What to pack? And what NOT to pack? Lessons learned?

[shawearthcreations]

[p]I've tried searching for this but haven't found much...perhaps I'm not using the search engine very well.[/p][p]
[/p][p]We just bought a pretty little red Quicksilver 6.0.  We mine for gems and stones, cut them and make jewelry.  So we wanted something we could take to remote locations.[/p][p]
[/p][p]This pup is really small, so we want to pack it and either our Chevy Colorado or Jeep Patriot wisely.  It's just the two of us.[/p][p]
[/p][p]What are your suggestions?  What did you find you always/never used?[/p][p]
[/p][p]Thanks so much for your help!!!![/p][p]
[/p][p]Tammy (and Keith)[/p]

[leslie]

Bottle opener and can opener! (There is a story behind this)

[idlerockfarm]

I don't take substantially different things from when I brought a tent (except a tent, or course, and more things that plug in like chargers, etc.).
Kitchen/cooking stuff/food and water and other drinks
Sleeping bag and inflatable mat
Bathroom/toiletries
Clothes, shoes, and weather gear
Specialized gear for any planned outings such as beach shelter, etc.
Chairs for by the fire and fire equipment

Those are my broad categories.  My list is REALLY long to keep my from forgetting smaller things.

[daplumbr]

You'll have to get Leslie to tell you the backstory about the can opener.......

Also, see my post in your new member intro thread about some search results. 

[catmanriff]

I can't say I've learned even half of the lessons to come but I've started a master list and packing system that has helped.

I've been compiling a master list of stuffs to take along. The idea is that if you went down the list, you'd not forget or overlook anything. Granted, we won't be bringing everything on it, especially on 2-3 day trips but the list still applies. Just skip what's not needed. It spans from hardware/tools to medical/sundries. The list gets right down to specific food items. Could you believe I forgot bacon and butter last summer!
  As I think of things, or get reminded(like reading posts here) they get added to my master. It's almost a shopping list too and a reminder about to-dos...like fishing licenses, maintenance tasks or tests to run.

The second part of my plan was to make packing more modular. Our first couple trips were sort of haphazard, packing-wise. Lots of individual things, along with stuff not breakdown-able made for a messy tow vehicle. Having the pickup truck makes it easy. I understand that a car or SUV makes the most efficient packing more important. With modularity in mind I went and got those yellow lid heavy duty stackable plastic tubs from Home Depot. So, the goal was to get nearly everything in those. That also means picking smaller items or rethinking what we really need. I've gotten it to four. Then, there are loose single items like bbq grill, tables camp chairs, and EZup. It has worked pretty well. The last things to go in the truck are ice chests and carry on bag with clothes.

Figuring out what can stay on board the QS is the other part. ...still working on that. But, I load up pretty quickly and everything is protected from rain/elements.

[charleschapman]

Beer and TP will get you through the first night and morning.  

[catmanriff]

[quote timestamp="1478361286" author="@charleschapman" source="/post/25714/thread"]Beer and TP will get you through the first night and morning.  [/quote]Add coffee and if might agree

[flemke]

One of the things I seem to run out of or forget is batteries or I have different ones stored in different places and forget about them.  A Bluecell battery storage/organizer case from Amazon solved this problem.  Now I just check this and restock it before each trip, holds 5 sizes of batteries plus extra space for other small sizes.

[pinstriper]

The only way to figure out what to pack and what to leave behind is...go camping. Go nearby, go to places near civilization so when you discover you are missing something you absolutely have to have, you can just go get it without it ruining your weekend.

For me, things I have added:

1. Charger for the Ryobi One+ batteries I use in our LED lanterns and the nut driver I use on the stab jacks.

2. An extra water filter and pressure regulator.

3. A canvas jacket for evenings at the fireside. Synthetics get holes from sparks. This jacket stays in the trailer.

4. Hexane tabs for starting campfires. Get these at the Army/Navy surplus. There is also always an unopened butane stick lighter plus the one we're using. Get these from the dollar store or HFT.

5. Dog poop bags. Can never have too many of these.

[diversteve]

What to pack.
Spare water hose.
Good flashlight.
Light weight rain coat.

What not to pack.
Dog bed. (your dog wants to sleep with you).

[daplumbr]

[quote timestamp="1478395526" source="/post/25727/thread" author="@pinstriper"]The only way to figure out what to pack and what to leave behind is...go camping. Go nearby, go to places near civilization so when you discover you are missing something you absolutely have to have, you can just go get it without it ruining your weekend.

