Simplify, simplify!

[field & stream]

Inspired by Thoreau and a recent thread on the impact of aging on our Airstream travels, let’s share ideas we have come up with to make our adventures less work and more fun.

They could be super simple little things (like paper plates) or complex bigger things (like tricks to deal with heavy hitches and generators). They could be for making life easier as we age, or for younger go-getters who don’t have enough time in their days to paddle upstream, ride their bikes up cliffs, or wrestle with bears. Maybe they relate to traveling with pets or, similarly, kids.

What have you done to simplify?

[3OnOurWay]

Thanks for thinking of this, I’m sure the range of the discussion will cover all ends of the spectrum. For us, two points on simplify simplify. We actually purchased the Airstream as a way to simplify our lives. Spending a lot of time out about in more remote areas and trying to figure out air travel, Rental Cars, nearest hotel stays were an 30-60 mins away was actually becoming increasingly more complicated and difficult. This planing required too much commitment and pre-planning. Simplicity was to have the airstream parked out front loaded, ready to go, only needed the bikes to be loaded and drive time to whoever the next bike race was…. This helped simplify our increasing time spent navigating on the West Coast for bike races.

The other end of simplify came to us in only stocking paper plates, and plastic utensils as you mention, we learned here while we will make more waste and are thoughtful of that. It’s also can be problematic on the weekend trips, worrying about washing, drying and putting things away, which takes us away from enjoying the outsides.

Hope this is in the thread or vain of your discussion and hopefully years from now this post has grown too many pages as newbies, such as ourselves and veteran posters share their QuickThoughts

[Airtandem]

We carry the assortment from Omaha Steak. Our son gave it to for Christmas. It has beef, pork chops , and chicken breasts. All are individual portions and frozen. Thaw, cook and eat. There are several different assortments, some have sides and deserts. There is also an assortment with brats and hamburgers. One asst. has burgers made from different cuts of meat.
We also carry "leftovers" we have frozen flat in zip bags
NO, I don't work for Omaha.
I have now seen other companies offering the same types of prepackaged products.

[GOUSC]

The jury is still out on this one. I got tired of lugging my Weber Q100 grill and yeti 45 cooler around all the time. Too heavy / bulky with both and I only use the Yeti for drink ice.

This season I am replacing them with a Ninja air fryer / grill and one of those portable ice makers. Saves weight / space in the bed of my truck and will save my back.

We use the air fryer at home all the time and the ice maker over the holidays and both seem to work well. The test will be this camping season.

[G8trwood]

If freezer allows, we have been precooking and vacuum sealing, freezing. Then warm up with sous vide. Recently tossed frozen ribs and cauli mash added a ziplock with corn warmed it all up in the silicone sink basket. Doesn’t work on long trips, but makes short ones easy

[Hans627]

It is a great idea for a thread. I'm not sure if you wanted products included as well as ideas. If so I have a few products to list.

Thanks!

[Janet H]

Appliances: I jettisoned countertop appliances. I boil water and use a pour-over, make toast in the oven, etc.

Pantry: I stock a preset list of staples and then only have to purchase and pack perishables

Clothing and shoes: If I didn't need it last year, I likely don't need it this year. OUT!

Items used outside the trailer: I now pack these in my tow vehicle rather than in the trailer. Rug, chairs, etc. This makes tear down and set up simpler.

Generator: Gone. I upped battery capacity and added solar.

Hitch: I store it in my tow vehicle when not in use.

[Bearstream01]

Good thread! It took all of like 2 trips before packing meds and toiletries got old. Now meds live in one big cosmetic bag and toiletries in another (ok two). When we are home we just use stuff out of the bags and when its travel time, its just grab and go!

[kb0zke]

We've been full-timing for nearly 10 years, and we're still working on downsizing stuff. Of course, life changes, and things that were necessary five years ago are no longer necessary.


Jo Ann got an Instant Pot and air fryer when the old crockpot died. Since today was a travel day, it didn't get used today, but is used almost every other day. I wash dishes twice a day now, instead of three times, and some days it is only once a day. I've suggested disposable places and cutlery, but Jo Ann isn't there yet.

