Help out a camper newbie :)

[mommyburns]

My family just bought a new travel trailer. We are complete rv novices. What advice would you give us for our first few camping trips? Please help me avoid some pit falls. It is myself, my husband, and 2 young kids (4 and 7)

 

[TheRustyScupper]

BIGGEST HINTS to prepare for campgrounds:
. . . setup unit in yard or driveway
. . . sleep in it 1-2 days and nights continuously, as if away from home
. . . do this with EVERYONE in the family, and do not allow anyone in the house
. . . look for glitches in the unit or your own methodologies
. . . take the unit down and prepare for driving
. . . hook up to vehicle and drive around the block
. . . put it back into yard or drive
. . . repeat process at least once

 

[KPSmithSr]

Hi, Welcome to the Fort Board and the RV life. There are lots of books to read as well as stuff online. I think a good website is

http://forums.trailerlife.com/Index.cfm

There is a "Beginning RVing" section where you can start but you might want to look at a few more areas. There are sections on specific types of RVs (like travel trailers) so you can get some relevant information and ask questions.

YouTube has some videos also that might answer some of your questions.

DW and I like to use checklists. We have a packing at home CL, hitch-up and tow CL, camp setup CL, camp tear down CL and put the RV away CL. Using a check list will keep you from forgetting something. Be ready to add to the check lists as you learn.

Before you hit the road, read the manuals you have on the appliances and equipment. Take your time and remember to just relax and have fun. RV are not so complicated that it takes a masters degree in engineering to operate them.

Practice towing and backing in a store parking lot. Find someplace with lots of room and practice backing the TT like you would into a campsite. Also use the parking lot to learn more about how to turn without jumping the curb and get a good feel for stopping and accelerating. Some of that you will learn just towing it home and to the parking lot but you can get a better feel without the pressure of all the traffic.

If you don't have neighborhood restrictions try camping out in your driveway. Where ever you park your TT, practice setting it up, leveling, putting out the slides, anything you can. You may be restricted on what you can do if you don't have shore power (120 Volt electrical hookup to connect to).

After that, find a close RV park or state campground and do a few weekends to gains some experience. Don't be afraid to ask for help or ask questions of your fellow campers.

For DW and me, the Fort is one of the best places to camp (assuming you want a resort type of campground). There are lots of things to do at the Fort, the sites are nice and it is just plain old fun.

Good luck and hope to see you at the Fort someday.

 

[jmrothermel]

My advice would be to not try to lug everything in and out of your camper. What I mean, is get a set of pans, dishes, blankets, pillows, etc to keep in the camper. I find that way I don't forget things, and it's much easier to pack just clothes for trips.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Disposable Rubber Gloves,,great for when you havta hook & unhook /empty the nasty stuff (black & gray tanks).
You can get the gloves at places like Lowes, Home Depot, TSC,etc.

Now the IMPORTANT tip,,keep fishing equipment in the camper ! You never know when you'll havta make a emergency fishing pit stop.

 

[KristinU]

I take a little opposite approach from "camp driveway" since we picked up our first camper about 1000 miles from home. We had been tent campers, so we had that experience, but still...it really helped us to know what we didn't really need and keep the packing light. The most important things to pack IMHO:

- pencil and paper (to make lists and jot down ideas and to-dos)
- clothes
- food
- fresh water hose
- sewer hose (and gloves as Frank mentioned!)
- a good sense of humor
- plenty of deep breaths and relaxation, no worries, you'll figure everything out!

 

[2goofycampers]

Welcome to the wonderful world of camping and the camping board.

Lists are your friend. Packing list (we had an inside and outside one)........ pick what you need from this one.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1115732

A list of stuff to do to break down.

Bring down the TV antenna, should be #1. Put the stairs up. etc

I decide what meals we'll eat and make a food list from that.

 

[North of Mouse]

Take some week end trial runs! That way you will 'live & learn". Other than some good common sense, that is the best way IMO to start the camping life style.

Also, talk with fellow campers wherever you camp. After many, many RV'ing years, DH & I still get advice from others, and it's been a 'give & take'. You can never get it right after a few trips, will always find something new to learn.

Your good ole common sense, and things you 'need' at home, will help you to know a lot of the things that will be necessary on the road.

Our best to you - It's the 'life'!!!

Oh yes, a real 'biggie' IMO, be very careful with your tow package. That is the #1 safety rule and probably the most important for your safety and the safety of others on the highway.
There have been some on here that become 'unhooked' on the highway. To me, that should 'never' happen! Make sure you are hitched right, have sway bars, and good trailer brakes. This is a must! Happy Camping!

 

[CAFarmerGirl]

Get sway bars. Change your tires more often than a cars (i.e., before the 40,000 miles).

The rest will come with camping trips (just make them short or close to a store!).

One extra that the kids and I really enjoy is a large magnetic board (from IKEA) my husband installed on one wall. Every big place we go with the trailer, we buy a magnet and add it to the board. It is fun to get in the trailer each year and see the places we have been. We also purchased a US sticker and the kids are having fun filling in the states. Our goal is 49 states. The kids are disappointed we are not trying for Hawaii.

 

[tiggerdad]

We do the same thing with magnets. We stick them on the outdoor frig. One thing about camping is ants. They can ruin a trip in a hurry. If you search the boards you will find different posts and personal suggestions to keep them out. Some people put ant poison around the camper, personally I use a small amount of vaseline, which for some reason they don't like crossing. We keep the chips and snacks in gallon zip loc bags after they have been opened, just in case. Keep 2-3 cans of ant spray on you at all times just in case.

Sent from my Desire HD using DISBoards

 

[articfox676]

I always vote for a clothes line and pins. There will always be wet objects that need to dry out.

Keep a running list of forgotten items. Also there is always a Wal-Mart for the things you can't live without.

Safe travels. Can't wait to see you at the Fort.

 

[Ds4angels]

I 2nd the advice above and add a few more.
Each child gets a backpack w/ "camper toys" make sure there's crayons, pencils and coloring book in each backpack
Hit the dollar store for some cheap "just for camper toys" Also pick up glow sticks there, makes it much easier to track the kids at night when they're not right next to the campfire.
You can never pack enough socks for the kids (or maybe it's just mine that find every puddle??)
Extra sweatshirts that stay in the camper
We like to have a little electric heater for early spring, late fall camping to save on propane.
Enjoy and relax, don't forget to pack your sense of humor

 

[mikron]

BIGGEST HINTS to prepare for campgrounds:
. . . setup unit in yard or driveway
. . . sleep in it 1-2 days and nights continuously, as if away from home
. . . do this with EVERYONE in the family, and do not allow anyone in the house
. . . look for glitches in the unit or your own methodologies
. . . take the unit down and prepare for driving
. . . hook up to vehicle and drive around the block
. . . put it back into yard or drive
. . . repeat process at least once

This is the very best way to start. Don't go back to the house at all no matter what.

 

[retired and happy]

If you driveway camp, keep the gray and black water tank valves closed.

 

[jbrostek]

Lots of great advice, but the best piece I can offer is if your at a campground and you feel stuck/lost on something with the RV. Ask a neighbor. When I was a newbie I was always able to get a kind answer from a site nearby when I just felt lost or confused.

Otherwise, enjoy the trips! I highly recommend if your not used to towing long trailers to take some time to practice backing it up during the day. Once your comfortable in daylight, night time is not that horrible.