Necessary, Luxury, or Useless

[3gr8kids]

Okay, DH and I have just bought a new TT, my list of things to get for it is already 3 pages long and we haven't even picked it up from the dealer yet! OUCH. That got me thinking, wait a minute, we have a weight limit. So...I thought I would ask fellow DISer's their opinions. When you all got your first campers, RV's, TT's, popup's or whatever, what were some items that you found you couldn't live without, some that were nice to have but could live without, and others that you had but never even used? Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

[Brer Bear]

Essential...plastic cups, paper plates, plastic silverware. Lightweight and the cleanup is very easy! One of the things I think many folks overlook is the weight of cookware. If you like to cook it's one thing, but my DW sez she's on vacation too!

Essential...rainy day diversions! We keep a few games/books/DVD's on the camper at all times in case of a rainy day. Even the biggest RV gets very small when everyone is cooped up!

If you do a search, there are some good camping equipment lists on here!

 

[akamom]

Essential...plastic cups, paper plates, plastic silverware. Lightweight and the cleanup is very easy! One of the things I think many folks overlook is the weight of cookware. If you like to cook it's one thing, but my DW sez she's on vacation too!

Essential...rainy day diversions! We keep a few games/books/DVD's on the camper at all times in case of a rainy day. Even the biggest RV gets very small when everyone is cooped up!

If you do a search, there are some good camping equipment lists on here!

Yeah, I keep everything real simple and use paper products, very little cook wear, just what we need. With 6 people in a PUP, it gets crowded quick.

 

[2goofycampers]

toilet paper, electric fry pan, first aid kit, paper and pencil, flash lights & battery, extension cord, 4 way lug wrench, rv jack, scissors, leveling planks,sewing kit,tire plug repair kit & fix a flat,benadryl, vaseline, peroxide, extra water hoses, small tool box, 30 /50 amp adapter, extra fuses , extra light bulbs, water pressure reducer valve, cable tv wires, toilet chemicals, wheel chocks, to do list for set up and break down. make sure put down tv antenna is on that list. hope this helps

ps. duct tape and wd40

 

[mrsscooter]

Essentials, especially if you have kids are definitley rainy day things. I have a plastic shoebox of card games for both kids and adults, as well as a craft box. This what I usually put in our tt for the season, keep in mind that I am one of those be prepared girls, loving referred to as the overpacker by the hubby.......

Kitchen: pot holders, hot pads, dish cloths, dish towels, lighter stick, spices, napkins & holder, nightlight, silver ware, plates, bowls, cups for 6, coffee mugs for 4, plastic wine glasses for 4, coffee maker and accutraments, hand can opener, wooden spoons, spatula,as well as other "flipper" thingys, cutting boards, serving spoons, 2 serving bowls, 2 casserole dishes, shallow baking pan, strainer, sm. fry pan and med. fry pan, sm and med pot, serving tray, crockpot, pie makers for the campfire, shish kabob sticks, cork screw, bottle opener, peeler, tongs, toothpicks, fire extinguisher, paper towels, dish soap, sink liner and dry rack, sponges, 409, small microwave, tupperware bowls for microwaving, and flashlights.

Bathroom: towels, wash clothes, toothbrushes, toothpaste, brush, hair ties, pads/tampons, deodorant, razors and shaving cream, hand soap, body soap, tissues, rubbing alchohol, peroxide, bandaids, neosporin, benedryl, tylenol, cough drops, robotussin, tweezers and nail clippers, calamine lotion, bug spray, toilet paper and toilet deodorizer, toilet brush, and lysol wipes, lysol and night light

Bedding: I put plastic covers on kids mattresses with one pillow each and a mattress pad on ours and 2 pillows each. I make the beds up before we leave and stow an extra set of double and twin sheets and pillowcases, 2 extra blankets and 2 pillows.

Entertainment: sm. flat screen tv and dvd player, dvds, board games, books, card games, craft box and crayons and coloring books.

You also need to have the Woodalls campground guide with you up front....we have used this several times.

Ok, I think that does it, and like I said, I am a pack it all because we may need it girl, so I am sorry that my list is crazy! It probably sounds like it wont all fit, but surprisingly enough, it does, with room to spare! If anyone thinks I missed something....please let me know LOL

Have fun buying all of your camper supplies! I loved it.....I felt like I was getting a new apartment when I went shopping for our stuff!!

 

[mrsscooter]

toilet paper, electric fry pan, first aid kit, paper and pencil, flash lights & battery, extension cord, 4 way lug wrench, rv jack, scissors, leveling planks,sewing kit,tire plug repair kit & fix a flat,benadryl, vaseline, peroxide, extra water hoses, small tool box, 30 /50 amp adapter, extra fuses , extra light bulbs, water pressure reducer valve, cable tv wires, toilet chemicals, wheel chocks, to do list for set up and break down. make sure put down tv antenna is on that list. hope this help

Seeeeee I knew I forgot stuff.......LOL I will have to show hubby your list....there are a few things I know we dont have......Thanks goofy!!!

 

[mamaloya]

tea kettle. Great for hot cocoa, oatmeal, instant soup, ramen noodles, etc. If your hot water heater goes out, you can use it to make a warm bath. Oh, it also makes tea. LOL

I also keep a small electric heater. Why use the propane when the electric is free. I also find the electric heater with oscillation heats more evenly and consistently than the furnace. The furnace blows hard and hot and boils us before it kicks off and then we are cold before it turns on again.

