Maiden Voyage

[Apache_Camp]

We're going on our maiden voyage (in this trailer) October 16th, any suggestions on what to bring? Foodwise or ???

Headed 100 miles 1 way to federal park for Halloween Festival. (BAckup plan is I have reserved hotel in park (not kidding).

So far I've replaced all 4 tires with new 8 ply trailer tires, had the wheel bearings checked, replaced the brake away switch, replaced the converter, got a portable AC, got new sewer hose and attachment, got new fresh water hose, checked the plumbing for leaks, got heat, got a portable gas grill, new toaster oven, new elec hot plate, pots/pans, coffee maker, got kids sleeping bags, hot-dog sticks, extension cord, some halloween lights, portable chairs, chock blocks, new stablizer jacks, new cord end on trailer, electric water heater is up and will run - 20 gal, coolers, blankets, towels, plastic plates/cups forks, have extra portable gas bottles for grill, 2 new batteries in Hoveround, ????

1) Still to do, install new battery (have it just not hooked up).
2) Halloween decorations.
3) Food, Drinks
4) Change oil in tow vehicle
5) Fire wood/matches
6) Load Hoveround and portable ramp
7) How did I do this with a Popup?, (need 31' Airstream?)

[sd90mac]

Clothes? No matter what you take, you will forget something. That's what they make wal mart for. Have a great time and keep us posted.

Marie

PS stuff to make smores for the kids (big and small)

[Janet H]

Sounds complicated but fun.

Back up plan B: pack peanut butter, jelly and bread, candles and a checkers board. You just never know and... most importantly - enjoy the adventure however it ends up!

[Becky B.]

Tarp for your firewood. Starter fluid for your fire (I'm a believer in cheating for the starting of the fire). Extra sweatshirts & socks (they always seem to get wet!) A couple of masks to scare the kids around the fire (lots of fun!)

[overlander63]

A blender and a bag of ice. You can put the ice in the freezer compartment to help the fridge get cold, and when you get where you're going, you can use the blender to mix your favorite beverages, adult or not.

[Lily&Me]

We don't like to carry lighter fluid, prefer those little starter sticks you can get at Menard's, Lehmann's and places like that. They light easily and aren't as dangerous.

Stock your pantry/frig/freezer with all your usual necessities, including ingredients for several favorite but simple meals and their accompanying recipes.

Have a great trip and drive safe.

[funkill]

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

Tarp for your firewood. Starter fluid for your fire (I'm a believer in cheating for the starting of the fire). Extra sweatshirts & socks (they always seem to get wet!) A couple of masks to scare the kids around the fire (lots of fun!)

Just bought a cord of wood from a family down the street and made mention that one of my relatives uses starter fluid in this manner. They about fell over.... seems their son-in-law was burned horiffically a couple years ago from doing this. The lighter fluid fumes had settled on the ground and under his chair. An ember popped out of the fire-pit and ignighted the heavy fumes. He couldn't react quickly enough since he was *reclining*. The guy survived but it was an ugly story. One that I'll pass on to my relative (who loves the fire starter) during our Thanksgiving campout.
Laura

[funkill]

Okay - here are few other things from my list....

emergency radio (I carry this during the summer - especially on longer trips)
first aid kit (ming is HUGE - and includes stuff for my dogs)
truck emergency repair kit
portable air compressor (just added this)
tool box (small box of the basics)
fire extinguisher (stored in the kitchen)
latex gloves (for sewage stuff)
broom (I just added this - really used it esp on the outside rug)
flashlights
extra batteries
lantern
binoculars
power inverter
quarters (I don't know why???)
copy of trailer insurance (since mine doesn't provide me a card)
fishing license
radio, ipod, c/d
dvd movies (for rainy days)
camera w/extra card & battery charger
cell phone w/charger
flip flops (for showers)
bug repellant
sunscreen
games/books/cards
umbrella
leather work gloves (esp handy when tending the fire)
rain coat/poncho
whistle (for hiking emergency)
compass (never used, but carry it anyway - attached to backpack)
air horn (to scare away pests - four or two legged)
small bucket
utility knife
cable ties/wraps
lighters
bleach/disinfectant
spray air freshener
tarp
rope
duct tape
scissors
hatchet or axe
outdoor rug
sewing kit w/safety pins
nail kit (I hate hang nails!)
garbage bags (kitchen & yard)
pop-up outdoor garbage container (I use a pop-up laundry bag and put a liner in it)
oven mitt (for removing pots/pans from grill)


Laura

[kennethowens]

I am glad you are getting out in the Argosy.
I'll bet you see none other like it. I think they
are FANTASTIC. Be careful and have fun!

[kds]

Laura, I LOVE YOUR LIST!!!!!!
Just what I needed. I don't have my Airstream yet. I am traveling in my sister's T@DA to see if I really like the RV lifestyle. I am going to add this to my folder. Thanks!

