 2015
danimal53 wrote:

Our first trip was a short weekend, as sort of a trial.

not sure if you have a 50amp or 30amp, but a 50/30 adapter and 15/30 adapter is useful too. I was at a place once where the 30amp outlet wasn't working, so i used the 50 amp w/ adapter

also since 30 is pretty common, I've heard the outlets are often more used and get loose/worn, so the 50amp is sometimes a better more solid connection anyway.

also a heavy duty extension cord, 10 or 12 gauge

small things: extra fuses, bungees, velcro, electrical tape, duct tape, comes in handy for random stuff. we also keep a bundle of paracord in case we need to tie something down.

These things would be at the top of my list, if you don't have them already from your previous TT. As you travel more, you'll discover some CG's have real "creative" layouts to their utilities. Previous responses to your post have given you great advice so I'll not add anything there. Do be flexible, keep your sense of humor and expect that this will be a learning experience. There is something to be gained by meeting adversity head-on (like the time I left our 12V cooler plugged in overnight and drained the battery in our TV in Yellowstone). In so doing you'll often find help just a site or two away (we did). You'll meet nice folks in the process. Before you know it, you'll be returning the favor by helping others in the same place you are now. Enjoy & safe travels.

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