Travel Gear & Equip.

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Hey All,

I'm getting my gear together for my " Vacation Trip " to the " Santa Barbara/Solvang " area next week. I started gathering a few items & decided to share a few photos on what I generally pack.

Bed Bath & Beyound
1. Mattress Cover
2. Mattress Pad

1. Sheets
2. Blankets
3. Comforter
4. Quilted Furniture Moving Pad/ Blanket

I can now pile on any additional equipment needed, that I will immediately remove(side Tent)to set-up camp , or leave inside of my Teardrop for safe keeping,ie, Side Tent /Generator & Storage Tub / two Duffle Bags with Clothing /Laptop Computer / Heater.

Lamps & Wallymart Travel/Alarm Clock.

My version of a " Porta-Potty " used inside of the " Side Tent " for the late night tinkles,along with the required supplies.

I place all of my " Electrical Cords " inside of the bucket & carry my water hoses inside of the bag on top

Kitchen area

Spices,Coffee,Sugar,Paper Towels,odds & ends. Some of the heat sensitive items will be placed inside of of " Ice Chest "(Mustard / Mayo/Ketchup/ Relish/ Olive Oil ).

I ran out of posting space(??)& will continue on the next thread !

L.M.

 

[Steve & Ellen]

Re: Gera & Equip.

L.M.
Good stuff. Thanks

Steve

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Hi again,

Kitchen area:Continue

Cups, Coffee Press ; Linens,Towels, Pot Holders, Kitchen knives & Block( Wallymart)

Storage area : Pots & Pans ( Do in photo )wrapped with earth friendly , reusable shopping bags.

Storage area next to sink : Paper Supplies /Aluminun Foil /Metal Serving Plate / Stainless Steel Serving Food Trays(4)/ Propane Lantern & Hoses / Sink Hoses.

Cafeteria style food serving Trays(4), stored inside of Shopping bag ; Electirc Toaster Oven & Hot Plate in background.

SINK:

Plastic crate containing; Hand Sanitizer, Spray Bottle w/ Alcohol, Dish Sponge, Pan Cleaning/Scrubbing Brush/Dawn dish soap.

Plastic Oil pan , which I use for washing dishes, with hot water. I only use the sink for rinsing/washing food& hands before cooking.

I've been carrying all of my " Ice Coolers , Refrigerator/Freezer " , along with extra propane tanks, inside of my " SUV(s) "(Extrra/Yukon)on all of my trips.

Hopefully this was of some help to others !!

L.M.

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Just an example of how simple or fancy you can get ..?

My " 2009 Camping Trip & Thanskgiving Dinner "

Grilled;BBQ Game Hens/ Stove Top Stuffing & Gravy / Sauted Spinach & Onions.

L.M

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Hey all,

I'm still in the process of packing items & decided to share a few more photos.

We decided to pack our food items inside of plastic crates, which should make it easier to find things.
Some of the items will be placed inside of the " Ice Chest(s) ", when we stop by the market on our way out to pickup the perishable items.(Ice/Drinks/Meats/Veggies/Cheese/Eggs/Milk).

Heres a photo of my " Silverware ", along with my spatulas, ladles,Can opener/Bottle openers,etc.
We've been using a smaller versions of the " Spatulas & Ladles ",normally used in our kitchen @ home.

KITCHEN KNIVES:
These are what I have found to be very useful for our teardrop trips.

1. Chinese Style Cleaver: I really like this knife, but it was tooo large for my small Raindrop Kitchen. (Messermeister)
2. Large Fillet Knife:This is my kick-around Fillet/ Butchering knife.(Forschner)
3. Japanese Style Vegetable Knife: I really like this one for its overall size : 6 1/2 " x 2 " (Satoria Nakiri)
4. Two Black Handle paring knives: My girlfriends favorite. I happen to prefer larger knives.
5. Fabareware : 4 Piece set , Shears & Small Knife Storage block.( Wallymart )

L.M.

