I need help with packing lists/organization!
This is also posted in the Family RV'ing forum:
I need help from some extremely organized person out there...
One of the main reasons I was so gung ho about buying a TT is so that I would be able to alleviate a great deal of the packing/unpacking/loading/unloading that I have experienced on our family trips. After a few trips in our TT I am seeing that the packing/unpacking/loading/unloading is not really any less - just different. Maybe some of you can help.
First, let's talk lists:
I compiled a master camping checklist - but it has a million things on it - some of which stay in the trailer. I was going to reduce the list, but here are the issues -
Some things just plain stay on the trailer - but if I remove them from the master list - how do you double check them before a trip in case they "walked" off between trips. (ex. we ran out of sugar, so I swiped it out of the trailer one day - forgot to replace). Or, they get used up during a trip and must be replaced - how to remember?
Some things come in (mostly bathroom items) because I'm afraid that they will melt (trailer is parked in our very hot Florida driveway). I keep them in a bin in my house.
Some things (condiments, food items) come in because they are perishable and/or have been opened. Then, they seem to get used/eaten between trips. For this reason, mayo was forgotten on the last trip.
Some things come in in a humongous laundry pile to be washed - they seem to get mixed up with our home laundry and get "put away". I did not have enough bath towels on the last trip for this reason.
What works best? Several lists? If so - what works best for you? Tell me what you do to get ready for a trip and while unloading that is the most efficient.
We will probably go on a trip a month and then for a whole summer. This is going to drive me crazy.
Next issue - stuff:
Do you have 2 of everything? Do I keep separate toys, outside toys/games, puzzles/clothes, swimsuits, hair "pretties", goggles, /pet beds, pet toys, leashes/favorite pillows, etc. That would be expensive, but would cut down on packing - what have you found is best?
Thanks so much for all of your help.
Jennifer
Need help with packing/organization/lists
I need help from some extremely organized person out there...
One of the main reasons I was so gung ho about buying a TT is so that I would be able to alleviate a great deal of the packing/unpacking/loading/unloading that I have experienced on our family trips. After a few trips in our TT I am seeing that the packing/unpacking/loading/unloading is not really any less - just different. Maybe some of you can help.
First, let's talk lists:
I compiled a master camping checklist - but it has a million things on it - some of which stay in the trailer. I was going to reduce the list, but here are the issues -
Some things just plain stay on the trailer - but if I remove them from the master list - how do you double check them before a trip in case they "walked" off between trips. (ex. we ran out of sugar, so I swiped it out of the trailer one day - forgot to replace). Or, they get used up during a trip and must be replaced - how to remember?
Some things come in (mostly bathroom items) because I'm afraid that they will melt (trailer is parked in our very hot Florida driveway). I keep them in a bin in my house.
Some things (condiments, food items) come in because they are perishable and/or have been opened. Then, they seem to get used/eaten between trips. For this reason, mayo was forgotten on the last trip.
Some things come in in a humongous laundry pile to be washed - they seem to get mixed up with our home laundry and get "put away". I did not have enough bath towels on the last trip for this reason.
What works best? Several lists? If so - what works best for you? Tell me what you do to get ready for a trip and while unloading that is the most efficient.
We will probably go on a trip a month and then for a whole summer. This is going to drive me crazy.
Next issue - stuff:
Do you have 2 of everything? Do I keep separate toys, outside toys/games, puzzles/clothes, swimsuits, hair "pretties", goggles, /pet beds, pet toys, leashes/favorite pillows, etc. That would be expensive, but would cut down on packing - what have you found is best?
Thanks so much for all of your help. I'm going to post this in beginning RV'ing as well.
Jennifer
Clean water
What have you guys found is the best way to have clean (and tasteless!)drinking water? I've only been on a few trips, but already I am tired of buying/carrying/storing water jugs. What should we try next? Britta? a carbon filter? Osmosis?
