Want to outfit our pop-up.....

[PrtyMolusk]

Howdy-

We became pop-up owners this year, thanks to a good deal from our neighbors. Now we need to stock it up with stuff. What is the "right stuff" to aquire? Prime yard sale season is here, and it's a perfect time for us to come up with a list; please help me to think of all the items I need, plus those which may not be needed but make camping life more pleasant.....

[Sarge]

a quality yard sale item that no one ever thinks of is fireplace "campfire" tools. We have always fiddled with a "fire stirring stick" because we like to sit out late and enjoy a campfire. As it burns down, and especially near the end when you want it to consume itself, it is a bit of a task, albeit a pleasant one, to get the sticks and the coals and the new wood right where you want them. If you watch a campfire for very long and don't fool with it that way, you just aren't human.

A few seasons ago we picked up the castoff fireplace tools from our church at the yard sale they had. Its amazing how much more enjoyment fidgeting with the fire is, when its easy and safe.

[dieguy]

A small toolbox, nothing is worse than haveing to go campsite to site asking someone for a screwdriver. With used trailers i have found it is better to have the tools if needed.

A real nice comfortable chair to sit by the campfire, Sarge is right about the campfire, it is a mesmerizing experience.

[Craig M]

Extra wheel bearings in your tool box...

One of those hanging tiered baskets for the kithen area, space is a premium at times and why not utilize some of the dead space.

If a dry camping is in the future, maybe a extra bottle of gas.

[Oct.1]

Get a piece of that outdoor carpet for in front of the door. Keeps some of the sand from coming in. Also a good place to put things on to keep them out of the dirt.
A cheep pair of shower shoes. For the public showers, or the lake if its rocky, or just to walk around the campground.
A Porta Pot if you have room. Nice for that middle of the night can't wait call.
A small cooler, to take drinks to the beach with.
A broom and dustpan. Cut the handle down on the broom a little for storage.
Disposable dishes, cups, bowls, and plastic wear. Unless you like doing dishes.
I'll also agree with the toolbox.
Rope for a close line. Can use for tie downs also.
Basic utensils, cooking items, and serving items.
A small hatchet. Good for making kindling wood for the campfire.
A small tablet of paper to write down what you need on the next trip. Start a checklist.

[JStarbrite]

To me the highlight of camping is camp cooking. A quality dutch oven is worth it's weight in gold. You can cook anything from pot roast to fruit pies in them.

Sometimes you don't have alot time to cook. For this, I use a wok. Cooks VERY fast, is versitile and cleans quickly.

A good heavy duty coffee pot that can be put on a burner or a campfire.

A heavy steel grate or rack that can be placed on a fire and used as a grill.

Cookbooks for dutch oven cooking, stir frying and grilling!

Have fun!

[ESOX]

Dutch Oven, YUMMMMM. The first thing that popped into my head when I read that was the wonderful Elk roast Moes' Mom made in Durand last year.................. :D

[Sarge]

lYeah me too, about the Dutch oven. I wonder if we can get a Moe's Mom teaches our wives to Cook, outing going.:D

don't tell Mrs Sarge I posted that:eek: :D

[fishinlk]

We just did the same thing last year, here's some other items:

First-aid kit to keep in the camper.
Deck of cards.
Hot pads or oven mitts.
a water bucket.(to put out your camfires)
small camp shovel

If you plan on going to non-improved sites add:
a 5 gal water jug
battery operated light

[JStarbrite]

Pick up extra condiments that come individually packaged at the fast food restruants you frequent. Stuff like ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, hot sauce, etc. These require no refrigeration and come in handy many times. And they are free!

[Oct.1]

PrtyMolusk,
Don't for get to leave room for you and the family. LOL

[PrtyMolusk]

Howdy-
Thanks everyone for the suggestions so far. I'm big on lists, and I'm driving the wife nuts ! Each night I show up with a revised list for her yard sale buys. Keep 'em comming!

BTW, anyone have drawings for a pop-up second story??? :eek:

[Rupestris]

If you plan on storing the pop-up anywhere but your garage you'll need to critter proof it. Being a pop-up you probably wont get anything bigger than bugs in it during the off season. moth balls were the old standard for campers but you can over do it. The smell will definitely get you some strange looks when you're in line at Pete's farm feed and house of catsup out in the middle of nowhere trying to buy Febreze. Drier sheets like Bounce do just as well when it comes to keeping moths and lady bugs away and will not stink the place up.

As fishinlk said, a deck of cards. throw in some old magazines, maybe a couple of the disposable rain jackets you get at Dicks for $1.50. When forced inside by nasty weather you don't want to be too bored.

Rupe

[skinne]

it may sound kinda of dumb but in that small tool box i would put some j.b. weld or a similar epoxy and a small tube of silicone ya never know when the sink trap may leak or something elese and cant ever go wrong with duct tape theres hundreds if not thousands of uses for that good luck and enjoy.

[Airoh]

Cheap brown jersey gloves.
The cheapest bar-b-que grill they sell cooked many meals for five of us. It is small light and portable.

[tangleknot]

We're planning on camping a lot this summer and want to be able to hook up the camper and go with out a lot of packing. We made a "Master Camping Geek list" We have it printed on Excel with a Have it column and restock it column. There is a lot of the same already listed and I see some others suggestions I need to add. Here goes.......

CLEANING

Febreeze
dish soap, sponges, rags, scrub brush
Spray cleaner
brush & dust pan
garbage bags
paper towels

GENERAL

matches
alarm clock
flash light & batteries
lamp
Mr. heater & propane
camp chairs & table
firewood & starter
camping diary, wilderness survival book
nerf footbal, coloring books

TOOLS

Hatchet
batt charger
ext cord
wrench, plier, screw driver, hammer
elect tape
fix a flat
grease gun and gun
tire wrench
canvas and screen repair

HEALTH & BEAUTY

first aid kit
wipes
kleenex
suntan lotion, bug spray
shampoo, cond, toothpaste
laundry tablets
totebag

COOKING

tinfoil, saran wrap
cook stove
tongs
cups, mugs
pots, pans
dutch oven
bread pan
silver ware, spatula, serving spoon
plates, bowls
griddle
tea kettle, coffee, tea
sandwich bags, tupperware
utility knife
water bag
grill, charcoal
cooking grate
napkins
can opener
seasonings
cutting board


The camping diary is great to record what we did on our trips. The wilderness survival is fun and educational. When we are at some of the more primitive sights, we can pick a catagory such as shelter building, water collection etc., and the kids can try it. Someday, it might come in handy in the woods!

Seems like a lot but it makes for a very family friendly trip whether it be at a primitive state site or more equiped private site. We have it if we need it. We got a lot of supplies at the dollar store to keep it cheap. Have fun!

[Airoh]

One skillet meals work good when in areas of limited water. Makes for simple easy clean up.