Ooooh, my favorite item thus far though is the mickey mouse checker set that I got at the trading post this last trip. The board is cloth and table size and the checkers are mickey shaped and the size of a child's hand. It is AWESOME!!!! I know, I am easily entertained.

 

[seabee]

My biggest thing was the adapter to convert a 30amp-15amp plug-it has come in handy. Also, I bought some towels that are used just in the camper. I keep them right in there. That way you don't have to worry about forgetting to pack them. Oh, kitchen items(saran wrap, tin foil, spices) these are all things that you might forget to put in, just get some and keep them in there. I also got cooking utensils(spatula, slotted spoon, etc), and pots and pans.We also make sure there are tools with us. Oh, motrin or tylenol, I always pack somekind of nasal med. and Swim Ear. This last trip I looked like a mobile Walgreens!

 

[JCJRSmith]

For kitchen items for your camper, hit the dollar store.
SWMBO stocked the plates, cups, tableware, cooking utensils, etc from there.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

For kitchen items for your camper, hit the dollar store.
SWMBO stocked the plates, cups, tableware, cooking utensils, etc from there.

Ok....I've been trying to figure this one out for a couple of days now....whats SWMBO, is it an acronym, a screen name, whats this pain in my head?? Oh..thats me thinking!!

 

[mrsscooter]

My biggest thing was the adapter to convert a 30amp-15amp plug-it has come in handy. Also, I bought some towels that are used just in the camper. I keep them right in there. That way you don't have to worry about forgetting to pack them. Oh, kitchen items(saran wrap, tin foil, spices) these are all things that you might forget to put in, just get some and keep them in there. I also got cooking utensils(spatula, slotted spoon, etc), and pots and pans.We also make sure there are tools with us. Oh, motrin or tylenol, I always pack somekind of nasal med. and Swim Ear. This last trip I looked like a mobile Walgreens!

We also keep stuff like towels in the camper, just for the camper. Pretty much all of our stuff stays in the camper. I usually buy all of our consumables like paper products, etc. a little at a time starting March so that its not a big shock to buy all of it at once. Then at the end of the season whatever is left over comes in the house and we finish up.

 

[homebrew2]

Ok....I've been trying to figure this one out for a couple of days now....whats SWMBO, is it an acronym, a screen name, whats this pain in my head?? Oh..thats me thinking!!

She, Who Must Be Obeyed!!!

From the book SHE by H. R. Haggard.

I kinda spect with all that estrogen you got runnin around your place, you can
relate to it.

 

[Boomer1]

I tend to bring far to much but may I add a few of my favourite things.
1. Hand sanitizer - we have little plastic hangers that hold a small bottle of hand sanitizer which we carry on our fanny packs. We use these to clean our hands every once in a while especially if we've been standing in line. Kids like to hold the handrails( mine included) and we've found that since we started this we haven't hade a sick kid while at WDW. I take a large bottle to refill the small bottles.
2. Sunscreen- bring a big bottle. If you're forced to buy it at WDW expect to spend $$.
3. Lots of extra batteries for the kids stuff. Check what sizes of batteries you will need. If you use rechargeables don't forget the charger. Again I'll say don't be forced to buy these at WDW.

 

[terri01p]

Ok so you said you bought a tt, so these are my must have items for my tt that we bought :

Towels
blowdryer
rugs
soap holder
tooth brush holder
Sheets
Comforter
Pillows
Alarm clock
Hair supplies
Crock pot
Can opener
Paper towel holder
Key holder
Paper plates/ cups / spoons..forks..etc
Large spoon
Knife
Pot holders/ dish towels
Picnic table cover
Dish holder for the sink
Deep fryer
Dog bowls

Everything else to me is just extras : books, games, kites, swim stuff. My tt has everything so whenever we decide to go somewhere we just put in our cloths and fresh foods and go.

I have all hair supplies, cleaning supplies and eveything else all ready to go in the tt already.

 

[2goofycampers]

We agree, we too keep a small electric heater, great idea. And with us coming out of winter they will put clearance on remaining heaters soon , keep an eye out for a deal.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

She, Who Must Be Obeyed!!!

From the book SHE by H. R. Haggard.

I kinda spect with all that estrogen you got runnin around your place, you can
relate to it.

THANK YOU!!!! Yes, I can realate

 

[3gr8kids]

Wow ~ Thanks everyone, I'm glad I asked. I knew you DISer's would come to the rescue! I will definitely be able to use these suggestions, there are some things that I didn't even think about!
Thanks again

 

[ftwildernessguy]

I never go camping without my Magic Bullet. I am like the infomercial people - I will make an entire breakfast with the thing including fresh ground Kona coffee. It is also essential for the proper mixing of Kungaloosh.

 

[Us3]

Congrats on your new camper! I know how fun it is to go shopping and "stock it". I think the wonderful camping dis folks just help grow your list instead of shrink it, hehe!

 

[PolynesianPixie]

I like to use the term "necessary luxuries" pots and pans on vacation don't fit in that category However, 400 thread count sheets do