Kelly

[ROBERT CROSS]

Our rule.....

If you think of something, tell your partner, then do it yourself.

If you haven't forgotten something, your not Stream'n right.

[mutcth]

Originally Posted by kds

Just what I needed. I don't have my Airstream yet. I am traveling in my sister's T@DA to see if I really like the RV lifestyle.

Sorry for the thread sidetrack - we did something similar, buying a T@B to see that we liked RVing. Turned out we love it - and we loved moving up to our Argosy.

The only additions that come to mind - some sort of blocks for under the tongue jack, and our Minuet needs a folding entry step. I also bring a collasping water container and a flat-folding washbin.

Foodwise, you can always bring something cooked at home that you simply reheat. We did that the other weekend for a potluck - slow-cooked pork in the crockpot at home, reheated cornbread.

Tom

[Minno]

I used to always forget pillows and a pancake turner, until I bought dedicated ones for the RV. Extra pair of shoes per person is always good. Rain gear, if you have it (then it won't rain - if you don't have rain gear, it WILL rain!). Popcorn - nothing like sitting around a fire eating popcorn cooked on the stove with REAL butter on it. Flashlights and batteries. Toothbrushes!
Have fun!

[Alwhisman]

LOL, it's true no matter what you'll forget something! We all do! As far as food, I plan a menu ahead of time to include one extra meal as an alternative, then all the normal snacks and drinks. I usually take too much, but I'd rather unload it at home than be short on the trip.

We are leaving at 3 tomorrow morning for our land in west texas. I started loading yesterday afternoon, finishing today. When I load slow, I dont tend to forget as much. Christine stays stocked, all i have to do is load clothes and food which helps. I spend a few hours just checking everything before I hookup...

Enjoy your trip! Take alot of pictures, we wanna see!

Al

[Aage]

As many responders have mentiooned, you will forget something.

Just remember the old travelling adage:

Bring half the clothes and twice the money. You really won't regret it...

[Apache_Camp]

Looks like we need a bigger trailer for all this stuff.
I went up from an Apache Popup to this 24' Argosy (which is a lot closer to 20' than 24'). Maybe a 28' or 31' AS is in order? LOL.

[Apache_Camp]

Pretty good trip over-all.

The Argossy towed behind my Buick Roadmaster straight as an arrow, its such a relief to tow a camper and you can just about forget its back there. We were able to easily maintain the (speedlimit) throught the hills of KY. The long forgotten beauty of a tow vehicle with a low center of gravity and a 5.7L V8. Round trip on a tank of gas too!
I used the Leveling hitch with No swaybar, the new one didn't come in time for the trip....but the Argossy towed beautifully (i'll use the new swaybar next trip). The new 8 ply bias ply tires were a good investment.

We will change a few things with the interior, ***my trailer had no interior, I added my own interior, based on the original.

1) After using the trailer,
We are going to have new "twin" bunks built on either side, "toy-box" style, lower for better seating, with LIFT UP lids and divided storage areas to utilize the wheel-well areas and get rid of the cabinet style doors.

2) Ditch the 110 volt electric water heater, worked but used to much electric, our camp site only had a 20 amp breaker.

3) Back to gas water heater.

4) Ditch 110 volt electric cook-top, back to gas/although we didn't really miss a cook-top, we used our portable gas grill. (although we used our microwave.

5) Existing AS bathroom worked well and the new style waste valve I installed worked perfectly. There was some flak about this new style valve, but I'm proud of it...worked great.

6) TOO much junk, brought way too much extra junk.

7) Ditch the "portable" AC unit, took up valuable sq ft, for no use. Go back to new roof AC.

8) Used a little 1500 WATT heater, it about worked Extremly well! Was in low 40's during trip.

9) Futon worked perfectly, gd to sit and sleep on.

10) Thank goodness the Univolt quit and we bought a new Wizard converter and 12 volt gell battery. Worked perfectly.

11) Like to have a bumper mounted bike rack for kids bikes?

12) Did I mention, we took too much junk? A better packing list is in required.

13) And finally, I'll eat crow and say that the front cargo box, that I said i wouldn't take off?
Yeah, its gone, it was in the way. Didn't rub on turns, just too much trouble to attach the stabilizer bars with the cargo box on.

[Airslide]

"13) And finally, I'll eat crow and say that the front cargo box, that I said i wouldn't take off?
Yeah, its gone, it was in the way. Didn't rub on turns, just too much trouble to attach the stabilizer bars with the cargo box on. "


Hmmm.. We thought you might come around...

[Apache_Camp]

Eemmm crow is kinda bland....may try to eat less of it.

[sempi2]

#11 bike rack - check out plenty of postings on that. We installed one, used once - sway issue - and the other threads about seperation, we are still working on a good solution for our bikes.