Newbie! How do I stock my Camper?

[davidsaxby]

Hi everyone, I'm an avid hiker and camper but a brand new owner of a camper (travel trailer). I'm looking for any help setting up my camper so I don't forget anything I might not think of on my first trip... I'm guessing many of you have your own secrets and tips that make your experience like living at home.

Some information about me: I teach yoga, I'm a vegetarian, I will most likely carry our bikes and SUPs with us on the road. I have 2 boys (11,9) who will be going on adventures with me. We live in Omaha so will try to hit as many spots 4-5 hours from here on weekends before our big trip to Yellowstone this summer.

Please help with lists or ideas... or links if this information already exists.

Thank you, see you on the road!

David

[korbe]

We have been camping for many years, and the official list of what we need has evolved over a lot of years. But none of the items missing on our list ruined our weekend. It just evolved. Have fun.

[RoyB]

Just plan your early camping trips to be close by WALMART and LOWES stores...

After a couple of camping trips you will know what you will need...

You will find out pretty soon how lacking on-board storage space you will have in your trailer.

We are very blessed here with a 5X8 front deck on our OFF-ROAD Camper and the Truck bed and back Seat areas for our supplies storage.

Roy ken

[mdamerell]

Hi David the advantage of the TT is you can pack it like a second house. This means that with the addition of some fresh produce and maybe some clothes you should be pretty much ready to go. We stocked the basics and then spent our 1st couple of nights near a Walmart and bought things as we needed them.

[SlowBro]

Here in the Beginner forum there is a "sticky" thread called Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on the Open Roads Forum which has a (huge!) lists section, along with many other interesting threads. I took their lists and whittled them down to suit our needs.

[tenbear]

We depend on lists. Wife has the food and kitchen list, I have the camping, RV etc list. We also have acquired duplicates of most of the things we use in both the RV and the house, so only the first trip of the year do we have to bring everything out.

We took a short trip near home for our first trip to find out what we needed and didn't have on our lists. The lists are continuously updated as our needs change.

If you forget things, not a big deal. There is always a Walmart around.

[ScottG]

Think through the tasks you'll be doing. Preparing meals, cleaning, sleeping - everything (on my first trip camping I brought Dinty Moore stew but no can opener!). Consider what you need for each one of those activities and load appropriately. Don't forget comfort items, medications and first aid stuff.

[Dakota98]

Do vegetarians eat Twinkies ? :B

[stew47]

I keep lists on my phone and tablet. I have a Pre trip list with things like shoreline unplugged and tires aired, jacks up. Next I have a list for regular food items I always carry. Coffee, filters, water, spices. Next is a list for things like bbq propane fishing stuff. You'll get hang of it in no time. Nicest thing is you can pack it up and just leave it. Only things I take off are food items in the fall.