[field & stream]

Originally Posted by Hans627

It is a great idea for a thread. I'm not sure if you wanted products included as well as ideas. If so I have a few products to list.

Thanks!

Absolutely! Please include products that lead to this goal!

[Hans627]

One product that has made setting up much quicker and easier has been the LevelMatePro. That in combination with curved leveling blocks is a big time saver.

It reduces the number of times I have to get out and in the TV.

[field & stream]

@3OnOurWay: a mini tip on minimizing the waste associated with paper plates: we found paper plate holders with tabs to hold the plate which eliminate the need for the heavier paper plates. Much less waste. Another benefit of paper plates is that you use less water which simplifies (by reducing) dumping and refilling.

[field & stream]

@Janet H: we are mostly pre-packed too. One of my favorite lines picked up on this site is “I’ve got a loaded Airstream and I’m not afraid to use it!”

[richard5933]

Duplication - we have duplicated all the thing that we used to schlep from the house to the trailer before every trip. Now there is a full set of everything we need in the trailer, from kitchen supplies and staple food to the items in our medicine cabinet. The clothing in the trailer stays in the trailer and we never have to worry about forgetting something. Same for phone chargers, electronics, etc. Other than things we normally carry around on a daily basis like our wallets/phones/etc. and perishable food we can always just hook up and go.

[aftermath]

Thanks for this thread. This is my mantra, KISS. I can't imagine being a full timer. For those folks, even I would go a little more complicated. OK, any "appliance" that I can do without stays home. You won't find a drip coffee maker when my good old fashioned percolator will do. Also, any air fryer, crock pot, slow cooker, fast cooker and any other new fangled doo dad won't be in the trailer. Have drawn the lines on paper plates unless we are boondocking. We both like cutting a steak on a plate and using a regular steak knife. Always trade offs.


I agree with the Levelmate Pro comments. Made things simpler for me.

[ealmasy]

Love the topic! A few things come to mind...

Camco Storage Bags - They come with "Sanitation", "FreshWater", etc colored tags, which makes it easy to grab the right hose.
Clam QuickSet Escape - So dramatically simpler and faster to set up and take down than our previous screen tent that it's been a game-changer for us in terms of usage.
Anker EverFrost Powered Cooler - For transferring cold items to our trailer or as additional cold storage on the road or at camp, this made the whole process simpler. No more worrying about ice or ice packs.
Mopeka Tank Check - Makes keeping an eye on your propane levels much easier and less stressful.

And I also definitely agree about the LevelMate Pro, though making sure to turn the unit inside the trailer on and off (so that you don't run down the battery) is a little bit of a hassle.

[JeffKim]

We have a very large furry dog who sheds and also tracks in everything with her. We had a Dyson Animal cordless vacuum in the house but now it's migrated and reigns as most used appliance in the camper. Costco has it on sale. It's not exactly cheap but it gets used a lot.

[Hans627]

With the help of some friends I replaced the storage area under the twin beds with drawers. Eliminates the need to get down on your knees to see place oe retrieve articles. Here is picture of the drawer before I put the bed back in place.

Save the knees and back.

[JeffKim]

Originally Posted by Hans627

With the help of some friends I replaced the storage area under the twin beds with drawers. Eliminates the need to get down on your knees to see place oe retrieve articles. Here is picture of the drawer before I put the bed back in place.

Save the knees and back.

Great idea, sort of simple, but I haven't seen this before. Was there any particular hardware required?

I noticed a paper towel holder in the storage locker, I assume for dumping needs, etc. That looks like a good idea as well.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by JeffKim

Great idea, sort of simple, but I haven't seen this before. Was there any particular hardware required?

I noticed a paper towel holder in the storage locker, I assume for dumping needs, etc. That looks like a good idea as well.

I keep the paper towel holder in the tool storage locker (where I have lubricants, tools, etc.). And for what ever needs to be cleaned (always something). I use disposable gloves for the dumping process.

I'll send you a PM about info for the drawers and where I got the details to make them. It has been a great upgrade.