Upsizing from PUP to TT - What do we need?

[chezmoose]

The DH and I are getting ready to pull the trigger on a new TT. We've been pop-up camping for years, so already know what we'll need as far as dishes, cookware, paper products, etc.

But what are the must-have items that we don't know we need yet? Like for leveling, towing, dump stations, etc. Most of our camping is done at rustic campgrounds with no water or electric, occasional boondocking trip. Maybe once a year at a campground with electric.

[AH64ID]

Harvey51 wrote:
The flip side of losing the canvas is QUIET.

I think that is the part of a TT that the DW and I dislike most. We are almost always boon-docking and want to hear the birds, river, wind thru the tree's, etc.

[chezmoose]

Harvey, I *am* the DW, so rest assured, I have a list a mile long! :W
We are not planning to get rid of the PUP right away (DH has a sentimental attachment to it) so are planning on buying mostly new stuff to outfit the new TT. Will probably borrow the percolator, pots and pans and a few odds and ends from the PUP but just buy new for the smaller items.

New camper will probably have a little better ground clearance than the old PUP but we'll have to be more cautious about overhanging branches, etc.

We're closing the deal on Friday but probably won't bring the new camper home until most of the 2 ft of snow on the ground goes away.

[Harvey51]

The flip side of losing the canvas is QUIET. When we moved to a small motorhome from our good old pop up, we were amazed that we no longer heard the generators, parties, running vehicles. Lost the bird calls, too. We go sit outside when in the mood for them.

Don't worry, your DW will let you know what you need! Mine had the brilliant idea of leaving everything in the pop up. We loaded up with everything we needed, headed out to camp, then stopped at Superstore and got a "few things" to top it up. All for the best except the fancy silverware with glass handles that wouldn't fit in their tray. Luckily they broke easily.

We lost our campfire cooking pots. The soot just didn't fit in with the new "house". The meals got quicker and even better.

Like you, we always boondocked, though never outside of a campsite with no toilets. I actually took away the power cord because we never used it and space was valuable. Now we do often boondock away from campsites. Still never plug in or hookup or generate. No Television. Two batteries and charging from the engine serves our needs very well.

Enjoy your new adventure!

[chezmoose]

DutchmenSport wrote:
One thing you're going to find out that different from a PUP. With a PUP, you have all those canvas sides that open up and you get really nice air breezes inside. With a TT the windows are not as generous. You'll feel claustrophobic for a while, and in hot weather (without electricity), you'll be living in a pressure cooker. You'll want air conditioning!

You may need to rethink where you camp when the weather gets hot or you may find yourself investing in a pup tent and sleeping in it just to cool down.

Yes, that does worry me somewhat. We considered buying a hybrid but just weren't that thrilled with most of the ones we looked at. We do have a big enclosed screen tent, could always sleep in our zero gravity recliners or buy a couple cots!

[Terryallan]

2x4 will work for the TT stabs as well.

[TheGrinch]

chezmoose wrote:
We've never used a battery in our PUP. We just used lanterns and battery lamps for light, and coolers for food and drink. Ours did not have a water pump or a fan on the furnace (40 years old!), so never really needed power. I'm assuming we'll need a battery upgrade for the new TT just to run the water pump and fridge(?). Am I correct in understanding that the fridge still uses a little power even when running on propane?

What about under the stabilizer jacks? Do we need any type of pads on soft ground? We just used chunks of 2x4 on the PUP.

The new TT should come with an adequate battery for your electrical needs - fridge(on propane) and water pump included. If you dry camp, you'll need some sort of means to recharge the battery every couple of days. If you're using your shore line, the battery should recharge automatically while plugged in.
I use some small 4"x4" decorative pavers for under my stabilizers. I'd use something a little wider than a 2x4.
On an earlier post, you asked about between wheel chocks..... our first trip in our Roo 23SS, we didn't have the between wheel chocks. DW was frantic about the movement. I ordered the appropriate items when we got home and haven't been without them since. But, that's your call - chock your wheels and see what you think.
Larry

[DutchmenSport]

One thing you're going to find out that different from a PUP. With a PUP, you have all those canvas sides that open up and you get really nice air breezes inside. With a TT the windows are not as generous. You'll feel claustrophobic for a while, and in hot weather (without electricity), you'll be living in a pressure cooker. You'll want air conditioning!

You may need to rethink where you camp when the weather gets hot or you may find yourself investing in a pup tent and sleeping in it just to cool down.