Thanks,
Jennifer
Towing Bicycles
Hello again! Well, we bought the tow vehicle, the trailer arrived, and we've gone on a few maiden voyages. We are ready for our first long camping trip and want to take the bikes with us. We have 2 adult bikes, 1 child's bike and a buggy that tows behind one of the adult bikes (we will soon have a 2nd child's bike & no buggy - boy they grow fast!). Together, this makes for quite a pile of wheels and metal.
DH tried to put the bikes on the back of our TV on our bike carrier, but they will not fit over hitch. We ended up placing them inside the TT, but do not want to continue this due to fear of scratching/denting/greasing up our brand new TT.
Do you recommend they go on the back of TT or on top of TV? I think the answer is on top, but wanted to make sure. As usual with me, I'd also like to know WHY you give the answer you give.
Oh, we have a 28' Jay Flight TT - can't remember if I added that to my sig. or not.
Thanks so much,
Jennifer
Tow Mirrors: CIPA vs. McKesh?
I have read previous posts on this topic, but can't seem to get a bottom line on which one is better - and why. Can you give me a refresher on this topic?
I don't like how the McKesh LOOK (straps), but I know that's not important. I want to get the safest one and am concerned with damage to my TV. Also, if anything vibrates while we're driving, that would drive me crazy.
p.s. We pick up our new trailer next week-end!
Current interest rates on RV loans?
Hello there,
Could you guys tell me what a good rate is on an RV loan would be now? I think the one I was offered sounds high.
If you recommend a great lending inst. you can let me know that, too.
Thanks for your help!
Jennifer
Plugging in at Grandma's
We are more than green at this and will be taking our brand new TT (we don't even have it yet) and would like to park it at various families' houses here and there during our trip this summer.
I know we will need an adapter to plug in at a house and that we won't be able to run everything - but what exactly does that mean? Will the A/C (15,000 btu), fridge and a few lights run or will I trip the circuit breaker?
We need to make sure the A/C will stay on for our doggie, and I think my grandmother would worry herself crazy if we tripped her breaker.
p.s. our TT has a 30 amp power cord.
Thanks,
Jennifer
Which Prodigy? Which Surge Guard?
Hi there! I'm back in sunny Fl with my new "rig". I'm still a bit intimidated by the new humongo-Suburban, but I'm getting used to it.
Here are some new ?????'s for you.....
1) When I go to price the Prodigy brake controller, I see there are several different ones to choose from (of course). So what's the difference and which one do I need? No, I'm not pre-wired if you need to know to answer this. Will need that, too.
2) We are learning that we should get a surge guard. DH would like to know whether to get the hardwire or the portable?
p.s. Just ordered our Trailer today! Woo-hoo! Have 6-7weeks to figure this all out!
Jenn
RE: Suburban 6.0 vs. 8.1 ?'s
OKAY I'M DONE!
The 8.1 never came with the option of side curtain air bags. We are going with the 6.0 even though it's not the better tower in the mountains.
We'll just have to go around, or very slow. If we ever got hit from the side and a curtain airbag would have saved one of my kids' lives I'd never forgive myself.
Plus, it will force my DH to drive slower. :)
Thank-you for the above info. It really helped.
Jennifer
One last Jayco 25bhs options question
Plus Package: $321
30lb propane gas bottles (20's are standard) (2) w/ ABS cover, 6 gal gas/electric DSI auto-ignition water heater (6 gallon water heater standard what's the DSI auto ignition thing?), outside shower (couldn't we rig one up?), raised panel kitchen overhead doors.
Need this?
Thanks! We are getting very close to placing our order!!!!!
Johnson Family
CSA Standards Option on Jayco 25bhs
What is this and do I want it? Is it just a different quality level than American standards or does it mean different sizes/fittings to accommodate Canadian travel?
It's $171
Thanks,
Jennifer
Suburban 6.0 vs. 8.1 ?'s
Have I used up all of my allotted newbie questions for one calendar week, or do you guys have a few more in you?
I PM'd these to Burbman, but he must be off camping this weekend! :)
The reason I finaly and sadly Nixed the X was because it does not have the side impact or side curtain air bags.
