lauren
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Post by lauren on Aug 2, 2013 7:33:10 GMT -8
Hi! So our first real camping trip in the Field and Stream is coming up in over a week, and I need some handy tips. See, we have always been tent campers previously.. and we bring our supplies over in plastic bins, food in two coolers, and clothes in travel bags. What I want to know is- How much stuff can take a ride *in* the trailer as we go along? I imagine very little, as everything would shift and fly everywhere projectile-style, but certainly "some" things can get stowed in the trailer. ~What, if anything, do you stow inside and how.. And what other tricks do you have for bringing anything extra. We have a truck we pull the trailer with, so everything usually goes in the bed. Thanks for any responses ~Lauren
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1958 Shasta "Penny"
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Post by 1958 Shasta "Penny" on Aug 2, 2013 8:29:54 GMT -8
I am looking forward to replies as well, as we were also tent campers.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 2, 2013 11:24:15 GMT -8
Anything you set on the tile floor will slide but we put down a rubber backed throw rug and with in reason it will help prevent sliding. Never sit anything on a counter, table top or shelf. Heavy pans should be in a cupboard with a good latch. A lot depends on your style of driving and the roads you are traveling. As you pile "stuff" in the open floor area remember if it slides or bounces against a wall or cupboard it can cause a lot of scratches and gouges in the wood that you might not like. also that picture or clock hanging from a single point can swing around and may make places. Also if you have an ice box or refrigerator make sure you pin the door if it doesn't have a mechanical latch. Another caution is heavy pans in oven. If we have a unit with a bed made up we set things on it. THE MOST IMPORTANT thing is to not load everything in the rear as you will change the trailers balance and can cause swaying.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 2, 2013 12:10:54 GMT -8
In the above post I should have mentioned as you load use your head and think what will this do if the trailer hits a bump or we make a panic stop. Also I would suggest travel 5 or 10 miles then stop and check your load then again at about 50 miles. this might help you catch any mistakes before they cause any more damage. By the time you get your first trip under your belt you will have learned what you can and can't do. We keep things like salt,pepper sugar, flour or anything else that will make a mess in containers with snap on lids. I like to use the rubber waffle type shelf mats instead of a slick shelf paper.The things that can cause the most damage while being hauled in your trailer are things like folding chairs, bicycles, grills and other things we like to take with us. You mentioned clothes, any soft items should be fine. We carry our clothes in plastic bags, it keeps them clean and makes loading and unloading simpler. Also each time you stop check your tires and hitch also your lights. But most of all be safe and have fun most of what you need to know you learned tent camping your trailer just made things a little more comfortable with less work.
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lauren
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Post by lauren on Aug 2, 2013 13:55:34 GMT -8
Thanks for the great tips, bigbill! I guess it all should be pretty logical, but it's the lil ideas that help (the waffle shelf liner, and the plastic bags for clothes). The cabinets in the trailer should stay latched, but perhaps it's best not to assume, especially with heavier items. The frigde has a lock pin, but things could fall over and move around in there, too. I suppose like so many things- it's trial and error. Also, certainly don't want to scratch the floor with anything sharp and sliding back and forth..even a medium plastic bin seems a threat without a rubber mat. Ok, well.. thanks very much for replying!! It seemed that I had seen photos of people camping in their trailers with so much stuff set out/on display (not glamping, just camping)- I just wondered if it all had been taken via bin, as I have done. Anyhow- thanks again
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cowcharge
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Post by cowcharge on Aug 3, 2013 6:10:28 GMT -8
It's safest to plan as if an accident is inevitable while towing, when it comes to stowing things. Fuel cans, propane tanks, generators, batteries, all can become dangerous missiles if they're not really, really well-secured. Standing your gas can between two unlikely-to-slide-around bins isn't enough. They need to be tied down.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Aug 3, 2013 15:00:38 GMT -8
We put our clothing in the closet. We have a couple shoe-box bins at the bottom for socks, unders. Dishes are always in the drawers, our lightweight vintage aluminum glassware is in the above kitchen cupboard as are the staples we use for cooking (most all kept in Tupperware) (spices, pasta, rice, tuna cans, etc). Pots and pans are heavier, so they stay low toward the floor in drawers. The Compact has the open cupboards along the top sides. We use those to store towels, books, games, toiletries, and other lightweight things in baskets with fairly high sides. The cold food goes in the icebox - we don't take a long a lot of fresh stuff as we usually purchase it during the trips. We have been on some pretty rough roads and haven't had any problems with doors or drawers opening, and the rubber mats in cupboards and drawers help keep things mostly in place.
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lauren
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Post by lauren on Aug 3, 2013 15:22:59 GMT -8
Ahhh!! Yes, see- that's what I was getting after.. Some bins for certain things. I have one high shelf with sliders that I could put towels and things in, and there are small drawers near the stove for dishes, etc. with one small cupboard that can hold a small trash bin and pots/pans. There's really only one cupboard that would hold extra blankets, pillows, and clothes. Thanks for the reply Hamlet, your methods are inspiring me!! I may have to hit up dollar store for some baskets. I'm just excited to get this show on the road, as you can tell. haha
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hoosierpoet
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Post by hoosierpoet on Aug 3, 2013 16:38:22 GMT -8
We've always put outside-use items into the outside-accesible luggage areas. Things like lawn chairs, the electric hookup cable, water hose, awning (if you have one), etc. That way you never have to drag them through the trailer to get them out or put them away.
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Post by bigbill on Aug 3, 2013 18:15:55 GMT -8
that is great if you have a outside access.
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Hamlet
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Post by Hamlet on Aug 3, 2013 18:40:55 GMT -8
Lauren - you might want to check out Goodwill or other thrift stores. You may have to go to a few to find ones that fit, but you'll get ones that are a lot higher quality than a dollar store.
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lauren
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Post by lauren on Aug 3, 2013 18:43:18 GMT -8
Lawn chairs and things like that will have to travel in the bed of the truck. Storage in this lil guy is minimal. There is added storage under the main sleeping area, but that's usually where we put that roll of astro-turf.. but now I'm thinking that it may have to go in the bed of the truck too. Packing/arranging is going to require some creative thinking here. Ha.
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lauren
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Post by lauren on Aug 3, 2013 18:49:25 GMT -8
Hamlet- That's certainly true.. I'm an avid second-hand store shopper.. There's always something good to find!
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desertman
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Post by desertman on Aug 3, 2013 19:20:35 GMT -8
I have a ice box so I put most things in Tuperware to keep it from tipping or leaking or getting wet. Also after driving 20 miles of washboard gravel road my black iron skillet was on the floor so I run a small bungy cord from the front burner to the oven handle.
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mobiltec
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Post by mobiltec on Aug 16, 2013 21:31:32 GMT -8
Just kinda scanned the answers but in case it hasn't been mentioned yet, take down all your light globes. Store them somewhere safe. Also never travel with the grates on the burners. They will bounce around and chip the porceline.
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