New Guy gets 1st trailer now what do....

[ninjagrosser]

New guy got his first trailer now what do I stock it with other than the obvious kitchen, bath, bedding supplies etc? Items you veterans wouldn't go without? Items you find to be extra helpful, neat gadgets etc.? Thank you all in advance for your valuable advice, it is appreciated!

[tbred]

First aid supplies.

[BubbaChris]

The one item I haven't seen mentioned directly in a post, and I'm addicted to using - disposable gloves.

Always get used while dealing with gray/black water equipment and valves
Sometimes get used when using public restrooms
Typically get used as a cover for my hitch ball

There's a box in the TT and there's a stash in a utility box within reach of the back window of the TV.

[toedtoes]

ninjagrosser wrote:
New guy got his first trailer now what do I stock it with other than the obvious kitchen, bath, bedding supplies etc? Items you veterans wouldn't go without? Items you find to be extra helpful, neat gadgets etc.? Thank you all in advance for your valuable advice, it is appreciated!

You will need a hose to fill your fresh water. If dry camping and filling the tank, this may be your garden hose (and left at home); if hookups, it may be a hose you take to connect to the water outlet at the site.

You will need a dump kit - sewer hose, rinse garden hose, connectors. If you use your toilet, you will need this regardless of how you camp.

Flashlights - Not every place will have outdoor lighting. In addition, if you breakdown on the side of the road, etc., you'll need a light to repair by. A few of different styles (torch, worklight, table light, mini, etc.) is best.

Basic toolbox kit - start with the basic: screwdrivers, ratchets, wrenches, pliers, multimeter, duct tape, electrical tape, etc. As you go, you will add to this with more specialized items.

Everything else is optional, dependent upon how you RV, what type of places you go, and your own personal wants and needs.

As you go, you will add a lot of items to your "must have" supply. Much of that will end up being "never even touched except to move out of the way". Every year, go through your supplies and pull out those that are dead weight.

[milo]

All great suggestions ....BUT! What you carry will also depend on ... what type of RVing your doing @ the time....
1. Dry camping @ a FSCG for 3-4 days at a time or boondocking out in the middle of nowhere or
2. staying @ a FHU campground whether short term or traveling the country
Each is different items needed & used.
I change stuff in & out of the RV depending on if we're dry camping short term or traveling. Just something you'll have to figure out for each trip.

[Allworth]

A note pad and pencil.

A good credit card.

[RVnRobin]

Things for comfort!
Beer
Cigars
Hot dog roasting sticks
Matches for campfire
Comfortable outdoor folding chairs
A companion

Everything else is optional
🙂

[ependydad]

I tried answering this from the perspective of absolute essentials for a first trip here:
Newbie/First Trip Essentials

From there, it is all personal preference. We stock our camper like it is an apartment (including extras for guests).

[mbopp]

path1 wrote:
Put together a list of reference of service/owner manuals so they can either help figure out they work or know what to order if something needs replaced. This will also help you put together a maintenance program for your rv.

I try to find copies of all the equipment manuals on-line and put them on my laptop. PDF files, not links, in case I don't have Internet access.

[Peg_Leg]

Less in not more,
More is more,
Fill it until you can't get anymore,
Once you find that you have more than enough
take out some more,
but leave room for S'mores.

[Heavy_Metal_Doc]

We are new, as of this past fall, and we have found the one item we keep handy all the time is the tablet and pen!
We have 2 lists running all the time - the "must get" category (obvious) and the "like to try" list for stuff we might buy and add to the TT if we find it for the right price.

The two latest items I hit on where safety things - warning triangles and flares to pack in the TV. Wasn't as concerned about it when it was just vehicle on the road, but the thought of an emergency stop at a less than optimal spot on the side of the road with this "house" behind me has me adding those to the our supplies.

[ninjagrosser]

Good sound advice, which is why I'm asking you veterans!!! Thanks again and keep em coming!

[rfryer]

Skips post is spot on. Some people camp with FHU’s and take all stuff on their patio along. They “need” that. I mostly dry camp or boondock and don’t even carry a tv or electronics. My style is closer to tent camping than RVing.

I carry just enough tools, testers, parts and supplies to do minor repairs on my TT if something fails. I carry a water pressure regulator, board games and cards, folding chairs, a very small portable barbeque grille, a plastic picnic table cover and clamps, and leveling blocks. I don’t carry electrical appliances, outdoor rugs, black tank chemicals and a myriad other gadgets and supplies the suppliers think I “need”.

You could fill a couple of semi trucks with all the junk the RV stores suggest you take, 98% of it useless and at best future yard sale items. Start out with a minimum and stay close to home on the first couple of trips. You can always run to the store if you really need something. Take a tablet and pen along and record what you needed and didn’t bring and what you brought and didn’t need. Even if you’re thousands of miles from home and need something a quick stop at a store will get it. Don’t try and anticipate every item you think you might need.

[1492]

Moved from Forum Technical Support

[ninjagrosser]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Less is MORE!

We FT'd and found that only the basic essentials were really needed.

Barstow by Daggett? Last yrs. of my working life were at the power plant

Yes, Barstow by Daggett...