You’ve gotten great advice. Don’t buy dishes, go with paper products. Have all your toiletries for the camper so you don’t have to pack each time. Same with towels and bedding. Have a crockpot and liners. Make every meal and cleanup as easy as you can, foil packets etc.
Buy a spray stick for the toilet. We also have the clear plastic elbow thing for the sewage hose outside so when you empty the tank you can run that spray stick and see when the poop stops coming out. If you don’t, it will begin to stink. Poop comes our forever with the spray stick, so if you don’t get one I promise you’ll have problems. Also buy those enzyme packets and use them every time.
Pack clothes out in laundry baskets or bins, and then use them as hampers. Find systems that help you load and unload efficiently.
For me, it’s combining all kids clothes in a basket together for When we return, and having them tease through them at home, then another basket only for me and DH.
Don’t put things in a thousand storage places, put them in the most used. We are forever having to go back and get the dog food/medicine bc we forgot it was stashed away in a little used drawer.
Getting all remaining clean clothes together before losing up and leaving a campground, bc otherwise I’d have to get home, hook up electric just to get the slides out to get to them.
Remembering to get any library DVDs out first before you leave, otherwise we need to hook up electric when we get home to turn on the DVD player and get it out.
Clean the bathroom before you leave the campground, otherwise you have to do it at home when it’s hot as balls and you have no AC. Same with vacuuming. Don’t turn on your AC at home, it will blow if you don’t have proper amperage.
Have a list of things you need to do before you leave your house and the campground and pull it out every.single.time no matter how many years you do this: Put antennae down, close and lock all doors, snap rails flush, empty hot water tank, secure chairs/remote controls, hook up electric, break wire, and chain, secure rails, turn off propane (if short trip and you don’t need it for the fridge) lock all doors, check breaks etc.
I dk if you have kids but assign each one specific tasks for set up and unload ( setting out the folding chairs, putting all the food away when we get home).
Buy every damn first aid and medication you can think of-burn spray/cream especially. Pain relievers, aloe. All these things.
Have a camping list of all the things you need to bring every time: medications, device/watch chargers (we have a phone charger that stays in the camper), Bluetooth speakers, old bay, limes, garlic, oil, stuff for smores. All the things you will need every time but might forget.
We come up with meal plans and make a grocery list and then a list of things we need to bring from our house (ketchup, mustard) we have to go through each meal like “ok name all the things you need for pancakes. Oh yeah forgot the butter! Add that.”
Bethpage, Castaways although it’s pricey, Masseys Landing, Endless Caverns, Harpers Ferry, Gettysburg (so many to choose from!!) Anvil Campground is one of our favorites. We stay away from yogi bear/jellystone bc they are so expensive.
Post by IrishBelle on Jul 11, 2020 15:31:23 GMT -5
That is a great trailer! We have had a trailer for 15+ years and currently have a 5th wheel. I really want to go back to a travel trailer.
Have duplicates of whatever you can that stay in the trailer. When we get home and do laundry, all the sheets, towel, etc go back for our next trip. We also have dishes, pots and pans, a toaster, electric griddle, coffee maker etc that we keep in the trailer. Most of it is hand-me-downs from when we got married, siblings have moved, towels that we have replaced, etc. Nothing fancy but perfect for camping. We also keep a stocked medicine cabinet with shampoo, razors, Advil, etc. This all cuts down on packing and helps avoid forgetting anything.
I keep a list of last minute items that we need to pack as well as food items that get added each time. Its a standard list of that I crafted over the last 15 years and it works well for us.
Pack way more clothes for kids than you think you will need. I had one trip where DD was about 4 at the time and was down to her last outfit. Clothes get wet/dirty and you don't want to run out. I do keep a small bottle of laundry detergent in the trailer and most campgrounds do have laundry facilities. A drying rack or something to hang for a clothesline is also good to dry bathing suits and towels. I keep a container with coins to use for laundry. Remember to pack a variety of clothes. It can be really hot here during the day and really cold at night. Its not unusual for us to run the heater and the AC in the same day.
If you don't have a bike rack, they are also useful. We always take the kids bikes with us.
If you are somewhere cold, you will need to winterize it. I store all of our trailer linens in totes with dryer sheets to keep the mice away. You can also put dryer sheets on mattresses, in cupboard, etc. We don't use anti-freeze, instead DH blows out the lines with an air compressor so there is nothing to freeze. Even though we aren't using anti-freeze, we never drink or brush our teeth with water coming through the trailer (from the holding tank or a tap at a campground connected to the trailer). I always buy a couple of 4L bottles of water and then refill them for each trip. Usually a 4L bottle lasts our family of 4 a day. So for a 3 day trip we would pack at least 3 bottles.