 

[Steve & Ellen]

L.M.
I like your idea of bucket for extension cords and possibly water hose. Also the moving pad bed cover, and the plastic oil pan. Thanks for all your work. Steve

 

[Evan]

I don't know if you are aware of Jim's knife rack for the four piece walmart set. There are pictures here you can look at, and you might be able to bribe Jim to make you one as well. Some of us already have.

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Hey Thanks Evan,

I just checked it out .. " LOOKS COOOOL " !

I'm going to wait and see what other creative ideas are shared .. before I start drilling holes !!

L.M.

 

[BobB]

L.M.
Thanks for sharing your ideas and photos. These are very, very helpful!

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Hey all,

Just back from my most recent trip.

Here's a few more photos of my gear!

Small Dutch Oven
Three Skillets (#3/#6/#8)
Small pot for " Rice / Pasta ".
Small metal Serving Tray

Propane Grill.

Home Depot All Purpose Buckets : Electrical Cords in one & Water Hoses in the other.
Plastic Crate, keeps the Propane tanks from rolling around.

Small funnel to dump my waste(Tinkle/gray water)after doing dishes,etc. I normally carry(store when not in use)inside of my "Porta-Potty " Bucket.

I didn't put up my " Optional Side Tent ", as the restrooms were very, very clean. However, I regretted not putting it up..as the midnight " Tinkle " walks, were getting very annoying..!

I would highly, highly, recommend this option, along with some sort of " Porta-Potty " device.

**EXAMPLE**

L.M.

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Hey all,

I'm seriously considering getting myself a " Utility Cart " to haul around my " Fishing Equipment ", along with some other possible uses.

1. Hauling my fishing equipment to the water.

2. Camp Cart tied down (Chained & locked Generator)to my front Trailer Hitch or Camp Bench ?

3. General Utility cart for my " Swapmeet/Flea Market " walks.

Reel On Wheels Utility Cart
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_52275____SearchResults
At just 26 lbs.: Frame size; 22'' x 50''.

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_52274____SearchResults
Jr.: Weighs just 18 lbs. ; Frame size: 20" x 40".

Cart Caddy
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_59587____SearchResults

Cart Liner for Reels on Wheels™ Utility Cart
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_10206403____SearchResults

I'm looking at getting the " Jr. Model ", which I'll attach to my " Raindrop Receiver Hitch " & unhook @ camp.

L.M.

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Hey all,

Just sharing a few more photos of my equipment.I'll have figure out how to tidy up my wiring harness.

I wanted a small plastic bucket to drain & collect my waste water ( Gray Water ), which could later be dump,as needed. A quick look around my garage and much my surprise , the " Sears Buffer/ Polisher " container, appeared to be a perfect fit. I may also press into service to keep my shoes from getting wet & away from the creeper crawlers !

This is how I keep my " 9x9 " Wallymart Pop-up from flying away.
1. Wallymart Ten pound Boat anchor
2. Tent Stake/ Nails ; with Washers

I had a " 10x10 " (above photo)nearly go airborne on a very windy , wet & cold night/morning (0300 hrs) on a previous trip. I grabbed the inner frame (panicked & yanked tooo hard), which broke one of the folding metal parts, making it useless!

After having experienced camping with both, the " 9x9 "is much easier to set-up,& disassemble,in particular when doing it solo.

I'll normally pop off the top and roll up for the evening,if I suspect its getting toooo windy.

Someone on another forum suggested tying the front end down under the Tear , & then using my " Ice Chests " to weigh down the other end.

HMMM.., It sounded pretty reasonable & doable.. However, in some areas, its not allowed to leave (posted) " Ice Chest " (food) out for the wild animals to get into (Bears /Coyotes/Bobcats / Raccoons /Possum)

I've seen one of the above, wandering thru or near my camping area , on every camping trip.

L.M.

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Re: Electric Toaster Oven

Hey all,

Pat asked a question on my " Toaster Oven " !
So, here's a closer photo & description.

1. Rival 1000 Watt Toaster Oven ; Wallymart ; Approx $35.00 ?
2. Aroma 800 Watt Electric Hot Plate ; Wallymart; Approx $15.00 ?

I found both to be very useful items, assuming I have enough " AC " power to run them. All of my extra power acessories are plugged directly into the " Shore Power Source " with a three plug adapter,& not into the Trailer Outlets[/u.

