Essential camper trailer mods
Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 13:36
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Member - Mikey (QLD)
My wife and I have finally bought my first camper trailer. (Yay!)
It is VERY basic (bed, annex,
water tank, gas bottle... thats it), but easy to assemble and comfortable to spend time in. We've gone away for a couple of 3 nighters but we're looking at going away for 1, 2 or even 3 weeks at a time.
Is there any "MUST HAVES" that I might not already know about or maybe something youn couldn't live without that you can recomend?
Reply By: Tenpounder (SA) - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 14:09
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 14:09
Hope you have a ball!!
I suggest you have a look at one of Ron and Viv Moon's Aussie travel books (FREE at the library!!) where you'll see a list of things they think you MUST take everywhere. Most of us have perhaps half that list! but it is still a good guide.
Half the time, its the little things that can 'save the day' like bits of rope, or a spare groundsheet, or a roll of gaffer tape. Sometimes, it'll be more serious, like the need for a PROPER
first aid kit - and the ability to know how to use it.
I MUST have music, but lights are important too, as is the ability to escape the mozzies and flies (even if that's only personal fly nets which make you look like a dork, until all the dorks see what a good idea your stupid fly net is.).
I MUST have at least two different ways to light the stove, and not kept in the same place (a dozen boxes of matches, all wet, aren't much use to anyone).
Tha's a few suggestions. I'm sure there will be many others.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Mikey (QLD) - Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 14:19
Wednesday, Sep 23, 2009 at 14:19
Thanks for your helpful tips Chris. I have already learnt the wet matches one the hard way. I left them out overnight in
Canungra without realising how bad the dew is in the morning. haha, not fun.
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Reply By: Member - Oldplodder (QLD) - Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 11:02
Thursday, Sep 24, 2009 at 11:02
Depends what type of camping you are doing.
We have a basic camper too, with 5 levels of setup.
Basic for one night stops, through to 3 to 4 weeks at
the beach on a powered site, with everything up and full 240v.
When travelling we put in a minimum of a 240v kettle and electric fry pan to use in
camp kitchens. Can live without them though.
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384436
Reply By: Member - Timbo - Friday, Sep 25, 2009 at 16:32
Friday, Sep 25, 2009 at 16:32
Most of my kit has been slowly added to over the years. You've got the basics (food, water,
shelter, bedding) and you've been on a few shorter trips now so you could:
Think about what would really make things more comfortable/enjoyable (eg. if you're always dragging a big log into
camp so you have something to sit on around the campfire, you might consider some folding chairs...). What did you miss most from
home?
Chat to others on the road and browse through camping/outdoor shops/shows (and camper trailer shops) so you know what's available (including many things you might not have thought of) but remember the shops/shows are often stocked with many gimmicks that you'll be better off without!
Once you start to get into longer trips, you will find your requirements will change also eg. an esky with ice-bricks will happily get you by for 2-3 days and you can probably get by without a shower (or sponge-down) but you may need something more for those 2-3 week trips.
Much of what is "essential" is vastly different depending on your personal preferences (& budget), hence why some can travel happily for months using only a station wagon and a hike tent while others find it "essential" to tow virtually a whole 'house' around behind them. You'll be the best judge of what you can/can't live without, especially now that you've been away a few times.
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384609