Packing for a 3-1/2 month trip?? Advice?

[Born2RV]

After over 40 years of camping trips no longer than 2-1/2 weeks, due to work, we're headed out in January for our FIRST post retirement 3-1/2 month long trip from Michigan across the southwestern states, ending up in Florida's Fort Wilderness to meet up with the grandchildren before returning home. We've been planning this trip for over two years, and have researched and reserved all of our overnight stops and stays......none longer than 16 nights, as we have MUCH to see! We're assuming we may find a place or two in our journey to spend more time at next winter. But.....how do all of you PACK for such a long and varied trip? I know we'll have some very cool days and evenings in norther Arizona (Sedona), as well as weather changes along the coast. We were thinking if we brought 2 weeks worth of long pants/long sleeve shirts and 2 weeks worth of shorts/t-shirts, that we'd be ok? Of course, we will be doing laundry along the way. We've used our washer and dryer in our motorhome, and it works well on small loads. Advice from you seasoned travelers?? Things we shouldn't forget? (Besides my wine and the husband's craft beer! )

[Winterbagoal]

2 weeks worth of clothes for warm/cold weather should do it. What you find you absolutely need in addition, you buy along the way.
We're planning a similar trip starting early next year, without all the planning. Maybe we'll run into you (not literally) along the way out there. We haven't decided which way to go yet, southwest or southeast. Generally, we prefer traveling west of the Mississippi, so that's our probable direction.
Enjoy.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Born2RV

After over 40 years of camping trips no longer than 2-1/2 weeks, due to work, we're headed out in January for our FIRST post retirement 3-1/2 month long trip from Michigan across the southwestern states, ending up in Florida's Fort Wilderness to meet up with the grandchildren before returning home. We've been planning this trip for over two years, and have researched and reserved all of our overnight stops and stays......none longer than 16 nights, as we have MUCH to see! We're assuming we may find a place or two in our journey to spend more time at next winter. But.....how do all of you PACK for such a long and varied trip? I know we'll have some very cool days and evenings in norther Arizona (Sedona), as well as weather changes along the coast. We were thinking if we brought 2 weeks worth of long pants/long sleeve shirts and 2 weeks worth of shorts/t-shirts, that we'd be ok? Of course, we will be doing laundry along the way. We've used our washer and dryer in our motorhome, and it works well on small loads. Advice from you seasoned travelers?? Things we shouldn't forget? (Besides my wine and the husband's craft beer! )

Couple of Pairs of Pants - couple of Pairs of Shorts - Underwear

4-5 short sleeve - 4-5 long sleeve

Rain gear - Jacket

Cold gear - Jacket

Boots - Shoes - Sandals - Socks

Hat, (floppy one) sun glasses, gloves

One Sunday outfit stored deep in the back of the closet.

Laundry Detergent

With a stops at the local Wal*Mart along the way you will be fine - This will work for a Week or a Year.

IMHO more than this is just a waste - and will get in the way - Vacation Time.

Enjoy,

[diva51]

I like 2 sets of sheets in case I can't get one washed. I carry 4 bath towels and 4 washcloths for the same reason. Don't over pack the food because you are going to be near stores. If you have pets and they are on a special food take enough food for them. Campgrounds are very good at receiving packages so you can always order from Amazon.

[sbleiweiss]

Originally Posted by Born2RV

I know we'll have some very cool days and evenings in norther Arizona (Sedona),

We homebase in Sedona. Winter weather averages high around 60; low around 30 with rare snow. Farther north (Flagstaff, GC) are much colder and snowier. I agree about traveling lite and using the W/D.

[rream]

I take a couple of duffel bags from LL Bean-we have had family emergencies while on the road and had to fly somewhere twice in the last 9 years

[Harrysait]

You must love planning to devote 2 years to one trip, that is great!
We start thinking about next summers travels in Nov, then make reservations for holiday periods, rest of trip as needed.
Will be on the road 6 months, pack what clothes we want, if we miss something there is always Wal-Mart to fill in.
Don’t forget tools and spare parts, something always breaks. Lots of Gaffer Tape, no duct tape?

[nothermark]

It would somewhat depend on how often I changed my pants and shirts. Most of the time I get a couple of days out of long pants and shirts. Not so much out of shorts and Tee's. If you have a washer and dryer there is reason not to try to save up enough dirty clothes for a big load. Most do not do big loads. ;-)

I like to travel with one of the shell and liner jackets sold by most of the major clothing chains. Here is an example:

https://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/1178...=593-GN1&csp=f

Mine are from Lands End and Columbia because I got deals at the time. The Bean one is on sale today. You get both a wind shell and a fleece that can be worn separately as well as together. I also take a fleece vest that goes under the jacket for in between temperatures or just alone with a long sleeve shirt.

[Pepper2]

Clothing for me includes 2 pair of jeans, 8 pairs of shorts, 3 button down shirts, 12 t-shirts, 1 sweat pants, 2 sweatshirts, 1 heavy jacket, 1 suit, tennis shoes/sandals/deck shoes, 10 underwear, 6 assorted pairs of socks and 5 different style hats. The wife is another story.

We have FT'd over a year now, do laundry every 7-10 days and I have never felt short on clothing.

[Betr2Trvl]

Our trips are typically 1-3 months............

You will end up, no matter what your intentions are, with the following:

Your closet will be full, including some “nicer” clothes “just in case” that you’ll never wear.

Your drawers will be full

You’ll probably end up with an extra bin in the basement with heavy jackets / sweaters “just in case”; you’ll never wear them even if it gets cold because it’s too much of a pita to get them out.

You’ll take extra towels and bed linens “just in case” and store them under the bed; you may actually use them just because they are there (meaning, your wife is tired of using the other linens and towels all the time ) even though they really weren’t needed.

You buy more stuff along the way, well, just because you will.

You’ll end up wearing the sos every day, and no more than 1/2 of what you take

I just read this response to my wife, and she agrees with my assessment

[momdoc]

Pack light and since you have a washer/dryer in the rig use it often. We travel (4 months at a time currently) with about 10 days total of clothes and wash every 4-5 days. Two sets of towels and two sets of bed linens. A rain jacket and a medium wt. jacket. One pair of sweat pants or flannel pants and a hoodie as well as sandals and a pair of hiking shoes and a pair of sneakers and that is about it.

Food we buy along the way and at one time maybe have 2-3 days worth of fresh foods.

Good luck.

[GoneToTheDog]

Don't over think it. When it comes to clothes, we have found we didn't wear even half of what we thought we should take along on most trips. Over time we have learned to to take less. It will work out. Especially if you have a washer/dryer on board. If you desperately need something, most likely you will pass nearby several Walmart, Target, etc....on any given day.

[Born2RV]

Originally Posted by sbleiweiss

We homebase in Sedona. Winter weather averages high around 60; low around 30 with rare snow. Farther north (Flagstaff, GC) are much colder and snowier. I agree about traveling lite and using the W/D.

Where is your homebase in Sedona? CG name? We want to check out as many locations in the area as possible.

[twogypsies]

Keep in mind that you can wear pants/shirt more than once most of the time. You'll probably never see the people again as you move on. Just bring more than a week's worth of underwear and you're good to go until laundry day. We went to the laundromat every 10-14 days and then didn't have to think about it again. We'd hate to have to do little dabs of laundry all the time.