What to buy

[cajunpeach]

My DH said "yes" to buying a camper. This is the first one we've ever owned (borrowed in the past).

I've seen the list for what to pack, is there a list out there for what to buy? What do you buy to keep permanantly in your camper? Like plates, blankets, sheets etc?

How much of an intial investment will there be?


Any help you guys can give me would be great!

 

[clkelley]

I just bought a new camper on Saturday.

So far I have bought: (All Prices Ball Park)

8 Wal-Mart Plates - $2.00
8 Wal-Mart Bowls - $2.00
8 Wal-Mart Cups - $2.00
Silverware for 8 - $14.00
Potholders - $6.00
Wire Storage Rack Set $10.00 (Two Wire Shelves, Spice Rack Holder, Plastic/Foil Holder, Pot Lid Holder)
Set of Sheets/PillowCases - $15.00
Soft Blanket - $24.00
Supplies for Building Step Stool $20.00
Wal-Mart Camping Spices $5.00
Set of Kitchen Tools (Spoons, Can Opener, Bag Clips, Spatulatas, etc. $19
Stick On RV Levelers - $2.00
Collapsible Grey Water Container - $40.00
Aluminum Roll Up Table - $41.00
Gorilla Guard Hitch Lock - $25.00
First Aid Kit - $10.00
Mini Dish Drainer $8.00
RV Hand Soap/Sanitizer with Sticky Bottom - $10.00
Plug In Circuit Tester $6.00
15 AMP - 30 AMP converter (to plug the circuit tester in the 30AMP plug at the campground) $5.00
Battery Disconnect Switch - $9.99
Box of Miscellaneous Fuses - $10.00
12-Volt Plug-In Volt Meter to Check My Battery Level - $13.00
Pillows - $8.00
Screen Walls for EZ-Up Shelter $30.00
Stabilizer Socket that Fits in Electric Drill
White Lithium Lubricant for Hitch and Ball - $6.00
Plastic Egg Carrier - $3.00

Things I Have Already from Tent Camping
Many Camp Chairs - $8.00 Each
Two EZ-Up Shelters $50.00 each
Electric Mattress Pad - $25.00
Electric Blanket - $25.00
Outdoor Rug - $10.00
Set of Plastic Drawers - $15.00
Many Outdoor Extension Cords
Outdoor Timer for Lights
Many Power Strips
Micky Mouse String Lights
Christmas Light Strings
Stake Mallet
Extra Stakes
Small Assortment of Different Size Bungy Cords
Mini Broom & Dustpan
Various Plastic Bins and Footlockers

Things I Am Still Planning on Getting
Some Type of Dustbuster or Small Stick Vac
Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Mini Charcoal Grill
Grill Tongs, etc.
Another Car Cradle for my XM Radio to hook to the Stereo in the Camper
Transmission Cooler for the Truck
Small Size Cleaning Supplies, dish liquid (will refill from larger bottles in house)
Paper Towel Holder
Replacement Bulbs for Each Lightbulb in Camper
(I'll also put together a small tool kit with various tools around the house.)
A couple of small plastic bins
A couple of small pots and pans (hubby's domain, he is the cook)
Either toaster oven or small microwave (don't have room for both).

 

[becky1960]

Now this is a very general question, my wants are for a large Motorhome about 45' would be nice. But, my income says a used 30' 5th wheel. It will also depend what type of vehicle you have to tow with. I would start with your income, amount you want to spend. Maybe I read the question wrong, sorry.

 

[1derfultigger]

Depends on the size camper and your storage space, obviously. However, after our first couple of trips where we had to take things out of the house and put them back when we returned, we have just about purchased and loaded our camper with everything we need without having to take it from the house. Plates, sheets and blankets (we just used spare sets from the house and dedicated them to the RV), toaster oven, coffee maker, cups, silverware, pillows, television, toiletries, broom (no carpet), towels, washcloths, board games, cards, etc. At the beginning of each season, we also purchase typical condiments (mustard, ketchup, mayo, steak sauce) and the like that we can keep in the fridge so we'll have them for every trip and not have to borrow from the house or take a chance on forgetting something and having to buy it again at campstore prices. We even have a duplicate of everything for the dog as well - food and water dish, toys, leash, etc.

When we get home from a trip, we wash the sheets and towels, etc and put them right back in the RV.

