Camping List Methodology

Camping

How I prepare for a camping trip versus a backpacking trip is much different. When backpacking I want the lightest gear possible without sacrificing safety; meaning I need to stay warm, dry, and safe. What I take on each trip is dependent upon the location, terrain, expected weather and time of year. All these variables must be considered when putting together my gear. To do this, I need a list — a checklist — because forgetting a crucial item can lead to a dangerous situation. Because I use a computer, it is easy to calculate how much weight my pack will weigh, which is important. I wrote about this in How to Excel at Backpacking.

Camping is different. You can take extra stuff you need; just in case. But one needs a routine or even a checklist to make sure the important stuff isn’t left at home. So this is how I do it.

I don’t have a checklist. But since we have camped several thousand nights over the years, camping is pretty routine and we can keep a lot of what we need in the camper, so they aren’t misplaced moving them to and from the camper.

Our first camper was a ’92 Starcraft Meteorite, a very tiny tent trailer (the box was 8′ long), one of the smallest on the market, if one doesn’t include motorcycle trailers. After we rebuilt it and it was functionally perfect for us, it still had one major Achille’s Heel — very little storage room. Even though we kept most of our camping gear that could not fit into the camper in totes, it was a huge pain in the ass. So we upgraded to a Fleetwood Niagara that was almost twice as long with a 14 foot long box. We were able to store everything in it. Our current camper is even larger, but how we prepare for a trip hasn’t changed much versus the Niagara.

When we come home from a trip

This is important because there are things to be washed, things to cleaned, and some maintenance might be needed. I always do this right after a trip, so I don’t forget, and when we want to leave again we are ready to go. We wash our sheets and towels right away and then put them back in the camper.

Of course in a large camper, all cooking gear, utensils, stoves, lanterns, etc. all stay in the camper. Also keep certain personal items in the camper so I’ll be prepared and don’t have to worry about packing them should we have crappy weather. These items include:

  • Down jacket
  • Fleece jacket
  • Rain jacket (with hood)
  • Warm gloves
  • Windbreaker
  • Long polyester hiking trousers
  • Wind shirt
  • A pair of trail running shoes for hiking
  • A REI Flash 18 backpack for hiking (its a small pack)
  • Water bottles

These always stay in the camper unless they need to be washed. After they are washed they go right back into the camper.

Even if we dump our holding tanks before we get home, I always clean them with our FloJet “Poop Cannon” add a bit of water to the tanks when I am done and add some deodorizer.

We check for any needed consumables — AA & AAA batteries, napkins, paper towels, toilet paper etc.

At this time I do any needed maintenance, which can include:

 

Camper Trip Preparation

So here are the basic steps for each trip:

  • Connect the battery power to the camper — we have a “disconnect” switch for when the trailer is parked
  • Test the trailer “break away” switch
  • Check all trailer and tow vehicle lights
  • Check the wheel lug nut torque
  • Remove the fridge and freezer block — this is a plastic “dog bone” that keeps the doors open while in storage to prevent mold
  • Turn the fridge on and make sure it is working on propane — there is a “check” light on the fridge panel if there is a problem
  • Check the air in all tires (camper and tow vehicle)
  • Check the battery charge — this is done via our TriMetric battery monitor
  • Check that the solar system is working — this is usually done with our TriStar Solar Controller remote panel, but sometimes I’ll just look at the TriMetric
  • Fill the fresh water tanks
  • Test the water pump by turning on the hot water — this fills the water heater at the same time
  • Top off the water tanks because water was used to purge the water heater of air and to fill it up
  • Load the fridge and store any food — it is Joyce’s responsibility to gather up all the food and beverages we need — I just put the stuff away 🙂
  • Pack my clothes and personal items and put them in the camper immediately — I usually wear cotton T-shirts, running shorts with front pockets, and flip-flops so this is easy
  • We don’t have any other “consumables” to worry about and we keep large quantities of AA and AAA batteries in the camper — if we get low on batteries we replenish them as part of our “when we get home tasks”

Arriving at the Campsite and Leveling & Stabilizing the Trailer

The important thing is to always do things in the same order so they become habit. If you don’t camp frequently, then you may want to prepare a checklist. I covered our methodology in these two posts.

How to Level and Stabilize a Tent Trailer

Rock Steady: How to Level and Stabilize a Travel Trailer

When leaving the campsite, you basically just reverse the steps.

The Most Important Thing!

“Knock on wood” we haven’t had any major faux-pas with any of this. This is because of my Golden Rule — Take Your Time — never be in a hurry. Plan and give yourself ample time to complete all the tasks. Once the trailer is closed up and ready to hitch-up, walk around the trailer a couple times looking for anything you might have forgot to do.

After you have hitched up the trailer, double check all chains, break away cables, pins, trailer harness-to-tow vehicle plug, etc. Before you leave check all lights. Normally I will drive a short distance, get out and do a complete walk around. If I am dumping our holding tanks, I do the walk around at that time.

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