We keep books and games in the trailer in case the weather is bad and we are stuck inside for a bit.
Post by firedancer10288 on Jul 11, 2020 15:40:06 GMT -5
My DH is an electrician so this was easy for us, but he added a 30 amp outlet in our garage to plug in when it’s parked in our driveway. It might be something worth looking into. He’s done it for our friends and family that also have campers and it’s a quick project, so I don’t think it would be outrageous to hire someone to do it.
My DH is an electrician so this was easy for us, but he added a 30 amp outlet in our garage to plug in when it’s parked in our driveway. It might be something worth looking into. He’s done it for our friends and family that also have campers and it’s a quick project, so I don’t think it would be outrageous to hire someone to do it.
We had a friend of ours add one and it has been wonderful! I get that AC going when we get home and clean the whole camper without being drenched in sweat.
@bernadine. Massey’s is a fun! We went there last year. It isn’t super kid-oriented but there is still plenty to do/see in the area. I’m from the area and still enjoy it. My friend just spent a whole month there with her kids and had a great time, despite any COVID restrictions.
That's a super nice camper! I know nothing about camping but wanted to recommend Raystown Lake in PA. If you google Raystown Lake campgrounds there are a ton. It's just such a beautiful place and probably wouldn't be too far depending where you are in MD.
My DH is an electrician so this was easy for us, but he added a 30 amp outlet in our garage to plug in when it’s parked in our driveway. It might be something worth looking into. He’s done it for our friends and family that also have campers and it’s a quick project, so I don’t think it would be outrageous to hire someone to do it.
You can also use one of these adapters to plug the trailer into your home's electrical. That's what we use and we can use the AC with it. Its also useful for campgrounds that only have 15 amp outlets.
Assateague in MD is beautiful and so much fun staying on the beach. We go every year. Baystate Campground on the Eastern Shore in MD is great as well.
I believe Assateague allows the horses to roam freely in the campgrounds (as they should, but just a warning).
Growing up, we always camped at Frontier Town, which is on 611 between Ocean City and Assateague (and we went to the beach at the Assateague national park). We tent camped so concerns about the horses in your stuff is a little different than in a camper. I LOVED Frontier Town growing up and it looks like it's still pretty awesome. I have been back as an adult, but it's been over 10 years. campground.frontiertown.com/campsites/
I know basically nothing, but... make sure you have the right kind of hitch on your towing vehicle. The amount of people I see towing people with the wrong hitches around here is insane. They're easy to spot because their back ends are sagging to the ground and the trailer is fishtailing all over. If you're going to spend any money, get someone that knows what they're doing to recommend what you need to install.
Related, I just had a friend rent a trailer to see if they liked it, and ended up flipping it cause they had the wrong type of hitch.
Assateague in MD is beautiful and so much fun staying on the beach. We go every year. Baystate Campground on the Eastern Shore in MD is great as well.
I believe Assateague allows the horses to roam freely in the campgrounds (as they should, but just a warning).
Growing up, we always camped at Frontier Town, which is on 611 between Ocean City and Assateague (and we went to the beach at the Assateague national park). We tent camped so concerns about the horses in your stuff is a little different than in a camper. I LOVED Frontier Town growing up and it looks like it's still pretty awesome. I have been back as an adult, but it's been over 10 years. campground.frontiertown.com/campsites/
We went to Frontier Town a few weeks ago for the second time. It’s not my favorite place. It’s very overpriced. The campground is HUGE and crowded. And the teenagers just fly around on golf carts all night blaring music. I know I sound old, but even my 12 year old was annoyed!
Assateague in MD is beautiful and so much fun staying on the beach. We go every year. Baystate Campground on the Eastern Shore in MD is great as well.
I believe Assateague allows the horses to roam freely in the campgrounds (as they should, but just a warning).
Growing up, we always camped at Frontier Town, which is on 611 between Ocean City and Assateague (and we went to the beach at the Assateague national park). We tent camped so concerns about the horses in your stuff is a little different than in a camper. I LOVED Frontier Town growing up and it looks like it's still pretty awesome. I have been back as an adult, but it's been over 10 years. campground.frontiertown.com/campsites/
Yes that's right. Horses roam the campgrounds. We've gone tent camping there the last few years. We usually see the horses in the mornings and evenings. They aren't too much trouble, just don't leave food or coolers lying out.
My DH is an electrician so this was easy for us, but he added a 30 amp outlet in our garage to plug in when it’s parked in our driveway. It might be something worth looking into. He’s done it for our friends and family that also have campers and it’s a quick project, so I don’t think it would be outrageous to hire someone to do it.
