Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-31-2012, 12:22 PM   #1
Member
 
redfinaddict's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 87
Lets see your packing and organization skills!

We're are newbs to packing a camper, tent camped for many years. Love to see what tips and tricks, you're using to pack and organize your campers especially 5th wheels. What are some of the things that you make sure are easy to get to in your basement for instance? What things do you put in high cabinets? I know clear totes are used alot.
redfinaddict is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2012, 12:35 PM   #2
Site Team - Lou
 
Herk7769's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: South Eastern PA
Posts: 23,268
My camping list from last year's Key West trip is on here somewhere. It is again being revised after last season. (Some stuff being upgraded and others that were hauled but not used; removed). Will post last season's again if you want it.

If you wait a few days I should have the summer's trip list finished.
__________________
Lou & Freya the wonder dog
2008 GMC Sierra 3000HD Allison Duramax
2019 Flagstaff 8529FL
Herk7769 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2012, 04:46 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
gbpacker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brookfield, WI
Posts: 211
Quote:
Originally Posted by redfinaddict View Post
We're are newbs to packing a camper, tent camped for many years. Love to see what tips and tricks, you're using to pack and organize your campers especially 5th wheels. What are some of the things that you make sure are easy to get to in your basement for instance? What things do you put in high cabinets? I know clear totes are used alot.
Having camped for many years and many forms, such as backpacking, canoe, truck, PUP and finally a hybrid TT, we have a great deal of experience. Our primary thought has always been to be a minimalist while being comfortable. This means that we have always multipurposed as much as possible.

Two examples are:

Charcoal carrier and end table. Took a cat litter pail with a lid to carry and store our charcoal. At camp, we replace the lid with a table top made from a sink cutout with a plug cut to fit into the pail. This arrangement gives us a clean way of transporting our charcoal and have a table at camp.

Another is a foot stool we created by making a padded sleeve which fits over a cooler we keep in the TT. We now have a foot stool and a cooler for drinks.

I suggest that you study your camping style and look at how you can multipurpose your equipment and TT.
gbpacker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2012, 04:48 PM   #4
Phat Phrog Stunt Team
 
TURBS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Iowa
Posts: 34,507
I bought a small plastic tool box to carry all my misc. tools and supplies .
TURBS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-03-2012, 08:26 PM   #5
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,598
since buying our HTT after 17 years of popups, we no longer have packing issues.
the only thing we have in a tote, are wood blocks and extra power cord.
everything else has a cabinet or storage compartment.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2012, 09:02 AM   #6
Member
 
jamar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Peru, Illinois
Posts: 44
Quote:
Originally Posted by bikendan View Post
since buying our HTT after 17 years of popups, we no longer have packing issues.
the only thing we have in a tote, are wood blocks and extra power cord.
everything else has a cabinet or storage compartment.
We are kind of the same way. We pack our trailer at the beginning of the season and leave things there. The only thing that comes and goes is the laundry bag, re-stocking food, and the coolers.
jamar is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2012, 09:26 AM   #7
Wanna Be Camper
 
SaskCampers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Posts: 2,420
Our trailer has so much room for storage that we never use more than maybe half of what is available and we take everything we want or can think of.
__________________

John & Deb
2011 F250 Lariat FX4 Crew Cab 6.2
2011 Flagstaff V-Lite 30WRLS
SaskCampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-03-2012, 09:10 PM   #8
Drinkin beer on the beach
 
Rod Johnson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Fallbrook, CA
Posts: 450
Hmmm.

I like real plates, none of that plastic stuff. Heavy plates, coffee mugs, and cast iron skillets down low. Light stuff like sleeping bags and extra blankets and plastic cups up high.

I'm not a big fan of plastic totes. You want something out of the tote in the middle, you have to take all the other totes in front of it out. I do find its easier to PACK everything in places so that nothing slides around. In particular, my DVDs. I pack the whole shelf full, that when I open it, they're all still standing up and in the right place. I've also added some tie downs and loops on the tops of the cabinet. I used those plastic things that came with my battery boxes, screwed them down on the top and ran some nylon webbing with plastic clips/buckles through there. They hold my table legs out of the way.

Somebody here had pegboard mounted in their pass through storage that held a lot of stuff, jack crank, awning rod...
__________________
2014 Silverado 2500 6.6L TD and 4X4
2011 Carson Standard Duty Car Hauler
2012 Forest River Stealth SK2112
Rod Johnson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2012, 05:29 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
4bnabird's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Missouri
Posts: 117
We keep our camper packed just like our home. The only thing that comes in and out are clothes and groceries. And a lot of those are left too. Everything has it's place. In as little as 45min we can be on the road. That's including going to the grocery store and packing the dog and kids. Bathroom needs are kept full, kitchen is fully stocked, even with wine glasses and the blender for margarita's. Plenty of storage is the key. We had so much in our last trailer that we keep our life jackets, extras and floaties stored in it. Our new one has just as much storage in it too. That was a definate priority when we ordered it. Heck, when half our friends are still packing their trailer, I'm at the campground enjoying a glass of wine!
__________________
2005 Chevy 2500HD
2013 Flagstaff 8528BHWS
4bnabird is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2012, 06:43 PM   #10
itch'n to road trip
 
campnqueen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: North Georgia Mountains-Jasper GA.
Posts: 957
Send a message via AIM to campnqueen Send a message via MSN to campnqueen Send a message via Yahoo to campnqueen
Maybe we should rename this thread.
"How to get ten pounds of crap in a five pound bag".
I could write a book on that!
__________________

2012 Ford F-250 King Ranch Super Crew Cab 4x4
2014 Work & Play 25ULA
Paula Drake, Ken Cooksey, Sunny Delight, Valor & Scarlet Begonia
Jasper Ga.
campnqueen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2012, 11:52 PM   #11
Member
 
billy bob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 96
Quote:
Originally Posted by herk7769 View Post
My camping list from last year's Key West trip is on here somewhere. It is again being revised after last season. (Some stuff being upgraded and others that were hauled but not used; removed). Will post last season's again if you want it. .