For me, things I have added:

1. Charger for the Ryobi One+ batteries I use in our LED lanterns and the nut driver I use on the stab jacks.

2. An extra water filter and pressure regulator.

3. A canvas jacket for evenings at the fireside. Synthetics get holes from sparks. This jacket stays in the trailer.

4. Hexane tabs for starting campfires. Get these at the Army/Navy surplus. There is also always an unopened butane stick lighter plus the one we're using. Get these from the dollar store or HFT.

5. Dog poop bags. Can never have too many of these.
[/quote]Hexane and butane; I wondered how you got those nice fires going every night with damp wood last summer. 

[drdave]

What you need if going to be different from everyone else.   I suggest you driveway camp first...  Set up the camper in the driveway and plan to sleep in it. Make a list of everything you put in it.  Every time you you go into the house to get something you forgot but need add it to the list.  In the morning take everything you realize you didn't use back into the house and remove it from the list.  Rinse and repeat a few times before you stray too far from home.... eventually you'll get it dialed in.  

[charleschapman]

A shake down trip to a near by campground within reach of Wally World helps too.  

[catmanriff]

This is most of my check list so far. Don't know if it helps.

Obviously everything won't go along but it's a good reminder and shopping list. A number of these things live inside the QS10, under the sink and in the bunks/dinette. Obviously, I like to cook so I also enjoy many of the gadgets, spices and kitchen stuffs that I use at home. After a few trips we realized what could be combined, made smaller, lighter, left off, etc. That's still a process. I'll end up building some kind of Chuck Box thing next spring.

Camp check list:
Ice
Zip locks, large, small
Tin foil
Paper towels
Salt , pepper, spices
Olive oil
soy sauce
Foil trays
Coffee maker, percolator
Coffee
Creamer
Ketchup
Mustard
Canned food-soup, chili, corn, peas
Frozen Chicken, beef, burgers
Eggs
snacks for driving
Bacon
Frozen veggies
Potatoes
buns
cheese
parmesan cheese
mayo
Tuna
Relish
Bread
Jelly/ jams
Oatmeal
Rice
stuffing
Spaghetti and sauce
Butter
Juices, sodas
Beer/wine/alchohol
Utensils
Potato masher
Tongs
Can opener
Corkscrew
Frying pans & pots
Colander
Pam spray
Griddles
Heat pads, oven mits
Grill
Stove
Grill wind shield
Grill brush
Flashlights, batteries
EZ up
Green carpet for entry
Umbrellas
Ext cords
30a ext cord
Short drinking hose,
hose extension
Water filter (for hookup hose)
Water
Batteries
Cash & coins
Cell charger
Chairs
Propane bottles
Butane bottles
Tables 2x4'
Tablecloths
Trash bags
Dishwashing stuff
scouring pads
Wash & rinse tubs
Baby wipes
Bucket
Gray (sink) water container
Weights for EZ up
Towels
Plates
Silverwear
Matches/lighters
Stand for stove(table)
Potato peeler
Cutting boards
Fans
Pillows
Sleeping bags
Toothbrushes, toothpaste
Hand lotion
Sun block
Games, cards
Battery powered radio
Firewood
Axe/hatchet
Shovel
Heaters
Lantern
Yeti cooler
Ice chest(s)
Frozen water bottles
Water filter (survival type)
Portable toilet
Generator
Gas can
Gloves
Boots
Tool kit
Jumper cables
Fuses
Tire fix aerosol
Tire lug wrench
Wd40
Jacks
Levelers
Jack Blocks
Wheel chalks
Tie down Straps
First aid kit
Advil, tums, pepto, allergy, NyQuil, Imodium
bug spray
citronella candles
Galvanized bucket fire pit
Toilet paper
Toilet chemicals
Toilet water jugs for non potable
Toilet tent
Fishing gear & licenses
Cell phones, booster, usb charger
Gaff tape

[idlerockfarm]

[quote source="/post/25728/thread" timestamp="1478438575" author="@diversteve"]What not to pack.
Dog bed. (your dog wants to sleep with you).[/quote]Agreed. I packed my dog's bed more times than I should have. He doesn't even want to lay on it outside of the trailer. I have to use a beach towel for him to lie on to keep the dirt from hitching a ride on him into my bed.