[chezmoose]

We've never used a battery in our PUP. We just used lanterns and battery lamps for light, and coolers for food and drink. Ours did not have a water pump or a fan on the furnace (40 years old!), so never really needed power. I'm assuming we'll need a battery upgrade for the new TT just to run the water pump and fridge(?). Am I correct in understanding that the fridge still uses a little power even when running on propane?

What about under the stabilizer jacks? Do we need any type of pads on soft ground? We just used chunks of 2x4 on the PUP.

[Terryallan]

chezmoose wrote:
.

. Are the between-the-wheel chocks a necessity or something we should wait and see if we need? It's a 19 ft camper with dual axles.


)

No not really, Especially with a shorter TT. You may not need them. They do help slow down rocking movement. But are not a "Have to have" We didn't get any for 4 or 5 years after we went to a TT.

[mbopp]

How was your battery life when dry camping? On our PUP we could get 3 days out of a standard G24 battery. The HTT got dual batteries since it had more electrical "stuff." When we got the current TT I converted to LED lighting, added dual batteries, and upgraded the converter. YMMV.

[chezmoose]

Thanks for all the good advice so far. Yes, we will be purchasing a WDH and brake controller with the camper. I have no idea what type of sewer and fresh water hoses come with the camper but I'll put that on the list of things to ask the dealer.

So looks like first on the list is chocks and levelers. Our pup has an assortment of wood blocks and plywood chunks, I'm assuming we'll want something a little nicer for the new camper. Are the between-the-wheel chocks a necessity or something we should wait and see if we need? It's a 19 ft camper with dual axles.

Oh yes, definitely a new awning mat also. Our old one is starting to curl up on the edges and is becoming a trip hazard.

Thank you for the link ependydad, it is helpful even for somewhat seasoned campers.

Terryallan, I don't doubt we'll miss some things about the pup but we're not planning to kick her to the curb just yet. I will miss lying in my bunk and listening to owls and whippoorwills at night. Plus the pup is like one big screen room so you can almost always find a breeze from one direction or another. We do have a large screen tent with rain flys on all 4 sides so will probably use more often when space permits. We don't really spend a lot of time indoors

Most of the campgrounds we stay at do not have bath houses, only vault toilets. But I imagine we'll still use those at least once a day, at least in the beginning. 😉

[Allworth]

A list of Wal Mart locations and a good credit card. Oh, you already knew that!

[scbwr]

1. An extra 30 amp heavy duty extension power cord. You may not need it for quite a few trips, but at some point, you will need it, and you can find the best price by searching for it ahead of time.
2. Extra sewer hose, unless you already have about 25' or so.
3. Whatever product you want to use to in the black tanks. I suggest the stuff that is formaldehyde free.
4. You may want to consider getting a really good surge protector that will protect you against low or high voltage, improperly grounded power supply and power surges. Expensive....over $200 but cheaper than replacing/repairing your AC unit, refridgerator circuit board, television, etc. I'll confess that I just bought one this year and have been camping since 1984. However if you research the topic, quite a few people have had bad experiences with poor power supplies at campgrounds.

I bought the Progressive 30 amp portable model:
http://www.dyersonline.com/progressive-industries-30-amp-portable-electrical-management-system.html

As for the rest of what you may need, make your first trip out to a place near a shopping area where you could get anything you really need to continue that campout. Some stuff you will discover will be things that you would like to have, but not need immediately.

[Terryallan]

chezmoose wrote:
The DH and I are getting ready to pull the trigger on a new TT. We've been pop-up camping for years, so already know what we'll need as far as dishes, cookware, paper products, etc.

But what are the must-have items that we don't know we need yet? Like for leveling, towing, dump stations, etc. Most of our camping is done at rustic campgrounds with no water or electric, occasional boondocking trip. Maybe once a year at a campground with electric.

IF you have been pup camping for years. You already have "most" of what you will need as you mentioned. IF you are buying new. Most of the rest of what you "need" should come with it. You should get a WDH with the TT, a brake controller, and a "starter kit" Which includes a sewer hose, a water hose, a table level, RV toilet paper, and Black tank chemicals.

But you will need more leveling blocks, and more wheel chocks, plus a larger awning matt.

However for us. When we camp in a rustic CG with no hookups. We still use the campground bath, and restroom facilities, and so, we don't have to use the dump station.


BTW, You will miss your pup. But you will get use to it in a few years. After 10 years of having a TT, We still miss the more simple camping of the pup.