We will be picking up our new Toy Hauler May 3-4th weekend (HOPEFULLY) and will be staying over at the dealers lot one night, then someplace inbetween to cut the 12-13 hour drive into two manageable drives.
I'm trying to come up with a list of things that we NEED for the first two night and I see lists that go on forever of things that we should or shouldn't have.
So here is what I think we need so far to bring with us to pick up the hauler.
1) Chocks of some sort for the wheels.
2) I don't need dishes/pots pans right now b/c we will just go out to eat for the first time out.
3) I think they give us some sort of starter kit at the dealer
4) Sheets and pillows
5) Extention cord?
6) Surge protector?
7) Hoses?
8) TP?
9) first aid kit
10) normal items I would bring while traveling - clothing, toothbrush, towels, etc.
I really can't think of anything else.
I want to purchase these bigger items early vs getting to the dealer, realizing that I need certain things just to get started and pay full retail prices at their store. I don't mind picking up a few odds and ends that I might need, but a decent small starting list might be nice.
I would like to keep it as simple as possible to start, then build from there (pots/pans, plates, silverware etc - when I get home and start to really use it).
AND anyone have a good campground halfway between Indiana and New Jersey that would be a good stopping point?
I have a 1 year old son and I may be flying out there, meeting my husband who is driving out there, then we are doing the drive back together.
THANK YOU in advance. I'll also try to do a search but when I do, long long lists come up. I just want to try to whittle down to the basics for now.
2012 GMC 3500HD, Diesel, Crew Cab Standard Bed, SRW
2013 Cyclone 3010 (to be picked up)
Just think about the number of nights you will be camping. The most important thing you can take is a yellow pad and a pencil ... there are WalMarts almost everywhere and most of what you really need can be purchased there at about 1/2 the price of an RV dealership. If you reach for it and it isn't there ..write it down for later. You should be outfitted with a very basic starter kit of a short white water hose for drinking water, a short slinky for emptying your black and gray tanks. Make sure you measure your beds because the sheets and blankets you take need to come close to fitting for comfort and RV sleeping items are usually not standard sized. Your entertainment will probably consist of reading your manuals and trying our things but it might not be bad to have a book or a Kindle along. I would take some basic foodstuffs to make sandwiches, drinks, chips and snacks etc. Eating out is fine but do you really want to do that for 3 meals a day every day? A small hibachi or camp stove might make things easier and more "camping like." Other than that I suspect you are good to go with what the dealer supplies. You have the right idea ... don't buy what he suggests you "have" to have. You can get a better one, far cheaper, somewhere else.
Both retired. Travel with Nicky the Schnoodle. Son graduated and is teaching high school math. We still love our 2006 34' Allegro Bay XB and have 40,000+ miles on her.
Sometimes you will get a discount at the dealers store when you buy your camper. We had a 25% off the store while we were there. The price was right with the discount.
As far as what you need, I would say that you just need what you have on your list and emerency stuff for flat tires/blow out, fire extinquers (should have a least one small one already on board), small set of hand tools, the rest you will find as you go.
What I did was search on google and found a lot of list for beginners and most of them you already have. Don't sweat the small stuff and get the rest as you go and enjoy your trip.
Utility connections - sewer hose, water hose, may need adapter for electrical connection. Make sure you have some propane in the tanks. I would bring some blocks of wood for any leveling. I would bring something for the frig, like soda or beer, to check the frig. Take a shower to check how that works also.
Battery alarm clock...if you need a wakeup for hitting the road early..or not.
Torque wrench, socket for lug nut. Ideally rechecked for the first so many miles.
We drove to Ohio to pick up our 5th wheel...spent the night on the lot.
We actually took a trip to Super Walmart and picked up kitchenware, food, bedding, etc...
The starter kits generally have a 5' sewer hose with a connection at one end. Technically, you could use that...but ....but...but... Lemme just say...go to Walmart and pick up a Rhino Flex hose kit. That will give you 15ft of hose with connectors at both ends... Some people wear disposable gloves... I keep one of those towelette dispensers with disinfectant wipes handy.
We also got an inline pressure regulator and filter for the city water connection.
Bring a section of coax if you want to connect to CATV at certain campsites.
The starter kits usually have a 15ft drinking water hose...too short in most cases.
If your black tank has a built in rinse attachment... You might bring a dedicated hose for that...so you're not taking any chances with drinking water contamination.
Towing mirrors if you don't already have them.
For slide outs... Ladder to inspect tops for debris. Built-in ladder will work.
Shoring to level camper...or those orange Lego block things...
Cell phones or walkie talkies for having your spotter clear you when backing into a site.
Journal to keep track of distance traveled for maintenance on bearings,etc. Jot down notes..
* This post was
edited 04/13/12 08:47am by chuggs *
OH yes Torque wrench. We have one already so I'll add that to the list.
Baby has a pack and play that travels with us, I just have to remember to pack it.
Hoses. I'll take a trip to Wally world and pick up a few of the hoses etc. (cheaper to buy online?)
Fire extiquisher, very important!
We will probably go food shopping like you suggested when we get there and maybe bring a pot or two and paperplates etc. You are right multi meals a day out and where to park the rig... I forgot about how HUGE its going to be.
Thank you for the suggestions and feel free to keep adding or letting me know what you found was the most important items to start off. I will keep a notebook there too!
Even if you are eating out it sure is convenient to be able to goto the fridge and grab this or that early in the morning. Make a coffee or tea, little snack here or there..
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