I used to make a camping list too, but found out it didn't help after I removed the things we didn't use on the last trip and upgraded some of the others. I would look at all I had taken out and pick out the ones I might need and put them back in. Guess that I am too much of a pack rat if there is a open space I will find something else to take.
billy bob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 01:17 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Namchief's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 145
I will share my camping list with you.

Lots of Cash $$$
Credit Cards
photo copy of my drivers license and other important things inside my wallet

Everything else can be replaced if forgotten
__________________
Time spent 2012 in TT 32 days so far and 21 Planned days this Fall with mini trips in between
2009 Chevy Silverado 1500
2012 XLR Hyper Lite 27HFS
1999 Yamaha Grizzly
1996 HD Dyna Wide Glide
Namchief is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 06:39 AM   #13
Site Team
 
KyDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,516
Our camp list resides on the computer desk top where it is printed and
used before each trip.
Not all items are brought on all trips.
It depends on the weather, where we're going and how long the trip.

Dishes, cookware, tools, even hiking shoes, packs and a few other items stay
in the trailer year round.
Attached Files
File Type: doc Camping List.doc.doc (26.5 KB, 178 views)
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
KyDan is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 07:26 AM   #14
Mod free 5er
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
Once the trailer is packed at the beginning of the year, the only thing that comes out are dirty clothes and the time expiring perishable food. DW washes the clothes the same day or the next day and puts them back in the camper. If we decide to go camping, by the time I get hooked up, DW has the perishable food we're taking back in the camper, slides retracted and dog cage in the truck, dog in cage and off we go in less than 1 hr.
__________________
OldCoot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 07:48 AM   #15
Senior Member
 
trudinator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,337
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamar View Post
We are kind of the same way. We pack our trailer at the beginning of the season and leave things there. The only thing that comes and goes is the laundry bag, re-stocking food, and the coolers.
X2!! SO nice to be able to come home, grab the laundry, clean out the fridge and be done with it! Rather than the 3 hours or longer it took to unpack the truck, clean everything up, put everything away, etc. when we tent camped. I'm lovin' it!!!
__________________
2012 Rockwood 8293RKSS
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L Cummins Turbodiesel 4x4; 2012 Ford Escape 4x4. 3 very pampered cats.
Days camped: 2011: 61; 2012: 66 Days; 2013: 69;2014: 68 2015: 90 Days camped 2016: 34
trudinator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 07:52 AM   #16
Site Team
 
KyDan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 10,516
After many years of camping, both in a tent with a boat and now in a trailer
we discovered we need our pack list.

I know some don't use one but here's a true scenario.
It's late afternoon, you have the charcoal nice and hot and a steak
almost ready to put on your plate. Opps- honey I just realized we forgot
the A-1. ARGH!!!
Or it's hot dogs and no ketchup. It happened to us enough that we made
the list and now it's pretty rare for us to need something. Yeah, we don't
mind going to the store on occasion when we're on the road. Sometimes
it's fun to see different grocery stores across the country.
It sucks to get up in the morning and realize you forgot the coffee or
something.

We use our list every time.
YMMV.
__________________
Peace!
Dan & Rita D
2017 Nissan Titan 5.6L King cab 4wd
2016 Evergreen Everlite 242RBS
29' empty nest model. Blue Ox WD hitch
(1 queen bed, large main cabin and huge bathroom)
Camping days 2010-53, 2011-47, 2012-41, 2013-41, 2014-31, 2015-40, 2016-44, 2017-63, 2018-75, 2019-32, 2020-41, 2021-49, 2022-43, 2023-66
KyDan is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 07:53 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
trudinator's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,337
It's just like setting up a new house or a new apartment; you'll get everything in place and then as you use things, you'll figure out that it really is more convenient to have it over here, or over there, etc. There is really no steadfast rule, procedure or organizational chart. You do what works best for you and your lifestyle and everything will work out great. And just like spring cleaning your house, remove the items you don't use for an entire season so they don't take up useful space. Above all....happy camping!!
__________________
2012 Rockwood 8293RKSS
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 5.9L Cummins Turbodiesel 4x4; 2012 Ford Escape 4x4. 3 very pampered cats.
Days camped: 2011: 61; 2012: 66 Days; 2013: 69;2014: 68 2015: 90 Days camped 2016: 34
trudinator is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2012, 08:21 AM   #18
Member
 
hoovercab's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Northeast corner of CT
Posts: 65
We are very much like everyone else, We just add our clothing, movies, music and beer and wine oh yes Dog treats!!!. Our camper is set up just like our home too. We just add the staples that need to be replaced and go!!!!!!!
__________________
Sheldon & Kathi Hartwell
Dexter and Ryley our beagles
2003 Forest River Flaggstaff 829 BHSS
2001 Lincoln Navigator All Wheel drive
hoovercab is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:03 AM.