I was having problems with the fuse tripping, with everything plugged into the Raindrop. This plug set-up ,solved my Electrical problems/issue's.

The white cord is plugged directly into the Raindrop, which leaves the other two for my " Ice Cooler / Toaster Oven / Hotplate ".

L.M.

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Re; Travel Gear & Equipment.

Hey all,

Just sharing my trials & tribulations.. !

The " Home Depot Buckets " worked out very well & stack nicley, tucked away in the garage, waiting for my next trip.

1. Water Hose
2. Electrical Cords & Acessories
3. Porta Potty (Midnight Tinkle bucket )Top
4. Bag used for my " Tiedowns / Ropes / Tent Spikes, etc {
5. 9x9 Easyup / Sun Shade ( Wallymart )

I'm planning on another trip next month and started going thru my list of items that worked out & those we didn't need ??

1. Compact Lug Wrench & Sockets for my " Raindrop " .
I bought the " Optional Spare Tire ", but didn't have the correct " Lug Nut " socket to change the tire.
2. Small plastic Gatorade (orange) container with petty change, Extra Bottle opener ( BEEEER ).
3. Old Shaving kit (blue) for odds & ends, Tape / Screw Driver/Pens/ Pencils, etc.
4. Old Camera Bag (green) to keep my Keys / Documents / Passes / Fishing & Hunting License, etc.
5. My Personal Gear/Clothing Bag(Black), which stays inside of my Raindrop.
6. Two sets of Keys.

Hope this was some help to others ..

L.M.

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Re: Re; Travel Gear & Equipment.

One more photo ..

This is my " Personal Hygiene / Toilettries Bag ", which I carry everwhere I go, behind my Car seat ( Emergency Bag ).

1. Camo Backpack: Asprins / Bottle of 90% Alcohol / Extra TP / Matches/Knife;Multi-Tool.
2. Small Toiletry Kit: Soap / Toothpaste / Razors /Deordorant Q-Tips.
3. Baby Wipes, saturated with " Alcohol ".
4. Small personal Container w/ Wipes (Rite-Aide), for my pit stops on the road,or wiping my hands & face before eating, etc.

I will most likely dupicate another,to keep inside of the " Raindrop ".

L.M.

 

[Louie R Magdaleno]

Re: Re; Travel Gear & Equipment.

Hey everyone,

I'm currently using a portable water filration unit @ home for the last few years .

Home Use: Berkey Stainless Steel Water Filtration Systems
http://www.berkeyfilters.com/

I don't normally drink any water on the road , unless it's bottled water.. However, I don't want to haul aound too much of the stuff , as it takes up space in my " Ice Chest " , which leaves me less room for my " BEER " !

We have " Camped " in areas where there was a water source on hand (Water Spigot). So, I decided to pick-up a small unit to tryout!

2. Raindrop : PUR ( Wallymart )

We found the " PUR " to be very convenient for our last Roadtrip to " Mammoth Lake ".

L.M.

 

[Theresa]

Equipment aside, I love those of you who include wonderful close-ups of parts of your campers! It's very useful for those of us who are "shopping" for Camp Inns -- you're giving us a good idea of how big the cabinets, etc. are.

 

[trishanne]

Re: Re; Travel Gear & Equipment.

I was wondering: have you considered using a Travel Berkey in your Camp-Inn? I am considering purchasing a Berkey filter for home use and thinking it could double for travel. Don't have my CI yet, but it appears from measurements that the travel Berkey would fit back in the cooler slot of the galley for travel. Maybe even the Big Berkey would fit. That would all depend on the slope of the hatch. Any ideas on this as you already have the Berkey and the trailer?
Thanks!

 

[GinaNBob]

Re: Re; Travel Gear & Equipment.

We carry a vinyl coated tablecloth that is large enough to cover the couch, mattress, and pillows so that we can carry our lawn chairs in the 560. It worked well on our recent extended trip. We fold it up and store it in the TV when we are in the trailer. It was on clearance and less than $8.00. It also keeps any moisture off the bedding.