We had a friend of ours add one and it has been wonderful! I get that AC going when we get home and clean the whole camper without being drenched in sweat.
We are hopefully having an electrician come this week to do this. I was dying trying to unpack and clean ours out yesterday.
I believe Assateague allows the horses to roam freely in the campgrounds (as they should, but just a warning).
Growing up, we always camped at Frontier Town, which is on 611 between Ocean City and Assateague (and we went to the beach at the Assateague national park). We tent camped so concerns about the horses in your stuff is a little different than in a camper. I LOVED Frontier Town growing up and it looks like it's still pretty awesome. I have been back as an adult, but it's been over 10 years. campground.frontiertown.com/campsites/
We went to Frontier Town a few weeks ago for the second time. It’s not my favorite place. It’s very overpriced. The campground is HUGE and crowded. And the teenagers just fly around on golf carts all night blaring music. I know I sound old, but even my 12 year old was annoyed!
Same here. I would much rather go to Fort Whaley which is less crowded and includes free admission to the water park at Frontier Town.
Post by amberlyrose on Jul 13, 2020 16:29:18 GMT -5
We have a travel trailer but also had an old RV that we bought off someone who had used it full time. A few things they put in that we didn't consider for our trailer before: Outlets with USB ports Bidet (the TP for septic sucks so this was amazing) Enclosed little shelf/bucket for keys, remotes, etc. so they don't slide or fall Black out shades or curtains- the shades they come with don't block light or silhouettes
Things we learned quickly: Lock box on the outside to store a spare trailer key. DO NOT take your only key with you hiking or swimming. We didn't lose ours but we had a few close calls. Buy a sturdy dump hose. The cheap ones will crack easily. If you plan on always having hookups, I suggest a buying a hot rod for your water heater. Heats up water quicker than propane when on electric. If you plan on boondocking, install a solar panel. We got one off amazon for about $100. Easy to install on the roof and run to your battery. Powers the basics, a few cell phones, and our 12 volt TV. Won't be enough for the fridge, AC, or microwave, though. Some type of light or rodent alarm underneath the trailer. Unfortunately, the rodent went for the wiring harness on our tesla and not the RV.
I believe Assateague allows the horses to roam freely in the campgrounds (as they should, but just a warning).
Growing up, we always camped at Frontier Town, which is on 611 between Ocean City and Assateague (and we went to the beach at the Assateague national park). We tent camped so concerns about the horses in your stuff is a little different than in a camper. I LOVED Frontier Town growing up and it looks like it's still pretty awesome. I have been back as an adult, but it's been over 10 years. campground.frontiertown.com/campsites/
We went to Frontier Town a few weeks ago for the second time. It’s not my favorite place. It’s very overpriced. The campground is HUGE and crowded. And the teenagers just fly around on golf carts all night blaring music. I know I sound old, but even my 12 year old was annoyed!
This makes me sad. I actually looked at the prices today and was a little shocked. We camped because we could not afford to stay down there any other way and it does not seem like that's the case anymore. Growing up, only the people who had permanent campsites had golf carts - looks like they rent them to people now...
We went to Frontier Town a few weeks ago for the second time. It’s not my favorite place. It’s very overpriced. The campground is HUGE and crowded. And the teenagers just fly around on golf carts all night blaring music. I know I sound old, but even my 12 year old was annoyed!
This makes me sad. I actually looked at the prices today and was a little shocked. We camped because we could not afford to stay down there any other way and it does not seem like that's the case anymore. Growing up, only the people who had permanent campsites had golf carts - looks like they rent them to people now...
Try Fort Whaley. I think it is cheaper & just a short ride to enjoy water park at Frontier Town & is still close to OC.
Lots of great advice here. Def. having separate things for the camper so not lugging everything in & out each trip. We store a lot in various sized totes to make organization easier.
Don't worry about stocking everything right off the bat, think a trip at a time - what foods will we eat this trip so what will I need to make those meals kind of approach. Hit up garage and yard sales or 2nd hand stores, that is where most of our stuff came from. Or things that we've replaced in the house but what we're replacing is still "good enough" for camping moves to camper.
Another vote for a Blackstone - we love ours and we use it at home and camping so we have the refillable propane tanks for it.
Some people have a camping journal that stays in the camper and they write about each trip while there to record the memories. I think this is a really cool idea but I'm not that person LOL Enjoy!!
Lots of good advice here! Our favorite purchases: Blackstone griddle. We removed the propane tank and purchased a line to plug it into the propane outlet in our outdoor kitchen. Cast iron kindling splitter Furrion observation camera
Consider rekeying everything. The keys aren’t unique the way house keys are.
Agree with the recommendations to leave it stocked with the basics.