New Pop-Up....... Must Haves????

[zamboni]

OK- new to ME. Just bought it, never owned one before- what are the MUST HAVES? I went shopping tonight and got a few things- a tray filled with silverware, a Rubbermaid container for dirty silverware (to wash back at home) Dixie paper plates, plastic cups, campfire rods (for hot dogs, marshmallows, etc), a LED lantern (also serves as nightlight for kids), dish towels, wheel chocks, can opener, coffee maker. Camper has a fridge, stove, heater, and we have a small microwave (gotta have popcorn among other things). I am looking for cast iron pie makers I have heard the aluminum ones oxidize. What else?

[mr walleye]

Sun Shower and enclosure YOUR WIFE WILL THANK YOU.

card table, TP, paper towels, folding shovel, tarps, rope, folding chairs for around fire, hatchet or axe, clean 5 gal bucket, propane torch to start campfires works fast, folding water jugs you will not always be next to a supply of water,

large cook pot, disposable lighters, bug spray like Yard Guard,

I know I'm forgetting something but its a start

[Chapo]

A fan with out pop-up no matter what it is the hottest weekend of the year, if you dont have air bring a couple of fans. Have fun.

[mr walleye]

Good one Chapo its one I have forgot many times and wish I hadn't.

Also Duct-tape, and Lug wrench for the trailer wheels the one they come with sucks, a small tool kit, also check your jack and make sure its not a piece of junk nothing worse than not being able to change a flat, WD-40, extra batteries, weather radio the automatic kind, saved my a$$ once and I will never go without one again.

[IFallsRon]

Two-pound propane tank and a deal called a Steaksaver. It's an adaptor that will hook onto your propane fitting. It's a just-in-case thing for a cold day when you've run out of propane. You'll have heat or enough gas to make breakfast.

Bucket and fresh water only container.

A wrench or something that will crank up the tent or down the legs in the event someone has lost the cranks. I once had to improvise with a piece of cast iron pipe and a Visegrips.

[Hafnutz]

A few short pieces of wood for leveling, clothes line and clothes pins, trash bags, spare tire! (don't leave home without one)

[zamboni]

Yeah my spares a tad on the flat side. Am going to get it fixed before I head out of town with it.

[mr walleye]

one more a 12 volt air pump for tires, and swim toys for the kids unless you like the head rush from blowing up the rafts and stuff, one more fly paper strips, just dont forget to take down before you take the camper down,

[Jeremy airjer W]

You can never have enough tarps, straps, or rope!

The best thing we have ever purchased was a screen tent. It makes for a much better bug free cooking, eating, relaxing area!

[zamboni]

 Originally Posted By: airjer

You can never have enough tarps, straps, or rope!

The best thing we have ever purchased was a screen tent. It makes for a much better bug free cooking, eating, relaxing area!

Camper came with a 8 or 12 foot screened in room that attaches to it. Only been used once and full of spider webs and dead flies. Waiting til later this week and gonna hose it off when weather straightens out a little. Camper got set up yesterday in my parents back yard on their cement slab, and going to do some a few more dry runs to get used to setting up and taking down. Will put porch on after it gets hosed off.

[IFallsRon]

Rope and stakes to anchor your awning and screen room. It doesn't take much of a gust of wind to flip the awning and mess up the poles.

[HaywardBound]

An outdoor rug, or welcome mat to wipe feet off before entering camper.

A level, playing cards, and a toaster. I like to use a digital indoor/outdoor thermometer for the fridge, so I know its not set too low or high.

If it didn't come with a battery, you might be able to add one. Nice to have when there is not electric available.

Did it come with a fresh water hose, and an extra extension cord?

[FISHINGFARMER]

 Originally Posted By: HaywardBound

If it didn't come with a battery, you might be able to add one. Nice to have when there is not electric available.

I'll agree with this one, along with adding a battery charge meter in the camper to watch the level of battery life left in it. Add a battery tender to your truck or car and you can stay for weeks in a remote site by simply starting your engine to bring the battery back to full charge.

Also, at the end of your trip and ready to have it sit till the next time you go, leave a (unlite) candle of your choice in the sink area. You'll appreciate it the next time you get back in for the next outing.

Farmer

[HaywardBound]

 Quote:

Also, at the end of your trip and ready to have it sit till the next time you go, leave a (unlite) candle of your choice in the sink area. You'll appreciate it the next time you get back in for the next outing.

Farmer

Farmer, you lost me on the candle...what is it for?

[FISHINGFARMER]

Helps keep that musky odor smell out. No matter how good of job you seem to think you have done between use. It seems the next time you get back in, there's that smell that just ain't right with it.

Farmer

[IFallsRon]

We never used the sink or water tank in our pop-up. It never made any sense. It would take a day to hand pump the 25 gallons of water. We had a compact sized dish washing setup and did the cleaning on the picnic table. Plus the counters are generally too low for a tall person.

We also mostly never cooked inside, too. The stove on our model hooked to the outside of the camper. Cooking outside keeps the mess and smell outside and minimizes cleanup.

[woodsmanmn]

A folding step stool or small step ladder can come in handy if you need to get high enough to re-tie or repair something while the camper is set up. One that can double as a camp stool is ideal.

[afishrmn]

Here is my check list that I use. Some things are more important than others (you'll have to determine that).........

- Coffee maker and filters

- Toiletries (tp, soap, shampoo, towels, washclothes, cheap pair of sandals for the showers etc..)

- Battery charger

- Flash light w/ extra batteries

- Small TV and/or Radio

- Kitchen items (dish soap, dish towels, paper towels, etc...)

- Matches

- Replacement Fuses (check your camper for needed sizes)

- Replacement bulbs for all interior and exterior lights

- First-aid kit

- Old rags for wiping down the canvas

- Small grill, salt/pepper, pots/pans, spatulas, silverware, tupperware, plates, plastic glasses, paper cups

- WD40, Duct tape, grease gun, jack, lighter fluid

- Chairs, camping blankets, bug spray/citronella candles, sunblock

- Tools (small ax, small shovel, screw drivers, elec. tape, wrenches, pliers)

- Wood to place under leveling jacks and wheel chocks

- Extra water hose, extension cord (with adapters for different electrical services)

- Lantern for outdoors

- Garbage bags, sandwich bags, tinfoil, plastic wrap

- Small supply of cleaning supplies

- Propane or charcoal

- Small heater for back-up to the furnace

- Fans, rain gear

- Cards, cribbage board, etc...

Remember to check you fire extinguisher to be sure it is in good working order!!

[DuckStupid]

I can't believe no one's mentioned beer yet.

[Hafnutz]

Beer

[woodsmanmn]

55 quart Cooler and ice for beer

[norm25]

A tent to sleep in after yuo fill up the camper with all this stuff.

[DonBo]

I use my pop-up a lot. All the things mentioned are good common sense stuff you need no matter what kind of camper / tent you use.

The things I would recommend, a wood or metal step to get in. A good solid one. If you have one of the cheesy ones that side out when you open the door, take it off. You will hurt yourself on it! Make sure it fits inside the door when you are packing up. When upside down you can fit the large indoor / outdoor piece of carpet that you need for a "deck" right outside the door. This needs to be the first thing set up when unpacking so it is already in place when everything else comes out.

The only other thing is, how are the jacks in the corners? Are there any? Pop-ups are so light that all movement inside will make the camper sway like you are on the water. I use cheap scissor jacks all around to keep her steady.

Hope this helps. Enjoy.