Community Forums

6Kampers · 06-02-2017, 07:31 AM

About to embark on our first big trip -- Cincinnati to Prophetstown S.P (2nights) then to Indiana Dunes (2nights)! Will be longest haul and with 4 kids should be an adventure --

AMAZED at the depth of packing and getting ready takes for these trips !! Almost not worth it.... I said almost --

Anyone got tips/ideas/sharing regarding the 24hrs before trips!? This is our 8x out and furthest we've gone is 1hr! So the packing was more than usual .

THANKS

TsuSM70 · 06-02-2017, 07:36 AM

Look at what you have packed. Can probably reduce by 1/3. Remember weight is a factor in handling and mileage. Have you checked your tire pressure? Enjoy the journey.

igave · 06-02-2017, 08:00 AM

Kids kinda have a way of increasing the tonnage with "stuff" don't they. We've learned with the grandson (and daughter too, for that matter) when they're going with us that we recheck things a couple of times and invariably can reduce the load by a fair amount. We do that periodically even with the two of us. I'm betting you will have a great time on your trip!!

6Kampers · 06-02-2017, 03:36 PM

1st part went well.... TV is a 15' F250 w/gas 6.2!! Towed beautifully but I have to remind myself that I saved +$10000 off purchase vs. Diesel everytime I see 8mpg!!!

Anyways - started setting up & unpacking!!! Forgot quite a bit baby outdoor chairs, HD antenna for outside (oh well on that 1) the fan for bugs.... not awful but now we know! Gonna see what we don't use these next 5 days then take stuff out

sbleiweiss · 06-03-2017, 07:39 AM

Two suggestions. Now that you have loaded once, make a checklist of the stuff you brought on (adding the stuff you missed and subtracting anything you find you didn't need after all). Buy stuff that can live on the RV so you don't have to "load" as much each time.

jrocker · 06-03-2017, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sbleiweiss

Two suggestions. Now that you have loaded once, make a checklist of the stuff you brought on (adding the stuff you missed and subtracting anything you find you didn't need after all). Buy stuff that can live on the RV so you don't have to "load" as much each time.

This is what we have done, right down to some clothing. It's gotten to the point now (after 30 years of owning campers) where packing for our trips consist of gathering up food, clothes, and discarding our worries.

I've found this makes it much easier to focus on important things like tire pressures, oil and coolant levels, and remembering the wallet.

6Kampers · 06-03-2017, 09:35 AM

👍👍👍👍 thank you --

Mr_D · 06-03-2017, 09:42 AM

We ended up getting stuff for the MH so we didn't have to pack as much back and forth, just clothing and food then. Made it much simpler to pack and unpack. But I've been RV'ing since 1957 so I've had time to refine my packing too.