looking for camping gear recommendations.

[spikerS]

Alright, so I am abandoning the tent, and I have a new (to me) trailer.

This, I am not used to, and I know I need to outfit the beast, so, I am looking for recommendations for everything from sleeping bags to whatever I can't think of to bring.

The trailer is newer, 2006, and has a furnace and awning, microwave, ect...

What are the bare essentials I am going to need with this rig? Cheaper the better to start with would be best. I can upgrade as we go.

[Supa Dexta]

- Nice Generator
- Nice wheel chocks (princes auto rubber ones)
- good supply of levelling blocks
- BBQ
- An outdoor mat is nice to cut down on crap getting taken inside on your shoes
- I dunno, other things are all household stuff thats dependant on you.
- I have a set of real dishes/glasses and paper plates/ solo cups
- frying pan/toaster/pot/oven dish
- cork screw/bottle opener
- I have thick curtains for the bedroom, to cut down on early morning light when Im hung over.. :rofl:
- outdoor chairs - strongbacks from walmart are decent and maybe a fold up table - canadian tire has em on sale every flyer or 2.

[C_Dave45]

Get yourself GOOD cookware. Despite what people say about you just need cheap value village cast iron pots and cheap cutlery....we've done the cheap. It just makes cooking frustrating and the cheap cutlery just bends and brakes. You have a nice RV ....equip it with nice tools. Also cooking outside is a real joy as well as doesn't stink up or grease up the inside of the trailer. Much more room too.

Here's my kitchen:


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Trailer%20pics/P7170034.jpg


A few other tips:

Carry half a dozen 2x8's, cut to about 18-24". Also a couple of 4x4 blocks for the tongue. Great for leveling the trailer.
A decent tool box. Complete with home household tools, not just auto.

A good bubble is a must. I've tried many...this one is the best:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/314FXfuxKaL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[Supa Dexta]

Yeah for sure^

Also simple things like tinfoil, a package of lighters (since they always go missing - ask the smokers!) tupperware for left overs, saranwarp, first aid kit, extra bags, I keep new tooth brushes around too, but I have random chicks staying over.. :rofl:

Oh and I use good toilet paper, and have never had an issue with it.. But I always flush the tanks well.

I keep extra bedding and pillows stashed in a closet if friends end up staying over, for the pull out couch... Or if it gets real cold I can throw them on my bed.

[codetrap]

http://www.campchef.com/stoves/two-burner-stoves/yukon-double-burner-stove.html

http://www.campchef.com/barbecue-grill-box-for-single-burner.html
http://www.campchef.com/carry-bag-for-barbecue-box-bb100l.html


http://www.campchef.com/professional-flat-top-griddle-14-16.html
http://www.campchef.com/medium-griddle-bag.html


http://www.campchef.com/carry-bag-for-2-burner-stoves.html

Bags for the BBQ Grill & Griddle.

I set mine up to run from the camper propane supply. Works completely awesome.

[AndyL]

Maglights, maglights and more maglights, get the clips to mount them to cabinets etc... (and then a drawer full of batteries for them) 2 for every person your bringing along kids leave them everywhere... and nowhere you can find at night in the dark. Then hide a good one that only you have access to. I might be switching to cree LED lights this year, if I can find a good price on some aluminium anodized maglight-like ones...

Running a switch from 12v to your running lights is super handy - more campsite lighting, and nice easy way to check for burnouts.

2 sets of cooking pots n pans, the campfire one, and the inside one. Cast iron is best for the campfire. Don't forget a dutch oven, if you like your smoking, you'll be all over the dutch oven camping recipes...

random tiedowns, go to bianca amours and princess auto, buy a couple of every one you find... anything thats not in a latched cupboard will end up on the floor, better to pull up and have to unlatch than put away 10,000 things that now occupy the aisle... the trailer will ride rough on alberta roads.

frs radios - kidlet control... bonus points if you can find the ones with GPS built in... (http://www.thegpsstore.com/Garmin-Rino-120-GPS-FRS-Radio-P529.aspx kinda saves the "where are you" calls...)

[C_Dave45]

Oh...and a good sized TARP with lots of rope!!! (can never have too much rope when camping). That beautiful awning you have on the trailer is very nice, but you'd be amazed how small it gets when it's pouring rain out!! I attach a large 20x30 tarp to the awning and the whole campsite stays dry, even over the firepit. It's very nice to sit around a dry campfire when everyone else is huddled inside their trailers!
I rigged up one real tall center pole that's about 11 feet tall and it gives a nice "roomy" feel, so you don't feel cramped.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Eau%20Claire%20camping%20Aug%202010/IMG_1660.jpg

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Eau%20Claire%20camping%20Aug%202010/IMG_1733.jpg

[Supa Dexta]

What sort of end is on that pole? No worry of it poking thru? An upside down bowl would work I guess.

[C_Dave45]

Originally posted by Supa Dexta
What sort of end is on that pole? No worry of it poking thru? An upside down bowl would work I guess.
Ya know, I have no idea what it is. I actually found it on a job site. It's a piece of rubber, about 2" in diameter with about a 1" hole. Like a "cap" of some sort. It fits perfectly over a piece of conduit. I glued it onto my top pole and it works awesome. The only problem was the odd time the wind would fill up the tarp with a gust of wind, it would lift off the pole, and the pole would then fall over.
So I fixed that problem with my cordless drill and a 1" auger bit: :devil:

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o312/CalgaryDave/Eau%20Claire%20camping%20Aug%202010/IMG_1656.jpg

[AndyL]

rebar cap :)

They litter the streets...

I've got a handy dandy cheap POS awning leg/plastic connectors for the same purpose