List of necessities?

[ontheroadwego]

We will be picking up our first camper next Tuesday, a used 2015 Keystone Laredo 291TG. It has a sewer hose and electric cord with it, but that's it. Is there a handy list of things that we will need for the camper? I've been reading about surge protectors, leveling blocks, wheel chocks, and water filters but what else will we need to set the camper up? We are brand new to this and so excited, yet a little nervous too! Thank you for your help!

[WNYBob]

There are several camping lists or checklists online. Pick one and check off what you pack! While camping make another check of the things you used an add things you needed. When you get home unpack the things not checked and add the things you needed. This keeps the things you pack to a minimum.

[Tvov]

K3WE wrote:
There's tons upon tons of 'nice to have'.

The NEED TO HAVE list is shorter.

The best advice is 1) Camp one night in your own driveway, and 2) Then go and actually camp where you will have reasonable access to a Wal Mart or something- they generally have a good selection of basics.

We've been camping 20 years and still don't have some of the things that are on the typical 'need to get lists'.

Agree with K3WE. I would suggest, after a night or two in your driveway, to find a campground that is within 30 minutes of your house, and hopefully near a Walmart.

Camping chairs... you will probably be buying the standard cloth folding type. Don't skimp for yourself! Go to Walmart and other stores, Open up the chairs in the store, and SIT in them! Think about sitting in that chair for a couple hours, you want it to be comfortable. My wife's favorite chair is a Coleman MAX from Walmart, rated for like 400lbs... she is a little thing, but the big chair is really comfortable for her. My favorite is a Cabela's chair... a bit pricier than others, but I can fall asleep in it.

Now kid's chairs? Whatever is cheapest, as they will probably destroy a couple as they spill on them and play gorilla with them, it's camping!

Try not to buy TOO much right away... if you do what myself and many here have done, you fill up your camper the first summer with "essentials", then spend the next 10 years getting rid of 90 percent of that stuff! lol, have fun camping!

[ken56]

Welcome to the world of RVing. Its not complicated and you will learn as you go. As far as necessities go, get a GOOD sewer hose like a Rhino Flex and a clear fitting to use to see if the tanks are emptying adequately. If you have a tank rinse connection get a dedicated grey colored hose to use with the tank rinser. A white colored hose for your fresh water connection and NEVER mix the two for contamination concerns. Emptying the tanks does not have to be messy, just never open a valve if not connected to a dump point.

Chocks, get adequate and proper chocks and never unhitch without first having placed them under the tires. The first time you unhook on an unlevel surface...even if it looks fairly level, and the trailer moves you will learn your lesson. Been there, done that, won't happen again.

Good advice on camping in the driveway a few nights at first, then find a state park or campground fairly close to home for the first couple of outings. Its better to find out if things are working properly close to home than be half way accross the country if you need to take it back to your dealer. Getting warranty work done is a whole other experience.

Remember to give yourself more following distance when towing. Be defensive and slow down and enjoy your travels.

[troubledwaters]

The necessities are a weight distribution hitch, sway control, and wheel chocks. After that; things like leveling blocks, surge protector, water filter, etc.; well one mans' necessity is another mans' frivolous waste. My advice would be go camping and over time figure out what you need and what you can do without. There's no hurry, you'll have lots of time and opportunity to spend your money.

[K3WE]

There's tons upon tons of 'nice to have'.

The NEED TO HAVE list is shorter.

The best advice is 1) Camp one night in your own driveway, and 2) Then go and actually camp where you will have reasonable access to a Wal Mart or something- they generally have a good selection of basics.

We've been camping 20 years and still don't have some of the things that are on the typical 'need to get lists'.

[Grit_dog]

Beer n toilet paper are necessities. Everything else is a luxury.....

[Nutinelse2do]

Se RVing FAQ above. Makes for good reading, and several different posts on your question.