[cassiem]

I thought I would start this thread for everyone to post their favorite tips or tricks they have learned throughout the years. This will help benefit everyone, beginner campers, and even seasoned campers alike.

I mostly tent camp, so my first tip is:

In addition to your sleeping bag, I always use a sleeping pad to put under your sleeping bag. Sleeping pads insulate you from the cool ground and provide a cushion for much cozier sleeping.

 

[kiteri]

What an awesome forum idea!!!!!!!!

My best hint (as a fellow tent camper) is to use LED lights because they don't attract mosquitos like the others do! I couldn't stand mosquitos BEFORE West Nile virus!

 

[mailfire99]

Here is one:

Permanently mounting levels on the front corners of your campers, so you don't have to locate the level everytime you adjust.

 

[mailfire99]

Oh yeah, one more

For fire starters get one of those big fire logs you use for fireplaces, cut it into small pieces. You can make 15-20 fire starters out of one large fire log. Works great.

 

[l2l]

Oh yeah, one more

For fire starters get one of those big fire logs you use for fireplaces, cut it into small pieces. You can make 15-20 fire starters out of one large fire log. Works great.

What an awesome idea thanks :thumbup1:

 

[cassiem]

2000 WD40 Uses

Here is something you all should find interesting....

2000 WD40 uses

View attachment WD-40_2000UsesList.pdf

 

[cassiem]

We keep a file folder with us at all times that has maps, brochures, reservation information, and anyting else that pertains to that trip.

 

[ctfortner]

Bring a couple of big plastic trash bags. They can be used for a few different things.
It's a pack liner, and if it starts to rains, snows, etc.. it's an emergency shelter. It will keep your dry and protect you from wind to the face if its cold.

 

[ctfortner]

Dont ever use silicone for water leaks around camper windows, or on rubber roofs, etc... It simply does not stop water leaks. I recommend using eternabond for rubber roofs, and you can buy replacement window puddy to seal your windows. Been there done that :arg:

 

[mailfire99]

Cleaning bugs off your RV

Posted in another thread, but thought it should be in the rv tips and tricks thread also.

Get a box of dryer sheets (any brand), dip it in some warm water wipe off your camper. Bugs will come right off and will not scratch the paint.

 

[bludog]

I have GOT to try the dryer sheets for cleaning bugs...sounds great!

My hint: pick up couple of those in-line water filters (Wal-Mart, Camping World...) that threads onto your water hose. Even if all you do with the CG water is flush the toilet and shower...that filter will drastically reduces any iron/sulphur/sand/whatever...:shocked: that may be present...ESPECIALLY if the campground/RV park is using well-water.

 

[glfortner]

These are all really great ideas...now if I could just come up with one :scratchhead:.

 

[cassiem]

Did yall actually drink the campground water, or just use it for dishes, showers, etc..

I have always been very skeptical of drinking campground water, but I know some that do quite often. I dont even like to make coffee with the campground water, I usually bring my own bottled water for that.

I have GOT to try the dryer sheets for cleaning bugs...sounds great!

My hint: pick up couple of those in-line water filters (Wal-Mart, Camping World...) that threads onto your water hose. Even if all you do with the CG water is flush the toilet and shower...that filter will drastically reduces any iron/sulphur/sand/whatever...:shocked: that may be present...ESPECIALLY if the campground/RV park is using well-water.

 

[bludog]

Hello Cassiem:
Almost never drink the campground water.
Tent camping and even with our little Class C...always brought own water.
Now that we fulltime...occasionally find ourselves in larger RV parks/resorts/whatever. Usually large enough that they're on 'city' water. Even then we use caution. Ok, boiling a pot of water for potatoes, spagetti, coffee...the boiling nukes anything from a 'city' water source.

Which brings me to ANOTHER HINT: carry a bottle of that spray Clorox Cleaner. Spritz water spiggots before you hook up your hose. Turn on the water and let it run just a second to flush off the bleach and whatever else was lurking.

If you ever watched folks disconnect (especially full hook-up sites)...they usually fumble around with both the sewer hose AND the fresh water hook-ups with wild abandon. (gag, gag)

My appologies to anyone reading just before a meal...:smack-head:

 

[bill0830]

Talking about water. We always use a water when connecting water the camper, plus our camper also has another filter located in the kitchen for drinking water. With the water being filter, I have had no issues with camp water, unless they have it posted not to drink the water. If you camp at a State Park or Army Corp of Engineer park, they test their water and have to meet the minimum requirement before they can post it as drinkable. I recommend the external water filter for any, even if you are tent camping. It don't take up much room and simple as connecing a water hose (which is what connects it. Hydro Life® RV/Marine Exterior Water Filter Kit - Camping World This one uses a replacement filter, which are like $7 to replace.
Here is a under the sink model: Culligan Undersink Filter System - Camping World and an above the sink model: Culligan&reg RV-1000 Drinking Water Filter System - Camping World :icon_smile_bbq:

 

[cricket2]

Rub a bar of soap on the outside of your pans when you are going to cook over an open fire. The black scorching from the fire will come off with little effort.

 

[tweetygale]

Tip on storage of food in cooler

:10220:A few years ago I found the product of press and seal. Most of our food is in coolers, due to the icebox in the pop up only holds so much. I was always struggling keeping things like hamburger, bacon, and anything in a bowl from getting water in it.

I use press and seal to help out now. To give you a idea of what I am talking about, I take and tear off a piece of press and seal long enough to cover lets just say my pound of bacon. I put that down on the counter and take the bacon out of the package. I place it on that sheet and then take off another sheet of press and seal. I put that over the top and seal all around the edges. Not once since I started to do this has water from melting ice ruined my bacon. It allows me to make hamburger patties ahead of time, and keep them dry. The nice thing is if you do not use all of the item you have, you can reseal it after you open it. Then when done, throw it away.

It works well to cover a dish or a container you have put food items in as well in the cooler.:icon_smile_bbq:

 

[dianen]

Hints and ideas

We do a fair bit of "tenting" aside from living in the camper all summer....We really go wild when we go..miles from anywhere in nothern ontario...solar lights make great lights at night for that midnight pee...also for inside the tent...and they are free...no batteries..They are also good nightlights in the trailer, when we are not hooked up to hydro.

 

[bobrussell]

here's a real basic one, most have figured it out but some of the 'new to camping' may not have yet.

"the more stuff you drag out and set up when you get there, the more you'll have to pick up and put up the day you leave" (kiss: keep it simple stupid)

murphy's rv law-it'll rain the day your packing up even if it hasn't rained the whole trip.

 

[csinns]

Wow lots of great ideas really like that solar light idea

We have a good size section of indoor/ outdoor carpet we lay outside the door to keep shoes on ,,, keeps the inside much cleaner. also I always have a fair amount of rope and a throwing weight ,,handy to use to suspend the Coleman lantern up high, makes a better lit site when its up high and when its time for lights out its a simple matter of lowering it to shut down.
of course it does mean you need trees to throw the rope over high limbs but we have lots here in Nova Scotia