TT newbie

Plan your first couple of trips close to home so you can get the bugs worked out. Both in the camper and with the stuff you want to bring. Sometimes it's best to camp in the trailer in the backyard the first time. That way you can build a list of things you want to bring and of things you decide you don't need that bad and can leave at home. Once you get in the routine of what you do and don't want to pack it will make it a lot more fun. After that you can start to plan longer trips.

Get out with it and enjoy...so far this year we have had a lake house several times and a mountain cabin with ours. The DW and I bought a rubber boat that we inflate and use on the lake to row around in, keep it stored under our bed. We have everything we need, whether at the lake or in the mountains. We just got back from a 4 night stay in the mountains of Georgia, had a grandson with us two nights. He made smores as we sat by the fire. Make memories...

Sounds like you have some wonderful memories ahead.

I don't live in a place with sidewalks or even paved roads, so most campgrounds are a treat for me to get out and kick scoot. We like places that have paved trails at or near the site, such as Geneva State Park in Ohio, and Fort Frederick in Maryland which is by the Western Maryland Rail Trail.

I have a Razor A5 Lux and a Sbyke. Good exercise, and a great way to meet the neighbors. They take up much less room than a bicycle.

No pics yet, but as soon as I do, you can bet I'll be showing it off.

Congrats!
Got any pics of the new rig?

Welcome to the forum, Gallo-Botham. You can get a jump start by reading the “stickies” and FAQ’s as suggested. And taking a pen and paper along was a big help for me, though I’ve since gone to a small tape recorder. Very useful for recording things you need and hadn’t brought, things you brought and don’t need, and other useful tidbits you’re likely to forget by the time you get back home.

Don’t go out and buy all the******you see advertised for an RV, you could fill a semi-truck with a ton of useless stuff you’ll have little or no use for. Make sure all the needed maintenance is done on the TV and TT before you take off and don’t go too far on the first trip. Any glitches are better handled closer to home.

I’m an old guy and grew up sans all the modern technology so I share your attitude about “gadgets”. I don’t even carry a tv or radio and I prefer a map and compass to a GPS in the boonies. And my sons and two granddaughters have been brought up the same way. My approach was to camp well away from civilization and introduce them to a world far different from the city. And even though my granddaughters are beautiful girls and have been told by a number of people they should go into modeling, they can still outshoot and make their way in the wilds better than 90% of city boys. So to that extent I feel like I’ve accomplished something worthwhile.

But no matter what you do, you’ll make memories for the kids they won’t ever forget and they’ll talk about decades from now. My oldest son is now 50 and he still brings up experiences from hunting and camping trips we made 40 years ago, some I don’t even remember myself. And my youngest granddaughter constantly baffles my DW. She offered to take her to CA to Sea World and Disneyland and she said that’s nice, but not if it meant we couldn’t go camping. I’m really proud of her.:B

Just got done of three days so called camping and my kids are getting older. Funny when we were kids it was tent camping and fishing in the canoe. Now it is electronics and i am bored until I lit the fire and they roasted marshmellows and made smores. It is better when they are younger and not influenced by all the non camping things. So i sit and enjoy the stars and walk the dog and visit.

My next time will be at the beach and watch them try to surf :).

Read the FAQs

Lots of good stuff there - and welcome!

one thing to take is a pen and paper. they are great to write down what you would like to have on your next trip. there are camping item lists posted in the FAQ section, you will find the faq section at the top of the page here on the forum

Welcome to the forum! Everyone has to make their own decisions regarding what gadgets to take along or not. The dvd players and ds and other stuff are great to get you through a long drive, once there you'll have to make sure they are occupied. We take kayaks and bikes along and fishing rods. Go for hikes and swim. The last two years we invested in a boat and tubing and knee boarding is a big hit. We have a tv and dvd player in our Fiver and we do watch a show or two in the evenings together as a family....all piled into our bed. Dont get stressed it will work out whatever you decide. Obviously the campfire and wiener roast and marshmellows are also a big hit.