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?
I have a "master list" of foods and staples that stay in the RV..I printed it out (even has little "check mark" place next to each item) and that goes in the RV.....as we are camping, if I start to get low on something, or run out, I put a check next to the item, and that becomes my "grocery list"....be sure to put things like toilet paper, paper towels, propane cannisters for the grill, etc on the list.
At the bottom of the list is a space I can write in things I think of while camping that I would like to have but don't.
As for clothing and towels.....they go into the house in collapsable baskets..right to the laundry room, and as soon as their clean...back into the baskets and right back to the RV (I may not get them put away, but they are in the RV)
I can't help you on the kids stuff, cause we just have dogs at this stage of life, but I do transfer dog beds back and forth (cause each dog has their favorite bed) same with leashes...they go back and forth too.
I keep a swimsuit in the RV because the ONLY time I go swimming is while camping, but I have to load DH's every time because he travels for a living and loves to sit in hot tubs at motels.
No matter what you do, you will still have to Load and unload some stuff, we don't leave our RV plugged in while home...so loading and unloading the fridge is my biggest hassle but I use heavy duty laundry baskets and that helps!
Snowhawkwoman Big Owl dogs Xena,Phoebe,Spooker,Skippy,Zoe,PJ,Taz Punky - the amazing insane Rving Squirrel 1997 Fleetwood Jamboree 29' The traveling Zoo!
After a few trips things just become second nature and become a routine. Learn to camp by the KISS method (keep it simple stupid).
Think of your RV as your second home and duplicate everything that you need (not everything you want ). Kitchen items, towels, bed linens etc.
When we ready for a trip the only thing I pack is our food and our clothes. Our RV is in storage when not in use, so I leave no perishables in it. I do have a few canned and boxed goods and some staples in airtight containers.
Divide a piece of 8 1/2 X 11" (printer) paper. On the left hand side, write out a menu by the days of the week you will be out and add breakfast, lunch and dinner under each day. Then figure out your meals for each day. Include drinks and a few snacks.
Next on the right hand side, write out the items and ingredients you will need for each meal. Check off the items you have on hand and then go to the grocery store and buy the remaining unchecked items. As you pack things in the RV, cross off those items on your list, until everything is packed. This will help you not over pack. You could also do this on your computer, and make two columns and type out your menu and shopping list.
Our kids are grown, so I don't have to worry about that when we pack like you do. If your kids are old enough, have them pack their own clothes, just tell them the number of days you will be gone and that would be the number of sets of clothing they would pack. You could double check this a few times to make sure they get it right, but heck, who cares if they wear a flowered shirt with a plaid pair of shorts. They will learn.
My brother camped with 4 kids and they would pack for each trip their bedding. They used the tub/shower to store all of this when not in use and just used the campground public showers. If I camped with kids, I would get them each a washable slumber bag to leave in the RV (sleeping bags need to be dry cleaned). Much easier to make up the bedding in the morning and pack away when not in use.
As for toys, keep a few in the RV and then let each child bring one or two special ones along with them. Keep in the RV a couple of books, maybe a DVD movie or two, a couple of games for inside and outside.
Good luck, hope my suggestions help or give you some ideas of your own. Remember KISS!!!
It doesn't matter where you go in life.........it's who you have beside you
OH MY!
You are not 'living' in the TT you are going away on vacation and weeekend trips.
Other than food. Just take with you the same things you did when you packed the kids up to visit the grandparents in your car!
The KISS theory is the way to RV.
Separate set of linens, towels, toiletries stay in the TT.
When ready to leave each child gets to pick which toy they what to bring with for each trip and then it goes back into their bedroom at home until the next trip.
DH and DW decide what clothes they want to bring with.
Small tool box.
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
The list is only part of it. Don't forget to consider the total weight! And stash the light stuff high in the TT and the heavy stuff low. Happy camping!
start a list to leave on the counter of the TT for everything that gets taken/used while sitting at home in the driveway. Before the trip, grab that list and figure out what needs to be replenished.
start a list of "all" items that come from the house... i.e. toiletries, special slippers, the kids favorite game.
start a list of "all" items that stay IN the TT so you have a check list that they're are not stolen.
Now if you're creative you can combine all these "lists" on a computer and use a new print out each trip.
Hello,
Only time camping will tell you the things that you really need and the things you can do without,My wife and i have had many camping trips where we seemed very prepared and found out we had left something-The trip was still great.Every year we go through our camper and get rid of things we thought we couldnt do without!!
Have fun!!!
I use the checklists from Free Rv Checklists. There is 3 different list and they have room on them to add stuff you need to take or check before you leave home.
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). Kitchen items, towels, bed linens etc.
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