What do you bring/pack in your FWC?

I looked through a lot of pages and didn't see this topic, so figured I'd post up.

 

What items have you found are indispensable to take with you?

What are things you thought you'd need, but didn't? 

What weight issues have you had with these items? 

What ingenious storage solutions have you come up with?

 

I used to haul a lot of books in my trailers with RTT's but that quickly became unwieldy and now I have all my reading material on my iPad. I still like paper books but I just couldn't haul all of the ones I wanted around and still be able to get to them.

 

I also have a set of the lego type leveling blocks that come in very handy.

 

Footman loops and bungee cords come in very handy inside. I installed some to hold a couple of the cushions on the counter top and also a plastic storage box on top of the stove for bread and chips so they don't get crushed. The bungees keep things from bouncing around inside when driving.

 

I use large binder clips to hold rechargeable battery lanterns on the front lift panel for reading in bed. 

 

So far probably my least used items are the side awning and the steps. Since I move around a lot I haven't used the awning much and I haven't had my kayak on the roof yet so I haven't used the steps much. I did get the rear awning as well, and use it more often since I have camped in the rain a lot so far.

Too much food! We tell ourselves there are stores, then we load it like we might starve. Our Grandby is named the 'Pack Rat'...

Some clothes are always in the camper no matter the season including:

Swimsuit

River sandals

Rain jacket

Fleece

Synthetic Puffy

Hiking shoes

Wool Socks

 

Also always have:

Folding shovel

TP

Propane Grill and a couple propane bottles

Camp Chairs

Camp Table

Headlamps

Sven Saw

Axe

Bug Juice

Sun screen

 

Rugged camera, gorillapod and mini-binocs are always in the truck.

 

I'd have to dig through the cabinets to see what I'm forgetting.  Other things change out depending on the trip; mountain biking, road biking, climbing, hiking, skiing, etc.

We carry (other than typcial food, etc.) a small bbq, sunshade, tools, axe, leveling blocks (lego style), duct tape, coffee, french press, bungees, volt meter, chairs.  I'm sure there is more but you'll figure out what you use and adjust over time.

Things I always have in the camper, that I always use

 

Travasak and pillows.

Coffee cups and drip coffee device, plus coffee pot to heat water.

10" frying pan to make breakfast.

sharp knife for food prep, two meals/two people worth of silverware, spoon for cooking

small dish drainer

two big bowls for dinner salad

disposable plates

trash can and trash bags

paper towels, dish dry towel, scrub sponge, dish/hand soap

full water tank, prepped Cassette toilet, toilet paper

plastic drawer of toiletries for each person

door mat and shoe cleaner

 

Things I always have in the camper that I sometimes or rarely use

 

Shower hose curtain

2 plastic plates

2 plastic wine glasses

Cheaper blended Scotch

wilderness first aid supplies

normal comfort first aid type stuff

2 qt pan and lid, 8" fry pan

too many spices, olive oil

alum. foil, sandwich baggies, food storage containers

cutting board, pan drainer, a few canned and boxed food items just in case

bug repellant, headlamp,kleenex, bleach towlets, cassette toilet refill chemical

down slippers, camp shoes

a couple games and deck of cards

 

Things in the truck I always have

 

leveling blocks

grey water container

recovery supplies

emergency tools

step in receiver hitch

 

Other stuff I pack as needed for the intended activities, camping location and trip duration.

 

 

I have about three normal packing boxes full of stuff that I used to carry in my former camper that I decided not to put into my current camper.  The only thing I carry more of, now, is wilderness first aid supplies, since I have had a couple 2 days classes and have decided to acquire and have available more of that kind of 'stuff'.  I carried around a lot of crap that I never used, or used once just because I had it, that I don't carry any more.

 

I weighed the setup and with a receiver rack full of firewood and other toys along I had 1000 lbs of payoad remaining, so weight concerns are not a factor for me.

 

I don't think I have any ingenious storage ideas. 

 

But I did buy two plastic draw things so we each have a readily-accessible toiletry place in the camper, and because I have only one drawer in my camper, this has been a really nice way to help assure we have the basics along each trip. 

 

Removing the back seat from my truck and making a flat floor with side-accessble storage underneath allows me to keep some tools and emergency stuff ready and out of the way, while allowing a larger area for the activity stuff I load up based on what the trip activities are.  I rarely even need to load anything into the camper besides our clothes and food, which makes the whole process of camping more fun and less hassle.

People have posted some good lists here. One thing I'd like to add is water containers. I carry a 3 gallon Reliance container to refill the camper's water tank. Since I prefer to drink water from my home's RO system, I also carry drinking water, in separate containers.

 

If I know I'm going where water is scarce, I fill the camper's tank and the Reliance. I pack it and heavier items on the passenger side to better balance the weight in the camper. If I know I'll be going where I can get water, I only partially fill the camper's tank to save weight.

Some great ideas and lists here indeed!

 

Thank you!

 

I figure it'll take me a few runs to get it all sorted out and hoping to learn from y'all some "must haves so don't even not consider it" and some "you'll probably consider this, but totally unnessary" things :-)

Things in the camper full time: numerous flashlights, bug lamps, LL Bean table light, large knife, TP, extra porta potti solution, bug sprays, paper towel roll on stand, plastic bowls (stackers with tops) coffee press (Gander Mountain), coffee mugs, fly swatter, kleenex box, small frying pan, tea kettle to boil water, large back pack, camera tri-pod, walking sticks, shampoo, bath soap, body scrubber, lighting wine glasses, silverware drawer with needed items, heavy duty plastic forks, spoons, and knives and sporks, along with several metal of the same, wine opener, beer opener, etc.  We carry a stack of paper plates that are placed on plastic plates (throw out the paper place and just light wash of the plastic plate.  Dehumidifier, small battery operated fan.  Bear Spray when we travel to those locations. Hiking boots and water shoes left in the camper. 7 gallon Reliance container and hose set-up for gray water.

 

On our cargo carrier that is inserted in our 2" hitch bag: gas grill, extra propane bottles, grill utensils, camper chairs, camper table, tent awning for over the picnic table, and my 2 step replaces the cargo carrier when we arrive.

 

We also take our Kindles to read and watch movies.

 

Check out my blog and you will see pictures of our campsite.

 

And oh ya, chilli pepper lights if we are plugged in.  Don't tell my wife but they are a PITA.

 

jd

Edited by longhorn1, 09 September 2015 - 08:19 PM.

I ALWAYS make sure that I have a roll or two of quarters and my checkbook in my center console.

 

It's a horrible feeling to have a nice pay shower right there and no quarters to feed it.

 

The checkbook is for those times when staying in a campground is necessary (I've never had the exact amount of cash on me--EVER).