1st Travel Trailer

[blipka12]

We just purchased our 1st camper and wanted to get a little advice from the experienced campers. What are some must have to stock the camper with before our first trip? And some necessities to make the trip more enjoyable for two small kids? Thanks

[SoundGuy]

Rumtan wrote:
A fellow RV`r wrote on here once that the easiest way to know what you need is to camp in the driveway and write down everything you forget to pack.

Of course, a sensible but likewise obvious solution. :R

Now dont go back to the house until the weekends over and then you will know what you need and what you forgot.

That's silly ... once noted you'll know what you need in future, no need to avoid going back into the house. :R

[Rumtan]

A fellow RV`r wrote on here once that the easiest way to know what you need is to camp in the driveway and write down everything you forget to pack. Now dont go back to the house until the weekends over and then you will know what you need and what you forgot. Keep a pad and pen handy so you can easily recall your mistakes. Its just that easy.

[mikakuja]

Other than food, blankets, cookware, etc......
Some things have already been mentioned above, and there is certainly a lot more that can be added to this list..
Cribbage board, cards, a few simple games (Yahtzee, checkers, chess, backgammon, etc) water shoes, a few water related items (air matts, etc) Frisbee, ball and gloves, kids toys... I always have my fishing rods, tackle, fishing and boat licences. Basic hiking gear and maybe some kids plant and wildlife books. Our kids loved to identify things on the trails using their books. Paper and drawing related items for the kids. Outdoor carpet, chairs and an outdoor table. extra 5 gal water jug and siphon hose (if you boondock). Jack and tire wrench. Spare 12v fuses. Air compressors, one for the tires and one for the air matts. leveling blocks and wheel chocks.. Basic tool set, hammer and assorted screws and nails, tent pegs, nylon rope and a tarp. Hot dog/marshmallow sticks are a must... OHH and bug repellent, LOTS of bug repellent.... and anti allergy medication, just in case of reactions. First aid kit.
Bicycles, if you have a way to carry them. Portable fire pit and propane tank, for fire ban season. Aircraft cable and padlock, to lock items when you are away from your site.
We have solar on our trailer but also cary an inverter generator to charge up our batteries when solar or hookups are not available.
Also a fresh water hose and pressure reducer, and a sewer hose, water bucket and rubber gloves.
The list goes on and on, depending on your interests and or needs.

[SoundGuy]

DutchmenSport wrote:
The only thing you really NEED for the camper are those things to 1) make the camper sit level. 2) have an electrical supply. 3) have a water supply. 4) have a sewer-dump supply.

After this .... ABSOLUTELY everything else is for your own convenience or your personal likes or wants.

CHOCKING the trailer so it absolutely can't shift or roll away certainly isn't just for one's own convenience, personal likes or wants. :R

[DutchmenSport]

Only YOU will really know what you need after you've been camping the first time. It really does depend upon where and how you camp what you need.

Basically though, for the kids, whatever you do at home, do it in the camper too. Anything you use at home for the kids, bring it along in the camper. Just because you are in a camper, your life style is no different than in your stick-and-brick home.

The only thing you really NEED for the camper are those things to 1) make the camper sit level. 2) have an electrical supply. 3) have a water supply. 4) have a sewer-dump supply.

After this .... ABSOLUTELY everything else is for your own convenience or your personal likes or wants.

Whatever you do in your home, your camper is just an extension of your home. It really is THAT simple.

[SoundGuy]

blipka12 wrote:
What are some of the must haves for the camper? Especially for setup and hookup. I think I have a good idea for supplies but don't want to overlook something essential.

Essentials for "setup and hookup" are what I call Park 'n Power ...

A plan and the equipment needed to properly level the trailer side-to-side, be it wood planks, plastic interlocking blocks, Andersen Levelers, etc.

A plan and the equipment needed to properly chock the trailer so it can't inadvertently shift or roll away on you. :E ALWAYS chock the trailer before you unhitch and never remove it until after you re-hitch to the TV ... which by definition then precludes the use of BAL X-Chocks for actually chocking the trailer, a mistake many make anyway despite the warning from the manufacturer not to do so. :R

Sufficient main service power cable for where you expect to camp on electric sites. Common extension sizes are 25' and 50' ... here in Ontario I carry ~ 140' since the runs are typically really long but in the US I rarely need anything more than a 25' extension in addition to the trailer's 25' cable. A 30 amp female > 50 amp dogbone is also handy for those times you may end up on a 50 amp only site, as is a 30 amp female > 15 amp male those times you may only have 15 or 20 amp service.

No doubt a shocker to many because of the cost but IMO every RV owner should make the investment in a Progressive Industries EMS, either portable or hard wire, to help protect the trailer's electrical system from the many campground electrical errors one can experience. IMO it's just something you gotta have and would be foolish to ignore. 😉

Sufficient battery reserve for those times you may expect to dry camp. If you don't ever expect to do this then a single G24 deep cycle battery will suffice just fine.