When we pack for a trip, it's pretty much just clothes and food. Everything else we need is already in there.

 

[cajunpeach]

clkelley: you rock!

This is exactly what I was looking for. And exactly what I was afraid of The list sure ads up fast.

I love the photos of your new camper. It's great. You must really love your DH. I don't think I could manage several days in a camper that size with my DH

1derfultigger: thanks to you also!

 

[Gatordad]

you are much better off buying dups of everything, this way you won't forget to pack something.... figure on spending $500 to outfit it good.

 

[clkelley]

clkelley: you rock!

This is exactly what I was looking for. And exactly what I was afraid of The list sure ads up fast.

I love the photos of your new camper. It's great. You must really love your DH. I don't think I could manage several days in a camper that size with my DH

1derfultigger: thanks to you also!

With me and hubby, we're just going to try weekends to start

My first extended trip (TWO WEEKS at Ft. Wilderness, I'll be solo)

We own lots of tents, if it gets too crowded, we'll just throw one up.

 

[Gatordad]

throwing up a tent will definately hurt your insides.......

 

[AuburnJen92]

throwing up a tent will definately hurt your insides.......

Wouldn't that require some type of hospital visit?

 

[Camping Cat]

clkelley: you rock!

This is exactly what I was looking for. And exactly what I was afraid of The list sure ads up fast.

You don't have to buy everything at once. At first, you can use things from home and then slowly replace them in the camper until you have dupicated everything you've been bringing from home. Did you mention what kind of camper you are buying? Unless you are getting a popup, you'll need hoses for the sewer and a fresh water hose. We also bring an extra hose. You never know when you might need it.

 

[Escape Artist]

Wouldn't that require some type of hospital visit?

Urgent Care is just down the street from Wal-Mart on Apopka-Vineland. We got there TWICE on our last trip!

Sue in Texas

 

[Yensid_MD]

We needed to buy a Freshwater hose and sewer hose for our Popup...It depends which one you buy. We also needed a cable to connect to the cable at the campgrounds. Don't be dissing on the PUP.

 

[SunshineCamper]

When we started out camping I had bought things i think I would need then found i didn't need certain things vs. other things. Make sense? It all depends in some cases what works for you when it comes to ALL that you will need.
It does depend like others have said what type of rv you purchase. I have things for tent camping, pop-up camping and TT camping.

Like the others as well-we keep in our TT everything except for clothes and food (perishable food). We wash the bath towels, beach towels, bedding once we're home. We do however keep a roll of quarters and Tide on hand in case of a long trip or an accident (young children). We camp on an average once a month so having all in the TT helps on not forgetting anything. It's hard enough remembering all to go with the meals, making sure the kids have underwear (that's right my ds forgot on a week trip).

Walmart is our friend for just about anything camping. We live in FL so there are things we don't need vs. living up north. We don't winterize our TT-no need. We learned that if you camp in CO you need water tanks. We have water at most of our campgrounds here-not the case in CO. You have a waterpump on a mt. Lesson learned after we headed to Walmart to hunt down a 6 gal. water tank. Who knew...

So like others have suggested don't buy everything do a couple trial runs to see what you might need as you go. then find the nearest Walmart to stock up. We did this for probably the first yr.

My favorite lesson is storing my kitchen tools. I bought at WM for $3 a black spinner like container that holds all my kitchen tools. I save a drawer from holding all my tools and it sits next to the stove and very handy in small spaces. Solved a lot of problems for $3. Done rambling-happy shopping!

 

[clkelley]

It also helps to join a RV group online for your brand RV. For example, I joined tabtrailers on Yahoo Groups, and they have a great database of interior and exterior pictures, storage modifications, tips, tricks, links to accessories, and issues with the T@B. For example, they have an extensive check list to go over with the dealer. They have made a great hook up and breakdown checklist. I found instructions on exactly how to wire my tow vehicle, etc.

Our dealer was amazed at how prepared we were on this purchase.

 

[cajunpeach]

Great suggestions everyone. Keep them coming

After I posted this, I realized it might be helpful to let everyone know what we are looking to buy. We are looking for a TT aprox 26-31 feet long, bunks, and a slide (don't know if this makes a difference in what I need to buy).