O.k. Tell me about the 6.0 vs. the 8.1 regarding the safety features. (I already learned the gas mileage is about identical, and that the 8.1 is a much better tugger)
I'm looking at a 2005 LT 8.1 3.73 4X4. It's nice and has all bells/whistles except for the rear sensor and rear camera which I kinda wanted because I once backed over the family cat (plese don't laugh at me) and have had nightmares ever since that it could have been one of my kids. Was this feature an option on any 8.1? Maybe I could find one. Or can you have them installed for less than a fortune?
What about the 3 row (or even 2 row) side curtain air bags? The 2007 LT3 6.0 has them, but the guy who has the 2005 8.1 says the 2nd row has the curtain, but was not convincing.
I'm a bit of a safety freak, and I think these will be my deciding factor, despite the prices & engines.
Oh, BTW, I test drove the Burb yesterday and liked it very much, though was suprised that there was much less head room (any row) or leg room (in back rows) than I had imagined (we are 6'0 and 6'4)but otherwise loved it. It's a far cry from my Sienna (but actually turned better!).
Thank-you, and sorry for so many questions - I'm getting very close to deciding the right vehicle for us thanks to all of you.
Jennifer
hitches & brake control
On to other projects for today....
We are about to order the Jayco 25bhs. (Yay!).
If we go with RVdirect, they sell the Reese Dual Cam (299 installed) and the Tekonsha Envoy (369 full wire up).
We can also bring our own, of course, & they would still install it for us.
I know you guys are very partial to certain brands of these, so I'd like to hear what you have to say.
Also, where can I most inexpensively get what I need?
I made an offer on the 2500 Burb, though I can't guarantee they will accept, so would your answers be different on the V10 Excursion which I would go to next?
Jennifer
RE: More Suburban ?'s - Hitch & "Locker"
Finally a topic on which I am an expert and feel I can give some good, well researched advice on....
Chocolate. Definately chocolate.
You guys are the best.
Jennifer
RE: More Suburban ?'s - Hitch & "Locker"
Let me reply to several things at once, here.
1st, thank you, I feel much better now. I know absolutely NOTHING about trucks and get very worried every time someone says this is bad or make sure it has this. *Deep breath*.
2nd, about the different threads. After a thread has been around a day or so, if I put a different question at the end of it, will bunches of people still see it - or just the ones who were purposely going back to look at my thread? Shouldn't I post a new thread when I ask a slightly different question or not? Still new at how this forum works.
3rd, yes, it has a DVD player, and everything else you could think of that I never thought I needed before, but now seem very great, esp. because we will be in it for 2 months at a stretch. All the wires/chargers/batteries from DVD players/GPS's/MP3's have royally gotten on my nerves on previous trips (not to mention my DH insisting on carrying them all into everywhere we go so as not to leave them in the car to be stolen!). The Burb is sweet, no doubt. Even the heated seats would have come in handy this week in Florida!
BUT, most - who have vastly greater experience than me (I have NONE) - keep telling me to get the X, and the X diesel no less. This is driving me crazy. Can't figure out what's best, as I don't really understand what that is. A lot of it comes down to pros and cons and I have difficulty making up my mind about things (did you guess that?). Always wanting to make sure I am doing the "right" thing.
Jennifer
More Suburban ?'s - Hitch & "Locker"
I'm still shopping & have more questions....
Re: 2007 Suburban 2500 4X4 6.0 V8 4.1
1st: I've been told these hitches were designed badly and I would want to replace it, but was later told there was no replacement for this hitch.
Someone said he had put on an after market hitch. Does that mean it's bolted on in addition to the factory one? Because I beleive the factory one is all one piece with the bumper.
2nd: one person said it was good for me to have a locking rear diff. and one said it was not & had a good explaination which concerns me since this vehicle DOES have the locking diff, so could you guys explain this to me a little better so I can understand it?
Thanks,
Jennifer
