My sons & I decided we want to buy a pull -behind camper and just do some weekend trips to get away one weekend a month. Since we're new to this camping thing, how about any pointers , do's and don't for us!! thanks.
Make sure one of you knows how to drive the thing!!! Can't tell you how many people we have seen get stuck in campgrounds and once flipped in a tunnel! A solid body short truck is easier for people who are not comfortable towing. PM me and I will blab all and ask DH to answer any of your questions. Esp. if you are more specific.
Camping is the best! I love it. We already have reservations made to go tent camping one weekend this summer. As for pointers for new campers... First off, do some research online about camping. There are tons of sites with checklists for packing and information about campground etiquette and picking out a site. Some campgrounds let you bring alcohol; some don't. Be aware of the regulations for noise. You may be kicked out of the park for being too loud at night. Try state parks. They're usually kept up really nice and have nicer bathrooms and showers. Some parks have rules about what kind of wood you can bring into the park with you for campfires. The wood they sell in the campgrounds is often the cheap stuff that will burn up quickly (and it's usually expensive, too). Try to find out if you can bring your own, and if you can, do so. Learn how to build a campfire before you go. If your trailer has a bathroom in it, learn how to use the dump station at the campground and how to clean out your sewage tank. Learn how to winterize your trailer's bathroom. Bring a couple of long extension cords, a piece of old outdoor carpet for outside your trailer door, and a huge tarp. You can do lots of good things with a big tarp. Tie it to some trees and make a bigger awning, for example. If your trailer has an awning, bring some Christmas lights to attach to it with clothespins...then you'll be like one of the old pros. While we're on the subject of clothespins, bring some nylon rope for a clothesline. It gets cold in the summer at night, especially in the woods. Bring sweatshirts and other warmer clothes for at night. Above all, have fun and be prepared for anything. Camping is an adventure.
We've had a tow behind for almost 9 years and love camping. We've been to 11 Western States and two Canadian provinces. The family togetherness and memories we've had have made our purchase worth its weight in gold! Do some research before purchasing. Do NOT listen to the salesmen without knowing about this first because they'll try to sell you something that may not meet your needs. Two major things to keep in mind: Towing capacity of your vehicle Wheelbase of your vehicle If you stick within a recommended range on both of those things, you're going to have a far better time with stability. Consider a weight balancing/anti-sway hitch. We tow with a Suburban (long wheelbase) with a 1500 engine (not the strongest they make, but with better gas mileage). We purchased a 26 foot trailer (again, long but not the longest) with no slides (low weight, better weight distribution). Our trailer is also aluminum structure rather than wood (also lower weight). We added a Hensley Arrow hitch for even better stability and safety. We've taken that trailer up the Rockies without any problem at all. We've been in windy conditions, without any problem at all. Big trucks pass us on the highway with only a slight tug of sway. RV's can be a relatively unregulated market and some manufacturers are better than others (and some are really bad!). We used a ratings guide (I'm pretty sure it was RV.org) to research brands before buying. We wanted one that rated high for safety and met the above criteria. We narrowed our list down to a few options, then began searching for a good price. As it turned out, the brand we chose was available locally, but the dealer was less than honest (customers were complaining in the show room - they've since gone out of business) and the price we were quoted was far too high. We got on the phone and found someone out of state who was willing to work with us. Our trailer was delivered to our driveway for far less than what we would have paid locally. It couldn't have been easier. It's one of the best things we've ever done. I hope your experience is as wonderful as what we've enjoyed.
We love camping, but do less of it now with more critters. It is hard to trust someone to take care of the animals. We have a 5th wheel trailer that we are selling in the spring. We will still tent camp, but it seems silly to keep a 28 foot trailer that we only use a few times a year. Good luck with your tow behind and practice backing into tight spots.
We certainly plan to with an awesome mountain resort area 45 minutes from us. I won a contest once for having the oddest thing in my purse ' A list of campgrounds with flushable toilets in California.
We try to camp often as we can, we travel to camp grounds designed for horses w/trails to ride. we camp eat like kings over the open fire, and ride our horses all day. it is always some big fun, my DW & DD love this kind of thing. just try to take your time and plan well, just think & rethink whatever you might need and pack it, there is nothing worse than forgeting something major. good luck, father son camping you lucky dog. AL
My boys and I love to go camping......when we go without my husband, we stay at KOA and other campsites.......we only do rugged with another adult. But KOA's are great....and you can stay in major touristy places for really cheap. The togetherness is great too!!! We are in GA but are thinking of heading west for the summer this year!!! I teach and we fill up our summers traveling!!