I'm a little spoiled on hotels and condos and like every possible convenience with me. I stress out on having every possible scenario covered. I think I'm obsessive compulsive Although, my "disorder" has come in handy many of times

 

[SunshineCamper]

I do like the suggestion of getting on a group website. We own an Outback and check-in often on the outbackers.com site for trouble-shooting, upgrades, etc. It's a great resource.
We have a 26ft. TT with bunkbeds. i suggest buying a plastic mattress cover for the bottom bunks if you are using them for storage. this will protect them from stains, sand, rips etc. My kids sleep on the top and use the bottom matress as a footstool. The covers have been the best inexpensive investment.

Another good tip (especially for the fort) ponchos $.87 at WM (I keep them handy at all times). Check Target in the late fall for bug spray. They have them in the garden section on an endcap and marked down 75% off or more. I stock up!

Another good one is Target-again late fall after pool products are marked down (usually) I stock up on Coleman rafts, boats, floats at 75% off or more. We use these items for floating down the springs. It's cheaper than renting them depending on what you pay for them (in my case it's cheaper).

We bought on sale a portable grill at Sports Authority and used a $25 coupon from the sunday newspaper which helped.

 

[GreatLakes5]

The 'necessities' for us:
"unbreakable" (HA) plates, cups
silverware
toaster
coffee maker
dish drying rack
stash of paper towels, lysol wipes, etc.
pizza trays
Rubbermaid-like small plastic shoe boxes, etc.
frying pan
salt/pepper shakers
Brita water pitcher
Dog leash/bed
pillows/sheets/blankets (including cruddy ones for campfire-side)
battery-powered camp lanterns
flash lights/batteries
portable chairs (the easy kind in bags)

Because I like to cook outdoors a bit, I splurged on:
Lodge cast iron Dutch oven
hubby-fabricated tripod for over campfire

Because I couldn't sleep on the 'came with it' mattress :
new mattress for the bigger bed in the trailer

Because we got stuck at campgrounds not allowing fires :
one of those portable (off the ground) fire pot things

Because I had no idea what to purchase for my dh for a birthday :
two anti-gravity outdoor chairs

Look around on EBay for some things....much cheaper than camping stores for the stuff you can't necessarily find at a WalMart or Target. I found my cast pot there - cheaper than at the store or elsewhere online even with the shipping expense. Those fun string lights some use on awnings and such are often there as well.

I second the sentiments of having duplicates of a lot of basics so you don't have to 'un-pack'. We keep duplicate board games too and puzzles from .garage sales, etc. for the kids and in the kids bunk area they keep their camper notebooks, etc. in pouches hanging on the walls

 

[cajunpeach]

GreatLakes5: more great ideas. Thanks!

Keep um coming....

 

[loriandmatt]

the essentials (accoring to lori) for stocking our pop up.....

broom and dustpan (i like a clean camper floor!)
blankets
pillows
lantern
laundry line and clothes pins
mirror
hair dryer
toothbrushes
hair brush/comb
hand crank can opener
small propaine grill w/ extra (small)propaine tanks
2 sharp knives
spatula
metal spatula for grill
one sauce pan
one frying pan
pot holders
papertowels
paperplates
plastic silverware (the really cheap kind) (note, i go with paper plates/cups/bowls and cheap plastic silverware because i REFUSE to wash dishes while camping. when camping someplace that permits campfires, the used paper products get burned. if not, the go in trash/recycle.
tin foil
zip lock bags of every size
gas matches (more than one)
flashlights
deck of cards
paper
pens
clock
at least two small shower caddies (to be loaded with wash cloths/towels and soap/shampoo from bin below)
mini screw driver
one screwdriver that has both a flat and philips head
scissors
expandable campfire forks

first aide bin:
immodium
tylenol
tissues
anti-histamine
cough drops
nail file
nail clippers
nail polish remover
tweezers
contact lens solution/case
bug spray
hydrocortizone cream
bandaids
moleskin
deoderant
hair spray
toothpaste
lotion
sun block
feminine hygene products
liquid hand soap
bar soap in plastic keepers (two bars at least)
mini bottles of shampoo (at least two bottles)
disposable razors
shaving cream


i have linnens that i use only in the camper and i clean them after each trip and keep them in their own duffel bag in the house. when we go camping i only have to grab that bag and i know that all of our towels/washcloths/sheets/pillowcases are there and ready to go.

 

[cajunpeach]

Thanks LoriandMatt (Lori)