Sufficient potable water hose for those times you may have on-site water ... standard lengths are 25' and 50', your choice. Also ALWAYS connect a water pressure regulator to the campsite source so excessive pressure doesn't blow out your hose OR your trailer's plumbing.

A means of collecting potable water and getting it into your trailer's fresh water holding tank for those times you don't have on-site water. I choose to use 7 gal Reliance Aquatainers and although I use a 12 vdc potable water pump to transfer the water the simplest method is to use a large funnel and manually pour the water into the trailer's gravity fresh water inlet.

A means of off loading grey water, particularly if you plan to use the shower which will generate a lot of GW. Again, I use a set of 7 gal Aquatainers labeled for the purpose as they're inexpensive, so easy to store, and at 60 lbs full can still be lifted by the average person. Others use wheeled tote tanks but they're expensive and difficult to store.

Lastly, 'though not exactly a setup item, you really want to have a quality polyweave under awning ground mat so you're not dragging excessive amounts of dirt and sand into the trailer. Might as well get one right from the get go 'cause you're certainly going to need it. 😉

Pics and ideas are in my gallery if you're interested. 🙂

[ken56]

A clear sleeve for the black tank connection. It is helpful to be able to see when the rinse water is running clear and most of the solids are out of the tank. Your unit may not have a tank rinse connection so just run a couple of buckets of water into the toilet when you dump.

The X-chocks are a good addition too. When I have to level up and am on the blocks regular chocks don't work so well. The X-chock goes between the tires(tandem axle) and will work in place of a regular chock. Use a regular chock if you can too though.

A small heater like the Pelonis ceramic disk is good to have on hand for a chilly night. Its small and safe with no exposed elements to burn little ones hands or start any fires.

A basic set of hand tools and volt meter is nice to have but don't go crazy with tools. There is only so much you can do or WANT to do when camped. A battery drill for stablizers is nice too. Don't use an impact drill for the stabilizers though, too noisey and unnecessary for that amount of torque.

[_1nobby]

blipka12 wrote:

What are some of the must haves for the camper? Especially for setup and hookup. I think I have a good idea for supplies but don't want to overlook something essential. Thanks

How about YOU make a list from your research and WE can help fill in the blanks.

[BizmarksMom]

Long bbq lighter
One of those folding plastic steps - sometimes that last step to the ground is a little far. Plus it's handy for retrieving the jar of spaghetti sauce that rolled into the farthest corner of a deep cabinet.
Fresh water hose.
Plenty of toilet paper and paper towels.

[rbpru]

My must have are,
*Spare TT tire and the tools, jack placement knowledge and the practice changing one.
* Same with TV spare and tools.
* Torque wrench.
* Small 110 volt air compressor.
* Tire gauge.

These are the difference between an annoying 20 minute delay and waiting for road service to find you.

Almost everything else you need is at the Wal-Mart in the next town.

Good luck

[bob213]

I would suggest an inexpensive volt meter, a 50amp to 30 amp dogbone, a space heater(cheaper to run than using your propane) a small fan when it's not hot enough for the AC but want some air movement, a good water regulator like a watts, an oxygenics shower head. Fuses were mentioned but make sure to get the large ones 30amp or 40amp that you will see on your converter. 10/15/and 20 amp are always easy to find the larger ones not always. We find an electric skillet is a handy thing to have. If you have a tandem axle trailer some type of x chocks will help take the movement out when you are inside. You'll find more every time you camp. You are never done buying once you get an rv. You don't need all this to start. Go out and enjoy and build your "must haves" as you go. Happy Camping!

[theoldwizard1]

blipka12 wrote:
What are some of the must haves for the camper? Especially for setup and hookup. I think I have a good idea for supplies but don't want to overlook something essential. Thanks

• Electric adapters to/from "standard" plug to TT30
• Extra 25' HD extension cord (so you don't have to move the trailer because you are 5' short of the power/water)
• 2 water hoses, a 25' and a 50'
• If you have a black water tank, get a box of disposable gloves
• wood kitchen matches or a BBQ butane lighter
• leveling blocks plus one for under the tongue jack
• a jack that will work with the trailer and a lug nut wrench that fits
• extra fuses
• tools (at least pliers, screwdrivers, etc; I bring a rather large assortment, but that is me.)

[theoldwizard1]

Coloring books and crayon for the kids. Even older kids like colored pencils and some of those new coloring books with wild black and white designs. Other toys, especially inside toys for rainy days.

A good size piece of indoor/outdoor carpet/fake grass, maybe 10x12. Great for in front of the door and under the awning.

[blipka12]

Thanks everyone for their replies. Our kids are 3 and 10 months right.

What are some of the must haves for the camper? Especially for setup and hookup. I think I have a good idea for supplies but don't want to overlook something essential. Thanks